about to pull the trigger - any info? VIN: JH4NA1152MT002113

[kertong]

Hi folks,

Almost ready to pull the trigger on this guy: JH4NA1152MT002113

It's a 1991 sebring silver with 35k miles, WP/timing belt done at 33k miles. All stock, not modified or tracked.

Only issue is a fender bender reported in nov. '12, according to the consignment shop selling it. It wasn't enough to total the car seemingly, and they claim it was just a quarter panel / rear bumper repair.

Can anyone run a carfax, or have any information on this car before I plunk down my hard earned cash on it?

Would be *greatly* appreciated - I hate to ask but this is a big purchase on a dream car of mine since I was 11 years old..

Thanks!

 

[RSO 34]

Is it just me or does the ride height seem "off"? I guess after seeing all the "hellaflush" interest and pics on Prime anything else might seem too high but something about this pic seems a bit strange (especially with 17 inch wheels):

 

[kertong]

RSO 34: Agreed, I noticed that as well. The sellers got back to me and said that pavement is uneven so the car was sitting funny (it does look to be parked on a weird incline), and showed me these photos after the OEM wheels were fitted back on, and it looks much better (at least from what I can see):

 

[NSXcitement]

Is it just me or does the ride height seem "off"? I guess after seeing all the "hellaflush" interest and pics on Prime anything else might seem too high but something about this pic seems a bit strange (especially with 17 inch wheels):

I think the back looks about right for stock, but the front looks a little high. Perhaps the owner had it set high to keep from scraping the driveway going up on the left of the photo? I couldn't find anything on that VIN. Nice color though. :smile:

 

[mugen_kid]

I was eyeing this when it first came out on autotrader about 5 months ago. The original photos look to be a bad paint job that didn't match at all. I cant see any of those things in the photos above. When first listed it was going for 32 then went up to 38 overnight. If everything checks out it should be a good car, depending on what you buy it for of course. Good luck!

 

[kertong]

I was eyeing this when it first came out on autotrader about 5 months ago. The original photos look to be a bad paint job that didn't match at all. I cant see any of those things in the photos above. When first listed it was going for 32 then went up to 38 overnight. If everything checks out it should be a good car, depending on what you buy it for of course. Good luck!

Whoa, thanks for the reply mugen_kid. When you saw the mismatching paintjob, do you remember which panel it was? There are more pics of it here: http://www.carsauto.com/1991-acura-nsx--c-879.htm

I was going to try and get the car out the door at ~$35k as I've seen it on the lot for a while and I figure they are eager to move it - along with the minor blemishes they mention as well as the missing spare tire. But if it was in a worse accident than they are describing and they had to repaint the whole car or what not, then I'm much more wary of the transaction.. I do really like that it only has 35k miles (with the WP/timing belt being done already), as I plan on driving the piss out of it daily D), but if it was poorly kept or repaired, then that's not worthwhile..

thanks for the advice so far, everyone!

 

[Rusted_nailz]

Are you taking it in for a pre purchase inspection? That might uncover hidden issues. When was the timing belt done time wise? Service intervels recommended 6 or 7 years ( cant remember)

 

[mugen_kid]

Whoa, thanks for the reply mugen_kid. When you saw the mismatching paintjob, do you remember which panel it was? There are more pics of it here: http://www.carsauto.com/1991-acura-nsx--c-879.htm

I was going to try and get the car out the door at ~$35k as I've seen it on the lot for a while and I figure they are eager to move it - along with the minor blemishes they mention as well as the missing spare tire. But if it was in a worse accident than they are describing and they had to repaint the whole car or what not, then I'm much more wary of the transaction.. I do really like that it only has 35k miles (with the WP/timing belt being done already), as I plan on driving the piss out of it daily D), but if it was poorly kept or repaired, then that's not worthwhile..

thanks for the advice so far, everyone!

It was the left side I noticed, the door and rear quarter did not match and I could instantly tell it was painted rom the pictures. I'm curious if they fixed the issues in house, the first time it was listed it had different wheels. IM pretty sure a older couple owned it before. I found a old for sale ad from them when I was looking online. Have you tried to enter the VIN into Google yet? My thought on this car when I saw it posted for the second time on ebay and Autotrader that all the body panels matched. So to me I feel it was fixed. You could say maybe it was the photos giving that effect but all the photos on the left side looked off in the pictures. Not trying to scare you, I just don't want you to regret anything! It could be an excellent car! Make sure you get a PPI its the best money spent!

 

[kertong]

Thanks mugen_kid! Yeah, tried punching the VIN into google - nothing really other than spammy domains scraping the for-sale listings. Thankfully the VIN didn't show up in any of the NSX salvage lists etc.

I'll def. get a PPI done - it seems that Don at Hilltop Auto in Daly City is the way to go. Do I call him, schedule an appt, then ask the consignment dealer to take the car over there for the appt? And rusted_nailz - the WP/Timing belt was done at 33k miles, but time interval wise I'm not sure - once I decide to go for this car I'll head up there in person and ask for the service records.

