Honda Reliability Questions

[peobryant]

Dallas no longer has her Diesel Mercedes (good thing I didn't put any money in that POS) and she has a job now so we're in the market for a new car. I'm looking for older Honda's (preferably 5spds) but the ones I have found in our price range have close to, or over 200K miles. I know Honda's are supposed to be pretty reliable, but I want your opinions because I have no experience with them.

I'd also like to know what you think a few of these cars are worth.

Here are some we are looking at,


http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c ... dard=false

This is the one I'm really considering. Under $2k, 5spd manual, but it has 200K on the clock. I'm not sure how much life it has left in it.


http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c ... dard=false

This one seems to good to be true. Why would a '96 only bring in $2K? I can't see any damage in the picture, but who knows what kind of engine or other kind of damage it has...


http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c ... dard=false

Here's another one we're looking at.

So what do you guys think about Honda's in general? Do you all have any opinions on another cheap, reliable vehicle?

Thanks

[peobryant]

I've also been looking on Craigslist and Dallas said she wants an SUV (for some reason) and I found this.

http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/1904155533.html

Anyone know anything about those?


Thanks again

[The_Head]

I daily drive a 1990 Honda Civic wagon with 233K on it and it runs like a top. If you treat them well, they will treat you well. If you find one with a bunch of maintenance records, chances are it will treat you well. I would stick to non modified vehicles. I have never owned a 96-00 Civic, but from what I have read the VTEC engines (D16Y8) like to spin bearings.

My gf has a 1991 wagon with a 1.5L auto. That is what I would be looking for if I were looking for another beater just to drive around. An 88-91 Civic with the 1.5L auto. You can get those motors for dirt cheap cause most people end up swapping in something more powerful.

[ellis93]

Honda cars are really good but they really need the timing belts changed on time. The 4runner ur lookin at should be a good one as well. The timin belts need to be changed on time too. Small cars and trucks are my bread and butter. The timin belts are not hard to change. I'd say get the yota over the cars.

[peobryant]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Saturday I'm going to test drive the 4-Runner, it's a 5spd and 4wd which would be useful since my truck won't move in the winter.

The_Head, I'll definitely look into those cars as well.


Thanks

[ellis93]

If the yota got a 5speed it will be tough to beat. 19yrs of running my shop and workin on the hunters trucks around here(mostly toyotas) I have only seen maybe 4 or 5 of the trans go out. All from them not checkin the fluid.

[peobryant]

If the yota got a 5speed it will be tough to beat. 19yrs of running my shop and workin on the hunters trucks around here(mostly toyotas) I have only seen maybe 4 or 5 of the trans go out. All from them not checkin the fluid.

That's good to hear. Our financial situation won't really allow for a tranny failure, so I'm glad to hear they're reliable.

Now I just have to teach Dallas how to drive a manual.

[dpuckett]

What happened to her Mercedes?

[peobryant]

What happened to her Mercedes?

Really long story, but I'll sum up most of it.

Tom (her "father") is a worthless piece of s***. I'm one of the most respectful people you'll ever meet, but I have no problem saying what he is because of the way he treated Dallas. Tom is all about having control, and since Dallas grew up with him (kind of, she barely saw him, and her parents divorced when she was 8 or so) she didn't realize what he was doing to her. He would belittle her, treat her like garbage, and expect her to be okay with it. Needless to say, she never had the guts (nor did her brother or anyone else) to say anything about it. Than I came along, and everything changed. The first time he said something like that around me, I was dumbfounded, not only because it is a father saying that to their child, but because he said it so easily, like she didn't even matter to him. Regardless, I put a stop to it, and I let him know that I would allow him to say that kind of crap when I was around.

When he met his new wife, (number 4 I might add) things completely changed. She was all about control as well, but she can control Tom without him even realizing it. They slowly started to completely ignore Dallas altogether. When they finally got married, they moved into her house, and Dallas was no longer a member of the family. When they'd go out to eat, they'd leave her, wouldn't bring her anything back, and wouldn't speak to her for days.


In December they left her by herself all day, so after work I came to pick her up to get her something to eat. She texted her dad about an hour before I got there saying she was going to go with me. I got her home 10 minutes before curfew and left to go home. I get a call about 10 minutes later saying she was locked out, and they changed the garage code on her. Apparently they were mad because she didn't call the exact time she left, and had to be punished for it. Keep in mind she was pregnant at this time, it was below freezing and it was sleeting out. Needless to say I was furious. When I got to their house I banged on the door for abut 2 minutes before he called his Dallas. When I answered he was surprised, and when I started yelling at him, he didn't know what to say (again, because no one would ever question him, he thought he controlled everyone) and I let him know either a window was getting broken, or his a$$ was getting out of bed and letting his daughter in the house. He hung up after that.

I figured I'd call my parents as they were in Law Enforcement for over 20 years before they retired and told them the situation. They said just call the cops and he'd have to let her in. I did just that, and they forced Tom to let her in.

Anyways, when she told him she was pregnant, he kicked her out of the house. This was in January I believe, so she has been living with me since then. She didn't talk to him for months, and he didn't figure out she had the baby until her brother heard from a teacher in school and told him. He was upset, apologized to her and said we could have the car because we obviously needed it. She planned on going to school and getting a job, but Tom started acting like a little Sh** again and she stopped talking to him yet again.

