I bought my first car! '88 Civic Wagovan baby! (Pics added)

[d123456]

Love that old rx-7 as well as the later model.
I almost bought a honda accord 2005 European model http://lukehimself.net/wp-content/uploa ... t05nov.jpg
I believ it was released in the us as acura tsx http://images.automotive.com/cob/factor ... __rear.jpg

[CRTGAMER]

Maybe a question of why it wasn't ran for so long and left out like that. I would buy on the basis of worse case scenario, the price of a replacement rebuilt engine and transmission. Sitting that long, maybe the motor might be bad and by now has dried up seals in the tranny.

Definitely bring along a friend who has worked on engines. If possible pop one of the spark plugs for a look of electrode fouling, if they have not corroded into the aluminum casing.

Bring a spare battery, you could even see if the engine would at least crank over. But I wouldn't try to fire it up until that old moisture laden oil gets changed.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

I've since decided to avoid the RX7.

To be honest I thought it over a bunch and I really wouldn't have been able to afford the maintenance costs on my salary and at my age.

As of right now I'm looking for a good 80's hatchback for under $1000. Something in decent shape and non-tuned/riced/ghettoed up/whatever you call it. No offense to anyone who likes to tune their car. It's just that in my area it's typically a sign of neglect from HS kids with a large wallet and no knowledge of how a car works screwing up a perfectly good vehicle.

So, does anyone have some leads on one nearby in my area? It looks like my one possible option may have gone stale as I still haven't had any replies.

I'm in the 28625 zip code and can probably finagle my way around anywhere in the Statesville to Charlotte or Statesville to Winston Salem and surrounding region.

Manual's or Automatics are fine as I prefer a manual due to better fuel economy and lower maintenance costs. I'm just looking for help on all ends from somebody as my local auto scene is mostly big new car dealerships with used lots few and far between.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Ok guys I need tips!

There's an '86 Accord Hatch in my area, but it has some issues and seems to have been at LEAST partially "riced".

Here was the guy's email:

i got a 1987 honda accord hatch lxi that runs just needs four tire studs for the right rear they costed 1.99$ at autozone and the valves need to bee adujusted alittle ..it has the stock tires with hubs,and a set of 16 in enkies for it cheery bomb exhuast ,,its a automatic i will sell cheap 800$ or obo will trade also

Should I go for this one? is the amount of time and money I may potentially put in it to get this thing unfucked and back to factory stock worth it if I were to end up buying it? Keep in mind I have Zero knowledge of how to work on a car aside from putting gas in and MAAAYYYBEEEEE changing the oil.

Here are the pics (note that it's on jacks in one of them):

tyler.jpg (9.45 KiB) Viewed 556 times

llolol.jpg (10.85 KiB) Viewed 556 times

interior.jpg (7.52 KiB) Viewed 556 times

er2.jpg (11.71 KiB) Viewed 555 times

[Czernobog]

Manual's or Automatics are fine as I prefer a manual due to better fuel economy and lower maintenance costs..

I thought that too until I had a clutch go out on me on the damn highway....not a cheap fix. I think it's good that you're staying away from that RX7 as your first car though and taking some of Hobie-wan's advice as it really is very good advice.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

True, but as long as it's maintained properly it can far outlast an automatic if not abused or burnt up from careless and abusive driving.

I almost had an '85 Manual with one single owner since new and in fairly decent looking shape for $750 but he got an offer of cash on the spot from someone else.

[Czernobog]

True, but as long as it's maintained properly it can far outlast an automatic if not abused or burnt up from careless and abusive driving.

Fair enough. My manual was definitely driven quite hard by the previous owner as he lived in the Rocky Mountains on the side of a mountain.

I almost had an '85 Manual with one single owner since new and in fairly decent looking shape for $750 but he got an offer of cash on the spot from someone else.

Damn, that sounds like it could have been a decent bargain. Best of luck on your search.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

True, but as long as it's maintained properly it can far outlast an automatic if not abused or burnt up from careless and abusive driving.

Fair enough. My manual was definitely driven quite hard by the previous owner as he lived in the Rocky Mountains on the side of a mountain.

I almost had an '85 Manual with one single owner since new and in fairly decent looking shape for $750 but he got an offer of cash on the spot from someone else.

Damn, that sounds like it could have been a decent bargain. Best of luck on your search.

Thanks man, if you might somehow know of any leads on places I haven't checked yet by all means point me in the right direction. I'm needing some serious help finding good clean ones here in NC.

In NJ where I used to live these were EVERYWHERE. But here in NC where I am now it's tough to get one as aside from the ricing/street racing community nobody owns one and stayed more on the SUV/Truck route.

[Czernobog]

Thanks man, if you might somehow know of any leads on places I haven't checked yet by all means point me in the right direction. I'm needing some serious help finding good clean ones here in NC.

In NJ where I used to live these were EVERYWHERE. But here in NC where I am now it's tough to get one as aside from the ricing/street racing community nobody owns one and stayed more on the SUV/Truck route.

I wish I could help more, but it sounds like you're looking in all the same places I would so my only advice is to keep at it and be patient. I've always ended up buying from older owners, say in their sixties or up, as they tend to ask less and have fairly well treated family cars around here.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Thanks man, if you might somehow know of any leads on places I haven't checked yet by all means point me in the right direction. I'm needing some serious help finding good clean ones here in NC.

In NJ where I used to live these were EVERYWHERE. But here in NC where I am now it's tough to get one as aside from the ricing/street racing community nobody owns one and stayed more on the SUV/Truck route.

I wish I could help more, but it sounds like you're looking in all the same places I would so my only advice is to keep at it and be patient. I've always ended up buying from older owners, say in their sixties or up, as they tend to ask less and have fairly well treated family cars around here.

That was the guy I almost got the '85 from. He mentioned in his ad he had just retired and was buying this years model.

Man, I do not like car buying already and I'm only three days into it.