Gimme your opinions: (very)used 2004 Civic EX Coupe UPDATE: Wait, nope it's still available! 

"sefeing, actually bought an E46" (sefeing90) 01/26/2017 at 12:48 • Filed to: Civic, Honda, this car will never die

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UPDATE: Just heard from the owner. Car’s still available but he’s waiting on a duplicate clear title from the DMV.

So, looks like the Saturn is dropping out of the option pool. The insurance is just too high to make it really worth it, and I’m gunning for a 4Cyl.

So, I’ve found a prime little Civic on craigslist. About as much “this is a car” as possible.

Deets:

2004 Civic EX Coupe [automatic]

102k miles (low?!)

1 owner. Would be private sale

Some dents and dings

Timing belt done already, tires have less than 10k on them

The owner writes emails like an adult

$2000 dollars

I’m thinking THIS is the car. The soonest I can see it is Saturday AM since it’s on Long Island and I live in Queens, work in Manhattan. Any naysayers? Experience with this engine / tranny, etc?

CL:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

And a photo of how it was brand new, via the internet:

CalzoneGolem > sefeing, actually bought an E46 01/26/2017 at 12:50

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No one has anything bad to say about this gen Civic.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > sefeing, actually bought an E46 01/26/2017 at 12:50

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On a scale of pineapple pizza to a Trump Presidency, any bets on how fucked is that transmission?

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 01/26/2017 at 12:56

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I’m going to guess roughly a Snowden.

MonkeePuzzle > sefeing, actually bought an E46 01/26/2017 at 12:59

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2004 Civic EX Coupe [automatic] - eh. but I bet the trans are a dime a dozen so replacement if fails should be easy.

102k miles (low?!) - not bad for the age.

1 owner. Would be private sale - good

Some dents and dings - meh, for $2k thats expected

Timing belt done already, tires have less than 10k on them - very nice... thought these had a chain though? not sure on that

The owner writes emails like an adult - FINALLY!

$2000 dollars - sounds about right.

CalzoneGolem > sefeing, actually bought an E46 01/26/2017 at 12:59

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CL post is gone.

Panther Brown Tdi Volvo Shooting Brake Manual Miata RWD Wagon Stole HondaBro's Accord. > sefeing, actually bought an E46 01/26/2017 at 13:02

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Make sure it’s the ex they have different gauges are more peppy and have v tec. Manual ones are cool too.

Always the ex for this Gen because of the engine.

LongbowMkII > sefeing, actually bought an E46 01/26/2017 at 13:02

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NP

Wacko > sefeing, actually bought an E46 01/26/2017 at 13:03

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civics in general cost more to insure than comparable cars.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > MonkeePuzzle 01/26/2017 at 13:03

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IIRC, it was the transmissions mated to Honda’s V6 of this erathat had a tendency to fail.

As long as the timing belt (yes, it is a belt) has been replaced, you should be golden for quite some time with this one.

LongbowMkII > CalzoneGolem 01/26/2017 at 13:03

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Two words.

Rear Suspension.

superhead > CalzoneGolem 01/26/2017 at 13:04

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Ehhh... this is when the Civic turned a corner. Honda started cutting costs (MacPherson instead of double wishbone) and the Civic started becoming more boring. This is the point at which the only Civics enthusiasts started wanting were the Si, whereas in previous generations the Si was the goal, but non-Si’s were still snapped up. You see plenty of non-Si 4th, 5th, and 6th gen Civics that have been modified. You almost never see non-Si Civics from the 7th gen forward being modified. The styling is a step down from the 6th gen as well.

All that being said, it’s still a Civic, it’s still going to be reliable and more fun than a Corolla. I’m really not trying to put it down.

OPPOsaurus WRX > LongbowMkII 01/26/2017 at 13:04

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Lift kit opportunity

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > sefeing, actually bought an E46 01/26/2017 at 13:16

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Buy it. My 7th gen was a decent car. With the t belt done it should be pretty maintenance free, aside from maybe a rusty exhaust.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > superhead 01/26/2017 at 13:18

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It also has a lot to do with the d17a1 being very different from the engines before it. Which means less aftermarket support. You really can’t do anything with them. But 130hp and 2 stage VTEC is still pretty fun. Especially for 2000 bucks.

superhead > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/26/2017 at 13:21

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Well yeah, that too. It’s the bastard child D series. Well, it and the D16ZC DOHC.

But yeah, still not a bad car by any means.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > sefeing, actually bought an E46 01/26/2017 at 14:16

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The automatic transmissions are supposed to be a weak point in these, and somebody said rear suspension...they start to develop negative camber and tear through rear tires. You can buy adjustable lower control arms to fix that, the stock Honda units aren’t adjustable.

I had an ‘03 with a stick and found it to be a great little daily driver. I got 37mpg on the highway with it and never really had any issues. Mine had the rear suspension sag, but I sold it before fixing it...though not before buying the parts. Good little car though, can’t go too far wrong for $2000.

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > Wacko 01/26/2017 at 14:52

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Really?!

Wacko > sefeing, actually bought an E46 01/26/2017 at 15:20

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they did here in quebec before, can’t confirm that now(i used to own civics)

but shouldn’t be a difference if only covered for Liability.

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > CalzoneGolem 01/26/2017 at 15:34

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Yeah :(. And he stopped replying. Looks like I’m back to square one.

CalzoneGolem > sefeing, actually bought an E46 01/26/2017 at 15:48

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You must have patience stalking your prey.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > superhead 01/26/2017 at 15:59

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Yeah when I had one I looked into turbo set ups, there’s only a few kits and they are twice the price, and ECU tuning is also a lot more limited and more expensive. there was a Jackson Racing supercharger, but it’s been discontinued for a long time so IF You can find one they aren’t cheap, like 3500 bucks.

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > CalzoneGolem 01/26/2017 at 16:28

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SURPRISE! It’s still available. He’s waiting on a duplicate title (he only has the one with a lien on it since he bought the car so took the ad down),

Going to look at it Saturday. If i like it, I’ll put a deposit down and purchase this week.

CalzoneGolem > sefeing, actually bought an E46 01/26/2017 at 16:29

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You going to have a mechanic inspect it before purchase?

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > CalzoneGolem 01/26/2017 at 16:44

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Likely won’t be able to, it’ll have to be on a gut feeling, and my know + my friend and my father’s knowledge of cars. Owner transferred plates to his new car, so driving a distance wouldn’t be a great idea. For a $2000 honda, I feel fairly safe, and judging by the guys emails (I know, this isn’t a great way to test), he seems like a reputable person.

That said, definitely going to ask for whatever paperwork he’s got on the vehicle. As the sole owner, I’d think he be able to prove some of the repairs and maintenance he’s claiming.

CalzoneGolem > sefeing, actually bought an E46 01/27/2017 at 07:53

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Good luck and may the Jalop be with you.