Older Honda Accords

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Comments

  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    i think the 90-93 Accords are the most timeless. i see hundreds of them still on the road today here in DC area. they looked right, rode right, performed right, and were priced right.
  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    were slick looking on the exterior, still look good, and sized right(very compact on the inside which I like.)
  • snarkssnarks Member Posts: 207
    My advice is seek out one that has service records from owner. Also once you decide have a trusted mechanic check it over before purchase. ($50-$100). A last key question is when was timing belt last changed. Thank god they have eliminated that worry at least for current 4cylinder models (2003,2004).

    good luck
  • tim_hooligantim_hooligan Member Posts: 143
    I tend to agree with everyone here. It almost seems like there wasn't really a "bad" year for the accord! I know looks are subjective, so that's a moot point.

    I live around the DC area, and I too see 90-93's EVERYWHERE. It does have a nice timeless design, though. The 94-97 generation has a more smooth look.

    My mom had a 1998 Accord that she loved. Never a single problem. That generation rode quite well too.

    good point on the timing belt...i won't forget that one! the mechanic is a MUST. Finding paint work and damage is easy...but mechanical stuff is harder to find.

    I personally am found of the 90-93 because it reminds me of my old '89....which was the most loyal car ever. Slow, but loyal. Made it to 200k without a problem.

    On the other hand, I've had 2 civics and HATED them. HAd the infamous '93 Civic...head gaskets blew. So I'm quite an Accord fan!

    Thanks all!
  • nw1997nw1997 Member Posts: 227
    We have a red color 04 Accord. I've noticed how easy it is for the vehicle's paint/clear coat to scratch. Has anyone utilized 3M Perfect It II, rubbing compound P/N 39002? From what I have read this is a fine-cut for minor scratches that occur from car washes and minor clear coat scratches. Does someone have a product that they use and can recommend. I don't want something to harsh of an abrasive, the vehicle has only 1,300 miles on the ODO.
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    Consumer Reports recommended, and I have used it extensively with great success, the liquid Zymol [blue stuff in plastic bottle] that you can buy at most discount stores [Wally-Mart, etc].

    This stuff is gentle, but effective. It did amazing things on my mother's dark blue [very abused] metallic '91 Accord wagon, and has been fabulous on our Bordeaux Red M-B C240. Just remember to do the final step - a little plain water from a spray bottle with a clean, dry towel to get the excess wax off and smooth the final finish.

    This is not to be confused with the VERY expensive Zymol pastes that BMW nuts swear by - they generally hold this liquid product in contempt, but I found it works fantastically and is much less expensive than the paste.
  • inkieinkie Member Posts: 281
    I used the 3m rubbing compound. I was not impressed with the results on my 2000 Accord I achieved better results with a clay bar. But I was impressed with 3m's liquid wax in the black bottle. And as jrct9454 reports Zymol is great! Both are pretty easy to apply try them both and you decide which you like, they are compatible with one another.
  • sistarsistar Member Posts: 19
    I'd like to put wider tires on my 98 4-cyl/5-spd. Should it be 205/60R15 or 215/60R15 ? Speedo wise, the latter matches stock 195/65R15 more closely, but I don't want the tires buldging out too much or hitting the wheel well. Experts on this board, please I want your comment.
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    Actually, the 205/60s should have a rolling diameter almost exactly the same as the 195/65s. And unless you plan to change wheels at the same time [I assumed not], then I wouldn't go wider than 205 anyway - the stock wheels will accommodate that move with no trouble, but the 215s are wider than those wheels are designed to handle.
  • austinman7austinman7 Member Posts: 313
    snarks -- on your post at 14125, what did you mean about eliminating the worry on the timing belt for 03 and 04 4 cyl. models? I have an 04 LX Accord 4 cyl. The owner's manual has some information about timing belts on p. 227, but I can't tell if it's referring to the 4 cyl. or not. The summary maintenance schedule for the 4 cyl. doesn't mention a timing belt at all, unless I'm overlooking it, but it's included on the 6 cyl. schedule.

