i was looking at a white 98 prelude with 95k miles. its 5 spd, clean title looks really nice from the outside. The guy will sell it to me for 8900 but the thing is he hasnt done any major tuneups since he got the car (2nd owner). The oil is really dirty, the timing belt needs to be changed (which is like 400 bucks). The tires need to be replaced b/c they have close to no thread left (another 400ish bucks), theres a small oil leak in the engine (AAA guy says it should be like 120).

So basically if i buy the car i'll haev to do 1000 dollars worth of repairs. The car looks extremeley clean otherwise. Do you think this is a good deal or should i wait for something else to come along?

 

wait and get something else

 

Thats is Pimpin tight!! I love the little air hole in the front bumper. Major props if thats your car.
But yea dude with all of those problems with the car for 8900.? No way i would talk him down to like 6K. I mean i got a 89 prelude with a "Blown Engine" for 250$ and well comes out that this mechanic i know says that the pistons had a little bit of water in them, i needed a new radiator and a new starter so and the car is perfect outside and in. I know its nothing compared to a new lude but for the price. You damn straight i picked it up. Hope i can say damn on this site.

 

anyone else have an opinion? do u think this is a good deal or am i gettin ripped off. what if i could get it for 8700?

 

Check NADA.

 

yeah i'd wait on that. find someone who has maintained theirs more consistently. i waited till i found the perfect one (meaning i passed up many a seemingly good deal) and am totally pleased. patience.

or just buy it i don't know.....

 

Hell no you shouldn't buy it, you can get a phat *** ride for 8900 that doesnt need any repairs, I bought a 93 si with a blown motor for 1000 bucks and spent under a grand for a new motor and i got a nice looking car for under 2 gs minus other **** I bought for it, just wait and find something better

 

you should talk him down by however much the repairs will cost.

if he doesn't want to go lower, leave it, but it's definitely worth a try - when confronted with 1000$ worth of repairs necessary, most people will drop in price at least some.

 

if i can get him to sell it for 8500, do u tihnk i should do it?

 

No, you don't want to spend that much money on something that you're going to have to put a lot of work into. Trust me.

After the car has about 75000 miles on it, it is not how many miles are on the car, it is how well the car has been maintained. Like you said yourself, it has not had any major tune ups. The way a mechanic tells what type of shape the car is in, is by it's oil and dipstick. You said the oil was really dirty, doesn't sound good to me.

 

my friend bought a celica(dont ask me why) that was worth 7 grand by bringing 4500 cash down and laying in front of him saying "take it or leave it", and they took it, so if you have cash id bring in like 5500 and say, this is all i have, take it or leave it, or just wait, dont make impulsive decisions, youll jsut screw yourself over

 

i wouldnt they key in gettin a car is patience of your not patient youll regret it shiit i got my 89 240 for 800 and another 3k ill have sr20 and full suspension itll be haulin ***!!! wait youll find another nice one thatll come across u

 

wait for one that has been taken better care of, engine wise.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kablamo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you should talk him down by however much the repairs will cost.

if he doesn't want to go lower, leave it, but it's definitely worth a try - when confronted with 1000$ worth of repairs necessary, most people will drop in price at least some.</TD></TR></TABLE>

exactly

 

id say go for it...if it was about 8,000...i got my 99 auto with 71k miles for 6700...although mine was salv because of a previous accident...so far the car drives fine and im quite happy with it

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Albeezy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i was looking at a white 98 prelude with 95k miles. its 5 spd, clean title looks really nice from the outside. The guy will sell it to me for 8900 but the thing is he hasnt done any major tuneups since he got the car (2nd owner). The oil is really dirty, the timing belt needs to be changed (which is like 400 bucks). The tires need to be replaced b/c they have close to no thread left (another 400ish bucks), theres a small oil leak in the engine (AAA guy says it should be like 120).

So basically if i buy the car i'll haev to do 1000 dollars worth of repairs. The car looks extremeley clean otherwise. Do you think this is a good deal or should i wait for something else to come along?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Small oil leak? Where?

Timing belt service (with water pump) will cost you closer to $800 (parts & labor) on a 5th gen.

Along with that you 'll also need to have the following done/replaced: rotors, brake pads, brake fluid, spark plugs, air filter, oil change, valve adjustment and the tranny fluid - you'll also want to know whether or not the wheel bearings need to be replaced as well as what condition the shocks are in.

Also, my org clutch went around 80,ooo miles - the one on that car may be on its way out - which will be another $500 (parts & labor).

You're looking at putting another $2000 into the car - easily.

I wouldn't buy it - I'd look for a seller who has been more mature and responsible with their maintenance.

My car has 146,000 miles on it, and I have every oil change, service and spark plug change written down (inc. receipts for most).




Modified by bb6h22a at 2:05 PM 8/16/2004

 

I wouldn't rush into purchasing a car. I bought a 4th gen with a blown motor for real cheap. Too cheap. I've spent 2-3 grands fixing this guys mistakes. When you're buying a car, you also have to "buy" the owner. I didn't trust the owner but assumed he wasn't a total ricer but he was, and I've spent a lot of money to fix his is handyman's specials.

 

no way doggy, dont do it.

 

Don't do it man, look elsewhere.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bb6h22a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Small oil leak? Where?

Timing belt service (with water pump) will cost you closer to $800 (parts & labor) on a 5th gen.

Along with that you 'll also need to have the following done/replaced: rotors, brake pads, brake fluid, spark plugs, air filter, oil change, valve adjustment and the tranny fluid - you'll also want to know whether or not the wheel bearings need to be replaced as well as what condition the shocks are in.

Also, my org clutch went around 80,ooo miles - the one on that car may be on its way out - which will be another $500 (parts & labor).

You're looking at putting another $2000 into the car - easily.

I wouldn't buy it - I'd look for a seller who has been more mature and responsible with their maintenance.

My car has 146,000 miles on it, and I have every oil change, service and spark plug change written down (inc. receipts for most).


Modified by bb6h22a at 2:05 PM 8/16/2004</TD></TR></TABLE>

wow thanks. i never knew it'd be that much. now im realy glad i didnt buy it. thanks a lot guys