Should I buy this Civic?
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Should I buy this Civic?
Hello, everyone, I just found this site yesterday, lots of good info. I was just wondering if I could get some of the member's opinions.
Here is the situation, I'm looking to get third car for the family, I have a daughter that will turn 16 in a month and can start driving on her own, and we have a son who turns 14 this summer, we plan on letting her drive it when she needs too so we don't have to take her everywhere, but I will drive this car a fair amont also. I've been looking for this "magical" third car off and on since last fall. I have been to most of the used car dealer lots around me, when the salespeople ask me what I'm looking for I tell them it will be a third car and my "baseline" car is a low miles, 2 or 3 year old Honda Civic. However, I don't really want to spend quite as much as I think they would cost me, so I've been mostly looking at 2 or 3 year old Big Three cars. What I'm looking for is safety, reliability, and a good value. The only special consideration for me is that our family is a little taller than average, I'm 6 ft 1, my wife is 5 ft 11, my son is already as tall as his mom, but my poor daughter is only 5 ft 8. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG] As a side note, our other two cars are a 99 Toyota 4runner and a 2001.5 VW Passat V6 4motion.
Well anyway, I got a call from a local buick dealer that I was in looking at cars a week or so ago, and he told me they had just taken in on trade a green 2001 Civic LX coupe, with auto transmission, and only a little over 14,000 miles on it. He said they where asking $12,000 for it. This seems like a fairly good price to me, the only other Civics like it I've seen around where I live would at least be listed for several thousand $$ more, especially at our only local Honda dealer. He said that they normally will not hold honda's on their lot very long as they would either swap it to another dealer that is owned by the same company (a nissan dealer) or sell it quickly to a broker. I told him I was interested, and he has let me take it home to test drive for a couple of days.
So far I'm fairly impressed, and like it more each time I drive it. But the price he offered almost seem too low, I almost thought there must be something wrong with the car. I check www.carfax.com, no accident reports. It drives fine, I can't hardly fine a scratch on it, if I had to rate it I would give it pretty close to "excellent" condtion from what I can see, and the dealer has not even preped it for resale.
Well, my question is, does this seem like a good deal on a '01 LX coupe? What should I look for that might be wrong? Any recalls, or other nagging little bugs/glitches that the 01 models are known for? I just may be willing to pay a little more than I was planning too to get a Civic, but I don't want any "surprises" a couple of months down the road, if you know what I mean.
I would greatly appreicate any feedback this forum's memebers could give me. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/IMG]
Here is the situation, I'm looking to get third car for the family, I have a daughter that will turn 16 in a month and can start driving on her own, and we have a son who turns 14 this summer, we plan on letting her drive it when she needs too so we don't have to take her everywhere, but I will drive this car a fair amont also. I've been looking for this "magical" third car off and on since last fall. I have been to most of the used car dealer lots around me, when the salespeople ask me what I'm looking for I tell them it will be a third car and my "baseline" car is a low miles, 2 or 3 year old Honda Civic. However, I don't really want to spend quite as much as I think they would cost me, so I've been mostly looking at 2 or 3 year old Big Three cars. What I'm looking for is safety, reliability, and a good value. The only special consideration for me is that our family is a little taller than average, I'm 6 ft 1, my wife is 5 ft 11, my son is already as tall as his mom, but my poor daughter is only 5 ft 8. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG] As a side note, our other two cars are a 99 Toyota 4runner and a 2001.5 VW Passat V6 4motion.
Well anyway, I got a call from a local buick dealer that I was in looking at cars a week or so ago, and he told me they had just taken in on trade a green 2001 Civic LX coupe, with auto transmission, and only a little over 14,000 miles on it. He said they where asking $12,000 for it. This seems like a fairly good price to me, the only other Civics like it I've seen around where I live would at least be listed for several thousand $$ more, especially at our only local Honda dealer. He said that they normally will not hold honda's on their lot very long as they would either swap it to another dealer that is owned by the same company (a nissan dealer) or sell it quickly to a broker. I told him I was interested, and he has let me take it home to test drive for a couple of days.
