At what point do you think I should sell my 2004 Accord? When do you intend to sell?

[fazio767]

Hello,

About 10 months ago I purchased a 2004 Accord V6 6 speed, a car that has effectivly had problem after problem.

First off, immidiatly after i bought the car the EGR valve got clogged up, and the car stopped running entirely. Three-hundred dollers later, the issue has apperently been "fixed".

Secondly, I discovered a few weeks ago that my trunk has been leaking. Though the fabric inside is perfectly dry, there is usually about 10 inches of standing water in the lower trunk bay which houses the spare tire.

Lastly, the car is burning oil like crazy. After driving for about four weeks of driving, the oil tank has about 3/4ths of the full ammount left. Im assumeing that is probably a "bad" thing

What do you guys think?

What problems are you having with your accord, and are you thinking about selling it?

[Hokiedad4]

Hi Fazio,

Sorry to hear about that. Seems you inherited some serious problems. I'm not sure how much financial stamina you have to fix everything that needs fixing, but in your shoes I'd be looking for something else to drive.

My 2004 LX was a Honda CPO, so not a single problem. But there's always some luck of the draw with respect to used cars. I have no intent to sell as this car has been completely reliable transportation for me past the 200k mark.

[mc1114]

If you're tired of the car and have the money to put towards something newer after selling this one, go for it. That's what I've been doing for the past 3 or so years lol. The cars I purchase are always in great condition,. I just sell because I get bored with something and want to try something else, not because of constant problems

[hondamon]

If you're having problem after problem, get rid of it ASAP. On the other hand, I am 110% happy with mine so I don't intend to sell anytime soon. Maybe 3 years or so from now. I just bought mine about 8 months ago.

[DreaminAccord]

When do you intend to sell? ... uhm, probably when I can see through the floor boards?

[BLCKFLSH]

I've been having my 03 V6 automatic since new. I've had very few problems, all minor, and I don't plan on selling it any time soon. You can get a lemon, in any brand, so when I find a reliable car, I stick with it. Even buying a car new, doesn't mean it will be trouble-free. I know people who are affraid to own a car after the warranty has expired. That's just paranoid, IMO. I would drive this car accross country, and be confident doing it. If you feel the car is unreliable, sell or trade it, which is what I did with the Toyota truck I traded for this car at only 6 years and 60,000 miles. You get to a point where you've had enough of the problems.

[2006accord4]

If the rubber trunk seals are in tack, you got a car that has been in an accident. Get someone to lay down in the trunk with a flash light while you run a hose over the trunk. Find out where water is coming in from.

[05and91]

You have to check out a used car good before buying it. IMO one of the most important things to check when buying a used car is for oil burning. You don't want an oil burner. And if it's burning oil it's likely been neglected in all other areas too. A lot of people are idiots and don't take care of their cars.

Next time you buy a used car check the oil, the oil on the dipstick should look clean and transparent, not black and dirty. Then look inside the valve cover with a flashlight and make sure inside the valve cover (open the fill cap) it's shiny and new looking, not dirty, grimy or sludgy looking. Then put the running car in neutral or park and step on the gas good and hold it for 20 or 30 seconds and look at the rear of the car to see if any smoke comes out the exhaust. If it's burning oil you should see smoke and it will stink.

Sounds like you got a car that's been neglected (oil burning) and wrecked (water in trunk). I'd get rid of it and learn a lesson from it about buying used cars.

If you have theft insurance coverage you could park it in a bad area unlocked with the keys in the ignition and hope it's stolen.....just kidding about that, even if the insurance companies are scammers and rip offs that deserve it (IMO), it would probably be illegal.

[RyanAccord]

i've only had mine about a year. and i plan on keeping mine as long as i can.


sorry to hear about your problems. ... i am sure that could happen with any make/model.

