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Hey all. I recently picked up a Civic (as in today) and it's completely stock. The car has been maintained quite nicely and has just over 203k miles. I noticed that I'm going to need to replace some parts and make some modifications right off the bat. She needs new tires, front headlights completely replaced, stereo etc. My question is, I don't wanna go HUGE, but I definitely want quality parts to replace the factory ones. Since she has the stock rims, I'm thinking of just replacing the whole shootin' match because the tires are just about worn down. She'll probably need a new set of brake pads on the front and I've noticed that the idle is a bit unsettling after the car is, well, idling for a while. It constantly idles up and down. I've done work on cars before, but nothing serious - throttle position sensor, IAC, throttle body, air filter replacement, alternator - simple stuff. I may end up replacing the sparkplugs and ignition soon, but my main priorities are the headlights, tires and getting the idle problem sorted with the quickness. Should I go ahead and get new rims with the new tires? It's a stock motor so horses are at a minimum, but, who knows, might have a JDM engine swap in my not-so-distant future with that many miles which turns into more stout engine parts. I'm not looking for full-on racing tires/wheels, just something better than the mushy stock ones on there now. I'm definitely going to have a local honda shop check her out (check compression, full rundown, etc) before I start mucking about too much, but any/all advice would be awesome. Also, lastly, anyone else in the North Alabama area that might be able to recommend a good Honda garage?

Thanks for listening,
John

 
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Don't forget the air filter and PCV valve. Those two items made a major difference in idling after I changed them on my '98 Civic. I also changed the rotor, cap and plugs and put a combustion chamber cleaner down the spark plug holes. Good luck with it.

 
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I totally recommend visiting a junk yard one day when you have time and just looking at all the different things that might fit. There's no way to be sure you'll even find anything but scavenging through Honda's old and new is just a simple pleasure I suggest sometimes.

It's a little wierd going through dead cars but try not to think about how they got that way too much and you can get good parts for a tiny fraction of the original cost.

 
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Thanks for the tips!

 
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New headlights you say? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-...Q5fAccessories

 
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Go for the HID headlights and some Si wheels

 
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Thanks for the link and stuff.