Originally Posted by 98CoupeV6

Those were called analogies. I was comparing you trying to get your condenser fixed by Honda to asking them to fix those things.

The A/C condenser is not inside the car. It's an easy target for road debris, just like anything else is surrounding your engine. I mean, damn dude, it's in the very front of your car right infront of your radiator. Just like on almost every other car. If there's a tiny spot a rock can fit through, Murphy's law says...

Your best bet is to call Manchester Honda in Connecticut. Their prices are right around dealer cost, and their shipping is very fast. In Syracuse I've gotten stuff in 3 days, and they're in Connecticut...so you should get it in 2-3 days. Do not buy it from your local dealer. A quick search of parts.com shows that they go for around $150, but don't buy from anyplace on there because I've experienced horrible shipping delays.

Edit: I just checked my Helms manual and it's ridiculously easy to replace the condenser. The only problem is removing the R-134a and putting it back in. This has to be done by a professional. Perhaps you could have a non-Honda dealer shop remove the refigerant, then you remove the condenser and put the new one in, then they put more R-134a in? That would probably save you at least $300.