heres the deal. my girlfriend has a 1990 accord dx with ~148Kmi. the body is in decent shape, minimal to no rust. however, because of her total lack of respect for the automobile and her very hard and fast driving style, the engine is done. due to a broken seal, one of the cylinders was flooded and is no longer functioning. perfrom a compression test on that cylinder and the gauge barely moves a mm. a second cylinder is fast on it's way to suffering the same fate. bottom line: the engine is done for. she has $1,000 to spend on whatever. her options are, buy a beater for $1K or less or swap out the engine on the accord and hope the body lasts as long as the new engine. here are my options:

1) an engine from a 1990 accord dx, just the core. no starter, alternator etc...w/ ~98Kmi. for $350 + $25 to deliver it to where i need it to be. has been tested and has a 90 day warranty.

2) an engine from a 1992 accord, just the core. no starter etc.. w/ ~90K mi. for $400 +$25 to deliver it. 90 day warranty

3) 1990 accord engine, w/ ~50K miles, no warranty, $75 shipping for $750

4) junk the car and buy a beater for $1K or less.

my buddy whos an auto tech will do the swap after hours in his garage as a side job, for $300. estimates it will take him about 10 hours to do this, so could take a few days.

i figure, even with 98K miles, should be able to get at least another 50K out of it, or a few years and by that time the body will be ready to retire anyhow. there are contingincies though, like when the engine is removed who knows what kind of shape the clutch will be in etc..meaning more money.

my question is this: based on the info given what would you do?

any opinions are appreciated. thanks in advance.

 

sell the car and get use the $1000 and the money from the car and get a civic

 

forget the accord motors...throw a prelude motor in there You'll be very pleased

But seriously, the first offer sounds the best...being that it is her year model make motor too right? and the tested and warrantied issue makes you rest asure a little too...so if the car doesn't run right...its your friends fault....lol jk. Good luck!


[Modified by civicboisi, 9:38 PM 4/17/2002]

 

I'd definitely put a new engine in it. You can't get anything decent for a grand.