Help! What to buy: 2002 Acura EL with 80K km or 2004 EL with 94 km but rebuilt?

[audio90]

Hi, I've suddenly been in the market for an Acura EL. I'm considering two right now.

Black 2002 EL, single owner, well maintained and serviced. 84,000km. -OR-

Grey 2004 EL, from a dealer, is a rebuilt card, 94,000km. We examined the car (except for an mechanical inspection) and it seems fine. This is a newer model, sounds and looks great, body is in better shape. I would certainly take it for a full inspection, including the impact areas of the frame if I got it.

The price difference? The 2002 is probably going to be $2,000km lower and what I give up is really the climate control in the cabin and a body with a few more dings.

My biggest concern is really that the car will be problem free forever, which is hard to tell with used cards.

Both seem fine, the dilemna is which to get? The 2002 with lower mileage and with a known history of the car or a car 2 years younger but is a rebuilt.

Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated.

[anothers10]

First car. Less money, Less KMs and has not been smashed all to fuck

[G-ZUS]

:werd: it takes quite a bit of damage to write off an 04

[Disoblige]

I would take the first car because:

1) Lower mileage
2) Has proof of good maintenance throughout owning the vehicle
3) Lower price is a plus
4) Body might be a bit beat up but that won't hinder performance of the car. Those things can be fixed easily since its cosmetic.

[Redlyne_mr2]

No brainer, lower mileage clean car with no accidents. The 2004 will be impossible to resell in the future.

[texasnick]

Known History + Low km's + No accident > possible irreversible damage + low resale + high km's.

[Pahnda]

Buy a civic.

[audio90]

Hey, thanks for the reply.

I should point out, both have had accidents. The 2002 had a car hit it's front left side resulting in a replacement of that side door and fender. The left wheel axel got pushed it and got replaced. All by the dealer and insurance company, it was covered. I don't know if that makes it a bad buy or not. The transmission is supposed to go forever, right?

The 2004's accident was more from the car hitting something at it's front left, enough so to write off the car so it needed to be salvaged by the dealer to be repaired. I don't know it that makes it a safe buy or not.

[texasnick]

Auto Trans?

01-05 D17 auto tranny's are known for going bad at relatively low km's. The earlier years (like 01 and 02) are the worst for that. I have a d17a2 04 civic (same engine / trans as the EL) with 160,000 km and no problems so far....knock on wood.

It seems to be a crap shoot with these cars and their tranny's. Drive the cars and make sure they shift smooth....no jerkiness...also check that the "D" light doesn't blink after you start the car. It will normally blink on "Acc" but if it blinks once the car starts there is a problem.

Head gasket and timing belt are the only 2 other things I would look for. Make sure the timing belt has been replaced, and if it hasn't negotiate on the price.

The head gasket is going to be difficult to diagnose by the normal methods. due to it's design, it won't necessarily exchange coolant/oil like most cars. Best bet is a compression test. Just a word of warning though, the headgaskets in these cars are known for failure.

[Redlyne_mr2]

Are you able to find one that hasnt been crashed?

[preludez]

best car to buy...

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-Acura-1990-Acura-Integra-Coupe-2-door-gsr-vtec-5-speed-4000-only-W0QQAdIdZ153149256

[Disoblige]

Originally posted by preludez
best car to buy...

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-Acura-1990-Acura-Integra-Coupe-2-door-gsr-vtec-5-speed-4000-only-W0QQAdIdZ153149256

Whaa? Is that your car? ;)

[preludez]

no , am just trying to help him if hes looking a car for fun..


i think he drive that car for summer not in the winter..

[bjstare]

Originally posted by Pahnda
Buy a civic.

EXACTLY what I was going to say.

[da_rite]

timing belts on those cars dont need to be done until 160km so i wouldnt worry about it too much.

[audio90]

Hi Da_Rite.

The manual says 160km or 7 years, whichever is first. It's now seven years...any chance the belt will get dry and snap before 120-140km?