Oppohelp: I need valid points to convince my parents that a 236k mile EP3 Si hatch that was clearly well taken care of is worth at least inspecting.

"HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute" (hondoyota)
09/16/2019 at 18:04 • Filed to: Pls and many thank, Necessary car shopping without E90M3, EP3

They are skeptical of something with such high miles even though we're looking for a car for me to drive AND WORK ON TOO. It's owned by a family member who is into cars as well but they still don't like the mileage, they're the type to see big numbers in mileage and run right away even if literally everything else is near flawless. If possible, can you guys present me with valid arguments in my favor to convince them it'd make some sense for me, an automotive enthusiast who goes to an automotive repair school with a complete shop? (As if that wasn't already reason enough.)

DISCUSSION (35)

bob and john > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 18:09

anything that could have gone wrong has already gone wrong and been fixxed.

and you dont get to that kind of milage without being taken care of.

Chuckles > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 18:12

“an automotive enthusiast who goes to an automotive repair school with a complete shop.”

I would suggest talking to your instructors about it. See if they think it's a good idea. If they do, your argument is a lot stronger saying "my instructor at school thinks this would be a great first car to work on," instead of "people on the internet gave me these reasons to buy it."

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Chuckles
09/16/2019 at 18:14

I already did this and my teacher said it looks good and to get it inspected to be sure. I'm chipping away at them slowly, and Oppo had been right about our Odyssey woes of past so they would actually take y'all's word for it. You guys saved us nearly $2k.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > bob and john
09/16/2019 at 18:14

Very true.

RutRut > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 18:14

Dear Parental Units,

This car is too slow for me to actually get a speeding ticket in if I tried, and no one else is going to want to be seen in it preventing me from getting in any major form of trouble.

Keylube > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 18:16

It’s really clean, but it’s going to need various things. Stuff that most normal people won’t replace, bushings, CV axles, lots of random shit. High miles is still high mileage, even if’t is a Honda. A British Honda...

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 18:16

1. It has less power than a CRV.

2. European design is very safe.

3. Basically any honda engine built since 1973 will fit.

MonkeePuzzle > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 18:16

because seeing a few bad examples, of which this MIGHT be one, will help with the overall used car shopping experience

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Keylube
09/16/2019 at 18:17

I'm an automotive student with access to parts and a fully stocked shop with a passion for fixing cars, so I think that part will be fine.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > MonkeePuzzle
09/16/2019 at 18:18

Honestly am kicking myself right now for not showing them other examples that were worse off with lower mileage.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 18:18

It’s a Honda.

It’s cute.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
09/16/2019 at 18:18

This right here just sold em on it brb gonna go get it

SiennaMan > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 18:21

I keep a clean Sienna running with nearly that many miles and I have to pay people real money to do the things you'll get done for the price of parts and beer..

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 18:23

My poorly maintained , beat too hell, Oil burning 91 Civic made it too 236,000 miles. No joke I drove that car 30,000 miles on one oil change because I figured I was adding a quart every 1000 miles and that was good enough. Yeah I forgot oil filters are a thing. That was stupid, but the fact that the engine lasted that long despite also having over 200k on it is amazing.

A well maintained Honda should be able to do much better.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > RutRut
09/16/2019 at 18:25

Ouch. I mean 160hp isn’t that bad for a small car.

Chariotoflove > Chuckles
09/16/2019 at 18:28

This.

At some point, stuff just wears out, stuff that can’t be economically, perhaps, replaced. Talk to someone who can help you figure out if this is likely to be such a case.

Future next gen S2000 owner > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 18:49

Use your own cash. Tell them to take a hike.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Future next gen S2000 owner
09/16/2019 at 18:52

I'm 16, no job, broke as shit, need a car to get to and from a job so yeah, that's not happening.

promoted by the color red > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 18:55

It’s a modern-day K-powered Honda: it’s not the miles, but the rust that kills them. You can still buy all the parts necessary to fix them.

This one has no (visible) rust and a clean interior, suggesting it’s in good shape. The instructor argument below + this ought to at least get them to take a look.

Ash78, voting early and often > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 18:56

Perfect. Won’t lose value and pretty easy to work on. 230k on a Honda 4-banger is nothing if it’s well cared for.

