As well as the S, I own a '96 Accord that my daughter drives. She recently made a left turn about 18 inches after a guard rail instead of before it. Along with some body work, I need to replace the radiator. I've been looking on e-bay and see some as low as $15 plus $40 shipping. I also see some as high as $450. It seems all the after market radiators are aluminum or aluminum, cores with plastic tank. I think OEM was copper or bronze, but I'm not sure. Since this car is just basic transportation, I'm looking for the low cost solution. Would any of you hesitate to buy a $15 radiator? Any comments or shared wisdom on this project will be appreciated.

Here's the link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/94-95-96-97...2QQcmdZViewItem

 

Yeah, I might. If it wasn't for the cost of shipping, I'd get it and give it a shot.

 

For $15 plus shipping its worth an experiment!

 

Clearly the $40 shipping is excessive, but I'm pretty sure that's where the profit is. E-bayers play the game that way. Other guys will charge $10 shipping but want $50 for the radiator. These are all "Buy It Now" prices for allegedly new radiators. I don't know how the guys asking $200 ever sell anything. One of the $15 radiator guys is 10 miles from me. I'll ask if I can pick it up but I bet he balks.

 

IMHO there is no way in hell that a new radiator is $60 including shipping.
probably out of a wreck and spray painted.

 

Could always do a leak test before putting in the effort of installing it...

If it leaks, send it back?

Still, there are plenty of Gen 5 Accords still on the road, so I wouldn't expect fire sale pricing.

Also, is it the 2.2l 4 cyl or V6? I ask because I believe the Prelude had the same 4-cylinder engine, might have identical radiators. Could help broaden your search.

 

I wish I remember the $$ I paid for the one in my 1997 accord....
got it from CAP....honestly....I think it was $70-80.

Not a bad job either, however, perhaps more difficult if body damage is involved.

 

This is a 1996 2.2L 4 cylinder Accord EX. Same radiator as a Prelude. Finding one is not the issue. There are loads for sale everywhere I look. The question I ask myself (and you folks) is how much do I trust a $15 radiator? I added a link to the most local source, but there are other e-bay sellers at the same price. Also many higher.

 

I clicked the link, this seller claims they are brand new and they pay shipping for return if you dont like also the feedback for this seller is one of the best i have ever seen for any ebay seller 20637 positives and only 1 negative, that alone would make it a no brainer for me!