Re: Carfax, Buying Used, & Craigslist.org

Pszemol wrote:
> "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.

in my experience, gasket only fails after the radiator cracks and the 
motor cooks.  the gasket goes about a year later.  moral of the story, 
replace the radiator every 10 years.



> 
>>> 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.

i strongly disagree.  my 89 is a much superior vehicle to the 2000. 
better handling, better interior, better ergonomics, better power to 
weight...

only thing going for the 2000 is full electronic control of the 
automatic transmission, but the benefit of that is marginal, especially 
if the mechanical auto transmission is properly adjusted and has the 
right fluid.


> 
>> 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 :-)