I found a '94 4th Gen. VTEC for sale. I'm going to look at the car this weekend and will most likely purchase the car. But I am a tad hesitant after speaking with the owner today. Here is his history with the car that has be most concerned.

* The timing belt went out on the car which required new belts all around. Reconditioning, and a new rebuild of the engine. Now the work is guaranteed, but I'm not sure if this would be a bonus or a bogus that the engine's timing belt snapped, but a full rebuild was done on the engine.

* The car has one accident which caused $500 worth of damage. Only body parts were replaced/repaired. No mechanical damage occured (basically front bumper and hood damage).

There are other minor things like small dings and paint chips on the front of the car. OEM CD player won't play CDs (randomly) during winter. But there are also things that are nice like new tires, timing belt, radiator, and battery. The interior looks like it never saw butt cheeks.

The * items are really all that I'm concerned with. So I'm wondering what you guys think. Bad idea to go after a car like this? I'm a tad skeptical about going after any car that had a timing belt go out on the car while driving it (read: bent valves). But if the engine's been rebuilt/reconditioned, would that still be a concern?

Thanks, guys.

 

Check it out.

Drive it.

Take it to have compression/leakdown if you are that concerned.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SuperSlow &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Check it out.

Drive it.

Take it to have compression/leakdown if you are that concerned. </TD></TR></TABLE>

i agree. if your engine does blow you can always replace it for about 3k or less. you are going to need to drive the car if anything. dont worry about the body damage, $500 is pocket change when it comes to body work.

 

Like superslow stated, your best bet would to get a compression test and a leakdown test done... you never know i guess... Just make sure you get a very thorough check of everything done first!

Good luck

 

It doesn't sound like any of those things would be a big problem. I would take it to a Honda dealer and have them do a buyer's inspection for you. They can let you know if there is anything else that will need to be fixed.

 

As long as he has papers to prove the rebuild was done, it's should be a big plus. And as stated before, 500bucks is nothing when it comes to body work so don't worry too much about that. Just take it for a spin and see how she feels..

 

Thanks, guys. I should mention the car has 145K on the clock and he's asking $5,700 OBO. Bone stock. I'm shooting for $5,000.

 

Yeah, the comp/leak down test should help distinguish the engine's condition. Test drive it, and drive it like you stole it.

If you hear anything funny, or the engine doesn't feel right, don't do it. Go with your gut instinct.

OT: so you sold the GSR huh? I thought you were going for the SH, what happened?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sticky Tires &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you hear anything funny, or the engine doesn't feel right, don't do it. Go with your gut instinct.

OT: so you sold the GSR huh? I thought you were going for the SH, what happened? </TD></TR></TABLE>

sold the GS-R two weeks ago. sad times. it was a solid car. originally planned to go with an SH, but then i bought a house. so instead of spending 10-11K on a new car, i'll be spending 5K on a new car and putting the rest in the bank for "oh ****" around the house needs.

now i just have to get over the star trek edition dash.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Xymox007 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

sold the GS-R two weeks ago. sad times. it was a solid car. originally planned to go with an SH, but then i bought a house. so instead of spending 10-11K on a new car, i'll be spending 5K on a new car and putting the rest in the bank for "oh ****" around the house needs.

now i just have to get over the star trek edition dash. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I remember you telling me that. on me.

Hey, I actually think the star trek dash looks good, IMO.

Anyways, GL on the buy.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Xymox007 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">* The timing belt went out on the car which required new belts all around. Reconditioning, and a new rebuild of the engine. Now the work is guaranteed, but I'm not sure if this would be a bonus or a bogus that the engine's timing belt snapped, but a full rebuild was done on the engine.</TD></TR></TABLE>

when the t-belt snaps you need a head rebuild...not a full engine rebuild. Big difference. I'm sure only the head was done and it is still running the same bearings on the block.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by satan_srv &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">when the t-belt snaps you need a head rebuild...not a full engine rebuild. Big difference. I'm sure only the head was done and it is still running the same bearings on the block.</TD></TR></TABLE>

thanks for clarifying. so even if he had only the head rebuilt, the car should be okay mechanically speaking?

 

should be, good luck with the purchase, i got my 4th gen with 127k on it '93 for 4100, but it was like a steal price, 5k sounds good for that price, specialy if engine was rebuilt

 

Just look at the paper work to see exactly what was done. If you are worried about the body damage (even though 5 bills is nada) bring a magnet to check for body filler.

 

I'd have to say check the car out pretty thoroughly if the timing belt broke it seems pretty clear that the owner wasn't keeping up with basic maintenance. even if a complete rebuild is claimed, you still dont know how it was treated afterwards. anyways thats my advice

 

saw and drove the car today. everything seemed okay, until we drove to the AAA to do the title work. the oil light came on, and the owner was cool enough to tell me. we took the car back to his house and i asked him to pop the hood. i heard what sounded like water drops on a hot, frying pan. this simmering sound was coming from the top portion of the engine (valve cover perhaps).

we both agreed that today wasn't the day to purchase the car and he said he would take it back to his mechanic, and i left wondering if i should bother pursuing this car.

what do you guys think?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Xymox007 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> the owner was cool enough to tell me.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That says a lot. Let him fix it, find out what the problem was, and if it's no big deal then go for it.

 

*bump*

 

up

 

Still haven't gotten the car yet?

Bump 4 you.

 

have you considered getting it up on 4W tracking machines to check the camber & especially the caster settings ? besides the abovementioned engine checks, I personally would get this checked out since u know of the accident history.

 

huh doesnt the oil light only come on when there is no oil pressure. If thats the case that cant be good.