The older Acura's have excellent track records and are easy to modify. If you can find a TL or RL they are your best bet. The four cylinder models are okay, but the V6's go like a scared rabbit. If you have a little more money, Volksvagen GTI is another model that is like a rocket ship with reasonable repair prices. They are built on the Audi platform, so it's a well proven platform that will last a long time. Just watch out for rust on the underbody, especially around suspension and inner wheel wells. Also, check the engine for ticking noises. That's a sign of bad lifters. Also, look at the gasket surfaces. There should be no excess residue from the gaskets, no red or orange seeping out of the seals. If the car has been maintained, there shouldn't be a problem. The big drawback of these cars is the oil. If the oil runs low or hasn't been changed in a long time it could spell trouble. If you can drian the oil, put a magnet in the oil drain flow to catch any solid metal shavings that come out. If there is alot, take a pass on it. But always get it checked out by a AAA or CAA garage. It's work the extra money to make sure you buy a good car.
