Would this send red flags?

[orbusrex]

Just got a carfax on a car I'm picking up this weekend... see below. It says it had 7 owners, and there are 2 or 3 listings as sold at auction. Would this be any cause for concern? Is there any way to look deeper into this? Owner said he had it for a little less than a year... could the titling in July be him having already owned it but that's when he paid off any lien?

The car is on Autotrader, a red 96 with a WW kit, 18/19 five stars. Owner says it's perfect. I pick it up this weekend. I'm going to bring the check list upon pickup, but anything you guys think I should specifically look for?

Thanks, hope to join the owner ranks this weekend.

Rob

CARFAX:

The story of this 1996 ACURA NSX-T (JH4NA1182TT000208) according to our interpretation of the information reported to CARFAX:
This coupe has had 7 owners and was owned in Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Texas. It was originally registered to a company, like a bank or firm, to be used for business purposes.
It has had no minor or moderate accidents reported to CARFAX.
It has had no DMV-reported total loss events, like a major accident, fire or flood.
It has not been reported by a DMV as having an Exceeds Mechanical Limits or Not Actual Mileage title.
It has a consistent mileage history with no indication of an odometer rollback. It was driven an average of 6,205 miles per year, which is lower than the industry average of 15,000. The last odometer reading, reported on 07/07/2005, was 59,199 miles.
It was not reported by a DMV as a Manufacturer Buyback or LEMON.
Its basic warranty has expired. You may want to discuss an extended warranty with your dealer.
Go to the Detailed Vehicle History for the complete history and a glossary of terms.

CARFAX searched more than 3 billion records from over 7,600 sources and found 24 record(s) for this 1996 ACURA NSX-T (JH4NA1182TT000208).

Date:
Mileage Reading:
Source:
General Comments:


04/15/1996 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Orlando, FL
Registered as
corporate vehicle


04/22/1996 252 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Orlando, FL
Title #0070670387
Odometer reading reported for title
or registration


05/01/1996 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Orlando, FL
Title #0070670387
Title issued or updated
First owner reported


05/01/1996 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Orlando, FL
Title #70670387
Title issued or updated
Loan or lien reported


04/06/1998 15,612 Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Dept.
East Petersburg, PA
Title or registration issued
New owner reported


05/20/1998 17,871 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Electrical system serviced


07/23/1998 18,581 Auto Auction
Eastern Region
Vehicle sold


06/01/1999 26,125 Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Ambler, PA
Title or registration issued
New owner reported


07/18/2002 44,808 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Eastern Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle


08/01/2002 48,822 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced


08/09/2002 Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Montgomeryville, PA
Title issued or updated
New owner reported


08/27/2002 Dealer Inventory
Westmont, IL
Vehicle offered for sale


09/19/2002 Dealer Inventory
Illinois
Vehicle sold


10/22/2002 Dealer Inventory
Tinley Park, IL
Vehicle offered for sale


11/26/2002 Dealer Inventory
Tinley Park, IL
Vehicle offered for sale


12/19/2002 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Eastern Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle


12/27/2002 Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Montgomeryville, PA
Title issued or updated
Duplicate title issued


04/16/2003 Georgia
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pavo, GA
Title #776543031063022
Title issued or updated
Registration issued or renewed
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported


04/21/2003 50,157 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Engine serviced


06/27/2003 53,101 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced


08/12/2003 54,214 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Florida
Listed as
a dealer vehicle


11/21/2003 54,254 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Brownsville, TX
Title #10831737936163429
Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported
Passed safety inspection


01/02/2004 54,735 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced


07/07/2005 59,199 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
San Antonio, TX
Title #01511438525105317
Title issued or updated
New

 

[cmc140]

Rob,
I am currently on the hunt for an NSX myself. My personal opinion about the Carfax report posted above would scare me, to say the least. I am no expert, nor am I the ultimate NSX guru, but personally I wouldn't look at that car without some who knows their stuff when it comes to body work. More friendly advice would be just keep taking your time and make sure you don't have any doubts about things that may look sketchy. It can also be difficult to point out signs of repair when you first look at the car because it is easy to get caught up in the whole magic of the NSX, which is somewhat mesmerizing. Especially, if someone has done the repair work to a very high standard. Buying used cars takes time.
My 2 cents,
Chris

 

[Dave in Clarkston]

If you have any question about purchasing a vehicle like the NSX I would do a PPI (Pre Purchase Inspection). Do a search and you should find more on this. Your going to be spending big bucks to purchase this car and the cost to repair an NSX can be very expensive, not unlike other low volume sports cars. Spend a few hundred bucks up front so you don't have to worry about spending a few thousand later. Call a local Acura dealer or specialist and ask them about performing the PPI.

