Thinking of Buying a 91 Accord EX...HELP!

[fooey1987]

I found a 91 Accord EX in my local paper. The man is the 2nd owner, and prior to that someone else in his family owned it. He has all the records and a computer spreadsheet of everything he has had done to it. I drove it briefly and it drives good. Mint condition on the outside as it has been garaged. Great condition on the inside. I would only replace the floor mats are they do look 16 years old! The guy even made a cool arm rest for the center of the car with the exact same color material as the interior!

The only thing I noticed is when the AC is turned on the transmission vibrates a bit and when the AC is turned off, the vibration goes away. The mechanic who works on the car says it will need a rear motor mount eventually. It is an automatic.

I did not see a bit of rust on the car and everything seems to work: windows, sunroof, antenna, cruise control, etc.

I checked the blue book, and for a car in excellent condition, the price from a private party is $2,450, and retail is $3,505 (for a car with 224,000 miles, which it has). The guy wants $3,850! I don't want to pay that much for a car with 224,000 but how do I know how much to offer?

I am going to have it checked out by another independent Honda mechanic tomorrow, and at that time, I will have a chance to drive it on the freeway.

I LOVE the color (burgundy), and the exterior really is in mint condition. I l LOVE the sunroof as well, and the radio is digital (mine is analog). Apparently, the guy drove this 91 EX on the freeway a lot (I think he is a salesman). He replaced his car with a 2001 Accord.

I have an 87 Accord LX with 311,000 and still going strong, but it has a bit of rust on the back end under the trunk, and I am not sure if I want to drive it long distance, even though I have replaced most of the parts on it. Is it silly to move up only 4 years? I looked in the booklet that I keep on my car, and my car hit 224,000 seven years ago, so logically, I could have this car for at least seven years!

I need some advice!

Also, I live in South Carolina, so I don't think this car has ever been in snowy winters with salt on the roads. Any advice would be appreciated right away. I am taking it to the mechanic tomorrow am.