Buy car

[jglovier]

To start this project I need to actually have the car, of course. Here's some thoughts on budget, where/what to buy, etc:

Budget

I'd like to keep the initial purchase to around $5,000 or less. That seems to be about the fair market value for these cars in decent condition, even if the KBB is lower and the sellers are expecting to sell for higher.

Looking for

Motor I want a car that's pretty much an OEM Civic Si. It can have an intake, exhaust, or other minor engine upgrades, but I don't want it already tricked out. I want to install the turbo and get it tuned myself.

Body I'm looking ideally for a car that is pretty close to immaculate on the exterior, and also OEM. Don't want custom paint, just good, well kept paint/body. Don't really want any other body mods, either, as I want to do my own specific mods.

Mileage Mileage is tricky because like a person's weight, it's only an indicator of possible health, not a definitive measurement. I recently saw a 2000 Civic Si on eBay that had like 204K miles, but looked immaculate inside and out (including the engine bay)

Ideally I'd get one with around 100K, but the older these cars get the harder a low mileage one is to find. The more important factors are:

• well maintained
• no rust
• no body damage
• generally looks to be in good condition

  Where to buy

Location I'm willing to travel outside the area to get this car (and will almost certainly have to), but not willing to travel too far. Anything under about a 6hr trip is acceptable. Less than 2hrs is preferable. But basically anything that is 1 state away is fair game I'd say.

Seller Type I'm open to a dealer sale, but prefer a personal seller as they will likely be less expensive. However I have found on these cars that personal sellers tend to overestimate the value of the car, and don't care what KBB says, so dealers are fair game too to be honest.

Good finds:

Leesburg, VA • $5,997 • Dealer

http://www.buymycarsonline.com/web/used/Honda-Civic-1999-Leesburg-VA/9503886/

Mainevill, OH • $5,100 • eBay Seller

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-Honda-Civic-Si-VERY-CLEAN-/130996256693 Mike • 601-529-XXXX

[jglovier]

Found an immaculate 2000 Civic Si (with turbo and only 61k mi.) for $9800 in Miami, FL 33128 via AutoTrader.com:

Seller Comments

ATTENTION: I AM CURRENTLY DEPLOYED AND CANNOT ANSWER PHONE CALLS. THE CAR WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE UPON MY RETURN STATESIDE IN EARLY AUGUST. THANK YOU! Hi there! You're currently looking at the lowest-mileage EM1 on the market right now, sitting at 61,130 original miles. Clean title, matching VINs on all body panels, immaculate interior, original crisp floor mats, and immaculate original paint job. Runs exclusively on Honda coolant, full-synthetic oil changes every 2,000 miles. Still have the owner's manual and spare key. Air conditioning is ice cold, power steering and cruise control work flawlessly. Non-smoker. I babied this girl like you wouldn't believe. All upgrades were meticulously researched before being chosen to put on the car: - Skunk2 Pro Series Black Intake Manifold - AEM Cold Air Intake - Brand new genuine JDM red valve cover, imported - DC Sports Header - Skunk2 Megapower RR Full Exhaust - Lowered on TEIN coilovers - Sitting on 16" Enkei RPF1 and an excellent new set of tires with great traction - JVC Bluetooth and iPod/iPhone-compatible single-din radio - Python alarm system - Paint-matched fog light housings - 8000K HIDs installed in both headlights and fog lights. - Dyno-tuned @ 150whp The car is as clean as they come. Many people that I've met have commented that they haven't seen one this clean since they were released back in 1999. Garage kept for the vast majority of it's life. Thanks for looking. Any questions, feel free to call me or text me personally. Price listed is FINAL price. If you're looking for a cheap Honda, this is not it. Phone number is 305-987-XXXX.

[jglovier]

Found a 2000 Civic EX with a B18B1 motor swap on Craigslist. Had 160K on the body, and dude was asking $3500 for it.

Me and @amglovier test drove it on the way back from my moms. It ran well, had a lot of pull, and overall was a solid vehicle, other than basic wear and tear. The guy said he's sell it for $3300, but wouldn't take $2750 which I offered him. I ended up calling the bank and they won't finance a vehicle loan for a car with a motor swap anyway.

The guy was kinda shady, and parts of the story didn't match up (he said he had the paperwork in the glovebox but the title and paperwork was for a different car). The dude rolled up with three other guys and the one I talked to said Xavier didn't speak English and was going back to Puerto Rico soon lol. He said he had 6 other Civics that he's selling for people as well. Hrrmmmm.

The VIN on the car was 1HGEJ8148YL129649 and the license was PA JPB1490.

I told him to call me if he decided he'd accept $2750, but didn't sound like his was interested since it has the motor swap (even though the bluebook for this car in very good condition is only $2545).

[jglovier]

Also, the guy from the Miami Civic Si above texted me back today and said he is back from deployment so I could come see the car. However, I told him I'm he's too far away and way out of my budge anyway.

[jglovier]

Turns out the EX with the B18 swap guy said he'll go $3000, so we are going to take a 2.9% personal credit loan and go for it! cc @amglovier woohoo :tada:

[jglovier]

:point_up_2: that car never did work out; the guy never showed up when he was supposed to meet us at the mechanic, so we bailed on the deal.

As of today, it is still on Craigslist: http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/4645414714.html

[jglovier]

I've seen this true em1 around Craigslist and even eBay now for months:

• http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/4706257953.html
• http://lancaster.craigslist.org/cto/4648419784.html

They guy is trying to get $4500 for it, but it's got a salvage title and hail damage. I don't think he's gonna sell it to anyone for that price, but he thinks he is. I messaged him and he said he'd go down to $4K

[jglovier]

Finally saved up some dough, and found a pretty nice 2000 Honda Civic Si on Craigslist locally. Asking $6000, but he agreed to sell it to me for $4500. It's got 187K, and is inspected till next year. Planning to go buy it on Saturday.

[jglovier]

Bought it. :boom: :car: :dash: :zap: