2002 Honda Civic sounds like a motorboat

The dealership always does an "complimentary" free inspection, but that always seem to find something wrong that costs a lot to fix. Last time it was the battery. They said they would replace it for $300. I refused and told them I would take it up with the shop from which I purchased it. I did take it back there and the shop tested it and said it was weak. But their price was half what the dealership quoted. However, it been starting by car for the past 9 months. I even left my headlights on while shopping last week and it started.
 

If you can find an independent business that has recently started, they are worth looking into. The new owners are often great mechanics, they want to run there own business now. They need the work, and the support. They make deals that are close to what you expect. Fair but fairly expensive labor, but done within a few days. They also know different places that are good for things like exhaust systems if they don't do them. We find our best service this way.
 
debodun said:
I have an appt. Wednesday morning with a Honda dealership garage. Anyone want to guess what it's going to cost me?
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I would not do this. It will cost $500 or more (probably much more) and they will give you a whole new exhaust. $1000 out the door at a dealer would not surprise me!

Call different muffler shops to see if they will do a repair and replacement of only the affected section and take it to that section. You could also ask what the cost of replacing a leak in a pipe would be by only replacing that part of the pipe. Such shops will simply cut out the affected pipe and weld a new one in, often for around $100. The shop I go to will only fix what I want fixed and give me different options. Even the Walmart mentioned would be a much better option.
 
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Local muffler shops are best. I had one replace my entire system with Magnaflow exhaust. It was very reasonable. After they were done they called me at home and said they made a mistake and credited back $50. I can’t imagine what a Ford dealer would have charged for a F150 super crew. Couple thousand is my guess. And no Magnaflow!
 
You are throwing good money after bad. That car is going to nickel and dime you to death, and what you'll have is an old car worth nothing because replacing parts doesn't make the car worth more. Get a car that's "certified pre-owned" or buy a new one and be done with it. What you've spent to do the minimum just to keep it on the road probably would have paid for at least half the cost of getting something worth having.

Make one of those choices or just stop complaining about it. It's old. It needs to be replaced.
 
C50 said:
The Honda lives on!
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For awhile
Is it safe to drive without a muffler heat shield?


You might be able to drive your car without a heatshield; meanwhile, brace yourself for a long-lasting impact on your car. Driving without a shield can damage the parts and increase the chances of fire outbreaks. Consequently, you might also experience engine overheating, damaging the adjacent parts.
 
I wouldn't worry.

It's a very common thing for an older car. I'd be surprised if the mechanic even suggested replacing it, they probably replace very few of them.

I suspect it mainly helps the car reach this age, but this close to end of life the cost of putting another one on wouldn't make sense even with a junkyard part.
 
One thing to think about is that coming sometime soon in the new year tariffs are going to be starting and it’s predicted to raise the prices of imported goods 25%. So it might be smart to buy a car now versus waiting until yours dies.

I’m all for driving old cars if you aren’t having problems. Mine is a 16 year old Toyota Corolla with 72k miles. However, all it’s ever needed is brakes, tires, oil changes and a battery.
 
debodun said:
Probably the exhaust system needs attention since it happens when idling. I've already spent $800 this year on it (side window wouldn't work, cam plug leak). If I take it to the dealership, it's going to cost $150 just for them to look at it (they term that a "diagnostic fee"), then they will say the whole exhaust line needs to be replaced; $1500 please (more than the wholesale value). My other option is to take it to where I get my oil changed. They probably wouldn't charge much to just look and be more honest about the the problem is, but since they specialize in Ford cars and quick repairs, may not be able to fix whatever is wrong, then I'd end up taking it to the dealer garage anyway.

Any advice on what to do (besides getting a new car)?
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A reputable diagnostic service (the real thing with the full proper machine hook-up) is the first thing anyone should do with a second hand car. If the service is expensive then you'll have to make a decision on whether you really want the car or not. Otherwise you (or Gomer) will have to poke around and hope you get lucky. However, a trick I learned to do before having anyone else look at it is getting a length of garden hose. Hold one end of it up to your ear and start sniffing at (or near) the problem area. The results may astonish you.
 
There are so many bells and whistles on cars these days that I'd be paying for and probably wouldn't even use. All I need is something to get me to the grocery store once a week and for delivering meals-on-wheels once a week (usually) and averaging 28 miles. And what with the starter now. I've seen cars where the drives pushes a button to start - no transmission key anymore.
 
I looked at the 3 local Honda dealership web sites. They have what is termed "certified pre-owned" vehicles, whatever that means. However the colors are blah - just tan and gray cars. I like dark red or bright blue. Not even red or blue cars in their new inventory, just black, white, tan and gray.
 
The great thing about owning a car for years and years is it is much easier to recognize when you have a problem. I would keep it because if i had had it that long it meant I loved it. New does not always mean better. I would kinda like one of those bronco sports… found one with 5000 miles that had been to serviced 9 times…..that is not a good thing.
 
Muskrat said:
I would keep it because if i had had it that long it meant I loved it. New does not always mean better.
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I am so used to where everything is and how it works, it would mean learning a whole new system in another car. There been so many changes in things in 22 years.

I have a friend that buys a new Ford every 3 years to keep up-to-date. I suggested that a lease might be better for her instead of buying that quickly between cars, but no, she doesn't want to lease. She pays the sticker price, too and doesn't want to be bothered haggling a deal. We all know what's best for someone else, but can't see what's best for ourselves. ;)
 
Knight said:
For awhile
Is it safe to drive without a muffler heat shield?


You might be able to drive your car without a heatshield; meanwhile, brace yourself for a long-lasting impact on your car. Driving without a shield can damage the parts and increase the chances of fire outbreaks. Consequently, you might also experience engine overheating, damaging the adjacent parts.
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And be careful where you park...never, ever in a spot that's not paved lest your hot muffler starts a fire on grass, for instance.
 
debodun said:
I am so used to where everything is and how it works, it would mean learning a whole new system in another car. There been so many changes in things in 22 years.

I have a friend that buys a new Ford every 3 years to keep up-to-date. I suggested that a lease might be better for her instead of buying that quickly between cars, but no, she doesn't want to lease. She pays the sticker price, too and doesn't want to be bothered haggling a deal. We all know what's best for someone else, but can't see what's best for ourselves. ;)
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My sister leases a new car every 3 years.

She doesn’t pay any attention to the numbers and simply accepts whatever no money down lease vehicle they select for her that is within her monthly payment range.

In her case it makes perfect sense because she is not a saver and could not handle any significant repair bill.

She is much better off with a predictable monthly payment and no surprises.

At this point in our lives none of our choices matter as much as they did when we were young. 😉🤭😂
 
debodun said:
There are so many bells and whistles on cars these days that I'd be paying for and probably wouldn't even use.
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Newer vehicles have all sorts of electronics that are counter- intuitive and annoying. There are features on my 2019 Toyota that I still haven't figured out.

I'm keeping my wife's 2010 Subaru alive, has 100k miles on it, and hope to put another 100k on it.
 


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