Topic: Buying a 10-12 year old car in Montreal - need advice!

[me_2]

Wife can drive the stick, I can't Got my first license less than 2 years ago and only learned the automatic.

62k kms, $14K, 2018 manual Sentra. Time has come to plunge and learn how to handle a stick

https://www.autotrader.ca/a/nissan/sentra/sorel-tracy/québec/5_61196256_20201105160327964/

or same price, a 2017 EDIT no A/C, 65K kms https://www.autotrader.ca/a/nissan/sentra/st-eustache/quebec/5_60907122_2004121663853706/?

[Blueprint]

Wife can drive the stick, I can't Got my first license less than 2 years ago and only learned the automatic.

62k kms, $14K, 2018 manual Sentra. Time has come to plunge and learn how to handle a stick

https://www.autotrader.ca/a/nissan/sentra/sorel-tracy/québec/5_61196256_20201105160327964/

or same price, a 2017 c/w A/C, 65K kms https://www.autotrader.ca/a/nissan/sentra/st-eustache/quebec/5_60907122_2004121663853706/?

I owned a 2008 Sentra manual for 7 years - bullet proof car, still looked like new in 2015. The key is the transmission!

[2JDM]

Wife can drive the stick, I can't Got my first license less than 2 years ago and only learned the automatic.

62k kms, $14K, 2018 manual Sentra. Time has come to plunge and learn how to handle a stick

https://www.autotrader.ca/a/nissan/sentra/sorel-tracy/québec/5_61196256_20201105160327964/

or same price, a 2017 c/w A/C, 65K kms https://www.autotrader.ca/a/nissan/sentra/st-eustache/quebec/5_60907122_2004121663853706/?

Wow those are cheap. I wonder if they have any claims.

[me_2]

As Blueprint said before: "... another trick is to look for vehicles that most people here don't really want - namely domestics and anything with a stick.."

-
Both seem to have no claim on their respective Carfax online:

https://www.hondasoreltracy.com/used/2018-Nissan-Sentra-id10338140.html (one owner)

https://www.hgregoire.com/used-car/nissan-sentra-2017-for-sale-14546010
EDIT no A/C as per dealer website...

[Blueprint]

Wife can drive the stick, I can't Got my first license less than 2 years ago and only learned the automatic.

62k kms, $14K, 2018 manual Sentra. Time has come to plunge and learn how to handle a stick

https://www.autotrader.ca/a/nissan/sentra/sorel-tracy/québec/5_61196256_20201105160327964/

or same price, a 2017 c/w A/C, 65K kms https://www.autotrader.ca/a/nissan/sentra/st-eustache/quebec/5_60907122_2004121663853706/?

Wow those are cheap. I wonder if they have any claims.

The "S" models are pretty basic with no a/c (despite saying the 2nd one has it). So no air + stick = good price.

Edit: look for all-black HVAC dials as a clue that a Sentra has no a/c. SV + stick are the sweet spot, or the current gen S (with a/c) - you can get a '22 for $18-19k.

[PJungnitsch]

Some of it isn't the car itself particularly, but if you can find a good seller. Going through friends and family to find someone who cared for their stuff and is just selling because they don't need it any more

From the sellers point of view that's a lot easier too and how we sold both of our older vehicles lately. Everybody got a good deal

[stasveselyi]

I found THE ONE.

Honda Accord 2012 EX-L V6, 93500 kms, $14800, second owner. He bought the car in 2021, from an 82-yesr-old man who had 51k on the odo at the time. Car is in great condition, reason for sale - the guy's going electric, already bought a 2015 Tesla.

This is the car: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/730600659209366/
Wife said this morning she hasn't seen me that excited since i started sailing last summer

Took it for an inspection this morning, no issues. Going to take it off his hands tomorrow!

Thanks for the help everyone!

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Oooh, Accord V6.  Classy.  As long as the car was maintained and taken care of, should be a good car for a while longer.

[Allen]

As GBA says as long as it's been maintained that's a solid choice

[Blueprint]

Nice pick!

Goes with what I was saying - most people here in QC DON'T want the V6 in these, because of fuel costs. An equivalent  4-banger would have had more km / more $$. Had that engine in my two Odysseys - it's a sweet one!

