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What to repair before selling - Honda Civic

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dullard

dullard

Elite Member
Doh! Meant to post this in the garage forum.

Honda Civic LX, 2002, 180,000 miles, one owner, mostly interstate miles.

I was running my car into the ground, but I decided to run it to just before the ground and sell it when it has a few months of life left. Are there items that I should repair that will net me any money? What I mean is if I put $X in for a repair, will the used value go up by more than $X for any of the items on the list below? Or should I just sell it as is?

Needs repair:
1) Windshield cracked in the bottom two corners, it won't spread further and isn't in the way of driving.

2) Bushings keep going out every couple of years. They need replacing again.

3) Two tires are obviously uneven in wear (see #2 above for reason why), the other two tires aren't new but look like they are in good condition.

4) Rear bumper has a big crack where someone did a hit and run on me.

5) Cruise control doesn't work in the summer, and the cruise control button light is burned out.

6) Rear struts are leaking.

Thanks.
 
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Repair none of it, sell as-is. None of those problems affect drivability (well, at least under normal econobox operating conditions), and people who are in the market for cars with that many miles on them won't pay above the cost of the repair anyway.

If you're doing it yourself, that might change the equation somewhat.
 
Those things are not as important as questions such as "did it get the timing belt/water pump replaced." At that mileage it definitely needs it. Having that done is much more important to someone who wants to drive the car for a few years.
 
Ksyder said:
Those things are not as important as questions such as "did it get the timing belt/water pump replaced." At that mileage it definitely needs it. Having that done is much more important to someone who wants to drive the car for a few years.
Click to expand...

+1. and if it hasn't, be prepared to lower your price by about $1500.
 
Call your insurance agency to see if they'll change the windshield FOR FREE...changing it is mandatory in Florida when the glass is cracked....
If you can find a couple of used tires for $30/installed I'd do that, if the tires need replacing.

Wax the bod and shampoo the interior of course...
 
I'd say just clean her up. Make the next buyer aware of any updates that'll be needed, and haggle from there.

From what I understand, many people look for that type of car as a commuter for the good MPG. Demand should be fairly high, and odds are you might find a guy who wants a fixer upper to use as a commuter. Don't invest any money or time as you may not get it back. You're better off just eating the loss and letting someone else deal with it.
 
dullard said:
Doh! Meant to post this in the garage forum.

Honda Civic LX, 2002, 180,000 miles, one owner, mostly interstate miles.

I was running my car into the ground, but I decided to run it to just before the ground and sell it when it has a few months of life left. Are there items that I should repair that will net me any money? What I mean is if I put $X in for a repair, will the used value go up by more than $X for any of the items on the list below? Or should I just sell it as is?

Needs repair:
1) Windshield cracked in the bottom two corners, it won't spread further and isn't in the way of driving.

2) Bushings keep going out every couple of years. They need replacing again.

3) Two tires are obviously uneven in wear (see #2 above for reason why), the other two tires aren't new but look like they are in good condition.

4) Rear bumper has a big crack where someone did a hit and run on me.

5) Cruise control doesn't work in the summer, and the cruise control button light is burned out.

6) Rear struts are leaking.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

1, sell it low. 2, let people know of the problems. (Would you like to be sold a car and find out all these problems later? No. Be a good person.) 3, unless you're doing the repair yourself then don't do it.

It sounds like a great car for someone who wants to fix up one.
 
Well seeing as how its a 2002 civic with 180,000 miles, you'll be lucky to get half of what you pay to repair it back. Sell it as is to some high school kid for his first car or to someone as a beater.
 
Thanks everyone. I'll leave it alone, with the exception of the bushings. The ride gets slightly but noticeably bumpy from 55 mph to 60 mph with them broken.

To answer the comments: I've done everything in the manual on schedule, with the exception of an oil change every 5,000 miles instead of every 10,000 that was recommended by the manual. And I'm one of the most honest people around. I'll list all problems that I know of.
 
I personally would leave some of it and potentially fix some of the issues depending on how much it will set you back. Buyers will definitely look at tires, maybe some used tires off the classifieds could help get you more $ for the car.. Tires are usually considered a fairly large outlay as far as routine maintenance goes, if all 4 tires are good and will easily pass safety, it immediately makes the car worth more, for sure, and some used ones may only set you back like $80-100 for the pair.

Just saying. I guess it depends on what you can do yourself. Rear shocks for a Civic are stupid cheap and easy to change as well, I'd probably replace them, but that is just me.
 
FWIW, my son has an 02 Civic EX Coupe with 167,000 miles and it still drives great. With the exception of the timing belt, water pump, all maintenance/repairs have been done on it my me.
 
TridenT said:
1, sell it low. 2, let people know of the problems. (Would you like to be sold a car and find out all these problems later? No. Be a good person.) 3, unless you're doing the repair yourself then don't do it.

It sounds like a great car for someone who wants to fix up one.
Click to expand...

Sell it low??? Meh.

Sell it for what it is worth. Haggle on with the details of what needs fixing. IE - If the current going rate for the vehicle is 5000 in prestine condition, and it needs 1000 worth of repairs, negotiate down to 4500, 4250, or whatever you can get out of it.

But definitely be honest. No doubt about that.
 
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