2008 Honda Civic LX

[FourBees]

So I am looking at purchasing a 2008 Honda Civic Lx with 52000 miles. This will be for my daughters to drive. I was all set to get it but started to do some reading which has made me hesitant. First there is an extended warranty on this vehicle for 10 years (will expire 06/18) for the possibility of a cracked engine block which results in coolant leaking into engine. Apparently there have been quite a few so they extended the warranty to 10 years. Next I found out that in this particular model in some cases people have been having to replace brakes and tires as early as every 7500-15000 miles due to faulty rear arm controls. Other years of these things include 2006-2009. I know that probably sold millions of these and my concern may be for nothing but if I am going to pay $10,000 for a vehicle I don't want to have to replace brakes and tires every year or possibly a new engine if it failed after the warranty (06/08). So do any of you out there have a Honda Civic in the year 2008 and if so what have been your feelings about it. I know ultimately I need to decide for myself, just trying to see what others have to say other than the reviews I have already read online.. Thanks!

 

[tvguy]

My first concern is $10,000 is $1,000 over high blue book for that car with that mileage.

Have a good mechanic inspect it first, with an eye on the areas you are concerned about. It is a 7 year old car and 7 year old cars are getting to the point where things will need repair.

I'm not a Honda fan, but I think the Civic is a solid car that will give you good service if it is in good condition. But I would expect to pay $8-9,000 for that car, not $10,000.

 

[FourBees]

Tvguy thanks for your reply. I should have mentioned that if I purchase it will be from a car dealership. The kbb book value is $10,220 and nada guides is $10,150. Those are prices for buying from dealer. I have asked for them to see if they can find out more information on the tire/brake thing. The person who previously owned it traded it in so they may be able to contact them and ask them if they had replaced brakes and tires and if so how often. I have the carfax and it didn't state anything on that about brakes or tires but it would only have it there if it were done at a dealership.

 

[havaneselover]

My first concern is $10,000 is $1,000 over high blue book for that car with that mileage.

Have a good mechanic inspect it first, with an eye on the areas you are concerned about. It is a 7 year old car and 7 year old cars are getting to the point where things will need repair.

I'm not a Honda fan, but I think the Civic is a solid car that will give you good service if it is in good condition. But I would expect to pay $8-9,000 for that car, not $10,000.

All things considered, a 7 year old Honda w/ 52K miles on it really shouldn't need much in the way of repairs (outside the extended warranty issues). I've owned an Accord, a Pilot, and two Odysseys. I drive to work with a co-worker who has 140K miles on his Accord and isn't thinking of replacing it anytime soon (and he has plenty of money to do so if he wanted). His car is also rarely in the shop (I know since when it's in the shop I pick him up).

It may still be on its original tires. I replaced my last pair at 55K. If not, the tires should be fairly new.

ETA: Just re-read your post so now I understand the brake/tire concern. Hopefully the dealer can shed some light on that.

My DD is only 12 but I've been putting money away for a long time so she can have a car and she will be getting a Civic.

 

[Albort]

I got a 2007 Civic, there was a recall on the control arm on the rear control arms. It didnt do much to more tires though. It was replaced for free by Honda. Rear brakes are drum brakes, they dont wear out that quickly like disk brakes. Check to see if this was done on the civic already.

As for brakes, i got another recall notice for that as well. Honda will cover your brake cost depending on how badly it wears. I didnt have this problem either. 30k miles for me, i am a heavy braker...

Edit: forgot to add, there was 2 more recalls for my car, 1 one the sun block visor, but this was replaced by honda by the previous owner of my civic.
another recall was a paint issue on the roof of the car, if it starts peeling or getting messed up, Honda will repaint it. I dont have any issues with this.

Issues so far ive gotten is my right engine mount broke. other than that, i have no issues with the car. had the car since 2009 @35k miles, its currently just below 100k.

 

[FourBees]

Thanks for the information. Honda did do a recall for 2006-2007 for the rear control arms but it did not include the 2008 year but from what I have read on different forums that year has the same problem so they will not cover it. The sun visor and paint were also issues with the 2008 but the recall has expired. I didn't notice the visor but I didn't pull it down and as far as the paint goes it looks pretty good. I have the carfax and I called the dealership that was listed on it where it was serviced to get any service details. They are happy to give you that information just no information regarding previous owners which I was not asking for. They really didn't have lots to say. It was mostly oil changes. I have asked my sales person to see if they can pull any other information that I don't have access to that they might regarding tires/brakes and they also have the previous owners information as it was traded in so perhaps they could call and ask them how often during the period they owned it which was close to five or six years were the brakes/tires replaced. Like I said I just don't want to have to be repairing them every year which is why we chose to spend more than we were originally thinking so we hopefully didn't have to. I know with anything there is no guarantees but would feel better with a little more information regarding those things and also hearing others opinions who have same car can be helpful. Once again thank you for taking the time to comment on this.

 

[tvguy]

Tvguy thanks for your reply. I should have mentioned that if I purchase it will be from a car dealership. The kbb book value is $10,220 and nada guides is $10,150. Those are prices for buying from dealer. I have asked for them to see if they can find out more information on the tire/brake thing. The person who previously owned it traded it in so they may be able to contact them and ask them if they had replaced brakes and tires and if so how often. I have the carfax and it didn't state anything on that about brakes or tires but it would only have it there if it were done at a dealership.

I think the dealer is fudging on the price. Go to KBB.COM to be sure. The KBB value could be higher in area though, I entered my zip code.

 

[tvguy]

All things considered, a 7 year old Honda w/ 52K miles on it really shouldn't need much in the way of repairs (outside the extended warranty issues). I've owned an Accord, a Pilot, and two Odysseys. I drive to work with a co-worker who has 140K miles on his Accord and isn't thinking of replacing it anytime soon (and he has plenty of money to do so if he wanted). His car is also rarely in the shop (I know since when it's in the shop I pick him up).

