My 18yr old cousin went with his gf to look at a '93 Civic 5spd with 240,000kms last week and she ended up buying it. Problem is that no one else looked at it first....
Here goes the list:
- Its leaning to the left. We measured, its about an inch lower on the left side. My guess is that its the result of a budget drop attempt.
- Drivers door rubs the fender when opened despite the fact that it looks fine otherwise closed...
- There is electrical tape over the "PRND21" lights on the guage cluster because it USED to be an automatic. I confirmed this with the VIN.
- There is evidence of bondo pretty much everywhere
- There is a 9v battery holding the passenger headlight from wobbling
- IAC valve was dirty causing wandering idle
- Coolant level is low. May be contributing to the idle still wandering a bit when warm. Thought I smelt coolant, but may have just been the little spilled when removing the IAC.
Now for the stuff thats a little harder to spot,
- I pulled back the trunk liner and you can see through the right side to the ground
- Front plastic undertray is missing, as is the thin metal shield that is supposed to cover the backside of the flywheel.
- Flex line leaking at the passenger front caliper, more on this later.
- Bent over rivet through the castle nut on the passenger lower ball joint.
- Pretty much every suspension bushing is cracked and/or visibly worn.
- The interior carpet is friggen soaked EVERYWHERE. I suspect cowl leak for this and/or potentially the door seals.
- One or both of the rear wheel bearings is shot.
- Both driveshafts are clicking fiercely
- Brake warning light comes on when stopping hard because the level is low (see caliper comment)
He originally called me to help him change the passenger side driveshaft. Torque spec for the axle nut is 134lb-ft. My 1/2 breaker bar was useless even with me standing on it. Of course that was after popping the center cap and putting the wheel back on to hold it there because I was turning the whole thing even while he had his foot on the brake, recall the leaking line.
I was about to call it a day and wait for them to get the air tools going (new garage) when my uncle showed up. He had a 3/4 breaker bar in his van. Still no go. It took a 10ft metal pipe on the end of that bar with me holding the socket in place and my uncle pulling down on the end of that 10ft bar to break that sob loose. I guesstimate that was over 500lb-ft of force before it loosened.
Anyways, the rest of the job went pretty smooth. I was all set to watch my uncle show me how he pops ball joints with just a couple of hammers, but no luck. I smart ass asked him if he'd finally like to use the puller I brought with me, :P
While under there I showed him the leaking brake line, he grabbed a ratchet and went to tighten it, IT WAS LOOSE... The thought of that being possible never even entered my mind, who the fuck does that.
To make things worse, my cousin drove the car across town the next day without putting a cotter pin in there (the rivet broke when we removed it), and without torquing the damn wheel on properly. I had only snugged the lugs as it was in the air.
$1500 she paid for this thing. I'm tempted to call the guy they got it from and try to get $500 back from him. It was sold without a safety but this idiot let them drive home 45min on the highway in this death trap.
I will probably update this thread as the repairs go on.
Woah.
To that car, I say:
(http://ihasahotdog.wordpress.com/files/2007/12/fail-loldog-oops.jpg) (http://ihasahotdog.com/2007/12/13/fail/)
see more loldogs are funny dog pictures! (http://ihasahotdog.com)
Man, if people would by THAT piece of junk, I'll have no trouble unloading mine :P
Quote from: Secret Chimp on March 09, 2008, 07:30:58 AM
Man, if people would by THAT piece of junk, I'll have no trouble unloading mine :P
:lol:
Ow. I'm sorry, but these glaring imperfections didn't give her a warning sign that the car is not in good shape?
If your cousin bought this without hesitation, oh nevermind. This just sounds like he bought a POS with a Honda badge.
Quote from: 2o6 on March 09, 2008, 10:52:49 AM
Ow. I'm sorry, but these glaring imperfections didn't give her a warning sign that the car is not in good shape?
I would be about the 3rd to give him shit for not asking me to come have a look at it.
Neither one of them knew any better.
Quote from: the Teuton on March 09, 2008, 11:33:49 AM
If your cousin bought this without hesitation, oh nevermind. This just sounds like he bought a POS with a Honda badge.
His gf bought it just with my cousin there as a judge.
Thats basically it though. Its got 14 inch aftermarket alloys and a fart can exhaust on it.
That exhaust has been welded to the factory cat. I can only hope that the flange is salvageable.
It also has the dreaded fire extinguisher on the passenger A pillar..
Half the the problems are most likely a result from a front end collision(leaking cowl, door fit, bondo, etc).
It's got 240K on it, so i wouldn't have expected much. Personally for that kind of cash i would have looked for one of the millions of pontiac/buick/chevy clones.
Quote from: FlatBlackCaddy on March 09, 2008, 12:19:48 PM
Half the the problems are most likely a result from a front end collision(leaking cowl, door fit, bondo, etc).