So far I'm fairly impressed, and like it more each time I drive it. But the price he offered almost seem too low, I almost thought there must be something wrong with the car. I check www.carfax.com, no accident reports. It drives fine, I can't hardly fine a scratch on it, if I had to rate it I would give it pretty close to "excellent" condtion from what I can see, and the dealer has not even preped it for resale.
Well, my question is, does this seem like a good deal on a '01 LX coupe? What should I look for that might be wrong? Any recalls, or other nagging little bugs/glitches that the 01 models are known for? I just may be willing to pay a little more than I was planning too to get a Civic, but I don't want any "surprises" a couple of months down the road, if you know what I mean.
I would greatly appreicate any feedback this forum's memebers could give me. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/IMG]
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Rep Power: 0 Hmmmm....let's see...asking civic owners, on a website about civics...Is a civic any good??? I dont know, but I think people on this site might be a little bias about civics, but hey I could be wrong.. 
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First off welcome to the site. It doesn't seem like to bad of a deal on the 01 lx coupe. As for recalls I haven't had any yet, but I have a 01 EX coupe. Through out this site you will find out just about everything you could think of for the 7gen vics. The number one thing I can recommed to you is to use the search option to look for reviews and related topics.
First off welcome to the site. It doesn't seem like to bad of a deal on the 01 lx coupe. As for recalls I haven't had any yet, but I have a 01 EX coupe. Through out this site you will find out just about everything you could think of for the 7gen vics. The number one thing I can recommed to you is to use the search option to look for reviews and related topics.
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Rep Power: 0 That seems like a pretty reasonable price for that car. I wouldnt worry about it being "too good to be true" or anything, if it looks and drives fine, and there is nothing bad in the vehicle report, it looks like a good choice. I think that is an excellent choice for someone in your position.
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Rep Power: 374 Well if i were you i would go for it it seems like a good price and Hondas are very reliable if they are taken care of. If there is a place around you that could check out the car fr you before you buy that way no "surprises arise. Its like 50 to 100 dollars depending on where you go and just have them check it out. You should be good to go. Ihave an 01EX and havent had one problem with it so good luck on your search and anything we can do to further assist you let us know
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From: Midland, Michigan, US
Rep Power: 0 Well, I'm asking as much about the price, and what little quirks, etc. to look for. I've always been doubtfull of buying new model years, I usually want to buy a car after it has "seasoned" a bit by the car company. 
I see a fair amount of complaining about some of the bugs with the Civic around here, and the typical horror stories about dealing with the stealerships. But hey, that sort of stuff didn't stop me from buying my VW. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/IMG] I just knew what to look for going into it.
I see a fair amount of complaining about some of the bugs with the Civic around here, and the typical horror stories about dealing with the stealerships. But hey, that sort of stuff didn't stop me from buying my VW. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/IMG] I just knew what to look for going into it. 
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Rep Power: 0 Hey Mike. Well, I've got an '02 Civic LX and I haven't had any major problems with my car. Just some of the minor complaints that you find with many of the other people on this site. All of the problems I had, the dealer fixed without complaint. Standard stuff. Rocking driver's seat, glove box rattle, rear deck rattle, an occasional popping sound in the front when I low speed steer, which turned out to be a couple loose upper bolts on the strut towers, and so on. Most dealers will fix these problems, and if they complain about it, go somewhere else. They obviously don't want your future dollars on the purchase of your son's car (sorry, had to remind you)
As for the price, seems pretty reasonable to me. I haven't had much experience in converting currency (I live in Canada) but $12k seems about right. My sedan is blue book rated at $19k Can.
So if you want a good reliable car for your daughter that won't leave her stranded, go for it.
(sorry, had to remind you)As for the price, seems pretty reasonable to me. I haven't had much experience in converting currency (I live in Canada) but $12k seems about right. My sedan is blue book rated at $19k Can.
So if you want a good reliable car for your daughter that won't leave her stranded, go for it.
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From: Toronto (Pickering), Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0 My struts blew after 15k km.. my power windows stopped working around 27k. My "windshield wiper motor" went at 30k. The interior rattles. It comes with the worst tires I've ever driven on. Its slow. Other than that its a great car. I still like driving it.. im just waiting for a good deal on a 92-95 hatch.
