(Advice Needed) Car People / Honda Civics

[Cocaine&Caviar]

Hi everyone, im about a week off getting my first car at the age of 23 since passing my test Five years ago, I was hoping someone would be able to give me their opinion on this:

http://www.whitesofcoatbridge.co.uk/used-cars/honda-civic-1-6-i-vtec-sport-3dr-coatbridge-201317511567275

from the homework ive done on my limited expertise it seems decent value, what are peoples thoughts?

Honda Civic 1.6 i-VTEC Sport 3dr
2003
78,000 miles
Manual
Petrol
Part Service History
12 Months MOT
4 Ownders

£2995

[H18sry]

The part service history is the worrying bit, when was it last serviced would be my main worry ?

[Sergey]

The cam belt should be changed at 70,000 miles, if it hasn't been changed (no note on the info) then I'd get it checked. It'll probably set you back circa £225 all-in for a replacement, but if the cam belt goes...so unfortunately does the motor.

A reputable garage or mechanic (or even Whites) will check it FOC.

Nice looking motor, BTW and it should see you fine for another 100k miles.

[Judas Iscariot]

Those are bad for rusting, tailgate, sills, brake pipes into calipers are the worst!

As Sergey said belt should have been done, you'd get a better bargain with a private seller too...

3k for a 10 year old car seems steep to me

[Gatecrasher]

Those are bad for rusting, tailgate, sills, brake pipes into calipers are the worst!

As Sergey said belt should have been done, you'd get a better bargain with a private seller too...

3k for a 10 year old car seems steep to me

you could probably knock a few hundred off the price but Honda's hold their value better than other brands.

[Lucius Apuleius]

Have you checked the price for insurance? You might get hammered for that engine.

[lord bunberry]

Hi everyone, im about a week off getting my first car at the age of 23 since passing my test Five years ago, I was hoping someone would be able to give me their opinion on this:

http://www.whitesofcoatbridge.co.uk/used-cars/honda-civic-1-6-i-vtec-sport-3dr-coatbridge-201317511567275
from the homework ive done on my limited expertise it seems decent value, what are peoples thoughts?

Honda Civic 1.6 i-VTEC Sport 3dr
2003
78,000 miles
Manual
Petrol
Part Service History
12 Months MOT
4 Ownders

£2995

Your could get a much better car car for 3k imo, have you had a look on gumtree, I saw a Mazda rx8 on there for less money last month

[Beefster]

Those are bad for rusting, tailgate, sills, brake pipes into calipers are the worst!

As Sergey said belt should have been done, you'd get a better bargain with a private seller too...

3k for a 10 year old car seems steep to me

That was what I was going to post earlier. I'd think it was a bit steep even if it was a year younger. If I was buying a car for £3k, I'd be going private.

[Cocaine&Caviar]

Thanks for the info everyone, the belt is something I will definitely look into.

Probably could find a better value deal on a private listing or elsewhere, but really have been in love with this model of Civic for years, and as this is my first job post uni, with a decent bonus, really want to treat myself.

Quoted around £800 insurance (my first car), so I would hope to get the car for around £2700, taking it to £3500 in total.

Will keep this thread updated.

[RyeSloan]

The cam belt should be changed at 70,000 miles, if it hasn't been changed (no note on the info) then I'd get it checked. It'll probably set you back circa £225 all-in for a replacement, but if the cam belt goes...so unfortunately does the motor.

A reputable garage or mechanic (or even Whites) will check it FOC.

Nice looking motor, BTW and it should see you fine for another 100k miles.

Do you mean the timing belt? I would assume on a 2003 car that it would be a chain and not need replaced or serviced in the cars lifetime.

[RyeSloan]

Thanks for the info everyone, the belt is something I will definitely look into.

Probably could find a better value deal on a private listing or elsewhere, but really have been in love with this model of Civic for years, and as this is my first job post uni, with a decent bonus, really want to treat myself.

Quoted around £800 insurance (my first car), so I would hope to get the car for around £2700, taking it to £3500 in total.

Will keep this thread updated.

Not usre about the reconditioned gear box comment either...why did it need reconditioned? Sounds like soemones been pretending to be a boy racer in that previously....

[heretoday]

Get an old Toyota mate. They're bomb-proof.

[RyeSloan]

Get an old Toyota mate. They're bomb-proof.

Owned a Honda and a Toyota and can say that both were pretty bomb proof.

Having worked in the car industry for a while previously I can say that EVERY customer I worked for that had a Japanese car had never had an issue with them. In 4 years I could not find a customer that has any complaints about either their Honda or their Toyota.

[heretoday]

Owned a Honda and a Toyota and can say that both were pretty bomb proof.

Having worked in the car industry for a while previously I can say that EVERY customer I worked for that had a Japanese car had never had an issue with them. In 4 years I could not find a customer that has any complaints about either their Honda or their Toyota.

We've had our Toyota for ten years. It's only got 40,000 on the clock because we live on such a good bus route! Sails through MOT each year. Garage says it'll do another ten years.

I'm boasting but actually I'm not a car person. A to B in safety and comfort will do me.

[Cocaine&Caviar]

Hi again everyone, really sorry to bother people again.