As for the repainting, I don't mind as long as it was done properly - the car, being ~22 years old now, it isn't completely unexpected to have had a fender bender or touchup paintjob here and there in its history. I just don't want to be screwed if I ever decide to sell the car later down the road.

 

[Rusted_nailz]

That's what I did with my car. Had the dealer drive it to the shop for PPI after I made the appointment.

 

[CStricker]

Let me know how this goes. Very curious about this car since I'm local.

Three things that bothered me:

1. The dealer wrote that the OEM wheels would be installed prior to sale... why not install the wheels and have them in the pictures? I saw that they sent you a picture with the OEM wheels. That's good.

2. Bolster wear in such a low mileage car. Interior from the pictures doesn't look pristine but the pictures aren't that great.

3. The rear bumper was repainted because of the stated accident, but it has a blemish on the rear bumper. Was it not properly repainted, or was there something else that happened after?

 

[golfnutintib]

I saw this car at Dwaydiak. I passed on it as it did not seem well cared for. For such a low miles car it felt like it was beat around. Sales person told me it was the owners daughter who got to drive it in recent years. (It shows). Windshield gasket was also screwed up, clutch was very lumpy and felt irregular, as well as the problems already mentioned with the rear bumper and some nicks on side panels. There are 22 year old NSX's that are cleaner than this (I bought one!).

 

[kertong]

golfnutintib: whoa! that is some very valuable information with some huge red flags - based on your post alone (well along with cstricker's solid points), I think I will pass on the car. You guys just saved me a trip up to san francisco . I've waited 20 years to realize this dream, waiting a bit more for the right one to come along won't hurt.

thank you thank you thank you everyone!

- - - Updated - - -

I wonder if it's still worth taking to Don at hilltop auto for a ppi (seems to be the preferred nsx specialist in this area) to see what he thinks? or would that just be a waste of time at this point?

 

[CStricker]

Since you're not too far from the city (if you're in Redwood City), I'd go take a look if I were you just so you're not left wondering, "What if it really was a good car?" If everything looks ok to you, then get a PPI with Don. Though I imagine that there's a reason why it's been for sale for so long...

 

[JoseJA1979]

go to http://vsvin.info/ and run a free autocheck!

 

[kertong]

Just an update - The salesman I'm working with was happy to offer to drive/drop the NSX off at Hilltop Auto with Don, the appointment has already been scheduled for tomorrow. It's in good hands with Don, and reading some horror stories about dealers being reluctant to go to certain PPI mechanics, I am a bit relieved.

Looking forward to hearing what Don has to say about the vehicle. I'll come and update this post here with what Don has to say for future reference (in case I pass on the car etc).

Thanks again for the help, what a lovely community.

JoseJa1979: from vsvin.info - "Sorry, we are no longer accepting new users. "

 

[shawn110975]

it looks way to high in the front, I would ask why. with stock wheels it should be lower in the front. the rear looks ok.

but a car with 33K miles, with that much bolster wear??? makes me think the speedo cluster was unplugged most of its 250,000 mile life

much cleaner NSX's that this one but you need to be ready to jump.

remember NEVER WIRE MONEY even if its an NSXPRIME MEMBER. learn from my buyer experience getting 1000 deposit stolen

 

[Hapa88]

Yeah, based on the additional pictures, I would discredit the parked on uneven pavement theory. If it's high on one side, it's generally lower on the opposite corner, which isn't the case.

The front tires do appear to be the wrong size (as in slightly too wide & sidewalls slightly too tall). This does raise the front up slightly, but not enough to make the gap as large as it appears in your first picture.

Also seems to be missing the spare tire.

 

[kertong]

thanks hapa88 - so even in the photos with the oem wheels installed, the gap is too large?

either way, it goes in for ppi tomorrow with Don @ hilltop auto, so I'll ask him about that.

 

[golfnutintib]

Don Lam will do a good job and will call out all mechanical/electrical issues. You will need to decide on the cosmetic rehab issues... of which there is a good amount to do. Dawydiak is a reputable shop, with good mechanics. They consign only very high end cars. They would not have taken in a car if they felt the odometer was tampered with...

golfnutintib: whoa! that is some very valuable information with some huge red flags - based on your post alone (well along with cstricker's solid points), I think I will pass on the car. You guys just saved me a trip up to san francisco . I've waited 20 years to realize this dream, waiting a bit more for the right one to come along won't hurt.

thank you thank you thank you everyone!

- - - Updated - - -

I wonder if it's still worth taking to Don at hilltop auto for a ppi (seems to be the preferred nsx specialist in this area) to see what he thinks? or would that just be a waste of time at this point?

 

[CStricker]

Very interested to see what Don has to say. Keep us updated!

 

[CStricker]

Any update?

 

[kertong]

CStricker: Yup!

I bought the car!

