hoping not to get ripped off - Honda Prelude Forum

rafy fool · 09-01-2011, 12:08 AM

i found a 00' for 4,900 , "supposedly" 7500 miles on it 5spd , from the picture it looks good and im planning on taking it to a honda dealer to look at it , anyone thinks that i might be getting ripped off?

Nighthawk01 · 09-01-2011, 01:28 AM

7,500 i would claim bull****.

75,000 I would think that something else would be wrong for the price to be that low

Get a carfax, inspect for water damage, check for rust in the rear quarters, look for any previous signs of damage from an accident, pick the car apart because it sounds like a great deal but it also sounds too good to be true.

Ask about the timing belt/tensioner/waterpump and other maintenance as well.

Rycon · 09-01-2011, 05:24 PM

Is it a base or a SH? Does it have the original engine?

usmcmarc · 09-01-2011, 06:12 PM

DAMN!!! What a find if it's true!

I'm guessing it's supposed to say 75,000mi...but even THEN it's pretty low.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nighthawk01

Get a carfax, inspect for water damage, check for rust in the rear quarters, look for any previous signs of damage from an accident, pick the car apart because it sounds like a great deal but it also sounds too good to be true.

^^^ Great advice! Carfax can help with all those pesky odometer discrepancies and accidents that aren't mentioned...it's not failsafe..but it sure is worth the $$.

omega329 · 09-02-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rafy fool

i found a 00' for 4,900 , "supposedly" 7500 miles on it 5spd , from the picture it looks good and im planning on taking it to a honda dealer to look at it , anyone thinks that i might be getting ripped off?

I am guessing you are from south Florida as well?

I don't own a Prelude yet, I am trying to get one (only 17) but I am trying to trade in my 98 navigator for one (gas gusler). (it is hard to find a 5g prelude that isn't too beat up for less than 3k)

If so then yes that Prelude LOOKS taken care of, has AEM CAI and I am pretty sure that valve cover is painted wrinkle black, and it looks like that is an after market header.... so it could have a complete aftermarket exhaust.

On my search I have researched some things to look for.
1. Look into getting a compression test, the tool can be purchased at sears for 35$ and I heard is fairly simple to do. The readings should be ~185 psi.

2. Check to see if the timing belt has been changed, and if the auto tensioner was swapped to a manual. The belt NEEDS to be done ASAP, but the conversion is optional, but I think is recommended if you do any engine mods other than bolt ons. I think the co version costs like 150$ in parts and can be done DIY.

3. Check the car for general suspension maintenance and oil leaks.

4. Have somebody drive behind you while on i95 and go into VTEC, watch for black/blue smoke.

5. Any problems use as leverage to talk the price down, GL, lmk how it goes.

Sick looking car, good luck with the sale, if it goes bad and you don't buy it please let me know what was wrong with it (so I can go talk down price to 2500$

.

Kronn 98SH · 09-02-2011, 06:33 PM

Rule of thumb: Only listen to people who know how to spell VTEC.

Nighthawk01 · 09-02-2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kronn 98SH

Rule of thumb: Only listen to people who know how to spell VTEC.

x2

- If I may add on; someone that actually owns a prelude and has read your original post to give a decent reply would be nice too.... unless i'm blind - I never saw this said picture of said car so idk what I missed here lol

omega329 · 09-02-2011, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kronn 98SH

Rule of thumb: Only listen to people who know how to spell VTEC.

Sorry, honest mistake... not a big deal, I was just trying to help out as seeing nobody else really said much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nighthawk01

x2

- If I may add on; someone that actually owns a prelude and has read your original post to give a decent reply would be nice too.... unless i'm blind - I never saw this said picture of said car so idk what I missed here lol

There was an AD for the exact specs of a 00 Prelude from the dealer for 4,900$ and 75k miles... I assumed since he posted this post on the same day the dealer had the AD. I didn't want to post a website link to the dealer because someone might have tried to steal the kill.

First hand advice is probably better, but this was just free info from an aspiring Prelude owner who has been searching for a while. The author would need to look into any of the pointers, but I was just trying to send him into the right direction. Please correct me if any of the pointers/advice was false...

S-LudeDan · 09-02-2011, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kronn 98SH

Rule of thumb: Only listen to people who know how to spell VTEC.

Saved.

Possibly will use it as a signature later on.

PreludeNmphs · 09-03-2011, 11:54 AM

@rafy fool = You also might want to take the advice you received in both your posts about this same car and combine them. I can only assume you are young and have no idea how to search this site. I thought all youngin's knew how to google?>?

@omega329 = sounds like you are serious about your quest. Good luck hunting.

Nighthawk01 · 09-04-2011, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omega329

First hand advice is probably better, but this was just free info from an aspiring Prelude owner who has been searching for a while. The author would need to look into any of the pointers, but I was just trying to send him into the right direction. Please correct me if any of the pointers/advice was false...

Gotta break someones balls to pass the time

You're on the right track man, most new guys would've flipped sh*t already lol