I love my '05 RL, and so this RSX Type S is tempting. No key (so unknown mileage), a fuel pump installed improperly (but running/working well enough to have gotten the car running and into an accident), a damaged rear quarter panel from where the guy who abandoned it wrecked it (right rear wheel and suspension appear unaffected), but the clutch feels good, ebrake as well, good looking/full oil, missing air filter box, wheel bearings feel ok, good glass all around, no other dents, no oil leaking, coolant looks ok, no undercarriage indicators of having bottomed out, damaged stereo but it's all still there, one wonky left/driver's side rear wheel off some different Acura, good wheels and tires on remaining three. Junkyard asking $600. $200 for new key, cut and programmed, per local Acura dealer. Air filter/air box, new wheel and tire, new right rear taillight and it'll be, well, sorta good to go. Reg'd/plated in TN, unfortunately, so there's the smog and CA transfer to deal with.
What do you guys think? I appreciate your input, as I only know a little about these cars.

 

Any pics? Did you start it without the key and hear the motor? Sounds ok from what I read, but I personally would not buy a car without confirming motor is good and actually taking it for a spin. Recommend compression test the motor as well.

 

If you can tell me how to start it without the key I’d be thrilled!!

 

I personally have not, but I'm sure you can hot-wire it, or request the salvage yard prove the motor is good or provide a key. If it is good, they will get the $200 anyway for the key. If not, let them prove car runs.

I bought a k24 from a salvage yard and asked a ton of questions and they worked with me before I secured the deal.

 

Good to know, thanks.
I’ve read that without the RSX key’s transponder communicating with the ecu, fuel injection timing and or the fuel pump won’t operate properly. Short of someone with the Honda software, meeting me onsite, I think it’d have to go the dealer. Apparently the ignition has to be removed and opened for the key redo.

There are Youtube videos of how to hotwire an Integra, I’ve found.

 

If you can find someone who will let you borrow their k-pro ECU, you could start it without the key. If you can bypass the ignition switch to power the ECU, you should be able to see the odometer. Don't let high miles scare you, though. My daily driver 2002 Type-S is going strong with 246K miles on it. If you can make it reliable for under $3K, it would be worth it.

 

Thanks guys!
So, I was looking at spending $400 on the car, $150 having it towed to the dealer 50 miles away, then $200 for a new key cut and programmed. $750 gamble just to start. The fuel pump hanging in there would need to be reinstalled properly if it even worked. Let’s say that it did. I’d then have to buy an air filter box and filter, replace the right rear tail light, and put on the right sized driver side rear wheel and tire. So around another $300+. So I would be in for right around $1000 - 1100 at that point. Then I would have to transfer the Tennessee plate, and then I would have to have it smogged, as here in CA, it has to be smogged within 30 days of purchase. I’m guessing that DMV fun and smog would’ve cost around $250 - $300. $1300 minimum investment by my calcs. Probably closer to $1500.
If I had garage space, since we’re coming into winter, and a little more working capital, I may have gone for it. I did read, in my research, that the car was declared a total loss in 2010. So just a lot more work than I was ready for, plus the right rear quarter panel was pretty destroyed. The car was otherwise in ok shape. Interior not well cared for. I don’t have kpro and couldn’t find anyone locally who did it.
Last week I took my RL into the dealer for the airbag recall, and I straight up asked a service tech who had the software and could travel and use it outside of the dealer. He said he “wouldn’t know anything about that, sorry.”
I am kind of a Volkswagen and TDI guy and have that software, so I am inclined to stick with that German goofiness. At least now I know for next time.

 

Sounds like way too much work in my honest opinion! I'd pass and look for something in better condition and closer.