Civic Hybrid salvaged: seek advice

Since it is a 2004, the vehicle still "has" a good portion of the manuacturer warranty in it... Provided of course that the vehicle is brought back into service by qualified technicians. By qualified, I mean certified mechanics that underwent Honda's training. Unless these pre-requisites are met (which are the very minimum), anything that happens subsequently with you vehicle's systems may not be covered by the warranty.

Too many to make this a nightmare car for you. Then again, this car could be a gem. Are you certain that this car was deemed "salvaged" because of theft? I would recommend you get a Carfax (or similar report) to verify the authenticity of those claims. Quite often a car that experienced a flood is a total loss (especially hybrids) and worth a lot less than a car that has been writen off for other reasons (except serious accidents). Is it trully a california car and not an "import" from another "flood" state?

I would recommend you contact your State Motor Vehicle Branch Office and ask them this question. Heresay will hardly holdup later on if you run out of options.

A Honda dealer can run a check on it, but their evaluation of the vehicle will determine how much compliance work is evident in the car. I do know for a fact that they will not only refuse to warranty the car but they will flag it permanently and then you could be at a loss - indefinitely.
Why don't you call you local Honda office and/or several dealerships to make sure? They should be able to give you the authoritative information you are looking for.

Again, it depends on much of the concerns voiced earlier. A carfax report should be a first step then followed by a frank discussion with a Honda district rep or several dealership service managers.

My personaly gut feeling is that unless you have a better understanding of the car's history $9,000 may be too much.

Cheers;

MSantos

Well, a flood car is often considered a car with an early death sentence. To properly restore its systems to a safe and reliable state would amount to a literal tear appart & rebuild process which is well beyond what most folks can (and want to) afford.

It is very hard (but not impossible) to validate proper operation of a hybrid vehicle with a single test drive. Instead, I would take it to an experienced mechanic with an updated HDS station (as all Honda dealerships have) and have them perform a comprehensive physical, diagnostics and operational inspection. Anything less than that would not be sufficient for me.
In other words, I would not buy a Hybrid vehicle at any price unless it passes an adequate inspection from any of its manufacturer's service departments.

Ask the seller if they are OK with the idea of subjecting the car to a Honda service department inspection. If they are, then take it there. If they are not, then you've got your answer.

Cheers;

MSantos

hy iam looking for hybrid cars to sell them in overesea and i hope thy are working good