Need car advice for daughter

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Need car advice for daughter

Posted: 10/14/2017 1:36:21 PM EDT

I have a 2006 Honda Civic that my 17 y/o daughter drives. It has about 107,000 miles on it and is in pretty good condition overall.

Next year my daughter goes off to college and I want her to have a reliable car. I can’t afford a new car, so I’m thinking of refurbishing the Honda. What could I have done to reduce the chance of her having a breakdown?

Or, is this car to old to be reliable?

Posted: 10/14/2017 2:10:38 PM EDT

[#1]

You are looking at a large check out of Hoses, Belts, Battery, Tires, Shocks, Brakes, Lights. Don't remember if you have a timing belt, but if yes, then you are due.

If you went hog wild and did everything, you may put $2,000 in car (reality should be much less if the other factors above are good), but it could go the distance for her education (much cheaper than buying a new car)

How well did you maintain it previously?

It could go to 150K or 200K, but more car care = longer care life...

Posted: 10/14/2017 2:31:57 PM EDT

[#2]

I agree, nothing big on it. and it isn't that old or that many miles.

I looked and it appears to have a chain.
So I would change fluids, brake especially.
Hoses and belt(s).
Check the cv joints to see if the boots are torn.
See how old the battery is. Replace if older than 3 or 4 years.

I would consider a drain and refill of the trans, not a flush.

Plugs too. maybe plug wires. Fire it up in the dark and look around.

The only other thing I would check based on where you are from is any flood damage or indications of it.

Posted: 10/14/2017 2:33:27 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
It could go to 150K or 200K, but more car care = longer care life...

View Quote

It's a friggin Honda Civic. It will easily go to 200k and beyond. Has the vehicle given you reason to doubt its reliability? Unless there's been some specific problem, just keep up scheduled maintenance.

Also,

@ thinking '06 might be "too old". My newest car is an '05.

Posted: 10/14/2017 2:34:36 PM EDT

[#4]

When my daughter starts driving in a couple of years she will drive my Tundra. Big and safe.

Posted: 10/14/2017 5:00:33 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:

Also,

@ thinking '06 might be "too old". My newest car is an '05.

View Quote

This.
One kid has a 99, one a 03, one a 06......

Hell mine is an 05

Posted: 10/14/2017 5:12:49 PM EDT

[#6]

Unless she's driving instead of going to classes, she really shouldn't be putting a ton of miles on. Have it gone through, plugs, antifreeze, brakes and bearings checked, oil change, hoses checked and replaced if needed, make sure it has a good battery, replace if ANY doubt, buy a jump pack and tell her DO NOT LOAN IT OUT, IT STAYS IN THE CAR, PERIOD. Tires should be good.

My kiddo made it all the way through college and several years beyond plus a couple Co-op jobs in Texas in a 1995 Ford Escort wagon with no issues. He graduated HS in 2008 and got the car in 2006 for $1200.

I did toss in one radiator after he graduated college due to a VERY small leak. Other then that, just regular maintenance, 2 brake jobs, a set of tires, and a exhaust flex pipe.

If she loans the car out, it'll be beat to shit in a year.

Posted: 10/14/2017 5:13:24 PM EDT

[#7]

With good maintenance, that Honda is a safe and reliable car that will easily last her through college years.

Posted: 10/14/2017 5:17:33 PM EDT

[#8]

Take it to any shop for a pre purchase inspection. Yes you own it but refer to it like that they will know what you want.

It will cost you about 1/2 hour of shop time.

They will go over the car and give you a list of issues.

If you have any of it fixed at the shop they may waive the $ for the inspection. Have had it done for both cars that I was looking to buy and cars had for several years that wanted a checkup before a long road trip.

Posted: 10/14/2017 8:22:48 PM EDT

[#9]

Have you been following the maintenance schedule in the owners manual?

Posted: 10/14/2017 8:39:37 PM EDT

[#10]

We’ve only had the car about a year. It was given to us by family. My understanding is it had regular oil changes and was generally well cared for, but I doubt any “recommended” maintenance was done.

Posted: 10/15/2017 7:47:51 PM EDT

[#11]

Op

I don't understand your question

1. a 2006 with 120k is not old. most certainly not old for a Honda civic. Shit every other car in the school parking lot will be one of these fucking things.

2. You don't know anything about it's history. Can you find out? Can the previous owner tell you? if not can they tell you where it was regularly serviced? Like the local Jack Meh-Of Honda dealership? If so take the VIN there and see what's been done, then see what hasn't and within reason do that shit.

Posted: 10/16/2017 12:01:50 AM EDT

[#12]

That car should have the R18 which has a timing chain, not a belt. So, you're good there.

The only iffy thing I'm aware of on 8th gen Civics is they can develop a small leak in power steering fluid. It's usually worse in colder weather. The fix can be expensive, so just keep an eye on it and use Honda fluid.

Otherwise, it's brakes, tires, and battery.

Posted: 10/16/2017 12:03:30 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
When my daughter starts driving in a couple of years she will drive my Tundra. Big and safe.

View Quote

A lot of people think this way, but it's generally a terrible idea.

The more mass a vehicle has, the more difficult it is to avoid an accident, and the more kinetic energy it will carry into a collision.

Posted: 10/16/2017 9:27:39 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:

A lot of people think this way, but it's generally a terrible idea.

The more mass a vehicle has, the more difficult it is to avoid an accident, and the more kinetic energy it will carry into a collision.

View Quote

True, but its usually not a good day for the person in a small compact car when they get plowed by a Dodge Ram. Ram guy always walks away.

Posted: 10/16/2017 11:46:04 AM EDT

[#15]

Timing belt is close or overdue. You can do your own timing belt, buy name brand stuff like Gates. Do a set of brakes and tires, service the transmission.Plugs are due at 100,000 and are super easy to do yourself.

I have my son in almost the same car it will easily do 250,000 miles. My Accord is almost up to 400,000.

Posted: 10/16/2017 11:30:17 PM EDT

[#16]

biggest things to check are steering/suspension and brakes. Make sure all the tie rod ends and ball joints have no slop. Ensure that both front and rear brakes have adequate pads and work/slide properly. And have some good rubber on it.

A tune up and the bagilion fluid changes recommended by other posters certainly wont hurt anything but have less to do with her safety. Any modern vehicle with even minimal maintenance lasts 200k anymore.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Need car advice for daughter

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