I have a bit of excess money and wanting to try and fix a car to learn more about them, and possibly get a good deal from someone who doesn't want to deal with the problem
This is a 2014 Honda Civic, LX. 165-170k miles (he says he would need to jump it to check)
He Had it for 5 years without any major issues. "Really good car runs nice and is a bit fast also. Always on top of oil changes and filters."
From the seller:
The bad:
Cracked windshield - I have a new one at my work that can be installed for free.
Small dent in good and come chipped paint here and there - all cosmetic dmg.
The backup camera doesn't work - had the trunk lid replaced after it was dented by a salt truck and they never hooked up the new one. Should be an easy fix.
The biggest issue - last November the fill cap to the transmission popped off at some point and it pretty much spewed tranny fluid out for an unknown amount of time. It runs but throws every dash light on and doesn't give a lot of power. I don't know about transmission issues so I have not done much besides put in tranny fluid. It could as easy as adding more to the right amount or something.
I know this is a risk either way, but how big of a risk do you guys think this is?
I texted him and said "When you say it doesn't give much power, it has a maximum speed it goes?"
He replied: "It will like chug a long at first when it starts moving, got it up to about 15 around my block, I've been pretty hesitant actually getting on it after putting fluid back in it"
My friend with a brand new 2022 Honda Civic says his will chug a tiny bit at low RPMs, so it shouldn't cause to concern me too much.
What do you guys think?
Thanks guys! I will not be purchasing this car.
Never buy any vehicle with SO MANY obvious red flags. All the best with your car search!
I wouldn't think that this was a good car to start learning car maintenance and repair. I can see why the owner doesn't want to deal with it. The whole "the fill cap to the transmission popped off" thing - Honda would not be in business if that kind of thing happened on their cars - this is a red flag. Have you heard it run? Have you checked for collision damage?
I'd look for a car that runs and drives well enough that you could at least drive to your home/garage as a first project car.
Well, if you want your first learning experience to be installing a new transmission... not a fun project on a front-drive car. Then who knows what's going on with the electronics with all the dash lights coming on. I'd run away from that deal.
he says he would need to jump it to check
It will like chug a long at first when it starts moving, got it up to about 15 around my block, I've been pretty hesitant actually getting on it after putting fluid back in it
What do you guys think?
He is asking $3000.