Fast forward to this week, my truck is down because I need new brakes. I've been driving the Mercedes for the past few days and Tom is mad at Dallas because she won't talk to him anymore. We have a bunch of baby stuff in the car and a bunch of our own stuff (he was going to sign the title over when she turned 18) but out of the blue, while I'm at work he took the car without telling either of us. He dumped all out stuff in my front yard, and by my neighbors mailbox and texted Dallas that he took his car back that was it. He left me at work with no way home, and since my truck is down, I have nothing I can drive now.

Sorry for the life story (there is actually way more crap he has done, but it makes me angry even typing it, so I'll spare you all) but I figured I'd vent a little. For the record, yes I do realize that this all sounds like Dallas and I are being dramatic, and making it sound worse than it really is, but I can assure you I'm not being dramatic in the slightest. he truly is a worthless father, and a worthless human, and will now have to live with the fact he won't ever see his "daughter" or "Grandson" ever again.

So that's why we're car shopping.

[Mark Nixon]

That dirty co**sucker needs his azz beat to within an inch of his life!!!
There is no way in hell that would go by me, without some sort of recourse, now, or down the road.

What's wrong with the brakes on the truck?

Mark.

[peobryant]

That dirty co**sucker needs his azz beat to within an inch of his life!!!
There is no way in hell that would go by me, without some sort of recourse, now, or down the road.

What's wrong with the brakes on the truck?

Mark.

There have been many times where I've been ready to go to jail, because I would be so angry I couldn't even think straight and I didn't know what I would do to him.

My father is one of the most easy going people on the planet. I have NEVER, ever heard him talk bad about anyone in a way that wasn't a joke. He gets along with everybody, except Tom...

Tom is the only person that I've ever seen my dad get that upset over. He had to meet with him multiple times because Tom would refuse to give Dallas insurance information and what not, and it took a lot out of him not to beat him to a pulp. Dallas had been living with us for a few months, and a few of Dallas' family friends gave clothes to Tom to give to her (not knowing the situation of course) and when we all went to pick them up Tom said something along the lines of "I'm just doing what's best for my daughter." My dad walked away in the middle of his sentence, and had a look on his face I'd never seen before. It may not sound like much, but like I said, I have never seen my father like that.

I guess it was then that they were realizing that everything Dallas and I said was true. I can't blame them for not believing us before, because a lot of what he did seemed unbelievable for a father to do, but when my parents had to get involved, they realized we were telling the truth the whole time. I've always had nothing but respect for my parents, but when they got involved and fully supported us, it went to a whole new level. If I'm half the dad my father is, I'll be a successful father and I can thank him for raising me right.

My truck needs new pads and rotors, and between work, me having no money, and looking for a new job, brakes kinda took a back seat, especially considering I HAD another vehicle to drive.

While we're on the subject of brakes, Saturday my brother is going to try and get them done for me, but is there any site that explains the process. I'd feel better if I could give him something to go by (even though I'm sure he won't need it) just so it won't take him all day. I'll be at work of course, so I can't do it.

[ellis93]

Hey man if u buy any of those cars and u need repair info hit me up. I have all kinds of gasser info on just about any domestic or asin car or truck. Factory specs that is. Tune up timin marks wirin diagrams that kind of stuff.

[Richie O]

Parker, All you can do is be a good husband and a good father. Everything else will work itself out. It sounds like you have a good support system with your folks. You will make it just fine. Life sucks sometimes but when your little one comes and jumps into your arms at the end of a long day and says " daddy " , that just makes everything OK.

[peobryant]

Hey man if u buy any of those cars and u need repair info hit me up. I have all kinds of gasser info on just about any domestic or asin car or truck. Factory specs that is. Tune up timin marks wirin diagrams that kind of stuff.

I talked to the owner of the 4-Runner (hopefully going to look at it later today) and he said the only thing wrong with it is it idles a little rough due to the valves needing to be adjusted. Any idea how hard/easy that is to do? I'm really hoping this little thing works out, because a 4wd vehicle would be extremely useful during the winter here. My truck won't move in the snow, plus I won't have to get salt on my truck either. Win win for me.

Parker, All you can do is be a good husband and a good father. Everything else will work itself out. It sounds like you have a good support system with your folks. You will make it just fine. Life sucks sometimes but when your little one comes and jumps into your arms at the end of a long day and says " daddy " , that just makes everything OK.

Thanks Rich. I stopped getting worked up about Tom a long time ago. I see how my parents are with him (his name is Rory by the way, I don't know if I mentioned that. We're Irish, so Rory O'Bryant seemed pretty nice. Dallas wouldn't let me use the other names I had picked out...) and how much they love him, and I know Tom will never have that feeling.

I have a real good feeling about my new roofing job. Since college isn't really an option for me any more (Dallas will be going, however) this company has pretty much told me that most of the people that get hired, stay working with them and they are a great company to work for. I'll get a 401K set up, health insurance, the whole 9 yards, so it seems like things are taking a positive turn.

And Dallas has formally given me permission to go to SOP, so depending on my work schedule, I plan on being there.

[ellis93]

All I need to know is what motor is in it.