Topic: Used Honda Accord 2002 - Need Advice

[navpaul]

I found a seller that is offering a 2002 Honda Accord SE for $4600 (I got him to lower it from $5500). It's used about 99k km. The condition is good, no rust, super clean interior. I'm kind of worried about the km's it seems quite low but I'm new to purchasing used car. Can I can get tips on buying a used car and whether this is a good deal. Thanks in advance

[Fobroader]

14 year old car with basically 100000Km....hmmmm....that might have lived a tough life of being grandmas bingo transport and Im serious about that. Short trips where the car doesnt have time to warm up are very hard on the car. That car would have needed an oil change per year, did it get that, was is neglected due to its low mileage?? I'd take a good look at it and go take it out on a high speed route and floor it a few times to see if there is any smoke coming out of it.

[navpaul]

The car is in excellent condition and doesn't look neglected at all. It's a private sale so how would I go about driving the car for a test drive? I doubt he'd let me test drive it. Also, forgot to include that he's including 3 winter tires with the rims

[Fobroader]

The car is in excellent condition and doesn't look neglected at all. It's a private sale so how would I go about driving the car for a test drive? I doubt he'd let me test drive it. Also, forgot to include that he's including 3 winter tires with the rims

Ive test driven any car Ive bought privately, buddy will just want to come with you. 3 tires and rims??? uhhh.....car has 4 tires right?? 

[navpaul]

The car is in excellent condition and doesn't look neglected at all. It's a private sale so how would I go about driving the car for a test drive? I doubt he'd let me test drive it. Also, forgot to include that he's including 3 winter tires with the rims

Ive test driven any car Ive bought privately, buddy will just want to come with you. 3 tires and rims??? uhhh.....car has 4 tires right?? 

I don't know I find it sketchy its only 3 but maybe one of them got punctured? Does the price seem reasonable tho, I'm new to buying used cars so I don't know if it's too high.

[Fobroader]

The price is more than fine for that low of a mileage. I would still get a Carfax or title report to make sure its never been written off or in a major accident. That is really weird about the winters though...even if he got a puncture or shredded the tire, he should still have a 4th rim.

[neil]

Carproof NOT Carfax.

Car fax is absolutely garbage in Canada. 

Lots of short trips, meh, it's a Honda I would get a buyers check, and go for it.

[Fobroader]

Carproof NOT Carfax.

Car fax is absolutely garbage in Canada. 

Lots of short trips, meh, it's a Honda I would get a buyers check, and go for it.

Yeah...thanks...always get the two mixed up. Carproof.

[navpaul]

How do I go about getting a CarProof do I ask the seller to get one and pay him for it if I end up buying the car because I don't want to buy the carproof and not buying it could make me waste my money. Thanks for your help. I think the price is good and I will most definitely question him about the missing wheel lol

[Fobroader]

Either get the VIN of the seller and get it yourself or get him to provide one....what are they, $30 or 40 bucks, on a $5k investment, its worth it.

[tooscoops]

for sure invest in the carproof.

the three tires is odd as all hell. most likely (since it's on rims), it curbed/potholed and damaged the rim and tire. but if it's steelies, easy enough to buy one wheel and tire for 150 bucks to match.

deal seems good. for the test drive, what i suggest is bring your dr. license, a copy of your current insurance, ownership (if you happen to have a car now) and leave copies with them. if they have a big issue with that, then they really shouldn't be selling a car privately.

[navpaul]

for sure invest in the carproof.

the three tires is odd as all hell. most likely (since it's on rims), it curbed/potholed and damaged the rim and tire. but if it's steelies, easy enough to buy one wheel and tire for 150 bucks to match.

deal seems good. for the test drive, what i suggest is bring your dr. license, a copy of your current insurance, ownership (if you happen to have a car now) and leave copies with them. if they have a big issue with that, then they really shouldn't be selling a car privately.

There are some alloy honda wheels on the car plus 3 additional winter tire steel wheels which I can buy one more of. Thanks for your help and thanks to everyone else to

[neil]

good luck!

[roch12]

These cars are very reliable if they are looked after well..  I have a 98 Accord with 350,000 kms.

The price is a bit on the high side I think..

Is this a one owner car? If it is not, I would be a bit more suspicious as it would be rarer for 2 owners to drive very little kms.
Get the service records and verify mileage.

It has a timing belt that needs changing 7 yrs or 168 km, whichever comes first and is about $900.  The second change maybe due in a year depending on when it was put on the road for the first time.

Check the brake lines and gas lines for signs of rust.  If you are not familiar with cars, get it checked by a mechanic.
You don't want to overpay and get a repair in 3 months.
Hope this helps..

[Great_Big_Abyss]

I would certainly take the car to my mechanic to have it checked up on before buying it.  If the seller won't let you either test drive or do that, walk away!

IF the car checks out mechanically, then it could turn out to be one hell of a deal to find such a low mileage example of a 12 year old Accord!