Which To Buy?

We are in the USA. Granddaughter is looking to buy her first car. She is
talking Honda Civic. Don't know why, but she believes that is what she
wants. She will have about $5,000 (US) to spend. I lean toward something
not more than 5 years old. Haven't started looking but thought I would ask
this group for opinions re: a Civic. Are all Civics created equal or are
there certain models/years to stay away from?

Thanks for any help.

 

you'll be lucky to find a civic under 5yo for $5k or less. but that's
ok, because while the ones that /do/ fit budget will be older, they'll
still be a good deal more reliable than a domestic the same price.
that's why the 5yo's cost more.

pretty much all post 88 civics are reliable and cheap to run. for
handling, the 88-2000's are the best [wishbone suspension]. just make
sure it's not been too badly crash damaged. be suspicious of anything
where the paint looks "too new". civics are good for mileage up to 300k
and beyond if well maintained.

 

you'll be lucky to find a civic under 5yo for $5k or less. but that's
ok, because while the ones that /do/ fit budget will be older, they'll
still be a good deal more reliable than a domestic the same price.
that's why the 5yo's cost more.

pretty much all post 88 civics are reliable and cheap to run. for
handling, the 88-2000's are the best [wishbone suspension]. just make
sure it's not been too badly crash damaged. be suspicious of anything
where the paint looks "too new". civics are good for mileage up to 300k
and beyond if well maintained.

 

you'll be lucky to find a civic under 5yo for $5k or less. but that's
ok, because while the ones that /do/ fit budget will be older, they'll
still be a good deal more reliable than a domestic the same price.
that's why the 5yo's cost more.

pretty much all post 88 civics are reliable and cheap to run. for
handling, the 88-2000's are the best [wishbone suspension]. just make
sure it's not been too badly crash damaged. be suspicious of anything
where the paint looks "too new". civics are good for mileage up to 300k
and beyond if well maintained.

 

Tell her never to fall in love with something that can not love back.
Civics are great. So are Corollas, Camry's and Accords. Look for the best
one for the price she can afford to pay.

 

Tell her never to fall in love with something that can not love back.
Civics are great. So are Corollas, Camry's and Accords. Look for the best
one for the price she can afford to pay.

 

Tell her never to fall in love with something that can not love back.
Civics are great. So are Corollas, Camry's and Accords. Look for the best
one for the price she can afford to pay.

 

Thanks for the info. I have not started to shop so didn't realy have any
idea as to the price range for used civics.

 

Thanks for the info. I have not started to shop so didn't realy have any
idea as to the price range for used civics.

 

Thanks for the info. I have not started to shop so didn't realy have any
idea as to the price range for used civics.

 

Been there and done that. Thanks for the reminder. If granddaughter wants
a civic, and an accord (for example) is a better buy, grandmother will be an
obstacle that must be overcome.

 

Been there and done that. Thanks for the reminder. If granddaughter wants
a civic, and an accord (for example) is a better buy, grandmother will be an
obstacle that must be overcome.

 

Been there and done that. Thanks for the reminder. If granddaughter wants
a civic, and an accord (for example) is a better buy, grandmother will be an
obstacle that must be overcome.

 

$5k will buy you a 10 or so year old Civic here in NJ... I like them a
lot but was looking at Accords for my son (I wanted a little larger
car to compete with the SUV's). We ended up with a '99 Subaru Legacy
with AWD that he likes a lot. Paid well under $5k for it, too...

In addition to what the others have said, stay away from any car that
has been 'upgraded' with aftermarket air intakes, wheels, headlight/
taillights, etc. As you'll see, Civics are very popular with the tuner
crowd, but many of them have stuff added with no thought of how it
will work, just how it will look (or sound). Also look for one with
mechanical records, and preferably with the timing belt replaced.

Dan D
'07 Ody EX
Central NJ USA

 

$5k will buy you a 10 or so year old Civic here in NJ... I like them a
lot but was looking at Accords for my son (I wanted a little larger
car to compete with the SUV's). We ended up with a '99 Subaru Legacy
with AWD that he likes a lot. Paid well under $5k for it, too...

In addition to what the others have said, stay away from any car that
has been 'upgraded' with aftermarket air intakes, wheels, headlight/
taillights, etc. As you'll see, Civics are very popular with the tuner
crowd, but many of them have stuff added with no thought of how it
will work, just how it will look (or sound). Also look for one with
mechanical records, and preferably with the timing belt replaced.

Dan D
'07 Ody EX
Central NJ USA

 

$5k will buy you a 10 or so year old Civic here in NJ... I like them a
lot but was looking at Accords for my son (I wanted a little larger
car to compete with the SUV's). We ended up with a '99 Subaru Legacy
with AWD that he likes a lot. Paid well under $5k for it, too...

In addition to what the others have said, stay away from any car that
has been 'upgraded' with aftermarket air intakes, wheels, headlight/
taillights, etc. As you'll see, Civics are very popular with the tuner
crowd, but many of them have stuff added with no thought of how it
will work, just how it will look (or sound). Also look for one with
mechanical records, and preferably with the timing belt replaced.

Dan D
'07 Ody EX
Central NJ USA

 

For that price it will be a much older Civic.
Check prices at cars.com and kbb.com (kelly blue book)
Have it checked by a mechanic before buying. Find a GOOD mechanic you
can trust, not the seller's mechanic. It's a $40-100 investment that
will save you untold problems later. If the buyer won't allow it, look
for another buyer.
About any Honda is a good car. I bought a $5k Honda a few years ago,
drove it for a year, trouble-free, and then sold it for what I paid
for it!
One of the car sites above (or maybe another one?) lists all Recalls.
Find out if there are any for the year she wants to buy and then
demand to see the paperwork showing it was fixed for that recall.

 

Thanks for the good info and suggestions. I started looking at prices this
morning.

 

Thanks for the good info and suggestions. I started looking at prices this
morning.

 

Thanks for the good info and suggestions. I started looking at prices this
morning.