2002 Honda Civic sounds like a motorboat

The air conditioner and driver's side door alert chime (dings if keys are left in ignition or the headlights are on when door is opened) doesn't work. I could have those repaired, but consider them non-essential.

I am sort of surprised at how many men I know don't know about auto mechanics. When I ask about a car problem they say, in essence, "I don't know. When something's wrong, I take my car to a garage."
 

Nathan said:
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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My DD has a '22 Toyota RAV4... which she loves.. to me it might as well be the bridge cockpit in Star Trek....:ROFLMAO:
 
debodun said:
The air conditioner and driver's side door alert chime (dings if keys are left in ignition or the headlights are on when door is opened) doesn't work. I could have those repaired, but consider them non-essential.

I am sort of surprised at how many men I know don't know about auto mechanics. When I ask about a car problem they say, in essence, "I don't know. When something's wrong, I take my car to a garage."
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Cars and men have changed quite a bit over the years. 😉🤭😂
 

debodun said:
I am sort of surprised at how many men I know don't know about auto mechanics. When I ask about a car problem they say, in essence, "I don't know. When something's wrong, I take my car to a garage."
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Don't know for good reason. The systems now use computer based diagnostics to determine what is needed, or special tools. For Example for my sons Fiat500 Spark plug change

A magnetic 5/8 socket with an insert to hold the plug.
a 12 in. long 3/8 inch extension. Lucky thing for him I had the tools needed

Since most spark plugs now are good for 100,000 miles and are Iridium. For most others buying the tools needed would be a little ridiculous. Never mind the cost of what would be needed for computer diagnostics.

Getting back to the heat shield. It was there for a reason. But my guess is the mechanic took the age of your car into account & figured you would be buying something newer before the lack of heat shield did any damage.
 
I'm still driving my 2001 RAV4. It has over 230,000 miles on it now. I put 1,400 miles on it when I went to New Mexico in September. Yes, sometimes I have a significant repair bill and some day it may take it's last breath and leave me stranded, but I love that car and an occasional repair, even if it is significant, is a heck of a lot cheaper than car payments. I'll probably give up on it when they can no longer get parts.
 
Deb I've mentioned to you previously about being proactive with finding a handyman for those home issues that are always needing done, my same advise applies to finding a mechanic to work on your car. That's especially important since your car is older and you seem to want to keep it. There's just no sense in waiting until something needs done and not knowing where to turn for help.

Heck go to the local VFW hall and announce you're looking for a good mechanic, plummer, electrictian and handyman. Wear something sexy and you'll have plenty of guys offering their services.😜
 
debodun said:
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.
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When I buy a new car I buy a 2/4 year old pre owned certified from the dealer. They are much cheaper. Starting soon the tariffs are going to raise car prices at least 25%. I’m going to roll the dice and keep my old car because my mechanic said I’ll probably have it 10 more years based on mileage and no problems in 16 years.
 
The writing is on the wall for your Honda. It's 22 years old and falling apart. You know that in the next few months, you'll be back at the fix'em up shop. You're going to wake up and your car will magically be transformed into a 2 ton paper weight. Then you're screwed. You will have to get another car and fast. Walking into any new/used car dealership, when you have to have a car is not a great position to be in. Right now, you have choices- new/used, what color, what type , what brand, etc. etc. When the Honda is hunk of steel sitting in your driveway, it's whatever is there, at whatever price.
 
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Right now I think Debs car would be considered a "beater car" . It still runs, it is paid for & does still take her wherever she wants to go. While removing the heat shield could cause damage to other engine parts, that as a problem most likely will be quite awhile since she doesn't drive a lot.

Notice there was no complaint about the engine or transmission. The rest is like any other maintenance. Keeping it until a major cost to repair makes sense to me. According to some of her other posts she would be financially able to buy a replacement when this one fails.
 
I made a big mistake today. When I took my car to the Honda garage, they said my battery was bad. I wanted a second opinion, so took it to where I get my oil changed. They charged me $30 to test the battery. I supposed I should have asked, but most places do it for free. Anyway, they service manager said it had low crank, whatever that means.
 
debodun said:
I made a big mistake today. When I took my car to the Honda garage, they said my battery was bad. I wanted a second opinion, so took it to where I get my oil changed. They charged me $30 to test the battery. I supposed I should have asked, but most places do it for free. Anyway, they service manager said it had low crank, whatever that means.
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If you have a roadside assistance plan that covers jump starts, towing, etc… you should be fine.

Since this is the third shop that’s told you to replace the battery, battery is weak, slow crank, etc… it might be good to replace it before it inconveniences you.
 
debodun said:
I made a big mistake today. When I took my car to the Honda garage, they said my battery was bad. I wanted a second opinion, so took it to where I get my oil changed. They charged me $30 to test the battery. I supposed I should have asked, but most places do it for free. Anyway, they service manager said it had low crank, whatever that means.
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It means on a cold day it's very likely your car won't start.