First off, the PPI: Don really *is* as good as everyone here says he is. Extremely detail oriented and thorough, and his wife Diana was amazingly patient and detailed explaining to me everything they found on the car, whether it was common for its age/miles, and what best/worst case fixes were. Some details about the PPI -

The good:
- Timing Belt / Water Pump were updated and new
- Compression + Leakdown test passed with flying colors, a healthy (and perfect) 200psi on all 6 cylinders
- Frame/body is straight and solid

The minorly bad (all cosmetic things I can easily repair and don't mind):
- windshield molding cracked/missing (good catch golfnutintib)
- crack in dashboard plastic towards the center
- small dings along rear bumper and rear quarter panel on pass. side
- scratched center caps of wheels
- slight corrosion on 3 of the ignition coils
- windows roll up slightly slow, possible sign of window regulator or off-track window

The actual bad:
- clutch master + slave cylinder has a slow leak (again, great eye golfnutintib)
- clutch has a very slight shudder under certain loads while engaging gear
- a/c does not blow cold (diana said 95% likely just needed a freon recharge)
- slight leak in left rear axle boot
- very slight clicking sound at 5-10mph from left rear wheel, according to don it may be an easy fix by regreasing the joints/wheel bearing


All in all, the inspection was WORTH EVERY PENNY, and Don recommended the buy as long as I was ok with doing some repairs. With the faults/imperfections found in the car I was able to negotiate the price further down and walk away with it for $34k - slightly high for what the car is ($30-32k would've been more ideal imo), but with the rising values of these cars, the rarity of unmodified/unmolested 91-93s, the consignment dealership overhead, and how much I love silver, I figured the price was reasonable and I went to check out the car. After all the bad things I read on this thread and from Don's report re: dings and such, I wasn't expecting much, but first sight literally took my breath away - my wife could not believe it was a 23 year old car. Paint, aside from the aforementioned dings, was perfect and shiny, and the car looked amazing. Bolster wear wasn't nearly as bad as the photos depicted and the interior was quite clean / well taken care of. So - I decided to pull the trigger.

Little bit of service to do though - first items will be a clutch service, axle/wheel regreasing and boot-leak fixing, and an a/c recharge, and according to Don it will be perfectly daily driveable and road worthy.

I am stoked! Sorry for the novel, but a little backstory: I grew up being a musclecar gearhead - my first car was a 1995 camaro Z28 that I slowly wrenched on myself all DIY to get it headers, hiflow cat, LT4 hotcam, 1.6:1 roller rockers, cat-back exhaust, PCM tuning, etc etc for a 340rwhp ride. I sold it after college though, and got myself into an MR2 spyder, which got me a small taste of the small handling cars, but I eventually went back to another Z28/Trans Am, and drove that around until I upgraded to my "attainable dream car", a 2004 Corvette Z06.

Loved the C5Z, until one day, I met up with a fellow cal alumni (a prime member here), and he was gracious enough to let me test drive the NSX. His was a salvage titled 91, but it was enough to COMPLETELY ruin the C5Z for me. Got back in the vette right after the test drive and felt like I was driving a powerful barge - the power was nice, but the steering wheel felt HUGE and disconnected, pretty much like one of these: (steering-wheel-of-old-sail-ship.jpg)

I ended up selling the C5Z a month later, got myself into an S2000 thinking it'd give me a similar handling feeling to the NSX. Eventually I sold that for a 2005 Lotus Elise, traded that for a 2010 LS3 Corvette - and realized how disconnected the vette felt. Went back to a 996 911 c2, sold that after it had a bunch of electrical problems, and bought a cpo'ed 2009 Boxster S, then again sold that after an year and gave up and decided I wasn't going to have any more cars until i get that NSX (my wife and I refer to it as my unicorn).

Well, I finally got it today and I have to say, it drives as amazingly as I remember it from the test drive I originally took - the test drive that was pretty much the closest thing I've ever had to a "religious experience" and flipped my world upside down.



ANYHOW - I wanted to thank this community for all the advice, if any of you guys are out near Redwood City I would be very happy to treat you to a cup of coffee, lunch or some beers! This car has, and will continue to change my life! Still in shock, so please excuse my babbling..



- - - Updated - - -

oh, and one thing Don didn't mention but I noticed:

I can lock both doors with the key from the driver side, but I can't get the pass. door to unlock, neither from outside, nor from inside the car using the "LOCK" button on the doors. Possible broken power lock on pass side?

 

[anesthesia]

Congrats, been folowing and eyeing that car for awhile seeing when someone would snatch it up. Low milage nsx are getting tougher to find. Happy motoring and welcome to NSX ownership

 

[kertong]

Hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come - but I had to tow the car home last night! The throttle cable broke - something that just couldn't be helped, really seems like bad luck at this point - I don't think I can reasonably have expected the consignment mechanics or PPI to see/predict this.

I was relieved that it was an easy / simple part and fix, but now I see the throttle cable is a discontinued part! First taste of NSX ownership.. haha.

Towing it over to Don @ Hilltop on Monday to get this fixed (hopefully he knows where to find/source a throttle cable), along with all the other things found in the PPI. Somewhat expected though so I'm not too bothered - the car was driving like a dream for the first 50-60 miles I drove it until the gas pedal went to the floor effortlessly.