My 2000 Honda Civic EX sedan was stolen over the weekend, and now I need to find a replacement. I found a 2000 Honda Civic EX coupe with only 59k miles on it. It’s been repainted (dark green), is a 5-speed manual, and the dealer claims it’s a one-owner car. The dealer hasn’t done an inspection yet but is asking $9,800 firm.
Here’s what’s bugging me:
It feels way overpriced, and the seller won’t budge on price.
Older Civics are easy to steal.
The repaint makes me wonder if it sat outside for years.
Blue Book value is only about $4,200 in excellent condition.
If it gets stolen or totaled, insurance might only pay that much.
It’s already 25 years old.
I’m going to check it out on Wednesday. What do you think—should I go for it or walk away?
That’s a steep price for an older car, but if you’re seeing similar Civics going for that much, it might just be the market right now. If you’re serious, ask for the maintenance records and a carfax report, and have a mechanic inspect it for rust, especially underneath. Any issues could give you some room to negotiate.
Remington said:
Look into a 2008 model instead. Might be a better deal.
What’s so good about the 2008 models?
I’ve had mine for 10 years without any major problems—just the usual stuff like brakes and tyres. It’s reliable, gets good mileage, and has been a solid car for me. Do some research on good years before spending that kind of money.
Remington said:
Look into a 2008 model instead. Might be a better deal.
What’s so good about the 2008 models?
The 2008 to 2015 models are part of the eighth generation. They use the R18 engine, which is known to last a long time. You’ll often hear of them hitting 250,000 to 300,000 miles.
The price is high, but it’s hard to say if it’s completely unreasonable since someone might pay that much. I’d keep looking and have cash ready for a good deal. If the dealer isn’t the original owner, it’s not a true one-owner car. Dealers usually pay less than half of what they list cars for, so keep that in mind.
A good paint job costs a lot. I had to repaint my 2009 Civic coupe because the clear coat was peeling, and it wasn’t cheap. Even with the new paint, I wouldn’t expect to sell mine for $10,000. Mine’s been in the family since new, and I plan to keep it running as long as possible. Maybe look for a low-mileage Honda that hasn’t been repainted—it might be cheaper.
@Christian
Yeah, I feel like someone will overpay for it, but I’m not sure I want to be that person. I could go a bit over the Blue Book value, but $10,000 feels like too much. I’m still planning to check it out, but the price is really putting me off.
Christian said: @Nicky
I think $7,000 would be a more reasonable premium for that car, given the paint job and low miles.
I just can’t get over the repaint. If it sat outside its whole life, that’s a big red flag for me. The price doesn’t seem justified, even with the low miles.
@Nicky
Hondas from that era are known for clear coat issues, especially if they’ve been outside. Even garage-kept ones can fade because of UV exposure. You’ll see similar problems on most older Hondas. I’d recommend browsing online listings to compare paint conditions and pricing.
When I was buying a motorcycle, I took my time and eventually got a great deal on a BMW in mint condition. Patience pays off.