Wish my parents didn’t pressure me into a new car at 16. Cost me almost everything I made for years.

12and35 > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 19:05

The K series motor is practically unkillable. I tried to kill the K20 in my RSX to do a Type R swap and it would NOT die (yes I know dick move) but it literally would not die...even tried draining the oil completely and run it up and down the interstate (even dumber move). They’re super reliable. Look out for third gear grind. IIRC they had some boot issues but that’s just off the cuff. It looks clean, though.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
09/16/2019 at 19:07

There isn’t a car made today that won’t speed with ease. It’s what happens after a couple of seconds of WOT that can get you in trouble with stuff that’s ‘fast’.

Jordan > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 19:07

Tell them this sentence that they’ve probably heard many times before: “Its a Honda. Honda’s are reliable”

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 19:17

With a car that is as old as that Honda, less miles likely means that the car was used less and maintained according to the mileage, not age. Also past a certain mileage you know weird lemon-type problems are going to be all gone, and all the parts of the vehicle have proven their durability. Any problems are likely to be obvious given an inspection. It’s a 4cylinder Japanese Hatchback that’s abnormally good on gas so that’s all a plus, and it’s reasonably safe. Lots and lots and lots of parts availability and information. You will never deal with waiting a week for parts of having to call around for a qualified shop. Unless they have a weird boy racer image of Civics it doesn’t make sense not to get it inspected. Also since you are learning to work on cars I can’t imagine something better than a Honda Civic.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 19:20

I bought my Miata with 242k miles on it because it was way cheaper AND in better operating/maintained/aesthetic condition than ALL of the cars I looked at with half or less miles. It has issues but considering I have made it through two track days, an autocross, and constant abuse otherwise over the ~8k I have had it so far , I can consider the issues that pop up as self inflicted and minor. Having that many miles, you WILL have issues on the car. But if your goal is to do work on it, then its a perfect choice. Id be leary of the choice if it has not been maintained though. ANY car is a bad choice if unmaintained, even if it is “low miles”. Plenty of the ~100k miles expensive options I looked at were in much worse shape due to this reason!

someassemblyrequired > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 19:21

Insurance for a young driver on any Civic is likely insane. I’d check that first.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 19:22

Thats why I bought my first car for $900 of many years of saved up christmas/birthday moeny lol. I got lucky though, was somehow not a shitheap and I sold it 5 years later with 80k more miles for $1350.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 19:24

you should pay for the inspection, that shouldnt be much money at least. clean bill of health is bound to be a good incentive.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 19:25

Grab a full list of their concerns about the car (if it boils down to just high mileage then you got your work cut out for you)

1. Cite the low cost (which should be reasonable with that many miles)
2. Refer to consumer reports or some other thing showing reliability rates for that time frame
3. ease of maintenance (savings for the buyer as you can do it all yourself!)
4. insurance cost (which should ostensibly be low)

I would also suggest that you be emotionally prepared to not be taken seriously because it’s not your money and you are 16. Not a judgment, just a reality that I faced at 16 regularly

Edit: also, if they have maintenance records, explain to them why that matters.

RutRut > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
09/16/2019 at 20:10

This isn’t about reality, it’s only about perception.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 22:18

tell them if you get it I’ll throw in a Momo steering wheel from a CL 7 Euro R.

but seriously, Hondas of that era are like Legos .. a K24 swap in that works be sweeeet

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/16/2019 at 22:20

My first car was 6 years old and have 30k more miles and was great. My last one was a year new but only had 13k less miles, a Honda too. Hondas are super reliable and like others have said, a car doesn’t get to that mileage by being neglected. I guarantee it’s been better maintained than almost anything for $5k, let alone $1500.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
09/17/2019 at 06:31

This.

Mileage means very little to me. How it was driven/maintained mean way more.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Jordan
09/17/2019 at 06:32

They have an Odyssey, they should already know better than to believe that myth again.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
09/17/2019 at 06:34

Mileage means very little to me when looking at a car.

I’ve looked at plenty of sub-100K mile vehicles with a list of issues as long as my arm because people don’t take care of their shit.

Meanwhile, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a 250k mile vehicle so long as it looks good and has good maintenance records.