Is my 92 Acura Legend worth putting a new engine in?
I just purchased the car, so I don’t have a car note. In a few years, the car will be considered as a antique, so my tag price will be low.
I love the car, but havn’t had a chance to really drive it other than when I test drove it. When I test drove the car, nothing was wrong, but it needed a new radiator, according to the guy I purchased it from. After I purchaed the car, which was a week after I test drove it, the car had 30 extra miles on it, plus white smoke coming from the tail pipe. My mechanic said that I had a cracked head gasket, and needed a new engine.
I know that Acura parts are expensive, and I have already called around and received quotes. I’m just trying to decide if me paying all this money now will end up costing me less in the long run. Plus I was told that Acuras are very low maintence cars and are great cars for females.
Well you really don’t need a new entire engine. Probably a replacement cylinder head. Acura parts are not REALLY expensive. If you keep saying that to mechanics they are going to charge you a lot. I think the person who sold the car to you knew it had a cracked head and pumped it full of "stop leak" and that’s what clogged your radiator. Hows the heat? that might be clogged up with stop leak too.
If the body of the car is straight (no dents) and the overall cosmetic and mechanical condition is good then yes fixing the car would be wise. If it is ugly and needs lots more work forget it. Acuras are very low maintence cars for a while but fall apart fast when they get old.
Well you really don’t need a new entire engine. Probably a replacement cylinder head. Acura parts are not REALLY expensive. If you keep saying that to mechanics they are going to charge you a lot. I think the person who sold the car to you knew it had a cracked head and pumped it full of "stop leak" and that’s what clogged your radiator. Hows the heat? that might be clogged up with stop leak too.
If the body of the car is straight (no dents) and the overall cosmetic and mechanical condition is good then yes fixing the car would be wise. If it is ugly and needs lots more work forget it. Acuras are very low maintence cars for a while but fall apart fast when they get old.
References :
Rather than spend a heap of money on it get some metallic seal-up from your local parts store. Follow the instructions and good luck! Your mechanic won’t like it as it does him out of business, but works great as long as you follow the instructions and clean the cooling system out thoroughly first.
Also, get a new radiator fitted.
References :
http://www.afcinternational.com.au/site/data/1008_tech.htm
Head gasket isn’t that expensive. Might even need a new cylinder head, but even that’s less expensive than a new engine.
The real question is, "How long do I intend to drive this car?" If that’s the only major problem (aside from other wear and tear) and you plan on driving the car for several years, then you only need to weigh the cost of repair against the cost of another car.
It doesn’t matter if a car is only worth $2000 and needs $2500 worth of repairs. Point is, can you get a better car for that $2500 and drive it for a few years?
References :