It's got 240K on it, so i wouldn't have expected much. Personally for that kind of cash i would have looked for one of the millions of pontiac/buick/chevy clones.
Some of us bought decent cars for under $1,500. It can be done.
Sounds like it's a lost cause. Probably best just to get rid of it at whatever price.
Quote from: GoCougs on March 09, 2008, 12:34:11 PM
Sounds like it's a lost cause. Probably best just to get rid of it at whatever price.
I'm going to suggest that. Clean it up a little, address the easy things and try and broom it.
If it was just worn out parts it might be worth fixing but the shell of the car is just too rough.
Ouch!
(http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/car-crusher-2a.jpg)
Sounds like an awesome street racing machine! :wub:
Quote from: NACar on March 09, 2008, 04:18:42 PM
Sounds like an awesome street racing machine! :wub:
I hear it eats Jettas for lunch
Quote from: Danish on March 09, 2008, 04:29:08 PM
I hear it eats Jettas for lunch
Let's see...
A Jetta with a slipping clutch
VS.
A Civic with a wheel that's about to fall off
I WIN :devil:
It's worth more dead than alive.
That stupid little "H" has a strange effect on the youngsters.
No pics?
Quote from: TheIntrepid on March 09, 2008, 04:34:43 PM
No pics?
+1
I DEAMAND PICS OF THIS BEAUTIFUL MACHINE! :heated:
Quote from: TheIntrepid on March 09, 2008, 04:34:43 PM
No pics?
Thought hadn't even entered my mind. I'll be sure and get some, but it will probably have to wait a week. He has gone to Ottawa with the air cadets I think for the March break.
On that note I'll get some of the gfs new '08 Civic shortly.
Quote from: VTEC_Inside on March 09, 2008, 04:59:26 PM
Thought hadn't even entered my mind. I'll be sure and get some, but it will probably have to wait a week. He has gone to Ottawa with the air cadets I think for the March break.
On that note I'll get some of the gfs new '08 Civic shortly.
Stick or auto?
Quote from: thecarnut on March 09, 2008, 05:02:51 PM
Stick or auto?
That question should really be in your sig or something.
Quote from: thecarnut on March 09, 2008, 05:02:51 PM
Stick or auto?
WHAT ABOUT THIS OPTION ASSHOLE
(http://www.sunnytoys.com.au/Toy_Sales/images/Step_2_Zip_&_Zoom_Pedal_Car.jpg)
OH YEAH NO RESPECT FOR PEDAL POWER HUH
Quote from: thecarnut on March 09, 2008, 05:02:51 PM
Stick or auto?
His gf got a 2008 auto with a sunroof.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on March 09, 2008, 05:06:04 PM
That question should really be in your sig or something.
:lol:
Thread with pics:
http://www.carspin.net/forums/index.php?topic=13800.0
I was under the impression that the car would be sitting in their garage all week. Turns out that his gf is driving the thing back and forth to school... eek..
Quote from: VTEC_Inside on March 12, 2008, 08:32:06 AM
I was under the impression that the car would be sitting in their garage all week. Turns out that his gf is driving the thing back and forth to school... eek..
How'd they get plates on it? You need a safety check to get plates, right?
Or is it just temp tags? If the cops catch you with temp tags and you're not taking it to a garage, you're issued a ticket.
I'd really love a few pictures.
Quote from: 3.0L V6 on March 13, 2008, 08:27:36 AM
How'd they get plates on it? You need a safety check to get plates, right?
Or is it just temp tags? If the cops catch you with temp tags and you're not taking it to a garage, you're issued a ticket.
10 day temporary permit that is up on the 17th of this month. Unless that thing is in a shop by tomorrow there is no way it will safety by Monday. I believe they have made it much harder to get consecutive 10 day permits in the last couple years so we shall see what happens.
Quote from: Submariner on March 13, 2008, 10:28:31 AM
I'd really love a few pictures.
I'm sure he will call me when he gets back and the car is there to fix some other shit on it. I will snap some pics as soon as I can.
Oh please hurry, I want to see pics of this awesome racing maching ASAP!
I can't believe this but they got it safetied, and I quote "for an extra $20".
I've got pics now, will post later tonight, no time now. I got one of the interior black lighting too, but I think I may have missed the fire extinguisher.
His gf said she took it through the car wash and water was spraying onto her left leg by the clutch pedal...
Quote from: VTEC_Inside on March 09, 2008, 04:59:26 PM
Thought hadn't even entered my mind. I'll be sure and get some, but it will probably have to wait a week. He has gone to Ottawa with the air cadets I think for the March break.
On that note I'll get some of the gfs new '08 Civic shortly.
Lol I used to be in Air Cadets.. the march break trips were RETARDED..
