Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Are you sure that this car's mileage was actual when you bought it, and that nobody rolled it back?
I couldn't confirm, but interior wear and tear was consistent with the mileage. Usually seat bolsters, pedals, steering wheel, etc. will be more worn on a higher mileage vehicle.
The brake rotor problem may resolve itself.
Here again, the rotors are not all that expensive, and you're looking at a one-time repair.
The labour is the problem with the rotors. The steering knuckle has to be removed, and the rotor pressed off of the bearing assembly. Thanks, Honda.
How bad is the rust?
The rust is just starting around the rear wheel arches (under the trim), but has also started at the bottom of the wheel wells in front of the rear tires.
What does the car look like underneath?
Good, overall. No noticeable rust on the flat surfaces of the underside.
If the rust isn't that bad, I'd fix the brakes and the distributor.
You've already done some expensive stuff, like the T-belt, the exhaust and two sets of tires.
Also, ABS might or might not have prevented the rear-ender.
If the car is structurally okay, I'd fix it and drive it for a while yet.
Also, in my original post, I neglected to mention some smaller "nickel and dime" issues: Vibration at idle (probably motor mounts, but possibly trans mount which is vacuum actuated), intermittent cold idle issues (probably IACV).
Still not sure what to do. One piece of me says to find a 0% financing deal on a new entry level car (Elantra/Civic/Sentra/whatever based on reviews, etc.) and keep it for its useful life.
Or, keep the accord and patch it up as needed until something major goes wrong. I do have the '09 Escape as well, so I'm not without a reliable car for longer trips. I'm just not comfortable compromising on the safety performance (ie. brakes) of the car my GF drives. If I keep the accord, it is getting the brakes done, and I don't have the space to do the job myself.
Complicating this whole matter is a possible career change coming in the next few months, which would partially disrupt my income for 6 months. I could still handle the new car payments, but I'd rather not complicate that situation unnecessarily.
I'm leaning toward keeping the Accord. Meh.
Are you sure that this car's mileage was actual when you bought it, and that nobody rolled it back?
I couldn't confirm, but interior wear and tear was consistent with the mileage. Usually seat bolsters, pedals, steering wheel, etc. will be more worn on a higher mileage vehicle.
The brake rotor problem may resolve itself.
Here again, the rotors are not all that expensive, and you're looking at a one-time repair.
The labour is the problem with the rotors. The steering knuckle has to be removed, and the rotor pressed off of the bearing assembly. Thanks, Honda.
How bad is the rust?
The rust is just starting around the rear wheel arches (under the trim), but has also started at the bottom of the wheel wells in front of the rear tires.
What does the car look like underneath?
Good, overall. No noticeable rust on the flat surfaces of the underside.
If the rust isn't that bad, I'd fix the brakes and the distributor.
You've already done some expensive stuff, like the T-belt, the exhaust and two sets of tires.
Also, ABS might or might not have prevented the rear-ender.
If the car is structurally okay, I'd fix it and drive it for a while yet.
Also, in my original post, I neglected to mention some smaller "nickel and dime" issues: Vibration at idle (probably motor mounts, but possibly trans mount which is vacuum actuated), intermittent cold idle issues (probably IACV).
Still not sure what to do. One piece of me says to find a 0% financing deal on a new entry level car (Elantra/Civic/Sentra/whatever based on reviews, etc.) and keep it for its useful life.
Or, keep the accord and patch it up as needed until something major goes wrong. I do have the '09 Escape as well, so I'm not without a reliable car for longer trips. I'm just not comfortable compromising on the safety performance (ie. brakes) of the car my GF drives. If I keep the accord, it is getting the brakes done, and I don't have the space to do the job myself.
Complicating this whole matter is a possible career change coming in the next few months, which would partially disrupt my income for 6 months. I could still handle the new car payments, but I'd rather not complicate that situation unnecessarily.
I'm leaning toward keeping the Accord. Meh.
