Re: Carfax, Buying Used, & Craigslist.org

Elle wrote:
> "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.

what an odd statement!  they're only 27cm shorter than your 4-door 
sedan, and they both have an identical wheelbase.  the only reason they 
could feel worse is if something is wrong.

> The DXs 
> and base model hatchbacks do not have power steering,

the automatics have power steering.


> plus 
> the suspension bu****ngs generally seem worn

that may be a valid point.  i forget that i replaced the bu****ngs and 
the shocks on both my current cars as soon as i got them, so they both 
drive like new.


> (though I could 
> fix this), so the road feel is generally lousy. Then too 
> they are small and cramped.

how are they different to your sedan?  and i can tell you for fact, 
there is more interior room in my 89 than there in in the subsequent 
generations.  get a tape measure out.


> 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. 
> 
>