Hiiiiiii. I have a 1997 Honda accord ex that, according to my mechanic, needs about $3200 worth of work (that includes labor). I don't want to put $3200 I into it as I'm pretty positive at the max it's only worth $2000. But I could be wrong. A handy dandy person that works on cars could probably put $1000 into it and get it back to good (or better condition). But I'm not that person. As such I am going to try to sell it on Craigslist. I just want to make sure I get the most I can for it! Or in the alternative if you think all the work that needs to be done is excessive or that I was misquoted on cost of the repairs and you know of a place they can be done cheaper let me know!
It's been in a few fender benders. I have record of all work ever done on it. It's got about 144,000mi on it. I have a guy who will give me $1200 cash today. Is that good?

Any advice/insight would be appreciated! Thanks!

Here's the Craigslist posting. It's an EX not LX though
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3265880908.html

9/12/2012 9:06:29 AM

i would start with more pics..

9/12/2012 9:08:04 AM

It would help if you told us what work the mechanic said is needed.

It would also help if you didn't delete the craigslist posting that you hotlinked not even 2 hours ago.

9/12/2012 10:49:38 AM

maybe she got her asking price

9/12/2012 11:03:22 AM

Quote :

"It's got about 144,000mi on it. I have a guy who will give me $1200 cash today. Is that good? "

Eesh I hope you didn't take this. If the thing will start up and roll down the road it's probably worth more than this.

9/12/2012 11:13:20 AM

there's really no point in trying to determine what she did or why. it'll just make your head explode

9/12/2012 1:19:39 PM

.

[Edited on September 12, 2012 at 2:13 PM. Reason : .]

9/12/2012 2:06:37 PM

Text of ad: all things needing fixing are listed I think. Timing belt, heat shield crack, two new tires, front and rear struts, oil leak, etc

Great car for someone who can work on Hondas.

So here's the deal: after taking my car into the mechanic, I discovered my four-door automatic four-cylinder 1997 Honda Accord LX needs a good bit of work. A little about the car. I got the car (am the second owner) in 2000 with about 30,000 miles on it. It has been a local Raleigh vehicle since that time. The car now has 143,500 miles on it. It's a green model, with all the bells and whistles--power locks, front seats, windows, moon roof, cd/tape player, leather interior. All of the powered things work perfectly.

I recently went to have the car inspected, and it didn't pass because of an engine code and lack of tread on the front tires. The mechanic discovered that the code is due to a faulty speed sensor (the speedometer sometimes doesn't work). I also had him give the car a thorough inspection because it had not had one since about 100k. The car needs a few parts. Radiator hoses, timing belt, transmission fluid flush, thermostat, gasket, radiator cap, valve cover gasket, spark plugs and wire set, distributor cap, radiator button, pcv valve, two front tires, right front upper ball joint, front and rear struts, timing belt, cam seal, crank seal, oil pump seal, ac belt, and catalytic converter heat shield (it is broken and makes a rattle).

All of the parts the car needs will cost less than $1000. To pass inspection, it only needs the two front tires and speed sensor. After those are replaced, you can pass inspection and drive the car. The car runs well and has been being driven regularly up until it was taken to the mechanic two days ago.

The exterior of the car is in pretty good condition. The paint is still shiny, but will need a wax and once over with a clay bar. There are some minor blemishes here and there, but for a 16-year old car the paint job looks very good. The interior is pretty good. The tan leather has no rips, but one of the seams in the back seat has come apart (about 4-6 inches) and needs to be resown. The door handle frame housing on the driver's door is broken so the actual metal lever is not secure, however it still works and opens the car from inside no problem.

So, I don't have the tools, time, space, or know-how to do all of the repairs myself, and paying my mechanic as much as the car is worth is not something I am prepared to do. All of the parts to fix the car into resale shape would cost about $1000 and take a couple full days of work to do. This car, with this many miles, is valued between $3000-$4000 (kbb and NADA, respectively), and I have seen several comparable Accords sell in the mid-to-high end of this range, leaving a potential profit of about $1000.

9/12/2012 2:12:45 PM

You listed the timing belt twice. Hope he's not charging you double!

All of that stuff can be lumped into the category of "timing belt" or "tune up" except for the tires and the suspension stuff (struts and ball joint).

I would have the speed sensor and heat shield rattle fixed so it can pass inspection, get the car detailed, fix the upholstery then take about a bazillion pictures to show how beautifully you have maintained this cream puff because most people don't care about the mechanical stuff anyway unless it is something annoying like a rattle.

Anyone who can work on Hondas is going to replace all of the hoses and fluids anyway, so I wouldn't even mention that. To answer your question on how to get the most $$$ for this car, I would wait until early next year when people get their income tax refunds and have money burning a hole in their pockets and word the ad thusly: "immaculate honda accord, just getting broken in - at 150,000 miles this car is only halfway there! My mechanic says it just needs a timing belt and a tune up but it still runs and drives beautifully and needs absolutely nothing for you to take it home today!!! $5000"

9/12/2012 3:35:19 PM

If it has been in a few fender benders you should list which panels (if any) have been replaced and/or repainted.

