Hi all,
I'm new to this site but thought I'd find a place to get some ideas and opinions about my possible latest ride. My cousin has decided that due to some recent health issues he will stop driving. He asked me if I want to buy his car, a 1996 Honda Accord EX V6...the car has 55,000 original miles. The car is loaded (for it's time)...leather, power driver seat, moon roof, etc. The car was purchased 5 years ago by him from an elderly lady and had 40,000 miles at the time. I've pretty much seen to the maintenance of the vehicle...oil changes twice a year (despite the 3,000 mile per year average), regular washing and an annual detail and wax in the fall each year. When he purchased the car I serviced the transmission (3 drain and fills with Z1), flushed the radiator and power steering (refilled with Honda fluids) and had the plugs, air filter and PCV replaced. Aside from some new tires a while back, that's about it. The car is pretty much mint...absolutely NO rust. The car drives great and I'm considering buying it from him. I'm even considering replacing my 2003 PT Cruiser (just turned 100,000 miles) with the older Honda (although there are things about the PT Cruiser I would miss). So what do you think? My brother says I'm crazy to buy such an "old" car...but he doesn't know much about Hondas.

 

You found a nice ride ... good year. When my first 96 Accord was totalled last year, I found another one with only 104k miles on it. Garage kept, dealer maintained ... I snatched it up.

 

I need some advice guys. I'm told that the timing belt should be changed due to age (the car is 14 years old and has the original timing belt even though the car only has 55,000 miles). The dealer quoted me right around $600 to do the belt and water pump. I haven't checked with my local shop (they're very good and would probably be somewhat cheaper...I know the mechanics and they know their stuff). If I were to go with my local shop to save labor, do you think it's necessary to do the water pump with so few miles (I'd get the belt from the dealer as the difference in price is only a few bucks vs. an aftermarket belt)? Is there anything else that should be changed when the timing belt is done? I'm learning fast here but want the job done right and trust the experts here to give me good advice...Thanks in advance...

 

Typically its a good idea to do the water pump when doing a timing belt ... $600 is about right for a dealer ... my local honda guy (not a dealer) charges $525 for the same service so you aren't too far off. Yes, time is also a belt killer ... 14yrs I would change the belts too.

 

its about the same price everywhere, he suggested you to change the water pump because the labor its about the same for changing water pump with timing belt. Just gotta pay for part money. Unless you wanna pay another 4-6 hundred Dollars to change your water pump later on. Go for it man, it will save you money and trouble in a long run