Help! What to buy: 2002 Acura EL with 80K km or 2004 EL with 94 km but rebuilt?

[audio90]

Hi, I've suddenly been in the market for an Acura EL. I'm considering two right now.

Black 2002 EL, single owner, well maintained and serviced. 84,000km. -OR-

Grey 2004 EL, from a dealer, is a rebuilt card, 94,000km. We examined the car (except for an mechanical inspection) and it seems fine. This is a newer model, sounds and looks great, body is in better shape. I would certainly take it for a full inspection, including the impact areas of the frame if I got it.

The price difference? The 2002 is probably going to be $2,000km lower and what I give up is really the climate control in the cabin and a body with a few more dings.

My biggest concern is really that the car will be problem free forever, which is hard to tell with used cards.

Both seem fine, the dilemna is which to get? The 2002 with lower mileage and with a known history of the car or a car 2 years younger but is a rebuilt.

Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated.

[Ray paulsen]

Personally the word rebuilt in any vehicle is something I would not consider no matter what the price, from experience trust me, nine out of ten times there is more hidden than meets the eye.

As for taking vehicle for a full inspection means zero in my book, sure it may check out fine at this point, but it's not and never will be assembled the same as from factory when originally build.

Another area to consider,,, an 02 model vs an 04 model 3 years from now as for value will come down to condition, not model year, and having a title thats rebuilt will not be considered by an educated buyer should you want to sell down the road.

[audio90]

Hey, thanks for the reply Ray. I concur with everything you say.

I should've point out, both have had accidents. The 2002 had a car hit it's front left side resulting in a replacement of that side door and fender. The left wheel axel got pushed it and got replaced. All by the dealer and insurance company, it was covered. I don't know if that makes it a bad buy or not. The transmission is supposed to go forever, right?

The 2004's accident was more from the car hitting something at it's front left, enough so to write off the car so it needed to be salvaged by the dealer to be repaired as a rebuild. I don't know it that makes it a safe buy or not. Cosmetically the body is a bit better.

I'm prolly going to talk the 2002 EL down quite a bit and buy his.

[Ray paulsen]

The left wheel axel got pushed in and got replaced by the dealer and insurance company, it was covered. I don't know if that makes it a bad buy or not.

We both know a mechanic has one area of expertise, and an experienced body shop a very different expertise, a small investment with a body shop will get you a detailed report if accident repair was shady or excellent along with any signs of impact that may have occured to the frame. If frame gets a 100% clean bill of health you then have peace of mind about the accident repair.

I like a buyer making the statement " I'm prolly going to talk the 2002 EL down quite a bit and buy his " shows confidence.

I can't teach an old dog new tricks, so let's just refresh your thoughts buying this car from my viewpoint to make sure all the steps are covered, lol.

1, http://www.usedcartips.org/TESTDRI.html

2, Body Shop

3, http://www.usedcartips.org/MECHANI.html

4, http://www.usedcartips.org/negotiate.html

I know what the approx wholesale value is for the vehicle in the Vancouver area, as a matter of interest, what is the asking price prior to you trying to hack the seller to death ?