1998 Civic EX Automatic...any known problems?

MJT1212

New Member
I'm considering going to test drive and buy a 1998 Honda Civic EX with 102K miles from a dealer. Asking price is 4500. It's an automatic.

Is there anything I should know about before checking this car out? Are the auto transmissions known to be bad or anything? Known issues to check for? Timing belt change times to ask about? Etcetra

Thanks for any help you guys can give!
 

cgpEJ6

noob
Registered VIP
Registered OG
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
The timing belt and water pump should be changed at 90-100k, see if they have documentation of it being done. Most places would charge about $700 to do the job. Check the rear quarter panels for signs of rust coming, they are notorious for getting rust right where the bumper meets the quarter panel.
 

project_civic

New Member
make sure window regulator is in good condition...weather strips doesn't leak! i have a 98 ex myself and it has minor issues that needs to be done. but i know the window regulators go quick on them
 


will85w4

Save the SOHC
5+ Year Member
I have A/T 99 EX...I like the "CONVENIENCE" of not having to constantly shift in TRAFFIC, but THAT'S ABOUT IT. I've had my EX since April of 2007 but it only had 16,xxx miles on it when I got it. Now it's at 106,xxx and I just got timing belt replaced, new motor mounts, etc...

IMO, I would've gone with a M/T, but wasn't thinking about mods and stuff at the time I bought it. Don't get me wrong, I love my car, but again, if you plan on doing any mods outside of I/H/E, get a M/T Civic.
 

will85w4

Save the SOHC
5+ Year Member
project_civic said:
make sure window regulator is in good condition...weather strips doesn't leak! i have a 98 ex myself and it has minor issues that needs to be done. but i know the window regulators go quick on them
Click to expand...
This ^ too! I have to grab my driver side window and pull on it in order for it to seal correctly when I roll it up.
 

project_civic

New Member
will85w4 said:
This ^ too! I have to grab my driver side window and pull on it in order for it to seal correctly when I roll it up.
Click to expand...
I have the same issue, I don't even put that side of the window down because it takes me 10 minutes to get it back in place! But I have a friend of mine who is going to pb blast it and hopefully get it on the right track, i dont want to buy weather strips and new window strips =/ those cost a lot!
 

MJT1212

New Member
Well I found out the title is a salvage title and the dealer said the car has been "rebuilt"...

Don't know if that means the body, engine or both but I will probably stay away now. How do you guys feel about salvage titles and the situation with this car/price with a salvage title? Should I ask what was rebuilt and negotiate a price?
 

emerican

New Member
Registered VIP
Stay away from it and find one with a clean title.
Also you can get auto ex's for like 3k or under in my area if they are auto.
 
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