99 Honda Civic 1.4i s - What to look for?

Sleepy

I'm possibly going to see a 5 door 99 Civic 1.4i at the weekend. I had a 97 one years ago and always loved it so thinking of trying one as a Bangernomics project.

Aside from the obvious service history, oil, etc. Any suggestions of what I should be looking for?

I know the CV joints are weak so will check for that but I'd appreciate any other tips!

ourheritage

I'd be going for a Golf as a 00 Golf saved my life back in 2008 when I was in a car crash.

bazz26

Petrol Golfs of that vintage are nowhere near as reliable as Civics.

kay 9

On a civic, only thing to make sure it has fuel and decent tyres. Brings reliable to a whole new level. Had one yrs ago and they are actually quite comfortable too if your tall

Sleepy

Having seen the damage a similar aged Polo could withstand and allow the passengers to walk away unharmed I see your point ourheritage but, as nice a car as the Golf is, it's vastly over-priced in the first instance and seems to hold that throughout it's lifetime with Irish motorists. They also tended to be driven by types who (before the NCT made them at least consider it every two years) only serviced a car "when it needed it". I just couldn't trust a 14 year old VW to be reliable in this country (though a Type II Splitty is just about my heart's greatest desire!)

My first car was a 97 Civic 1.4 and I loved it. This will have none of the toys of my last car (a well specced 03 Mondeo) but this vintage of Civic is damn near bullet-proof in terms of reliability, relatively cheap to tax and should return a much better MPG than I was getting in the Mondeo.

I did a couple of years in a bangernomics 99 Corolla but as reliable as it was and as cheap as it was to run, I hated the bastard. It was just boring. I'm hoping a Civic will give me a similar experience financially but in a car I actually enjoy driving.

Seweryn

I actually bought a replacement car to my own 1997 Civic 1.5, but I still can't decide to let it go. I just know I will never be able to get a better one again and nothing will be as reliable as this little Honda. Jeezis, it is sweet car. Can't say it's the best car I have had, but probably the most reliable and cheapest to own in general, especially with the most economical 1.5 VTEC engine available.

What I would check for (apart from a regular check over as with any car) is if there is any sign of rust, damage repairs, etc. If the car is mechanically maintained, it will be fine. Any sign of negligence will be easy to spot. Also, any form or any kind of modifications wold put me off.

Caovyn Lineah

I currently drive a 00 saloon Civic, to say its bulletproof would be an understatement. It was sitting up for over a year until recently, didnt even start it so the battery had gone dead. I decided to throw a new battery into it and drive it around for a few days to clear it out before selling it for a couple of hundred quid. Put it through the NCT to see what needed fixing/replacing, the only thing it failed on was a loose connection on the battery which i hadnt tightened properly, a quick tightening job and i had my pass certificate

She drives perfectly, just take it for a test drive and youll know if there are any problems because theyll stick out like a sore thumb.

Sleepy

Seweryn wrote: »

Also, any form or any kind of modifications wold put me off.

That's usually the issue with Civics alright!

Based on the mileage, colour and un-messed with styling of the one I'm looking at, I'm guessing it spent most of it's life being a second car or in the ownership of an older person who doesn't do much miles.

Quite hopeful it should be a good bangernomics project. Going to try and keep a log of this one as while I know the Corolla was brilliant value for money, I never kept detailed logs of what I spent on it.

Caovyn Lineah

Sleepy wrote: »

That's usually the issue with Civics alright!

Based on the mileage, colour and un-messed with styling of the one I'm looking at, I'm guessing it spent most of it's life being a second car or in the ownership of an older person who doesn't do much miles.

Quite hopeful it should be a good bangernomics project. Going to try and keep a log of this one as while I know the Corolla was brilliant value for money, I never kept detailed logs of what I spent on it.

Sounds just like mine. Not a single thing added to it until i replaced the stereo.

Seweryn

Sleepy wrote: »

That's usually the issue with Civics alright!

Based on the mileage, colour and un-messed with styling of the one I'm looking at, I'm guessing it spent most of it's life being a second car or in the ownership of an older person who doesn't do much miles.

It is an issue and was a major problem for me, as it took me ages until I found the right one...

Hopefully the one you are interested in is in original condition and had an easy enough life, which means it will go on for ever if you look after it.

Good Luck anyway.

Caovyn Lineah wrote: »

Sounds just like mine. Not a single thing added to it until i replaced the stereo.

My one still has the original radio .

Sleepy

That looks almost Concours in those pics. Someone was into their valeting!

