How much is a new paint job for a 1997 honda civic?

The car is black and has a few dents.

Probably $1000-$5000 depending upon the quality.

A cheap auto paint job will run $1,000 - $1,500.

It depends on a lot of factors, the paint quality and such.

Generally, if the few dents are only on parts that are easily removable(Like a bumper.), then you could just get away by spending a few hundred to fix and respray that one single part, no need to for a full body respray depending on the condition.