1988 Honda Accord DX 2.2 liter from North America

Summary:

Fun car that does not run

Faults:

When I purchased the car the transmission linkage cable was out of sync with the car. I took the accord to the local Honda dealership and the replaced it and adjusted it free of charge. Two weeks later the brakes went out completely. I yet again I took the car to a local brake shop and spent Six hundred dollars to have the entire brake system redone. No long after that the car began to have serious running problems, It would no longer run above 50 mph. At take off the car would back-fire. I took the car back to a local mechanic who told me the entire fuel system needed to be replaced quoting me an estimate of 1,200 for parts and labor.

General Comments:

The car is very attractive and on the very few occasions when it was running well it was sporty and fun to drive.

I ended up sinking over 3,000.00 dollars into this car and it still is far from in running condition.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th February, 2003

1988 Honda Accord DX 2.0L 12 valve DOHC from North America

Summary:

A fun and affordable high performance vehicle

Faults:

Fifth gear went out in transmission at 130,000 miles.

Drivers side window regulator went out at 131,000 miles.

Passenger side seatbelt lock broke at 132,000 miles. (Not Good!)

Oxygen sensor in the carburetor went out at 136,000 miles (I've been having constant problems with the carburetor lately. I think I'm going to have it rebuilt soon.)

Water pump went out at 168,000 miles.

Transmission went out at 170,000 miles.

Complete muffler went out at 190,000 miles. (Catalytic converter and all.)

Thinking about getting the Alternator and complete engine rebuilt along with the carburetor just to make sure that it won't be my next problem.

General Comments:

A lot of things have went wrong on this car, but it wasn't anything that wasn't expected.

The repairs put into this car are well worth it because this is a great car to have.

Its sporty, good on gas, handles very well, and the engine has a lot of power for a factory 2.0 liter engine.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd February, 2003

1988 Honda Accord LXi from North America

Summary:

This is the best car I've ever owned, dollar for dollar

Faults:

Power antenna will not retract.

Valve cover gasket failed twice.

Passenger side Constant Velocity assembly replaced.

Changed timing belt, water pump and auxiliary belts and hoses as preventative maintenance.

General Comments:

This car handles almost as well as the first day I bought it with 7 miles. It's an absolutely wonderful car to own. Better than extremely dependable. It never went to the dealer for warranty work or repair work. Maintenance was always only preventative, never a result of a failure. This car is a poor man's BMW 3 series. It's bulletproof in terms of performance, reliability and comfort. No, it's not going to tear the road up, but it's very respectable in performance. I can stop this vehicle on a dime, and have never had a problem with warped rotors. At 165k, I'm still working on my original clutch. I've replaced the front disc pads twice and the rear brake shoes once. I've owned a 74 Porsche Targa, 68 GTO, 72 Corvette convertible and a 73 MGB, and they really had nothing over the Honda LXi. Sure they all had more horsepower (Except the MGB) and the Porsche handled a bit better, but the Accord was the more total car. I never questioned the reliability and performance of the Honda. It handled just as well as the MGB (talk about an unreliable car). The interior of this car is just like new. It's due partly to my upkeep, but the seats, carpet, and trim are all of the highest quality. Therefore, it is easy to maintain it as if it was new. The driver seat cushion has not lost any of it's form, and I'm a 6'-2", 215 lb. guy. This car owes me absolutely nothing, and I'll drive it until it won't run anymore. Which means I'll probably have it for another 165k miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd February, 2003

16th Aug 2007, 10:33

I bought a rusty, but trusty 1988 Honda Accord LXi automatic for my fiance when her old car died (until she could afford something of her own). It turns out that she is now driving my 2004 Hyundai Elantra GT hatchback (which is a good car as well) because I simply like the Honda better. This car reminds me a lot of a BMW 2002tii (I believe the power is roughly the same) in many areas, including the likelihood of giving it up to rust rather than to mechanical error.

24th Mar 2008, 05:55

This car is a life-saver in terms of no matter how many accidents it may have, the steel frame withstands quite a lot, although it'll bend like a gymnast. I'm also surprised that this car handles just as good as Honda intended their newer cars (newer Civic and Accord). 1986-1989 was a big step for Honda's flagship economy/luxury car. With the introduction of Mcpherson wishbone struts and electronic engine timing for the LX-i versions (a prelude to what is now VTEC), this car was the definition of what's now stability and control. How this car contends with my Pontiac Sunfire, I don't know... but I'm glad to see its wide variety of custom parts and little preventive maintenance compared to the latter domestic vehicle. I mean... c'mon... you can turn this thing into a Prelude (H22A engine) if you felt like it!