Future EP3 Owner

[Buzz]

Honestly I've never even drove a manuel car, My friend has convinced me to make the move into one. Of all the cars i've looked at the EP3 looks the most comfortable and fun to learn in. Now I found one in my price range which i'll be looking at tomorrow, I am just wondering what are key things to look for when purchasing a used ep3. Like Is the asking price too high? I checked the car fax and it says there was an accident a year or 2 back hitting a deer. I really just don't know what to check for in these cars. PLease any advice would be great.

The link is below: I also apologize if we are not suppose to post links

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=287674688&dealer_id=100029036&car_year=2002&doors=&systime=&model=CIVIC&search_lang=en&start_year=2000&body_style=HATCH&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=50&min_price=&drive=&rdm=1299292536397&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=1394548&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=4&transmission=&default_sort=newsortbyprice_DESC&max_mileage=&address=10701&color=&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=&awsp=false&make=HONDA&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=19&standard=false

[rjmq06]

Honestly I've never even drove a manuel car, My friend has convinced me to make the move into one. Of all the cars i've looked at the EP3 looks the most comfortable and fun to learn in. Now I found one in my price range which i'll be looking at tomorrow, I am just wondering what are key things to look for when purchasing a used ep3. Like Is the asking price too high? I checked the car fax and it says there was an accident a year or 2 back hitting a deer. I really just don't know what to check for in these cars. PLease any advice would be great.

The link is below: I also apologize if we are not suppose to post links

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=287674688&dealer_id=100029036&car_year=2002&doors=&systime=&model=CIVIC&search_lang=en&start_year=2000&body_style=HATCH&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=50&min_price=&drive=&rdm=1299292536397&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=1394548&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=4&transmission=&default_sort=newsortbyprice_DESC&max_mileage=&address=10701&color=&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=&awsp=false&make=HONDA&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=19&standard=false

first of all welcome to the ephatch...
that one is a really good deal
i bought mine 2 years ago for $7000 with 92k miles

plus its bone stock but if your planning to make ep3 your first practice car
i'd say its really fun and a reliable car but make sure you take care of that baby dont waste it

[HondaFreak]

Not a whole lot goes wrong with these cars. It's a 2002, so I would check the cams and make sure there is no galling started. If the valve cover is removed it can be pretty easily seen as scratches on the lobes of the cam. These motors use roller rockers, so the cam has to be smooth.

Other than that, just drive it. It's like any other car. Sensors do go bad, but no real wide spread issues. People sometimes have gear grinding, but I think a lot of it is driver.
Good luck!

Christian

[rjmq06]

Not a whole lot goes wrong with these cars. It's a 2002, so I would check the cams and make sure there is no galling started. If the valve cover is removed it can be pretty easily seen as scratches on the lobes of the cam. These motors use roller rockers, so the cam has to be smooth.

Other than that, just drive it. It's like any other car. Sensors do go bad, but no real wide spread issues. People sometimes have gear grinding, but I think a lot of it is driver.
Good luck!

Christian

yeah thats what happened to me my 2nd gear grinds to much but i just changed the tranny oil to royal purple and now it shifts like smooth and felt like i have butter on my gears

[tunner2307]

I know what others said, but In my opinion it's little pricey. I bought mine 2 years ago, 77k miles, 2004 year, clean car fax, one owner, 0 accidents, bone stock for 7,400$.
I would say check everything, gear grinds, tires, brakes, oil leaks etd.

[mitchlikesbikes]

yeah you can definitely never really be too careful when looking one over. i was a total dumbass and basically just bought mine on the spot, luckily it was just dirty and the paint was pretty much swirled to hell. luckily i didn't get screwed over with some gnarly tranny grinds or bad sensors. i've had mine since last april with absolutely zero problems though and i loveee my car. i also learned to drive stick in my ep3, and i think it was pretty easy. once you go manual you'll never wanna go back for sure! just try to have someone there to give you some pointers starting off, but from there you just gotta practice and teach yourself how to improve. good luck with your purchase though!

[TheSylntChamber]

I noticed a dent in the driver fender where it meets the door. Also it says actual mileage is unknown due to cluster malfunction, so seems iffy. What's up with what looks like wiring hanging down into the drivers side floor board as well?

[mitchlikesbikes]

I noticed a dent in the driver fender where it meets the door. Also it says actual mileage is unknown due to cluster malfunction, so seems iffy. What's up with what looks like wiring hanging down into the drivers side floor board as well?

yeah that seems pretty sketchy. there shouldn't be any wiring hanging in that area as far as i know.

edit: unless of course the cluster actually was repaired or replaced and the rewiring job just wasn't quite up to par. i'd pass that one up and find yourself a more solid ep3 if i were you though, cause you definitely won't regret waiting if you can.

[superchargedk20]

car seems iffy. Wont hurt to look and it looks like u get a 3 month warranty with it. Check it for leaks, check the oil. I would fiddle with the throttle just to make sure theres no knocks comming from the motor. When ur driving it in like 2nd gear dump the clutch into 3rd and floor the gas to see if the clutch is holding up (good indicator if clutch is in good shape). I just recently bought a used car with 100k. Best of luck

[rjmq06]

well yeah i didnt notice the TMU i wouldnt trust that kind of info or test drive it and see if its acting funny,
at the end of the day its still your call

[Buzz]

Appreciate the feedback, Im going to look for those things you guys mentioned. Worst case scenario I'll just wait on it save more money until another comes around. I was planning on just throwing 5k in the dealers face like "wassup" get his pockets drooling.

[Tnhatch03]

check the CAMS!!!!

[superchargedk20]

check the CAMS!!!!

hows he gona check the cams lol. The dealer isnt just gona take the valve cover off for him to see if the cams are good

[drizzy88]

Dude i actually went to take a look @ that ep b4 i bought mine, i believe they rolled back the mileage some how and the car has noticeable dents and dings. Also they would not allow me to test drive it and there was no shift knob in the car. Interior was also in bad shape in my opinion. This was back in november 2010. also the carfax stated like the mileage was close to 200k but a malfuction happened, thats why i left that car alone.

[Tnhatch03]

hows he gona check the cams lol. The dealer isnt just gona take the valve cover off for him to see if the cams are good

with tools?

if the dealer wants to sell the car, they will do whatever he wants. ;-)

[TheSylntChamber]

with tools?

if the dealer wants to sell the car, they will do whatever he wants. ;-)

I don't know what kind of dealers you go to, but any that I have ever went to would escort me off the lot promptly if I pulled out some tools wanting to take (engine) parts off.

[MBaG]

Dude i actually went to take a look @ that ep b4 i bought mine, i believe they rolled back the mileage some how and the car has noticeable dents and dings. Also they would not allow me to test drive it and there was no shift knob in the car. Interior was also in bad shape in my opinion. This was back in november 2010. also the carfax stated like the mileage was close to 200k but a malfuction happened, thats why i left that car alone.

OP, I believe here is your answer!

But yea, this car seems a bit sketchy. Have you tried checking craigslist also? There's a bunch of ep's listed on craigslist over here in socal.. don't know if it's the same across the country, but it's worth a check!