Just joined looking for some feedback on a 1990 on CL. He's asking $2900

This one has 300k miles (thats the part that im worried about), and he said he has personally done the following since he's a dealer/mechanic:

four brand new shocks and tires! new front and rear brakes! new sparkplugs/wires/cap&rotor/coil!(complete tuneup)! new air and fuel filters,new belts(including timing belt)! new water pump! radiator service,transmission service,fresh oil change and chassis lube! new battery! new wipers and 4 wheel alignment!

what are some things i should be worried about or look out for when test driving?

http://www.use.com/1990_honda_accord...9ccc64#photo=1

 

Two things to check. See if any codes are in the memory, doubtful if the mechanic changed the battery.

The transmission somewhat concerns me. The 90-97 AT is good for 250K miles easy enough. But if he recently just changed the AT fluid I would ask about service records. Take it for a spin and verify all the gears work when the car is cold and hot. A five minute drive will not show any issues immediately.

 

Don't know how much this helps but my '91 Accord Wagon has 315k miles with 0 engine or transmission problems other than a leak here and there I've had to take care of over the years. I've changed the ATF every other oil change beginning at about 150k miles. I've just recently replaced all the sending units on the engine and trans more due to minor leaks than any malfunctions. What I've just replaced for the first time on this car are struts, steering rack, all heater hoses and water valve, all front end bushings, and every oring and seal I could get my hands on without pulling the engine or trans out. All of that was about ripe to be replaced and wouldn't have lasted me much longer. I had to do a rear main seal at about 200k I think and did the TC seal and oring while I was at it. I think that's outstanding for 315k miles and a 20+ yr old car. Also just had to rebuild my A/C and P/S pumps and went with OEM hoses too. We were at a deciding point of getting a used Element or putting money into the wagon. The wagon won out and much much cheaper. If it were me looking at another high mileage 4th gen Accord, I'd do as mentioned above and pay attention to the trans and how it's been serviced. I'd also want to know how much in the way of OEM parts have been used over the years to keep it maintained such as hoses, water pump, front end bushings, etc. IMHO the OEM stuff lasts longer and might make a difference in how much work I'll have to do on it in the future. You can get away with aftermarket radiator, axles, fan motors, eng mounts, plug wires, etc - anything easy to get to that might also have a good warranty attached to it from the parts house where you bought it. Also, I live in SoCal if that helps to know what kind of weather and roads my car deals with. If you are moderately mechanically inclined, you can keep one of these cars running for a very long time.

 

LMAO!

$3,000 for a 22 year old car with 300k? That guy has got to be nuts!!!

Sorry, but if I were you I would not even waste my time with that! Sure, the car may have been maintained but the wear and tear on the transmission can't be reversed. I doubt it has all that much life left.

Sure it is a reliable car, but that price is beyond stupid.

Since he supposdly is a mechanic, he gets his discounts on parts and pays nothing for labor other than his time. I would ESTIMATE that the parts alone would be around $800 or so....but that depends on what quality he went with. I work at a shop and know what the true list price is on parts.

 

and also if your notice i think he changed the power steering rack the steering wheel is completely upside down and the wheels are almost straight

 

If you look in several of the pictures, including the one with the wheel somewhat visible through the open passenger door window, the wheels are not pointing straight ahead.

 

went and test drove it and had a local guy check it out. he drove it and said everything checked out with it. of course his only concern was the tranny having that many miles. he said it could last 6 months and drop or it could last 5 years and have no problems.

i didn't buy it but i was able to get him to drop it to $2600 if i do decide to buy it. he did show me all the receipts and just a quick glance he does have about $1000 or so in it

and yeah the steering is fine. the above pic that mike showed the wheel was in fact turned just a bit.

 

that shouldn't even take a whole turn to put them straight and i never said they were straight i said they were almost straight. also on my 90 accord it doesn't take that much of a turn on the steering well to get the tires to move that much. not even a half turn it takes maybe like a quarter turn on mine for the tires to look like that

 

nice find.. looks clean.. but im feeling more with what 19Accord97
is stating.


but hey if this is what you want and makes you happy.. then go for it.. I bought my 91 cb9 14yrs ago for 2k..best 2k i ever spent.. and till today, she takes great care of me and still runs like a champ..

maintenance and respect for the car to me is key

 

well guys, i was able to talk him down some more and ended up getting it!

1 thing i noticed right off the bat was the antenna doesn't go up when the aftermarket radio is on. bad/loose connection or an actual problem with the antenna/motor?

 

The steering wheel is upside down!

 

please see post #6 and 7

 

I would say go for it, Its in really good shape. 300k on a auto is fine. The 250k is bullshit. When my car was still a automatic It had over 275k on the original tranny and I beat the **** out of it for 30k and when I took it out for a five speed swap it still shifted perfectly.
It looks like a one owner car! Its all stock minus the stereo so I bet its never been driven hard or raced

 

thanks blue! i did end up purchasing it today. got it for a little less then we agreed on due to some stuff that will need to get fixed (like the antenna problem i have).

 

its like mine
http://www.cd5tuner.com/vbb/showthre...4157#post64157

 

I have a HondaAccord. 1990.... while driving it up to gainesville this weekend..some of the electrical stopped. Like I could not get it out of park, it locked up ...the windows, the gage's stopped ...not a fun way to drive back to Tampa...no back lites. Or turn signals either.... I do not know much about cars ... so could anyone help me with this? So when I take to a mechanic I will not look stupid? Thnx. For any help!!

 

Threadjacker, check the fuses under the hood

 

the anttenna could be that its not wired in correctly, if you look at a wiring diagram theres a wire in the connector thats for the antenna and a wire at the adapter. Just wire it to the switched 12volt (red wire) and it should turn on (go up and down). Or you can do 12 volts to the positive wire and ground wire to the motor at the antenna.

 

cool. i'll have to check that out

ya lost me there! im in no way a wiring expert LOL! but i'll look around the intrawebs and see what i can come up with.

thanks for the replies guys

 

Blackbeast I was calling GreenEyedLady a thread jacker not you lol

 

yeah i know

this ain't my first forum rodeo