Re: Carfax, Buying Used, & Craigslist.org

"Pszemol" <Pszemol@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote
> I got my 1995 toyota camry when it had 47k miles in 1998.
> Since then I hapily drive it still today, with 246k miles.
> No head gasket problems or any other major things to 
> worry.
> But I KNOW THIS CAR!

Agreed, not knowing the history is one of the drawbacks of 
buying a secondhand (or thirdhand or more) car.  Carfax 
helps a lot. I reject a car with too many owners in too 
short a time, for example, of which there are many out 
there, at least on Craigs List where I am.

I am seeing consistently that the little c. 1990 Civic 
hatchbacks feel somewhat too much like a death trap. The DXs 
and base model hatchbacks do not have power steering, plus 
the suspension bu****ngs generally seem worn (though I could 
fix this), so the road feel is generally lousy. Then too 
they are small and cramped. Great mileage, but I like 
feeling a little more like I am not the smallest, most 
vulnerable vehicle on the road.

Only one of the circa 1990 Civics I have seen had what I 
would call very good a/c. It also had a great body and 166k 
mileage, with only two owners. I made an offer on it, but as 
JBeam observes, offering more than KBB was not quite enough, 
and it got snatched at a significantly higher price before I 
could counter. I was testing the waters. Now I am seeing 
good, newer c. 1995 Civics sell within two hours on Craigs 
List.

Having driven a few 95-97 Civics now, I am leaning towards 
spending more and making this second car the one that will 
replace my 91 Civic in a few years. Meanwhile my friend will 
use the newer one for commuting in summer, then use my 91 
Civic (no a/c) the rest of the year.

Like you were saying when comparing cars, the newer ones 
have a much much better feel. I am not in a rush. Which 
means I end up saving as much as a few thousand dollars.