Acura RSX.

Background:
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/need-some-first-hand-info/51798/page1/

Couldn't go shopping with them, but was on the phone while they were looking at it. A few years of maintenance records (looks pretty well cared for), Carfax says one small fender-bender. Tracks straight & true, looks like new panels on the repair (front end). About 125Kmi., IIRC year is 2002. He paid roughly $6K for it. All the electric stuff seems to work, but it needs a serpentine belt.

Thoughts/advice?

My thought is that anyone who would sell a car that needs a serpentine belt without replacing the belt first is a complete idiot.

"Sir, im just begging you to try to knock me down hundreds of dollars on price over a $17 part."

Vigo wrote: My thought is that anyone who would sell a car that needs a serpentine belt without replacing the belt first is a complete idiot.

I agree. I see guys selling cars saying it needs a battery. Then invest $60 in a cheap battery. Serpentine belts are stupid easy to change. Remember the old days of three belts?

I should have been a little clearer.

Belt didn't squeak when cold, only started making noise after a 1hr drive. Perhaps I need to introduce the guy to a set of wrenches?

Anyhoo, can anyone "learn me" stuff to look out for on these cars?

Is it a Type S or a regular RSX? Auto or manual? Check the timing belt. Type S cars had 3rd gear pop out and money shift/mis-shift problems.

The type s motor is sweet. I like the interior ok. Dont like the exterior looks that much. They cost too much. Base models are boring in both auto and manual.

sanman wrote: Is it a Type S or a regular RSX? Auto or manual? Check the timing belt. Type S cars had 3rd gear pop out and money shift/mis-shift problems.

K series are chains iircc, but they do have chain tensioner issues.

Base model, automatic.

friedgreencorrado wrote: Base model, automatic.

At which point, "WHY?" becomes an appropriate question.

Jarod wrote:

sanman wrote: Is it a Type S or a regular RSX? Auto or manual? Check the timing belt. Type S cars had 3rd gear pop out and money shift/mis-shift problems.

K series are chains iircc, but they do have chain tensioner issues.

You are correct actually all k series are chains and the f20/22c as well . I knew that, but when I think Honda I have an immediate reaction about the timing belt.

poopshovel wrote:

friedgreencorrado wrote: Base model, automatic.

At which point, "WHY?" becomes an appropriate question.

Not an enthusiast, previous Honda owner, wants more electric cupholders.

Have to admit..he already knew that Acuras were fancy Hondas. My own daughter didn't know that. I'm a failure as a parent.

Now then..what's the "K series" engine, and what do you know about the tensioner problems Jarod mentioned?

As far as it being a slushbox, well..at least I've lost the temptation to cheat my future son in law out of it just because he's not an enthusiast. I've always liked those cars, I just forgot that they were 10yrs old (spelled a-f-f-o-r-d-a-b-l-e) by now.

My son's has been perfectly reliable and exceptionally good on gas. That version of the K 20 is an econo motor. The V tech only enables all of the 4 valves per cylinder to operate on activation. It's a good looking appliance with the typical Honda premium on price. I've said it before, I think they're good but it does nothing better than my wife's Cobalt.

TPS will probably need replacing at some point ($70 or so).

That's about it. Those cars are very reliable and given the auto I doubt it has been beat on.

I can think of a number of things the RSX does better than a Cobalt - the primary thing being that it's not a Cobalt.