what are your guys (professional....well, I guess not haha I guess just grm'ers
) opinion/view on these. An article in the newest Import Tuner really got me looking for one. I came across a great deal for a '90, many things replaced, 187K, NO RUST, 1000 obo
Just curious on the what to look for/ wrong? right? just overall on them, I realize, well it's a Honda so yeah it's good!
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Feb. 13, 2011 11:07 p.m. NickF40 Reader
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Feb. 13, 2011 11:44 p.m. oldsaw SuperDork
Is it a std, Dx, or Si?
Four or five speed transaxle?
What (exactly) has been replaced?
With any PA-car, rust is a major concern. Check the car carefully and pay a lot of attention to the chassis and the body around the wheel arches. The 1.5L's are known to wear-out the valve spring seats/seals - lots of smoke under acceleration. Ask me how I know.
You're looking at a 20yr old car so expect it to need maintenance. Being a Honda, it just makes fixing things a little cheaper and easier than some other choices. And, you can upgrade from other Honda/Acura sources to make the car even better.
For the record, I'm biased. I'm the original and only owner of a '90 Dx hatchback.
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Feb. 14, 2011 12:20 a.m. coll9947 New Reader
ask if the main relay and ignition switch have been replaced. both can cause the car to not start. easy fixes but it's a pain to learn that they've gone bad the hard way and get stranded somewhere. ask me how i know.
the tabs that hold the intake snorkel to the plastic radiator top are prone to break, usually from idiots resting their weight on the snorkel while messing with the motor. look for cracks on the top of the rad. i've pulled the snorkel on both 4th gens i've owned just to prevent this from happening.
other than that just the usual 20 year old car stuff.
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Feb. 14, 2011 12:33 a.m. NickF40 Reader
Well I figured on the usual stuff as my 85 GTI needed the usual, but i'll ask for both of your above experiences, how do you know??
It is a DX, unsure on the trans, most likely 5 spd. The no rust is also a surprise to me also. He also has an 89 that he'd also like to sell with it, it's more of a project, but he also has a B16b and other stuff to swap in. It's all stock too, he replaced the timing belt, tensioner and water pump in the last 1500.
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Feb. 14, 2011 8:25 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork
They are like Lego sets, anyone can figure them out and build something really cool. Go for it.
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Feb. 14, 2011 8:35 a.m. Woody SuperDork
I had an 89 Si that I drove for 300,000 miles. Best car ever, but rusted out, in spite all preventative efforts from the day it was new.
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Feb. 14, 2011 8:42 a.m. DaveEstey HalfDork
Check the rockers and rear fenders. Rear bumper mounts rust and fall off.
Pull hard on the front wheels, if you hear clicking it's likely the upper A-arm bushing. Simple and cheap to fix.
Rear trailing arm bushings are garbage but are reasonable to replace.
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Feb. 14, 2011 1:04 p.m. Jamesc2123 Reader
same as others say, look seriously hard for rust, bring a jack to look at rockers, fenders, and rear bumper mounts from the underside (you will be able to see all those places), and the bushings will definitely be shot.
Mostly, though, be prepared for NO ONE to understand/believe that it is a good car for anything sporting, and for outright ridicule from your vw buddies. Also be prepared to not care, because you'll be too busy running circles around vws at the autox that you were able to go to to because you weren't working on your car...
<----- reformed vw person.
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Feb. 14, 2011 5:36 p.m. NickF40 Reader
Jamesc2123 wrote: Mostly, though, be prepared for NO ONE to understand/believe that it is a good car for anything sporting, and for outright ridicule from your vw buddies. Also be prepared to not care, because you'll be too busy running circles around vws at the autox that you were able to go to to because you weren't working on your car...
hahaha, your good!<----- reformed vw person.
Yeah they'll most likely do that but yeah, I don't care, I love the cars for what they are, not for the "scene" but that's what I hope to do! I love VW's but i'm exactly like you lol
