ok, so my girlfriends pregnant best friend just got her car reposessed. i was asked to help her find a cheap car . found a '89 accord dx 2 door for cheap, haven't gotten a chance to drive it yet because its too late but i plan on doing it tomorrow. what would be some key things to look for on the car ? i'm not very familiar with accords !! the price is very low so i'm thinking it may not run the best, are accord motors cheap if it needs to be replaced ? what motors will work for an inexpensive replacement ??

thanks for any help that can be provided !!

steven

 

is it fuel injected?....some were carb'd.....some had problems with the pop up headlights, but no big deal....then all your basic car things.....if you need a motor, then just find one like what came in it...shouldn't be expensive....good cars though....

 

i dont know about the FI thing yet .. i figured the headlights might be a prob. what motor is in it ?? .. i'm looking but haven't found the answer yet.

 

a20a3 if it's fuel injected....and i'm not 100% sure which years that some were carbeurated or whatever.....

 

yeah, its not fuel injected, its carbed. the only model getting fuel injection was lxi and then se the last year. i would assume the motor would be cheap since it is carbed .... anyone know the engine code so i can price em ? or anyone know appx prices ?

 

the one your looking at is a carb model .... and that is a a20a1 the motors are kinda hard to come by but your local pickapart usually has them i just bought one for 110.00


just to let you know the only one that had efi is the LXI model or the SE

 

thanks !! the carbs should actually make it easier to swap than the fuel injection correct ?

 

anymore help ?

 

hard parts are still kinda expensive. Master cylinders & such...nothings really cheap.

 

well if it is carburated you can always try cleaning the carb with cleaner and see if that helps out....also migt want to add a few bottles of carb cleaner to the gas.. when and if you decide to buy it.


check struts
CV boots
does it run ok?
how is accelleration?
does it make weird noises when going over bumps?
does it makes strange noises when turning?
does the heat work (A/C mostlikely will not be functional)
how do the tires and body look?
do all accessories work?
any leaks under the car
how does the engine LOOK

that is just a starting list........

if the headlight do not go up and down that is not a big deal...could be simple relay is bad, stuck linkage, bad motor


things I would do once you get it

replace oil
replace all filters
flush coolant
change tranny fluid
rotate tires