[marcus_go]

The only thing with the V6 is the timing belt and VCM (Honda's cylinder deactivation system). The timing belt typically calls for replacement at 168,000 km. Given this car is 12 years old, it might be prudent to change the belt early since the engine is an interference design, and a broken belt will result in engine damage. Probably fine for now but something you might want to do in the not too distant future.

With the cylinder deactivation, those earlier VCM systems proved to have issues. I think that particular Accord might have version two which was more reliable than version one, but again, something to consider.

[Blueprint]

The only thing with the V6 is the timing belt and VCM (Honda's cylinder deactivation system). The timing belt typically calls for replacement at 168,000 km. Given this car is 12 years old, it might be prudent to change the belt early since the engine is an interference design, and a broken belt will result in engine damage. Probably fine for now but something you might want to do in the not too distant future.

With the cylinder deactivation, those earlier VCM systems proved to have issues. I think that particular Accord might have version two which was more reliable than version one, but again, something to consider.

My van (sold in '23) was a 2012 with identical km and I was told the belt was fine, but after ten years I was starting to worry about it. Never had issues related to the VCM.

[2JDM]

Nice find. I'd do a transmission fluid change as well from Honda. Do these V6s still have weak transmissions?

[marcus_go]

The only thing with the V6 is the timing belt and VCM (Honda's cylinder deactivation system). The timing belt typically calls for replacement at 168,000 km. Given this car is 12 years old, it might be prudent to change the belt early since the engine is an interference design, and a broken belt will result in engine damage. Probably fine for now but something you might want to do in the not too distant future.

With the cylinder deactivation, those earlier VCM systems proved to have issues. I think that particular Accord might have version two which was more reliable than version one, but again, something to consider.

My van (sold in '23) was a 2012 with identical km and I was told the belt was fine, but after ten years I was starting to worry about it. Never had issues related to the VCM.

You hear stories about people never changing the belt and not having an issue, but I think it would make sense to change it out after 10 years or so. Probably around $1500 at a good indy along with changing out the water pump any any other items while you are in there. Peace of mind and then you are good for a while.

[Blueprint]

Nice find. I'd do a transmission fluid change as well from Honda. Do these V6s still have weak transmissions?

Full fluid reset on a 10+ years used car is a good idea, unless documented in the service history.

Never had tranny issues with both my vans, I think they popped up for owners with major highway miles under load. In the early minivan days, a lot of people used these vehicles as trucks and over-towed. In an Accord, with low km's to boot, I would not worry.

Keep it away from rust and it's good for at least another decade. If street-parked, get it Krowned, if driveway parked, get a wax-based no-drip yearly treatment.

[Seafoam]

^^ If street-parked, get it Krowned, if driveway parked, get a wax-based no-drip yearly treatment. Are you serious ?

[Blueprint]

^^ If street-parked, get it Krowned, if driveway parked, get a wax-based no-drip yearly treatment. Are you serious ?

Very. Unless you have a redneck driveway.

[Seafoam]

 My place looks nothing like that. I think you are going a little overboard not using Krown because a bit drips on your driveway. If one is so concerned they could temporarily park under  a tarp. I actually use old panelling for this purpose. Even when it stains the driveway,it is temporary .

[Blueprint]

My place looks nothing like that. I think you are going a little overboard not using Krown because a bit drips on your driveway. If one is so concerned they could temporarily park under  a tarp. I actually use old panelling for this purpose. Even when it stains the driveway,it is temporary .

If the TR6 makes a drip on the pavers while zooming from garage to street, I get the chemicals and brushes out. If you buy an expensive white shirt, you don't leave the spaghetti stains on it.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

My place looks nothing like that. I think you are going a little overboard not using Krown because a bit drips on your driveway. If one is so concerned they could temporarily park under  a tarp. I actually use old panelling for this purpose. Even when it stains the driveway,it is temporary .

If the TR6 makes a drip on the pavers while zooming from garage to street, I get the chemicals and brushes out. If you buy an expensive white shirt, you don't leave the spaghetti stains on it.

LOL, why would you buy an old british car of all things if you're that anal about oil stains?  That's too funnY!