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NWDRVRBWE · 03-26-2008, 03:13 PM

hey,

im looking to buy a car from a friend i know. i was wondering if anyone could give me a few good pointers of what i should be looking for.

the car is a 1992 Honda Accord EX 2Dr. seller wants $3000 for it. has a body kit, racing stripe (although the stripe is irrelevant) new AEM air filter, engine has been swaped at about 80,000 miles, car probobly has 120-140,000 miles easy. straight piped all the way to the catalyc converter so its loud. also is wired for 700 Wattsfor a bass sub, has a small dent on the right fender (seller has part to replace). allready went on one test drive, car started great and drove nice. steering was a breeze, but im worried about the transmission...

if anyone knows about these kind of things i would really appreciate the information. i want to know if i should be looking for some major problems with this model of the car or if it is just an amazing car for the price...?

thanks

get_nick · 03-26-2008, 03:56 PM

don't buy it. sounds like riced out junk. check New Car Prices | Used Car Values - Official Kelley Blue Book Site for retail price.

BrutalB83 · 03-26-2008, 05:11 PM

Did he swap to a different motor or just another of the same? If it's just another of the same then that should tell you something. It probably means the car has been romped on and the original engine was trashed so bad that it blew up. I'd probably skip it if I were you...but it's your choice...

calmfornow · 03-27-2008, 08:57 AM

dont give him 3000 for it. offer 2000 and drive it first and test it all out, and then its up to you, obviously take to a garage also, but if he wont take 2000-2500 just walk away from it.....you will find another one

calmfornow · 03-27-2008, 08:58 AM

well actually 3 sounds good if the motor is in good condition, nd i looked at your post again and seen hes your friend, so as long as u can trust him go ahead, nd go to nadaguides.com and check the value of the car, might help you decide

nootrac22 · 03-27-2008, 09:19 AM

car should be worth about 2k with normal wear and tear, and said dent. I have a 93 accord (same gen) and have checked it out recently. what engine was put in the car? the f22 is one of the most reliable engines honda has made. That's the reason I looked for one as my dd. the only problems I've had with mine (200k) is distributer, which is an oem defect, there was a reccall in 96. other then that just general maintainence (axels, ball joint, exhaust ect). Also if it's an automatic check to see how well it shifts. they are too expensive to replace/rebuild which makes the car a junker, if it's your dd and can't afford the down time to do the work yourself. If it's manual transmission, you could do the clutch yourself with a chiltons over a weekend, with no experience.

BrutalB83 · 03-27-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calmfornow

well actually 3 sounds good if the motor is in good condition, nd i looked at your post again and seen hes your friend, so as long as u can trust him go ahead, nd go to nadaguides.com and check the value of the car, might help you decide

Meh...I wouldn't offer three with the way he's described it. Only if it was an H22 or H23 swap would I pay 3 grand or more for it. It also depends on the condition of the car...if the tranny is slipping like he said, then definitely not worth 3 grand. You have to remember that stuff like body kits, aftermarket parts don't really add to the value of the car...I would still be going off of NADA/Bluebook pricing...

get_nick · 03-27-2008, 11:50 AM

my advice, NEVER EVER buy a car/truck/house/dog from a friend/family. just trust me on this.

NWDRVRBWE · 03-27-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nootrac22

car should be worth about 2k with normal wear and tear, and said dent. I have a 93 accord (same gen) and have checked it out recently. what engine was put in the car? the f22 is one of the most reliable engines honda has made. That's the reason I looked for one as my dd. the only problems I've had with mine (200k) is distributer, which is an oem defect, there was a reccall in 96. other then that just general maintainence (axels, ball joint, exhaust ect). Also if it's an automatic check to see how well it shifts. they are too expensive to replace/rebuild which makes the car a junker, if it's your dd and can't afford the down time to do the work yourself. If it's manual transmission, you could do the clutch yourself with a chiltons over a weekend, with no experience.

you brought up the main point that im worried about.
since the car is automatic i dont want to buy it and then end up replacing a new transmission for the price i bought the car. However, when i drove the car the transmission was fine. there was one point when i stepped on the pedal that the transmission grabbed weird...? kinda jumped the car... but other than that there were no problems. i didnt really take a good look at the engine so i cant tell you engine type, that will probobly be my next move...

