OBD-II readers?

["Phil Esra" <philesra@hotmail.com>]

Uh... I think I did a 2:30 or something at Sears Point in the old Civic... 
is that good? The OEM brake pads held up just fine, but, then again, I 
wasn't going very fast... :)

Can anyone recommend a source or product name for an OBD-II scanner thingy? 
Are they worthwhile? My dad wants to try to figure out what's wrong with his 
minivan.

thanks!

Phil
_____________________________________________________________________________________