how reliable is a 4th gen?

[brents1]

I'm planning on buying a 1990 civic hatch to commute from school to work - which is about 70 miles apart. The car I'm looking at is in good shape, a little rust, with 130k miles. Everything ran really smooth and quiet. The only problem: the check engine light is on? Is this a typical problem for this model, like could it be just a bad sensor? Please let me know. I'm taking it to a garage today to have it checked out.

 

[massivespeed]

BUY IT....i got a 89 civic lx for 2 grand two yrs ago put 80k on it in that time...runs great...

 

[mynamestaken]

i bought a '90 vic almost 6 years ago for college. it had 130k on it when i bought it. now it has around 180k and is still runnin like a champ.

 

[loccusst]

If the mechanic says its ok after getting it checked out go for it.

 

[Si_Racer13]

its a honda man... do you really need to ask? if it was maintained well it will last forever. i know a guy who had 400K on his hatch.... on the original motor.

 

[89hatchrider]

they are as reliable as your pocket is, but they are good as long as its not mine

 

[codyj86]

i bought my 89 with 161k and now has 178k in 9 months. i bought it for $700 and i have very few problems. smokes some oil but i just bought a d16a6 w/ z6 head for a swap for under $500 so.... i say yes. i love the 4th gens

 

[Handlebars]

find out what the cel is, then do a compression and leakdown test. if all is good, buy it.

 

[Tom]

the 4th gen is very reliable as long as they are well maintained, most people can get between 300 and 400 miles on a tank of gas, the check engine light is more than likely the O2 sensor needs repalced, atleast most time that's what it is.

 

[mizjif]

buy it after you get a mechanic to check it out- it will last forever w/ the common maintanence!

 

[Tom]

werd^^^^^^^^

 

[brents1]

ok. Thanks for your help guys. I have an appointment tomorrow to have it checked out. I'll see what they say.

 

[Tom]

lets make bets, i say $.50 on O2 sensor.