    Thanks.
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    The 2003 and 2004 Accord 4 cyl. engine does not have a timing belt--it has a timing chain that is designed to last the life of the engine--there is no replacement needed.

    The V6 Accord does have a timing belt--I think it is to be replaced at 90,000 miles, but I'm not sure about that........Richard
  • austinman7austinman7 Member Posts: 313
    Thanks for the information on the timing chain.
  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    I thought the 03 and 04 Honda Accord both coupe and sedan used standard HID lights. Somebody on the Acura TL board told me the 03 and 04 Accord models do not use HID. Are HID lights the same as Blue lights or not? I thought blue lights and HID lights were the same exact thing. Don't the 03 and 04 Accord's headlights at night have a blue color to them or are my eye's my decieving me? Lastly, I thought Honda started to use HID or blue lights on the 03 and 04 Accord models to cut down on HID thefts on Acura models. I guess the more common the HID or Blue lights are the less of the HID thefts that Honda will have.
  • lelandhendrixlelandhendrix Member Posts: 240
    So far, there has been no Honda Accord sold with HID's. They also do not have a blue tinge to the lights. There are aftermarket kits you can buy to outfit any car with HID. There are also simple replacement bulbs available that will make the lights brighter, or give them a slight hue in different colors.

    Do some reading on exactly what HID's are, and you'll find they aren't really blue either. It has to do with the very different way the light is produced, and the way the spectrum of light is dispersed. They can look blue from a distance, especially in their 'cutoff' region. The cutoff (a horizontal line drawn to prevent blinding oncoming drivers) is what you see until you get much closer to the vehicle, when you notice they appear white.

    The preson that told you Honda started using HID to cut down on Acura HID theft really passed you some BAD information. After repeating this in my head several times, I still can't even imagine what they are trying to say--no logic.
  • jmaxejmaxe Member Posts: 198
    You may be thinking of Halogen headlights which are very different from HID.
  • hbund216hbund216 Member Posts: 162
    Has anybody installed a satellite radio antenna on their 98-02 Accord? If so how did you route the wiring?
  • gregoryc1gregoryc1 Member Posts: 764
    I checked with the dealer. The 2003 4 cylinder engine in the Honda Accord has a "timing belt", and it should be changed at 105,000 miles. The 2004 4 cylinder engine that we have in the Honda Civic has a "timing chain", and it is good for the life of the engine. Now this brings new meaning to keeping the oil clean! Dirty oil will destroy a timing chain or belt.
  • bd21bd21 Member Posts: 437
    Actually Gregoryc1, Richards38's information was correct on the 2003 Accord 4 cylinder. And by the way the 2004 Civic has a timing belt and it is due change at 7 years or 110,000 miles (reference pg 139 & 140 of your owner's manual). You may want to try using another Honda dealer since yours doesn't seem to know what engine or maintenance is required for your cars.
  • snarkssnarks Member Posts: 207
    A minor correction on what you say. Dirty oil will do nothing to a timing belt. It does not make any contact with oil, if it did it would not last very long as its made of rubber/metal bits.
  • gregoryc1gregoryc1 Member Posts: 764
    QUESTION: ----Why would a dealer lie about this? They would only be talking themselves out of a service charge.
  • bd21bd21 Member Posts: 437
    I didn't say they lied, I inferred they didn't know what they were talking about. Many service writer's are not mechanics, so it is not uncommon for them to give out bad information. Go pull out both of your car manuals and verify what I stated or simply call another Honda dealer and they can verify what I said. The 4 cylinder in the Accord went to a chain in 2003 and the Civic has never changed from a belt.
  • snarkssnarks Member Posts: 207
    A minor correction on what you say. Dirty oil will do nothing to a timing belt. It does not make any contact with oil, if it did it would not last very long as its made of rubber/metal bits.
  • pj23pj23 Member Posts: 158
    My '01 Civic EX, which has the same engine that the '04 Civic does, had a timing belt. My '03 Accord 2.4L 4 cyl has a timing chain, as has been talked about at some length on these boards and in the major automotive publications. My wife's 02 Accord 2.3L 4 cyl has a timing belt. All Accord 3.0 V6 models from 1998-2004 have a timing belt.

