Page 1 of 1
Advice and Tips for buying a G3 Prelude
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 11:44 pm
by ghonger
Hey all,
My name is John and I'm in the search for my first Prelude (of course G3). Just wondering if all you expert out there have tips and advice for me when I go out for a test drive.
What Questions to ask?
What to look for?
Blessings,
John
Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 9:57 pm
by spiffyguido
Hi John,
Welcome to PreludeDriver.com. Glad you found us.
As with any car, always ask probing questions about the history of the vehicle. Has it been in an accident? What problems has it had? What recent work has it had done to it? Who did the recent work?
Specifically when buying a 3rd gen:
-Ask when the timing belt was last changed. They must be changed every 75000-100000 kms or so.
-Check for rust. Most common places are in the rear wheel arches, around the gas cap and around the window seams.
-Take it for a test drive. Listen for creaks, groans and get a feel for how the engine is performing.
-If the car is a 2.1 litre SR model, pay special attention to whether the car burns oil or not. The B21A1 in the SR models is notorious for chewing up piston rings. This is not something to be afraid of, because if cared for, they last a long time.
-See that the car makes good power and runs smoothly. Honda cars are very high quality, and you should be able to feel that as you drive.
-Look over the engine and check for leaks. Check if there is any oil in the coolant reservoir (sign of a bad head gasket).
-See that everything works in the interior. A/C, Cruise, power windows, etc.