Used Car Buying - 2000 Accord V-6

[FusilliJerry82]

I'm helping a friend of mine shop for a used car, which I admittedly have little experience doing from a dealer (which she insists upon). She now has her eye on a 2000 Accord V-6 we saw that has 88k on it. I'm getting conflicting reports as to whether the timing belt is due at 90k or 105k.

My basic question is, is it unreasonable of me to insist that the dealer change the timing belt and water pump with purchase (It's a Toyota dealership)? Any additional general tips for the situation?

They're asking $7000 for it not including the 6 month warranty my friend insists on (~$700 IIRC). Do you think a counteroffer of including the warranty and timing belt for the same cost is reasonable, unreasonable or even still selling ourselves short?

 

[addyguy]

If it's an automatic, aren't those the Accords that have mundo transmission troubles?

 

[cchase]

I think $7000 sounds a bit high for a 2000 with 88k.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

$7000 for a 10 year old car? They must be nuts

 

[KrisZ]

Considering that the auto transmission in the V6 models have tendency to grenade at around that mileage I would not even pay $2k for that car, never mind $7k. If your friend really likes Accords, then look for and I4, the AT is solid on these models, but even then $7k is too much, try around 5000 and below.

 

[FusilliJerry82]

Anyone have a link to further reading on these transmission problems?

 

[expat]

What is the Book price on that car?
Find out and talk to your friend, explain How much she could expect to get for that car in 6 months or a years time.

 

[Chris142]

Before you go marching in there you need to do some research. Find out what the High blue book value is. Counter offer a crazy low price and work up from there.

You can always negotiate up but never down.

I helped a friend buy a car last year. High blue book was $10200. Dealer was asking $14,000.

I countered with $5000 and we met @ $7800 out the door including all taxes and what not.

It also helps to show up an hr before dinner time and to stay there till after closing. We were chewing on Jerkey I snuck in and the sales guy was eating junk food out of the vending machine.

After they spend several hrs on a customer they do not want to lose the sale. Plus don't let your self fall in love with the car or you will pay too much.

Thats where you need to come in. Since it's not your car you should do the price bickering and not the buyer.

Make sure that you are talking out the door price and not price before taxes and what not

 

[JayhawkRoy]

check out kbb.com, edmunds.com and nadaguides.com to get some pricing info. Whatever you do, I would negotiate the timing belt replacement and a 90K service as part of the deal. If not, knock off the costs of those services off the top of the asking price.

Skip the 6 month warranty. Based on Accord reliabiity, it is doubtful that this money is well-spent.

 

[SZR48207]

Stay away. Too expensive.

 

[newtoncd8]

Probably a good start ...
http://www.hondaproblems.com/Accord/transmission-failure.shtml

 

[kkreit01]

It is a Honda -- it's worth at least a million if used.

...or you could buy a 5 yr old Taurus with < 50k miles.

 

[MoparDak05]

Just FYI, I bought my '01 Accord EX w/ leather and every option but the V6 package with 104k for $6600 over 2 years ago. That is also with all service records at that dealership, timing belt/water pump and the rest of the 105k mile service done at 99k miles plus someone else looking at the car at the same time, so it was hard to talk him down anymore.

You might want to demand a lower price. Just my opinion.

 

[bepperb]

That car isn't worth 7700 with any warranty, and especially not if it doesn't have the timing belt done. 105k was the mileage on my 01. It was a good car, but that's a lot of cash especially since the belt/water pump will be another 800 bucks and who knows what else at this age... brakes, transmission... etc.

7 grand with the stuff done and the car is mint... maybe.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: bepperb
That car isn't worth 7700 with any warranty, and especially not if it doesn't have the timing belt done. 105k was the mileage on my 01. It was a good car, but that's a lot of cash especially since the belt/water pump will be another 800 bucks and who knows what else at this age... brakes, transmission... etc.

7 grand with the stuff done and the car is mint... maybe.


And that would be a big maybe.. I agree here. A 10 year old car no matter the low mileage which it has is still a 10 year old car.

I'd say closer if EVERYTHING was mint and belt was done it would be closer to a $4-5k vehicle. You could get a Taurus for $2-3k with around 100-120k.

Bill

 

[FusilliJerry82]

Hmm. I'm trying to talk her into a 2000 Metro now with 93k for 3500 list (prob 2500 or less actual). She only needs it as a commuter car and the Metro gets better mileage and doesn't have any glaring model-wide issues AFAIK.

Thoughts?

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: FusilliJerry82
Hmm. I'm trying to talk her into a 2000 Metro now with 93k for 3500 list (prob 2500 or less actual). She only needs it as a commuter car and the Metro gets better mileage and doesn't have any glaring model-wide issues AFAIK.

Thoughts?


You seem to be all over the place with regards the car you require (V6 Accord v Metro) PLEASE sit down, Do your home work, decide what car you/they are after, how much it should cost, Then pursue it.
There are lots of cars out there, buying a car is (for most people) not a trivial purchase.

 

[The Critic]

Accords from that area are not great buys from a maintenance point of view. The transmission will definitely grenade, costing you $2500 for a rebuild.

A proper 105,000 mile timing belt services with all new tensioners, water pump, valve adjustment, plugs, etc will cost over $1k.

 

[MoparDak05]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Accords from that area are not great buys from a maintenance point of view.


Maybe if you buy a V6 with one of the bad transmissions, but I've put almost 50k miles on my '01 2.3L (bought with 104k) and the only issue I've had was a wheel bearing.

 

[cchase]

(knock on wood) our 03 Accord V6 has had some strange problems, but the transmission hasn't been among them. I don't think it would stop me from purchasing a vehicle if it operates properly, but the price of the car is too high for other reasons.

I also think $3500 for a Metro sounds really high.