Okay so I'm going tomorrow to test drive a 1991 Integra LS Special. I'll tell you what I know is wrong with it.

1. Broken driver's side window from an attempted theft. I can get this fixed by a mobile window shop locally for 160 out the door, parts and labor.

2. One of the fuel injectors was leaking fuel but the guy is fixing it tomorrow before I come drive it.

3. Ac needs a recharge.

4. Interior seats have a few rips.

5. Car has a small dent on left side fender.

6. Salvage title.


That being said the guy is only charging me 1000 for it. It has HID's, is lowered already on coilovers and the body looks like for the year it's in fantastic shape. It's also my favorite car color which is Gray. It's a 5 speed and he claims the clutch is still good. Has a working CD player. Interior looks intact.

Another bonus is it's a stock car outside of an intake. So don't have to worry about it being raced or riced out.


Here are some pics.











So would you buy this for 1000 bucks assuming It drives well on the test drive, has no check engine light etc? My goal is to have a reliable DD that I can eventually mod. Maybe add a low PSI turbo to make it quick.

 

It would be a decent deal

 

Check the oil level, also check for oil leaks around the motor, ask when the timing belt was done etc. But overall, from what you said I would definitely pay a grand for it.

 

Okay so check oil levels and for leaks. Any way to tell when a timing belt is gonna go soon? From what I hear it's a pretty sudden event unlike a timing chain.

 

Oh one last issue I forgot to list. He's completely missing the window crank where the broken window is. Says the nub itself is missing somehow??? So would this be a cheap/easy fix? The window installers said they need a nub spindel for pliers but how can you replace that?

 

Junk yard maybe. ebay maybe. I would try to locate a complete window assembly in a junk yard. It would be the cheapest way. Less than 150.

I would offer $750-800 cash due to THE ISSUES....but I would buy it for a grand all day long. Reason is I can fix anything that is wrong with it.

 

Unfortunately I only know how to do basic things by myself so it won't be cheap for me ;(. I wouldn't even know what to grab from a junkyard really because most of the ones in Cali you have to pick the parts yourself. I wonder what this crank issue would cost to fix for a shop. I appreciate the advice though. Paint and body is pretty nice for a 91 right? You guys have any key weaknesses in the DA's to look for when I drive it tomorrow?

I know the obvious ones like overheating, going through gears smooth, smoke, smelling anti freeze, check engine lights etc but what are specific issues to high mileage DA's? For example when I was looking at CRX's I knew rust was the biggest issue.

 

Do what a lot of us do, research and do it yourself. A lot of us go by doing things blind and learn a lot from it. Good luck none the less.

 

Fortunately for you you have a great tool like honda-tech to help you. We all started somewhere. A window crank assembly is really easy. The hardest part would be making sure everything is straight and square so window won't fall of track.

When I was considering my motor swap. I added up about what it would cost to pay someone to do the swap and decided to spend the money on the needed tools to do the job myself. The money I saved allowed me to spend money on extras.

 

If there is not rust at thew rear wheel arches, [very common on older Honda/Acura] I would pay a grand for it even if there was no motor, finding a 91 without rust is like gold.

As has been mentioned a window and window regulator is easy to do, if you can turn a screw driver, you can replace the regulator and the glass it is about the easiest thing to do on a car, pretty sure it can all be done with a Philips screw driver a 10mm socket and ratchet maybe a "panel popper" to make pulling the door panel off easier.

You shold have no problem finding both the glass and the manual regulator at your local PicknPull...

Door glass - $27.99
Window regulator - $18.99
Window crank - $6.49

0ne - two hr. of your time, for around $50 you can do this yourself...
http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/...ystemcomp=List All&vinnoT=&trim=&trans=&view=normal 94

 

1 grand seems fine. but i would show up with $800 or so... money talks