You can't do any better than an Accord
The original catalytic converter finally rotted off at 97,000 miles. The thing was 12 years old!
This car is absolutely wonderful. It was the best seller of '89! I totally recommend a 3rd generation Accord (86-89) for beginning drivers. It is so reliable.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th April, 2002
A car that goes far
New radiator. The plastic top of the original radiator exploded on a trip up the Mt. Hood highway. Replaced with a metal-topped radiator.
New CV joints and boots. Steering was loose.
Brakes seem to wear quickly, as does the suspension struts.
Very annoying: The driver's side door handle has broken three times. First two times, it was replaced with a genuine Honda part. This time, I'll pick one up at the junk yard. This must be a design flaw, I'm easy on equipment.
Power antenna quit 4 years ago, I haven't had it replaced.
Oil pump gasket started leaking badly, it was replaced.
Water pump has been replaced.
My car goes into the shop about once every 14 months for a check and repairs. After the vehicle passed about 150,000, the bill runs $700 - $1,400 per visit. Relatively inexpensive considering I make no monthly payments.
Except for the exploding plastic radiator, the car has never let me down.
I never thought I'd drive a car 1/4 Million miles, but it looks like this Honda will surpass that mark.
I was going to buy my Mother's 1989 Accura Legend, with 34,000 actual miles, but probably will just fix my Honda -- because I love the fold-down rear seat and trunk pass-through. I carry equipment for shows, photography and video work, and the Legend's seat is fixed!
Overall, the auto has held up well, is still comfortable, almost everything works, and looks OK for a "city" car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th February, 2002
A car that will not die
Replaced the timing belt at 135,000 and 215,000.
Had warped rotors due to the poor steel used. Replaced at around 90,000, no problem since.
Replaced both CV joints at 180,000. Dealer replaced one under warranty at 190,000 when it started to rattle again.
Major front suspension rework at 200,000. Included ball joints, tie rods, and spring.
This is a car that just won't stop running.
Never realized that a car would run for over 200,000 miles.
The body will fall off before this car stops running.
Always get heckled by friends for still driving this car. They've been through 3,4, and 5 cars while I've had this one.
Bears the brunt of winter while my 2000 Accord sits in the garage.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 22nd November, 2001
25th May 2002, 07:26
Very good review! I totally have to agree, being a Honda owner myself, but I do know how long these cars will perform and put out. My last car was a 1982 Honda Accord and at that time I had no idea it would last as long as it did. It's been given to a friend's Nefew as a starter car. I bought it at 209,000 miles and had it until 275,000 miles, at which it still just hummed along, mind you, being an old car, several things needed changed, but nothing ever major- and would you believe the timing belt only needed tightening, not replaced? Well, that's Honda. I have friends too who swear by American cars just to buy American I suppose, but they've been through so many cars I can't count them anymore and in the last ten years, I've just had three Honda's: 1980, 1982, and now my 1989 Accord. This car I have now it a beauty... like new even though most people would say anything over 150,000 miles is a lot; however, if you know Honda's like some of us experienced ones that do, 150 thousand miles is absolutely nothing on a Honda. I've heard of Honda's going for the 350 thousand mile mark! By the way, who is Honda? That guy over there in Japan really deserves the highest award for the finest auto design and technology!