The serach is over

So I finally found a car I think. I am going to get together with him later this week to transfer titles and fill out the form for buying a car out of state. And here it is.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/2107948513.html

I am not a big fan of the wheels but it has been taken very good care of. The PO is a diesel mechanic and him and his dad have a beautiful collection of classic American cars including a '56 Oldsmobile with 17k miles on it, two '69 Vettes and a '57 (I believe that was the year) Oldsmobile 98 convertible (one of 12 in the world).

I also looked at this Miata.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/2075064461.html

It drives beautifully but it hasn't had the timing belt replaced and the valve cover gasket seems to be leaking a little.

I do have a couple questions. The Civic has a SOHC VTEC ZC engine in it. Is it harder to find parts for this engine since it is Japanese only? I figured 99% of the parts are the same as the Z6. Also what kind of horsepower does that motor make?

d16zc?

Wikipedia said: A few D-series variants are labelled (Japanese: Honda ZC engine) (usually JDM), but they are not truly a different series. There are both SOHC and DOHC ZC engines. The non-VTEC SOHC ZC is similar to the D16A6 ('91 - '96) and D16Y4 ('96-2000) engine, but with more aggressive cam timing. The SOHC VTEC ZC is similar to the D16Z6 ('91 - '96). The DOHC ZC is similar to the D16A1, D16A3, D16A8, D16A9 and D16Z5 engines.

o i c

Ok so I found out that the engine was rated at 130PS which is about 128bhp.

Also just realized I can't spell search...

Get the Miata. V/C comes off to do the timing belt anyway and the belt isn't too bad to do. If it has the original radiator go ahead and replace it with the metal one from radiatorbarn.com (hint:search for an automatic car) at the same time.

Junkyard_Dog wrote: Get the Miata. V/C comes off to do the timing belt anyway and the belt isn't too bad to do. If it has the original radiator go ahead and replace it with the metal one from radiatorbarn.com (hint:search for an automatic car) at the same time.

Why the Miata? Just because it is more fun to drive? I mean the Civic is more practical, cheaper and needs nothing. And also I know Civics fairly well.

Much more fun to drive. The Miata will hold value a lot better if you take care of it. Its a tad pricey but the hardtop and mileage justifies most of that.

To be honest, my last '90 was totalled, and was valued at that price, WITHOUT the hardtop. NADA shows average retail at $4575, without hte hardtop, though I doubt the hardtop is "worth" much, in their eyes.

Finding parts won't be an issue. The Honda D-series are like legos, you can take parts from just about any of them and make an engine.

Wow--a step back (chassis-wise, at least). Having owned 3 5th gen and 2 6th gen, I marvel at how much more refined the 6th gen chassis is.

That said, fun, light, great cars when a good suspension is in place. Good luck with it. Looks ridiculously clean.

Are you now in the South so it will stay rust-free?

I actually enjoyed driving the 93 more then my old 97. And yes I am in Hunstville Al so it shouldn't have any rust problems.

I say go with the Miata as well.

DaveEstey wrote: Finding parts won't be an issue. The Honda D-series are like legos, you can take parts from just about any of them and make an engine.

THat is what I figured.

Both seem a little over priced in my opinion.

I would vote Miata for the fun to drive factor.

The poster formally known as 96DXCivic wrote: Also just realized I can't spell search...

That's okay, you can't spell formerly either.

turbojunker wrote:

The poster formally known as 96DXCivic wrote: Also just realized I can't spell search...

That's okay, you can't spell formerly either.

Hahaha I never noticed that. Oops. Good thing I am going to be an engineer.

That shirt is AWESOME.

turbojunker wrote: That shirt is AWESOME.

Cafe Press FTW

In reply to That idiot who can't spell:

Now I have to clean another keyboard. Thanks for that.

I know that the answer is always Miata, but if you are going for the Civic, I think a 130hp Civic will be plenty fun to drive and more practical. I would want the price down a bit considering the mileage, and to make sure that the swap was done well.

Parts will be no problem, I think you get them free when you open a checking account.

The swap sure seemed to be done right. He showed me pictures and records of the purchase of engine and parts and it drove very well. It also had new axles. Having seen other work he had done on other cars. I would be surprised if the swap was not well done.

Would have been funnier if your name was
"That idiot who can't speel"

Sounds like you're leaning toward the Honda and looking for justification. I'll give it: I'd take the Honda for the practicality of it. I don't think the Honda is any less fun than the Miata. I'm a 'tin top' kinda guy anyway.