Prioritizing Repairs, Luxury Car Edition

[The Critic]

This past weekend, I worked on a 2003 Acura CL Type-S. It was in for an oil service, inspection and window regulator. The current mileage was 148k.

After looking over the car, it was clear that it had seen better days. Aside from a remanufactured transmission at around 70k, the car had not seen any maintenance other than oil changes.

Here were the items that I found to be in need of attention:

- 105k/Timing Belt Service, not done
- Rear Main Seal, moderate leak
- Engine Oil Pan, moderate leak
- Rearview mirror, fell off and wiring harness needs repair
- Does not shift out of park, shift/lock issue - possible brake switch or fuse
- SRS Light is on, need dealer diagnosis
- Power Steering Pump, small leak
- Power Steering Fluid Level, low - suggest top off
- Cabin Filter, dirty
- Transmission Fluid, dirty - suggest multiple drain/refills
- Hood shocks, dead
- Brake Fluid, dirty
- Air Box, broken tab - still seals adequately
- Battery Tie down, missing
- Battery terminals, moderate corrosion
- Slight play when rocking tires side-to-side, may need inner tie rods - need further investigation
- L/R tire has severe cupping, suggest replacement and 4-wheel alignment
- Front & Rear Shocks, marginal performance

Upfront, I told her that walking away and getting another car should be seriously considered, but I think she's adamant about keeping it.

Therefore, I think I should do the timing belt service, replace the trans/brake fluids, replace the rearview mirror and brake switch, replace the cabin filter & hood shocks and keep an eye on the other items.

What do you guys think?

 

[The Critic]

Estimate on costs:

Timing Belt Kit - $300 (Genuine Honda Timing Belt, Water Pump, Drive Belts, Hydraulic Tensioner)
Spark Plugs - $60
Cabin Filter - $12
Trans Fluid - $80 (10 qts @ $8/qt for Honda DW-1)
Brake Fluid - $8
Brake Switch - $30
Hood Shocks - $65

Total: ~$600

 

[PandaBear]

1st stop: junk yard for parts.

 

[PandaBear]

There should be a way to paperclip the diagnostic connector so you can read the SRS code via blinking lights. I did that to my OBDII Integra and found out what was wrong (the computer), and get a replacement from junkyard for only $30.

 

[The_Jeff]

How's the paint? Does it still look good? Were the tires a name brand?

 

[KB2008X]

I'd say your proposed plan and repairs are reasonable if she wants to keep the car for a while longer. I would add the battery hold down if she wants to maximize the life of the battery and don't forget the cost of the mirror in the estimate.

What about the labor costs ? Is this a gratis side job to be done in your own garage for a relative or something ? If so I understand how that works, lol. How long does she plan to keep it ?

It's good to see that you're speccing Honda parts, that's wise. If your providing the labor for free or dirt cheap she needs to spend some of her enormous savings on quality parts.

As for buying a new car versus repairing this one, I think that is a smart play for some people, assuming that the engine, trans., and other major/expensive components have not been damaged due to the iffy maintenance. Those are good cars and can last much longer than most people think. If she's happy with it and just wants to keep driving it, I say good for her and more power to her.

 

[NHGUY]

They last forever,never need maintenance.Thats the Japanese mantra.This proves that even if you go by that theory,it will catch up with you eventually,just like any car would.

 

[JHZR2]

AT is still a liability. But the greater one is that they obviously don't care about the proper maintenance of their vehicle. 150k doesn't scare me, and with known and good history, spending good money for a car of that age/mileage is no big deal. But this doesn't appear to be the case.

I could probably overlook stuff like hood shocks, but letting a timing belt go that long is an issue. I could also probably overlook the SRS, since airbags are supposedly only good for around 10 years, but so many other issues??!?

You're right, new car is probably the best. This person may be the type best served by throwing their money away and fleecing a car, since it means assured maintenance and replacement before anything major.

My biggest concern is less of the car grenading (though it's on that path), and more of something going bad and causing a stranding situation. There's enough there to imply inability to maintain a vehicle or even check the manual, which is scary from a personal and vehicle safety point of view.

