I've been reading the posts and watched a few YouTube on the Civics 2001--2005 and had my son help with the AC recharge. (Have gauges for that)
We've done brakes on his older brothers vehicles and oil changes are old news he does it on many of the farm vehicles.

I'm hoping we have prepared ourselves because he is looking forward to the Civic as his firs car since I won't give him my Tacoma....

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Originally posted by jimmy123x:

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Originally posted by PowerSurge:

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Originally posted by Edmond:
I have a 2003 with 201k miles on it. I have replaced the starter and battery but those were easy to do. The little pad behind the brake pedal lever disintegrated, it was rubber, kind of expected over the course of years and stepping on the brake pedal thousands of times. You should also check the top of the fuel tank, access is through the cushions on the rear seats. The top ends up cracking and there might be some very small seepage of fuel.

I’ll be getting rid of mine soon for a newer Civic or Accord. KBB valued trade in at only around $500.

Look at craigslist and see what asking prices are for yours. You’ll get a lot more than 500 bucks I promise you.

I agree, a scrap person would probably give you $4-500 to take it to a junkyard. If it's half way decent looking, you should be able to get $1500-2000 for any decent running/driving car that's daily driveable without any major investment.

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Originally posted by PowerSurge:
^^^^. In the ATL he’d easily get 2500 bucks for it as long as it looks decent.

You guys have me thinking...

I should clean it up and sell it on here. The AC even works perfectly fine on the car, blows ice cold. Windows are tinted, too.

Even put an auxiliary adapter in there to listen to music.

The cylinder head gasket issue was addressed by my dad when he had the car. The car was actually given to him by his sister and he gave it to me. He was going to sell it. Cost me $700 to ship it here from L.A. I thought about flying out to drive it back but it would've been a 3 day drive and $350 in gas. Just wasn't worth driving it.

I change the oil every 5,000 miles mostly with Pennzoil yellow bottle.

It looks really clean for it's age in the pictures. If the CV joints are good, it drives good, and runs good. Either have a mechanic give it a really good once over or if you're mechanically inclined do that yourself. While it is not as safe as a newish car (simply lacks the modern safety technology with braking and crash stuff, as well as modern air bag technology) it should be a good car for a kid to learn on.

What price are they asking for it?

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Originally posted by jimmy123x:
It looks really clean for it's age in the pictures. If the CV joints are good, it drives good, and runs good. Either have a mechanic give it a really good once over or if you're mechanically inclined do that yourself. While it is not as safe as a newish car (simply lacks the modern safety technology with braking and crash stuff, as well as modern air bag technology) it should be a good car for a kid to learn on.

What price are they asking for it?

Yep been gone over by a mechanic who found the brake issue listed in the first post, whereupon it went to another mechanic who did the brake repairs and more check ups. Then I called a buddy at the Honda dealer with the VIN and he let me know that it had all the recalls done and other maintenance were up to date.
So far we have negotiated it to $1000. I think its fair and so does the seller. We still have all next week to drive and contemplate but I think we are leaning towards buying it.

Very fair price. Buy some lottery tickets.

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Originally posted by Nframe:

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Originally posted by jimmy123x:
It looks really clean for it's age in the pictures. If the CV joints are good, it drives good, and runs good. Either have a mechanic give it a really good once over or if you're mechanically inclined do that yourself. While it is not as safe as a newish car (simply lacks the modern safety technology with braking and crash stuff, as well as modern air bag technology) it should be a good car for a kid to learn on.

What price are they asking for it?

Yep been gone over by a mechanic who found the brake issue listed in the first post, whereupon it went to another mechanic who did the brake repairs and more check ups. Then I called a buddy at the Honda dealer with the VIN and he let me know that it had all the recalls done and other maintenance were up to date.
So far we have negotiated it to $1000. I think its fair and so does the seller. We still have all next week to drive and contemplate but I think we are leaning towards buying it.

As long as the ac is holding next week. Go for it. I think that’s a fair price.

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Originally posted by jimmy123x:

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Originally posted by Nframe:

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Originally posted by jimmy123x:
It looks really clean for it's age in the pictures. If the CV joints are good, it drives good, and runs good. Either have a mechanic give it a really good once over or if you're mechanically inclined do that yourself. While it is not as safe as a newish car (simply lacks the modern safety technology with braking and crash stuff, as well as modern air bag technology) it should be a good car for a kid to learn on.

What price are they asking for it?

Yep been gone over by a mechanic who found the brake issue listed in the first post, whereupon it went to another mechanic who did the brake repairs and more check ups. Then I called a buddy at the Honda dealer with the VIN and he let me know that it had all the recalls done and other maintenance were up to date.
So far we have negotiated it to $1000. I think its fair and so does the seller. We still have all next week to drive and contemplate but I think we are leaning towards buying it.

As long as the ac is holding next week. Go for it. I think that’s a fair price.

Even if the AC were inoperable, this is a very fair deal.

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the timing belt has been replaced within the last 20K

Good you're on top of this, as most Honda engines are interference engines. Sound like you're good to go.

I had a friend in high school who had a 2001 Civic brand new. It was a wonderful car. $1000 is a good deal.

Any car in working order (i.e., that can go, steer and stop) is worth at least $1000. For cold A/C, add $500.

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Originally posted by egregore:
Any car in working order (i.e., that can go, steer and stop) is worth at least $1000. For cold A/C, add $500.

Amen.