Faults:

Well since the car had 246,000 miles when I got rid of it, it obviously had a lot of things go bad, but most of them were minor/normal things. Here are them major replacements:

1) Transmission died at 150k, second one was dying when I traded it in at 246k.

2) Cat converter went out at about 200k.

3) Front suspension (control arms, tie rods) all had to be changed between 150k-200k miles, but that's not unusual or unexpected.

4) I had to keep the EGR ports in the intake manifold clean or else I would get a rough idle/poor performance, but it only took an hour to do it.

5) EGR valve was replaced twice.

6) Cruise control actuator broke at 200k miles - $40 part. Simple fix.

7) Parking brake cables replaced at 220k.

8) Front wheel bearings lasted 100k miles (so changed twice), rears lasted 150k miles (changed once).

9) Alternators on these cars SUCK, changed mine at 150k and at 200k (bought a cheap one off eBay, my mistake). But very easy to replace, and only a $140 part.

That's all I can think of... at 246k miles the engine was incredibly strong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kff_Oe8TZbQ

I would highly recommend this car except for its transmission problems... if you buy one, make sure the fluid has been changed with Honda ATF and NEVER flushed. Typically the trannies last for 120k-180k miles. But the engine is absolutely bulletproof. If you buy one that has recently had a new transmission put in or you don't drive many miles a year, it's a perfect car.

General Comments:

Amazingly reliable... fantastic car for anyone. Performance was pretty good - great highway acceleration, not so much on the low end. Extremely comfortable. Stock stereo was brutal.

Handling sucked - but it's a heavy FWD car. What do you expect?

Seats are good for 8-10 hour road trips.

Very easy to work on - did everything myself after 150k miles including timing belt.

I would get 30-31 MPG highway REALLY trying. Once I got 34, but that may have been a fluke. Towards the end of its life it usually got 26-28 in 80% highway driving.

What can I say about a car that goes up to 246k miles without ever having more than the intake manifold removed? The only thing I didn't like was the automatic and I wanted more power...

Traded it in for a 2003 Accord Coupe EX-V6 6MT :-) Now I have 240HP, 6MT, leather and 34 MPG highway.

Faults:

Replaced 2 fuel gauge senders (gauge inaccurate) at 10,000 & 21,000 miles.

Replaced power steering pump (high steering effort when parking) - 28,000 miles.

Replaced power door lock actuator (inoperable) - 44,000 miles.

Replaced (Delphi) alternator - 60,000 miles.

Replaced transmission at 67,000 miles - Shifts and initial engagement became violently harsh.

Replaced main relay (intermittent crank, but no-start) - 78,000 miles.

Rack started leaking at 80,000 miles. Replacement estimated at $800-900.00.

Temperature for climate control has a mind of its own in cold weather - you hear a servo operating, and the temperature of the air coming out of the vents fluctuates. Replacement of "module" estimated at $300.00.

Engine pings when climbing hills - do not have to be steep, just long. EGR valve replaced, but to avail.

Engine is noisier than expected. Engine can knock (sounds like rod bearings) when starting after the vehicle sits for more than a few hours if the drainback valve on oil filter isn't up to snuff - quality of filters is variable. Upon warm restart, the engine makes a noise like loose mechanical lifters for a few minutes when idling. Oil pressure light stays out at idle - even on the hottest days, so oil pressure doesn't seem to be an issue. Has mild piston slap when cold.

View through passenger side of windshield is mildly distorted.

General Comments:

Acceleration is good, but tip-in of throttle is more sudden than necessary given the power. Engine is smooth, and has a pleasing sound. Uses no oil between changes. Warms up quickly. Averages 21 MPG with mainly city driving.

Transmission is its own worst enemy - always trying to out think the driver. Example - if you accelerate from a stop, and decide you'd like to pick up the pace, you ease the throttle open a bit more, and just as you find the right increase in acceleration, the transmission clumsily drops back a gear, and you find yourself picking up speed more quickly than you want to. Kickdowns tend to be carried out with a feeling similar to that which one gets when you step into an unforeseen hole, and the 2-1 shift when coming to a stop always makes the car lurch slightly-but-noticeably -> In cold weather (< 32F), 2-1 often happens with a bang until the transmission warms up. Overall, the transmission is rather awkward, and a bit too busy with upshifts/downshifts.

Steering has nice feel.

Road holding is not strong point - Front end gives up grip rather suddenly, and at low force levels.

Ride is OK, but suspension bottoms fairly easily - damping and spring rates seem good, but suspension travel feels limited.

Original struts still pass annual safety inspection, ride height within specs.

Road noise is bit much on coarse surfaces.

Brake have nice progressive feel, and pad life is decent - 35,000-40,000 miles per axle.

Interior (cloth) is comfortable, and is of decent quality.

A/C is reasonably powerful.

The car is maintained by the selling dealer - all Honda parts used.