About to buy used accord euro

[bumskee]

HI!
this actually is my first, kinda glad there's a huge community for Honda.
:)
anyways, I've been trying to buy a second hand honda for few days.. Today, I placed a deposit for a 04 purchased euro lux for 23K. It's actually manufactured in 03 tho, does this make it a 03 instead? the current owner advertised it as '04 but I am just curious.. also I need to provide this for insurance as well.

The car was in a good condition, except for a repaint job on the corner of rear bumper, it's less shiney to the rest of the bumper..

70K on the clock, took it for a quick drive, was quite nice, I actually had it on D3 for a bit until he told me I was on D3, i didn't even notice. :O

You guys are the experts, are there anything I should look out for? I had a good look but wasn't too sure what to look for..Even tho I am pretty much wrapped up about the purchase if something major is there I am willing to let him keep the 500 deposit and just walk away.

Maybe I should have asked here yesterday before looking at it today, heh.
Oh well..lesson learned hard.

Anything goes, or assure me I've done the right thing, hehe.

:) look forward to being active here, nice and cosy

cheers, M

[Dru42]

welcome!!!

thats a good pick up! i got mine abt 2 months ago 03 lux for 24k with 72k on the clock...!!! great guys on here and good help and info is around if needed!!

[akina]

Welcome and good luck on the purchase :thumbsup:

Good choice on the euro, this is an amazing car!

[aaronng]

Welcome. For model year, check the compliance plate.

[tron07]

Most probably the guy bought a 03 car at 2004.

[BiLL|z0r]

If it's manufactered in 03, it's an 03 model and priced accordingly.

[Borg]

I would get a mechanical check on it, just in case.

Also call your state traffic authority to do a REVS check on the car to see if it has finance outstanding, is stolen, has outstanding fines or has been written off.

[tony1234]

I would get a mechanical check on it, just in case.

Also call your state traffic authority to do a REVS check on the car to see if it has finance outstanding, is stolen, has outstanding fines or has been written off.
As above.get a mechanic to give it the once over,check the logbooks to see if it's been serviced at the right intervals,get a panel beater to check the accident damage to see it's been repaired properly.Also change the engine oil and filter and if it's an auto i'd change the transmission fluid to be safe.if you do this you should have a good car.:wave:

[yfin]

If it's manufactered in 03, it's an 03 model and priced accordingly.

If it has the 04 features it is the 04 model even if it is built in 03.

The 04 update has a shiny H on the steering wheel - the 03 had a dull finish. From memory I think the hazard button was also slightly different.

[bumskee]

It's a 04 model, as stated by aaronng, I've asked the mechanic, and bunch of insurance companies and also RTA, so it's o4 model made in 03!!! and I had the vehicle inspection guy come around and have a good look for over an hour. He actually said it was really well looked after, there are some car body paint issues, but the owner actually told me that before so.. Also will be purchasing the REVS as well, even tho I am like 99.5% there's no finance on it..

He actually told me what happened to the car prior to the inspection and everything all matched up even tho those two never talked so..

:)
yeah.. so all in all really happy!!
going to hand over the cash, ask for a receipt get that registration paper signed and all done..

oh yeah insurance.. calling now.. getting $17~1400 quotes.. eee

cheers, M

[akina]

Congrats to another euro owner :thumbsup:

Glad to see some honest people out there hehe and I don't think u'll be able to sleep until u get the car :p

[bumskee]

AHAH, yeah.. I am really excited, now that I know the car is really well looked after. yay.. I probably get one of those car detailing specialists to hav a look at the car as soon as I get it.. heh

[aaronng]

Did it have the chrome H logo on the steering wheel?

[Tobster]

The car was only released around September 2003 (?), so I could be wrong, but I wouldn't have expected an 04 update (don't remember seeing an official one, but there may have been minor changes like a badge).

It can still be an 04 model that was manufactured late 2003 -- (I have an 06 that I bought in Dec 05).

Check the compliance plate and the service books. I've never been too sure about where valuations stand on that issue, but I think it works on model year.

There are plenty of site where you can check the rough value of the car, including:
http://www.redbook.com.au
http://www.drive.com.au
http://www.carpoint.com.au

[traumatized]

i would always look at the build date on the compliance plate. it may have the updated features of an 04 but technically its an 03 to me as the compliance plate states the build date.

but not to worry in your case as you like the car and it has checked out good.

