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**jetboatjohnny** · 03-06-2008, 12:15 PM

Re: 1998 Honda Civic GX

I have a '99 GX, I bought it almost 2 years ago (in Calif) with 52k for 7500. I am at 101k now with no problems at all.
I guess the demand in Utah has really jacked up the price. With the 3k from the state it looks good at 5k for the car, and you cant beat the price on CNG!
I'd say go for it!

**Highmarker** · 03-06-2008, 01:00 PM

Re: 1998 Honda Civic GX

David,

I can't speak for the '98 Honda reliability (there are plenty of people on here who can). But as far as the price is concerned, I think you'll find that given the Utah tax incentives and $0.64/GGE of natural gas, you're going to see ALL vehicles sold above their true market value. It is not just because it's a Honda. I've seen Chevy Cavalier's and Ford Contour's go at unbelievable prices. $8,000 for a '98 is pretty comparable to what I've seen. I've seen '01 and '02 go for $10k to $12k.

**freedml** · 03-06-2008, 01:09 PM

Re: 1998 Honda Civic GX

Prices on these cars certainly have been going up!

I have a 2001 and a 2002. Both transmissions have been replaced at 80-100k miles under the extended warranty, but they are CVTs which I don't think the 98-2000 GXs have. If they were not under warranty a rebuilt is available from Honda for $2500.

On the CNG side I have had a fuel sender go out (disabling the fuel gauge) and also the high pressure regulator. Both are still covered under the special California 15 year 150k warranty on PZEV technology cars. Once that ends, watch out! Each part is something like $1700. To add insult to injury, the high pressure regulator is being shipped from Japan. Happily, Honda is paying for a rental car until it arrives.

Given that these cars are hard to find, I would probably buy this one if it were in good shape overall.

**John Mitton** · 03-06-2008, 02:02 PM

Re: 1998 Honda Civic GX

That seems about right.
I paid $8,300 for my 1988 GX witih 72k miles on it last fall.

You should check to ensure the state tax credit has not been taken yet. If so you need to negotiate down $2,250 (the value of the credit). Details here:

http://cngchat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21

**John Mitton** · 03-06-2008, 02:09 PM

Re: 1998 Honda Civic GX

Also, folks PLEASE do not post the same question in two different forums. It makes it very difficult for people to find answers when they are searching. David, I have merged your other thread in the General forum over to this one. Welcome to CNGchat, and we wish you the best on your purchase decision

**Curtis** · 03-06-2008, 02:51 PM

Re: 1998 Honda Civic GX

The price is a little high, but the market drives the price of cars, right? The '98 had the 1.6 ltr engine and was a bit sluggish but it also had the 4 spd auto trans and was immune to the problems you've been hearing about with the CVT, which made it's bebut in the 2001 model.

The definition of fair market value is "What the seller will accept and the buyer will pay. With oil prices skyrocketing nto virgin territory, the value of trucks and SUV's are running $5k-$7k below wholesale book.

I guess that the opposite may be working to drive the value of the GX up. Generally speaking I would have placed the value of the car more around $5k-$6k before rebates but apparently the seller is taking advantage and figured out how to pocket the rebate himself... Just add it to the price of the car.

**Oceanside-GX-Guy** · 03-06-2008, 10:11 PM

Re: 1998 Honda Civic GX

Originally posted by Curtis View Post

The price is a little high, but the market drives the price of cars, right? The '98 had the 1.6 ltr engine and was a bit sluggish but it also had the 4 spd auto trans and was immune to the problems you've been hearing about with the CVT, which made it's bebut in the 2001 model.

The definition of fair market value is "What the seller will accept and the buyer will pay. With oil prices skyrocketing nto virgin territory, the value of trucks and SUV's are running $5k-$7k below wholesale book.

I guess that the opposite may be working to drive the value of the GX up. Generally speaking I would have placed the value of the car more around $5k-$6k before rebates but apparently the seller is taking advantage and figured out how to pocket the rebate himself... Just add it to the price of the car.

I traded in a 2004 Ford Focus to help lower the entry price of my new GX. I was amazed the dealer actually offered me a bit more than the book value. He said in the current market they have no problem moving small fuel efficient cars. I was 100% ready to be ripped off on the Focus because it's just not a very nice car but it did serve me well. He then noted that if I had been trying to trade an SUV it would be a whole different situation. After that comment I noticed his stock of used SUV's dominated the parking lot.

