Used Hatchbacks - Got any ideas?

nerd · June 2002

The price sounds high to me especially considering Edmunds' pricing for used cars. Check the "USED" section of this website to figure a typical price.

These cars are not known for reliability. My wife bought a '90 model, but it now has only 61,000 miles. (Our daughter now has it). But the manual transmission failed at 50,000 miles, and the rebuild cost was $2800. The crankshaft pulley failed about a year later, and whole top end (valves, etc) of the engine was damaged to the tune of $3000. Clearly, repair costs are very high. Otherwise the car has aged gracefully.

I would certainly have the car inspected by an independent mechanic whom you trust. And, I would make the dealer show you the ownership records. A lot of young persons purchase these cars and abuse them.

In summary, I would be very cautious about this car. As an alternative, I would suggest Certified Pre-owned or a one-owner Acura Integra. My wife has a '97 model, and it has been totally trouble free in the five years she has had it. Overall, the Integra has a reputation for rock solid reliabiity. Still, check the ownership and maintenance history before purchasing.

learned · June 2002

Anybody have experience with this car - 1993 Saab 900S, 5sp, hatchback, 16 valve? I'm thinking of purchasing one with 75,000 miles.

Learned

milwaukeeboy · July 2002

I own a 1990 Honda Civic SI. I bought it new in 1990. I still love it dearly. This model had a 16 valve 1.6L with 108 hp. That doesn't sound like too much nowadays but I still think my car is pretty fast.

It handles well too.

If you frequent the MINI discussions you probably know that I'm going to trade up soon but I would still recommend a 1989 - 1993 civic si to anyone shopping the older hatches.

nippononly · July 2002

If you are going with that vintage, go with the CRX Si instead - same hp but about 400 pounds less in weight. Plus it is a shorter car, better handling. Just prepare to spend some time looking - a lot of the CRX owners modded them up and messed them up for good - it is hard to find a stock one that has not been abused...

psywex · August 2002

Hi..
Can somebody tell me if it is a good buy? Planning to buy it from private buyer. Engines sounds ok, little crack on mirror.Little bit dings on body. nothing major. However, mileage kind of high it got 150789 miles on it. The seller asking $1600. I'm not sure whether it is a good bargain. Is there any major stuff that i should be concern with this 93 probe?. Can i someone guide me on this. Appreciate all the response. Thanks

revka · August 2002

I responded to your same question in your new Ford Probe discussion. Good luck.

Revka
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curious38 · October 2002

Wondering the opinions of those other hatch-lovers just like myself.

Here is the deal. I'm 24, been driving my dad's cars on and off since graduating college a year and 1/2 ago. My take home per month is about $1900 after taxes, and I have fixed expenses around $800-900 a month. I need to buy a car as I have been relying on my father for far too long.

The amount I can afford to spend is pretty flexible. I'd like to stay in the $4000-6000 area, however, I am having a tough time finding any hatch backs that are in that price range and don't already have a ton of miles. I am completly open to spending more money on a newer hatchback, however, I have many reservations about spending $8-10,000 on something w/ 60,000 miles on it already, with no warranty and when I might be able to hold out for something a little older w/ similar mileage.

The hatches I have considered so far are the Honda Civic, VW Golf, Ford Escort (except I don't really like the look of these), Toyata Celica.

Are there any other hatches I should check out? For ex., today I am going to look at a Honda Civic, a '95 w/ 85,000 miles, and the seller is looking for $4500. Many older ones w/ around 100,000 go for the same amount of money, and the car is nearly 8 years old which means it has only been driven about 10,000 miles a year.

Why have we abandoned this great design here in the U.S.? Your opinions are appreciated.

revka · October 2002

Weekends are usually a little slow around here, but things may pick up in this discussion in the next day or so. In the meantime, for more ideas, you may want to check out Edmunds' Advanced Vehicle search.

Once you're narrowed down your choices, you should also try asking your questions in our individual vehicle discussions.... where there's usually more activity. Good luck, and please keep us posted on your decision.

