Hey, looking into some really cheap cars (talking under 5 lac), what are some good options for me? I'm thinking something like Honda Civic 1998.. anyone know if the parts are expensive/cheap and easy to obtain? And is it still worth it buying such an old car in 2016?
What other options are there? I know my budget is quite low but I'd still rather not buy Khyber or Mehran or something like that.
It will be very difficult (at least in that price) to find one in good condition but it is a very good car if you get one.
I own the same car, automatic model. It has clocked around 250k km and engine is still very good condition. Does not reduce oil, power is good. Has NEVER refused to start (other than battery or CNG switch issues).
Obviously since it is an old car some things need to be replaced over time e.g. rubber seals/gaskets for oil leakage, timing belt and seal, transmission oil, pipes etc. Transmission is still good. Power steering has started leaking but it is still working okay and there is some rust near the back wheel arches. A lot of wires under the hood have become brittle due to age. Rear power windows have gotten hard because the mechanism they use has teflon/plastic rolling wheels and they are worn out. Now I cant find guard air filter for this model. Other parts are easily available (some new and some used) and are not very expensive. e.g got used vtec solenoid for 300 (since its gasket was leaking, gasket was not available), used rear power antenna with motor for 1500.
If the car's engine has been rebuilt then dont buy it. If the wiring is messed up inside the car or under the hood dont buy it. This model is famous for modifications, so if it has been modified in any way dont buy it. Another thing you need to know about this model is that if it needs suspension work dont buy it. Suspension work on this model costs a lot (including a lot of rubber bushes etc) and it has a complex suspension. Although we had susp work done on it from a good place and it is still good after around 70k+ km.
The good thing is that I can do most electronic and basic maintenance myself (brake service/brake oil change, plug change, tappet adjustment etc) and I use good oils and change on time and since it has never been with a mechanic for that sort of work it is still going strong.
I have kept both of the cars (2000 civic and 2000 + 2009 cultus). Both have their merits and problems, what I can tell you is where the civic had multiple problems during its life which were perfectly manageable they extended right till brake failure under 100k km's. The cultus 2000 model we owned was raped by me to such an extent that in it's lifetime it developed only one problem, head got turned and car started drinking water due to which we had to sell it. The civic with nominal maintenance just kept going till the end but it's problems rose exponentially towards the end which was in 2014 i think we sold it.
