Econobox research
 

Okay, so we're looking into getting another car since our Mazda is getting closer to death with each passing day. And by "closer to death" I don't just mean it's falling apart, I mean I may put a brick on the gas pedal and run the goddamn thing off a cliff because I'm so fed up with it. So anyway...

We're looking into econoboxes that get good mileage, like maybe a late 90s/early 00's Honda Civic. Laura likes them because they're "cute" & get good mileage. I like the thought because what little I've read about them says that they're reliable (which means I won't lose any wrenching time on the Mustang taking care of her car all the time) and you can get them for under $10k with decent miles on the clock. I figured you guys might know more about these cars than I do, since they're part of the 4-banger world. :wink: Anyone have the low down on these cars? Reliability? Ease of component replacement? Any other suggestions on cars that are comparable? Thanks... :D

I have a 88 Civic DX HB with over 330K miles. The car is still on its original engine and trans. I have replaced the wter pump, timing belt (three times since I have had it) and starter since I had it and thats it. The thing still runs like a champ but burns oil. But at 330K, a quart every two weeks is nothing.
I have owned this pile of heap and another 89 Si and both are bulletproof. The 89 hit a cow head on and still ran fine....although severly pulling to the left. For an econobox, the 88-91 civic HB is a great deal. most could be picked up for less than 4K, in decent condition. My last HB I bought for $500 is still my daily driver.

Remember my '88 Legend? That car was just an upscale Honda Accord. If you can find a V6 Accord from the yearly 90's you'll probably get a decent car. However, I'd bet a newer Civic (late 90's) would cost the same, last longer, and get better fuel mileage.

My friend has 2 '88 CRX's that have been through hell and back and still run pretty good for each having over 150k on the clock and multiple accidents.

If we got an EX coupe we could be straight up ricers in our Civic... VTEC-ahhh!! :lol:

Now your talkin! Laura really needs a Civic w/ a whale tail, and a fart-can exhaust. Plus I'm sure all the boys out at the Mustang shop will love to have it coming around. :lol:

Something like this?

yah but a civic instead of a VW :lol: :lol: thats a funny pic :lol:

Austin, do you get Consumers Reports? If it were me, I'd be looking at the used car guide in the annual car issue, to see what's reliable & safe.

If you're going nippon anyway, get an impreza :lol: .

Nah.. he's have to get an '02 RS or TS wagon... and those are too expensive compared to the equivalent Honda. SLO != AWD country... why pay the premium?

3 years ago I got a 93 Corolla wagon for $5.5k. It doesn't look like it will die anytime in the near future, and I haven't had to do anything more then oil changes to keep it running.

And if you are spending upwards of $10k, you could probably get a much newer one, with less miles and whatnot.

Yeah, Toyota's will last just like Hondas.

I just hit up Edmunds for their list of "best used car bets" where they rate the best used cars from 1997-2002.

Economy Car: Honda Civic
Midsized Car: Toyota Camry
Large Car: Ford Crown Vic
Luxury Car: Lexus ES 300
Sports Car: Mazda Miata


Here's what they said about the Civic and the Camry:

I would take the equivalent Corolla over a Civic every time. They match up very well in reliability, economy, and safety, but you'll pay $1500 less for the Corolla. Also, The late 90's Geo Prizms were rebadged Corollas, and you can save even more on those while still buying "american". :)

Thanks for all the input, we're gonna look at Corollas too since they look pretty damn equivalent & also cheaper (always good). 8)

I think a '98 to '00 Corolla would be a pretty decent commuter car!

Plus they're mad tite y0!

http://ominous.freewebspace.com/rice/corolla.jpg

Dizam, we could be Big Pimpin in one of those...

Hey Austin:

Someone's selling a '96 Civic DX 5MT 4-door, white, new tires, here at work for $3500. Assuming that it's in decent condition with (I'm guessing) about 100,000 miles, that's a pretty fair price according to Edmunds.com.

That's pretty cheap, but DX != VTEC... plus it's got a bunch o' miles and probably needs its timing belt replaced.

I don't know the actual mileage, I was guessing. I didn't think a timing belt on a Honda was hard to do. Good luck finding a VTEC Honda that's not pre-riced out. You gotta buy them new.

We just test drove a normal 2000 VTEC Civic the other day here in town - the EX model has a SOHC VTEC motor standard. It's the Si model with a DOHC motor that I think is difficult to find.

I don't wanna have to replace a friggin timing belt on a car for hopefully several years at least. Don't get me started on timing belts... any design that recommends a 60,000 mile replacement interval or risk destruction of the engine is a bad design, and it seems like almost all of these 4-bangers have them.

Are you refering to the Mazda? I thought all Mazda motors were non-interference, so breaking a timing belt is just an inconvience, not motor time.

Dude, you live in southern california... have you tried checking the difference in insurance between a Civic and all the other cars you are considering? Plus, you're insane to consider getting an Si for daily driver duties, unless you plan to go through a series of them in short order. :P

Any of em... I've read that most Honda & Toyota 4-cyl motors are interference designs, so snapped belt = bent valves. As for the Mazda, I don't know... it's about 10-15k past due for a new belt and it could blow sky high for all I care. I've given up on the thought of selling it, we'll probably donate the damn thing.

We live on the central coast, about 300 miles or so from LA. And I'm not looking at an Si at all, just pointing out something about what Scott said.

I would still check the comprehensive rates. Probably not as astronomically different as within LA, but worth checking. And it's too bad about the Si thing, they really are nice cars... for front drive. ;)