JohnBoy26

Being the 5 door version the chances are slim that it's been modified. These cars give next to no issues.

Rust and window regulators are the only major problems(make sure the windows work) . As for rust, on the 5 door the area most prone to rust is the bottom of the rear arches and the top of the rear arches(where the bumper meets the arch). Other areas of concern would be the area behind the front jacking points and around the windscreen(can be difficult to spot this). A general inspection underneath would also be advised although these don't seem to suffer from the same degree of corrosion in this area compared to the 3 or 4 door models.

Other than that they are pretty decent cars, although not as good imo as the jap built or us built Honda's. Also if your looking for something more exciting than a corolla look elsewhere because the 5 door civic of this era is if anything more boring than a corolla to drive. The steering is heavy and numb and the car is setup for comfort rather than handling.

It is a very comfortable car for it's time though, probably one of the most comfortable in it's class, however if you want something more engaging get the 2 door, 3 door, or 4 door civic of that time. All are setup differently than the the 5 door and have much nicer steering and handling.

Caovyn Lineah

Seweryn wrote: »

It is an issue and was a major problem for me, as it took me ages until I found the right one...

Hopefully the one you are interested in is in original condition and had an easy enough life, which means it will go on for ever if you look after it.

Good Luck anyway.


My one still has the original radio .

That is beautiful and strange to see one unmolested. If you do decide to part ways give me a pm, I'd be very very interested.

Seweryn

Caovyn Lineah wrote: »

That is beautiful and strange to see one unmolested. If you do decide to part ways give me a pm, I'd be very very interested.

Thanks. Yeah, it is a "strange" example, all right .

I had the car advertised a few weeks ago and had a buyer the same evening that viewed the car and is awaiting my call when I decide to sell it, but should that transaction fail I will keep you in mind. I would very much prefer if the car goes to a good home and is kept in the original condition for longer.

Sleepy

As it turns out, it was a 4 door rather than a 5 and I bought it. Booked in for the NCT on Saturday.

Mechanically I couldn't find fault and it seems to drive nicely. Paintwork is a cluster**** of laquer peel but I can live with that if everything else is as sound as I think it is.

Sleepy

So, as said before, the paint is dire but she got her NCT at the weekend. It had failed last weekend on a rear imbalance). Was sure it was something I could have done myself but brake systems make me nervous, any mistakes there can have very serious consequences so I dropped it in for a brake service with the indy near work (Discount Tyres & Auto Services and a €50 brake service saw her through. Have run up about 400 miles on her since buying and she's driving well, still love the way that civics feel in a corner

So, bought for €450, €50 brakes service, €83 in NCT Fees, taxed for a year for €385 so car is now fully legal and on the road for €968. Got 41mpg on the first tank of fuel (brim test) which was mixed driving with the last 1/4 of the tank used on the back-roads of Wicklow so quite happy so far. Cheap motor to buy and run for the cost of living with an old reg and terrible paintwork!

Seweryn

Well wear Sleepy. Good Luck with your Honda and enjoy many, many trouble free, inexpensive kilometres!

JohnBoy26

Sleepy wrote: »

So, as said before, the paint is dire but she got her NCT at the weekend. It had failed last weekend on a rear imbalance). Was sure it was something I could have done myself but brake systems make me nervous, any mistakes there can have very serious consequences so I dropped it in for a brake service with the indy near work (Discount Tyres & Auto Services and a €50 brake service saw her through. Have run up about 400 miles on her since buying and she's driving well, still love the way that civics feel in a corner

So, bought for €450, €50 brakes service, €83 in NCT Fees, taxed for a year for €385 so car is now fully legal and on the road for €968. Got 41mpg on the first tank of fuel (brim test) which was mixed driving with the last 1/4 of the tank used on the back-roads of Wicklow so quite happy so far. Cheap motor to buy and run for the cost of living with an old reg and terrible paintwork!

great cars.

passatman86

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic-ej9/9914717
Theres my civic I was going to use as a project. They are a great car
Good luck with your own

Sleepy

Good luck with the sale passatman86. Would you not throw her through the NCT to help with the sale though? The backlog is long dealt with in Dublin, I was able to get Saturday tests two weeks on the trot at short notice...

passatman86

Sleepy wrote: »

Good luck with the sale passatman86. Would you not throw her through the NCT to help with the sale though? The backlog is long dealt with in Dublin, I was able to get Saturday tests two weeks on the trot at short notice...

A certain someone ain't happy with it in the garden and would like it gone
My dreams of diy mechanic are over before they began