2004 Honda Element

[Skwerl]

Since it's still for sale, I guess I'll repost the thread here.

A drunk chick on my fishing forum posted a car for sale last month. She and her husband bought it new for their daughter while she was in college. Now she's moved to Texas and left the car behind, parents don't want to keep paying insurance on it or fix it up. They were asking $3500 and blue book ranges from $8K-12K.

So I drove down to Fort Myers with a tow dolly I borrowed from my body shop friend. Looked it over and bought it. Here's the ugly toaster box the day I brought it home.

[Skwerl]

I took it straight to the body shop where they had it for almost 2 weeks. They repainted all the orange except the hood and roof. They also painted the faded aftermarket Chinese front grill to match the other plastic panels and they painted the silver inserts in the front and rear bumpers.

[Burnham]

Looks as good in this forum as in the old one, B. I hope all that bodywok/paint isn't gonna eat your hoped-for profits.

[Skwerl]

So far I have $1100 in the paint and almost $300 in miscellaneous repairs (door lock, filters, gas cap, windshield wipers, tail light, etc). I still need to fix the air conditioning, delouse the inside, detail inside and out and do something with the torn seats.

[Burnham]

Still plenty of room for a tidy bump to your investment, then. Good on you.

[squisher]

Cabin air filter didn't help the a/c out eh? To bad.

[woodworkingboy]

delouse the inside.

Coming along nicely. Are we talking about fumigation here?

[Skwerl]

No, just figuring out how to scrub the layer of grunge off the interior without actually turning the water hose on it and flushing it out. There's a sticky layer of crud and dog hair everywhere. The door panels cleaned up nicely with Simple Green but the floors look like a real pain since they need a good mopping and scrubbing but there's no place for the rinse water to escape.

[Strikermike]

I could be wrong about this. But thought the element was designed to be hosed out, or the floors easily removed to clean. Do you have an owners manual?

[woodworkingboy]

That rubbed in grunge can be a batch. Must be a solvent that will do the trick.

It occurs that if you use water and then mold gets in there, it could be a problem.

[squisher]

I could be wrong about this. But thought the element was designed to be hosed out, or the floors easily removed to clean. Do you have an owners manual?

Myth.

Quoted from another website.
When we went to the initial Element ride and drive, several dealers had the very same question. And the Answer is no.. The internal wiring harness' are not weatherproofed. So, washing out the internals with a hose would not be the best thing you could do for your El. However, you can bucket wash the interior with a sponge and soapy water without worry.

[Cobleskill]

How about one of those fancy carpet cleaners that spray on and vacuum up at the same time? I had a guy do my house carpet. Worked well. It left it a little damp but I would think a hot day would dry it out pretty fast.

[squisher]

I don't think there is carpet. I'm assuming he needs some serious scrubbing. I'd try the sponge and bucket and some elbow grease. Orrrrr he could just fly Brendon down for a weekend and it'd be in showroom condition.:D

[woodworkingboy]

Maybe better to cool it on the advice, remember the car radio thread? :lol:

[squisher]

Lol, yah I remember. That Skwerl gets stubborn if he gets his back up.:lol:

[CurSedVoyce]

I knew some one once that pulled the carpets.. Drilled holes in strategic spots in the floor pan for drainage. Cleaned the floor pan with what it took.. Let it dry out ... Put rubber plugs in the floor (like the kind you often find in trunks, same size). Put new carpet back in.. Problem solved..

And then came post 11 as I was typing this..
NM :lol:

[woodworkingboy]

Careful about drilling holes.... i was over at my bud's car electric garage and he was drilling a hole in the floor of a hearse for some reason, end up drilling right through into the gas tank. If a little chip of hot metal fell in there, him and me standing there watching might have needed a hearse ourselves.

[MasterBlaster]

I've flicked more that one lit cigarette into some sorta flammable liquid: the liquid always extinguished the cig.

