Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum cosidering the amout of posts I have .

Should I buy this car (read my intro below the vehicle photos)? Here are my questions:

1) Is it worth buying a 14 years old car in visibly good condition?
2) Money wise, is this an okay deal for a 93 LS? (~$2.5k)

My "Extensive" PRICE* Research for Acura Integra 90-93
* the prices are real
* this car keeps its value**

** in general the decreasing value of a vehicle diminishes with the progressing age of the car and this one (Integra) is already an oldschool...


^ this is the actual car

Intro: I am thinking of buying a 93 Acura Integra LS 2D (it will be my first car if I buy it) with the following specs: clean title (Carfax report - 4 records from 93 to 97); red; 132k; 5s manual; clean and well maintained engine (1.8L L4 PFI DOHC 16V - no leaks); electric basics (doors, wins, sunroof, etc); radio, cassette; ice-cold AC; cruise control; very clean from the inside (nice seats); no major problems with the exterior (visibly repainted left side - accident or scratches).

Price: ~$2,500

My goals:
1) Temporary*** transportation to work and school (maybe a daily ride)
2) Drive stick
3) Sell after 6 or 9 months and buy a better vehicle (depends on the car and situation ofcourse)

*** other than bicycle or METRO

Future projects if bought:
1) Replace exhaust with MONZA Cat Back (the current one is very rusted)
2) CD player (some Pioneer or Sony), speaker system...
3) Exterior Fix + Meguire's NXT wax
4) 16"/17" Giovanna Kyoto or similar
5) JDM headlights
6) more things to come but better have the car than think ahead...

Price Research:

Note: The deal which I have been offered seems to be a slick one if I can get the car for ~$2.5k + reg.

1) Web
93, 145k - $4,600
http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/...6/m/5930954065

2) Web
93, 200k - $2,500
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/car/217966990.html

3) Auto Review
Price Range: $600-2,400
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/u...x.cfm/id/1994/

4) Ebay http://motors.search.ebay.com/93-int...00QQsacatZ6001
4.1) 93 GS, 199k - $1,025 - 11 bids - 19 hours left
4.2) 93 GS, 187k - $2,000 - 10 bids - 3 days left
4.3) 93, 160k - $512 - 6 bids - 5 days left - VERY BAD CONDITION
4.4) 93, 230k - $3,108 starting - 0 bids

5) Autotrader.com
5.1) 50 miles range - Integra
90, LS 2d, 143k - $2,999
90, LS 2d, 181K - $1,999
90, LS 2d, 113k - $4,990 (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...g=1&cardist=47)
90, LS, 104k - $2,355
90, LS 190k - $1,100 - Needs work (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...g=1&cardist=38)
5.2) 50 miles range - under 100 miles - Integra
92, GS, 85k - $6,500
90, GS, 78k - $5,990
92, GS, 89k - $5,500
5.3) Search for Integra 90-93 - 50 miles range
$6,500 - Highest price
$750 - Lowest price
$3,518 - Average price
5.4) Global Search for Integra 90-93 - 346 matches
$12,000 - Highest price
$750 - Lowest price
$3,452 - Average price

6) Cars.com (look @ the images below)
93, 170k - $3,850





8) KBB.com (an estimate for 1993 Acura Integra LS Sedan 2D)
Fair - $1,950
Good - $2,365

Read about:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acura_I...2.80.931993.29
http://www.carsurvey.org/modelyear_A...egra_1993.html
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/u...x.cfm/id/1994/
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articl...-93integra.htm
http://www.acuraworld.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=74
http://carfax.com/car_safety/ratings...R2HFINTEGRA_LS

 

1) NO. Get a decent exhaust.
2) Sounds good
3) Meguiars HiTech Yellow (#26) or Gold Class are better
4) whatever you like
5) Sounds good
6) SUSPENSION!

IMO $2K-3K are about right depending on condition for these cars. I paid $2500 for my GS and $2000 for my LS-S, which that one is if it has all power options. Paint looks good, and if there are no rips on the seats, I'd say go for it.

When was the timing belt/water pump last replaced? BIG DEAL, cuz that is expensive.
When was the clutch last replaced? Also potentially expensive.
CV Boots - check for cracking/leaking and whether or not it makes noise when you turn left or right.
Rear trailing arm bushings - if cracked, they can be expensive to replace.

 

Fastback, thank you for the info! Unfortunately, I can not check when the timing belt, clutch, etc were replaced because I am not buying directly from the owner. This is a Carmax vehicle which needs to go through an inspection. I will get the car through a friend who works for Carmax and therefore the deal will be cheaper/slicker. The total expectable cost after the vehicle gets Carmax certified is ~$2.5k. How honest and good are the Carmax certifications? In other words if they see a possible/raising problem will they note/fix it or will they will perform minimal tweaks so the car can pass state (MD) inspection?

 

Thats a decent price if the car is in good cosmetic and mechanical condition. It should suit your needs, as the car is very reliable and cheap+easy to fix. I drove mine for over a year to school and back, and I never really had any problems. I sold it for about what I paid for it.

 

theres probably a dent in the back right corner

 

I can't vouch for Carmax because I always like to buy local and go look at and drive the car. If they are giving you a limited warranty, I'd take it. IMO, they are just going to take it to the dealer and have it safety inspected (which you can do yourself with any used car for $100-150, I do more often than not).

Yes, these cars are pretty easy to maintain and aren't all that expensive for the basic maint stuff, so I think they make a great first car.

 

yea somethings probably messed up in the back right corner, there are no pictures of it. Your pictures of there have 2 repeats of the same picture, just reversed..... I'd wonder...

 

e kvo reshi sha ia vzimash li taia kola ili kvo ???lol ,,,, ,, none of the pics is reversed or anything ,the damage is on the left side and it aint the hatch couse' all the corners look ok or otherwise there would be some kinda marks from the shop fixin' it ...
-Mike-

 

Either that or they went on Pimp My Ride and got a second gas filler installed on the passenger's side... Pic on top right is correct, pick on bottom right is QUITE OBVIOUSLY mirrored.

 

yes, i reversed the picture to fill the space. thanks for the info tbeesh, sherwood, and fastback! true, there is probably a dent... i did not see it when I checked out the car...