9/12/2012 3:49:08 PM

Say I want to sell it as is? I mean Kelly blue book for it in good condition is only $2400 or so. And clearly my car isn't in good condition. I feel like its still take $1000 to fix the necessary stuff which seems like too much to put in? I am not handy. No handy friends. So assuming I could get a mechanic that charged me 40 an hour I'd still be putting a lot into a car that isn't worth much?? I don't know. I was all set to dump it & now I have cold feet.

9/12/2012 3:59:13 PM

You should be able to get at least $1500 out of it with mileage that low. I don't trust KBB for cars like this.

9/12/2012 4:05:49 PM

$800

9/12/2012 4:07:46 PM

Ok thanks! I'll try for $1500.

New bumper and passenger side door from 2 separate wrecks. I have paperwork on that. I just don't know if I wanna put $1000 into a car that's worth 2. I just don't know.

9/12/2012 4:43:36 PM

A quick search of completed listings shows that http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-Honda-Accord-NO-RESERVE-/230848555151?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item35bfa5688f even wrecked ones sell for more than $1600.

9/12/2012 5:06:03 PM

^^ Yeah the point is it's worth more than 2/2.4, especially with the mileage that low

9/12/2012 5:46:51 PM

^,^^ thanks!! That's what I was looking for!!!!

9/12/2012 6:32:48 PM

Quote :

"heat shield crack"

omg dealbreaker

9/12/2012 6:43:14 PM

go get two used tires, fix the speedo thing and keep driving it.

The rest of that stuff is the mechanic blowing smoke up your ass. It doesnt need new hoses, gaskets, thermostat, radiator cap, plug wires, distributor cap, struts, cam seal, crank seal, oil pump seal, ac belt, or valve cover gasket. I have a 94 accord and all of those parts are still original on on mine and I have over 250K on it. The timing belt on these cars needs to be replaced every 90K miles. Hopefully you had it done at 90K, so you wont need a new one until 180K. Last time i had that done I paid $650 and also had the water pump and a few other things replaced while they had the car apart. The fact that he told you to replace the timing belt, but not to replace the water pump shows how big of a lying idiot the mechanic was. You have to get down to the water pump when replacing the timing belt on these cars, and you may as well replace it while you have spent all that money on labor to get it apart.

these cars are bulletproof, easy to work on and run forever. It isnt worth the small amount of money you will make to sell it. That being said, ill give you 1000 for it, fix it and drive it for 200,000 more miles.

wtf is a radiator button?

[Edited on September 13, 2012 at 8:24 AM. Reason : \/ thanks, i figured that might be what it was, but google was of no help]

9/13/2012 8:16:47 AM

(Cap)

9/13/2012 8:22:32 AM

No timing belt :/ also had a diff mechanic say he's never seen a timing belt break on these cars unless liquid (water, oil, etc) is leaking (mine is) & causing it to fray. And I think the catalytic converter ish has to be fixed to pass inspection. The bumper is also falling off but that's an easy fix - I've done that before.

I realize I don't need everything he said dOne but I'm under the impression the big stuff (tires, timing belt, leaks, heat shield) would still be pricey, no? And if I don't replace the ball joint won't my tires just keep getting worn down? Serious inquiries!

9/13/2012 10:02:29 AM

You should have replaced the timing belt over 50,000 miles ago. You are already on borrowed time. Those things don't last forever you know. Timing belt replacement is something you have to deal with on 75% of the cars out there so unless you plan to only buy new in the future just get it done.

You do not need to replace a catalytic converter heat shield to pass inspection. All it does it shield the underbody of your car from the intense heat it gives off while being used. A cracked shield doesn't hurt it's functionality. It merely creates a rattle.

9/13/2012 10:14:30 AM

Thanks!! I'm glad it's just a (really annoying) rattle. Yeah I know, re: timing belt. I guess it's probably also worth noting I'm not planning on hanging onto this car forever. I was already looking around at cars. Though I wasn't planning to get a new (to me) car right now - within the next few months I would regardless of my car. So now that it needs fixin I am torn about what to do!!

9/13/2012 10:51:33 AM

seeing that you did not replace the timing belt at 90K, i retract my offer. That shows that you probably did not do any maintenance and have neglected the car.

My new advice. Put two used tires on it ($50) get the speedo thing fixed, clean it and list it for $2500. Somebody will bite at that price.

9/13/2012 12:22:15 PM

^

9/13/2012 12:26:26 PM

is this interference engine?

9/13/2012 12:46:45 PM

It is an interference engine.

khcadwal, whether you keep or sell the car have the timing belt REPLACED! If it snaps it will ruin your engine and you will have to pay a princely sum to get that fixed.

[Edited on September 13, 2012 at 1:10 PM. Reason : h]

9/13/2012 1:09:54 PM

Quote :

"you probably did not do any maintenance and have neglected the car"

Quote :

"Sex: F"

uh, yes

9/13/2012 5:43:34 PM

I'm not driving it right now! No worries on snappage for the moment. I think I'm selling it to one of the many mechanically inclined folks who have viewed it. Poor car I will miss you! But I've had it for 13 years so we had a good run!

