2008 Honda Civic EX
Verdict #082 · 161,000 miles · VIN Not listed · Stock # MOOSED
“161,000 miles at top-of-market money with a timing belt question mark — walk away.”
Pros
- Honda Civic reputation for longevity
- Clean title claimed
- Inexpensive in absolute dollars
- Good fuel economy (around 30 MPG)
Cons
- 161,000 miles — deep into wear-item territory
- Timing belt status unknown; overdue if never done ($500–$1,000 job, catastrophic if it fails)
- Known 8th-gen issues: power steering pump, engine block cracks, AC compressor
- Priced at $4,995 — top of the $4,000–$6,000 band for much lower-mile examples
- Mame Auto Sales holds a 3.3-star rating with a ‘car died in a month’ complaint on record
Analysis
This is a 2008 Honda Civic EX sedan with 161,000 miles, listed at $4,995 by Mame Auto Sales in Fort Wayne. Red, automatic, clean title claimed. On paper, a cheap Honda. In practice, the miles tell a harder story.
The 8th-generation Civic (2006–2011) has a well-documented rap sheet: power steering pump failures (often after 80,000 miles), cracked engine blocks causing coolant leaks, and chronic AC compressor failures. None of these are death sentences on a maintained car — but at 161,000 miles with no service history provided, you’re gambling that the previous owner addressed them.
The biggest question is the timing belt. The 2008 Civic uses a belt (not a chain), due every 105,000 miles or 8 years. At 161,000 miles, this car is either on its second belt (good — prove it) or running on borrowed time (bad — a snapped belt means severe engine damage). The listing offers no documentation either way.
Then there’s the price. Well-maintained 2008 Civic EX models with lower miles trade between $4,000 and $6,000. At $4,995 with 161,000 miles, this car is priced at the top of the band for the bottom of the mileage range. You’re paying clean-car money for a high-mile car.
On the dealer: Mame Auto Sales holds a 3.3-star rating across 66 reviews. Some buyers praise the owner by name; others report cars dying within weeks with no help. That’s a coin flip you don’t need at this price.
The call is MOOSED. Not because it’s a Civic — it’s because 161,000 miles at $4,995 with an unknown timing belt and a 3.3-star dealer is a bad bet. Find a lower-mile example with records for the same money.
Market Comparison
Used 2008 Honda Civic EX market (161,000 miles):
- Overall range: $983–$6,344 depending on trim, mileage, and condition
- Well-maintained EX models: typically $4,000–$6,000
At $4,995 with 161,000 miles, this car sits at the top of the price band while sitting at the high end of the mileage range. Comparable money buys lower-mile Civics with documented maintenance. The price doesn’t reflect the miles.
The Original Listing
A live snapshot of the dealer’s listing page, captured automatically.
