Questions and Answers
To Buy Or Not To Buy...
Q. Hi, I was browsing around for information on cars and came by your site. I am a student looking to buy a used car, use it for a year (I graduate next year) and then sell it. I had a look at a 1990 Honda Prelude SI, 2-door, 5-speed, A/C, power windows, sunroof. It runs great, has been maintained well and is very clean. However, its got very high miles on it, around 194k. Do you think it would be a good buy at $3000. What is the usual life of a car engine?
Thanks,
SunilA. In this neck of the woods, Southeastern Minnesota, that car =has a trade in value of about $2200.00 and a retail value of about $5,000.00. Values do vary from area to area and the actual condition of the car. I think at $3,000.00, it's a good deal.
As to how long an engine will last is dependant on the care it is given. I have seen engines that were shot at 80,000 miles and others with 500,000 miles on them. I'll let you guess which ones were taken care of better. If I was to tell you that engine will last another 25,000 miles and it goes belly up a week after you buy it, I would look pretty foolish. Even if I personally looked over the car myself, the best I could do is tell you what condition it's in right now.
If the car was indeed well maintained and runs well, it may very well last the 15,000 miles you plane to use it for. I would strongly suggest you take it to your mechanic and let him give it a good going over. Get his opinion on it's condition before you buy it. If he says it's been taken care of, then buy it.
Additional Information provided courtesy of AllDATA
