honda civic 1.4 se automatic

[ianfran]

Is a Honda Civic 1.4 Se auto on a 51 plate ( 2001) with only 12,500 miles 1 lady owner and service history plus full service and MOT for a year from dealer, a good buy for my wife as present,and are Honda's reliable?

[Hymie]

As to whether the car is a good buy would very much depend on the price.

I would not pay a premium for the low mileage � at less than 2,000 miles per year, you can be fairly certain it has mostly been used for short runs (not good, since for most of the car�s running life � the parts have not been at normal operating temperature), or standing for long periods.

Honda have a deserved reputation for reliability, however as with any car purchase, you can be unlucky.

[Schutzengel]

Honda cars have a very good reliability reputation. We have a Honda Civic , year 2000. No problems at all, would recommend Honda.

[TWR]

Hi, It seems you are on to a good purchase here, any car with history is a good purchase & also with this motor a lady owner + the mileage, the only thing I would be aware of on this is the Clutch, I am not implying all Lady's ride the clutch but if you can check the travel on the adjustment or if you are not Mech minded get someone who is, do that in any case just to check the car out as myself I do not trust any garage or their Bull S----t sales talk, You did not say the price, check on Collins Bible or have a look around for a car similar then the price like Auto Trader in your area. batter for road tax + warranty+ anything you can get Petrol, Mats, don't forget it's the Byers market & they want your money.

[ianfran]

sorry as forgot to put price in - �3450 including full service and new mot and service this time next year all paid for! Not a scratch on it and metallic silver automatic - thanks for your answers so far - TWR - no clutch as Auto, but driver is 60 year old lady doctor - average yearly mileage 1800miles - in regards to lack of use - about 7-10 miles a day approx - Honda said should'nt be problem as long as serviced/ looked after - new cambelt, due to 7/8 years or 72,000 miles( whatever comes first)/ CD player/ Full spec service being done - hopefully pick up Saturday if happy.Have to make up mind tonight. answer tomm am. Thanks for any help.

[Hymie]

�3,450 sounds like top whack for a Civic nearly 8 years old.

But you sound like you are smitten � and if a certain persons birthday is in a few days time, you might just have to pay over the olds for the Civic in A1 condition � rather than shop around for a bargain.

Check out what is available on Auto-Trader to bargain the dealer down to a lower price � I reckon they would accept an offer of �3,000 or may be less.

[ianfran]

Thanks Hymie - am getting another remote key spare from Honda included, and next years service paid and included too - MOT half price next year only to pay - 6 months road tax now - full tank of petrol and warranty for 6 months ( Dealer says that If anything happens to car between 6 months and next paid service in a year they will honour any fix as thay are sure that the car is that good! ( Dealer has excellent reputation in area as depends on positive feedback from customers especially in this climate.)

[Hymie]

I know it�s not comparing like with like � but last year a friend bought an 04 plate Megane for �3,600.

It was a private sale (so no guarantees, no 1 year MOT etc), not in perfect nick (only minor dings), but still a bargain.
You are paying nearly the same, for a car nearly 4 years older.

[ianfran]

Hymie - was the Megane an automatic, which is always more, and had good mileage. Full special edition specs - electric windows electric sunroof air-con abs alloy wheels etc as this has everything and is immaculate - garaged so not out in the elements. will try to get slight reduction if do deal tomm but dealer has been good what has offered so far! According to Parkers Guide and with the mileage consideration and automatic aspect average daeler price for the car in A1 condition is around �4500 ( They were �13,000 new in late 2001 ) What do you think?

[Hymie]

If Parkers price for the car is around �4,500 � then I would ignore most of what I have said and go for it.

If you can�t show a similar car elsewhere for less, then the dealer isn�t going to budge that much � especially with all the extras he is throwing in.

[ianfran]

cheers hymie for your input - appreciated E

[Squitty]

I was looking to buy a low mileage car for 7995 a few weeks ago and I put the details through on www.webuyanycar.com to see what the real value was. It came out as 3695 ! I accept this would be low priced but maybe you should try this before you buy.

[ianfran]

cheers squitty - will do

[ianfran]

squitty - just been on site - this is a company that DOES'NT value your car - it gives you a price the company wants to pay to BUY IT from you, so it is always going to be low so they can make a profit and re-sell it - the best sites to use for valueing current prices are Parkers guide - just google it and What car? i worked out that on the parkers guide the car i'm aftyer is worth about �4500 as it is an auto with full special edition specs - Thanks Squitty and Good luck m8

[honky-tonk]

having owned 6 honda civics and 2 honda crvs i have never had a problem with them they are very reliable.

[ianfran]

now thats what i'm talking about! Thanks honky-tonk - how come you had so many - one for each day of the week? Which one was best and you had longest and what made you get and stay with Honda?

[ianfran]

cheers mdoo - was going to buy one from auction, but last one was from there - were lucky it lasted 2 years - nothing too much spent on it, but have some friends that have bought from auction and lost a fortune - even buying private has it's downside too as no real comeback in the short term at all - so want a reliable runaround now and if in a year decide to sell it Honda automatics are sought after and dont depreciate as much as some car makers like Renault Vauxhall Ford Citroen Peugeot etc.

[Hymie]

Having done a quick search on ebay, as to how much civic�s are being sold by traders (not private) - �3,450 would seem a fair price for a top spec example (01 plate) in A1 condition.

[ianfran]

cheers Hymie for checking that out - 51 plate october 2001 not 01 though - rang dealership - new cambelt being fitted as we speak, along with valve clearances and all the usual things for a main service schedule - ready at 6.00pm - may do the deal and pick up tommorrow - deposit left for first refusal.

[honky-tonk]

just been reading back at my answer ianfran. these cars have been over a period of 14 years. at the moment i have the honda civic 1.6 automatic executive.i have been driving the automatics for the past 9 years this one being 3 years old and have never had a problem with it and never with the other hondas. hubby has the crv.
engines are quiet in the hondas they drive smoothly and in my opinion are so reliable that i would only buy honda.