9/13/2012 8:39:30 PM

dont take less that 1800 for it

9/14/2012 7:24:02 AM

this thread reminds me of the 94 camry I bought on here for $800. It needed a radiator, cap, hoses, and a flush (all but the flush done on the side of the road where she left it). changed the plugs, wires, fuel filter, clutch and resurfaced the flywheel and drove the shit out of it til I got tboned.

the girl just bid against herself lowering the price over and over. even insurance gave me $3300 for it

9/14/2012 8:01:10 AM

Relevant:
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/09/how-to-sell-your-car/

9/14/2012 2:15:27 PM

Insurance generosity compared to what you paid is surprisingly common. While not as much of a gain as your example, I had a '91 Crown Vic that I paid $1800 for in 2001. When it was totaled due to an engine fire later that year, the insurance check was for $2800. Profit!

Seriously though. Don't screw yourself by undervaluing the car. In your case you might want to start at something like $2400 and be willing to take in the neighborhood of $2000. It's a Honda, it's got reasonable to low miles for its age, it's well-optioned. If someone can do the work needed themselves or through an acquaintance/favor mechanic for $1k, then they've just gotten a $4000 car for $3000. You don't have to sell it to the first person who walks along with cash in hand--while being 50k miles over the timing belt interval is dangerous, and therefore you don't want to hang onto it like that for another 2 months, the odds of anything happening in the next couple of weeks are relatively low. YMMV.

9/14/2012 2:39:32 PM

I want to jump on this thread instead of starting a new one:

'96 BMW, 328i, Automatic, 184k miles, Black with Tan Leather

I wouldn't say excellent condition, but much better than average for a 16 year old car. A couple scratches in the leather, scratch here and there on the paint. Car was re-painted about 3/4 years ago....so the outside looks really good. I've replaced a ton of parts over the past couple years, so not too much else that needs to be worked on.

Kelley Blue Books says $3,300 for excellent condition. I'd like to get at least $3,000. What are my chances on Craigslist? And if not that route, what do you recommend?

[Edited on September 20, 2012 at 7:14 PM. Reason : .]

9/20/2012 7:05:43 PM

at that mileage and age, repaint is nice, but mechanical maintenance is more important (to an informed buyer at least).

cooling system replaced? if so when?
shocks? RTABs? FCB? RSM?
diff fluid?
auto fluid?
PS lines not leaking?
02 sensors?

if car is mechanically sound and has not problems NOW, but none of this stuff was done in recent history, expect to get $2k from somebody who is half familiar with e36. somebody who knows these cars WELL would give you 1.5k.

if all the stuff was done and maintenance is up to date $3k is not out of reach, especially since it was repainted. $3300 if you find a sucker.

hope that helps.

9/20/2012 7:17:32 PM

I mean...since its hit 120k, I've replaced a ton of shit and spent a decent amount of money on it.

So although its at 184k...it's got a ton of new stuff and is definitely not falling apart.

Only part that I'm personally not happy with is the suspension/shocks are a little loose. But I live downtown and drive on shitty roads on a daily basis so I really notice it.

I think I'll list it at $3,300 and plan on bargaining.

9/20/2012 7:23:07 PM

If your suspension shocks/struts and bushings are still original they are already well past their designed lifespan. If I was buying a car with that mileage still on it's original suspension I would knock my offering price down a bit. What was said above sounds pretty realistic, though I am by no means an expert on anything BMW.

Good luck with the sale.

[Edited on September 20, 2012 at 11:17 PM. Reason : k]

9/20/2012 11:17:09 PM

Quote :

"If your suspension shocks/struts and bushings are still original"

They aren't. A good car owner would keep all their document from the work and repairs they've done to their car...but I am not that person. I try to keep it, then I throw it away after a year or tow. But I've replaced AT LEAST the shocks and bushings on the front of the car and I'm about 99% sure I've done the same with the back...just don't know when.

Thanks for the well wishes.

9/21/2012 6:10:46 AM

what kind of gas mileage do you get? got pics?

9/21/2012 8:53:13 AM

High 20s on the highway (I can easily go over 400 miles on a 15.9 gallon tank), around 20 in the city. Here are the pics I posted on craigslist.

Also comes with a surf/kayak/paddleboard rack. Couple hundred dollars worth that I'll throw in if wanted. Easy to take off if you don't want it. Figure that's a benefit down here in Charleston moreso than a place like Raleigh.

9/21/2012 9:30:14 AM

nice looking car man. you've done a great job maintaining it! shame about that transmission though

9/21/2012 10:49:54 AM

I do what I can. I like manuals...I just couldn't do it all the time.

Just had a dude look at it...brought his fucking diagnostic checking thing-a-ma-jig. Said something with the valves kept coming up. So I'm gonna take it by the Beamer place on Monday, and if everything checks out....$3,300 straight cash!

9/21/2012 2:47:30 PM

Hell yeah!

yeah I'm a glutton for punishment. Nothing but manuals for the last 13 years for me, including my time in NYC.

9/21/2012 3:02:00 PM