Well, I have a dilemma on my hands and I'm just not sure which way to decide...

My girl has a 94 accord ex-l with about 149,000 on it. This car is fully loaded- leather, power locks, power windows, etc. It has a six disk cd changer in the trunk. Shes had it for about 2 1/2 years, and never had any real problems with it. She recently obtained employment with a local Honda dealer, and they inspected her car for her. Well, they found a few problems.

Now, just by circumstance, I picked a 96 accord DX this weekend for.... $1100. I bought it pretty much because its worth more than what was being asked for it and I knew I could flip it quickly and make at least $1000- $1800 on it. However, it has 178,000 on it The car is in pretty good shape, and now my girl wants to trade me for hers. I had her take the car to her job, where they inspected it also. They found far less wrong with it mechanically. This DX has an aftermarket power moonroof, and the same exact 6 disc changer in the trunk.

However, I'm not sure if I want her to do this. I did some research and both cars are worth about the same, so its not about what I can make on them. Both are rust free, both look pretty good. But if she took the 96 it would be a lesser model with a non-vtec motor, cloth seats, and roll-up windows

Here are the differences:

The 94:
Has a cracked windshield
Needs a Front motor mount
The Boot attaching the axel to the tranny is torn, so the car leaks a little tranny fluid.
Has NO brakes just about. Various components are siezed and the pads are at less than 10%
has a bad rear passenger side strut
the A/C doesn't work

The interior is intact but dirty, with worn, cracked leather. The interior is slighty...mildew-ish in its smell. The Car is white with a tan interior.
The Timing belt was changed in 2000 when the car had 86,000 on it.

The 96:

Has a bad front mount as well
Needs a new Upper control arm on the left hand side
needs new CV boots
And, of course a new timing belt would be in order.
The A/c works but is weak ( needs recharge)
and finally, my biggest peeve- the headliner is torn up in the rear.
This one is Dark Green with a grey/jade interior
The car does seem to run a bit smoother and shift a lot cleaner than the 94, but in fairness the 94 has not had a tune up since we bought it.

Both Jess and her dad are leaning towards the 96. Her dad reasons that it feels "tighter" to him. I feel like the 94 is a better car, just in need of some TLC. But its also two years older, and WILL require more work.

SO, which car should we keep, and which one goes? I figured HT would be the place to ask. I have left it in her and her dads hands, but I still can be a big influence.


Thanks in advance for your help

PS: I would put this up to a vote but don't how on this board

 

To me it would matter which one would be easier to get back into tip-top shape. Which problems are eaier for you to fix. It will come down to which car you feel stronger about. Which engine and transmission are in better shape?

 

I would personally stick with the EX, more options and probably better looking, just needs some maintance

 

bump. any other opinions?

 

nothing? Two responses?

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

 

fix up the ex i would say, all that stuff isnt really that much money to fix...

plus abs is a girls best friend

 

This is a no brainer. Obviously neither car has had regular maintenance performed. Thats the first issue. The 94 EX is a better value and will yield more value loger than a DX. The DX issues are just as severe as the EX car but with one huge exception. That AC does not perform up to par. If that AC craps out she is in for more money expended than it would take to get all of the 94 EX issues addressed. One cannot tell a better car because it feels tighter. WTF is that?? Go for the 1994 EX and get all of the issues fixed by a raliable shop.

 

Keep the '94 EX.

As stated above, the problems between the two cars are roughly the same and do need addressed. But once they are addressed... would you rather be in a fully loaded car, or the econo-version (with an extra 30,000 miles)?

And of course, spend some money on the '94, get it up to speed.

 

keep hers fix the little **** on the dx and sell it say the tranny just went out when she had it shed probably be pissed then youd have to drive her around pissed off in HER old car lol just looking out lol