[CurSedVoyce]

Ummmmmmm.... Measure first. :lol:

[stehansen]

I've flicked more that one lit cigarette into some sorta flammable liquid: the liquid always extinguished the cig.

I've seen that done too.

[MasterBlaster]

Yea, in the movies everything blows up.

[Cobleskill]

I had a buddy who was always harping about keep cigs away from gas. I plunged a cig into a coffee can with gas in it. He shut up.

[Thor's Hammer]

Yea, in the movies everything blows up.

Yeah, that always pisses me right off when I'm watching a film. You see a car scrape bumpers with another, and kabloom! big explosion. Grrr.

[MasterBlaster]

It's the gas fumes that ignite, not the liquid.

[woodworkingboy]

Yes, there has to be a sufficient vapor to air ratio for ignition, and gas in a can doesn't have enough fumes likely. Gas under pressure has more fumes, like that which is coming out of a gas pump. A smoldering cigarette is less likely to cause ignition compared to an open flame.

[Newfie]

Certainly no sense in finding out the hard way though.

[Dave Shepard]

I've seen that trick backfire. If the cigarette ricochets off of something and knocks some sparks off. Let's just say parts washers have those lids for a reason. No O2, no fire.

[Skwerl]

I'm not really ready to sell it yet but I went ahead and posted an ad on Craigslist. I figured it couldn't hurt to start advertising it.
http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/1922889459.html

[SoonerFan]

Brian, I would add the mileage to your add. Everyone will want to know.

[Skwerl]

So would I. Do you know what the mileage is? :?

[Newfie]

maybe you'll get a bite as is and still make some coin.

[Skwerl]

I'd sell it for $6500 as is, I just don't want there to be a history of ever-increasing prices in my ads as I dump more money into it fixing stuff.

[SoonerFan]

So would I. Do you know what the mileage is? :?

Yes, I do. But I ain't tellin.

[woodworkingboy]

I didn't know that you could even sell a used car without being able to tell the mileage when the would be purchaser wanted to know. At least pick a number. Wonder if a mechanic can estimate by looking at the car?

[CurSedVoyce]

There is a place on the title you can fill in says "mileage unknown" here in CA I seem to recall.

[Skwerl]

Thanks guys, I'll look into the odometer issue soon. I haven't had time yet. I haven't fixed the AC yet either. Like I said, it's not ready to sell yet but somebody might want to buy it as is for a good price.

[woodworkingboy]

That's an interesting concept, offering to sell a work in progress when it is completed....or I guess you are saying at any point. Somehow it's more believable that someone saying the standard line of that I fixed this and that back then.

No emissions standards in those days.

[brendonv]

Sweet deal Brian.

I am contemplating doing the same thing you are doing on a 2000 F350. I know the guy want's it gone, I know it needs a good cleaning, and some odds and ends fixed. But if I can get it for what I think I can I can flip it and make 5k.

Good luck!

[Skwerl]

If you buy it, try to skip signing the title. That way you can just transfer the title directly to the next buyer without your name being on it. I ended up having to sign the title and it will cost me $250 in sales tax plus title fees because of that signature.

[woodworkingboy]

Selling street rods that were a work in progress used to be pretty common. "I just put a cam in it, and I've got the headers". Everyone knew the cars had been raced to shat too. Mileage didn't mean much, either.

No emissions standards in those days, and kids knew how to work on cars. High school auto shop.... :|:

[Skwerl]

Spent 4 hours cleaning the toaster box this morning. Took some new pictures and updated my Craigslist ad.
http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/1925431640.html

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/RockyJSquirrel/IMG_1561.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/RockyJSquirrel/IMG_1564.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/RockyJSquirrel/IMG_1560.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/RockyJSquirrel/IMG_1565.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/RockyJSquirrel/IMG_1566.jpg

[rskybiz]

If you buy it, try to skip signing the title. That way you can just transfer the title directly to the next buyer without your name being on it. I ended up having to sign the title and it will cost me $250 in sales tax plus title fees because of that signature.

