So I bought a Honda.
This is what it looks like.
I figure there are some questions to get out of the way.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat are you going to do with it?I don't know. Next question.
Why did you buy it?I wanted to see what "good" Hondas were like before they were all gone, having missed them when they were popular. I am told the EG is the best Honda.
Given how hard it's been to find maintenance parts for this thing so far (Canadian Tire doesn't even sell an air filter for it anymore. An
air filter) I'm looking forward to it being even harder to find upgraded parts.
What might you do with it?Much better wording of the question. I like you, you'll go far. You have to change that hair, though. Maybe your name too. Sounds a little ethnic.
On the medium term scale, the Subaru has a lot of work that has developed an unfortunate propensity in the past for stretching into multi-day ordeals. I have a job that I have to drive to, so this will serve to drive me to that job in case the Subaru is being taken apart at the time.
On the long term scale, this may or may not be used for a banger rally being planned for next summer. Details on this are so far up in the air that this car may have transformed into a 1972 Cadillac.
Also, it's been a long time since I bought a car. This ends that drought.
How much did you pay for it?I paid the least I've ever paid for a car that someone didn't give me.
The seller declined to negotiate and instead accepted my first offer. If you've never bought a used car before, this is what we in the business call a "bad omen."
What's it got?Base everything. Crank windows, no airbags, no ABS,
no tachometer, drum brakes in the back, manual locks, tape player.
How many kilometers on it?Uh
(checks) 284,422 km. The trip odometer says 964.2 km.
What's wrong with it?Uh well:
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The passenger side corner marker was cracked and the parking light didn't work, only the turn signal Fixed Dec 2015
- Radio doesn't work, but the lights do
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Front wipers only work on high and don't park themselves when I turn them off Fixed Feb 2016
-
Bizarre interior aroma Replaced by the stench of raw gasoline January 2016
- New Interior smells like raw gasoline, probably from giant spill
- Honda rust
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Brake judder from high speed
-
It makes a weird screaming sound above 110kph (independently verified on closed Seat Safety Switch Reports test track) Eh it's fixed now who knows what happened?
- Hail damage
-
3rd brake light doesn't work, also part of the lens fell out during test track run Fixed Dec 2015
- Missing centre cap
-
At least four different kinds of lug nut Fixed Jan 2016
- Leaks oil like your mom at a robot orgy
- Rear toe seems dicky based on tire wear
- Extendy antenna is stuck
- Lots of worn out, cracked, negligently damaged or otherwise neglected trim
- If you believe the PO, the muffler was replaced. Upon further inspection it has a rust hole big enough to stick a Coke can into.
- Driver's side inside door lock doesn't work. If you want to lock your door, you better be outside of the car at the time (or rolling down the window and reaching out with your spare key). Carjackers please forget what I just wrote.
-
Speed sensor might not work all the time Replaced Dec 2015
-
Rear wheels make scary sounds, possibly wheel bearings, probably rear drum Appears fixed Jan 2016
- Alt belt dicky, could explain multiple alt replacements
- Extensive test track research has revealed sketchy inner tie rod
- Both front
and rear control arm bushings pooched
- Trailing arm bushings also pooched
-
Needs front rotors and pads Replaced January 2016
-
Sun visor won't stay up Replaced May 2016
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3/4 shocks visibly blown, eat tires Replaced March 2016
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Passenger tail light is mostly tape Replaced March 2016
What's good about it?- It steers better than the Subaru
- Drives straight
- Didn't kill me in a whiteout blizzard on the QE2
- The heat works well, unlike the Subaru
- The hatch, like, turns into a tailgate, like a little truck
- It has really cute little 13" wheels
- Shifter feels good, so does the clutch
- All five forward gears plus one reverse gear work as expected
- If you believe the PO, I am the third owner of the car, ever.
- Both doors successfully open
- Verified tonight that I do not have a massive harness short/grounding issue
- Miscellaneous services including a "guaranteed for life" NAPA alternator
- No sunroof YAY!!!!!
- Doesn't leak
- Rust isn't terminal
- It had an Alberta registration
- It's Tahitian Green, my favourite Honda colour, and a one-year-only deal
Who killed Laura Palmer?If I tell you, then we'll have to go to the second season. And the second season sucks.
