Buying Used Car Advice - Honda Civic

lf846

I am in need of a 'new' used car asap and have been considering a Honda Civic. Although will stretch my budget I love the look of the car (haven't test driven one yet). I've been reading lots of reviews but they aren't conclusive.
I am looking at a few in particular 2007/2008 models. The concern I have is that most are over average mileage, 70,000-100,000. One is more expensive but only 60,000. Is the higher mileage a concern? Large enough to steer clear?
Any opinions on the Civic as a car? Is it reliable etc?
I will admit that I should really be buying something smaller but love the look of the Honda. I know very VERY little about cars and would really appreciate the benefit of someone else's experience.

s_b

its old
it may well have rust issues
look at rear of sills wheel arches etc
it will need a cambelt
make sure it idles properly
rear bushes may well need replacing
make sure you feel comfortable in it
check insurance and depending on cc the road tax can be high

me?
too old in my opinion, unless its £495 and a minter you can afford to dump in a year

bigjl

The wife and i looked at a Civic diesel when we got her Clio.
Obviously with the budget of £6500 max we were looking at a really nice old shape with the solid 1.7 engine, wife didn't like the looks or the fact it was 5 yrs old.

They had a new shape 2.2 diesel which i was very interested in, the engine being a real powerhouse.

But when we looked round it the 100k mileage had taken a toll.

Gearknob was worn, steering wheel was worn, basically they have painted large parts of the interior and they don't wear well.

When.you consider my Mondeo had the same miles on it at the time we were looking for the wifes car and the fact that the interior of my Mondeo was, and still is, completely devoid of any signs of wear, other than a little wear on the gearstick gaiter.

This is my only issue with the new Civic, not as robust as the older model Civic.

colino

I'd listen very carefully to the transmission. A mild noise only in first soon rips all the way through the box on the Civic and has kind of tarnished its bombproof reputation.

property.advert

I'm also looking for another second hand motor and in the main I've concluded that it is the mechanics you should be worrying about, not scratches on the paintwork etc. It isn't new and won't be perfect so a scratch here or there is largely immaterial.

Starship miles means things are going to wear out. Getting a lower mileage one though perhaps a little older is probably where I see best value.

wba31

I have the old shape Civic (up to 2005) 1.7 diesel, cracking car.

The new shape (2006 onwards) which i think you are looking at is a stunning car. A Honda enthusiast once told me that he didnt like the new ones, he said they were made in Swindon and the build quality is poor compared the all previous Civics.
The 2.2 diesel engine is the same they dropped into the FRV, CRV, Accord etc, and is a great Diesel engine. On cars this new I'm not convinced 100k miles is much to worry about, as people have previously said just check all the wear and tear issues. They are not cheap on insurance though. I had an Accord with the 2.2 diesel engine in which was insurance group 12, i downsized to the civic (old civic) which is insurance group 6 (also a little slower ) I would book a test drive as they are fun to drive, and i think the dash is stunning! but maybe hold off a few months, a new civic is due soon so it may push the price of current civics down a lot more...

harveybobbles

s_b wrote: »

its old
it may well have rust issues
look at rear of sills wheel arches etc
it will need a cambelt
make sure it idles properly
rear bushes may well need replacing
make sure you feel comfortable in it
check insurance and depending on cc the road tax can be high

me?
too old in my opinion, unless its £495 and a minter you can afford to dump in a year

2007/2008 isnt old.

£495 for a 2007/2008 Civic? Where?

Cambelt? Diesels at that age are on chains.

Rear bushes were on the older ones circa 2000/2001 models.

s_b

harveybobbles wrote: »

2007/2008 isnt old.

£495 for a 2007/2008 Civic? Where?

Cambelt? Diesels at that age are on chains.

Rear bushes were on the older ones circa 2000/2001 models.

said i was delirious didnt i:o
i honestly read it as 97:o
these tablets are good:)
im getting better now:D
might be back at work monday:j

gilbert_and_sullivan

s_b wrote: »

said i was delirious didnt i:o
i honestly read it as 97:o

I'm absolutely sure it was 97/98 yesterday, been edited since.