Honda Accord 2002 V6 Buy or not?

Question

Hi guys, I'm a college student in need of a car. I'm currently looking at a Honda Accord 2002 V6 (http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/2287032626.html) very low mileage, nearing 46,000, the guy is selling it for $5,900 (which is well below book value). I've spoken with the guy, he said he has changed the oil every 3k, performed maintenance, etc, however he is the second owner and he is unaware of how the previous owner took care of it. I ran a carfax and i see that he purchased the vehicle 8/06/10 with 37,115 miles on it. Carfax looks good, clean title. However I'm reading many reviews and there is a significant amount of reviews about faulty transmissions... so should i bite the bullet here and purchase it? Whats your input?

Year purchased 2001 2010
Type of owner Personal Personal
Estimated length of ownership 7 yrs. 7 mo. 7 months
Owned in the following states/provinces New Jersey, New York New York
Estimated miles driven per year 4,660/yr ---
Last reported odometer reading 37,115 ---
Title History
CARFAX guarantees the information in this section Owner 1 Owner 2

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No Problem Guaranteed
No Problem
Not Actual Mileage | Exceeds Mechanical Limits Guaranteed
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GUARANTEED - None of these major title problems were reported by a state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you find that any of these title problems were reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back. Register | View Terms
Additional History
Not all accidents / issues are reported to CARFAX Owner 1 Owner 2

Total Loss
No total loss reported to CARFAX.

No Issues Reported

No Issues Reported
Structural / Frame Damage
No structural / frame damage reported to CARFAX.

No Issues Reported

No Issues Reported
Airbag Deployment
No airbag deployment reported to CARFAX.

No Issues Reported

No Issues Reported
Odometer Rollback
No indication of an odometer rollback.

No Issues Indicated

No Issues Indicated
Accident / Damage
No accidents or damage reported to CARFAX.

No Issues Reported

No Issues Reported
Manufacturer Recall
At least 1 manufacturer recall requires service. Locate an authorized Honda dealer to obtain more information about this recall.
Recall
Reported
No New Recalls Reported

Owner 1
Purchased: 2001
Type: Personal
Where: New Jersey, New York
Est. miles/year: 4,660/yr
Est. length owned: 12/15/01 - 8/7/09
(7 yrs. 7 mo.)


Low mileage! This owner drove less than the industry average of 15,000 miles per year.

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
11/28/2001 DCH Academy Honda
Old Bridge, NJ
732-721-3333
www.dchacademyhonda.
com Pre-delivery inspection completed
12/15/2001 New Jersey
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Monroe Township, NJ Registered as
personal vehicle
12/28/2001 Dealer Inventory
New Jersey Vehicle sold
12/31/2001 20 New Jersey
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Monroe Township, NJ
Title #GD20013650358 Title issued or updated
First owner reported
04/03/2003 DCH Academy Honda
Old Bridge, NJ
732-721-3333
www.dchacademyhonda.
com Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
02/19/2004 11,915 DCH Academy Honda
Old Bridge, NJ
732-721-3333
www.dchacademyhonda.
com Recommended maintenance performed
Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
12/27/2005 19,504 DCH Academy Honda
Old Bridge, NJ
732-721-3333
www.dchacademyhonda.
com Vehicle serviced
11/11/2008 American Honda
Motor Co. Manufacturer Safety, Emission or
Non-compliance recall issued
Recall # Q96
DRIVERS AIRBAG INFLATOR
Locate an authorized Honda dealer to obtain more information about this recall
08/07/2009 35,650 Hamilton Honda
Hamilton, NJ
609-528-2600
www.hamiltonhonda.ne
t Vehicle offered for sale
08/10/2009 35,860 Auto Auction Sold at auction
in Eastern Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle
09/28/2009 35,884 Auto Auction Sold at auction
in Eastern Region
Listed as
a fleet vehicle
05/27/2010 37,115 New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
05/28/2010 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Flushing, NY Registration issued or renewed
Registered as
personal vehicle
Passed safety inspection


Owner 2
Purchased: 2010
Type: Personal
Where: New York
Est. length owned: 8/6/10 - present
(7 months)


Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
08/06/2010 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Flushing, NY Title issued or updated
New owner reported

Answer 1

However I'm reading many reviews and there is a significant amount of reviews about faulty transmissions... so should i bite the bullet here and purchase it? Whats your input?

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I know you mean well, but read this part again and ask yourself why you're debating this decision still...

Answer 2

I have a 2000 Accord Coupe with just under 175,000 miles on the original transmission, and it's been amazingly reliable, especially the conditions it's been through.



Honda provided an automatic transmission warranty for 2000-2001 Accords to seven years/100K miles. That car's past that, but the company did address the issue, and I don't think the 2002s were included.



At any rate, if the car's been cared for, it's a good bet. BUT, you need to find an independent mechanic, ask how much they charge for a pre-purchase inspection (I've seen anywhere from $25 to $135), make arrangements and take the car to inspect it. That will tell you a lot about the shape of the car, how much work needs to be done and give an idea how much you'll need done soon.

Answer 3

I mentioned in your other question that this fits the profile of the popular Craigslist scam.