    I don't have the time to find the links, but the posts and articles on this subject are out there.
  • talon95talon95 Member Posts: 1,110
    This information is from the technical specs for the Accord and Civic from www.hondanews.com:

    For Accord 2003/2004:

    2.4-liter 4-cylinder highlights

    <snip>

    NVH

    Rigid block and pan assembly
    Dual balance shafts
    Silent cam chain drive

    http://www.hondanews.com/CatID2006?mid=2002072936167&mime=asc

    For Honda Civic 2001-2004:

    Timing Belt Automatic Tensioner
    Adding an automatic tensioner to the timing belt assembly dramatically reduces noise at idle and throughout the rpm range.

    The shape of the timing belt teeth have been changed to further reduce noise. The timing belt on the 2001 Civic is narrower than on previous models. This also contributes to reduced timing belt noise.
     
    http://www.hondanews.com/CatID2013?mid=20010103001067&mime=as- - c
  • snarkssnarks Member Posts: 207
    With regards to the Civic there is some truth to it having a Timing Chain, I know for a fact that the current Si hatchback has a timing chain.
  • bd21bd21 Member Posts: 437
    You are correct. I should have said all Civic's except the Si. We are usually referring to Civics other than the Si when we generically talk about Civics. The Si has a totally different high performance engine with a timing chain. All other Civics use a timing belt.
  • apbangiapbangi Member Posts: 17
    First of all, thanks to all those who responded to my earlier post (--about clutch not being smooth). I haven't brought the car to the dealer for a check on the clutch. Instead, I re-adjusted my release on the clutch and have to hold it there for longer than normal to avoid the car's tendency to "jump" if you release the clutch too soon or too much. And I have to push on the accelerator heavier than normal as I hold on to the clutch at that contact point. This "rough" driving is causing me a lot of stress when shifting gear from 2nd to 3rd. No problem when shifting at higher gears, or shifting from 1st to second.

    And there is this very annoying little engine brakes when driving on 3rd or 4th gears, making the drive rough, especially on stop-and-go traffic. I really hate it. This car is like a mad bull that I'm planning to get rid of it soon.

    ramida
  • lelandhendrixlelandhendrix Member Posts: 240
    Why in the world would you buy a new car and not take it back to the dealer for a problem?

    Honda has been known by all for years to have the best manual transmissions in the industry. Either your tastes are dramatically different from the majority or there is something dead wrong with your car.

    You spent a lot of money. Why not let somebody that distinctly knows your car take a shot at making it right?
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    That post made no sense whatever.

    This is why dealers have service departments!
  • dust90dust90 Member Posts: 169
    And what was the purpose of the post? What response were you looking for?

    Really sounds like you should have got the automatic, as no other manual tranny(5 or 6 speed)owners have posted similar problems. The only adjustment that I had to make was to look at the tach upon clutch engagement, because the engine is so quiet at the lower RPM's. Took me a couple of days, but I adjusted.

    Unless of course, there is something wrong with your clutch(but I doubt it), in which case - get it to the dealer!
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    OK, so manual transmissions can be fun if you don't have to row the thing too much in city driving nor start in the middle of steep hills and do the clutch, accelerator, handbrake dance.
    I'd be scared out of my mind trying to deal with a stick shift on hills here in San Francisco--pure madness.

    Clutches will last depending on your driving habits and more has been done perfecting automatic transmissions over the decades that doing much to manuals.

    Most automatics are so good now that they usually outlast manual transmissions and certainly outlast clutches. They need no servicing and gas mileage is about the same, too.

    Anyone considering a stick shift Accord should drive the automatic--the Accord's 5 speed AT is amazingly smooth and efficient. And resale should be much better because so few people want a stick shift--especially if it's and Accord sedan.......Richard
  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    Re Honda clutch life expectancy: I've never gotten less than 100K miles out of the original clutch.

