7th Jun 2005, 19:14
Agreed 100%. I have a 96 Accord EX, and it's been the best car I've ever owned. Nothing but basic and routine maintenance/upkeep is all that this car has required to stay on the road and still run like new after almost 10 years and 160,000 miles. If that isn't a darn good car, I don't know what is! It's hard to believe that another car that is identical to mine in every way, can be a complete nightmare when mine has been such a miracle... but it happened. The 1998 and later Accords (1998 was the first year for the redesign) tend to be more problematic than the 97 and previous generations. It seems as though most owners bought a newer model Honda based on the success of their previous one, only to be very disappointed. The 1998+ 4-cylinder Accord used a 2.3 liter engine that was essentially the same as the previous 2.2 liter... but the 1998+ models receive many complains of blown head gaskets, stalling for no reason, over heating, etc. while the older 2.2s are nearly flawless. If you look under the hoods of a 97 and then a 98, you almost can't tell the difference. Apparently, however, there is a big difference in the reliability of the two engines. I'm not even mentioning the wide spread premature transmission failures that plagued the 98-02 Accords. How can Honda mess up such a proven powertrain?! Ah well, I don't have to worry too much about it, because I'm doing what a-lot of owners of new Hondas wish they had done, keeping my 96. Back when a Honda used to be a Honda.
2nd Mar 2005, 09:14
I do not disbelieve the negative comments from the above consumers. I also understand their reasoning to avoid Honda purchases in the future. However, I am on my third Accord primarily due to the reliability. My '91 was sold with 445,000kms and was still running great. I purchased a used '93 and sold it with 438,000kms and was in need of a clutch.
I never had any annoying little problems or major problems with either of these aside form warping brake rotors.
So far, the '02 has 108,000 although I have needed 2 wheel bearings.
I have avoided GM products due to a former '85 Buick Century that was a physical and mechanical write-off before the odometer hit 150,000kms. All GM could say was "you'll have to take us to arbitration".
My Honda Accords owe me nothing.