K-lx
I still like driving it.. im just waiting for a good deal on a 92-95 hatch.K-lx
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From: Tampa Bay, Florida, US
Rep Power: 0 I also have an 02 LX. I am happy with it so far, yeah some rattles and the like, but it's most likely due to the aftermarket stuff I have added. As a reference, I bought mine for 13,800 new, so you might want to check the dealers specials if they have them in your market. As far as safety goes, the coupe got the highest ratings possible. Reliability with Honda products is supposed to be second to none (although this is my first, so I can't comment personally). Also, Honda has a good reputation and their automobiles hold their value well, in fact the 7th gen LX model Civics were rated #1 in this category. Anyway, good luck in finding the car!
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From: Indianapolis, Indiana, US
Rep Power: 0 That price is about right, actually. I think what you're seeing is that used car sales are down due to the low financing and incentives that come with new cars of late, so they are probably just trying to move more used cars. Also, I don't think green is a popular color for the Civic, but I may be wrong. I'd never buy that color and I rarely see one, but I'm sure it has a market or they wouldn't offer them. My 2002 Civic LX coupe just turned 25,000 miles yesterday. No problems, getting between 33 and 37 mpg in mixed driving, and I love it. Go for it.
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in response to your question YES i think it's a good deal.
i paid 16,100 for my 01 Civic EX
i drive it hella hard, and i mean hard, and haven't had any problems with it
what problems i did have were cause be me( minor stuff like a blown fuse from installing electrical stuff)
my cousin has a 02 EX an hasn't had any problems either so i think you in good hands
in response to your question YES i think it's a good deal.
i paid 16,100 for my 01 Civic EX
i drive it hella hard, and i mean hard, and haven't had any problems with it
what problems i did have were cause be me( minor stuff like a blown fuse from installing electrical stuff)
my cousin has a 02 EX an hasn't had any problems either so i think you in good hands
I heard there were many recalls, rattles, auto transmission problem on the 01 civic since it was the first year. If I were you I would try to find left over 02 LX. I got mine for only 13,500 and bought it on Oct(one of those left over 02). Pay a little more and you get a brand new car. You never know if the previous owner abused the car or not, or change oil at all. Anyway 1500 more won't change much on your monthly payment either.
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From: san rafael, California, US
Rep Power: 0 Clover Green Civic 01 LX Automatic
I have the same exact car that your looking at, and I love it to death!
tell everyone here that green is the tightest color!
lol
Bboysushi
I have the same exact car that your looking at, and I love it to death!
tell everyone here that green is the tightest color!
lol
Bboysushi
i have an 01 coupe manual tranny, and no mechanical probs so far(knock on wood) i love my car!!! i have driven it hard i mean very hard and 76,000 miles later still running like a dream, clutch is slipping a lil but due to how i drive prolly.
i think its not that great a deal, i would try to talk them down, seems a lil high, but i dont think that its too good to be true, go for it, but if something goes wrong dont come back and blame me[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/IMG]
i think its not that great a deal, i would try to talk them down, seems a lil high, but i dont think that its too good to be true, go for it, but if something goes wrong dont come back and blame me[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/IMG]
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Rep Power: 0 Thanks everybody for the replies. Mechanically I can't tell if there are any problems, but the only things I have found are some foam that looks like the owner put on himself on the passenger's side door between the body, I assume to stop some noise. Plus, there is a cheap radioshack thermometer installed on the dash that shows the inside and outside temp. Based on some other clues I see, and what the salesguy said, I do think the previous owner was older, maybe an engineer type person, maybe even a employee of one of the big 3 auto companies. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/IMG]
My mind is pretty much made up, I'm going to make them an offer, maybe $11,500. Going by the TMV stuff they have at www.edmunds.com, they say this car should go for $12,100 from a dealer in my area in excellent condition, and $11,600 in good conditon. I did a nationwide search at www.autotrader.com for a 2001 coupe with automatic and with less than 15,000 miles, and the average asking price was about $14,000. I'll see what they say later today. Maybe I could get it less from a private party, but there just are not many used hondas on the market near where I live, most are at the local honda dealer, and he keeps his prices high on used and new cars from what I've been told and seen.