A low cold cranking amperage (CCA) rating can indicate that a car battery is not able to deliver enough power to start the engine, especially in cold weather. Other issues that may arise from a low CCA rating include dim headlights and rapid clicking noises.
 
I do as lot of stop and go driving when I deliver meals, so that probably places a strain on the battery. I always turn the car off when making a delivery since I don't know how long a client will take to come to the door. Stops: pick up meals at the distribution place, deliver 9 meals on average, return to distribution center to return the food hampers (one for hot food, one for cold food).
 
It's a roll of the dice to find out if the battery is causing all of the problems in the car, but it will cause many strange issues. Drag butt replacing the battery and you will be stranded and it will cost you much more. You may think that it quit without warning, but the issues you are having now, is that warning. Wait long enough, the charge will be low enough that the relays will go nuts rapid clicking until the battery is dead.
Go to an auto parts store and have it replaced.
Stay away from dealerships for working on your car. They are very high buck. Find an independent auto repair shop.
If I were in your shoes, I would look for a different car and not be picky about the color.
 
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Aunt Bea said:
If you have a roadside assistance plan that covers jump starts, towing, etc… you should be fine.

Since this is the third shop that’s told you to replace the battery, battery is weak, slow crank, etc… it might be good to replace it before it inconveniences you.
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I agree with Aunt Bea. Replace your battery.
Replacing your car with a newer model of Honda civic is the best idea. I forgot that your air conditioner doesn’t work. At your age, heat stroke can easily happen. A Honda Civic is a great car but I think you are expecting too much from it.

fuzzybuddy said:
Your car is ancient, rusting parts are falling off, AC is dead, and your electrical system is shot. Are you sure putting that thing on the road isn't endangering yourself, and everyone else on the road?
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I agree. Buy another one that isn’t brand new but a few years old with low milage on it. You’re not getting any younger. The job you do is hard on your car and hard on you.

Be smart with your money. Money is meant to be spent wisely. Having a large sum of money stashed away while having a car that doesn’t work is senseless. You are a smart woman. Make your money work for you. Get a car that has AC.

If you won’t get a ‘new to you car’, then take your car to a dealership and get everything fixed so it works like a new car. Get a new battery, get new air conditioning. Sure it will cost you a bit of money but will be worth it.
You need to spend your money but wisely.
 
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I don't like going against what seems like popular opinion but reading Deb's post should be a clue about her car.

Sure it's old & has some features that aren't working but those don't affect her going from A to B & back again. Lets look at the a/c is it really necessary when temps are like this.

The average summer temperature in upstate New York varies by location, but generally ranges from 64°F (18°C) to 77°F (25°C):

The battery== we don't know how old it is but it is failing. Normal to replace because batteries do fail.

driving habit not high use nor long distance, she doesn't have a cell phone but according to her posts she is not far from a land line if necessary.

No problems with the engine or transmission<--- Either of those really high cost to repair so then it would be time to replace what is serving her well now.

All in all my advice to Deb is to hang onto what is not costing you money to get you where you need to go. Lights, battery, hoses, belts all normal items that need to be replaced the longer you have the car. Comparing the cost to replace those to a new car pales in comparison. For the battery look for a place like Auto Zone or Pep Boys to see what kind of deal you can get.

If Deb was interested in buying a used Honda this would probably be a good place to at least get an idea of potential cost.
Used Honda Accord for Sale Near Me | Edmunds
 
debodun said:
The closest car dealership to me sells Fords. I looked at their web site and all I saw were SUVs and pickups. What happened to their compact cars?
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They are pretty much extinct, because 'billywagons have a higher profit margin and people aren't too bright.

Honda, Toyota, and the second-tier Japanese brands still produce them as do some overpriced and expensive to repair EU makers. You couldn't pay me to take a Kia/Hyundai.

Bold colors like red and blue are over-allocated to coastal dealers where markups are higher.
 
debodun said:
The closest car dealership to me sells Fords. I looked at their web site and all I saw were SUVs and pickups. What happened to their compact cars?
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US carmakers have pretty much abandoned compact cars...in favor pickups and large SUV's, which offer them a much higher profit margin. A Ford Escape is about all that is left, and its made in Mexico, and costs thousands more than a similar Toyota or Honda. IMO, the best choice for a compact sedan is a Toyota Corolla....made in Mississippi.

Based upon your comments, I would suggest that you start researching a new car, before your current car leaves you stranded. At a bare minimum, you need to replace the battery...and soon. Don't go to a car dealer....they will charge you 50 to 100 dollars more than a major auto parts store....like O'Reilly or AutoZone, which usually will replace the battery for free.
 
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