While the car market has toned down a bit recently, there are still sellers out there who are tacking on “I know what I have”-ass prices to cars. Take a listing I stumbled across on Facebook Marketplace.
A seller in Peekskill, New York has this admittedly clean 2000 Honda Civic Si for sale. With three owners and just 34,000 miles on it, it’s not a bad deal, until you see the price; $38,000 for this 24-year-old sport compact. The price is nuts for more than a few reasons.
First, you’ll see that the car was recently listed on Bring A Trailer, as cars like these now tend to be. Back then it was a slightly different Si. It had aftermarket wheels, sound system, intake, exhaust and suspension. Aside from those bits, it was largely stock. The Carfax report — which isn’t listed on the listing anymore as it’s not an active auction — also shows the car had been in an accident back 2001 resulting in the hood and front fender being replaced. Nevertheless, the current seller purchased in on BaT in August 2023 for $18,000.
Once they got their hands on it, they damn near rebuilt the car. They mention that the original paint’s condition wasn’t great, so they repainted it. The headlights, front bumper and fog lights were also all replaced with OEMs. Other things they didn’t mention were replaced in the engine bay to “clean it up.” No other engine mods were added though with the seller mentioning the previous owners intake, header, exhaust and suspension modes staying put.
Inside the aftermarket Alpine stereo from the previous owner remains. The only major change the current owner has added to the interior was replacing the stock seats with a pair of red Recaros from a Civic Type R; they mention that they’re going switch back to the stock seats when it sales and they’d be willing to include the CTR Recaros “for the right price.”
To ask nearly $40,000 for something like this is a big ask though, something the seller seems to be aware of. They try to explain it away though in the description. “I know a lot of people will have something to say about the price but there are so few EM1s of this condition and mileage on the road.”
Many in the Facebook comments under the listing are calling them out for the price. Some say they might have better luck re-listing it on Bring A Trailer or another auction site. Another person said the price is “$10k too heavy.” Someone else said “$23k-$25k realistically.” Another person seemed suspicious of the car’s repainting, seemingly making it seem as if the aforementioned accident’s damage was worse than it seems. Others are defending the price, calling people that have problems with it “broke.” “Only people complaining can’t afford it. This car is worth every penny,” said one commenter.