NWDRVRBWE · 03-27-2008, 02:45 PM

yeah, i also checked kelly blue book and it said somewhere around 3g's for it... but still the defects deffinently decrease the value... and the ones i told you of were only on the outside. there are some interior messups too. the handle to get out of the driver side is jacked (might be easy to replace?) probobly some others also that i didnt see in the back seat.

nootrac22 · 03-27-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWDRVRBWE

the handle to get out of the driver side is jacked (might be easy to replace?) probobly some others also that i didnt see in the back seat.

common and yes an easy fix

|Chaz| · 03-27-2008, 02:50 PM

Buying something from a friend is never a good idea. If it breaks or something goes wrong that makes things complicated. Just look on Craigslist for a few months, I'm sure you'll find something even better for the same price or less.

NWDRVRBWE · 03-27-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nootrac22

common and yes an easy fix

good. any idea on the pricing to fix that...? 20-30$??

NWDRVRBWE · 03-27-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Chaz|

Buying something from a friend is never a good idea. If it breaks or something goes wrong that makes things complicated. Just look on Craigslist for a few months, I'm sure you'll find something even better for the same price or less.

simply put,

very true.

nootrac22 · 03-27-2008, 02:53 PM

10-20 bucks and a half hour of your time. ebay is your friend.

NWDRVRBWE · 03-27-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nootrac22

10-20 bucks and a half hour of your time. ebay is your friend.

indeed.

hey you have any idea how to subscibe to catergories or whatever?

rickerino3 · 03-27-2008, 05:30 PM

id say it worth 2 maybe 2,500 if tranny shifts nice, but id start haggling at 2 and if he wont take it, find another deal. what motor was swaped in?

NWDRVRBWE · 03-27-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickerino3

id say it worth 2 maybe 2,500 if tranny shifts nice, but id start haggling at 2 and if he wont take it, find another deal. what motor was swaped in?

still trying to find out motor type, been busy lately.

BrutalB83 · 03-28-2008, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWDRVRBWE

you brought up the main point that im worried about.
since the car is automatic i dont want to buy it and then end up replacing a new transmission for the price i bought the car. However, when i drove the car the transmission was fine. there was one point when i stepped on the pedal that the transmission grabbed weird...? kinda jumped the car... but other than that there were no problems. i didnt really take a good look at the engine so i cant tell you engine type, that will probobly be my next move...

You wouldn't necessarily have to pay a couple grand for a new tranny. It's very possible that you could find one on Ebay or Craigslist. People pull them out when they swap to an H22 or swap to a manual and then sell them for cheap.

Even so, I still would probably skip it if you think it has transmissions problems. I've owned three different Accords, two of them reached higher mileage than this one you're thinking about buying. Never had any problems at all with the engines or transmissions (two autos, one manual).

The very fact that the transmission seems bad and the engine was replaced at 80k miles should tell you that the car's probably been beat on pretty hard. If a Honda engine is properly maintained then it should be doing just fine at 80k miles. Replace the timing belt and keep up with the maintenance and it should easily go 100k more.

03-26-2008, 03:13 PM	#1
NWDRVRBWE 502 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: kentucky Age: 16 Posts: 195 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 11	Buying a car soon, Advice is nice hey, im looking to buy a car from a friend i know. i was wondering if anyone could give me a few good pointers of what i should be looking for. the car is a 1992 Honda Accord EX 2Dr. seller wants $3000 for it. has a body kit, racing stripe (although the stripe is irrelevant) new AEM air filter, engine has been swaped at about 80,000 miles, car probobly has 120-140,000 miles easy. straight piped all the way to the catalyc converter so its loud. also is wired for 700 Wattsfor a bass sub, has a small dent on the right fender (seller has part to replace). allready went on one test drive, car started great and drove nice. steering was a breeze, but im worried about the transmission... if anyone knows about these kind of things i would really appreciate the information. i want to know if i should be looking for some major problems with this model of the car or if it is just an amazing car for the price...? thanks

