89 RT4WD Wagon With Blown HG, What's it Worth, Should I Buy?

woodi · January 2010

I've been looking for the past few months to get an RT4WD wagon. I've been driving a civic for years but didn't realize these cars even existed til recently. Once I found out about them I've been dying to get one. I recently discovered an acquaintance of mine has an 89 that recently blew a head gasket. She recently had it replaced and had only about 500 miles on it when she blew it again. She is thinking of getting rid of the car and I am thinking of making her an offer for it. It seems to be mechanically sound otherwise and was her DD until recently. I have done a head gasket on a toyota pickup in the past but have never got involved in my honda. Was also thinking it could be a good candidate for a motor swap but this is a task I've never got involved in.

Anyone have any idea's of what would be a reasonable offer for a car in that shape. Are my idea's practical? Am i getting way in over my head considering a motor swap? I am a mechanical engineer and have some experience working on my toyota pickup and '00 civic but am not a professional mechanic by any means. Thanks for the help.

It's red by the way if that matters...

The_Head · January 2010

I bought mine with a blown head gasket for $900. It's red too.

civicpwr1 · January 2010

i paid 1000 for mine with no engine. it jus depends on what it's worth to you. offer 500 bucks.

woodi · January 2010

Thanks for the input guys. It's got 168,000 miles on it and is mechanically sound other than the head gasket. She blew the head gasket about an hour and a half from home so I'm thinking I may make my offer on the terms that I'll go get it so she doesn't have to figure that out.

The_Head · January 2010

good luck, hope to see pics soon. I hope it ain't all rusted out. I bought my '87 Teg from NY somewhere, and it was rusted all to hell.

progress · January 2010

Figure that she wants to at minimum recoup what she spent on the first HG work and offer her at least that much plus the fact you will pick up the car. $500 to $800 sounds reasonable.

Nengchang · January 2010

If the car has no rust and in good shape
500 to a 1000 is not a ba deal.

integral_48 · January 2010

do it..do it.............do it. lol

QCnuk · February 2010

Do it

Eagle Beagle · February 2010

Should I Buy

Buy I should...

you struck gold man...

but ey...

suite yourself...

Georgie · February 2010

Maybe a little late to be chiming in on this, BUT...
I paid $500 for a 1991 2WD with a blown head gasket.
Blue book for a 1989 rt4wd is around $1000-1100 in good condition.
$700 for fair condition.
http://www.kbb.com/kbb/UsedCars/Pricing ... onditions=
I'd start off at half that cause in NY it's probably rusted to hell.
Just my 2cents.

Eagle Beagle · February 2010

in some countries...
no matter what...

trade-in always
is about 1000 euro
trading/buying

there is almost no use
selling below 1000 euro
for us Euro-guys/galls...

Live rates at 2010.02.06 08:42:30 UTC

1,000.00 EUR = 1,366.80 USD

nothing serious though...
ahahaa
LOL

Fej · February 2010

I'd be on that like white on rice. Buy it (assuming it isn't a pile and the price is low)

kazzaf · February 2010

get it and swap it. There are so many guides,faqs out there which makes it simple to do. I had no mechanical knowledge but I was able to do 2 swaps before.

sub_speed_559 · February 2010

head gasket is an easy fix.....don't think i would dig the red though (no offense to those who dig the red).....i say flash 500 cash and go from there

Skipto · March 2010

well if you do get it i have a doule over head cam in my barn i took out of a roten crx. and if i find a wago in the stats i could probably drop it off for you. im located in Kingston ont canada and if you dont want ti and its awd let me now i'll buy it

89 RT4WD Wagon With Blown HG, What's it Worth, Should I Buy?

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