1998 Honda Accord EX

Summary:

Overrated garbage

Faults:

Squishy, Buick-like handling

Demonic automatic transmission Unpleasant sounding engine, especially when cold

Shiny, cheap-looking dash plastic

Loose, floppy passenger seat

Very un-Honda-like reliability

Weak A/C.

General Comments:

My Accord must have been assembled on a Monday morning after a long 3-day weekend. The 4-speed automatic transmission was Satan's own: evil, ungodly up- and downshifts. The drivers side window fell into the door frame. The heat shield/mid-exhaust manifold rattled incessantly the entire time I owned the car. The odometer stopped working. At 60K the ABS computer module cratered to the tune of nearly $800. To make matters worse, Honda's "Customer Assistance" offered to reimburse 50% but then retracted their offer after I expressed disappointment that they wouldn't reimburse the entire amount. To be fair, it was a comfortable automobile as long as the transmission wasn't shifting.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd January, 2003

29th Apr 2006, 12:56

Sorry, this must be a fake review. The Accord does not handle in any way like a Buick. You almost had me convinced that Honda's were bad cars and I should buy a Chevrolet or Buick cause they are SO good.

29th Apr 2006, 16:04

He probably meant the shocks or struts were gone.

28th Sep 2007, 01:48

More likely he meant that this car was abused in its past. You can hardly blame a car maker for a bad owner. It's a piece of machinery, and if you don't tune and take care of it, eventually it's gonna break... just takes longer for Hondas.

28th Aug 2008, 01:46

To the above commenter, 80k on a transmission is longer for a Honda? In what alternate universe? That is a typical failing time for the Accord transmissions. You can get that from any car brand, including the ones perceived as cheap like Chevy, Ford, and Hyundai.

A guy I work with has an '02 Sonata with 120k miles and complains because his transmission doesn't like to shift into 4th gear. Maybe he'll stop complaining if he buys an Accord and sees how much worse it could be!

1998 Honda Accord EX 3.0 Vtech

Summary:

A high performance bargain

Faults:

Pressure control valve needed to be replaced at 73,000 miles.

Cup holder lid hinge broke before from previous owner.

Shaky center console at 80,000 miles.

Parts are expensive. Replaced front brake pads, rotors and hardware at 90,000 miles for $600 at the dealership.

Front leather seats showing some wear at 90,000 miles.

General Comments:

Acceleration is very good (200HP)

The overall ergonomics of the car are fantastic.

The tilt steering control arm requires a lot of hand strength to move. Also, the steering wheel does not have any resistance when the control arm is released. The driver must push the weight of the steering wheel up when adjusting.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd September, 2002

1998 Honda Accord EX 16-Valve VTEC

Summary:

Accord, the perfect car

Faults:

Absolutely nothing.

General Comments:

This is a great car. The most reliable car on the road. Runs excellent, the 5-speed is a blast to drive and holds my family comfortably. The interior is luxurious. The controls are perfectly placed, you don't have to take your eyes off the road to change radio station or heating/cooling. The trunk is huge and it's a great looking car. This is the best car on the road.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th July, 2002

1998 Honda Accord ex 3.0 V6

Summary:

A great all around car

Faults:

The only things that have gone wrong with it is the transmission. The first one was a lemon, the second one fell and broke before they installed it, and the last one seems perfect.

General Comments:

The Honda accord ex is a great performance sedan. I have raced it all the time and have not lost yet. I beat a 1998 Pontiac transam and a number of other little imports. It is also an automatic, but I do switch the gears from first to drive as I go.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th July, 2002

15th Jul 2002, 18:20

I'm sorry dude, but I don't believe you for a second on your 98 trans am kill. There is no way in hell you beat unless you had AT LEAST 10,000 dollars worth of mods. Lets do so math.

1998 Honda Accord EX. 3.0L V6 200HP, 195TQ weight 3,250lbs

Quarter mile:15.9@89MPH (seen and dragstrip)

1998 Pontiac Trans Am 5.7L 305HP, 335TQ weight 3450lbs

Quarter mile:13.5@103MPH (Seen at dragstrip)

Now I know that 98-00 Camaro's and Trans Am's really making 300RWHP which turns it to 345 at the flywheel. (I've seen it on the dyno)

I don't know about the Accord being underrated, but I highly doubt it enough to be able to beat a Trans Am.

And if you did beat a Trans Am I bet that he didn't know that you were racing.

But your other kills sound about right. I'm not flaming you I just don't believe you on the Trans Am kill and felt like telling you.

28th Sep 2007, 01:56

A Trans Am stock actually only has 275 hp with a 5.7 stock, and I'm not sure if that is even rwhp. Considering this is nearly twice the size of the Honda's 200hp 3.0L, I would venture to say that although the Trans Am would "win" at the dragstip, the Honda has much better engineering, and overall is a much better car. Oh, and I forgot, unlike a BADASS Trans Am, a Honda is ACTUALLY reliable!

23rd May 2008, 11:39

275hp is for the 93-97 Trans Am with the 350 LT1 motor... 98-02 the cars received the aluminum LS1; hp was 305 non ram air, and 320 ram air 98-00, and 310 non ram air, and 325 ram air 01-02.

Note there is NOOOOO way an Accord would have touched the Trans Am. It's just common sense... and reliable?? Yes the Honda may be reliable, but when you have a bad a$$ car who cares!!! American Muscle!!!