Is this a good deal? Maybe too good to be true? Also, what should I look for when checking out this car?

I'm looking to buy a car. I looked on Craigslist and saw someone selling a 1999 Honda Civic for $1,800. The engine and transmission have 55,000 miles and the body has 211,000. It is an automatic, has working a/c, and (they claim) has a good interior and exterior. There are a few cracks in the case for the manifold. Is this a good deal? Is the deal so good that I should be concerned that there's something I'm missing? What should I be looking for when I check out the car out? This is my first time buying a car and would like as much help as I can get. (Not only is this my first car, but also I know very little about cars, so please use language I can understand or explain the language that might perplex me.

Added (1). Here is the link to the add:
Greg 30 mins
http://winchester.craigslist.org/cto/4449098031.html

As a first time buyer I recommend sticking to something with a higher likelyhood of having some reliability. The drive train was swapped out by someone---who knows how competent. Also a car with 200K will have a worn out suspension assuming the struts etc have not been replaced.

I would go to the library and get out the consumer reports cars issue and look for reliable used cars in the price range you an afford. CR gives reliability numbers and suggested used car models in various price ranges.

As a first time buyer beware of salvage titles---cars than have been wrecked and put back together.

Please post the link to the ad.

Cracks in the case for the manifold? Crack(s) and manifold do not a good deal make.