Faults:

Brake lights became inoperable, I had to hot wire the brake lights off the battery.

Speedometer kicked in and out.

Valve cover gasket leaked.

General Comments:

This would have been a great car, except it was rear ended before I got it. I believe this led to electrical problems, and once a car has such troubles, they are difficult to fix.

Since I jerry rigged the brake lights, and could read the tachometer to figure out how fast I was going, I left the car as is until able to fix it. She ran like this for over a year, and wouldn't break down, as well as got pretty decent gas mileage, around 30 miles per gallon.

It served its purpose, getting me to work and back, and I will miss it. However, it was stolen last night, and being on the Mexican border I doubt I'll see it again. You'd think a locked 15 year old car would not be a target of car thieves, at least I didn't, but I was wrong.

Faults:

Timing belt, half shafts note; had aftermarket half shafts installed, bite the bullet and buy Honda genuine ones. After market shafts last only about a year, if your lucky. The garage ordered these United Auto Parts after market half shafts and they only guarantee them for only three months. I have to pay for labor if worn after three months. I will use Honda half shafts next time. I have had three sets installed so far. They are notorious in the parts industry for premature failure.

I will keep this Honda Accord for as long as it lasts. I have additional future work to be done.

Timing belt with water pump, (should be done the same time to save labor costs), half shaft seals, upper ball joints. Sway bar bushings that will be done by me.

I'm impressed with Honda and Toyota vehicles (have a 2000 Camry). North American vehicles have way too many recalls and make them for looks, not for quality. If you are in the state of confusion, consult The Consumer Reports, in the automotive section, for helpful and cost saving articles. Its highly recommended.

General Comments:

Honda's are worth the extra cost. They have a high resale value.

Very dependable.

Top quality manufactured, Made in Japan (1990).

Comfortable. Best car I've owned for a mid sized vehicle.

Faults:

I bought the car used, from a private party (who hadn't had the car long himself). Thus, I had no record of the last timing belt change. This was the first thing replaced.

Right after purchase, I noticed that the right inner CV boot was torn. I've heard about a lot of Honda owners having to replace the CV joints often. I had the boot replaced, so far so good. I think keeping the boot fresh (which costs maybe a fourth of replacing the joint) will make the CV joints last a whole lot longer.

I bought the car in the Mojave Desert, in southern California--a very dry climate. I then took it to college on the coast of northern California, and found that the trunk leaked something awful. This caused the car to fog up inside often. I discovered that the tail light gaskets were old and cracked and that's where the water was coming in. These were replaced by me. I got new gaskets from the dealer at about $6 each. If any of you have a leaky Honda, check the tail lights! It's an easy fix.

The also is some sort of leaky issue in the dash somewhere. Occasionally, there is some water dripping in the front passenger foot well. I think it might be a break in the air conditioning condensation tube, and that it is dripping in the car instead of onto the ground. This I haven't been able to confirm or fix yet, but I haven't asked a professional.

General Comments:

My dad commuted for years in a 1984 Honda Accord hatchback, and since those days (when I was just a kid) I've had a love affair with Honda. I feel they are the absolute best cars on the road, and my new 1990 Honda Accord DX is no exception.

The problems I listed above I would classify as very minor.

This car is a blast to drive. It's very fast, and has room for all my friends.

I see tons of this generation of accord on the roads (1990-1993 I believe), so they're obviously a dependable car.