Topic: Acura Integra GS

[andru67]

I'm in the process of purchasing a 1999 Acura Integra GS (88000 km).  The current owner informs me that the vehicle was purchased in the US. I don't know if the fact that the car comes from south of the border if I should be concerned?

The car (from my verbal conversation with the seller) is registered with the MTO.  So I will be able to get a vehicle history for at least 1yr.  Should I be requesting a vehicle history for the time spent south of the border?

If everything pans out to be legit with the vehicle, I'd like to ask for your review of this vehicle (known issues)?

Thanks,

[barrie1]

Welcome to the Forum Andru67. Not sure how you would get a earlier report on the vehicle from the US but if it is registered here then it has been inspected and passed our laws. One of the other Folks who know this model will be along shortly and will be glad to assisst you.

[andru67]

I appreciate the information and the hospitality.  Looking forward to hearing what the other forum members have to say re: this.    

Cheers :-)


Cheers :-)

[articsteve]

You can buy a CARFACTS over the net with a credit car if the original serial number is still on the dash as the net is all US based.

I am always a little cautious about US cars for sale in Ontario.  It could be very ligit, but it also could be a salvage vehicle.

Is this a private sale?  Do you know the seller?
Is the mileage counter in kms or miles?  What about the daytime running lights?

Lots of complications.  Guess you are getting a great price?

As for the car, well it's a Honda and nothing in particular is bad on those units.

You should have the car checked out throughly.

[Mdxtasy]

I'd try for a full history before considering a purchase like this.  Is this guy the original owner?  

[andru67]

Hi Guys,

The car is owned by the girlfriend of the gentlemen who I've dealt with.  His girlfriend made the purchase from the brother of her good friend.  She has been in possession of the vehicle for 2+ years.  The car is registered with MTO, so I’m assuming that the vehicle passed our laws?  

Articsteve & Mdxtasy, you bring up some very good points and I will investigate them before sealing the deal.  As for the remark about me getting a good deal, I thought I was, but now I'm having second thoughts.  They are asking $12,900 o.b.o; is this a good deal?  Also, the odometer is in miles, I was told the car had approx. 55000 miles, doing the conversion to Kilometers it worked out to roughly 88,000 km.  Should I be concerned that the odometer is in miles not kilometers?

Interesting turn of event just placed a call to another private sales person selling an Acura Integra (mileage 50000 miles).  Had a quite a lovely convo. with this individual, basically he’s a car jockey (not sure if I’m using the right terminology).  He was delivering cars from the states to be sold here in Canada.  At the time of my call he was just about to deliver a Lexus ?? to a client.  Mind you, this isn’t the guy that I intend to make the purchase from, but never less it’s kind of one in the same.

News flash -- just received the VIN# JH4DC4463XS008637 of the vehicle I’m thinking of purchasing.  Also, I was just made aware of whom the vehicle is registered to (the wife’s dad); I do believe this will pose a problem with the sale?  Based on this and my convo. with the car jockey, I’m having second thoughts about making the purchase.  Should I walk away from this or continue on with my research?

Thnx

[articsteve]

Depending on your location, I would look around some.  The trader has many better deals.  Your deal sounds too complicated and too many drivers and too many unknowns.

[Roadrunner]

Unless you have been doing extensive research on these vehicles and know what to expect in the way of taxes or liens? complications could arise making this a nightmare. Personally I would not go through with this.
From reading what you have discovered, there is a whole lot of grey areas.

[Roadrunner]

Somewhere on this forum someone posted the toll free number to call to find out the info you need. I'll see if I can find it. Or perhaps someone else here knows where it is.

[Roadrunner]

Andru67
Here is the link: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/rgoutcan.htm

[Sterling]

Integras aren't that hard to find. What makes this one worth the hassle?

[WW]

Yes, like what articsteve said, this car has too many unknowns. If I were you, I'd ditch this one and find another good one.

[andru67]

I've come to a decision; do to the uncertainty and the over all risk associated with this vehicle, I am no longer going to spend any more time researching it.  

I'd like to thank all my new on-line friends for their assistance in helping me make the right decision.  I'm sure I'll be calling on you all once again for your insight & opinion.  

P.s. Is there any on-line sites (other than Auto Trader) that I might be able to find great deals on cars, please do tell.  My price range is $5000 - $10000 (I'm willing to go as high as $15000); the vehicle I seek is an import (Honda, Acura, Toyota, etc...), year and mileage range 1997 - 2000 and 80000 - 100000 km.

Cheers :-)  

[articsteve]

Depends on where your at.  In the Toronto area you can try www.torontostreetracing.com  Sometimes some fairly normal ricers in there and for the most part sold by enthusiasts.

[johngenx]

RUN away from that car.  RUN RUN RUN!  Why bother?  It's not like it's some rare collector's car.  It's just an Acura.  Let him find someone else.  It might work out okay, but unless it's a SCREAMING deal (which it's not) I wouldn't go near it.  Lots of MB buyers got burned by buying US and Euro cars during the 80's, and found little support from their dealer, difficulty in registering, and so on.

[WW]

Exactly! And an Integra is not really that hard to find or something exotic.

[andru67]

Thanks Articsteve for the URL.  

Once again, thank you all for the insightful info.