Faults:
2000
A/C compressor replaced.
2/2002
Accident damaging front-end of car. Hood, both front fenders, and all front exterior parts replaced. Front area painted to match rest of car.
Following dates and costs are from invoices -
10/26/2006
Replaced throttle body
Cost: $439.
5/24/2007
Replace engine fan motor & relay
Replace A/C fan motor
Replace oil pan (wrong drain plug used, stripping threads)
Replace electric antenna
Replace gas gauge sending unit (float in gas tank)
Cost: $1,554.
5/31/2007
Replace thermosensor
Cost: $77.
10/22/2007
30,000 mile service per manual
Replace right outer CV boot
Replace left outer and inner CV boot
Cost: $609.
General Comments:
This car is the station wagon version of the Accord EX. The car is very reliable, and is perfect as an around-town daily driver. The cargo area is perfect for my needs, and, with the rear seats folded down, can hold a surprising amount of gear.
I am a six-foot, 260 pound male, and I fit comfortably in both the front and rear seats. The driver's seat adjustment range, along with the steering wheel adjustment range, provide a comfortable and ergonomic driving position. Head room is very adequate.
2007 was the most expensive year for repairs ($2,240), but this is much less than the typical yearly financing cost to purchase a new or good used car. One advantage has been finding excellent mechanics that quickly identify and repair problems. Each time the car has been worked on, it stays fixed. I have not had to go back multiple times to have an issue resolved.
The air conditioning system has been the biggest source of recurring problems. The compressor, radiator, heat exchanger, and A/C fan have been replaced. Because of its smaller size, the A/C is very sensitive to a small loss of refrigerant. It will start to make noises if the refrigerant is down a little bit. However, it still cools very well.
The body is solid and has no rust. The doors operate well. The interior is in surprisingly good condition. The cloth seats show far less wear than one might expect of a 15-year-old car. The dash and other hard plastic interior parts are in surprisingly good condition with no fading or cracking. The paint is fading badly, but again, no corrosion.
The electric window and electric door lock on the back right door do not work.
The engine and drive-train work well, averaging 25mpg. When shift from park into drive (D4) the transmission "thunks" or shifts hard into place, but the automatic shifting while driving is smooth. The engine does not leak or burn oil.
The handling is very quick and responsive. The power steering is quiet, with no squealing. This car has 4-wheel disk brakes which have required normal service and continue to operate very well.
Even at 15 years old, a well-maintained version of this car would be a reliable form of transportation that, in the long run, would be very economical.
