I need some help. I have a black 95 prelude VTEC that has about 220k miles on it. The engine is leaking oil, a little bit of smoke is seen when you are outside the car when parked in the driveway. There is oil residue underneeth the engine on both sides I think. I took it to a mechanic and he did not know exactly where it was coming from but would guess that it needs crank shaft seal replaced and since he is doing that he might as well hit the timing belt and water pump. He said I was looking at $1000 for that and that is where he would start. "You have to fix the most obvious problems and work your way down until it stops leaking. I said that I thought that the main seal on the transmission side might be leaking because I see oil on the transmission. He said if he had to go back and fix that side, it would probably be an additional $500 to $1000. So I could be looking at $2000 to fix the leaks.

We have one little daughter and are expecting another kiddo, looking at 220k miles I am thinking that maybe it is time to sell it. KBB says it is only worth about $2,500 to $3,000 - Fair to Good. Its the fully loaded leather VTEC, black interior and exterior, good stereo, CD and 6-disc changer, bluetooth hands free phone. The exterior is in good shape, a few dings but was painted 5 years ago. Engine probably in fair shape due to the leaks. Interior is in very good shape except the drivers seat shows wear, no holes though.

Autotrader shows two gen-4s selling for around $6,500. One has $75k miles (1995) the other 175k miles (1994).

My question, should I pour $1000 to $2000 into it and then try to sell it for $6000 or should I just try to sell it as is and get $3000?

What are your thoughts on what I can get out of it if the engine was fixed up? I think a highschool kid might like driving it.

 

I would say posting a few pics of the condition of the car exterior interior bay would give us a little more help on what you should do. And personally I speak for my self here but ive owned 4 ludes and always looking at what people are selling em for I saw a pretty pretty nice one on cl in cali and he dumped a lot of money in it and only sold it for 4k is say try and sell it as is asking 2500 my opinion most people unless people who seriously adore and love preludes would spend 6k on a lude but good luck in whatecer you do

 

I would fix it myself and keep it. I'm sure of you look around you can find write ups or videos how to do the work. If not you don't have any mechanically inclined friends who can help out?

 

Well yeah I'd rather just fix it but that's not what he was asking he said he wanted to sell it he's just wondering either way what would be worth more

 

Would love to fix it, have always wanted to do an overhaul but life is changing what is most important to and my priorities are different than what they used to be.

 

Good point, let me detail it, clean it up, and get it ready to sell. And then I will show some picks. Busy schedule right now, might be a few weeks. I think your illustration of the 4k sale is enought for me to just try to sell it as is. I would at least need to pour $2,000 into it, there are other little annoyances that I would never get my money back on.

 

i think the odds of spending $2k in repairs and seeing the value of the car go up $2k are VERY small. I would only repair it if i was doing the work myself. realistically I would clean the engine up REALLY well, change the oil and put a new PCV valve on it and then clean the hell out o the car, and ask $3k expecting to get between $2k and 2.5K on it.

 

I agree, i think if I put anything into it other than a detail job I would just be helping someone else out. 220k its really not going to draw a lot of attention.

 

^^ it really isnt going to draw much attention like i said clean it up pretty good post for asking price 3k youll get around 2k to 2500 dont expect anymore.