[bumskee]

yeah, it's built dec 03 and compliance plate has 01/04 model on it. and it has the chrome H badge on the wheel. But like Traumatized said, the car checked out good and I am happy with it :D just gotta spend some on getting the car looking shiney with all the money I saved..

[Borg]

Congratulations!! Sounds good. Don't forget to post some photos of your new ride.

[bumskee]

:D will do..

just a quick question, I've got about $500ish to spend on polishing up the car.. is this enough to get some sort of detailing on the car? professionally. The right side of the rear bumper is dull due to a crappy paint job I think..and the car seriously needs some good wash and waxing.. and some leather scrubbing too.. if not what kinda budget would I need?

btw, I've transferred registration over to my name, insured with AAMI for $1500 comprehensive.. ermm just gotta apply for those E-tag thingies all done..
:D

Oh also, I noticed the headlights the white ones.. seems brighter than the headlights in camry I used to drive.. The previous owner didn't mention any extras fitted except for tinting so I guess this was part of standard for euro right?

[minircc]

when i got my car, it looked quite dull because it was 04 model and wasn't looked after. i bought a bottle of meguiars polish and a bottle of meguiars wax. (maroon bottles).. i put on the polish, then buffed the whole car... then wax and buffed. the car looked sooo shinney after that i couldn't believe it :) just like a black mirror.. however, it did take me a whole day!
i guess that's why it's pricey if you do detailers, it takes a lot of effort..

[traumatized]

the white lights you are referring to it is the HIDs they are not normal halogen bulbs so they will definately be brighter.

$500 should be enough for a detail depending on how bad it is. have you considered trying it yourself?

[bumskee]

minircc, yeah that actually sounds good!! does that get rid of the little swirls? I didn't even notice it till I read it here actually. I also need to care for the inside too, but thought I get it done right first! and then do it for myself from then on actually...

traumatized, oh right, so that's what HIDs are... heh.. I am such a noob.. yeah definitely brighter I am kinda scared a cop my jump out and pull me over.. :( yeah I kinda want to get the leather seats looking a little fresh too, because it has the worn in stains I think.. I have! considered doing it myself actually.. but just trying to get my head around what to buy.. not to mention all the methods.. technical terms.. and yeah it's a little over whelming.. I have some money left over since I didn't spend all of my budget so thought I could just simply convince myself it was part of the car cost, heh. Any recommendations for car detailers? exterior and interior hopefully for the budget..

cheers, M

[akina]

The luxury model of the euro comes standard with the HIDs which is 100% legal. However, if ur euro was the standard model then yes it would be illegal unless u got auto leveling and cleaners, but that would be too expensive to put in.

IMO, coppers ain't going to get u for HIDs as much as before because most cars come with HIDs standard now like the BMWs, becoming very common.
If it ain't standard just make sure its not shining too high so u don't blind oncoming motorist and attention from cops.

[traumatized]

sorry bumskee what state are you in? so i can see if i know any in your area.

i guess if you feel the car needs some work to get it all nice and clean again get a detailer to do the hard work first time and from then on you can maintain it.

there are many good products around.. and the end decision is a personaly decision as some people are quite happy with products that can be easily bought from autobarn, super cheap auto, big w and so forth and others that will only use products that are not easy to come by in those stores and generally can only be bought online.

it all depends on how much you want to spend on products and what works well for you. i have a couple of my favourites that i use and absolutely love.

[bumskee]

akina, thanks.. I think it came with the car so.. I guess it's ok..:)

traumatized, oh yeah sorry, I am in sydney.. I went to a local car wash and got a wash + wax.. it's already heaps more shiney.. but I do want to take it to a detailer and also ask about general maintenance as well.. but more so to get it back to its original state as much as I can without having to repaint the whole car... yeah any recommendations would be really great! especially if it's within the budget, heh cheers dude!

[r-r-redEuro]

polish and wax do it 3 times lol.

