good point greg, ours had a hole in the back driver inside fender...the way the car is designed it let water into the car, that hit the plastic cover for the shock tower and sat in the trunk, between the plastic cover and metal... so there are some holes, and the bottom of the spare tire is rusted out....(thanks Justin for letting me blow sparks up my ass for a few hours for a new one )

If you live where there is snow, salt and rocks, just give your car a nice under coat job and check it every spring. As long as it starts out pretty rust free..it'll stay that way Use a wire brush and scrap it all down and spray way, cans of rubberized undercoat are cheap, and it'll save the car....thats the garage mechanic way, I'm sure you could pay someone to bead blast and undercoat....

Let us know...

By Civic81wagon (Civic81wagon) (205.188.117.6) on Saturday, June 11, 2005 - 03:13 pm:

My 81 EM1 Civic has 64,000 miles, and other than the preventive maintenance I put into it for peace of mind (timing belt, water pump, tune-up, new hoses, brakes, etc.) I haven't had a lick of trouble with it. Fires right up on the first try (even if its been sitting for a while) and runs all day long like a champ. Super dependable car. I bought it with 59k original miles.

More recently, I picked up an 83 Accord w/ an EK1 (same engine family) with a whole 177,000 miles (now have 179,000) in fair condition w/ a new paint job and some interior work. It's definitely a used car... but the engine runs amazing. I haven't spent a penny in preventive maintenance (yet) yet I've put 2,000 miles on the car without a hiccup. Even took it on a little road trip out of town. Truly amazing little engine. I'm sure I'll get her past 200,000... and if the body rusts too badly, I'll yank out the engine and maybe find a 1st gen Civic body for it!

I remember reading somewhere long ago in a Boston newspaper about a man who put a million miles on his 82 Accord with the origial EK1, and Honda gave him a free brand new 1993 10th Anniversary Accord.

I don't think you'll have any reliability problems :o).

By greg tingler (Tropic81) (141.153.93.43) on Saturday, June 11, 2005 - 10:47 am:

Look in the front of the inner fender wells in the rear of the car. They like to rust there or at least that's been my experience.

By David T (24.85.61.86) on Saturday, June 11, 2005 - 07:45 am:

Thanks Everyone for all your help. Should i look for rust in any specific places other than the floor boards and under the battery tray? Any other spots/things to look out for? Thanks again.

By John S. (152.163.100.199) on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 11:51 pm:

If you are looking for a "Daily Driver", then I'd look elsewhere than a rust free 1st Gen Civic, which will not be rust free for long if you drive it in any winter weather...this is a BIG reason why they are so rare today.
If you want a rust free 1st Gen then buy all means get one, but don't plan to make it a year round daily car. Buy a rusty 2nd cheapy...maybe something with the powertrain you'd like to upgrade your 1st Gen to in the future, and drive it in winter till the thing rusts in two and carry Liability Ins only on it.
Just my 1,000.00's worth.

By H (24.70.95.204) on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 04:49 pm:

http://www.nadaguides.com/uv/viewresults.aspx?LI=1-12-1-2031-0-0-0&Lnk=1&wSec=12&wPr=1&wPg=2032

Remember this is US funds.

I recently(last week),for insurance purposes,had mine appraised.Appraised at $5000cdn. I live in Edmonton Alberta.My car is not quite stock,however it is in excellent condition interior,exterior and mechanical.

The model may make a difference aswell.Mine is registered as a 1979 VIN # SBE 7****** which is a 1200 with a factory 5spd and deluxe gauges.The Hondamatics and 4spds are more common.

Also,factory options may add to the value aswell (ie alloy wheels,consoles,roof speakers,am/fm cassette,passenger side mirror,A/C,roof rack etc...)

$3500 sounds fair for a car that is near mint and original.

By nathan (24.85.232.159) on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 03:22 pm:

By nathan (24.85.232.159) on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 03:21 pm:

By nathan (24.85.232.159) on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 03:20 pm:

By nathan (24.85.232.159) on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 03:18 pm:

By nathan (24.85.232.159) on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 03:00 pm:

By nathan (24.85.232.159) on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 02:58 pm:

hahahah David, I wish my problems were engine related It's more some under body rust. Places to check, floor boards in the back were the passengers feet sit, and under the battery tray. Nothing time and welding can't cure The EB2 in this one is a tank, it must be around 300,000 KM's and we are doing a complete re-built with some modification to get it to around 100 HP...but yeah, it sat for 5 years, dorota and i fired it up drove it home, then about 2 hours up north to Pemberton to work on it....so they are tanks, every Honda I've owned actually from a 80 accord, 87 accord, 92 prelude, 2002 civic Si, to my current 82 civic and Dorota's and I 75 civic....they are tanks. The carbs I guess give some people some trouble. But if you can find a local carb place pick up a 32/36 DGV holley/weber carb, 100 bucks and an adaptor plate for 30, and problem solved with a bit more power. I'll post a some picks of one that is for sale out here in BC for about $3000...

By David T (24.81.6.215) on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 02:27 pm:

Thanks Nathan.
Truth is, i'm looking for a daily driver that is gonna be reliable. I don't mind paying 3000 if the car is worth it.
Just curious about the market of such cars.
You had mentioned that you had had some troubles with your '75, do these older civics have a lot of problems associated with them?? I mean, i can't imagine a car with only 78,000 K to have many problems. But i can imagine a 27 year old car having problems. regardless of condition.
I hear two stories on this. One: These engines are tanks and almost never die. Two: They have alot of problems and need lots of TLC.
Would I be better to buy something that's newer but with nearly twice the KMs? Thanks for your help,
David

By nathan (24.85.232.159) on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 10:56 am:

Well David, this comes up a lot. What is it worth to you? Obviously not 3000 if your asking...offer what you feel it's worth to you. Be it 2000, or what ever you choose.

I would pay 10,000 dollars for the civic of my dreams, but I don't have 10,000...so 350 bucks and hell of a lot of work is what I am doing.

If you want to just buy and drive, it could be fine to pay that much. If you want to fix it up, learn, customize etc. it could be a lot of money for a body.

You have to balance your needs as well. These cars do not have big engines...so your lifestyle may require more HP, this is a cost to you, so do you need a mint engine?

Believe me I am and have had major problems to deal with on our little 75, but had I paid more money, I would have been upset, paying what I did it's no loss in the end, just a learning experience....when it gets done I have the satisfaction and pride of bringing it back from the dead and it will be custom, one of a kind. Thats the Dorota and I feel about all this. You have decide really what you want in the end...

By David T (24.85.61.86) on Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 10:51 pm:

Hey, I'm looking at getting a 1978 Civic. It has only 78000 original kilometers and is in excellent condition overall. Guy is asking 3500 canadian, but i'm not if thats too much.

The car has no rust except for one little spot under the hood and one little bit in the trunk.

It's been repainted 2 years ago.

Interior is pristine

Car was driven by a little old lady

No accidents, no leaks, new brakes, new battery, new muffler.

Seems to me to be a great little car...but is 3500 CAD too much? I've seen some models in the classified of a similar quality ranging from 1800 CAD to 3000 CAD.

If anyone could give me thier insight into this, as i am not familiar with pricing on these older civics. Thank you,
David