Topic: Bought a new old car!

[Straysheepie]

Or more accurately, paid the deposit for the car yesterday!  The private seller of the '00 Accord didn't get back to me so I went for a second look and test drive of the '99 Accord EXL coupe on the Vancouver Honda dealer lot on Saturday.

Decided to place an offer for the car Sunday morning, and I told my parents.  My Mom just said "Okay, I'll phone the guy" and I was like "What?  I thought we had to go there?  And I printed out the Black Book pricing and I was going to bring the Lemon-Aid book along, and..." and she just said she can phone him to see if he'll take or leave our offer.  Looking back on it, phoning in the offer was probably smart because the salesperson knew we could hang up anytime and we specifically said we had looked around for awhile and if our offer wasn't accepted we would go to Richmond Automall the next morning

Listed price was $16,000 and we got it down to $14,200 including timing belt and water pump change.  I took the advice from this forum and told my Mom to mention the timing belt had to replaced and try to get it included in the price (they threw in the water pump since apparently it's next to each other anyway), plus we had to pay for BCAA inspection, pay 2 taxes, etc. etc.

So we went to pay the deposit and I got a copy of Honda's own safety inspection and ICBC report.  I also ran a Carfax and it showed the car was serviced every 3-4 months until June '04.  I was surprised because Carfax doesn't usually show maintenance records.  I called for a BCAA inspection yesterday and they dropped by and stayed for an hour and a half according to the sales... got rated a "good" which is the best category they have.

The report did point out a few things to be done though, I'll list them here and you guys can tell me if it's horribly bad or not:

- weak battery (Honda will recharge after I mentioned it)
- "telltale signs of coolant seepage located at base of plastic housing off upper rad [?] hose to engine. Telltale coolant residue below area." (Sales said techs checked it and looks ok, but if I want the coolant can be changed for $79, worth it? And I thought they just had to seal the leak? A bit confused.)
- recommend a transmission oil change ($130 from Honda, $95 at one place my Mom called, she was trying to wrangle a discount from Honda today b/c they were changing the timing belt etc today so might as well do it there)
- misalignment at left rear tire (realignment $180 at Honda, even sales admitted it was excessive b/c of labour, will likely do this after I get the car somewhere else)
- "some oil around RR strut, currently enclosed with an rubber protective boot" (huh?)
- replace rear tires (is it okay to have mismatched front/rear tires? The front tire wear is 40/60% so should I just change all 4?)

Overall, I'm very happy with the purchase - I got a car loaded with more goodies than I thought I could get (love the seat heaters!), even though it wasn't even a car in contention at the beginning.  I'm also impressed by how knowledgable and friendly people are on the forums here, I probably would have walked into a used car dealer and purchased whatever looks "pretty" if I didn't pay attention to all the advice here! Someone mentioned the timing belt needing to be changed at 100k, and if they didn't I wouldn't have negotiated the change to be included - I wouldn't even know it needed to be changed!

Will put up photos in the next post, and I'll probably pick it up on Saturday since I have school the rest of the week.  At least it gives me something to look forward to!

[Straysheepie]

Hmm it won't let me use HTML code even though I have the enable HTML button checked, so here are the URLs:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/straysheep/1999 Accord EXL/accord1.jp g
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/straysheep/1999 Accord EXL/accord2.jp g

[Mdxtasy]

Congrats on the purchase Sheepie!  Sounds like a good car....a 6 year old car will require some work but a battery is minor.  The more technical people will chime in on the details of your report but from my limited knowledge, it doesn't sound like serous problems.  Good for you on getting the timing belt and water pump included.  It's a good thing to ensure the engine belt doesn't break and cause serious damage.  Can't wait for the pics...enjoy the car.  Good job on waiting and planning it out.  

[ovr50]

Stray - way to go - good for you. Thanks for the pix - it looks really good. Good job negotiating and getting some of the repairs included. I agree that the list of stuff to fix doesn't sound too bad but hopefully one of the more technical guys will add some comments. I would get most of the fluids changed and a proper front/rear wheel alignment done at an alignment shop. Leaking struts are no biggie but will need replacement at some future time probably.  

Good for you - enjoy your new car..

[Sterling]

Sounds like a nice car.