[stiller fan]

Originally Posted by 2006accord4

If the rubber trunk seals are in tack, you got a car that has been in an accident. Get someone to lay down in the trunk with a flash light while you run a hose over the trunk. Find out where water is coming in from.

i disagree with this. there have been other leaky trunks with the 7th gen when it first came out.

over time, the 4th gen was prone to leak as well. that, however, was due more to bad seals around the trunk and the bottom of the rear glass.

[hillstones]

That's too bad about the Accord. Sounds like someone passed off their problem Accord to you. How much research did you do before buying? Did they disclose those problems to you, and you bought it anyway? How many miles are on it?

I have never had water leak into my trunk, and my '03 Accord is now just over 10 years old. My rear window was resealed by Honda for free, but it was not a trunk leak. The rear seal at the top of the coupe's rear window started leaking and I had water stains at the top rear corners of the interior headliner by the rear window. Resealing the window years ago solved that problem. If the trunk is leaking it would be from an improper seal with the trunk lid. Folding down the rear seats and running a hose over the back of the car so you can see into the trunk would help you determine where the water is getting in. If it is burning oil, then you should dump the car. Now that you know of these issues, you must disclose them when you sell the car. Or, trade it in to a dealer for something else. Either way, you will take a loss because of the problems.

How long do people own their car? There are many different reasons why anyone would keep or sell a car. If a car is running well and it is paid off and it meets their needs, they can drive the car until it is dead. The regular maintenance done during a year period would still usually be less than a car payment made over a year period. Some people grow tired of the car they have, and change often. Some do get rid of cars before a warranty period expires because of expensive repairs to follow (BMW and Benz owners commonly do this to avoid the expense of owning those cars).

I plan on selling my Accord this year because I want a car that gets better gas mileage. Gas prices are continually rising, and the Accord V6 doesn't get the best mileage out there. Updated convenience technology would be a benefit too.

[ikethegreat]

Originally Posted by hillstones

I plan on selling my Accord this year because I want a car that gets better gas mileage. Gas prices are continually rising, and the Accord V6 doesn't get the best mileage out there.

I never really understood this rational. Why get rid of a well maintained car that is paid off just to but a new car and pay thousands of dollars to save a few bucks per fill up? If you did break even it would take years. If you add in the increase in your insurance premium with having a new car you will probably never break even.

Of course going from a F350 to a Prius would be a different story but that isn't the point.

Originally Posted by hillstones

Updated convenience technology would be a benefit too.

Now this I can understand.

[BLCKFLSH]

Originally Posted by hillstones

Now that you know of these issues, you must disclose them when you sell the car.

Are you serious? That just doesn't happen, in the real world. They will always play dumb, and say they either didn't know about it, or they thought it had been fixed.

[CarlR33]

Well, the trunk leak is most likely not a major problem just a trunk seal. I had a civic that collected in the same spot and it ended up being the seal was not glued tight to the metal trunk lip. Water was wicking up under the rubber when driving. You could not tell by just an outside inspection. Gently pull up on the seal around the entire trunk and ensure it is glued tight.

[KH]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

Well, the trunk leak is most likely not a major problem just a trunk seal. I had a civic that collected in the same spot and it ended up being the seal was not glued tight to the metal trunk lip. Water was wicking up under the rubber when driving. You could not tell by just an outside inspection. Gently pull up on the seal around the entire trunk and ensure it is glued tight.

I have heard of many trunk leaks. I discovered the cause of mine recently, and it took a blow-gun on the end of the compressor to really see the extent of it. It was a seam in the channel where the water drains under the trunk, and was leaking right into the trunk below that seam, Both sides. I will be putting a post with pictures together within the next few days, just waiting for black silicone to arrive, so that I can finish the repair.

As for the other issues, EGRs go bad on many cars.. The oil consumption, I dont know on that one..

Originally Posted by 05and91

Sounds like you got a car that's been neglected (oil burning) and wrecked (water in trunk). I'd get rid of it and learn a lesson from it about buying used cars.

Really? Trunks leak sometimes... It does not mean it was a wreck. That's like saying that someone's alternator went because they always left the lights on... Things wear out and/or require replacing over time.