    I can tell you from personal experience that a well-maintained stick shift Accord will sell quickly & for a good price. You may not do as well on a trade-in, but that's just another reason why you should sell it yourself instead of trading it in.

    In any case, mileage & condition matter more than options if the car is more than 4 or 5 years old.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    I have never had a clutch wear out. This includes vehicles with close to 200k miles. My brother has a G-20 with 220k miles that has the original clutch.

    There may be fewer takers for used manual tranny Accords, but the ones there are will not dicker - they know they have found something rare.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    You won't have people knocking the doors down for your used 5 speed Accord. It'll sell, but at least nine out of ten buyers won't want it.

    It still takes te same book deduction if you trade it or sell it yourself. Slow sellers compared to the automatics but they do have their fans.
  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    Slow seller? That wasn't my experience. I sold a 12-year-old LXi stick a few years ago to a buyer who called me less than an hour after my ad 1st appeared in the local paper. Got my asking price, too. At least a dozen more would-be buyers called before lunch. Finally disconnected the phone.

    Several of my friends have had similar experiences. A used top-tier (Honda or Toyota) Japanese car is an extremely easy sell in my area (NYC suburbs), whether it's stick or auto. In my case, it helped that the mileage (115K) was comparatively low relative to the car's age & that I could fully document the car's service history.

    The buyer was a young student who hadn't yet learned to drive a stick (a friend test drove my car for him) but who desperately wanted an Accord.
  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    Thats different selling an Accord thats 12 years old as opposed to selling one thats like a year and a half old. For one the college student who bought what a 1990 or 1991 probably only paid 1,000-1,500 dollars for the car. An 03 Accord with 5sp manual is going to be a hard sell on a rival dealers lot. To sell it privately with a manual tranny thats going to be hard because its worth what 17K-18K to sell it privately? I don't think alot of people are in the market for a car thats a year and a half with a maunal trans(that combo just doesn't mix.) Why not just buy a new Accord for 18700-19K out the door?

    Also, to reply to last post most yeah Honda's and Toyota's are in easy sell by you(I live in NJ) so I understand. Most people just buy old Honda's and Toyota's like 10 years old not one thats one and a half years old.

    BTW, I am goint to read the Accord history book later on. I always liked Accord's until the current generation came out.
  • nowakj66nowakj66 Member Posts: 709
    Anytime you buy a car new and then sell it quickly, you usually experience a lot of depreciation. 18 months, 2 years. I am not sure where the magic number is - 5 years? Anyway, a lot of depreciation is front loaded.

    Plus a potential buyer instantly asks themselves - WHY is this being sold? Is it a lemon? Prices are close - just get the new one as carguy58 suggests.

    With a manual tranny 4 door car (I own a 2003 EX-L MT myself) you have to be SURE it is what you want since resale can be tough for a family sedan with a sporty stick. I think a 2004 Acura TL with a 6 MT would be an even tougher resale. Or a G35 MT for that matter.

    Not all 4 door sticks are like this - for example a sports oriented WRX 4 door MT would probably be fine and actually be preferred to a automatic.

    So with MT on a family oriented sedan, you better be SURE that is what you want for a decent amount of time. Be proud! You have selective tastes! But beware - it is a selective taste -- because you may have a difficult time convincing someone else it was they want. And the only way to do that may be to come down a lot further on price than you might like.
  • dust90dust90 Member Posts: 169
    First, I agree with Richard. If I lived in SF, I'd probably opt for the auto. But here in WV, we have plenty of hills, also, & I have no problem with the manual. With a properly driven manual, the clutch should last the life of the car(providing my ex-wife isn't driving it!)