It may still be on its original tires. I replaced my last pair at 55K. If not, the tires should be fairly new.

ETA: Just re-read your post so now I understand the brake/tire concern. Hopefully the dealer can shed some light on that.

My DD is only 12 but I've been putting money away for a long time so she can have a car and she will be getting a Civic.

Well, I'm not sure I agree with this, but the general school of thought in the tire industry now is to replace tires when they are worn out or at 6 years, whichever comes first. I think tires should not rot out in just 6 years, but I don't think they have the UV protection they used to have. So if they are original, they need to be replaced not matter how many miles.

As many here know from my posts, I am a strong advocate of fixing, not replacing cars. But I would not be surprised if the bushings and CV boots are worn out after that many years based on my co-workers Honda experiences. $1,000 repair, but worth it.

 

[jesse8931]

Forget kbb your insurance company and dealer use nada. As far as the car I'd pass at 10k you would be far better off with a newer Chevy sonic.

 

[havaneselover]

Well, I'm not sure I agree with this, but the general school of thought in the tire industry now is to replace tires when they are worn out or at 6 years, whichever comes first. I think tires should not rot out in just 6 years, but I don't think they have the UV protection they used to have. So if they are original, they need to be replaced not matter how many miles.

As many here know from my posts, I am a strong advocate of fixing, not replacing cars. But I would not be surprised if the bushings and CV boots are worn out after that many years based on my co-workers Honda experiences. $1,000 repair, but worth it.

I didn't say otherwise (or mean to). I was trying to say if they aren't original, they should have some good life on them given the vehicle's low mileage.

 

[FourBees]

I should have mentioned that the dealership just put new tires on and new brakes. Now mind you this could be a red flag but given the fact that I don't have any information regarding previous servicing to these two I don't know. Maybe they were the original tires and brakes or maybe they have been replaced several times. That is the information I am trying to have the sales person find out.

 

[lvillotta1]

We have bought many of our cars Honda only form private owners to dealerships. The care I am driving now is a 2008 Honda CRV. I had been in a car accident and needed another vehicle. It had 80,000 miles on it 3.5 yrs ago and now has 109,000. I bought it for $17,000. I plan to drive it for a long time. I have had no issues. I have had 2 recalls on it and Honda has paid for it all. MyDD will also be driving a Honda CRV.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Before I even clicked, I was thinking '06-'09 Civics are on the "to avoid" list. But, I see you've discovered that already.

 

[tvguy]

Forget kbb your insurance company and dealer use nada. As far as the car I'd pass at 10k you would be far better off with a newer Chevy sonic.

Must a a regional difference. Really doesn't matter, NADA value is the same.

 

[tvguy]

Just poking around, found this 2013 Civic at a local dealer for $9,995. My only question, how is it possible for a 2013 to have 163,000+ plus miles on it already?
http://www.melraptonhonda.com/vehicle/2013-Honda-Civic-Sacramento-2508980.html

 

[Albort]

Just poking around, found this 2013 Civic at a local dealer for $9,995. My only question, how is it possible for a 2013 to have 163,000+ plus miles on it already?
http://www.melraptonhonda.com/vehicle/2013-Honda-Civic-Sacramento-2508980.html

commuters. Also could be kids who just love to drive...

 

[mrodgers]

Just poking around, found this 2013 Civic at a local dealer for $9,995. My only question, how is it possible for a 2013 to have 163,000+ plus miles on it already?
http://www.melraptonhonda.com/vehicle/2013-Honda-Civic-Sacramento-2508980.html

Easy. You have a 75 mile commute which isn't unheard of and you purchase it new later in 2012 as the new model year typically comes out quite early the year before. Almost 3 years and 75 mile commute 5 times a week averages out to almost 60k per year. That puts it right at a range that 163k falls under.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Easy. You have a 75 mile commute which isn't unheard of and you purchase it new later in 2012 as the new model year typically comes out quite early the year before. Almost 3 years and 75 mile commute 5 times a week averages out to almost 60k per year. That puts it right at a range that 163k falls under.

You should recheck your math

75 miles (each way) is 750 miles per week or 39,000 per year with no weeks off. To get to 60K, you'd need to average 164 miles per day, all 365 days of the year.


I had a 112 mile round-trip commute and also used my car on weekends & vacations, and still put just 30,000 a year on it.

 

[disneylove69]

I had a Honda Civic for 10 years and besides normal maintenance tires, brake pads, etc. the only 2 things that were major was the coolant (can't think of tech term) crack and the A/C crashed and they never could fix it. I had over 500k miles on it by the time I donated it to charity and got a CR-V to replace it. This summer the Coolant head cracked and had to be replaced. I have 300k miles on it now. All the mechanics I have talk to say Honda's are great and hold re-sale. Everyone I know who have Chevy and Ford have their car in the mechanics all the time.

 

[tvguy]

I had a Honda Civic for 10 years and besides normal maintenance tires, brake pads, etc. the only 2 things that were major was the coolant (can't think of tech term) crack and the A/C crashed and they never could fix it. I had over 500k miles on it by the time I donated it to charity and got a CR-V to replace it. This summer the Coolant head cracked and had to be replaced. I have 300k miles on it now. All the mechanics I have talk to say Honda's are great and hold re-sale. Everyone I know who have Chevy and Ford have their car in the mechanics all the time.

Those are some serious miles, way above average, but I would expect any car to be pretty much trouble free for the first 10 years with the average 10-12,000 miles per year. My new car is 12 years old, and my family car is 28 years old (or will be in 3 weeks), so I tend to fix them if they break. There is a class action suit against Honda over their lousy air conditioners....been in court for 2 years.