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The Winning Craigslist Commuter Car Is...

  • Story By
    Evan Griffey
Last December I shared my thoughts in "The Great Commuter Car Conundrum" on looking for a cheap, somewhat sporty, commuter car in order to keep miles off my Mitsubishi Evo IX [MPG: 25.7]. After months of planning, I finally had cash in had and was ready to pounce as I kept my Craigslist vigil. The leading candidates were Honda’s VTEC-e Civics, the 1992 to ’95 VX hatchback [MPG: 39/49] and the 1996 to ’98 HX coupe [MPG: 30/39], the reliable, V8-powered Lexus SC400 [MPG: 17/23], and the boisterous duo of a 1991 BMW 318iS [MPG: 19/25] and Porsche 944 [MPG: 18/25]. With a budget of $4,500 here's what I learned while I ticked off the contenders and finally found the perfect candidate…a 1991 Honda Civic Si! Commuter Winner 08 I test drove a 318iS with its M42 engine. The Bimmer had 250,000 miles on the clock but just failed to push my buttons. The engine was well kept with maintenance records but I was not wowed and didn’t think the car would exceed its EPA highway mileage figures as was hoping it would. So I continued to keep tabs on my primary possibilities. I knew the last paragraph of the Conundrum article would be the sage advice I would follow… "I will keep my options open because, ultimately, it’s the condition of the individual car that should weigh heaviest in the decision.” It’s incredible what too much time, too much caffeine, and a lively mouse can do to one’s computer car searching capacity. I called on a 1992 Civic VX. It was turquoise, with fresh paint, and had 177,000 miles on it. I was set to go see it but a snafu with my wife’s previously purchased Nissan found us buying a CR-V on the Saturday in question. So I did buy a Honda that day…just not the one I was planning to buy! I also called on a 1997 Civic HX but someone else beat me to it. I contacted the owner of another VX but was only quick enough to be fourth in line. Then I inquired about a ’75 Porsche 914, but it had been converted from fuel injection to carbs, which killed the already borderline mileage. …I was tryin’. Commuter Winner 09 Then the ad for a Rio Red Civic Si popped up and my first thought was “Time Capsule,” the ultimate reaction for anyone on the trail of an older used car. The listing said 94,000 original and miles and the Honda  looked the part in the pictures. I left a few messages and later learned a potential buyer couldn’t come up with the cash and, of the more than 20 other candidates, I got the call as second in line. Commuter Winner 02 I had driven an EF Civic Si in the mid ‘90s for a week when my turbocharged Sentra SE-R was being tuned. It was fun, and the D16A6 is a really good engine. Durable, and known for its high-flowing cylinder head, the engine is among the first port fuel injected in the Civic line-up. This one had many of the factory build stickers and markings still on it. Just look at that valve cover! Commuter Winner 01 At 108 horsepower the Honda would be no speed demon, but the seller said he had charted 35 mpg, so it could be the perfect blend of fuel efficiency and punchy performance. My first four tanks netted 37.75, 38.71, 35.17, and 37.41 mpg. The ’91 Si missed the VTEC effect by a year but this fourth-gen had 94,000 original miles on it and the interior looked like it had half of that. Commuter Winner 04 The sporty Si seats had plenty of life left in their foam supports, and the cloth itself was practically cheating time. The dash was not just un-cracked, it was un-scuffed, nary a blemish to be found…same for the steering wheel and door panels. Commuter Winner 03 Yep, it's a standout. The Si tips the scales at 2,291 pounds, has no power steering, no automatic transmission option, comes with a passenger side mirror, power sunroof, body colored bumpers, and a sport suspension that includes anti roll bars front and rear. My car had optional factory fogs, window vent covers, a rear duck bill spoiler and mud flaps. Commuter Winner 07 The wheels, star-shaped five spokes made by Modern, while period correct, were ‘fugly’ during the period. The tires are a bit dried out. I need a little more style. I have elected to keep things in the 14-inch realm to maintain my stellar fuel economy. So I bought a set of used Civic HX wheels, 14x5.5 and made by Enkei that weigh only 11.86 pounds, for $140. Add some 85,000-mile P185/60-14 tires for less than $250 and I’m rolling fresh for less than $400.  The five spokes weigh 15.44 pounds, so I am saving 3.58 pounds per corner. The key to success here is having your funds in hand and being a stalker on Craigslist. When you see a good car, act fast and contact the owner - don’t contemplate too much because you’ll end up fourth in line. I am not saying buy the first car you drive, I am saying be first to drive the car. Then you are the guy with the opportunity to purchase and the most real world knowledge of the car. If you end up like me you’ll wear out the grindstone, do all that due diligence, then get ‘lucky’ and know you’ve found ‘the’ car the first time you lay eyes on it.

What's your best Craigslist find?

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