Its an 02 RSX-S, just broke 100K miles. i used to own an 04, but that was several years ago. i miss the car and want another. theres a few big issues here, so i'm looking for ideas or advice from other who may have come across this problem. based on these problems it makes me want to shy away from this one, but it just depends on how serious they turn out to be...

first issue is water standing in the spare tire bay. it didn't appear to be an issue that has been around long, but none the less isn't a great sign. no rust or mildew in the bay. however, there was alot of rust around the latch lever on the hatch. i don't think thats how the water got to the bay, but just another leak somewhere. i'm afraid i'm going to pull the latch one day and it snap off in my hand. tailights don't have water problems.

second issue, and my bigger concern: when VTEC engages, its f'n LOUD. i don't recall the high RPM's screaming like that on my last one. I get the feeling it may be an exhaust leak, but from outside the car and revving i couldn't really tell. when i say loud, its no joke. my concern is whether or not some kid did something stupid bc he thought vtec was cool, but i can't think of anything off hand that can be easily modified to make it scream. any ideas or known problems there?

other than that its nothing serious. passenger door actuator doesn't work but thats a $50 fix. interior is clean and in really good shape. no dent on the body, just a few chips. front bumper is slightly dented by the lip, but a type-r replica lip or something would cover it up. sunroof chatters a bit on the way back but i'm hoping a little lube will fix that. i can get the car for about 8500, which is a pretty fair deal i believe. the water problem is being diagnosed today hopefully. any ideas/opinion/past experiences are welcome. thanks guys.

 

You could find a near mint 02 for $8500. I'd keep looking.

 

water thing = NO NO NO!!!

also, if you have exhaust leak, you'd know its distinct sound..., did you check to see if CAT was still there? or maybe the piping's been replaced with larger diameter???

but, again, water thing = NO NO NO!!!

 

water by spare tire should be tail light gaskets easy fix

 

$8500 for 2002 rsx-s with 100k miles? keep looking, that is way too much.

 

are the intake and exhaust system all stock?

 

Too much.
Keep yo head up. Youu can get a better deal.

 

Water in the spare well is a common issue(tail light gaskets or moon roof drains), the loud vtec crossover may be from an aftermarket intake.

 

$8500 for that condition car is too much. You can find better for sure.

 

transmission my friend... these rsx have tranny problems...

on some only...

2nd, 3rd, or 4th gear pops out sometimes. the newer civic si has it too