Quick Update, just had my loan application approved so will be ready to buy around next Wednesday,

unfortunately the last one I was looking at has now gone,

I was wondering if people could give me their opinion on this?

http://www.autocityscotland.co.uk/used-cars/honda-civic-1-6-i-vtec-sport-3dr-glasgow-201325519887435

£3,300 asking price on this one; Id aim to be paying around £3,000.

Two keys always a bonus,

States a FULL HISTORY WITH 6 STAMPS.

2004 Car, 80,000 miles.

1 Years MoT,

30 Day Warranty,

6 Months Tax.

[Gatecrasher]

Hi again everyone, really sorry to bother people again.

Quick Update, just had my loan application approved so will be ready to buy around next Wednesday,

unfortunately the last one I was looking at has now gone,

I was wondering if people could give me their opinion on this?

http://www.autocityscotland.co.uk/used-cars/honda-civic-1-6-i-vtec-sport-3dr-glasgow-201325519887435

£3,300 asking price on this one; Id aim to be paying around £3,000.

Two keys always a bonus,

States a FULL HISTORY WITH 6 STAMPS.

2004 Car, 80,000 miles.

1 Years MoT,

30 Day Warranty,

6 Months Tax.

looks smashing, some of the advice from before is still worth keeping in mind.

[Cocaine&Caviar]

UPDATE:

I have found a few different examples, of which I am looking to view next week. I was hoping to get people's opinions on them if possible.

OPTION 1)

Used Honda Civic Hatchback 1.6 I-vtec Sport 3dr in Glasgow, Lanarkshire | Autocity Scotland Ltd (http://www.autocityscotland.co.uk/used-cars/honda-civic-1-6-i-vtec-sport-3dr-glasgow-201325519887435)

Featuring:

2004 (04)
79,000 Miles
Silver
2 Keys
FULL HISTORY (6 Stamps)
1 Month Warranty
12 Months MoT
6 Months Tax
SILVER

£3,400

PROS: Beautiful Car, Tax and MoT benefits, 3 Door
WORRY: Selling at 79k, when Manufacturer Warranty ends at 80k

OPTION 2)

2003 (03)
35,000 Miles
1 Owne(
FULL HISTORY (9 Services)
BLUE

£2,900

PROS: Very Low Mileage, 1 Owner, Cheaper
CONS: Not as attractive, 5 Doors which isnt ideal, Not SPORT

Used Honda Civic Hatchback 1.6i Vtec Inspire S 5dr in Kinross | Kinross Cars (http://www.kinrosscars.co.uk/used-cars/honda-civic-1-6i-vtec-inspire-s-5dr-kinross-201326520282135)

OPTION 3)

2006 (55)85,000 Miles
6 Months MoT
NO MENTION OF HISTORY
GREY

£3,600

PROS: Beautiful, Newer, Sport, 3DR
CONS: NO HISTORY MENTIONED, Expensive

Used Honda Civic Hatchback 1.6 I-vtec Sport 3dr in Broxburn, West Lothian | Auto West (http://www.autowest.co.uk/used-cars/honda-civic-1-6-i-vtec-sport-3dr-broxburn-201318512359231)

OPTION 4)

2004 (54)
77,000 Miles
NO MENTION OF HISTORY
RED

Honda Civic 1.6 i-VTEC Sport 3dr 2004 (http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201307037619850/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-to/4000/price-from/2000/engine-size-cars/1-4l_to_1-6l/model/civic/make/honda/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/60/postcode/eh112jq/page/1?logcode=p)

MY THOUGHTS:

I think Option B seems the most sensible with the low mileage and only one owner, however it does not have the Wow factor that I am looking for tbh. As it stands, its between Options A or C.

Any advice given would be greatly appreciated.

[RyeSloan]

What's the difference between the sport version? Body kit only or extra oomph?

Honestly if I was you I would stick to the sport if that's what you want...you'll forever be wishing you had each time you see one when driving your own rather more sensible version.

They are pretty rare but the Toyota corolla t sports are pretty similar and have a similar bhp to the civic type R, about 190bhp....a face lift version 2004 onwards can be picked up at around your budget good and they are seriously fun cars to drive!

[lord bunberry]

Do you mean the timing belt? I would assume on a 2003 car that it would be a chain and not need replaced or serviced in the cars lifetime.

I'm getting the timing chains changed next week, they still have to be done around 80k miles

[Cocaine&Caviar]

Just a quick update people:

Later today im off to Bonnington to see this:

http://www.quality-usedcars.co.uk/used-cars/honda-civic-1-6-i-vtec-se-3dr-edinburgh-201320514144240

Now this doesnt have the wow factor of the Sport models, but its god great benefits in the way of:

1 former owner,

60,000 miles in 9 years,

9 months MoT, and a full service history.

So its the most sensible version of a Civic i think I could really find.

Had the HPI check done and all clear.

Anyone had any experience with Quality Used Cars?

[PatHead]

Did you get it?

[Cocaine&Caviar]

Ended up getting a 2005, 70,000 Mile, Silver Sport civic, for £3,500 in excellent condition.

Pretty happy with it.

[PatHead]

Hope its a good car for you. Drive safely now.