So I might be getting the chance to buy a 91 EX sedan. The car looks to be in great shape, the only cosmetic issue I can see is some clear coat pealing. I got the chance to hear it start up and It sounded to be running great. Now there is one little problem. Okay so its not so little.

The car was in a flood. Now I actually saw the car in the flood before I even knew the owner. The car was parked in a lot and the water managed to get almost over the bumper. I was actually wanting to find the owner and offer to buy it from him if the damage was not to bad. Now almost a year later I found it.

I had no clue it was the same car. It appears to be in great shape. From what I saw only the transmission was under water. The owner tells me it still has a clear title and he just replaced the clutch. Im guessing the reason being is that it had watter damage. Now here is where I want imput. Would any of you buy it? If I do, I will be offering him under $1000 due to what happened to the car. Also what should I check out of I buy it?

 

what kind of flood? fresh water or salt water? if it was fresh water, and the car's still running good a year later, then the only concerns i'd have is flushing the trans, incase water got in through the over flow, and pulling up the carpet to check for mildew and mold. if it was going to have a wiring issue it would have shown its self by now.

as far as what to check out, check the usuals.
when the timing belt and water pump was last done
compression test
what work has been done to it
inspect the coor support and trunk for hidden damage
check the axles for torn boots
check the fluids
pull the wheels off to check the brakes
check coolant
take it on a decent test drive to bring it up to oporating temperature to see if it over heats or does anything funny
check suspension for worn parts

1g is a pretty decent offer imo for a clean title no body damage non modded ex sedan

 

It was a fresh water flood. It was in the water for a day at max. Im planning on checking everything that you listed. My main concern is the interior. I have seen a picture of when the water was in it and I was almost over the seats so I will inspecting it closely for sure.

 

Over the seats, as in the headrests?! Or like over the butt portion? If it's the headrests I wouldn't even bother buying the car, you'd have to go over wayy too much to make sure there wasn't any mold/mildew. Like fine tooth comb look over. You don't want to be intoxicating yourself by just driving the car around.

 

This is a tough one.
A used EX in fair condition is about $1500 on a good day.
As far as I know, having been subject to interior damage of a flood it would more than likely have been considered a total loss by an insurance company.

Assuming the worst because there is no pictures or proof to how high the water was, I would need receipts of repairs from a pro upholstery shop to ensure mildew doesn't exist. Water could have made it's way into the transmission, engine, power brakes, steering as well - things that may or may not have been inspected and repaired.

If all the repairs took place with proof then I would maybe pay that $1000.
Otherwise, without proof of repairs, the car better look great and the flood story better not be that bad. Maybe $500. It's loaded with risks of major repairs that you woudl have to do.

 

The water just reached the butt of the seats. As I said the front and rear bumpers were not even completely submerged it was about 3 to four inches below the side moldings. So far I am 50/50 on it. I will have to take much closer looks at it to even consider it. I know he paid $500 for it but with the new clutch Im sure he will be wanting more. I still have to talk to him about what all repairs were done to it and things like that. When he started it up it really surprised me. No smoke and no noise coming from the motor, however it might still have a problem. I am definently going to have a mechanic check it out.

 

$1000 for a flood car seems to be way to much to me.

 

damn, where is this at, i'll buy it flood or not. i miss my ex.

 

Its in Tennessee and you aint gonna believe it but its the same color as your old one. Im not going to offer him $1000 I ment that Im expecting to pay under that for the car. If he wants over $1000 its no deal.

 

yea, with known flood, $1000 max. id start out at $600 just to be nice.

 

Well I am going to take a look at it better and test drive it tonight. I will keep yall updated.

 

Car ran great. I could see no oil leaking from anywhere or anything like that. The only thing I noticed was at high RPM's if you gunned it a little smoke came out of the tail pipe but other than that everything seemed fine. No mold from what I could tell or rust either.