You say that again, and I'll have to kill ya.
[IMG]i/expressions/demon.gif[/IMG]
j/k
My mind is pretty much made up, I'm going to make them an offer, maybe $11,500. Going by the TMV stuff they have at www.edmunds.com, they say this car should go for $12,100 from a dealer in my area in excellent condition, and $11,600 in good conditon. I did a nationwide search at www.autotrader.com for a 2001 coupe with automatic and with less than 15,000 miles, and the average asking price was about $14,000. I'll see what they say later today. Maybe I could get it less from a private party, but there just are not many used hondas on the market near where I live, most are at the local honda dealer, and he keeps his prices high on used and new cars from what I've been told and seen.
Quote
[hr]is your daughter currently dating?
better question...is she hot?[hr]
[hr]is your daughter currently dating?
better question...is she hot?[hr]
[IMG]i/expressions/demon.gif[/IMG]
j/k
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From: Long Island, New York, US
Rep Power: 396 Damn, I am always late...I have a silver 2001 Civic EX 5 Speed coupe. This is my 4th honda and second civic. I am actually very dissapointed with Honda. The 7th gen is probably the worst Honda that I have ever owned. My list of Hondas that I did own included:
1983 Honda Accord 5Speed
1988 Honda CRX SI 5 Speed
1994 Honda Civic EX coupe Automatic
and my 7th gen.
I cannot believe the build quality of this car. I have had more creaks, squeeks, rattles from this car....The quality is just like an american car......
To date, i have had the following problems....Keep in mind I only have 20,000 miles on it.
SEAT ROCKS
CLUTCH SQUEEKS
ENGINE SHAKES...FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL OUT
RUBBING NOISE IN TRUNK
RATTLE FROM UNDER THE CAR
FRONT SUSPENSION IS VERY LOUD
TRANSMISSION GRINDS GEARS, POPS OUT OF GEARS, AND SOMETIMES DOESNT GO INTO GEAR.
WEATHER STRIPPING ON DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS.
I am bringing the car into honda next week to get an oil change, seat fixed, engine shaking looked at, clutch fixed, and the front suspension fixed. It has been there before to be fixed, and still has these problems.
I am so upset with the quality of this car, that I am stripping all the parts I put on and selling it in the spring. I am going to buy a 4th generation or 5th generation honda accord.
So from my post, I would say Dont buy this car. If you were to buy a civic, I would get a 5thgen (92-95) or a 6th gen (96-2000). I know I should of bought a 2000 instead of this car. You learn from your mistakes.
1983 Honda Accord 5Speed
1988 Honda CRX SI 5 Speed
1994 Honda Civic EX coupe Automatic
and my 7th gen.
I cannot believe the build quality of this car. I have had more creaks, squeeks, rattles from this car....The quality is just like an american car......
To date, i have had the following problems....Keep in mind I only have 20,000 miles on it.
SEAT ROCKS
CLUTCH SQUEEKS
ENGINE SHAKES...FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL OUT
RUBBING NOISE IN TRUNK
RATTLE FROM UNDER THE CAR
FRONT SUSPENSION IS VERY LOUD
TRANSMISSION GRINDS GEARS, POPS OUT OF GEARS, AND SOMETIMES DOESNT GO INTO GEAR.
WEATHER STRIPPING ON DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS.
I am bringing the car into honda next week to get an oil change, seat fixed, engine shaking looked at, clutch fixed, and the front suspension fixed. It has been there before to be fixed, and still has these problems.
I am so upset with the quality of this car, that I am stripping all the parts I put on and selling it in the spring. I am going to buy a 4th generation or 5th generation honda accord.
So from my post, I would say Dont buy this car. If you were to buy a civic, I would get a 5thgen (92-95) or a 6th gen (96-2000). I know I should of bought a 2000 instead of this car. You learn from your mistakes.