I learned that the hard way here when I bought a motorcycle and sold it a few days later eat into the profit margin for sure!

[CurSedVoyce]

Lookin good Brian.. :thumbup:

[Skwerl]

I'm shopping for seat covers. I found these waterproof endura seat covers at www.GTcovers.com for $189. Anybody have any other suggestions? I bought some cheapies from Wal Mart for my bucket truck and they suck. I need something good enough to increase the value of the vehicle instead of decrease it.

[brendonv]

http://www.marathonseatcovers.com/

or

http://www.wetokole.com/ makes nice ones

[Al Smith]

If you buy it, try to skip signing the title. That way you can just transfer the title directly to the next buyer without your name being on it. I ended up having to sign the title and it will cost me $250 in sales tax plus title fees because of that signature. It's called "jumping the title " okay if you can get away with it . Some states people say they paid less for them than they did .In KY though from what my bro says they nail you for "blue book " value no matter if you do have a bill of sale stating you paid less .

[Skwerl]

4th reply to my Craigslist ad today, call me prejudiced but I am going to ignore this one. Oops, I accidentally deleted it! :O

(All Craigslist emails have that yellow warning included, I'm talking about the sender's name and tone of his language)

[brendonv]

Green is green no matter where it comes from. Just don't meet people at your house.

[sawinredneck]

Gee Brian, I'd have jumped all over that one, NOT!

[Al Smith]

I'm tellin you ,you have more patience than me .It doesn't take very long for me to get a little short with "tire kickers " .These butt holes around here like to "trade " like 2 old coon hounds and a beat up pick up truck or some stupid stuff like that . Fact is when I sold the old Caddy I had to flat out run a few off ,got on my nerves big time .

[Newfie]

Why ignore that offer Brian? Are you worried that there is too much room in that Element for explosives?:D

[Al Smith]

Oh that might be bad .Have someone jump the title , steal a set of plates then use it for some destructive means or a robbery . Not good at all .

[squisher]

Locallly here a guy let someone test drive his vehicle for sale privately. Didn't get no ID or nothing from the person. Stolen, bye bye. No insurance, because he let them take it. Just a heads up, but methinks Brian's a little quicker then that.

[Al Smith]

It's probabley good advice to always chaperone perspective buyers .

[Skwerl]

I picked up the replacement speedometer and the AC controller from the junk yard today. They had to order the parts in from Tampa. The speedometer and gauges all work properly and I now have 87,601 miles on the car. ;)
The bad news is that the $75 AC controller didn't do a thing. So I either have two bad ones or two good ones. :|: I'm hoping I can return it and get most of my money back out of it. The mechanic said that the blower motor resistor was also indicating as bad, so I ordered one of those from the auto parts store. $50 and it will be here tomorrow.

My costs are really beginning to add up on the car. I've got most everything fixed but if I keep handing out hundred dollar bills every day then pretty soon I'll be lucky to break even on the deal. Right now I'm hoping to clear $1200-$1400, but it's looking like it will be closer to $1000.

A lady from GT Covers called me today in response to my inquiry. Less than 12 hours after I placed my order I got two separate emails from GT Covers advertising free shipping between now and Labor Day. They hadn't even processed my order yet, so I called and asked for the free shipping and for my credit card charge to be adjusted. The lady was super nice and said that of course they would do that.

Another ignored email on the Craigslist ad today. Sorry, but I'm not responding to emails from people who can't write in complete sentences and offer me a lowball price without even seeing the car.

[brendonv]

That's the norm with CL. I hate having things up there. Don't offer me something until you've seen it, you dumbass.

[bruce6670]

I buy a lot of stuff off CraigsList. I almost always give them what they're asking. Unless it's not what they said it was.

