Car timing belt issues1/22/2024 What to look for when buying a used Honda Civic: The 2002-2005 Civic Si comes with a high-revving 160-hp 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC engine, manual transmission (no automatic) and firmer suspension. In frontal offset crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2001-2005 Honda Civic received a "Good" overall rating.Ĭivic Si: The sporty Si (SiR in Canada) hatchback was added for 2002, but they are rare on the used car market. Pros: Fuel economy, holds value well, interior comfort, fun to drive, low maintenance costs, trunk space, easy to work on, parts are widely available.Ĭons: Noisy ride, paint scratches easily, automatic transmission and head gasket issues, timing belt will need to be replaced.Ĭrash test ratings: The NHTSA awarded the 2001-2005 Honda Civic with a five-star rating for the frontal crash tests. Among similar cars, the Toyota Corolla is another popular choice for a cheap commuter. The Civic is good on gas, costs little to maintain and is easy to work on. If you find one that is in good mechanical condition and doesn't have problems mentioned above, the 7th generation Civic could serve well as a cheap commuter car. Is the 2001-2005 Honda Civic a good car to buy? To replace the timing belt in the repair shop, you are looking at 2.5-3.0 hours of labor plus parts. The 1.7L engine in the 2001-2005 Civic is an interference engine, meaning if the timing belt breaks, the engine might get damaged. However, if the car is driven in hot or very cold conditions, it must be replaced every 60,000 miles or 100,000 km. Both these engines have a timing belt that must be replaced at recommended intervals.Īccording to the maintenance schedule for the 2005 Honda Civic, a timing belt must be replaced at 110,000 miles or 176,000 km. The EX is equipped with the 127-hp 1.7-liter SOHC VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control).īoth are simple, easy to work on engines. The Civic DX and LX come with a 115-hp 1.7-liter 16-Valve SOHC engine. If you are buying a used Honda Civic, have it properly inspected for a leaking head gasket. Replacing a head gasket in the shop will cost 4-5 hours of labor plus the parts. Mechanics test the coolant for presence of exhaust gases that will indicate a bad head gasket. If the radiator cap is a suspect, it's usually replaced, as it's not expensive.Ī leaking head gasket can also cause the engine to overheat and it's a fairly common failure l on this car. Mechanics also test the radiator cap and check if the cooling fan comes on at the right temperature. The radiator could be partially clogged up and will also need to be checked. Replacing the thermostat is not very expensive. The thermostat needs to be checked first, as a stuck-closed thermostat is one of the common causes for overheating. Mechanics use an infrared pyrometer to diagnose engine cooling system issues. Overheating: There are complaints about the engine overheating. The transmission fluid must be changed regularly to keep the transmission last longer. Check the transmission fluid on the dipstick if it's too dirty or has a burnt smell, avoid the car. If it doesn't shift "right", avoid the car. Test drive for as long as possible to get the good feel how the transmission shifts. When buying a used Honda Civic, watch out for the way the automatic transmission shifts. Steps to diagnoseĪutomatic transmission problems have been reported by many owners automatic transmission replacement with a used unit could cost 6-9 hours of labor plus the cost of the part. Signs of automatic transmission problems. How to check the engine when buying a used car.How to get the best deal on a used car?.Buying a Used Car: 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid.
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