Hello all, first time poster .

What do you guys think of these two cars?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...st=30

http://www.cars.com/go/search/...=true

Which one would you go with and what prices would you offer?

Thanks!

 

welcome to honda-tech.com honda and acura technical resource

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DfwBB6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">welcome to honda-tech.com honda and acura technical resource </TD></TR></TABLE>

I dont think that this is necessary, he is asking a community of Prelude owners if anything sticks out with these two cars that he should watch out for. Why cant we help him out when he has a valid question while half the other post started are garbage that has been covered thousands of times already.

With that said, I wouldn't buy either of these cars. The first one has fairly low mileage but it is priced too high, I see dealers asking that price for 5th gens with less mileage. The red has high mileage which is not terrible as these cars can run far beyond that but I would not pay more than $5000 for a car that is reaching the mileage where bad things could start to happen.

I would be patient and keep my eyes open. Here is one that I found that seems to be a better deal in your area but like I said be patient. Oh and welcome to Honda-Tech

http://chicago.craigslist.org/....html

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JShamoon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Which one would you go with and what prices would you offer?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

This one (because I'm selling it):

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JShamoon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
http://www.cars.com/go/search/...=true
</TD></TR></TABLE>

All could be good options depending on condition and final negotiated price.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jzobie1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
With that said, I wouldn't buy either of these cars. The first one has fairly low mileage but it is priced too high, I see dealers asking that price for 5th gens with less mileage. The red has high mileage which is not terrible as these cars can run far beyond that but I would not pay more than $5000 for a car that is reaching the mileage where bad things could start to happen.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

'Bad things' happen for reasons more complex than just mileage (driving conditions, environment, maintenance, etc.); proper maintenance is paramount in purchasing older vehicles.

For the record the following items have been replaced under my ownership (from 110k to 160k):
-timing belt with manual tensioner conversion/balance shaft belt/valve lash reset
-primary oxygen sensor
-knock sensor (I was chasing the common hesitation gremlin, which was the O2 sensor)
-clutch and flywheel
-axles (replaced as they were out for the clutch, then again when neighborhood yard waste cut the outer boots)
-camshaft seal
-distributor cap/rotor/wires/plugs
-front sway bar bushings
-a flexible power steering hose
-fuel filter (huge pain in the ***)
-RR wheel bearing
-brake pads/rotor/fluid/ss lines/rear calipers (I also upgraded the rear parking brake pins to shoulder bolts for easier future removal; and added speed bleeders)
-upper and lower radiator hoses (had developed an internal crack; never leaked, but would collapse when cold)
-normal items (headlights, oil & filters, tires ~500 miles ago, etc.)

Lastly about the car, the engine registered 195-200 psi compression test results last fall (driven less than 1000 miles since), but will repeat).

Finally, be wary of autotragics as they have well documented transmission problems (other than a lack of fun). Due to this there are two distinct price populations for preludes with automatics commanding a significantly reduced price.

Happy hunting.


Modified by ludiferino at 10:53 PM 4/4/2008

 

He was asking our opinion and the fact of the matter is that no matter what maintenance has been done things go bad with mileage. I have no hesitations buying a car with higher mileage but paying $6500 for a car with 161,000 is something that I would not do. I am not saying that you dont have cause to ask what you are for the car, but I wouldn't buy it unless I had the funds to make major repairs when they could happen at any moment and afford the down time. My Prelude had a stack of receipts showing how the previous owner babied the car every mile but at 154,457 miles it spun a bearing. I bet the previous owner would have said the same thing as you at 154,450 miles but 7 miles later he was selling it to me with a boat anchor in the engine bay. Just trying to help someone out who asked for advice.

Oh and I was assuming that automatics were out of the question since they are not reliable and fetch a far lower price then 5 speeds.


Modified by jzobie1 at 10:05 PM 4/4/2008

 

i got my lude for 8800 hundred smacker ROOS, back in Nov. 07 and it only had 40k on it,i guess you can say it was a good deal. so like the third fellow who replied to your post be patient something will pop up TRUST ME BUDDY THEY WILL POP UP JUST BE PATIENT! also DO NOT buy from a dealership like honda they are CROOKS!. Also if that were me i would never spend my hard earned money on especially 8900 BUCKS OF MY HARD EARNED CASH on a high mileage car be a it a honda or whatever (still love the hondas though )Also only reason i got my car for cheap was of the body damage, but it's not as bad as you think nothing a alittle sanding can't get rid of.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jzobie1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">He was asking our opinion and the fact of the matter is that no matter what maintenance has been done things go bad with mileage. I have no hesitations buying a car with higher mileage but paying $6500 for a car with 161,000 is something that I would not do. I am not saying that you dont have cause to ask what you are for the car, but I wouldn't buy it unless I had the funds to make major repairs when they could happen at any moment and afford the down time. My Prelude had a stack of receipts showing how the previous owner babied the car every mile but at 154,457 miles it spun a bearing. I bet the previous owner would have said the same thing as you at 154,450 miles but 7 miles later he was selling it to me with a boat anchor in the engine bay. Just trying to help someone out who asked for advice.

Oh and I was assuming that automatics were out of the question since they are not reliable and fetch a far lower price then 5 speeds.

Modified by jzobie1 at 10:05 PM 4/4/2008</TD></TR></TABLE>

Parts do wear with mileage, but it is combination of mileage and other factors (driving conditions, environment, maintenance, design, etc.) which ultimately determine a vehicle's condition. Consequently, vehicles can have a myriad of problems at any mileage depending on those other factors, some of which may be unforeseen. Therefore, one can find vehicles at 100k miles in worse condition than others at 200k.

Your example, which is unfortunate, furthers the notion there are factors which determine a vehicle's condition; while good maintenance is paramount, it will not guarantee future reliability. It only takes one super long oil drain interval, or operation with low oil levels, or any combination of occurrences to damage a journal bearing, which will then fail under continued operation (although the time horizon for catastrophic failure (rod knock) will greatly vary relative to the damage and future operating conditions).

Otherwise, I make no justification for my asking price as it is the KBB price for excellent condition based upon age and mileage. If the price is not suitable, potential buyers can negotiate for a different price.

Lastly, my comment regarding automatics was a warning as the original poster may not know of the their trouble, and could be confused why they are considerably less valuable. Also the prelude listed on craigslist does not specify transmission, and does not contain a picture giving evidence towards transmission orientation.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jmumblez2001 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i got my lude for 8800 hundred smacker ROOS, back in Nov. 07 and it only had 40k on it,i guess you can say it was a good deal.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

You found a very good deal.


Modified by ludiferino at 8:35 AM 4/5/2008

 

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

Also the prelude listed on craigslist does not specify transmission, and does not contain a picture giving evidence towards transmission orientation.
Modified by ludiferino at 8:35 AM 4/5/2008</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah I know I posted that and forgot to say that it would only be a good deal if it were a manual trans.

 

Sorry for being Off topic.

Noticed you're in the chicagoland area or close to it like me.

If/when you get a Prelude check out http://www.chicagolandpreludeclub.com, good prelude community in your area :D Also, there's a few 4th gens being sold there. No 5th gens though.


Good luck!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Darkbluelude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Noticed you're in the chicagoland area or close to it like me.

If/when you get a Prelude check out http://www.chicagolandpreludeclub.com, good prelude community in your area :D Also, there's a few 4th gens being sold there. No 5th gens though.

Good luck!</TD></TR></TABLE>

The local forum is good (has some good pointers on local shops), but honda-tech and prelude online are better technical resources. Notably, chicagoland prelude club's organizer/owner is the current SCCA solo STS class autocross champion (it sounds better spoken than read).