1990 Honda Accord LX 2.2 liter petrol from North America
Summary:
You buy a Honda for the engine.. everything else comes 2nd
Faults:
Driver side visor was missing when I bought the car.
Passenger side seat belt connect button takes a lil wiggling to get it out.
Every single time it rains, when I open the trunk it leaks rain into the trunk from both sides.
Inside door handles and molding around it is admittedly a lil cheap.
The cloth interior around the door pulls could have been glued or applied to the doors better... but the car is 20 years old, so I can't say how the car was treated through its life.
Car has a reported 3 official wrecks in its lifetime according to Car Fax.
The most major repair according to my records I have when I bought the car was an alternator at about 243,000 miles... I also have repair receipts of a new radiator at 222,000... wheel bearing at 228,000.. and new shocks at about 175,000 miles...
The car now leaks out antifreeze... I put in a bottle of Stop Leak; it worked for about a year.. slowing the process down... but now it's a lot worse... I'm pretty sure it needs a water pump and timing belt... no record of due 75k change... so it's no surprise...
Car is now due for a front right CV joint, which I paid about 65 bucks for...
I paid 700 bucks for this vehicle.
I have few complaints about the reliability of this car.
The automatic seat belts are beyond stupid, and feel less secure and safe than manual seat belts... the government made a extremely stupid decision by forcing car companies to put them in for those years...
The car is fun to drive for a 4 cylinder.. it feels very solid... light on its feet... everything in the car feels responsive from the steering to the gas input... I will say it could take a tip or two from Toyota and put in a smoother shifting auto trans... Honda put in a "sporty" feeling auto trans for this Accord's year... it's fine most the time... but in stop and go traffic... the 1st to 2nd can be a lil jumpy feeling... not good when you're hung over and don't like to move back and forth LOL.
Car could benefit from about 2 more inches of width and length. Head room is fine back and front.
General Comments:
Dash board is logically laid out, and everything is easily accessible.
CD player slot needs to be raised higher for easier access.
Great visibility all around through glass.
Handles really good on snow rain pretty much anything... it's front wheel drive giving you piece of mind... rear wheel drive is such a headache in anything except smooth dry pavement.
The cloth used is extremely durable and comfy... 20 years... and the car seats have little to no wear at all.
The carpet used inside is kinda "thick" like some sort of 70's shag carpet... I seriously love it!
The engine is a lil loud after 30mph... but calms down once you get on the interstate at around 65-75.
Has the usual Honda cancer... rust on wheel wells.
I can easily see why the Accord is one of the best and top rated family cars; it's built great, feels solid after 20 years... and still goes down the road with little fuss...
Keep on with its scheduled maintenance and there is a good chance the Accord will not let you down.
If I were to recommend this car... I would honestly say unless you can get one for DIRT cheap... like 800 or less... the newer model 94+ are much more refined cars.. and you would only pay around 1,000 more... it's worth it... but if you can find a good example of a 90-93... especially the EX version... you'll be getting a great car and a steal of a price...
EX's come with leather seats, Bose speakers, loaded power everything... moonroof... cruise control... dual air bags... oh and Honda... relocated the beverage holder to a much more superior spot... the 90/93 has the beverage holder in a usable but stupid spot.
Top pros:
1. Reliability.
2. Value for the money.
3. Gas mileage.
4. Great interiors and long lasting accessories life.
5. Suspension.
Improvements needed:
1. Cup holder placement.
2. Needs about 2 inches more width and length.
3. Use more insulation under the hood.
4. More padding on the inside arm pulls.
5. Find a way to prevent water from entering the trunk after you open it... very annoying when you have groceries or electronics in it.
6. Should of used a proper center console in the middle rather than an arm chair rest.
7. Smoother shifting auto trans from 1st to 2nd.
8. The Accord, Integra, Vigor, Legend... they all look too similar... should have further differentiated the exterior looks.
Bottom line - few cars are built to last like an accord... especially for the money.
I'd rather push a Honda then drive American or German.
Americans are built like crap, drive like crap, and the interiors are extremely bargain bin... and barely a step above in reliability... if at all.. compared to German cars.
Germans are unreliable and cost you out the ass in repairs; far too much... fun cars... but not fun on the side of the highway broke down.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th April, 2010
4th Jun 2010, 23:53
Excellent review, written like a pro. Many if the issues brought up parallel those in my '89 Accord (previous gen bodystyle with the flip-out headlights but basically same chassis). Including the water running into the trunk when opened, there's no gutter system like most cars.. a very poor design flaw on an otherwise VERY well thought-out car (the rainwater ruined my expensive subwoofer amp)..
Other than that, these cars are built like tanks and will easily go up to 400k miles on original running gear (just keep that timing belt fresh).