[Barrie1]

Congrats to you Sheepie, looks like a nice car. The battery is 5 years old now and possibly due for replacement soon. Budget $100. for that. The leaking RR strut is something to have looked at as it will only get worse. As long as the tires are the same size then you should be OK with replacing only 2 of them. I would use a alignment shop to do that work and also see a tranny specialist shop to service the tranny as well. Both should be cheaper at their own specilized shops. I would also visit a proper rad shop and have them change the anti-freeze as it is probably the original juice and due as well. They will examine the rad at the same time as replacing the anti-freeze and make sure there are no leaks at all. Most of these repair shops will be cheaper then the delership and these are the experts on their respective matters as well. Doing these things now will only prolong the life of the car and give you more driving pleasure and less repairs in the future. Nice colour as well.  

[davidy]

FWIW, Kirkland batteries are very inexpensive at Costco locations. Well less than $100 for a typical battery.

Check the tire tread depth. If it's less than 6/32 inch (2/32 inch is the legal limit), it's probably worth it for you to get a set of four new matched tires....you will need the added tire depth for the wet weather experienced in the BC coastal area...see tire forum for recommendations. A second set of wheels/rims/winter tires should be considered for winter driving.

Dave

[Winson]

Congrats Straysheepie. Thnx for the pics btw...

[ArticSteve]

The battery is nearing its life span.  Do not buy a battery at Canadian Tire.  Interstate Batteries are excellent.

I see the car came with a sunvisor for the sunroof.  That's nice.

Yes, I would get rad flushed, but this should be done at the time of timing belt change so you could have gotten a slight discount then because they are going to lose coolant anyways during the water pump exchange.  If rad leaks later on use a bottle of "Bars Leak" found at Canadian Tire. Matter of fact, carry one on your car (baby blue bottle).


Getting tranny flushed at Honda dealer absolute priority.  Honda dealer best for this because Honda uses an odd fluid type.  You don't want to mess around with a quick lube place or "Sal's tranny service" if you don't have prior experience with SAL.

The strut will run you 200 bucks (parts, labour, tax) and needs doing.

The only thing I don't like is the misaligned rear wheel.  That should have been the dealers problem.  Sales guys know nothing about repairs.  $180 for a fix wheel alignment that has obviously suffered from an impact is not outrageous.  Don't get new tires until that is done and get 4 good ones.  That will run you another 700.

Get the oil changed.  Brake flush is recommended as well if you have zero record of it.  It's been 6 years.  

I would also replace the air cleaner and install 4 spark plugs if you have no record of those being done.

Nothing unusal in spending 1500 bucks on a newly purchased used car.  After all, that is why the PO (previous owner) traded it in.

I like the style of that series coupe very much.

[ovr50]

Good points, AS, my only niggle is I think it will need 6 plugs, not 4...........

[Straysheepie]

Glad to hear the car is in decent shape, noted the things I need to fix The Honda dealer got back to my Mom today and said they could do the coolant, transmission oil change, and alignment for $350.  Does that sound reasonable?  We were supposed to reply today while the car was in their service centre but I can't tell if it's a good deal or not.  It's certainly more convenient to have most things done before I pick up the car though.

So assuming I do go ahead with the three things mentioned above, I have a few things left to look at:

- Where can I buy the battery recommended by Articsteve?  Will they install it for me as well?
- Looks like it's necessary to do the strut, where's a good place in Vancouver? And the rad leak/antifreeze change?  I can ask my Mom's mechanic to do it if it's not too specialized... he runs a body shop so I don't know which things they can service.
- Will most likely spring for 4 new tires, BCAA report says one rear tire has 25% and the other is "worn", so I'm wondering how long they can safely last?  Prefer not to get them right away since I have to fix the other things first.  If it's terrible in the coming spring rains, I'll change them - the car won't be a daily driver, probably 2-3 days/week in the beginning until I can get a parking pass at school.
- Things on the carfax report lube oil and filter change, fuel system serviced, air conditioning serviced, brakes serviced so does that cover some of the things mentioned?  Does a/c service = air cleaner replacement?

I should probably move this to the tech section eh?

[Saint11]

uh batteries aren't too hard to install by yourself.  

radiator leak is not too specialized.  

just drive to a busstop near sfu and take the bus the rest of the way!

