What Questions Should I Ask When Buying a Used Honda?

I'm looking for a used Honda. A casual friend may sell me his '05 Honda
Civic 30K, factory serviced, standard transmission, power windows. I don't
know what else it has or the size engine. He drives around 8K - 10k a year.
He told me because of the low mileage he doesn't get service by the date due
but months later. This bothers me somewhat. If I can make a deal with the
owner what questions should I ask the him? I plan to take the car to a
Honda mechanic and get it checked out.

Tom

 

most dealers, er, "encourage" their customers to get service done
prematurely, so chances are, your casual friend's car is in perfect
condition.

 

I'm referring to the mfg maintenance schedule, not dealer's whim.

 

oh, well, in that case, the answer you want is obvious - the car's a
total disaster and should be avoided like jimmy carter's soiled
geriatric undies. i mean, it's got thirty /thousand/ miles on it in
/three/ years!!! only a fool would buy an abused wreck like that.

 

An '05 with 30K is basically new. Your friend hasn't had it long enough to
do serious damage, except maybe to the clutch.

However, have a peek inside the oil filler hole in the valve cover. There
should be nothing more in there but the very lightest film of golden-brown
varnish, or not even that. If there are significant deposits in there, your
friend has been neglectful of oil changes, which could be a problem
depending on the amount of deposits.

I would do all the servicing required for 30K as per the Owner's Manual
maintenance schedule, then stick to the schedule thereafter. Also, get the
oil and filter changed right away.

You friend misunderstands the maintenance requirements, by the way. Honda
(NOT the dealer!) specifies a /time/ interval as well as a /distance/ one
specifically to account for low-mileage drivers.
It is unwise to ignore the time interval just because you haven't yet
reached the distance one. This is especially true for oil changes.

 

Silly me expecting a rational answer from a dunce. . ,. sorry fool. . . . .

Keeping working on that third grade reading primer and eventually, if you
work reaL hard, you'll understand the written word, asshole.

 

Thanks for the helpful response. I suspected as much. What's amazing
about this is my '92 Saturn SL1 w/ 120K is needing lots of care and feeding
ie, clutch, tires, exhaust system and I've been browsing the used car lots
looking for a'05 Honda Civic, standard shift..

My friend wants to get a Honda hybrid in a couple of months thern I'll buy
is '05.

 

you come here wanting expert advice, expect not to pay for it, dish out
bad attitude, ask improperly framed questions, all while withholding
relevant information, but the other guy's the a-hole? what self-delusion!

tell you what: next time, abandon this psychic diagnosis business and
hire someone in a professional capacity. they'll charge you $230 for a
400-point vehicle inspection, and they'll tell you exactly the same
thing - quit your whining and go home, the car's fine.

 

Hey Sport, read my question to this newsgroup then read your nonrelevant
response to my question.
Youa re truly one sick goof. I hope you don't drive a car, or handle sharp
objects or handle anything else that might cause you or more impofrtantly
others harm.

 

If he's driving 10K per year, and getting two oil changes a year, that's
fine. Also, at only 30K, any reduction in engine longevity due to
slightly extended change intervals will be minimal.

How much? There's a tendency out here (California) for two year old
Hondas to sell used for nearly as much as an astute buyer would pay for
it new. The used values are inflated both by people that paid too much
for the vehicle new, and by those that believe that the new price is
much higher than it actually is. It's very very different than how
Saturn was with their old "no-haggle pricing."

For a 5 speed 2005 with 30K miles it should be between $9,000 and
$11,000 depending on the level of equipment and trim level (DX, LX, EX
etc.). Remember, the warranty is over, and it's essentially four years
old. A 2009 manual transmission Civic DX would cost you only around
$14.5K, and only because the Civic's in high demand right now due to the
high price of fuel.

 

eh? which part is non-relevant? the bit where you withhold information
about which "service schedule" is being used because you're under the
mistaken impression that it's psychically obvious? or the bit where you
get told the car's going to be fine so quit your whining?

that's not what your wife thinks.

 

I had a low miles Civic. Did a belt set replacement at 60K miles
because it was 9 years old. Parts like that have both time and miles
limits.

My sister put about 5K a year on her 90 CRX. She had to replace the
muffler because it never got hot enough to burn off the condensate and
rusted through after only 12 years.

 

Wow, I'm impressed.

 

I only know it's an '05 w/ power windows and 30K miles. I'll find out what
other options it has and whcih trim package it has.

Tom