Revka

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nippononly · October 2002

HAVE we abandoned these things? They are in vogue everywhere else...

If you can deal with older, do it. There are plenty of low mileage hatches from the late 80's around for these prices - the 90s were just bad for hatches.

Two examples that come to mind that are fabulous to drive are the MkII Toyota Supra (86-92) and the late-80's RX-7, which was also around until about 1992. If you can find some 92's, there are bound to be a few with around 100-120K miles or less, and they are two of the most fun cars to drive, in very different ways.

nippononly · October 2002

what about the Nissan 240SX? Did they ever make that in a hatch, or was it a coupe? I forget now - but that is another very fun car to drive, and they made that until the mid-90s.

theworldizmyn · November 2002

has anybody out there recently purchased a Certified Used 2000 Toyota Celica GT-S lately. If so how much have you paid for it. Me and my significant other have been I've been itching to get one since last year, but we didn't have much for jobs, but I've recently gotten a better job and we are more stable now. Any info on the prices, but also including the pros/cons of your personal expreience's would be helpful. Oh and I've also read that the shift gates are pretty close together. Too close for comfort. Is this problem exhagerated by the critic's as much as it really is? Thanks for any replies
Very Kindly,
TheWorldIzMyn

revka · November 2002

You may also want to post (copy/paste) your question in one of our ongoing Celica discussions. To start, here's Toyota Celica (Hatchbacks / All Years). Good luck.

Revka

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nippononly · November 2002

6 speed is wonderful to drive - for really fast shifting it can't be beat. However, it is a heavy gear shift - if you drive it you will see. It is smooth, but requires effort to move it from gear to gear.

The closeness of the gates was a bit of a problem only in the sense that boy racers trying to do really quick slift downshifts would go down three gears instead of one, then pop the clutch and redline the engine - toasted. Toyota made some kind of fix to this, I am not sure what.

jeff186 · August 2003

Anyone know approx. how many were built and if autos were more common that sticks? I want a Civic H/B with an auto tranny, so a MY2000 is what I'm looking for, coming off a 3-year lease. Too bad the current Civic H/B is stick only, a major mistake imo.

revka · August 2003

You may also want to copy/paste your question into our ongoing Honda Civic Hatchbacks discussion. Good luck. ;-)

Revka
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iluvmyceli · December 2003

I just bought my 2000 gt-s celica last August. I searched the net for about a month and I ended up paying about $15,000 for mine. personally, I've never had a problem shifting within the narrow power band but my X b/f drove it and misshifted badly. Now I'm having multiple ongoing problems with missfiring, valves etc and I've shelled out 1,275 bucks so far for this problem. If you can't drive a stick then don't get this car. If you can drive a stick carefully and respectfully, go for it. You'll LOVE it.

nippononly · December 2003

the civic hatch was mostly gone, they sold what, about a dozen that year? I will bet there were more manuals than autos.

thel · December 2003

were lamenting that the only civic hatchback was the Si. They remember the "good-ole days" when the DX hatchbacks would fly off of the lots.

dudka · December 2003

I actually liked the 1996-2001 Civic Hatchback, but I wished they offered it in EX trim. Just like the UK Civic hatch with the power everything, sunroof and cruise, but they did not. So the current Si fit the bill perfectly, being an "unloved child" it ws actually cheaper than an Ex.

kylec · December 2003

Hi, i am planning to buy it with around 140000 miles @ about $3500. The previous owner had changed the timing belt and water pump recently. Is that worth? I will use it until graduate (3 years or more). Could you guys have any advice?

thel · December 2003

A timing belt / water pump is a $300-400 maintainence item. If the owner had this done then that is a good sign that it has been well maintained.

Also check the tires. See that they match and that they have even tread wear. If they are mismatched or worn out...that is not such a good sign.

$3,500 sounds reasonable for an Integra in good shape depending on the year.

Used Hatchbacks - Got any ideas?

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