You're suggesting that 50k of wear on an engine is significant. I'm not convinced that's true.

You're also suggesting that there is no downside to having a Honda dealer pull and install an engine. I'm not convinced that's true either.

Since I'm not convinced of these two things, there is greater uncertainty which means that there is greater perceived risk. As a result, I would offer less money to offset the risk. $10 less, $100 less, or $1000 less, I don't know, but I do know that I definitely wouldn't offer more.

 

Sorry, but it's not worth more. Obviously if the engine needs replacing, you replace the engine. But to a potential buyer, a 'flooded' car with a replacement engine sends up a lot of red flags about the car. Did water also get into the transmission and/or differential? They're not sealed, and water deep enough to flood an engine could affect them too. What about the electronics under the hood, were they affected in any way? Did any water get into the interior compartment of the car. Any of these can be a nasty headache to deal with, and that makes buyers shy away from a flooded vehicle.

Doesn't matter if the OP had an intake snorkel in a bucket of water and the rest of the car was bone dry - a buyer may not even listen to the explanation (or believe the seller, for that matter). Some people are going to walk away, period. The reduced number of potential buyers from this simple fact means the car is less desirable. Doesn't mean the right person won't come by and give you a good price, just means it might be harder to locate that buyer. To entice the more reluctant buyers, you have to price the car more aggressively (lower).

On the other hand, if you're keeping the car - congrats. Enjoy your new engine!

 

That means you have a cold air intake, and drove through the puddle. One act of negligence, generally constitutes multiple acts of negligence. If you sold the car right after it got out the shop I'd pay market value for it; if you keep driving it, I'd offer less.

 

^
|
|
What he said. I would say it's worth no more, maybe less. Again, it's a very subjective opinion, and to each his own. The fact that an engine was replaced throws off red flags for me. It's a benefit, but also the fact that the owner was negligent is a minus. Other questions of course will pop up like "are you sure only the engine was damaged," etc..

Bottom line, just drive your car, and don't worry about your car's value.

 

I figured he had an intake as well. I'm surprised insurance would pick up the tab for a new engine since a modification (they were probably never aware of) was the cause of the failure. But either A) insurance didn't ask about it B)insurance asked, but the OP denied the mod C)OP switched it back to stock before insurance looked at the car. If this actually happened with the stock airbox, then the OP drove through the a river.

 

I had a 2000 Prelude type sh and got rerouted off of a flooded highway onto local streets about 8 years ago. I went around a corner into a lake and hydrolocked my motor with an AEM intake. insurance covered it and I bought a replacement motor from KING Motorsports. TYPE S motor from Japan with more power than the USDM motor. anyway I was in the same boat as you and it definitely chased people away having a replacement motor.
don't do what I did and get rid of this car. you have a motor with 55,000 less miles on it than the car and really will never get that money back in a trade in or sale. best bet is to keep it

 

thanks beezlebubba, thats true. That is great advice thanks