Im looking at a 96 Honda Accord that has a H22Ain it, also chipped P28 computer, with roughly between 80 to 90k miles on it, and needs the passenger side cv axle replaced... The guy is only asking $2700 for it and I know I havent had to much experience with too many Hondas, but would this be a smart investment to make?

 

I have a 96 accord & I love it. Its a great car. The value depends on the trim level. Is it an EX? In good shape its probably worth the price. You might see if you can talk him down the cost of the CV axle repair. & check out the CV boot on the left side too. Its probably cracked. Has he changed the timing belt & water pump yet? Its about time for that to be done as well.

 

Most used cars are going to need some work, so that is not surprising. I would also recommend bargaining down the price.

I would check over the car carefully and ask how it's been maintained. If they got it serviced at a shop, check the maintenance records.

 

Buying someone else's project car is never an investment. Unless the person has detailed receipts, paperwork, pictures, etc of what they have done with the car and/or the work was done at a shop and you can speak with them I would not buy it. When I sold my H22A Accord I handed over a stack of receipts detailing pretty much every part that was put on the vehicle since it was in my possession.

Just from what you've said -

- Who did the conversion from OBDII to OBDI ? Is it a conversion harness?
- Who chipped that P28? And what map is running on it? (I'll wager it's a base map and the vehicle has never been tuned)
- What axles are they running? Prelude and Accord both work depending on the intermediate shaft.
- Roughly 80-90k miles on it? 10k miles is a pretty wide range.
- Did they do the timing belt/water pump/seals/etc when it was swapped in? (OEM parts or cheap knockoffs?)
- Any CEL's?
- What transmission is in the vehicle?
- What clutch/flywheel is installed?


There are far too many considerations to give you a yes/no from what you have posted. If the seller can't answer any of those questions then I'd definitely walk away. If they say the work has been done I'd ask for evidence of it.