Soon to be owner of a 3rd gen Prelude (hopefully)

[Enne]

Hey, long time no post. Figured I'd post this up here instead of non-6GA rides, since it isn't actually mine yet...

Was coming back from a grocery store trip and spotted this old Prelude sitting in a used car lot. I stopped to take a look at it, and found out it was a 1989 2.0Si with 4 wheel steering. One owner, 94k miles. No price yet as they had just gotten it in the night before. Left my name and number for when they got a price on it.

Called them after the weekend and the guy told me $2500. Took it for a test drive, and noticed some issues. I'm having it inspected on Monday by the shop I take my cars to. So, I'll know then if I'm buying it or not. Would like to knock $500 or so off their asking price for the repairs it's gonna need.

It needs some rust on the body taken care of, the auto trans is gonna need work, suspension is pretty rusted, etc. But for $2k I'd be good with it. Most of the stuff on the car works, like the power sunroof, headlights pop up, and the 4WS works too.

 

[Sketch o5]

dicks sporting goods!

can't say i'd spend $2k on it, especially if it's going to need transmission work. definitely not $2500 though, they're definitely trying to get someone with that price. they probably paid $500 on the trade in. kbb doesn't even have 1989 as a year option , but a '92 prelude si 4ws with 94k miles and in 'good' condition they say is worth $2000. i'd say with some of the work that car would need and the rust, it's probably a little under 'good' condition, and being four years older as well. it's also not an si, even though it has the same engine as one. i'd aim for around $1500, or even less.

 

[Enne]

It's an Si, B20A5 engine. You won't see classic cars on KBB, their limit is 1992. The '92 is also a totally different car, haha. NADA is better to use for older cars.

These are fairly rare, in bone stock condition anyway lol. Once I know the condition of it, I'll know if I need to counter their offer more. I'd love to get it for $1500 but I wouldn't expect anyone to let one of these go for that, in running condition. I'd settle for $2k. The guy knows I already have three cars, specifically I already have an old black Honda, and that I don't need this car whatsoever. I just think it's cool.

 

[datechboss101]

Why the hell didn't caps stumble upon this thread yet? The Prelude is his dream car. Enne, I'd pay $1000 for that Prelude if there was no maintenance records on hand.

 

[Rusty Accord]

I'd probably offer 1800 not knowing what's hiding yet. Once you get it on a lift and see your mechanic, you might have a better idea of it's worth.
Possibly needing a trans, knocks 500 right off the top. The rust you can see is only the tip of the iceberg, and I'm sure more is hiding. Fixing it right could get expensive.
What's the condition of the inside? Worn? Or worn out? Missing anything?
Just asking as some of it might be hard to find after all this time.
Paint looks decent with no clear peeling, and the body looks straight.
It's your call. Hopefully you can get it for less than they're asking.

 

[Rusty Accord]

Why the hell didn't caps stumble upon this thread yet? The Prelude is his dream car. Enne, I'd pay $1000 for that Prelude if there was no maintenance records on hand.

Caps doesn't have any money. He's moving. And not to Florida just yet (6 months from now).

 

[Enne]

Inside is pretty good, just needs a good cleaning. Seats are good, no cracks that I noticed in the plastic parts. Nothing missing, except maybe floor mats? Has the original radio too. And it's tan. I've always wanted a black car with a tan interior.

For reference, I was expecting them to offer it for $3500-4500, so it was already lower than my expectation. As long as they don't jerk me around, I don't mind if they make a *little* money on this. Dealerships aren't just inherently evil lol, they're a business just like any other. I would assume they paid about $500 for it as well, so for $2k they'd be making $1500 back minus any labor they did checking it out.

 

[ryan s]

way too much money. i almost bought a facelifted 3rd gen with a manual 10 years ago from a friend of a friend, but my brother bought it instead. pretty sure he paid under $2500, and it had less rust, and it was a decade ago.

i would be very surprised if it didn't drink a quart of oil every 1k. engine swaps were non-existent the last time i looked and rebuilding a B20A doesn't seem like a value proposition unless you really like the car.

at $2k, plus how many hours/days of rust repair (there will be more, take a peek under the side skirts), i'd wait out a really good one for more. i mean, shit, you can find (admittedly questionable) 5th gens for the same money, with the dual cam H22 and an actual aftermarket.

 

[Enne]

If it drank oil that badly, wouldn't I have smelled burning oil or seen a color to the exhaust and/or black shit on the bumper above the muffler? The car hadn't been washed when I test drove it. My Accord only leaks oil, doesn't actually consume it, but I can smell it plain as day when I open the hood...

I dunno. We'll see on Monday!

And, I want a 3rd gen. I don't like the way the later ones look at all lol.

 

[ryan s]

it would depend on where the oil is going, through the combustion chamber via the rings tends to hide it better since it's being burned. through the valve seals you get the blue cloud.

the 3rd gens are my #2 behind the 5th, i just think the 5th is a more compelling car...personally.