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Hey guys,
I'm new here and am hoping to take advantage of your experience on a potential purchase. My friend's mom has decided to sell her '86 CRX HF. It is a one-owner vehicle with 114,000 original miles. It is in extremely nice condition, with a few dings and scratches aside. It has always been garaged and waxed regularly. The seats have never been touched by human butts (seat covers since new!). It has been maintained by the Honda dealer over the years. Really, it's a bit like a time-capsule! I currently commute about 80 miles per day and the high MPG is just what I need. After talking to my friend about it, it sounds like she wants me to make her an offer. Now, I don't want to lowball her, nor do I want to pay too much. Could you help me come up with a reasonable offer that's fair to both of us? I live in Seattle, FWIW.

Thanks in advance!

cb

 
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Its hard to say. Id offer her what you are able to pay maby set down with her and fig out a good price that will work for you or payments that work.

 
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DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT make payments if you want to keep your friend. Even if you have every intention to make every payment on time things happen and you're just asking for trouble. Take it from me, having to repo a vehicle from a friend sucks. Of course, they're not my friend anymore. Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

With all that being said look at your local craigslist and Autotrader for an idea of what they're going for. On Seattle CL the sh*tty looking ones with very high miles are going for $600-800 and the nicer looking/low mileage ones are going for around $1500. The 88+ models are the desirable ones. 87 and older are not near as desirable so, you have that going for you. I think a fair price for both of you is probably around $1500. Offer $1200 and let her talk you up to $1500. Ya never know, maybe she'll take $1200.

 
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Hey guys,
It's me again. I finally was able to speak to the owner yesterday. She is having a hard time (emotionally) letting this car go. She told me that, up until a couple of years ago, she would wash and wax the CRX every weekend. When I drove it, it was pretty much spotless, but she won't turn loose of it until she "cleans it up". I spoke with my buddy the friendly parts manager at my local dealership, and he says it's at most a $1000 car due to the unavailability of parts. She still hasn't come up with a price, but I think it's mostly due to the fact that she's still getting her head around selling it after all these years. I appreciate the input--keep it coming!

cb

 
Rep Power: 286

Having such an intense emotional attachment to a car is odd, but good for her.

First gen CRXs are unpopular, almost car person much prefers the second generation. The first gen HF is essentially the lightest Honda ever built, so people who race cars really like them. Not many people are that serious about racing cars however, so it's a $800-1000 car IMO.