Honda Car Forum

okay, so i am saving up my money for a car. and i have a 91 honda civic hatchback...that pretty much colects dust in our garage. it cant be driven because it needs a new alternator, and the battery needs to be charged..and we aren't exactly sure if the brakes are any good. the car also has some rust on the bottom..but it's not like a little Bondo couldn't fix that up! all of these things are very repairable, i just am not sure if it is worth it all! but i think the car has so much potential...if i just..1) get a new alternator2) charge battery/get new battery3) learn how to drive manual (forgot to mention its a stick!)4) bondo up some of the rust5) possibly install a nice body kit..like side skirts and front/rear bumper6) seat covers7) new carbon fiber hood8) new wheels....rims would be nice but way to exspensive!then i could look supaaa fly in my ride!! right??what do you think...or should i just settle for a used car between $3,000-$5,000my budget is $5,000....sooo buy a used car..or spruce up my old one...which should i do?!yeah an alternator from pull-a-part is only $11 yay! best deal im gonna get!i know..the body kit is a little much..but hey, im a materialistic gal and i cant help it if i want my car to turn heads =]now...lambo doors..that would be HOTT

New car. Yours is, pardon my french, a piece of crap. Sell it for 600 bucks and get a nice altima or something.

This car is full of potential,cheap to maintain and repair,good mileage,fun to drive.Spruce it up,just do not spend too much.

if you think it has potential then go for, im all about getting old cars up and running again.... bondo up rust lol the rust can still spread, my friend did that on his supra and when he was stripping to repaint he found that it had spread alot and the panel had to be placed, sucks for him, i wouldnt get a body kit just makes you seem like a ricer save that get rims then drop the car and inch =]

Why a new alternator? Check the auto salvage yards for one that will fit - either the same year or newer. They are good about it has to work for you to be totally satified(otherwise you can bring it back and get another to try out). And alternators will last. It is when you use the jumper cables incorrectly and cross connect(even for a microsecond) you burn out the diodes which charges - Which is possibly why the old one has a problem - you could also take that to an auto electric shop and ask them to check it out as to what is wrong with it or see about buying a reconditioned one right there. Figure out where is the better deal for you. The battery died because of a faulty alternator. Stick schmick. Lots of cars are stick. I bought mine new with a stick cause that is what I wanted. Any 1 armed, 1 legged girlie can drive an automatic. Grind out the majority of the rust with coarse sandpaper, prime and paint flat black. Something to do on the side. Body kit is added expense. Whatever. The wreckers may be able to cough up some cheap parts. Honda is a Honda. Unless you want to buy somebodies elses wreck that you have "no idea what is wrong". Buying a newer or different brand of car just makes it a new learning experience and the parts are more pricier.