Quote from: eThirteen on March 14, 2008, 02:39:27 PM
Lol I used to be in Air Cadets.. the march break trips were RETARDED..
lulz. I was in Boy Scouts! :rockon:
Quote from: TheIntrepid on March 14, 2008, 08:15:58 PM
lulz. I was in Boy Scouts! :rockon:
I wish there was a decent troop around here. The Boy Scouts here was made up of a bunch of pansies, and apparently it just plain sucked.
Pictures uploading now...
Quote from: VTEC_Inside on March 14, 2008, 08:29:08 PM
Pictures uploading now...
Don't bother.
(http://www.bongobongostjohn.com/blog2/images/bondo.jpg)
:lol: ;)
Quote from: CALL_911 on March 14, 2008, 08:18:34 PM
I wish there was a decent troop around here. The Boy Scouts here was made up of a bunch of pansies, and apparently it just plain sucked.
We pwned. I became an assistant leader when I was 14 or 15, and then quit just after I turned 16.
Quote from: TheIntrepid on March 14, 2008, 08:30:09 PM
We pwned. I became an assistant leader when I was 14 or 15, and then quit just after I turned 16.
The Boy Scouts here were a bunch of wimps.
These are not exactly the greatest pics, but I was just taking snapshots very quickly, bear with me.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/2333549249_def7a75163_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2350/2333549171_a50652b399_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2342/2334375978_6be46e7144_o.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3186/2333549057_b6f7fbbcf8_o.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2334376054_b19d39237f_o.jpg)
I call this one, "Yes ECU, the auto is still there"
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2334376246_b24fe4fd70_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2036/2334375932_784556cc31_o.jpg)
More in next post.
"No Driver, I is not auto"
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/2333549143_c3d874fb80_o.jpg)
Black lights make for easier clean up I think. These come on with vibration, both sides of the dash and under the front seats for the rear.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2333549181_fec8ccc190_o.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2333549017_0814426334_o.jpg)
I think that about covers it.
Is that a fart can I see?
Quote from: CALL_911 on March 14, 2008, 08:42:23 PM
Is that a fart can I see?
No, that is a dual tip muffler with just some huge tips.
Quote from: CALL_911 on March 14, 2008, 08:42:23 PM
Is that a fart can I see?
Added to the last picture post, and yes, fartcan.
Quote from: NACar on March 14, 2008, 08:43:25 PM
No, that is a dual tip muffler with just some huge tips.
Its a Bosel (Bosal) stainless steel fart can muffler.
Wait, so is it gone yet?
Doesn't look that bad to me.
Quote from: VTEC_Inside on March 14, 2008, 08:44:54 PM
Its a Bosel (Bosal) stainless steel fart can muffler.
Bosal makes a sweet sounding exhaust for the Mazda6 six-cylinder.
Quote from: VTEC_Inside on March 14, 2008, 08:44:54 PM
Its a Bosel (Bosal) stainless steel fart can muffler.
Clearly, it is a dual tips sprouting off an oval-muffler. That is not a traditional "fart can":
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3186/2333549057_b6f7fbbcf8_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2342/2334375978_6be46e7144_o.jpg)
For a traditional "fart can", you are looking at one of these
(http://www.modacar.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000002/apexi_n1_exti.jpg)
Also known as "N1" style muffler
Regardless of the muffler specifications, it is truly a wonderful machine.
Sweet garage!
Quote from: J86 on March 14, 2008, 08:59:12 PM
Sweet garage!
I would have to agree. I do want one :wub:
It doesn't look that bad...
Admittedly, it doesn't seem THAT bad to me anymore either. I was just overwhelmed with issues that are being taken care of one at a time. However, its difficult to convey the more troubling stuff in pictures.
We changed the passenger rear wheel bearing today, and he is going to do the other tomorrow.
After that its just suspension bushings and figuring out what to do about the ride height disparity between left/right. (See 4th picture for the lean to the left.)
That will make it safe to drive IMO. The front right caliper hasn't leaked since my uncle tightened up the flex line.
The troublesome part after that is the water infiltration. Its bad, the entire carpet is drenched, and we haven't figured out where its coming from yet. The hole in the trunk should really be fixed (sorry, no shots of that) since its quite large.
Quote from: J86 on March 14, 2008, 08:59:12 PM
Sweet garage!
Yeah, its nice. Its larger than their house.
2 "bays" including the one where the car is, only that one lift. The other "bay" has another door on the back of the garage to put cars out behind the garage. There isn't much room behind the garage, but should fit 4 cars easy.
The garage is probably double the width of those two bays with work area to the right, and a loft area above that.
Quote from: VTEC_Inside on March 14, 2008, 09:20:55 PM
Yeah, its nice. Its larger than their house.
2 "bays" including the one where the car is, only that one lift. The other "bay" has another door on the back of the garage to put cars out behind the garage. There isn't much room behind the garage, but should fit 4 cars easy.
The garage is probably double the width of those two bays with work area to the right, and a loft area above that.
Screw the house. I'd just live in the garage. :wub: