Should I replace the timing belt?

No not the case it could make it over 100K. I purchased a Honda that never was changed out it had 130k miles and had not broken and it cost $130.00 parts. I think belt was $60+ and rest on water pump and tax. I did the install. I think $500 for parts & labor is way over board. It only takes a couple hours taking your time and for a shop that does this all the time, call aound.

I would for sure change it out I do not think I made that clear in my 1st post.

time to look at it..condition of belt...some last forever some dont..sounds like it was serviced and is in good shape..

I think the repair book says every 60K miles. 99% of people do not follow these suggestions from the owners manual so I would change it, it cheap insurance as if it breaks will cost thousands to repair.

Thank you all. I was going to buy a 06 Sentra with 118k from him, then changed my mind to the Accent, but he's offering sentra for $1000 below book, but the Accent he wants $800 over book, plus it may need a timing belt. I'm thinking if I can't get him down to buy the Sentra after all. If I back out he keeps $500 of my money. What should I do? I verbally told him I'd take the Accent for $4750 + tax = $5171. That's $750 more than it's worth according to Edmunds.com

The accent is 3 years newer almost 20000 less miles, So he gets $500 even if you decide to not buy from him? Edmounds is considered by the general public to be on the high side of quotes. If you do not mind me asking how did you get in on a deal that he make $500 on you for not buying? That sounds like over a barrel. I would have them checked out at your mechanic not his and find out for sure the condition of those issues and cost to repair and replace anything coming up in near future, and decide on what your willing to pay verses the upcoming out way of cash to keep it running maintained as it should be and make offer, I think it should be no more than the edmounds quote if it needs nothing and deduct from there. if it means leaving $500 on the table so be it to not have to deal with them, even more so if the mechanics have bad news for you.

Yes, that's his rule. They have spent time with me so that will be the fee if I back out now, and I'm considering it.

How? I paid for the '06 Sentra, then became more interested in the newer 2009 H Accent.

That salesman's "would've broken by now" statement is asinine at best. What he's saying is: If it hasn't broken, it's not going to. Don't fall for it. What it really means is that the breaking of the belt is just ahead, possibly before you ever get home with the car. A used car salesman will tell you whatever he has to tell you just so he can sell that car. And $500 to repair and replace the belt and water pump is way out of line. If a mechanic told you that, find another mechanic.

$350 for belt and water pump Maybe, anymore than that I would shop around. I had a Sentra 88 model and it was a good car (parts were high)but not many on the road now IDK I did not since buy another and I felt like the ones that came after it were even more disposable.

I think the best way to have leverage in this negotiation is to get the Accent to your mechanic and have a inspection done and find out if it needs work soon. Use this as deduction point to start your offer for it.

My sister-in-law has one of these cars and the owner's manual says to replace the timing belt every 37,500. That sounds like Hyundai trying to keep work in their dealerships to me. I would say around 60 to 90,000 would be sufficient in most cases.

It all depends on the quality of materials used during manufacture of those belts used when it was built, You can go buy a $30 belt to about a $90 belt right now in the auto parts store, a $30 belt likely has a shorter life span. I would change it on schedule and used a very good belt. Our markets are being inundated with cheaply made chinese products. These cheap lower case (c) chinese products are stolen designs. Do not buy these cheap stolen designs if possible.

Curious, the price quotes for replacing belt + water pump. What region is that? Or you mean to say throughout the USA, it should be no more than $500 at any shop? I figure labor costs vary by area.

Some shops vary from day to day and who answers the phone and if the shop if full or empty and for sure a higher price quote does not always mean OEM parts and most times do not, not to mean all after-market producers are poor quality, instead meaning ask and research, often even usa companies are more and more out-sourcing to china made parts just to cut cost. Every aspect of china made in low quality no mater if the usa made company claims these china companies are producing to their standards as the plastics, metals, ect. are weak and have impurity issues which equals high failure. I can buy a carburetor for my motorcycle from HONDA and have it here for $489.99 not counting shipping/tax from Japan or pay china $49.99. Which is my best choice? So your auto repair shop may buy those cheap parts and still charge you near the cost as a dealership would, letting you think they are helping you. You also need to research if a OEM part has been revised or recalled for repair and only buy the new revised part numbers as many dealerships have to save money by selling those older parts that are new part but were bad parts for whatever reason and needed revised.

i changed my timimg belt on a 2009 elantra....bought the whole kit from partsavatar.com for around 180.00..dealer wanted close to 550 for parts plus labor..dealers are a rip off.

Joseph, please do not go alone to buy a car in the future. You need to take a friend along who has good negotiation, analytical and financial skills. Also never put down a deposit unless your mechanic has inspected the car first. You could have gotten this car for around $3000 from a private party by negotiating well.

I just got an 09 GS with 27K miles for $2500. Thinking about getting an OEM belt and doing the water pump at 90K