Honda Civic (96-01) as a Daily Shed?

[300bhp/ton]

DanB7290 said:

I guess it isn't too old, only worry is how it's been treated in those 15 years.

Apart from assessing it's condition when you view it, there is little you can do here. Service history and receipts are good, but don't really tell you much.

DanB7290 said:

I don't want to get it home and find it needs another few hundred spent on merely making it road legal.

If you don't feel confident in assessing a car, find a friend that can or pay the AA/RAC to inspect it. There is no reason to buy a car (any car, let alone one like this) that should land you in such a situation. Sure odd things can happen, but it's far more the rarity than the norm.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Tuesday 25th June 14:55

[Loplop]

Avoid the autobox, they're made out of chocolate and hamper the fuel economy greatly.

The Saloon's have fairly decent rear legroom, though if you're tall like myself the driving position can be a bit iffy.

Rear arches are the big problem, both on the join to the sill and where the top of the rear bumper and wheelarch meet.

Other than that, there's not much to report really...

I've had mine on the road for nearly 12 months and it's been quite uneventful. Having good tyres on it though makes them handle well, even if it rolly poly, there's plenty of grip.

Cambelt is every 70k by the way.

EDIT: Look at your first post, everything I've said is relevant to the EK, it appears you're looking at the MB, which is the Rover 400/45. I'm not sure if the D15z6 was available in these, I think the 1.5 might be different.

Don't choose one over the other based on anything other than looks, they're completely identical and 90% of the time the EKs you come across were built in Swindon, not Japan.

Edited by Loplop on Tuesday 25th June 14:55

[DanB7290]

Thanks guys, will probably have my dad come with me as he knows a lot more about fixing up cars than I do and would spot stuff that's likely to go wrong quickly.
Hadn't given the EK much thought, will take a look. Definitely no auto for me, has to be a manual (OH is currently learning to drive, may want some lessons in my car)

[Loplop]

DanB7290 said:

Thanks guys, will probably have my dad come with me as he knows a lot more about fixing up cars than I do and would spot stuff that's likely to go wrong quickly.
Hadn't given the EK much thought, will take a look. Definitely no auto for me, has to be a manual (OH is currently learning to drive, may want some lessons in my car)

I ended up with an auto because the car was inherited, so I can't complain really. Really good motorway car surprisingly, a lot quieter inside than friends Astras and such that are ~5/6 years old.

One thing to note: D Series Engine Blocks do not like going through winter without Anti-Freeze. Seen a couple with 'headgasket' failure that turned out to be fractured cylinders.

EDIT: How on earth could I forget!

Rear trailing arm bushes. They go and they make the cars horrible, clunky, loud and wobbly. Quite easy to see what state they're in

Edited by Loplop on Tuesday 25th June 15:58

[DanB7290]

Loplop said:

I ended up with an auto because the car was inherited, so I can't complain really. Really good motorway car surprisingly, a lot quieter inside than friends Astras and such that are ~5/6 years old.

One thing to note: D Series Engine Blocks do not like going through winter without Anti-Freeze. Seen a couple with 'headgasket' failure that turned out to be fractured cylinders.

EDIT: How on earth could I forget!

Rear trailing arm bushes. They go and they make the cars horrible, clunky, loud and wobbly. Quite easy to see what state they're in

Edited by Loplop on Tuesday 25th June 15:58

Thanks very much, will add those to the list of things to look for. I'm currently pondering whether to go for the Aerodeck or not, until I get the job I'm looking for (which could be a while) I'mnot too sure if I'll use the extra space. It could even be that the 3 door hatch turns out to be decent enough, guess I won't know until I test drive one.

[Loplop]

The EK Hatchback's leave a lot to be desired when it comes to space, the Saloon has a lot more but the bootlid opening is pretty Narrow. Fold the seats down and I had 6 wheels and two front seats in it... Somehow.

I can't speak for the MB Hatchbacks, but I assume it's something like an EK Saloon with more accessibility. The aerodecks are geat and I think they're pretty handsome things as well. I think given the choice, I'd go for an Aerodeck over a hatch, regardless of whether I needed the space or not.

[DanB7290]

I see, I do like the shape of the EK hatch, but a reasonable amount of space will be required; the MB saloon may be a good bet then, although I'm with you on the Aerodeck looking the best, there's just something about it I like when comparing it to the others.