[brendonv]

It's just that it's too easy to e-mail through craigslist. So people make offers in times of boredom, change there mind. If you are serious about buying something, I'll call, look, then make an offer. I usually just reply call me, the number is below. If they are serious they'll call and quit the e-mails.

[Al Smith]

offer me a lowball price without even seeing the car. That right there pretty much tells you they are "tire kickers " .

[Skwerl]

Some more progress today and another major problem discovered.
AC is fixed, the blower motor condenser was the culprit and it's blowing lots of cold air now.
My seat covers came in unexpectedly today. They said 10-14 days but either they are super slow or else they had this particular size and color ready to go. I have the driver's seat installed and half the passenger seat installed and they look great. I'm very pleased with the fit and finish.

Bad news is the transmission driveshafts are both making noise and flinging grease. I think the joints where the driveshaft connects to the hub are called CV joints, but what are they called on the other end of the driveshafts where they come out of the transmission? That's where the problem is. Looks like I'm playing Mr Mechanic next week because I simply cannot sell the car knowing they are bad.

[lumberjack]

I'm not 100% on the Element, but usually you replace the whole axle from the diff to the hub with both joints.. Sometimes/normally the hub's bearing (unit bearing) is held together with the wheel's stub shaft.

[Cobleskill]

Yup. Getting the axle nut loose on the hub can be hard. I think usually when it has been changed once and overtorqued. You have to seperate the ball joint so you can swing the hub out to clear the axle. The axle just pulls out of the differential.

[lumberjack]

They normally come tight as a "Treesmith" from the factory.

[Skwerl]

I can get two complete new axles for less than $150 from Discount Auto. Those are all completely new and include new boots. The mechanic who diagnosed the AC said labor to replace them would be about $150 if I didn't want to do them myself. The last one I did was on my 1984 Prelude about 15 years ago and my tools are no longer organized. Half of them are on the bucket truck, which would mean multiple trips to storage to get stuff. I'm debating whether or not to attempt replacing them myself.

[squisher]

Do it yourself. It'll end up costing twice as much, take four times as long, but you'll learn so much.:D

[Skwerl]

I wouldn't do it on somebody else's car for twice the money, so I think I'll let the mechanic do it. I can go trim a dozen palm trees in an hour for that much money, or I could spend all day busting my knuckles and turning wrenches flat on my back under a hot, greasy car.

[Cobleskill]

It is a PIA ob. I changed 2 and my son did one also where the spring wire clip didn't keep the axle in the differential. One I had pop out messed up the spines a little bit. Some tedious filing straightened them out. The book says push the axle in until it clicks in. I rap on them with a hammer now to make sure the wire clip is fully seated.

[C. Kirk]

For $150 i take it in. I have replace then a civci with little to no problems. It is just not worth my time to do it at $150. Shop hrs is around $65-80 here So it looks like a 2 hr job for him.

[Al Smith]

Well I've said before that I've never made a dime on a car and pretty much gave up the idea of buying them cheap and making a profit .Too many tire kickers ,things gone wrong you didn't know about along with ten thousand other things .

I might be a tad like B. in the fact I'm way too honest about them . I'd never make a used car salesman for sure .

[SoonerFan]

Yes Brian, if you can make more $ in the time it takes the mechanic to do the job, you are money ahead to pay him. Just pay him and tell all of us you did the work yourself and it was a piece of cake. :)

[Skwerl]

Seat covers are on, all the dash trim is repainted, floors are 90% clean.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/RockyJSquirrel/IMG_1568.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/RockyJSquirrel/IMG_1569.jpg

[Newfie]

Looks shiny nice. Hope you turn enough on it to make it worthwhile.

[woodworkingboy]

+1 You really hung in there and got the work done on that.

[Skwerl]

Got a bite this morning. He actually emailed me last night and I replied, telling him to call me any time after 7am. Well, he called at 7:01 and was here at 7:15 to look at it. His name is Leon Orange and the orange thing is a big deal for him. He said he would definitely get back with me after Tuesday when my mechanic replaces the CV axles.

