Hello. Garage just told me my 1990 acura integra rsx has blown head gasket. $2,000.00 canadian to fix. They offered to buy for cheap. Car is in mint shape otherwise. Should I fix or let her R.I.P? Thanks.
R.I.P.
Fix it if nothing else is wrong with it. Replace the timing belt if it hasn't been changed for 100k miles. If you don't know when the belt was replaced, change it anyway. It has an interference engine meaning if the belt breaks, that moment a valve is stuck open, the piston will hit it on the up stroke and break the piston and/or bend the valve thus destroying the engine.
You didn't mention the mileage, but Honda (parent company of Acura) made good 1.8L engines and if it's original, this one has dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) with a timing belt. It has more horsepower than single cam engines. I owned one.
RSX is the small Civic size Acura model that replaced the Integra after 2001. In 1990, the first model year, Integras came in LS, RS and GS trims.
If you couldn't find a 1990 Honda Civic SI, you could opt to get a base Acura Integra that came standard with DOHC engine and 4 wheel disc brakes.
Acura revived the Integra name for model year 2023.
Thank you for comment. The mileage is 214,000km. I'm pretty sure changed timing belt - will check. Your right think it's an Acura RS. I love this car. Rare! Thanks again for helping me make good decision about this car.
You can also get a 2nd opinion. A different shop may charge you less. Ask around who has a reputation of being fair and does quality work. It seems fishy a mechanic would offer to buy your car if you don't want to fix it. Could he be asking too much for repair to make you think it's not worth it? Look up your car online to see what it's worth before considering offers and to help you decide if the car is worth fixing.