Best of luck and I hope you enjoy your new car!

**jeff_c** · 03-07-2008, 10:51 AM

Re: 1998 Honda Civic GX

i have a 2001 gx with 96k on it that i am close to selling and have been trying to figure out what it's worth. It's in great shape mechanically with some bumper scratches. After looking around it seemed 7500-8500 was the right context from a private seller.

I will say I've had very few issues with my GX. I did have my fuel pressure regulator go out around 70k, which was a bit expensive, however my extended warranty picked it up. I hear about CVT issues, however i've changed the fluid several times and have had no issues. I get 220-240 miles per tank where i hear about pre 2001's getting well less.

I wouldn't be getting rid of the car but i drive 100 miles a day and rent my house. Can't have phill in the rental and don't want to sink $3k into it to buy the big secondary tank.

**Curtis** · 03-07-2008, 04:18 PM

Re: 1998 Honda Civic GX

Jeff, if this is an attempt to sell your GX then simply list it in the "Marketplace" section of the main forum. This is the wrong place. I hate to see you get rid of your GX simply because you can't get a Phill. Once you have to start buying gasoline again this summer, you're gonna wish you'd rethought the situation. If it helps, the Auxillary tanks can be had for well under $3k. Murphy's big 6.75gge tank is only $2500 or so. Smaller isn't necessarily a whole lot cheaper, but it depends on who and where it's done.

**jeff_c** · 03-10-2008, 11:55 AM

Re: 1998 Honda Civic GX

Curtis...my wife would like you're style. I appreciate your advice however that was not my attempt. If and when I do decide to sell the car I will list in the marketplace. I am not yet ready as I haven't figured out the right buy side of the situation. I was merely trying to give the guy some context...1) i thought the price he was paying was in the same context i was thinking my car with similar mileage would sell for 2) the honda car has been excellent except for a one off issue 3) the car was a great commuter car and the only reason i would get rid of it was because it was a bit of hassle given my personal situation.

I would also point out you make many 'sales pitchy' comments throughout the board, outside of the marketplace yourself....so a little bit of the pot calling the kettle black i think.

So, let's go...you see my issue, offer me up a deal i can't refuse, give me a real financial reason not to buy a late model hybrid with stickers given i can't have a phill at home....

**Curtis** · 03-10-2008, 11:57 PM

Re: 1998 Honda Civic GX

Where exactly are you, jeff? I have nothing against the hybrids except that 1) they are still burning gasoline, and 2) the battery pack is still extremely expensive. 3) the additional computers and electronics associated with the system makes for a more problematic system overall. The only Honda's I've ever seen bought back under lemon law problems were hybrids with electronics problems. 4) Resale on them is very depressed because no one wants to be a second owner caught with battery replacement. That's not my assessment, rather the markets. Try and trade one in some time and you'll see what I mean.

The GX has similar soft trade-in value because dealers know nothing about them and are afraid of them in general. That's easily overcome be placing an ad for it in a Utah paper, or here for example. I'm not sure what you are asking when you say "make me an offer I can't refuse". Are you wanting a new GX? If so, we can talk. Send me a PM.

**cngaz** · 03-11-2008, 01:53 PM

Re: 1998 Honda Civic GX

We have installed Phills at rentals!
Outdoor and indoors. Depends how your papers are written.
An outdoor installation on a post will not alter the building!
I think you are giving up too easily.

**jeff_c** · 03-11-2008, 05:32 PM

Re: 1998 Honda Civic GX

I'm not giving up too easily...i discussed it with the landlord(who is likely to lose the place to the bank) and she wants nothing to do with it. plus it's in a townhome and the association is a bunch old cranky people that won't even let the 10yr old neighbor kid ride his skateboard anywhere within the development. I think it's not part of the USA...

Plus, I plan to buy another house soon, well maybe...I'm waiting for the housing correction to fully blossom, my guess is we are there or real close by the end of the year. To install and then move, too much trouble, too much cost. I'm coming to the conclusion that i need to put a secondary tank in for the time being....buy a 2009 and phill at the end of the year in the new house.

**cngaz** · 03-11-2008, 07:51 PM

Re: 1998 Honda Civic GX

When you look for the new house, and this applies to anyone moving, look for a house with the electric and gas service on the garage side of the house, it will save you money on your FuelMaker installation. There are some house designs that are almost impossible to get a gas line over to the garage. And even the easy ones seems like we're piping in the attic and its usually the middle of summer...........................................

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