jroger3

Hello every Im a newbie. I am going to buy a 1997 sh prelude with 129,000 miles on it. What questions should I ask and what should I do before buying this vehical? The car engine is stock... he modified the headers, exhaust and put a cold air intake on.

PS. It needs new paint in a few areas and tires. What do you think it's worth?

BBYlude

certainly ask to see the vehicle repair/maintenance history. If they can't produce it, well, that might say something...

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**Erik**

what_the...

Take it to a shop and have them check it out. They might charge you 70 bucks, but have them do a compression and leak down, check out the transmission, and generally look it over. Don't tell them you're looking to buy it, just tell them you want to know if there's anything wrong with it - that way they have incentive to find anything wrong with it they can. This'll be your purchase price leverage.

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Type-S Swap.

jroger3

Thanks thats a good idea!

Ezze

-Test Drive (clutch very slowly and see if you can hear anything squeaking, if so it will need a clutch eventually)
-Used Car Inspection (ON A LIFT by a mechanic)
-Car Fax
-Ask whens the last time the clutch has been replaced (if at all), cause thats going to be an expensive fix. If it hasnt been replaced theres a good chance it'll be yours to replace.
-Undercoating? (varies of course, depending where it was, but in Canada its very key)
-Dealer Maintained sticker is a good sign, if at all.
-ask if they have receipts for work thats been done
-I would never buy a car without seeing it/testing/having it inspected by a dealer
-PEOPLE LIE... you cant trust a seller... do your research & get it inspected by a pro... check under the wheel wells for rust...
-Age of owner (Young is a bad thing), how many owners
-Accidents? obviously
-Any body work been done & why? (if it needs it, its very expensive)
-If you know a mechanic have them test drive it, say you cant drive stick (in my case, i said Friend, who happened to be a 7 year honda mechanic, opps, lol... he also inspected mine on a lift and found many little things, which I used to bring the price down, not to mention I walked and when I went back with a final offer they got most of the things fixed)
-If they claim HP , ask if they have a dyno... intakes are useless on a 5th gen (stock is better imo)


I spent 10k on my 5th gen (2001, 110kms), very good deal in Canada, considering most used dealers try to get 15-18k for em. I got the blackbook value of it, which is what a dealer would have paid for an excellent conditioned car. I think its the red book in the states... might wanna check that out too...

Wasnt there problems with that year 97? I am not sure...

Do your research

p.s: The car is heavy, incase you had plans to do anything serious.

nbimprtlude20

97 with 129k miles, I cant see it being worth more then 3,500-5,000...

Semaj1919

there was the grind in 5th gear for the 97s.

vtcolin

kelley blue book says $6,500 in excellent condition, $5,980 in good condition, and $5,260 in fair condition for private party value.

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