Re: Carfax, Buying Used, & Craigslist.org

"jim beam" <spamvortex@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:ssGdnUWDyt21PPzVnZ2dnUVZ_tXinZ2d@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Pszemol wrote:
>> "jim beam" <spamvortex@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
>> news:qaOdnR15lNvs6_3VnZ2dnUVZ_jmdnZ2d@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>> i've seen up to $3k on craigslist for stock 88-91 civics here in the 
>>> bay area.  that's if you can find one.  the local ricers go nuts for 
>>> them. even harder to find now that gas prices are high.
>> 
>> 
>> If this is true that this car is in demand beween ricing
>> enthusiasts than it will be very hard to compete them
>> for somebody who is looking for an economy car...
> 
> the price is being bid up by people wanting gas sippers as well - even 
> more demand than usual.  but you can still get a sedan for under $1k, 
> it's the hatchbacks that are in demand.
 
I see...
 
>> I can hardly imagine what good could come from
>> buying such an old car anyway. Yes, you could probably
>> find a cheap one but it will not be in good condition!
>> You spend a lot of time looking for it, driving around
>> for inspections spending money and time to find one.
>> Then, when you find one it will not be over...
>> Is your main goal not to have montly payments? You
>> *will* be paying montly (or weekly) payments anyway
>> but to the local parts store instead to the bank and live
>> in constant fear that the car will crap out on you in the
>> middle of the trip spoiling a day and causing you some
>> towing costs..
> 
> eh?  "constant fear"???  statistically, a new car has a greater 
> probability of failure than one that's in the middle of its life. 
> [bathtub curve].  at 176k miles, my civic is in the middle of its life. 
>  there are certain weakness in this vintage civic, main relay being the 
> most notable, but it doesn't cost much to sort that stuff out.

Main relay, or - bigger problem like head gasket.
I am seeing blown head gasket the major fear of
older civic owners compared to other japaneese cars.

>> Does not seem to be such a bargain to me,
>> but you know, I am very spoiled ;-)
> 
> as elle says, if you know these vehicles, you can save a bunch of dough.

>  my 2000 civic depreciated at about $1,100 per year that i owned it.  i 
> couldn't spend that much a year in maintenance on my 89 if i wanted to. 
>  and the 89 has APpreciated in value since i bought it, not DEpreciated.

But compare the benefits of driving 2000 year model year with 89.
Yes, it is more expensive but it is a better car overall.

> and that's not accounting for the fact that certain models are better 
> than others.  imo, the 88-91 civic/crx is about the best car honda ever 
> produced.  i've tested/owned subsequent models of civic and they neither

> handle as well, nor are as comfortable as these first "real deal" 
> 4-wheel wishbone civics.  so that's why i drive them - they're the best.

I am glad you are so enthusiastic about this little car :-)