[MasterBlaster]

Good luck!

[NeTree]

Good luck, Brian. You've put a lot of work into this project.

[CurSedVoyce]

:thumbup:

[SoonerFan]

Sounds promising. Good luck.

[sawinredneck]

Sweet Brian! I hope it works out for you! You've certainly earned it!

[MasterBlaster]

Sweet Brian!

Hey! That's my pet name for the 'lil fella! 8)

[sawinredneck]

OH MY!

[NeTree]

Umm.... :lol:

[MasterBlaster]

OH MY!


See the diff one 'lil comma (or lack thereof) makes? :D

[Skwerl]

Aaaand the car is sold for $7000 pending funds tomorrow. 8)

[woodworkingboy]

Looks like it worked out, good for you!

[NeTree]

:thumbup:

[MasterBlaster]

Congrats!!!

[CurSedVoyce]

Awesome :thumbup:

[woodworkingboy]

That's a lot of bread, how about a nice dining table...rocking chair...gun cabinet...etc, etc. I mean pick one, not all of them. :D

[Skwerl]

First thing is to pay back the $2500 I borrowed to buy it.
Second thing is to make the rest of my Roth IRA annual contribution.
With what's left I might splurge and buy a new desk, or possibly get my carpets cleaned and treat myself to a nice dinner.

[pigwot]

Nice to turn around a project like that. good job!

[squisher]

Cool!

[Paul B]

well done RJS.

[woodworkingboy]

You need to line up another project now.

[SoonerFan]

Congrats!!!

[sotc]

Suh-weet!

Jay, I wanna custom gun cabinet from you!

[CurSedVoyce]

Wouldn't that be the shitz nit... !

[Cobleskill]

Nice work.

[stehansen]

Good job Brian.

[Newfie]

Profit margin?

[Skwerl]

I got the bank check an hour ago, took it straight to his bank and they confirmed it is good. He will be back to pick up the car this evening. It's a done deal. :big-dance2:

[CurSedVoyce]

Excellent! WTG!

[FJR]

Nice Brian, I like success stories!!

[Burnham]

Was the cost/profit margin worthwhile, Brian? I don't care about the actual numbers, that's your business...but was it worth the effort/time you put in after all's said and done?

[Skwerl]

I got the car at an exceptionally low price, I feel I was very fortunate in how inexpensively I was able to get it up to snuff, and I made almost $900. IMO that isn't much return for the risk, not considering the time and amount of work I had in it.

My next car will be something I want to drive, not just something to turn for a profit.

[pigwot]

What car would you like to get to have fun driving?
I had a 1963 Jaguar XKE roadster and sold it for $1200 in 1975. They go for oh, $30,000 now :cry:
My favorite was a 1967 Volvo 122S.

[rskybiz]

still 900 in hand for puttering Not bad!

[Skwerl]

What car would you like to get to have fun driving?
I had a 1963 Jaguar XKE roadster and sold it for $1200 in 1975. They go for oh, $30,000 now :cry:
My favorite was a 1967 Volvo 122S.

Patrick, I'm thinking something like this (http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/1957954223.html). Although I'm leaning more toward something with a black or gray interior since the tan shows dirt so easily.

[vharrison]

Good job Brian!

[Thor's Hammer]

Patrick, I'm thinking something like this (http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/1957954223.html). Although I'm leaning more toward something with a black or gray interior since the tan shows dirt so easily.

Nice Choice. I had one very similar, a 525iX, station wagon with 4x4. mine had the grey leather interior, i would have prefered tan, but overall great cars.

[Buzz]

I bought and sold a motorbike recently for a nice turn of profit. I'd like to do it more often but it's trying to find the time to trawl the ads etc. I was lucky with this one the guy wanted shot ASAP as he was off on holiday. Was a 10 year old Honda VFR 800 which are very desirable here.