The last used vehicle I purchased was my 911 and I spent almost $400 to have the car inspected. If they had found something that would have been an unknow cost to me I would have worked on the price of the repair with the seller or decided not to purchase. I guess there is a chance that you might loose the money you spent on the PPI but better to loose a small amount than a very expensive repair just after you make the purchase.

 

[orbusrex]

Thanks guys!

 

[Cairo94507]

I agree with Dave 100%.

 

[orbusrex]

Sounds like good advice...

Going to try Arrowwood Automotive or HNA as they seem to have the best rep with you guys. Any idea on how long a PPI takes? Is it something to wait around for or something to go to the sports bar and watch the game?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[RON98]

cmc140 ....

from the looks of it, the car was sold from a private seller to a dealer and the dealer put it up for sale from one dealer ship to another. Its nothing to stay away from but an inspection is good idea.

Everything depends on what you percieve the value of the car to be and how much you are willing to pay.

Im sure you or i would snach it up for 14K.

You cant just say that im staying away from it just cause of the 2 dealer sales + 6 owners.

Everything has to click.

 

[orbusrex]

Thanks Ron... I think a PPI is surely in order. Any idea on how long it takes? I'm flying out and imposing on the seller while there so I don't want to be too much of a pain.... but I also want to make sure the car isn't about to blow up!!

The owner said he had the following done recently:

60k service w/ TB/water pump/ valve adjustment
new brakes
said everything checked out good.

any specifics for a 1996 with 60k miles?
says he thinks it's the original clutch, and that upon service they said it was fine.

has brand new yokos and the original 7-spokes with new tires too...

 

[redshift]

Thanks Ron... I think a PPI is surely in order. Any idea on how long it takes? I'm flying out and imposing on the seller while there so I don't want to be too much of a pain.... but I also want to make sure the car isn't about to blow up!!

The owner said he had the following done recently:

60k service w/ TB/water pump/ valve adjustment
new brakes
said everything checked out good.

any specifics for a 1996 with 60k miles?
says he thinks it's the original clutch, and that upon service they said it was fine.

has brand new yokos and the original 7-spokes with new tires too...

There is nothing really specific to check for on the '96 in terms of common failures. Obviously the clutch may be near the end of it's life with 60K miles (depends on how it was driven); if it's original then it should feel very light... it won't give your leg a workout. Make sure that when you're shifting the gears click in very smoothly. There should be no hangups or difficulty moving through the gearbox.

 

[orbusrex]

Thanks Erin!

Called Arrowwood in San Antonio and they are going to take a look at it when I get out there. They said it will be about an hour and only cost $60...

If it all works out, I'll be back in town on Sunday with my new baby!

 

[Shumdit]

Check to see if the eps module has been replaced.

 

[orbusrex]

If it hasn't, will it need to before too long? If so, how expensive is it to replace?
(was hoping to get your $.02 shumdit! thanks!)

 

[Shumdit]

It was covered for 8 years under the campaign, and there is an outside chance that they would goodwill it for you if it went bad in the near future, but if it has not been replaced I would be very careful to never turn the wheel without the car running.

 

[RON98]

If you know lots abouts cars. You can do your own inspection. The usual, engine visual, underside view for oil leaks and what not, hard braking with hands off the wheel to see if the car is drifting to one side which can telll about possable caliper locks and alignment problems. The visiual under body inspection is probably the most important one for me.

Also listen to the car while your driving it for any noise, clicking, ticking, clunk, rattles and what not.

Make sure to run through all the gears to feel for their condition.

Finally negotiate with these factors in mind.

Good luck on the sale.

