"J. Perry" wrote:
>
> A friend of mine has a super clean 1987 Honda Civic LX that he wants to sell
> me. It has a new a/c compressor, timing belt, battery and tires and it runs
> great. The only thing that concerns me is the automatic transmission shifts
> pretty rough through all of the gears. When you slow down upon approaching a
> stop sign/light, it even gears down roughly.
>
> Have any of you guys experienced these types of issues with your Civic's
> automatic tranny? If so, did it require a complete transmission rebuild in
> order to solve the bang/rough shifting problems? I wonder what the average
> price is for a 1989 Civic LX's transmission to be rebuilt? Less than 2
> grand? I was recently quoted $1,800.00 USD for having the transmission
> rebuilt in a 1990 Nissan 300ZX--so I would just about have to believe that
> it would be less expensive than the Z car's transmission rebuild.
>
> Thanks in advance for any information you guys can provide me with regarding
> the 1989 Civic LX's transmission(e.g. type, behavior, problem resolutions,
> etc.)--as I really would like to purchase this little car. It's in superb
> condition other than the tranny issue.

=================

J.,

I didn't see the mileage mentioned, but if he's put Dextron in the
tranny, rather than Honda ATF, that will explain the clunky shifting.
I'd see it as a good sign for you... once it's yours, drain and refill
the tranny and you'll have one that shifts like new.

Hondas are a bit rough on the shifting anyway, since the inside of the
tranny is WAY different from other brands. Make sure you get the owner's
manual (even if you have to buy one) and read it thoroughly. :-)

'Curly'

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