What would you pay--Civic Si content

Talked to an older gentleman yesterday trying to deal with a leaking radiator on what appears to be an 89 Honda Civic Si. He was filling the radiator with Bars leak! I told him that it was most likely the gasket/seal between the plastic caps and aluminum core somewhere. Says he sees coolant on the ground under the RF of the car by the rad. It's in great shape--no rust, so it's not from VT. Owned it for 5 years. Snows on steelies. Asked if I wanted to buy it? Roof has fading paint and its not a perfect car--about a 6 or 7 out of ten. This is all I know. The guy lives in a senior housing facility. Would make a great DD for me over the 1.8t wagon. KBB doesn't go back over 20 years. Ebay? Autotrader?
Looks like one of these:

offer him $1000

I think if it's an SI then $2200 is a fair offer for both knowing that right away it needs at least a couple hundred dollars. I'd buy one all day long at that dollar amount.

shoot, at anything less than $2000 it's a steal.

$2200? i nearly bought a civic hatch of that vintage for $2700 with a b16

If it's straight and NOT RUSTY in Vermont, and relatively clean other than the beat paint, then I would offer $1,800-2k. Mileage is not a huge issue with Hondas, but obviously lower is better.

$2k for a 25 year old Honda with issues in VERMONT? You guys are a hell of a lot more generous than I am.

$2200 for that box!! Are these cars really worth that much? I would think about $500 on the outside.

poopshovel wrote: $2k for a 25 year old Honda with issues in VERMONT? You guys are a hell of a lot more generous than I am.

Different area of the country. New England ain't Atlanta.

In reply to Donebrokeit:

They don't exactly grow on trees anymore, particularly unriced, striaght, rust free examples.

Find a better one in the area for less.

I owned 4 Ef's (2 being Si's) in a rust-belt state, finding one rust free in a rust-belt state will obviously command more money. These are getting hard to find. I just sold one last year that was a 91 Si that I bought a few months earlier from the original owner. It was all stock with under 150,000 miles. The interior was all there and nearly perfect. The outside had clean quarter panels, but rust on the doors, rocker panels and some other places. It was in good shape mechanically. After two months or so on CL, I sold it for $2400. I didn't have too many inquiries. I kinda wish I would have kept it and had the rust fixed, but I really needed a truck that has been put to more use. If it's rust-free, not hacked up and in good shape, don't pass it up. They are awesome. Hard to say what to pay without pics or more info.

EDIT: My bad! I missed the "NO RUST" part. I saw "Vermont" and read "RUST." Reading comprehension pwns me.

$2k all day if it's in good shape aside from the rad. Maybe more if it's some crazy old guy "survivor" car.

my friend just sold his POS EF SI for $1600
needed ALOT of work, but it was running (with some bottom end noise)
most of the front suspension needed to be replaced
new tires!
interior was half missing

he had people lined up to buy it at that price!
EF's get alot of honda tax added to em.
all that said, I really wish I could have bought it. lol
kermit was a neat car

Well, I'm hoping to hear back from him this week,, get some more info on the car, then talk to the wife.

vwcorvette wrote: Well, I'm hoping to hear back from him this week,, get some more info on the car, then talk to the wife.

That sounds like an awful lot of talking. I'd show up at his house with $2k in my pocket, and try to limit the talking to about 15 mins.

I just sold an 88 CRX Si with a little rust for $3400+. I'd rather have an 89 Civic Si. I'd easily pay $2500 for an unmodified car with no rust if it had fewer than, say, 160k miles. Maybe more if it was white. Less if it's been repainted.

Don't let him put Bars Leaks in!

I actually think 2k is reasonable for that car if it is as advertised. I would love to find another to use as a DD.

Well it looks like I need to come out from under my rock once and a while . I know a clean mid 80's CRX commanded a premium price but I did not know the civic was in the same league.

Paul B (learned something new today)

Donebrokeit wrote: Well it looks like I need to come out from under my rock once and a while . I know a clean mid 80's CRX commanded a premium price but I did not know the civic was in the same league. Paul B (learned something new today)

Specifically an 89. Specifically an Si.

Offer $900 or some other oddball number, and if he doesn't take it, no harm done.

I personally would offer him 200 over scrap and walk happily away with either a cheap car or all my money.

Rusty shells seem to go for almost a grand so 2k doesnt seem out of line at all to me. Sure it violates the GRM philosophy of buying perfect, rare cars cars for 300 bucks but the classifieds arent exactly full of rust free running ones, even from Atlanta.

jj wrote: This car cost 10,000 when it was on the showroom floor.....24 years ago.

Didnt a brand new camaro cost 2000 bucks in 1969?

poopshovel wrote:

vwcorvette wrote: Well, I'm hoping to hear back from him this week,, get some more info on the car, then talk to the wife.

That sounds like an awful lot of talking. I'd show up at his house with $2k in my pocket, and try to limit the talking to about 15 mins.

Then don't ask him about his health.