Should I fix my Lude?

Hey all,

I know that many people post asking if they
should fix their old cars. I'll be naive and
say I think my situation is special...

1987 Prelude S (Dual Carburated) Manual Trans,
no air, no power steering. 217000kms, runs
good, gets about 10kms/Litre = 24 MPG (US Gallons)(could be a little
better, but its all
city driving) Done the clutch, alternator,
thermostat, and thinking about doing the water
pump soon. Timing belt replaced at 200000kms.

BUT, as I live in Winnipeg (or Winterpeg as it
is sometimes affectionately called), its rusty.
It hasn't been too bad, but this winter was not
good to it.

Got a quote from a body guy, $1500-2000 to cut
all the rust out (sunroof, roof, wheel wells,
doors, trunk, and filler neck, all are pretty
much surface rust, no perforation, except for
the filler neck, which is rusted right out, a
common problem on preludes and accords of this
vintage)

So the big question: Spend $2000 for another 2-
3 years outta the car, OR

we have the option to buy a 1990 Cavalier (2
door) with 103000kms and in really good shape
and saftied for $1000.

This is my girlfriend's car, I once said I would
break up with her if she drove a piece of
detroit junk, but its a hard sell to say she
should spend $2000 on her 18 year old honda
(which she loves).

Any opinions out there?

t

 

what if you just did nothing as far as the looks, and just drove it til
it fell apart? it should last another 2-3 years regardless, if the
mechanicals are sound. then take the money you saved, and put it toward
another honda.

 

I'd drive the Lude into the ground and use the savings to get a new Echo
Hatch. A 4k downpayment while taking advantage of the 2.9% financing
incentive, will result in finance payment of approximately $250/month for 4
years.

The 87 Lude is 4 generations behind the times, it's time for an upgrade. The
Automotive industry has been making huge progress with their automobiles.
The cost of an entry level model from 20 years is about the same as today's
entry level cars (which are better equipped) and will return significantly
better economy (not to mention emission). The 87 Lude is a great car (I
drove it for a bit, back in 87), but it's not worth keeping considering the
rust factor and the huge improvements in automobile industry over the last
few decades.

....Toyota will need to keep the Echo Hatch competitively priced, since the
new Korean products will tear a chunk out of their ass. So, the market for
entry level cars is bound to get better. If the Honda Fit comes to Canada,
the more the merrier...

Pars

 

dont they offer the scion line of cars up there? id rather have an xA
than an echo hatch. same engine/platform, but the xA has 4 doors,
standard A/C, power locks/windows, pioneer am/fm/cd/mp3 (over 100 songs
on one CD!, 15" wheels, and a whole complement of TRD approved goodies.
all for under $14k USD.

to replace a 'lude, id likely go with the Tc, which is a celica sized
hatch with a camry engine. thats bout $16kUSD. damn nice combo! im not
really into "sports" cars, tho. too bad honda cant make an integra with
the accord 4 cyl in it, badge it as a "cheaper" honda, and clean up.

id seriously go that route, but my 98 hatch runs/looks great, has been
"free" to drive since '01, and just turned 49k miles. i just cant
justify it.

 

Nope.
But we get Smart cars!

 

were supposedly going to get em too, eventually. but by then the honda
jazz will be out. decisions, decisions...

the smart actually seems like a safe car... like youre riding in a roll
cage.

 

Yup. And 10 bucks worth of Diesel fills it.

 

Except if you're in california (s.f. bay area) where diesel fuel is
2.99 per gallon at the moment.

 

Yup It does...
But you can't open your mouth wide enough when you gasp for air should you
need to replace 1 single little tire. Imagine if you need to replace the 4
of them. You will need to accumulate a zillion miles to save enough in fuel
to justify the difference.

 

Uh are you asking should your girl friend drive a rusty 18 year old Honda she
loves or a 15 year old Chevy? (which I find hard to believe isn't rusty as
well.) The answer is easy, drive the HONDA! You'll end up spending more to
keep that Chevy on the road. The chevy is about due to have its transmission
replaced. And GM products in general are not very good cars. So if the Honda is
in good mechanical shape fix it other than the body fix it up. Or as someone
else said just let it rust in peace and save the money for a newer car latter.

I have the same dilemma with my 1991 Accord. Fix the rust or not? I think I've
decided to fix it. If I can get another 3 or 4 years out of the car that would
be great.

Dean

 

prolly be more like $20 worth, now. LOL.

 

dunno. what size does it use?

 

2 sizes: 145x65 15 front and 175x55 15 rear

 

2 sizes: 145x65 15 front and 175x55 15 rear
Incidentally it takes 22-25 liters to fill up when empty depending on how
long you've been driving w/ the low fuel light on.
That's more like $20.00 Can. not 10 but you do get well over 500 Kms out of
that.
Mike

 

Might as well grab my golf cart and go for a ride...

 

Next to the S2000, the RSX-S is perhaps the best 4 cylinder engine in mass
production. Consider that the 2006 Civic Si will have a version of that
engine and probably sell for about $17KUSD. If so, it should do well against
the Tc, especially in the arena where manual tranny is a must.

I'm hopping to squeeze another 2 years and 130,000km out of my 98 Civic
Hatch without any major repairs (like a clutch job). It's already got 230k,
so I'm not going to take any bets...

Pars

 

dont they offer the scion line of cars up there?

It's suppose to be very sure footed in the snow (The traction control system
most be the real deal). It's too bad that it doesn't come with a standard
tranny and the width is too narrow for those of us who are extra wide. Also,
the poor quality of N.American's diesel fuel can be an issue with such a
high strong engine. I bet Toyota could make a vastly better version of the
smart car, given there refinements with Hybrid engines and ability to
produce lightweight but strong chassis.

Pars

 

depends what you classify as major, but we did
the clutch on the 87 prelude for $150 canadian,
and about 6 hours of grunting...

t

 

Wow - I had a 87 Prelude. I LOVED that car. Back when I was single.
Sounds like you have almost driven it into the ground, might as well take it
to the end. Going to a 1990 Cavalier would be a mistake.

 

It always pays good, when you're doing your own grunt work. It's too bad you
can't get the same kind of deal on the body work.

Pars