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Rep Power: 0 Well, made them the offer, they said yes to my $11,500. The only thing they said is that since they hadn't cleaned it up for resale yet, they would want to charge me for the detailing, maybe $75. I said no, it doesn't really even need it, its cleaner than my other car anyway, I'll take it for that price, thank you. Yeah, after reading up I know alot of people have issues with the new civics vs. the older models, but if I don't like the car, I'll bet I would have no problem selling it in a year or two if I want too.
I'm off to the dealer after work tonight to close the deal. I'll probably start hanging around here alot too. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/IMG]
I'm off to the dealer after work tonight to close the deal. I'll probably start hanging around here alot too. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/IMG]
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From: Long Island, New York, US
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[hr]Originally posted by: smoke4
welcome to the club! you won't regret it.
[hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: smoke4
welcome to the club! you won't regret it.
[hr]
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Rep Power: 0 Mine is just fine. I already put several thousand miles on it and the only thing I had to do was put in gas and inflate the tires. No rattles at all until about two weeks ago. I was going to bitch and moan about how my car rattles until I found out that it wasn't my car. It was the stupid parking permit vibrating against the rearview mirror.
Yes, but you cannot speak for everyone else. You may have gotten a bad one, but others are just fine with their cars.
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[hr]Originally posted by: civicdude
Thats funny, I regret purchasing my car...............[hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: civicdude
Quote
[hr]Originally posted by: smoke4
welcome to the club! you won't regret it.
[hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: smoke4
welcome to the club! you won't regret it.
[hr]
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From: Midland, Michigan, US
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Not much for me, I do want to get some decent floor mats, I will probably get the official Civic heavy duty ones, and maybe some mud guards, there is so much snow/slush/salt around here. Eventually, probably better tires and then shocks. It defintely needs a good CD/MP3 player and better speakers to go with that. My daughter wants a rear spoiler, but she can pay for that herself. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/IMG]
I didn't do much to my Passat, other than the expensive VW floormats and front mud guards. There are some nice things you can do to a Passat, but the Civic does just cry out for modding.
Not much for me, I do want to get some decent floor mats, I will probably get the official Civic heavy duty ones, and maybe some mud guards, there is so much snow/slush/salt around here. Eventually, probably better tires and then shocks. It defintely needs a good CD/MP3 player and better speakers to go with that. My daughter wants a rear spoiler, but she can pay for that herself. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/IMG]
I didn't do much to my Passat, other than the expensive VW floormats and front mud guards. There are some nice things you can do to a Passat, but the Civic does just cry out for modding.
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From: Long Island, New York, US
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Quote
[hr]Originally posted by: kennisonxgs
Mine is just fine. I already put several thousand miles on it and the only thing I had to do was put in gas and inflate the tires. No rattles at all until about two weeks ago. I was going to bitch and moan about how my car rattles until I found out that it wasn't my car. It was the stupid parking permit vibrating against the rearview mirror.
Yes, but you cannot speak for everyone else. You may have gotten a bad one, but others are just fine with their cars.[hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: kennisonxgs
Mine is just fine. I already put several thousand miles on it and the only thing I had to do was put in gas and inflate the tires. No rattles at all until about two weeks ago. I was going to bitch and moan about how my car rattles until I found out that it wasn't my car. It was the stupid parking permit vibrating against the rearview mirror.
Quote
[hr]Originally posted by: civicdude
Thats funny, I regret purchasing my car...............[hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: civicdude
Quote
[hr]Originally posted by: smoke4
welcome to the club! you won't regret it.
[hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: smoke4
welcome to the club! you won't regret it.
[hr]
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Rep Power: 0 Just remember Mike. This is only the begining!![IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG][IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG][IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG]
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Rep Power: 0 ive been happy with my 01 lx auto, rattles i have is from my audio and losing plastic clips behind panels. Nothin major has happened with it. Its just slow but oh well. I couldnt handle the tickets involved with owning a faster car. I would recommend new tires though, the firestones suck, and while your getting new tires you might as well get your daughter some 17s to make her really love the car. The only other things is the body seems to pick up dents really easily! I hate dents.
