I’m selling a 1996 Honda Civic Coupe EX with 246,000 miles on it. Great car, everything works, would be great for around-the-town or a teen’s first car.
However, the clutch is finally shot. I can’t decide - put money in it for a new clutch, then sell it and recoup the cost of the clutch via the sale or just sell it as is and tell buyers the clutch needs to be replaced?
Either way, I hope to get around $2,000 for her. If that’s a joke or impossible, please let me know. I’ve never sold a car before.
In my area, many of the 1996 Civics are selling for less than $2k. The only ones that seem to command higher prices are heavily modified, slammed on fat rims, booming sound system, etc.
It might make more sense to sell as is, hopefully to some young kid who’ll do the work himself.
If you pay to have a clutch put in, you may not recoup the cost of the repair, when it comes time to sell.
Price it. If you can get it done for $500 or a little more, yes; you can then get something for your car. With a car that doesn’t run now, feel good if you can make $1000 after the repair. Without the repair, it’s parts for a mechanics project. IMHO, $2000 is a dream as is. Now, it can’t give the buyer a test drive. Would you pay $2000 for a car on faith ? I think not.
I just recently had a new clutch put in my 1998 Civic with similar mileage. I should mention that this was the original clutch being replaced (at about 240,000 miles). It was surprisingly inexpensive, until the first guy botched the job and I went ahead and added replacement of the master cylinder and slave cylinder when they took a second shot at the job (under warranty). The clutch still doesn’t feel like the original, so if you do this, I recommend you either go to a Honda specialist or a dealership to increase the odds they will get it right the first time. See if you can get OEM parts, even if you have to pay a little more.
What kind of shape is the rest of the car in? In my case, the engine still runs well, it doesn’t leak oil, and it burns very little oil, so I bit the bullet and got the new clutch. Now I’m just hoping the new clutch makes it to the 300,000 mile mark.
If the rest of the car is in good shape, and you can’t afford a new car payment, get the clutch job done. If the rest of the car is not in good shape, and you can afford a car payment, dump it as it is.
How much you can get for this car greatly depends on what kind of shape it’s in. Does it have working air conditioning? Are the body and interior in good shape? If you can answer yes to these questions, you might be able to get $2,000 for it with the clutch in working order.
The only other things wrong with the car are that the windows don’t roll up and down (i think they’re off the track, pretty typical for 96 hondas i’ve learned), plus a few small things, (needs new air filter, distributor cap, head gasket needs a new seal, all according to the last time i got the oil changed a few weeks ago).
Other than that, it runs well, never have any problems with anything else. I’ve kept up the regular oil changes and belts maintenance.
My mechanic has quoted me $960 for a new clutch. I’m going to call around tomorrow to get other estimates.
I’ve already purchased my new car; i’d just like to recoup the costs i put upfront for my new car and possibly for whatever repairs I need to do the Honda now. I hadn’t intended on doing any repairs to the Honda, but Dagosa made a good point - who’s going to buy a car that can barely get out of first gear?
Quoting @everyfrog “all according to the last time i got the oil changed a few weeks ago”
I have to wonder where you had your oil changed. Are they a shop that is looking to make you spend a bunch of money for things you don’t need? Are they a “chain store”, or indy shop? Are you sure it needs a clutch and not a master or slave cylinder?
Do you see similar Hondas listed locally for $2000 or more? Is yours special in any way? If not, you may be a bit optimistic on your price.
If you’ve already bought your next car, sell the Civic as it is. Never spend money on a car you’re about to sell. The money you spend will not add an equal amount of value to the car.
Yeah, this particular honda is going for around $2,000 in the Seattle area. Mine isn’t special in anyway, just kept it pretty good condition. My oil change place is a small indie place, who didn’t look at the clutch. My regular mechanic is the one who diagnosed the clutch issue after I explained the symptoms. Other research has proven that the symptoms pretty much lead to needing a new flywheel.
Kelly Blue Book puts this car at $1300 in fair running condition, $1900 in excellent condition. If you can get someone to haul it off for $500 go for it.
This is an ideal “Mechanic’s Special”. I would not dream of selling this to soem kid who m ay end up killing himself with it. However, a mechanic looking to fix something up for hism kid can do so econi0mically!
Your price is well out of line. We sold our 1994 Nissan Sentra in very good mechanical condition for $750, but with some rust. I also threw in 4 Michelin X-ICE wintere tires & wheels, only slightly worn.
Whitey is about right on as to what to do. I use Kijiji frequently and had 10 calls the day I posted the Nissan on it.
After telling the mechanic to put in a new clutch, I suddenly changed my mind and decided to have it just towed back to my house as is (Thank goodness for AAA) and I’ll post’er on CraigsList and see what bites. I appreciate everyone’s advice!