Is it worth fixing my Honda Accord? for Questionland Seattle

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Is it worth fixing my Honda Accord?

My 91 accord has 220,000 miles on it and it broke a cylinder and they said it needs a new motor. What does that mean? Is that the same as the engine? They said it would be $1500. Can I buy one from a junk yard and have them put it in? Would it then be like a newer car? Would that be a waste of time and money?
I've been looking at new cars and even the same car, but I really don't want a different car, I love everything about that car. And I'm afraid that any car I buy in my price range <$5000 is going to come with it's own set of problems that cost me a ton of money anyway. What should I do?!

S asked in Cars & Motorcycles 11 months ago | Report

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First, new motor = new engine. Honda engines are relatively cheap, so it's probably best to get a new one, as opposed to one from a junkyard with an unknown history.

But, what's the rest of your car like? Transmission relatively new? Any body damage? Does that price include new hoses and belts? Swapping out the engine isn't necessarily a big deal, but, with that many miles, there may be any number of other things that will also go wrong in the near future. If it was me, I probably wouldn't do it.

You've got options with a $5000 budget. You can probably find a Honda with half the miles and half the age of your current car. I think it's time to let this one go.

Mahtli69 answered in Cars & Motorcycles 11 months ago | Report

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Jack

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Think really, really long and hard about this. Replacing the engine makes ZERO financial sense on this car-- with it's current mileage and age it is essentially worthless. You are never, ever going to come close to recovering the cost of replacing the engine if you ever go to sell it. Even if you dropped in a brand new engine with 0 miles on it, it won't really affect the value of the car on paper. So basically replacing the engine would only make sense if you are definitely going to keep the car for a long while more. You're also taking a bit of a gamble because the book value remains that of a high-mileage 20 year old car and so if someone runs into you or something, there is a high chance of the car being totaled and you probably won't even recover the cost of the engine from the insurance.

That said, if $1,500 is indeed their parts and labor quote for replacing the engine, that is an extremely good deal, and I would probably agree that if you've taken care of the car and it's in otherwise good shape it could be a better deal than another cheap used car. BTW, that price is almost certainly for a used engine (even if it is only the parts price). There are laws in Japan that encourage the junking of cars at ridiculously low mileages and so, consequently, there is a great supply of nice cheap low-mileage used Japanese engines in the rest of the world.

Another thing to factor into your decision is the transmission. If your car is an automatic, that would cause me to lean heavily away from replacing the engine. Automatics are not Honda's strong suit. They're not terrible, but they are definitely the weak point when you start taking Hondas to 200,000 miles and beyond and it's no coincidence that most super high mileage cars are manuals.

Jack answered in Cars & Motorcycles 11 months ago | Report

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Slightly off topic, but if you want a second opinion, take your car (or give a call) to Tony at Tomoko (they're in the process of moving, but should be able to help soon).

http://www.tomokoautocarecenter.com/

Luckier answered in Cars & Motorcycles 11 months ago | Report

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Russ Campbell, NWEBS

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All good information in the responses here so I will try not to repeat.

Here is an additional Honda repair shop to talk to for a second opinion and estimate. These guys are in Auburn, are very knowledgeable, good at keeping old Hondas on the road, and exceedingly honest and reliable.
In most instances they beat the typical dealer repair estimates and they are good at finding good quality used parts if that is an option.

They serviced J's '83 Honda Prelude for 20 some years and now her 2005 Civic goes there for the checkups. She got 22 years and 260,000 miles before the blown head gasket came along with some complications. It was going to be over $1000 and she decided it was time for a new one. It was fun telling the Honda dealer when she bought her new one (year end sale) that we would be back in 22 years for another one.

It would be worth giving them a call and asking for an estimate. If you can't get the car there, send or take them the written estimate that you have now for comparison purposes.

There is decades of Honda experience there, they are all Honda trained mechanics that formed their own shop (and use genuine Honda parts).

http://www.auburncityimports.com/

Auburn City Imports
1148 East Main St.
Auburn, WA 98002
(253) 939-0437

Open Weekdays 8am-6pm

BTW, they would also be a good choice to talk to if you feel you want to obtain a used Honda. I know they used to buy good used Honda vehicles at auction and then bring them up to good mechanical condition for customers. You could talk to them about what you would be interested in if they still offer that service.

Russ Campbell, NWEBS answered in Cars & Motorcycles 11 months ago | Report

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For what it's worth, you can easily buy a used 91' Accord for less than the price of fixing your existing one. You would be putting more money into the car than it is technically worth.

However, a new (remanufactured) engine in your Accord is likely to take you another 200,000 miles, relatively trouble free. That's something you can't get by buying another early 90's Accord.

You need too look long and hard at the rest of your car, and as yourself "Am I willing to live with this for another 200,000 miles?" If the seats are torn, the windshield is cracked, and the A/C doesn't work, just scrap it and replace it. However, if it's in pretty good shap otherwise, go ahead and have an engine swap done.

You can have a low-mileage junkyard engine put in, and it would probably get you at least another 100,000 miles out of it, but if you're going to pay for a day's labor to swap the engine, go the extra mile and spring for a rebuilt or remanufactured one.

Lack Thereof answered in Cars & Motorcycles 10 months ago | Report

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If you've taken reasonable care of the car, I'd say get it fixed. Hondas are (as I'm sure you know) reknown for their longevity and your's is from an era that should last for at least 250k. You didn't say if you have a 4 or 6 cylinder engine, but either way there shouldn't be any problem for a repair shop to find a good used engine. Check for a Honda specialist in your area for what it would cost for the swap.

Brent Coe answered in Cars & Motorcycles 11 months ago | Report

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