[minircc]

Yeah, polish takes out the swirls and wax protects the car. not hard to do, just takes time, care and attention to detail. After i did it, i saw no swirls at all, just very glossy :cool:
a bottle of good polish costs about $20 and lasts a couple of times. same for the wax. then you need to make sure you get applicator pads ($3 for 2) and good polish clothes (around $7 a bag) to make the job easier and not damage the paint by creating more swirls. i do it all by hand, i don't bother with hand held polish machines.

alternatively if you are lazy and don't know what you are doing, get detailers to do it and sit there with a coffee and watch them ;)
do it once or twice a year if you are keen.

btw.. 'wash and wax' products don't really make a difference. it'll all in the one bottle. make sure you get proper car shampoo that doesnt strip off the wax and sheen too..

hope that helps!

[ant234]

Bringing an old thread back.

I had a 05/06 luxury man euro 3 years ago... and I sold it after my misses refused to learn to drive it... so had to get an auto after we decided to share a car.

3years down the track, and after getting married, we're now looking for a second car!!
Natrually after falling in love with the Euro, that is my first choice.

My preference is the 05/06 look (with the 17" 5 'double' spoke rims)... and also prefer the luxury model and under 80k.
Are there anything I need to look into specifially when I'm checking them out?
I still remember the rattling metalic noise from the boot... arg, the good old times!

[Simonnn]

Bringing an old thread back.

I had a 05/06 luxury man euro 3 years ago... and I sold it after my misses refused to learn to drive it... so had to get an auto after we decided to share a car.

3years down the track, and after getting married, we're now looking for a second car!!
Natrually after falling in love with the Euro, that is my first choice.

My preference is the 05/06 look (with the 17" 5 'double' spoke rims)... and also prefer the luxury model and under 80k.
Are there anything I need to look into specifially when I'm checking them out?
I still remember the rattling metalic noise from the boot... arg, the good old times!

Take a look at this thread here (http://ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127418) :)

[thagoodstuff]

hey bumskee

how much did you end up paying for the car?

i bought my 04 lux model for 22G's @ 70k

congratulations btw, i know how excited you are... i've had mine since new years eve and i'm lovin it...

what colour did you end up getting?

i also had the same problem with the car, i had to get it detailed + get some paint fixed... just got my car back today from the panelbeaters and it looks freaking brand spankin new! sooo happy with it.

if you need a hand with a detailer, let me know... a client of mine referred me to this detailer and also panelbeater and both did outstanding jobs, which is why i'm over the moon..

i got my car detailed for $220 inside and out and i paid an extra $100 for leather protection..

because the panelbeater was a friend of my clients, i paid $800 for the front + rear bumper, hood and paintless dent removal on the boot...

post up some pics brotha!

[thagoodstuff]

whoops my bad.

the guy was asking for 22G's but i negotiated it down to 20G's flat. ohhh yeah!

[ant234]

Take a look at this thread here (http://ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127418) :)

Thanks, that'll teach me to look around first! :P

[euromandeluxe]

hey bumskee

how much did you end up paying for the car?

i bought my 04 lux model for 22G's @ 70k

congratulations btw, i know how excited you are... i've had mine since new years eve and i'm lovin it...

what colour did you end up getting?

i also had the same problem with the car, i had to get it detailed + get some paint fixed... just got my car back today from the panelbeaters and it looks freaking brand spankin new! sooo happy with it.

if you need a hand with a detailer, let me know... a client of mine referred me to this detailer and also panelbeater and both did outstanding jobs, which is why i'm over the moon..

i got my car detailed for $220 inside and out and i paid an extra $100 for leather protection..

because the panelbeater was a friend of my clients, i paid $800 for the front + rear bumper, hood and paintless dent removal on the boot...

post up some pics brotha!

hey mate, you should probably check out the date of the opening post! he bought the car back in 2007! epic thread revival

[thagoodstuff]

haha dayuuum

[euromandeluxe]

Bringing an old thread back.

I had a 05/06 luxury man euro 3 years ago... and I sold it after my misses refused to learn to drive it... so had to get an auto after we decided to share a car.

3years down the track, and after getting married, we're now looking for a second car!!
Natrually after falling in love with the Euro, that is my first choice.

My preference is the 05/06 look (with the 17" 5 'double' spoke rims)... and also prefer the luxury model and under 80k.
Are there anything I need to look into specifially when I'm checking them out?
I still remember the rattling metalic noise from the boot... arg, the good old times!

PM sent!!!