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chromebumpers

solid fixture here in the forum
Staff member
Got a call this afternoon, the dealer brought the car I was buying this week in to go over and do a state safety and emissions inspection. They found a cracked radiator. They’re asking $500 to replace it. I just looked online, there’s a great number of places that have them for as little as $60 to $170. for a new Honda radiator. How long can it possibly take to install? An hour? Do they have a better offer? Think they can get more for that car? It puts me in a bind now because college starts for both of the kids on Friday and they each have different schedules.

Looks like I’m back searching. Side note* I did see a number of Honda Accords for sale, some as much as 7 years newer and a few with as much as 50,000 miles less (the Honda I was going for had 171,000). It seems Accords with 4 doors are cheaper and more abundant.
Anyone selling a cheap but running car?
 
Honda Radiators are easy to change out.
Flat Rate time book time is about 1.5 -2.0 hrs.
Pays more also to refill and evacuate air from the cooling system and test drive, + 1 hrs more
 
Any Honda Radiator you see listed for your car with CU letters beginning is Spectra brand most often, have to confirm to be sure.
Spectra brand line I prefer use for daily driver replacement duties.
May want to buy local from a parts store so warranty replacement easily done in person local.
 
Good running near zero issue used cars are difficult to find with low repair maintenance costs and repairs predicted.
Everything newer with VVT direct injection ect,.....all fail 100% rate I have seen 1st hand sooner or later.
Timing chain snaps and engine blows up too....nothing left to salvage, repair, rebuild low costs..
Replacement engine plus labor often exceeds that vehicles value 50/50 rate saved spend $$$$ or scrap it.
 
Looking over my own daily drivers this week.
If it needs it planning , searching, pricing out, and get it bought soon.
Have to be on it right now Richard because replacement parts are going fast.
Restock available again when ?
Replaced the Rear driveshaft assembly on the Wifes 1999 Honda CRV a few days ago. Still running great.
It's a Very good little Run Around AWD Drive SUV for her.
1999-2001 Best years for Honda CRV.
Not a Manly Ride, but they actually run out drive nice and reliable too.
I have no issues hopping in driving it myself
 
Thanks Brian. This car had the timing chain/belt changed last year with little to no miles on it since. How good are those I4 Honda motors anyway?
I was tempted to tell them to tow the car to my house and I’ll install a new radiator but I’m not so sure it’s a good idea for a car I don’t even know yet.

Since I likely have to start looking again, any recommendations for a fairly reliable used car? What to stay away from? How many miles is too much, I’d like to be less than $5000, $3000 would be great. This is a car that I would like to get 3 to 4 more years out of it with average to low miles put on it.
 
Thanks Brian. This car had the timing chain/belt changed last year with little to no miles on it since. How good are those I4 Honda motors anyway?
I was tempted to tell them to tow the car to my house and I’ll install a new radiator but I’m not so sure it’s a good idea for a car I don’t even know yet.

Since I likely have to start looking again, any recommendations for a fairly reliable used car? What to stay away from? How many miles is too much, I’d like to be less than $5000, $3000 would be great. This is a car that I would like to get 3 to 4 more years out of it with average to low miles put on it.
I am biased alot so list is often small my choices.
Newer Hyundai's are Ok.
I Favor Honda 1st, good track record Mechanical reliable, overall electric and EFI sensors reliable.
Breakdowns still happen but most of the time minor.
Looks difficult to work on AWD Front wheel drive Honds but its actually fairly simple tasks and well thought out by Honda Engineers to make minor or major repairs. Very precise built the entire vehicle even the main unibody, bolt on main subframe front and rear.
Also all bolts Fasteners are of the highest grade made, do not snap off removing like other imports or USA production today.
Most frustrating issue for Mechanics !
 
Older GM of course.
Pre 2007 years.
Cam and lifters valve springs made in Florida USA by Crane Cams for GM All.
China now.
Research deep several new engines for GM come directly from China assembly complete shipped to USA.
100% failure rates .
 
Honda Inline 4 engines are Awesome.
One Mechanic and me Raved about how well built they are last day job in South Chicago I worked at.
Everything else we called POS daily non stop !
 
Appreciated Brian. I’ll be looking for Honda I4 now. Been on Craig’s - every ad I click on comes up saying deleted by owner, guess I’m missing the boat. Never seen cars move so fast.
Hyundai does make nice cars, but drop off value fast from new (just not lately), Kia too. Their luxury line like the G80 and G90 get high marks but just like the K900 Kia and a few others, 5 years later they are about 40%from sticker. Great if you buy them 5 years old, but I don’t like working on them. Korean fasteners are a bitch to remove. I don’t know how you guys can work on so many different cars, I pull my hair out trying to uncouple electrical connectors I’ve never seen before.
 
There is Marketplace.
Have to get onto FB , I call the Devils Den.
Really is.
What my old backup account is for getting onto Marketplace.
 
They watch you in FB Messenger now, actually always were able to.
Just advising, Big Brother CCP Communist China.
Find something you like, if they contact you back get out of there my advice.
 
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