[Hero]

I'll spend the $350 at the dealer and has it done with.
Battery:Can Tire is not that bad.mine usually lasts exactly like the warranty periodLike if it says 72 month.It willl self destruct in 73 month or 74 month.not bad for a 90$ investment.Costco's Kirdland(rebatched Interstate) may be sl cheaper.
Sam's Club's Interstate(not rebadged) may be sl more expensive than Kirkland's but Sams installed it free for you,do you have Sam's Club in BC yet?

[Shnak]

I agree with those that say that the wheel alignment is the dealer's problem. If I were you, I'd try my hardest to have them change the tires, replace that strut and align the wheels... when I purchased my CRV from a Honda dealer last year, I didn't have much troubles convincing them of putting on new tires... Personally, I'd require those things to be done if they want me to purchase their vehicle.

Although a good deal compared to what similar cars go for on auto trader, 14-15k$ is still a lot of money for a 6 years old car... You could've gotten a brand new Accent for that kind of money... think about that. So if I were you, I'd try to the new tires, strut and wheel aligned included in the deal.

Good luck!

[ArticSteve]

I'm just going to list everything as I think of them:

1.  Forget the battery for now.  Any car that sits around on the dealer lot will lose charge. I bet if that battery dies in the next 90 days the dealer will either replace for free or give you cost.

2. Don't fret about the rad.  It's either change it right now at the same time as the coolant flush or water pump or don't mess with it.  Generally, you can expect 10 years out of these plastic rads.  If you get a leak, use "Bars Leak" ONLY.

3. $350.00, I agree with Hero, let the Honda guys do this.  Coolant flush goes hand in hand with water pump exchange; Honda best for their tranny service, and as far as the rear "wheel alignment" (which I'm a bit troubled by), I think you are really better served to have this selling dealer repair this item in the event it is a bigger repair than expected and then they will be forced to chip in.  A reputable Honda dealer can't sell a car with a messed up rear wheel.

4.  Since Carfax acquired the details on the servicing then I assume they are in some Honda database somewhere.  It's great that the brakes have been serviced and the fuel filter and probably the plugs and air filter, but when?

That is the 69 dollar question.  It's always IF and WHEN with used cars.  Plugs, air filter, PVC valve, fuel filter are cheap items and easy to install.  Sooner or later you will need these.  If you can verify that they were done recently then you could leave them.  However, I suspect they were done halfway thru the car's life.

5.  Check for this.  Apparently on your model with automatic, Honda has an inline tranny filter kit that looks like it is about 30 bucks.  Make SURE that they install this with the tranny flush.  Be firm with the "service advisor" because they think most customers are stupid and they give people a lot of BS answers because they are either stupid themselves or are lazy.

Also, for your own health, there is a pollen/dust air filter in that car and after 6 years that thing will be black in colour from bacteria growth.  It has 2 identical parts (filters), is easy to install in Hondas and Honda dealer probably wants 50 bucks for both.  I took one out of a BMW that was 7 years old and it was absolutely horrendous.

Anymore suggestions and I will have you too depressed.  But this is a good car, not say an OLds Alero or some other similar disaster on 4 wheels and you can easily drive this car 400,000 km and another 10 years so look at it that way.

PVC valve is 5 bucks, Air cleaner is 10 to 20 bucks and is a 10 minute job one handed.  I would do at least that.

[Hashole]

Look at that, she finally bought the car
Congrats, take care of her and she'll take care of you!!! Enjoy

BTW my original Honda battery lasted a lil less than 7 years!! It was manufactured by Panasonic (said on the side when I took it out). I would get a good battery (not Crappy tire) before next winter.

[DriverJeff]

Sounds (and looks) like a pretty good deal.  Decent negotiation there too working in the timing belt / water pump (Honda typically mandates that they be done at the same time anyway so it's not really like they just 'threw it in' for you).  

A friend of mine had an identical Accord to that and she loved it.  Provided her with years of happy motoring as I'm sure this one will for you.

Good purchase!

[safristi]

Good advice Arctic,but i too am troubled by the price for a 6 year old Honda...$14,000 seems high even if it was a cherry wif a few mould spots......Hope all works out..if it is a done deal.....

[ovr50]

$14,000 is not out of line at all for that car at the West Coast, guys. Just the way it is. Ontario and Quebec prices are way cheaper.

[safristi]

WHAT!!! do the car costs go up with the leaky Condos..lock-step...soon be $100,000 fer a five year old Civic or an 80 YEAR OLD "Suzuki!!!"