Hello everyone! Thought I'd post and see if anyone has any thoughts...

I currently own a 2003 Honda Accord V6 6sp. It's a nice car but I like having the extra room with 4 doors ,turbos and awd that the S4 has. I understand they are expensive to repair and all that...


My Accord is in excellent shape with 96,000 miles. It will need the timing belt, water pump etc. service soon which will be at least $1,000. I'm looking at trading it for a 2000 S4 with 102,000 miles on it. It is also in excellent condition. I'm waiting to hear back on whether the timing belt/water pump service has been done. If it has I'm thinking of trading my accord in.

Would you guys trade - assuming I won't loose any money on the accord?? Just curious to see what S4 owners might have to say.

Thanks!

 

I'd say you made the right choice. Be sure to keep some money aside for replacing the DVs and TBB if you plan to do any upgrades. Those are crucial.

I blew my DVs within 10 mins of 'testing out' a chip. :P

 

if you can find a 2001.5 or 2002 year i think you'd be better since thats when they changed some of the cooling issues with the turbos plus better throttle body boot and some other things, you can look it up in the forums about the differences between the two. yea they're more expensive but if you take care of it and buy it from someone who took care of it too. good luck! ps buy a black or a red one because thats the color i wish i bought and then you can trade with me!!

 

Thanks! I'm going later this afternoon to check it out and take it for a drive. I talked to the dealer and they've pulled all of the service records. It's a one owner and he said that he has the records for the 30, 60 and 90K services. He did they say they put a timing belt on at 90K. I just told him I'd look at everything closely when I got there.

I did some research and made a list of things to check on... I came up with (and will ask about)... Control arms, tie rods ends, dust seals, ball joints, timing belt, water pump, cam seals, cam tensioner seals, listen really close to turbos, make sure 1st to 2nd gear shifts (especially) feel ok and of course check for any leaks.

If I get there and some of this stuff hasn't been replaced would you consider it a deal breaker?? Is there anything on the list would make you say "no way I'm not buying b/c that should of been done"?? Am I forgetting anything??

 

Anyone?? I'm heading there soon.

 

well you said the timing belt had been done. even if it hadnt i would still buy it, in fact i did. mine had 96k on it without the timing belt being redone and i didnt end up doing it until 105k and it was still in good shape, i just wanted to get it out of the way. the only thing that would be a deal breaker for me would be blown or whiny turbos. if it sounds like a dentist drill theyre either done or on their way out. and bad gear syncros might play a big factor with me. ive heard they can be a pain. but if its in the shape he says, theyre probably fine.

 

Great answer - thanks! I'm leaving in about 15 min - I'll check back to see if anyone else has any more tips.

Thanks again!