Is a car worth more with a newer engine?

Question

I'm thinking about buying a 92' Honda Civic, it has a newer engine with only 40,000 miles. Is the car worth more, the same or less?

The car has 240,000 miles. The original engine was removed and a used engine with 40,000 miles was installed.

Answer 1

Having bought and appraised thousand of vehicles I can answer your question from a dealers point of view

When someone trades a vehicle and says its been all Hwy miles or the engine was just replaced, the answer goes in one ear and out the other, what matters is current miles showing on odometer and condition, a Honda Civic 15 yrs old showing 240K is worth but a few hundred dollars to a wholesaler buying from a dealer, buying one private it becomes how much a buyer is willing to pay as there is no true book value for something this old, how much is the asking price ?

I would be more interested in buying a vehicle with 240K than one where the engine had been replaced, let me explain why.

buying a used vehicle where the engine has been re-build or replaced the law of average says it will never drive like the original there are many factors, and the main one is its not assembled like the original. On the other hand buying a vehicle with 240K in good running condition this vehicle has pr oven itself and whom is to say when its had enough.

Your main concern here is buying getting you value for your bucks, read this web-page on my website
http://www.usedcartips.org/TESTDRI.html and then you decide if the 92 Civic is for you

Answer 2

It might be worth a LITTLE bit more, but not a lot. The reason is that the rest of the driveline still has 240,000 miles on it. With that amount of miles on it, anything could happen at any time. The low mileage engine is worth maybe a $100 - $200 premium at most if the rest of the vehicle is in clean condition. If there are any driveline noises, the newer engine is worth nothing extra.

Answer 3

Well, I wouldn't be very willing to spend much more for it with 40000 miles on it, but, maybe a couple of hundred, if the car is in really good shape.

Why was the original engine changed? Did someone blow it up? That would be abuse to the rest of the car as well, and might balance out the added value of a few less miles.

Answer 4

I wouldn't think so. Even though the engine only has 40,000 miles on it, the rest of the car went through all the original miles the original engine went through. Lots of wear and tear.

Answer 5

The price of the engine should not usually effect the price of the car equally. Meaning, a car is worth 5,000. You spend 3,000 replacing the engine. That does not make the car worth 8,000. The car is worth more yes, but not like a brand new car. Also, cars with replaced engines are notoriously famous for breaking down, ALOT.

Answer 6

JFGI jesus christ