[automobilklub]

Hello everyone.
I know that there is lot of questions about choosing between diesel and petrol but my question is different though.
I am about to buy a used Civic 2006/2007 (I hope so), and a bit concerned. My options are for eq. either 2.2 diesel with 120000-130000 miles on the clock (ex-fleet car I think) and 1.8 petrol with 90000-100000. My question is: which one is better? Let say that both have the same spec (I am looking for ES or EX) and full service history (Honda/independent). My concern is only about mileage and linked with it common faults. Also where could I find the best deal? Ebay? Autotrader? Trade sellers? My limit is about 5500 pounds.
Thanks in advance and hope to be happy Civic owner soon after struggling with my old Passat!

 

[mpn_daedalus]

At that milage the diesel is the best bet definatly.
I bought mine at 105k miles, now done nearly 120k and still not a single problem.
Personally I wouldn't buy a petrol car with more than 50k miles.
Plus with it being an ex-fleet car, you know it's been looked after properly.

One thing to look out for with the diesels though is the clutch. On the earlier models they went very quickly.
With that high milage it would have been replaced by now but it's still a good idea to check when a new one was last fitted.
The last thing you want it to fork out £300+ for a new clutch a few weeks after you buy the car

 

[regan1985]

service wise the 2.2 will cost you more and with higher millage both will but the 1.8 will be cheaper!! i think both should be safe will 100k.seen a lot of 140k plus petrols so your be fine, honda are known for there bullet proof petrol engines when well maintained!!

all depends on your millage, over 14k a year get the 2,2 under get the 1.8 or what ever is the best deal!! autotrader is best for high millage motors from what ive seen

 

[Relic]

^^^ diesel +1

 

[pcr]

Read a bit on this forum and make your mind up which is the most reliable.

 

[regan1985]

just a quick look on autotrader buddy and found these so im sure your find one!!

have a look arround and make your own mind up which way you want to go engine wise, both engines seem to be fine with high millage just check the clutch on the 2.2 that seems to be the main cost when it comes to repairs on average!

2007 HONDA Civic 1.8 i-VTEC SE

2007 HONDA CIVIC 2.2 I-CTDI SE 5DR YES YES FREE 3 MONTHS WARRANTY

 

[ab17790]

At the moment im doing 500-700miles a week in my petrol civic and no problems at all

 

[davestones]

I managed to find a used 2006-56 diesel EX with 89000 miles for £6500, so it can be done. Of course I was scraping the classifieds and Autotrader every day, and literally beat someone by 10 minutes to signing on the dotted line for the car.

Autoquake is an interesting one that seem to have a high turnover of ex-fleet cars. I hear good and bad things about them, the obvious downside being that you can't really go see the cars before you commit to buying from them.

 

[pcr]

I'm surprised you would buy a car unseen, the difference between a good and a bad example of the same car is huge.

 

[ThePurifier]

Personally I wouldn't buy a petrol car with more than 50k miles.

How come? I've owned a couple of petrol cars with well over 50,000 on the clock and never had a problem. Both (one a 1.4 97 Civic 3 door and the other a 2.0T Volvo S60) were running sweet as a nut when I sold them with mileages well into the 90,000s. I think with modern diesels being so complex I'd rather bet on petrols being more reliable

 

[davestones]

I'm surprised you would buy a car unseen, the difference between a good and a bad example of the same car is huge.

I didn't, I got mine from a used car dealer who buys up fleet cars. I did look at Autoquake and was tempted by their prices though. I suppose they are making enough though, their business is run out of the old Vickers tank factory in Leeds olice:

I wouldn't discount a higher-mileage petrol model either, assuming it has a service history to back it up. A high mileage diseasel or petrol model with no service history is begging for trouble either way.

 

[franv8]

Mine came from Autoquake, and I was a bit paranoid at first, having put a deposit down on mine early, then read internet reviews, then found the whole experience really good. It is a reverse auction, so the price comes down the longer the car is up, but of course if it is a sought after spec then you're best not hanging around.

I was looking for quite a while, and I think they gave enough information in their adverts to tell what a car was really like. For example quite a few seemed to be missing a service or two, but it was quite obvious.

Mine was ex PCP as far as I can tell.

You have 7 days to go and view the car, and they will return your £100 deposit if you don't want the car. Be aware though, the price has added to it an admin fee if you buy, and if you want warranty, that's extra too.

On the subject of looking at EX's, I had a look at a few from general (i.e. not affiliated to one make) second hand car places, and also one or two traders who seemed to like specialising in Civics. Only observation I would make, from my limited sample, is that these cars seemed to be the higher mileage/incomplete history cars with a bit more wear and tear (at one, two of his cars had broken rear door handles...)

 

[coste1l]

My 1.6 crx had 140k on it and it was never treated kindly it was still going strong when i traded it in for a gti

 

[FWH]

50k is nothing for a modern petrol engine.

 

[franv8]

I had a Corrado that I bought at 150k and it went, I think at 170k. I mean sold, it was still going strong, didn't use oil etc.

I've still got an MX5 I'm up to 107k, and that's not been treated lightly either.

A friend of mine has a Mazda3, he's up to 225k and it's still going strong and feels tight (2l petrol)!!

 

[automobilklub]

Thank You all for the comments. I was thinking about Autoquake, but found that their so famous 141 points check seemed to be rubbish. Read a lot of people's feedbacks and obvious faults being not found by their technicians. Any way, the customer is more than welcome to inspect the car himself paying 100 quid refundable deposit though. And if You find anything wrong-they willing to go off the price slightly.
Some people offer me their cars for sale, but I can't stretch my budget to 6500 and also I would be not happy with S or SE ver., even modified ones.
Still hunting and hope to find something reasonable witchin affordable price.
Forgot to mention that my annual mileage would be something around 6000 miles with longer trips ocasionally. So I don't want to kill diesel engine's turbo or DPF filter with short trips. The problem is, that I want to be addicted to 2.2 diesel pulling power and economics.
Again, thanks for Your answers and waiting for more!!

 

[coste1l]

No dpf in the uk 2.2

 

[coste1l]

And the turbo is water cooled

 

[mpn_daedalus]

How come? I've owned a couple of petrol cars with well over 50,000 on the clock and never had a problem. Both (one a 1.4 97 Civic 3 door and the other a 2.0T Volvo S60) were running sweet as a nut when I sold them with mileages well into the 90,000s. I think with modern diesels being so complex I'd rather bet on petrols being more reliable

The missus has always had problems with high mileage petrols.
Then again, they were all French so that probably explains it

Edit: Got mine from Autoquake, had no problems with them what so ever.
I would recommend them, but you should always go and see a car before you purchase it.

Sent from my X10i using Tapatalk

 

[pedy]

im in the same boat mate, looking for a 2.2 ex, prob around 100 - 120k mark, good luck with the search and show us all what you get.
unfortunatly i need to sell my golf first..... any body want it?