2005 Civic Hybrid Sat for Four Years
#1
2005 Civic Hybrid Sat for Four Years
Hello all! I am looking at used Civic Hybrids and found one that belonged to an older gentleman who only put 40K miles on his 2005, then let it sit from 2012 until now.
I am going to see the car tomorrow, but I have been told the following:
1. The hybrid battery seems to be dead
2. The 12V battery needs a jump. Once jumped, one can drive the car.
3. Tires replaced
My questions are:
1. What problems can I expect from a hybrid that sat unused for about 5 years?
2. Especially, is this battery possibly salvageable with a grid charger?
3. Anything else I should be asking, or should know?
Thanks!
I am going to see the car tomorrow, but I have been told the following:
1. The hybrid battery seems to be dead
2. The 12V battery needs a jump. Once jumped, one can drive the car.
3. Tires replaced
My questions are:
1. What problems can I expect from a hybrid that sat unused for about 5 years?
2. Especially, is this battery possibly salvageable with a grid charger?
3. Anything else I should be asking, or should know?
Thanks!
#2
Re: 2005 Civic Hybrid Sat for Four Years
1) all the usual problems with any car that sits for 5 years.
2) Possibly. Extended self-discharge of the Honda cells has been shown to improve performance at least temporarily.
3) Any amount offered needs to factor in a potential $2200 battery purchase in the very near future. If you're not comfortable with that, then walk away.
2) Possibly. Extended self-discharge of the Honda cells has been shown to improve performance at least temporarily.
3) Any amount offered needs to factor in a potential $2200 battery purchase in the very near future. If you're not comfortable with that, then walk away.
#3
Re: 2005 Civic Hybrid Sat for Four Years
Thanks Steve! I was hoping you would answer. I have been reading different forum topics for the last few days and have seen you in many of the threads.
Per some of those threads, I am figuring in a $2220 Bumblebee Battery in my offer, as well as another $500 of likely necessary repairs after the extended sit, and a $400 grid charger.
His initial price is $1500, which puts this at $2.4k-$4.6k. I was going to see if I could get him down a few hundred more.
Given those prices, and your experience with Honda hybrids, would you recommend this to a friend? To be honest, my preconceptions about hybrids were firmly shattered by reading around this site. I can't believe Honda was allowed to sell these with such terrible batteries.
Per some of those threads, I am figuring in a $2220 Bumblebee Battery in my offer, as well as another $500 of likely necessary repairs after the extended sit, and a $400 grid charger.
His initial price is $1500, which puts this at $2.4k-$4.6k. I was going to see if I could get him down a few hundred more.
Given those prices, and your experience with Honda hybrids, would you recommend this to a friend? To be honest, my preconceptions about hybrids were firmly shattered by reading around this site. I can't believe Honda was allowed to sell these with such terrible batteries.
#4
Re: 2005 Civic Hybrid Sat for Four Years
As someone who has owned four, I would never recommend a used Honda IMA to a friend unless it was still under warranty. I'm probably a little jaded from living in AZ though.
#6
Re: 2005 Civic Hybrid Sat for Four Years
There's also the complication of selling a car w/o smog cert. You're not supposed to.
I know I sound negative, but used hybrids really make no sense if you want reliability. You have a small four cylinder car with a whole complex system bolted on... MORE failure potential, and one of them is a consumable (battery - they are going to wear out - period, especially in heat).
It MAY be a great deal even at $1500. You just need to be okay with it eventually costing you the $4600.
I know I sound negative, but used hybrids really make no sense if you want reliability. You have a small four cylinder car with a whole complex system bolted on... MORE failure potential, and one of them is a consumable (battery - they are going to wear out - period, especially in heat).
It MAY be a great deal even at $1500. You just need to be okay with it eventually costing you the $4600.
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