How much is the car reasonably worth, especially with that much wrong?

 

[Barkleymut]

If it were my car I would simply change oil and drive it till it was dead. Not many folks are going to dump thousands into a car with 150k miles.

 

[Rolla07]

What we tend to forget is that many luxury car owners dont take care/maintain their cars. I know many friends who bought used luxury cars that turned out to have multiple repairs..so much so that it would appear it was a lemon.

I guess it depends how much she wants to spend...if not much, change oil and tell her her car can and will die shortly..

 

[Mud]

Just fyi, you may want to check Rockauto on the T-belt kit. I'm coming up on the 105K belt change on the Accord and was going to get the Aisin kit that they carry at $181. It has Aisin, Koyo parts and Mitsuboshi belt, all OEM suppliers to Honda.
Kit contains belt, water pump, tensioner, idler/tensioner pulleys, gaskets/O-rings.
I like to do complete service, so including coolant, thermostat, serpentine belt, timing cover gasket set, balancer holding tool and couple other misc items it's about $350 for everything.
My free labor - PRICELESS lol

At 148K with what sounds like a neglected vehicle, unless the owner is willing to try to bring it up to par, I doubt it will last much linger without a major issue. Doing the belt may be a waste at this point, I agree with others about moving to another car - and this time maybe thinking about taking care of it!

 

[eagle23]

FYI Amazon has that same kit for <$160 with free shipping available. I bought one and had my mechanic install it a week ago on my Accord with 108k.

 

[The_Eric]

To be honest, I see most of the items listed as basic maintenance. Not sure why people are advocating to get rid of it? I've seen too many cars, just like that one go on to live a long life after some TLC.

For the pan and rear main leak, I'm not too sure I'd worry a lot about it. Even a small leak over time can look quite large. I would impress upon her to monitor/maintain the oil level as long as she can tolerate any spots on the ground.

 

[bepperb]

Your costs don't include labor. I guess I'll play along and pretend that's free.

I would certainly consider dumping your 650 and even new tires and an alignment... say 1500 for everything including the mirror. The only thing I probably wouldn't fix is the rear main seal. If the driver is happy with the car and it lasts another 15 months that's 100 bucks a month.... way, way, way, way, way cheaper than any other comparable vehicle would be.

I mean really it's just a long list of relatively easy fixes.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Estimate on costs:

Timing Belt Kit - $300 (Genuine Honda Timing Belt, Water Pump, Drive Belts, Hydraulic Tensioner)
Spark Plugs - $60
Cabin Filter - $12
Trans Fluid - $80 (10 qts @ $8/qt for Honda DW-1)
Brake Fluid - $8
Brake Switch - $30
Hood Shocks - $65

Total: ~$600


That total doesn't seem to have the anticipated repairs for alignment, tires and shocks (struts?); is this just a "get it back on the road for now" estimate? I'd be all over this estimate, if that was all it took to pass inspection. I know it's an 11 year old car, but I bet it's rust free. Most of that stuff seems piddling.

That said, I'd rather send a car to the junkyard (or off to a new owner) with lots of problems that I didn't spend money repairing. Nothing worse than fixing up a car only to sell and not recoup that money. Fix and keep for a few years, sure. Fix and trade in a few months? Nah.

 

[Danno]

Anyone worried about the transmission not reacting well to the fresh fluid and possibly grenading?

 

[Chris142]

Sounds like the cars i get. If the owner is like my customers she will deny any extra repairs until it leaves her walking. No safety inspection in ca so people dont fis steering or mirrors

 

[hypervish]

I'd be afraid of the transmission blowing up , again! But if it was remanufactured with upgraded parts (not sure if they did have any), then it'd be wise to put more money in it and keep driving it.

 

[zzyzzx]

Obligatory woman driver comment.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: hypervish
I'd be afraid of the transmission blowing up , again! But if it was remanufactured with upgraded parts (not sure if they did have any), then it'd be wise to put more money in it and keep driving it.


That is my biggest concern. The transmissions are a HUGE wildcard on these cars, even the "revised" remanufactured ones. I could get this car decent again and the transmission could fail the next day with no warning -- why is why I suggested the walk away option.