This is what i was thinking today cause hte red car im selling has 6 previous owners.

there are under 10000 NSX in USA ... and there are 300,000,000 people..... and about 99% of them want a NSX

so 6 is not too bad if this stuff is kept in concideration

 

[Larry Bastanza]

You have gotten great advice above. One more thing is to make sure you have the A/C system checked, at least make sure it runs ice cold. If the Climate Control is having troubles that is a pretty cheap fix, however if you have any Freon problem at all, could be BIG BUCKS

HTH,
LarryB

 

[Hugh]

If you know lots abouts cars. You can do your own inspection. The usual, engine visual, underside view for oil leaks and what not, hard braking with hands off the wheel to see if the car is drifting to one side which can telll about possable caliper locks and alignment problems. The visiual under body inspection is probably the most important one for me.

Wouldn't you also want a compression/leakdown test done? Is that part of a normal PPI?

 

[orbusrex]

I asked Arrowwod about a compression test. They said they only do them if there is tell-tale signs of bad stuff ie. black or blue smoke, leaks etc. They don't do them for PPI's.

Great point Larry; being in Arizona, ice cold A/C is a MUST!!! I assume the A/C should warm up in a couple of minutes and with a cabin as small as the X should be cold quickly.

 

[RON98]

The compression check is also good but not everyone has the tools and expertise.

Also its a big time consuming check for the NSX. Not all NSX owners want you to tair down their engine and remove the plugs and take off the EFI fuse and crank the engine about 30 rototations dry.

Its at least an 1 hour job for someone with quick hands and not to many owners want to see you rip their baby apart... or at least i would not.

Also you can tell allot by the start up.

Instead of the compression test. I always ask the owners NOT to run the car before i get there. I tell them i want a completely cold engine.

I ask them to start the car with me standing behind the car eyeing the exhaust pipes. I look for white/blue smoke. Blue is burning oil - ie bad compression, white is coolant but is normal when the car just starts but if it still comes out when the car is warm then you have a coolent leak somewhere or at the head gasket.

Also when you drive the car. You can feel how well the car runs and how strongit pulls. any hesistations, noises.

All this added up = my compression and engine test.

A/C is important but if your a do it yourselfer, you can learn to fix it yourself. Im doing the A/C today and we'll see how it goes. If the compressor is seized your in for major bucks unless your can rebuild it yourself... which you can also learn

If the A/C is broken however, you can isolate a few problems by a visual check. The biggest ugly monkey is the compressor.. If it is seized your in trouble... but i have only seen one sized compressor in my life time and that was on a 20 year old Benz. Check to see if the compressor is turning, making noise. If it is making angry sounds, you'll need a new one or learn to rebuild it yourself. If it is just a leak some where. That is no biggy. Usually it is the O-rings and you can check yourself with a 10$ can of dye from walmart.

You can also do a cheap but effective fix with epoxi sealer... which im giving a shot today.

Personally i rather have an A/C problem then not have one

The best one is that the system needs a recharge. If its something small like a refill, you have SUBSTANCIAL negotiating power leveraged and can knock off a grand or more ... paid for by a $10 DIY can of freon.

DIY keeps life exciting and cheap.

 

[orbusrex]

Thanks Ron, I'll call the guy and tell him not to run it before i get there.

 

[RON98]

np!

one more thing i just thought of.

You can smell the exhaust

Put the back of your hand right after the exhaust pipe for about 1 second. How quickly bring your cupped hand to your nose. Now smell the exhaust. You should not smell gas or burnt coolant in the exhaust. The car must be warned up tho beacuse if the car is cold, the air/gas mix is not very good and also the car dumps in more fuel to get the car up to operating temp.

Secondly. Do that again and now Now feel the back of your hand with your other hand. It should not be oily or excessively moist. If it feels oily, then some oil is working its way throught the system and should be a point of caution.

As for the A/C i just fixed mine and it works great right now! I'll be doing a complete write up on vacuuming and recharging your system. It is really easy to do and took me about 1 hour for everything. :biggrin:

Good luck on your purchase!

These tips applies to all car buying. I use these religiously when i go car shopping.

 

[orbusrex]

Thanks again! All being said, it SHOULD be a pretty good car. It was serviced by HNA in San Antonio. I talked to Heinz over there and all he could say was that it was real clean. Their main tech is out of town this week so we didn't get into heavy specifics. Sounds like they know the owner okay and didn't have anything negative to say!!!

The check is in the mail and I leave Friday night... woo-hoo.

(If worst comes to worst, my wife is coming with me so we'll just stay a couple of days extra if it doesn't work out and jump a stand-by flight home. Always heard San Antonio is a great town!)