What to do with a 2003 MDX that needs a new engine?

[jdlowery]

My wife finally killed the SUV. It was just a matter of time. I bought it new in 2003 and the current engine has a little over 250,000 miles on it. About a month ago the wife tells me that the oil light indicator is on. I check it out and find that there is no oil. Hmm. I don't notice any leaks so where did the oil go? I fill it with oil and the light goes off and everything seems fine. About a week after that the wife tells me that the VTM light is on and it's running rough. She takes it to our local shop and they tell her she needs a new engine. We tow it to the dealer for a second opinion and Acura agrees that we need a new long block. So, we're talking a couple of thousand dollars to repair a 10 year old car. Probably not worth it. The wife moves on to a new CRV so she's happy. In the mean time I have a car parked outside my house that needs a new engine. What are my options?
Sell the car as is (mechanics special).
Repair the car then sell it (financially doesn't make senses).
Donate the car (take a tax write off).
Part it out (more work than I want).

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

[kaisen]

If the MDX needs a new longblock, that's certainly more than a "couple thousand dollar repair"....even sticking a good used motor in there would be all of that.

I'd vote to sell it as-is. Pop it on Craigslist for KBB Private Party "Good", less $2500-3000 for a used motor, and you'll sell it within a couple days.

Donating it will net you (and your "charitable" organization) much, much less

If you have no need for it, there's no sense in fixing it

[jdlowery]

I just checked KBB and this what they suggest for price:
Excellent: $7,740
Very good: $7,365
Good: $7,065
Fair: $5,990

Subtracting $3,000 for an engine, the range is $2,990 - $4,740. The body and paint are in excellent condition so I'm thinking that it's probably at the top of that range.

[kaisen]

I think if you could get $4000 out of it as-is, you should be a ecstatic. More like $3K.

Miles are not well-accounted for in KBB's algorythm. Plug in 95,000 miles, 150,000 miles, 180,000 miles, and your 250,000 miles and you'll see what I mean. Based on KBB's numbers, there's simply not enough incentive for how much high miles actually effect selling prices.

I forgot about the 250K miles part when I made my KBB Good less $3K recommendation

[jdlowery]

The numbers I posted above are for 250,000 miles. Of course that doesn't matter much because you need a new engine. I agree, if I could get $3000 I would be very happy.

[kaisen]

Good luck with your sale. Make sure the title and registration transfers legally as many people who will be interested will want to flip it and not pay tax or get the title in their name. You just want to make sure and CYA so it's not your legal liability.

Again, good luck!

[1990C4S]

You can't swap the engine yourself? That's the only practical solution.

I do not see anyone paying $3,000 for it 'as is'. Too risky. Tranny could be gone, might drive like crap, etc etc. I look for cars like this fairly regularly. But I would only pay about $1,500 for it.

[LakeCleElum]

So, I bought a Mazda P/U in this condition 10 or 12 years ago for $350.........Dropped the pan, put in rod bearings. New front seal fixed the oil leak.....Quick respray and sold for $2,500......

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by jdlowery

I just checked KBB and this what they suggest for price:
Excellent: $7,740
Very good: $7,365
Good: $7,065
Fair: $5,990

Subtracting $3,000 for an engine, the range is $2,990 - $4,740. The body and paint are in excellent condition so I'm thinking that it's probably at the top of that range.

I think those KBB numbers are optimistic, and usually are for super high mileage cars. Do a search on craigslist for MDXs between $2-8K and you'll see what you're up against. My guess is you're looking at around $2K, but I don't know what a used engine costs or how much trouble it is to install it.

I wouldn't worry about confirming transfer of title. That's not your legal responsibility. Make sure you know who bought your car and submit a Notice of Release of Liability with the DMV. Don't get caught up in under-reporting the sale price. If the car will pass smog now, do it and fulfill your responsibility that it passes smog. I think you'll be okay if you have the buyer sign paperwork that it has a bad engine, won't pass smog, and is sold as-is as a second choice.

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

So, I bought a Mazda P/U in this condition 10 or 12 years ago for $350.........Dropped the pan, put in rod bearings. New front seal fixed the oil leak.....Quick respray and sold for $2,500......

[KNS]

Send it to the UK and let Edd China have a go at it!

[Chocaholic]

I'd donate it and take the deduction. No hassle what-so-ever. You've clearly gotten your money's worth out of the car. A nice "blue-book" tax deduction (retail, of course) will feel good come April 15th.

What kind of people will you have to your home to show your broken SUV that must be towed away? No brainer for me....donate. Your call, of course.

[Aurel]

Used Engines look cheap, FYI.

2002 Acura MDX Engine Sales > Buy High Quality Used Engines/Motors at Great Discount (Huge Selection)!

[RANDY P]

There's probably 1,000,000 of those "Japanese exchange engine" places in town. Do a whole engine / transaxle swap.

Japan has that 30K mandatory engine swap deal- engines everywhere. Frankly you should fix it and keep it for a few more years.

If it's otherwise clean and nice, why not? ALways good to have a spare vehicle.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

I'd donate it and take the deduction. No hassle what-so-ever. You've clearly gotten your money's worth out of the car. A nice "blue-book" tax deduction (retail, of course) will feel good come April 15th.

What kind of people will you have to your home to show your broken SUV that must be towed away? No brainer for me....donate. Your call, of course.

If I remember corectly, the deduction is only 500 bucks.

[look 171]

Didn't those things have lots of tranny issues same as their vans? I remember reading something about them when looking for our van. Because of that, a Toyota was purchased.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by look 171

Didn't those things have lots of tranny issues same as their vans?

This. Absolutely.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

I'd donate it and take the deduction. No hassle what-so-ever. You've clearly gotten your money's worth out of the car. A nice "blue-book" tax deduction (retail, of course) will feel good come April 15th.

What kind of people will you have to your home to show your broken SUV that must be towed away? No brainer for me....donate. Your call, of course.

This is outdated information. You now generally can only deduct what the charity sells the car for at auction. So, that's a tax deduction on the "as is" value, which can easily be received by selling it privately.

That said, a charity still has the "no hassle" advantage.

I would definitely not fix it - the rest of the driveline has 250k miles as well and you will have to continue to fix it.

G

[eastbay]

It's CA guys... so the seller is responsible for smog If you sell it the title will not be able to get transferred until the car is smogged. Lot's of potential legal land mines there. Be careful

(heck, I was almost interested until I saw the 250k part)

[jdlowery]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

That's favorite show at the moment. That and Chasing Classic Cars.

I'm sure Ed could sway the engine in a day or so.