Faults:

Radiator went out at 168,000.

CV joints at 171,000.

Clutch replaced at 171,000.

General Comments:

From the bat this car has treated me right, getting it at a fair price of $700. For being a 16 year old car it handles very well. It does have aftermarket rims and tires (Enkei). In the snow that's a different story. I have to shift a lot to get going, but it is s fwd. Overall, this car is very solid. I would defiantly buy another honda civic.

Faults:

Well I got it from a friend. It broke down on him a few days ago (March 1st 2005). He knew nothing about cars, so I went and checked it out.

It would start, but once the RPM went back down to idle, it would stall, so driving it from where it was parked, I had to put it in neutral and keep it above the idle, so it wouldn't stall, so the whole way there I was using 2 feet driving :p

So I we got to the garage, and I was like how long has the oil light been on for, and he's like I dunno, like 1.. 2.. 3.. 4... 5 or 6 weeks :o

So I'm like wow.. So we get it into the garage for an oil change, the guy pulls out the dip stick, and he said there wasn't a drop of oil left in the car. So I was laughing, and so was the mechanic. Actually he said if it was anything else other than a Honda, the engine would have gone a while ago.

Other than that, the muffler rusted off, so now it sounds like a race car hahaha.

General Comments:

I love how it handles, it's small and zippy, has no problems accelerating, but once it gets up to 130-140km/h, it starts slowing down, whereas my Buick Century will go up to 150-160 before it starts accelerating slower.

Another feature I like is the hand brake, and once again, how small it is.

The seating is cramped in the back.. and the front is buckets.

Overall, I love this car.

Faults:

The smart old-timer who sold it to me (second owner) sold it at the right time, because it needed a LOT of what I would consider spendy, but normal-use maintenance when I got it, as follows:

1. New tires (I got Bridgestones at Costco) ; = $200

2. New radiator (I got a Modine--the best) = $200;

3. New left axle ("CV joint") = $150;

4. New Main Relay (located way up under the dash on the drivers' side) = $100;

5. New Shift Position Indicator switch = $100;

6. A/C retrofit = $150

That's around $1,000, and considering I was stupid and bought it for $2,150 the day after my divorce I might add! I now have over $3,0000 into a vehicle with a $2,000 book value!

General Comments:

It's roomy for a small car, and I'm 6'2". Handles well. The motor at 188,000 miles seems still strong and uses little or no oil between oil changes. I would perhaps buy another Honda, but ONLY after doing a full pre-purchase inspection and check, and keep it at or near book value!

Faults:

- Was left stranded once when ignition coil failed, July 1991 I think. Repaired under warranty, then recalled later. No problems since.

- Four alternators (maybe problem was cheap alternators--latest one has gone two years now)

- Three mufflers -- aftermarket ones don't last more than a couple years.

- Condensation/leaks in taillights and headlights. Water would pool inside, and the first year I had the car the taillights were like little fishbowls. Drilled little holes in the lights to let the water run out, sealed taillights with bathtub caulk. Probably should've had a brain and taken it to the dealer under warranty, but never did. Fine ever since.

- Leak in oil pan gasket I can't seal up.

- Had a problem with a fuel pump relay, where the car wouldn't start when it was very hot. This was a big problem the last year I was in Texas (1997) and didn't get solved until I moved to Seattle.

- Some of the coolant hoses have gone, with pinhole leaks that become big enough for me to notice once the steam boils out.

- Right CV joint went out last year, sounds like the other one is going now.

But aside from these things just normal maintenance: brake pads, fluid changes, wiper blades, filters, etc.

General Comments:

The car was purchased new in 1990 and has been a solid little trooper ever since. It has been back and forth from Texas to New England and British Columbia many times and in all that time has only left me stranded once.

The interior is roomy for a small car, and the rear seat folds down to provide a large cargo space. I camped in the back seat/trunk many times. The car has carried more 2x4s and furniture than I care to mention.

The car is easy to maintain, though the rotor cap is always tough to get off. There's really not much to do to it aside from the usual maintenance.

I'm cheap and got the car for that reason, and it's really lived up to that expectation. Every other year since 1997 it seems to need a lot of work--brakes, muffler go at once, plus plugs, belts, etc.--but other than that it's just oil changes. Still can get 40+ MPG on the freeway, but mostly around town now get in the low 30s.

It may look a little dated and frumpy now compared to newer cars, but the paint still shines up nice.