Repair Estimates

beardyonce

New Member
I'm new here, so bear with me.

Obviously, I don't expect any replies to be 100% accurate. I'm just looking for best guesses/estimates.

I am currently driving a '99 Honda Civic sedan. I don't know the model--this is my family's "junk car" for when one of our main vehicles breaks down.

It's one of the red models, which means that aesthetically, the thing looks like a trainwreck. The exterior is pretty rough looking, but it runs decent. That said, there are a handful (okay, a lot) of small technical problems it has, and I'm interested to see what folks on here think it might cost to get them fixed.

In no particular order:

  • radio/clock display is "clouded" and impossible to read
  • electric locking mechanism (driver side) doesn't work
  • electric window controls (all doors) don't work
  • windshield wipers do not work
  • standard headlight beams don't work-- to use, you must hold the brights on or else you have no headlights
  • the speedometer will intermitantly cut out and register 0mph
  • the oil needs changed monthly to maintain consistent operation
  • sun-roof control doesn't work, and even though it is perpetually shut, it constantly leaks on the passenger side causing mildew buildup
  • outer back driver side door handle is broken and will not open door from the outside
  • the ceiling fabric and rubber lining is torn and sagging, esp. around the sun roof area
Anyone have any guesses on how much it might cost for each of these items? Respectively, all-together, what the problems might be, any help is appreciated. I am taking it to a mechanic to get looked at soon, but I wanted to have an idea of what to expect first.
 

lethal6

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I'm new here, so bear with me.

Obviously, I don't expect any replies to be 100% accurate. I'm just looking for best guesses/estimates.

I am currently driving a '99 Honda Civic sedan. I don't know the model--this is my family's "junk car" for when one of our main vehicles breaks down.

It's one of the red models, which means that aesthetically, the thing looks like a trainwreck. The exterior is pretty rough looking, but it runs decent. That said, there are a handful (okay, a lot) of small technical problems it has, and I'm interested to see what folks on here think it might cost to get them fixed.

In no particular order:

  • radio/clock display is "clouded" and impossible to read
    Replace the radio. If you are cheap, you can find aftermarket ones for under $100
  • electric locking mechanism (driver side) doesn't work
    Need more information. The switch is bad, the wire is bad, the actuator is bad, or a combination of some or all. Price depends on what parts are needed and whom is replacing them.
  • electric window controls (all doors) don't work
    See above answer. This is the same concept, could be a number of things from relays, to the wiring, to the switch, to even something as stupidly simple as a blown fuse. Price depends on parts and whom is doing it.
  • windshield wipers do not work
    Again, see above. Could be a multiple of things. Again, cost comes down to what parts are needed and whom is replacing them.
  • standard headlight beams don't work-- to use, you must hold the brights on or else you have no headlights
    I see a pattern here. Same as above, could be a number of things. My gut leads towards a broken column switch, but it would need diagnosed for sure. Cost depends again on parts and the mechanic.
  • the speedometer will intermitantly cut out and register 0mph
  • the oil needs changed monthly to maintain consistent operation
    This makes absolutely no sense. What do you mean it needs changed to maintain operation. There is no reason the oil needs replace monthly to keep the engine running. If that is so, you need another engine.
  • sun-roof control doesn't work, and even though it is perpetually shut, it constantly leaks on the passenger side causing mildew buildup
    Sunroof function could be a number of things, but the leaking is most likely the sunroof drains being clogged. Get the sunroof open with the emergency procedure outlined in the owner's manual and google how to unclog them. Unclog them and leak test. If it still leaks, replace the seal. Pretty straight forward on this one.
  • outer back driver side door handle is broken and will not open door from the outside
    Replace the door handle. Very simple to do. Parts can be had for less than $100.
  • the ceiling fabric and rubber lining is torn and sagging, esp. around the sun roof area
    Replace the headliner. Either buy your own fabric and make a new one, source one from a junkyard/online, or have an upholstery shop do it. Cost depends again on parts and whom is doing it.
Anyone have any guesses on how much it might cost for each of these items? Respectively, all-together, what the problems might be, any help is appreciated. I am taking it to a mechanic to get looked at soon, but I wanted to have an idea of what to expect first.
See replies in red. There is absolutely NO way to quote you any kind of price on pretty much all of it. There is no definite answer for any of it as it hasn't been diagnosed and all of it could be multiple reasons for the problems/failures. I suggest doing a bunch of troubleshooting t find out what is wrong with each component and if you aren't able to do that, I would leave it to the mechanic.

That being said, with troubleshooting and all of the nightmare mess you have going on here, you are looking at quite a bit of money from a shop standpoint. They are going to have to put a bunch of time into each problem and work through to find the fix, then you are looking at the part costs, and then the replacements. Personally I would take my time and work through them one by one myself. That or ditch the car and buy one that isn't so problematic. Civics are a dime a dozen and you can find one that isn't so beat and neglected for cheap.
 


XpL0d3r

I had a Civic once.
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ditch the car and buy one that isn't so problematic..
This would be my advice. ^

Like Cary said, they're a dime a dozen. With who knows how much it costs to fix all that, it's probably cheaper to bring the car to a junkyard, get a couple hundred bucks for it (or pounds) and put that towards a new one.
 

Esotericimage

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If the Air Conditioning works and runs, Then its worth at least 1500.00 in hot climate areas...
 




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