    As to resale, the coupe with the manual, especially the 6 speed, should move quickly, but with the sedan, yeah, you have a much narrower playing field.
  • machaanmachaan Member Posts: 30
    I chickened out of buying a stick shift Passat at the last moment for the same reason mentioned in post #14159.
  • simonsez5simonsez5 Member Posts: 21
    Hate to bring back that topic but from the sounds of it, the timing chain seems to be the better of the 2 since they will last practically forever? But for those expert mecanics, are there any drawbacks to having a chain compared to a belt?
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    ...but nothing lasts forever. Chains can stretch, get noisy, and eventually fail, but will do so at much higher mileages than a belt.
    Somewhere north of 150k miles on a well-maintained car, I would probably want to have it replaced, but I never keep a car that long....
  • peter78peter78 Member Posts: 284
    A timing belt is considered quieter and more flexible, they sometimes run the water pump with it. They are cheaper to replace and of course they are cheaper to make.

    Having said that, I just drove a 4 cyl Accord LX yesterday and it is a lot quieter than my current 92 Accord LX wagon. I consider a timing chain a plus. I think engineers and bean counters like the belt and everyone else likes the chain.

    Off subject, this is the first Accord I have driven since 92 and I must say I love the lite up dash, that was really cool. I was really taken with the car.
  • c182skylanec182skylane Member Posts: 64
    Anyone noticed in their manuals that Canadian models come standard (EX only?) with heated outside mirrors? Too bad that's not an option in the U.S.
  • simonsez5simonsez5 Member Posts: 21
    as far as I know, being here in Canada, heated outside mirrors are standard on all accord models except for the DX
  • ken972ken972 Member Posts: 162
    Yup, I noticed the same thing. I would love to have them on my car. Would be great if they were at least an accessory add on down here in the U.S. I think they are rumored to be standard here in the coming years.
  • simonsez5simonsez5 Member Posts: 21
    Does anyone here own one? I'm really leaning towards this car. Here in Canada, our DX model, in addition the U.S. model, gets: Keyless Remote Entry, A/C, Power Windows, Power Locks, Cruise Control and 2 extra speakers (total 4) for the sound system. Now, granted, the U.S. MSRP's for $15,900 and ours $23,900 CDN (roughly $17,900 U.S. dollars). Both with sticks of course. So, my question, is the DX a good value at that price? Would I be missing the extra 2 speakers, rear stabilizer bar, slightly bigger tires, map lights, sunglass holder, power outside mirrors and fold-down rear centre armrest found on the LX model?? One last question, the U.S. DX Accord specs out at 3053lbs (MT) in the weight department and the Canadian model comes in at 3020lbs, if ours as more standard equipment, it would only make sense that it weighed a little more correct?? I'd appreciate a clarification on that one!! Thanks all!!!
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    Be sure to test drive both an Accord DX and an LX because the lack of the rear stabilizer bar could be a deciding issue.

    My brother had a '91 Accord DX which was a great car that he liked very much, but replaced it with a BMW 318 hatchback in '97 because the DX (no rear stabilzer bar) didn't handle very well on curves, etc.

    I didn't drive the car so can't comment for myself, but he drives more than I do and is sensitive to a a car's handling capabilities.

    The DX Accord is a great value, but you might be happier with the LX or EX's handling......Richard
  • midnightcowboymidnightcowboy Member Posts: 1,978
    a timing belt does and it costs a lot of money %$400-500
  • setzersetzer Member Posts: 127
    my aunt's eriene has a 1990 honea accore. he is selling it eor 1500 ane it has a new engine ane transmission. it has about 200000 miles on it, but the two major things have been replacee. my parents are really thinking about buying it, woule it be a gooe investment?

    sorry about the spelling errors. my keyboare is messee up ane is typing Es when its not supposee to.
  • atlantabennyatlantabenny Member Posts: 735
    ..."eriene" would thus stand for "friend ?"

    On the car, Edmunds' appraiser has it at $664.00 for a 200k miles / automatic / average condition sample.

    Add $1000 for a new engine/tran and $1700 would be, math-wise, a theoretical price for it.

    But considering you might get a meticulously dealer-maintained car for $1300 (still based on Edmunds' appraiser, but this time with "outstanding" condition), I'd ask $1200.00 for your aunt's friend's car.

    Remember, even with a replaced engine/tran, there's the rest of the car to consider.
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