I have a colleague who has a low mile (27k mile) 1998 Integra. She knows I'm a car guy, so she asked me if I might be interested in it. She lives about a mile from work and has another car - this is why the mileage is so low. I've known her for about ten years and have seen her take the car to work daily. I've looked at it a few times, but I can't determine the model. I believe it is a GS. It's dark green with lace wheels, rear spoiler, sunroof, tan leather interior and a 5 speed. The exterior is fairly clean with some grime on the rims and a few minor door dings. The leather inside is perfect and rest looks fairly clean - although I think she has smoked inside it. She has replaced the clutch and exhaust, but I don't think that Acura did the work.

I'm a gearhead who's owned everything from muscle cars (89 LX 5.0, 01 Cobra, 14 Challenger RT) to euros (03 V8 Jag S-type, 07 328Xi) to rice (85 & 88 Preludes, 91 240SX, 01 TL, 06 V6 Solara, 15 Corolla S). I was in college during the mid to late 90's and truthfully, if I wasn't, this would have been the type of car I would have bought during that time period. I am seriously interested, but I don't know what price range I should be offering. It's tough finding these cars with low mileage to compare. KBB lists it around 4500, as does NADA. Does 5000 sound like a fair offer?

I believe these things have timing belts, right? Given the time period, I'm guessing this would be a good thing to change out. How much should I be expecting from Acura? My TL ran me about 1500 for a belt change. Anything else I should be looking for? Thanks in advance for the input!

 

i'd get some proof of the 27,000 miles aka 44,000 km's, either way it's a les desirable trim a non-vtec engine and tan interior. But if that isn't an issue look at the body for rust that's a much bigger concern with these cars than mechanical issues, you can obviously swap a new engine in. Rust is a whole other beast are you just looking for a cheap car to drive in the winter/daily? some pics would help. Real km's or not KBB etc prices rarely transfer over to real life there's always un-foreseeable factors, even with the F250 I bought I saved a considerable amount over what kbb said it be from the ford dealer even.

 

Is she the first owner? If not and still I'd definetly do a carfax.

Yes these motors have timing belts, even though your within the 90k change interval. You are past it in years, the belt is rubber, rubber breaks down over time. Timing belt is first thing I replace on any honda car I get, along with a full tuneup. But I suppose you can go a while before the belt change. If the belts show no signs of fraying, and or tire like wear.


Edit: If you can't do it yourself you're gonna get a hefty bill. Call around to your local shops, when I couldnt do it myself on my integra it was like 450 and I brought the parts.

 

I'd pay 3500 with the imperfections if everything checks out on the carfax.

And I'm with the guy above me, any Honda I've purchased I've put a new timing belt on. Then tune up. Cap, rotor, plugs, wires, fuel filter, oil and filter. Run a little injector cleaner through it if you feel so inclined.

I'd buy something like this and enjoy it for what it is. If you want a high performance Acura/Honda, there are plenty of more desirable models, but that's not to say that you couldn't find joy in driving this as the luxury/performance car that it was in the 90s.

Good luck!