Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
I've been looking for a 2-door 2003-2007 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder for quite a while now, and I finally found one (a 2003) that doesn't seem outrageously overpriced. I'm going to check it out tomorrow to see if everything checks out. The owner claims it's very well maintained, 3k OCIs with Mobil 1 since new and has no quarter panel rust (big issue here in MI). The price is very reasonable, since it has 236,000 miles (mostly highway). 220,000 were put on in the first 7 or 8 years and it was then only driven in the summer and stored winters. The timing chain and water pump were recently replaced as were the brakes/rotors. The owner also claims that everything in the car works and nothing is wrong with it. Any thoughts on these cars and if I should just avoid it like the plague? The price is low enough where I can afford to pay for it with cash outright and not have to mess with getting a loan. My Integra needs a lot of work, so I'd only plan on using the Accord for the summer, putting on maybe 5-7k a year and using my Integra as a winter beater until it finally goes kaput. Any opinions/anecdotes/etc. would be greatly appreciated.
I haven't bought a car in quite a while, so I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing. I should mention that they're asking $4,200 but I'm hoping to get it for closer to blue book ($3,800)
One thing about high-mileage cars. They are rarely lemons. They also tend to have had consistent maintenance. On a low-mileage car, maybe there's a lot more life in it, but maybe it was neglected (cars used rarely tend to be neglected) or maybe it was unreliable so it sat in the garage. With a careful detail, the low-mileage neglected or lemon car looks like a creampuff. For a high-mileage car, what you see is what you get. Maybe its worn out of course, but you have a fair chance to assess that in the test drive.
I suppose its different with a Honda, but high mileage cars are a drag on the market and pricing services tend to understate that. No way would I pay more than book. If you are not an anxious buyer you can probably get it for less.
I'm not desperate and I know which particular cars I'm waiting for. I've already turned a few down because of how picky I am about the condition of my next car. I saw one that was nearly flawless. Low miles, reasonable price, well maintained, but it had a bit of quarter panel rust starting so I passed on it. The quarter panel rust is my biggest concern because of how difficult it is to fix (nearly impossible). I learned this the hard way. If this one has any major issues or rust in the rear quarters, I'll walk away. Even if nothing is wrong with it, I don't plan to pay more than retail for it. I doubt I'd pay more than $3,800.
