Advice on 07 Civic - No warranty and big repair bill

Zygnoth · 13-09-2011 4:54pm #1

Hey all,

I was hoping to get some advice after coming back from the garage with a quotation for repairs.

Backstory, I bought the car second hand off a fella leaving the country. The car was in good shape and everything was working hunky dorey. About a month ago, the radio/ac/clock display broke in the car (completely blank) with the CD player (doesn't work) following a few weeks. I was talking to the boss of the guy I bought it off and he told me that the car used to have a custom radio set in it, installed by the guy who sold me the car. He obviously put the original set back in before giving it to me - thus voiding any Honda warranty.

I went into the Honda garage today and they said I'll have to get a new radio (€750+vat) and, probably, a new display (€285+vat). Everything apart from the radio/display is working great - engine, AC, brakes, no leaks, electric windows, etc. The car is a 1.8L petrol though and as my main trip is from one side of the country to the other, not the most economical way of travelling (less than 10,000 miles a year).

My question to all the readers is - would you recommend:
1. Paying for the repair in the honda garage - €1200 as the car isn't under warranty anymore.
2. Get a different radio kit - €??? - is this even possible?
3. Sell the car, get a bit of finance and get another 2nd hand car.

gb153 · 13-09-2011 5:14pm

I'd say bring it to an independent radio/installer repairer. It would be a bit drastic to have to change a car just because of the radio+display. They may be able to fix it using non OEM unit.

Another option would be to post the problem on a Honda Civic forum e.g. http://www.hondacivicforum.co.uk/

You'll usually find an enthusiast who has encountered the problem before.

Zygnoth · 13-09-2011 5:20pm

Cheers gb153.

I'm going to post on civinfo.com as well but, I assume, they would be less likely to tell me to ditch a Civic.

jayok · 13-09-2011 5:25pm

TBH , the Honda garage will probably cover themselves and quote for all replacement parts. If the guy took out the radio and put in a custom one, it is possible that it was cabled poorly?

Before going onto mad expense, I'll bring it to an Indy electrical guy and ask him to have a look. If you did need a new radio/clock, I'll be looking for one from a scrap yard!

barura · 13-09-2011 5:29pm

Try a breakers? I'm sure one or two of these have been crashed with the radios and displays still good in them.

jayok · 13-09-2011 5:29pm

Update - worst case, you can get a CD player from here

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-CIVIC-2006-2011-CD-MP3-Player-WMA-Stereo-Genuine-/170693307621?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item27be1d2ce5

Only £125 vs €750.... I know which route I'd be taking,.

Zygnoth · 13-09-2011 5:33pm

jayok wrote: »

Before going onto mad expense, I'll bring it to an Indy electrical guy and ask him to have a look. If you did need a new radio/clock, I'll be looking for one from a scrap yard!

I think you're right jayok - I'm just a bit depressed today after paying for a €150 quotation...I'll try to source a good electric mechanic in Dublin centre so and hopefully he (or she) might hook me up with something cheaper.

The thought of spending €1000 on a radio makes me want to cry - I don't even have a television yet!

barura · 13-09-2011 5:50pm

Zygnoth wrote: »

I think you're right jayok - I'm just a bit depressed today after paying for a €150 quotation...I'll try to source a good electric mechanic in Dublin centre so and hopefully he (or she) might hook me up with something cheaper.

The thought of spending €1000 on a radio makes me want to cry - I don't even have a television yet!

Though your radio problem is a bit sad keep your eye on the free section of adverts for a TV. http://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/q_television/sortby_best_match-desc/price_0/

Eric Cartman · 13-09-2011 5:55pm

still cheaper than the dealership, you could upgrade to the navigation system http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-CIVIC-SAT-NAV-NAVIGATION-CD-MP3-DVD-DRIVE-2008-/320753987996?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4aae6d719c

Mr.Boots · 13-09-2011 6:03pm

Did you check the fuses?
He might have just tapped wires together with insulation tape when putting the stereo back in.
It is posibly a very simple fix

Zygnoth · 13-09-2011 7:26pm

Cheers for all the help guys...

Those ebay one look very good - I hadn't even thought of people flogging their old radios.

I haven't checked the fuses though I'd hope that they would have looked at it in the garage today - is it like a circuit breaker where it flips or do you need a multimeter to check if they're gone?

Advice on 07 Civic - No warranty and big repair bill

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