I'm looking for a 1998 Accord LX, the mileage is around 147K. The car seems to be in good shape. But the owner said he never changed the timing belt.....Is the mileage too high if I plan to use it for at least 4 years?

 

it NEEDS a timing belt like WOAH

if its been maintained (which seems kinda iffy), that motor is still it its youth

 

Ive got 120,000 on my orginal timing belt same year car and engine.

 

like was stated earlier, at 150k your car is still wearing diapers...but if this guy hasn't changed the timing belt yet, you need to find out what other kinds of regular maintenance hasn't been performed...

 

the mileage seems a bit high for a 7 year old car .......if you get it do t-belt asap .get all the maintanace receit from this person ,,,,,if you are not desperate for a car look around some more ............but as far as honda engine is concorned 147 is not too high for the life expectancy if maintained these babies easily reach 400k

 

If you like the car buy it; but make the deal with the proviso that he replaces the timing belt as a part of the deal. Either that, have the price reduced by 700.00 and have it done cheaper yourself.
If that doesn't work try these guys

http://www.autotrader.com

and do a search. You should be able to scare up about 200 '98's in your local area.

P

 

147K / 7 years = 21K year. Based upon the fact that he has not changed the timing belt would not deter me from buying the car but if he changed the oil every 10K, that would.

I have a 94 car and it only has 133K but I was lucky when I bought it as it only had 87K on the clock. Right at 90K I changed the t-belt.

 

The owner doesn't have very good maintainess records. He said he had a friend who's running a garage. So he just sent it there. But the fact that he didn't change the timing belt makes me nervous about how he maintain his car.....there's not many cars in my area, so it's not easy to find another cheap one

 

pull the valve cover off and look for oil sludge buildup.

 

MY 93 EX has 136K and original timing belt...Getting ready in the next month or so to replace it. You should be fine with the ride!!

 

if you have any doubts do not buy car .........worst time to buy a car is when you have to do it in a hurry if not in desparate need , wait .,,,look in the internet, local paper, and if you dont have to buy right away ... hold off ..
i feel for a 98 it has a lot of miles and a friend has been doing all the work ???? no service records??? ,mmmm i would personally stand clear and wait

 

I just did a Autotrader search for the Nashua area (03060) and it came back with 21 1998 Accords within 25 miles, 39 Accords within 50 miles. They range between 5000 and 11000 dollars. True, you may have to drive out of your neighboorhood, but they are out there

P

 

when that belt braks and thrashes your engine, you will be wishing that you did spend the measly $300-400 to change it.

 

You guys with marathon timing belts should make sure your next trip is a trip to the mechanic.

And about the seller's friend who owns a garage and maintains that Accord but hasn't changed the belt yet at 147k: Don't go to that garage for maintenance!

Dan

 

Yeh, It's like driving around with the grenade with a loose pin. You know you REALLY should look at it but........
If you were driving around with an A20, it wouldn't make mush difference, but the '94 and later engines are whats' called an interference engine (basically, if the belt breaks at speed, all manner of pieces come together in ways they weren't intended).
It will rival a grenade going off, and they have the uncanny ability of soiling the bed when you're the furthest from home.

Have the seller do it as a part of the deal, or find a car thats' already had it done.

P