Looking for a car for one of my nephews, I ran across these....
1994 Swift http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2263277999.html
1991 Civic 4wd( bad main relay or fuel pump?) http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2264289245.html
I kinda like both of them for myself.
Anyone know some pros and cons of either of these? I don't know much more about these other than what I just found in the inter-webs
Check the frame rails/front control arm mounts on the Swift for rust, and the 1-2 shift synchro (it will be obvious). If those are OK, the car will last forever. It is fairly basic, but very frugal transport though.
Civic main relays are a known issue. You can resolder it or just buy a new one.
If the rear wheel wells and rocker panels are ok then it's going to be a solid little car.
I've got a thing for the AWD Civics. So unless it's a bucket, that gets my vote. Then you go to town with the madd swapz yo.
I love my Swift. Mind you, mine's a GT. But my ex-wife had a 4cyl Metro that was still a (slow) hoot to drive.
4WD Civic.
Is there a "neither" button?
Just because you can't drive, it doesn't make the Swift a bad car 
So, it seems like its between "parts availability" and "uniqueness"..... I'm kinda leaning towards the civic b/c of the service history. Keep it coming....
Here's something to push you toward the RT4WD Civic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8kED8S39wI
My pitch for the Civic:
I bought my 89 FWD wagon pictured below just how you see it. I then proceeded to put 10,000 brutal miles on it, mostly delivering newspapers. During those miles I performed the following maintenance: Added gas, occasionally added oil (but never changed it), replaced two leaky coolant lines. Civics of that era are near indestructible.
PubBurgers wrote:My pitch for the Civic:
I bought my 89 FWD wagon pictured below just how you see it. I then proceeded to put 10,000 brutal miles on it, mostly delivering newspapers. During those miles I performed the following maintenance: Added gas, occasionally added oil (but never changed it), replaced two leaky coolant lines. Civics of that era are near indestructible.
Did you have the issue w/ the main fuse? And were there any other problem areas?
I'd go for the Civic as well. 
Posting deleted, but yeah, main relay was an issue, though I drove my wife's 88 Civic for years with a flaky one. Every once in a while, you'd have to reach under the dash and tap it with a screwdriver...or you can be a non-lazy berkeley and resolder it.
The swift will probably get far superior fuel economy.
Yeah...neither guy responded to the emails. I liked the civic b/c of the maint. that had been done.
