Is it worth buying a 1999 Honda Accord for $1300, but the timing belt is broke?

The owner said it broke while he was driving it, but hasn't touched the car since. It's a single shaft, and by the reports I read on honda accords, usually nothing happens to the valves and pistons in the engine. But just wanted to know everyone's thoughts. The car has 200k miles, but had a brand new transmission.

Too risky. Until a certified mechanic digs into the engine to replace the belt they will not know how extensive the engine damage might be. Sure, very little or no damage could have occurred when the belt broke. Or, the engine may have completely seized. Don't throw your cash to the wind to try to find out.

At present, the damage is unknown so the car is currently worth little more than scrap value, especially as it's going to need recovery to wherever it's repaired or scrapped. That's IF the transmission is genuinely brand new and so has a resale value. If it's just a reconditioned unit then you're pretty much back to scrap value.

As a non-runner the car is a gamble, and repairing the engine may reveal further hidden faults. Despite that, the seller is asking not much less than the book value for a fully functional car. The seller is extracting the kidney-juice…

No, A 99' accord with that many miles is only worth around 1500 to 2000, you'll be paying a lot more than that if you buy the car and replace the timing belt.

If you had recently spent the substantial amount of money it would cost to have a new/rebuilt/not original transmission installed and knew the engine simply needed a timing belt to be roadworthy again, would you get rid of the car for next to nothing or would you spend the $500-$800 necessary to have the timing belt replaced and drive it for a while to get your money out of replacing the transmission?

I'd be willing to bet the engine is ruined. I wouldn't touch it.

Ask to see the invoice for the 'new' transmission. I'm guessing the old trans has just been overhauled. If it is new, then maybe look at buying it.

However, new trans or not, $1300 with a broken timing belt is way too much. Even $1000 is too much. Offer $500 cash, or walk away. Remember, caveat emptor - buyer beware.

It's worth it IF the engine is still good.
for some engines, a broken timing belt can cause the piston to crash into the valves.
if this has not happened, and the engine is still in good shape, then $1300 is a good deal.

timing belts / chains are relatively cheap, so that is not your main concern.
the engine itself is, and you'll need a mechanic to check it out first.

You need to bring a mechanic to see the car and he can check the conditions. Usually Hondas are rated very high quality. You will have to pay a little bit more but if the rest of the car is okay, go for it.

Hondas are interference engines, at the very least there are some bent valves.

Yes considering a new timing belt is less than $50. Video on how to change it yourself.

1) $1300? I don't know.
2) you can do a simple compression test on it to see if any damage was done.

There's unknown engine damage after the timing belt broke and paying close to $1,500 for the accord. You could be looking for what scrap metal is going for after being told by a competent mechanic you are looking at a new engine after the transaxle was already replaced.