Hi I’m about to purchase a two owner 2012 accord exl 6cyl vcm coupe black on black leather interior 101,000 mile good carfax with a few scratches for 9800$ ! 1- is it a good price? 2- no history of tune up, timing belt or water pump replacement, when are these things required? 3- a very slight ticking sound, sounds like maybe a lifter adjustment is needed? 4- any advise regarding pros or cons about anything about this car would be appreciated. Thanks

 

In this era of COVID and used car prices all over the map, it is hard to say whether that price is way too high, way too low, or just about right. My gut tells me it is reasonable, but it will need the full timing belt/water pump thing done by the 105,000 mile mark and that will run you anywhere from $800 to $1,500, depending upon how much else you have done and who does the work.

Personally I would recommend replacing the water pump and all of the belt components (i.e. tensionier and idler), the front cam seals, the front main crank seal, and have the oil pump resealed as well. I know lots of folks and lots of shops don't recommend doing all of those things, however, both of my J-Series engines have started leaking through one or more of those areas at roughly the 150,000 mile mark, so I need/needed to either do another timing belt service or live with the oil leaks until the 210,000 mile mark.

As for the valve adjustment, the manual says, "Adjust if noisy", if your shop confirms the tick is from the valve train, yeah, have the adjustment done. Both of my J-Series engines were pre-VCM and both were nice and quiet for the duration. The J30A1 in my old Accord was still quiet when I sold the old girl with just over 200,000 miles on the clock, and the J32A3 in my TL is still quiet with roughly 175,000 miles on it.