03-26-2008, 05:11 PM	#3
BrutalB83 Crusher of Noob Ambitions Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oxford, MI Age: 25 Posts: 6,400 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 97 Integra LS Coupe Rep Power: 134	Did he swap to a different motor or just another of the same? If it's just another of the same then that should tell you something. It probably means the car has been romped on and the original engine was trashed so bad that it blew up. I'd probably skip it if I were you...but it's your choice... __________________ If you find something I say helpful, please rep it up! Also, DO NOT PM me with tech questions! Use the forums so we can all benefit from the answers. I will NOT respond to tech-related PMs... 97 Integra LS Coupe: AEM Intake/Megan Header/Magnaflow Exhaust Tokico Shocks & Springs Megan Strut Braces & H-Brace 98-01 Conversion (Front/Rear Bumpers & "Mesh" Alloys)

03-27-2008, 02:45 PM	#10
NWDRVRBWE 502 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: kentucky Age: 16 Posts: 195 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 11	yeah, i also checked kelly blue book and it said somewhere around 3g's for it... but still the defects deffinently decrease the value... and the ones i told you of were only on the outside. there are some interior messups too. the handle to get out of the driver side is jacked (might be easy to replace?) probobly some others also that i didnt see in the back seat. __________________ Rep's a B, Why have any? NWDRVR

03-27-2008, 02:50 PM	#12
\|Chaz\| Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington Age: 18 Posts: 2,250 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 92' EG Sedan Rep Power: 64	Buying something from a friend is never a good idea. If it breaks or something goes wrong that makes things complicated. Just look on Craigslist for a few months, I'm sure you'll find something even better for the same price or less. __________________ XBL Gamertag = i1Chad1i & i (space here)Chaz(space here)i


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03-27-2008, 08:57 AM	#4
calmfornow System Failure Racing Join Date: May 2007 Location: Zionsville Posts: 86 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 91 Accord LX H22A, 94 Silverado C1500 350, 95 Chevy Blazer 4.3 CPI Rep Power: 4	dont give him 3000 for it. offer 2000 and drive it first and test it all out, and then its up to you, obviously take to a garage also, but if he wont take 2000-2500 just walk away from it.....you will find another one

03-27-2008, 08:58 AM	#5
calmfornow System Failure Racing Join Date: May 2007 Location: Zionsville Posts: 86 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 91 Accord LX H22A, 94 Silverado C1500 350, 95 Chevy Blazer 4.3 CPI Rep Power: 4	well actually 3 sounds good if the motor is in good condition, nd i looked at your post again and seen hes your friend, so as long as u can trust him go ahead, nd go to nadaguides.com and check the value of the car, might help you decide

03-27-2008, 09:19 AM	#6
nootrac22 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: PA pocono mts Age: 32 Posts: 3,093 iTrader: 1 / 100% Ride: daily driver working on 92 prelude 4ws Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 103	car should be worth about 2k with normal wear and tear, and said dent. I have a 93 accord (same gen) and have checked it out recently. what engine was put in the car? the f22 is one of the most reliable engines honda has made. That's the reason I looked for one as my dd. the only problems I've had with mine (200k) is distributer, which is an oem defect, there was a reccall in 96. other then that just general maintainence (axels, ball joint, exhaust ect). Also if it's an automatic check to see how well it shifts. they are too expensive to replace/rebuild which makes the car a junker, if it's your dd and can't afford the down time to do the work yourself. If it's manual transmission, you could do the clutch yourself with a chiltons over a weekend, with no experience.

03-27-2008, 02:53 PM	#15
nootrac22 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: PA pocono mts Age: 32 Posts: 3,093 iTrader: 1 / 100% Ride: daily driver working on 92 prelude 4ws Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 103	10-20 bucks and a half hour of your time. ebay is your friend.

03-27-2008, 05:30 PM	#17
rickerino3 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 0	id say it worth 2 maybe 2,500 if tranny shifts nice, but id start haggling at 2 and if he wont take it, find another deal. what motor was swaped in?

03-28-2008, 05:36 AM	#20
awptickes Von Europa Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bel Air, MD Age: 20 Posts: 2,004 iTrader: 5 / 100% Ride: 1999 Civic EJ9, 2003 Civic EX Coupé Rep Power: 55

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Buying a car soon, Advice is nice