[nextstep]

Hi,
I am going to buy a 93 civic from a big dealer and now the mechanis are doing the safety checking. I asked them to check the timing belt, I wonder if they can find out if timing belt has been changed by last owner.
And I checked the history of the car
It has been done for lots of vehicle service
Such as engine service transmission service cooling system service brake system service.
What do they mean?

THanks

[labman]

Certain parts of a car should last the lifetime of the car, 100, 200K miles. Other things need to be replaced occasionally. Brake lining wears out and must be replaced. Also the rubber parts of the brakes system age and wear out. New brake lining and rebuilt calipers are a good sign. Transmissions need to have the fluid and filters changed eventually. An 11 year old car should have had the
Cooling system flushed and coolant replaced several times.

The timing belt is a big item as you seem to know. Expensive to replace before it breaks and maybe even more expensive to replace after it breaks. It may or may not be fairly easy to tell if it has been replaced. The service records would be the best way to tell if they are available. You might also ask about having an independent mechanic check the car.

[nextstep]

This car seems have done lots of service before
At least cooling system service breaking system service filter changed lube oil changed and so on.
The car is in a big dealer ( Toyota), the mechanics there are checking it now( hope they can do a good job).
Do you think I should take it to other mechanics for another check?
This is my first car.
Anything else is very important before I pay my check?

Thx

[labman]

The more routine things that have been done, oil changes, brake lining, etc. the better. This also includes the timing belt, which I think they recommend every 60,000 miles. Big garages have often gotten big by happy customers coming back. You will be buying many more cars in your lifetime. If they stick you with a bad timing belt, you won't be back when you can afford a better car. If they can give you a good answer on the belt, perhaps you should trust them.

Do budget for some repairs. I have an 02 Cavalier with almost 50,000 miles. So far it has been gas, oil, and filters. I will be starting to put more money into it, 2 new tires this fall, front brake lining soon, and other things. I also have a 77 truck. I have replaced many parts on it several times, and may need a new exhaust pipe soon.

[nextstep]

Thx
I will ask you question again after I get the mechanics reports from the Dealer next week. Hope you will be around.
Or if you can leave your email to me into my message box here if you can.

Thanks again