Looking at buying a 90 Prelude, any advice???

1990 Prelude with 72,000 miles. $3,200, Auto, all power.

I've never owned a Honda. Anything you guys could pass along as far as what
I might want to check before buying?
I believe it's an interference engine so when should the timing belt be
changed? What would that cost?
I know Hondas are very reliable cars but 14 years in New England (Mass) is
tough on cars.
I haven't crawled under the car yet to look closely.

This car is for my daughter, 3rd year of college, No money...... Her 90
corolla just got totaled, she still driving it until the end of July and her
sticker runs out.

Thanks for any info you can give me on this car!

Steve

 

Steve,


That is too much money for a 14 year old car. Even at Kelley Blue Book
the top end on that car is $3,000.

Make sure it is the fuel injected engine, which it should be if it has
the power options. If it is the B21 engine, those are notorious for burning
oil. My Prelude is a 1988 and has the B20 engine, so check with someone
about the B21 engines. A google search should tell you more than you need
to know.

If that car really has only 72,000 miles-- that seems so low. That
would equate to only 5100 miles per year. That car must still look brand
new. Check under that hood. It should look a lot better than your normal
Prelude of that era.
The timing belt will need a change immediately if it has never been
done. I do not care how many miles-- it has been 14 years. I would be
surprised if it is original. Factor the $400 into the cost.


You should be able to get that car for $2,700 or less. Unless it is cherry
mint perfect-- paint, seats, engine-- I would try to negotiate off that
price instead of $3,200.

Good Luck,

Matthew Brown
Memphis

 

Thanks, I agree with everything you said!!

Steve

 

You should also see how it was maintained. Service records are a
definite bonus, but on such an old car chances are there are none.
Preludes (as any other sports car) are usually driven hard, which is not
too bad as long as they were not abused. If they're driven hard and not
maintained, stay away from it.

Cosmin

 

Do you know about the edmunds.com online appraiser? Go to

http://www.edmunds.com/tmv/used/index.html?tid=edmunds.g.used.secnav.3.1.*

and put in the relevant information.

It seems to pretty much back up what Matthew said, but that's for my zip code,
which is nowhere near yours, and I made some assumptions about options and car
condition.

 

Besure to check the complete History of the car using the VIN before buying
the car.
cause 5k miles/per year is really low for a 14 year old car. ....

Here are some more tips:
http://www.samarins.com/buying/index.html

DO change the timing belt, also check the water pump (if needs to be changed
or not)

HN

 

good cars, not as quick as they put on. the 2.0 engine is very
advisable. with only 70,000 miles it should be able to do another
50,000 relatively easy.

ask for maintenance records.

-timing belt changed (should be done, if not have it done (~$250
including labor at dealer))
-clutch/tranny (slippage, grinds?)
-check belts/hoses for wear
-check axle boots for leaks/cracks
-change fuel filter, plugs/wires (if still OEM)
-if possible, have a friendly mechanic quickly check it out


sounds like the worst thing on any car in that area might be roadsalt
and rust.