Faults:

This is an update from previous posting of good reliable transport in 2002.

Since then the muffler has been replaced.

More rust has appeared in the areas mentioned previously. Using a rust kill paint has stopped it spreading, but it is very hard to stop in the roof under the rubber strips.

General Comments:

This car is very reliable and never has any problems come warranty of fitness time.

It is still running well and I think the body may go before the motor. The car has been rustproofed, but that hasn't stopped it going in the same places. I have noticed other accords to be the same.

Faults:

Alternator failed TWICE in one year, it's only a matter of time before it happens again.

Rust is a constant problem - On metal plates between rear lights, bottom corners or rear window, at top, sides & bottom of door frames, roof...

Wires to pop-up headlights badly designed, chafe & short causing headlights to stop working.

General Comments:

Overall, very reliable - I haven't had any trouble with the engine, gearbox, steering, heating/air-con etc.

CV joints have worn out, I've replaced one - the other one makes a lot of noise, but is still going strong 4000km later.

5 speed gearbox seems very jerky - may be caused by worn out wheel bearings, as changes are smoother at higher speeds.

Decent ground clearance and good protection of sump & exhaust - will go just about anywhere.

Faults:

Motor is starting to leak oil.

Starter motor just starting to die now (2003)

Struts on boot are worn out, and will need to be re-gassed shortly.

General Comments:

Lovely car to drive.

Cheap and reliable. A good choice for first time car buyers.

Plenty of boot space.

Leg room for backseat passengers limited.

Faults:

Front brake pads semi-metallic at 50000km replaced with non Honda pads at budget brake/muffler shop. These made a lot of noise and clunked when going from forward to reverse. Took car to Honda dealer at 70000km who replaced pads with Honda pads which cost a bit more, but do fit correctly.

Bushings in starter motor needed replacing at 70000km as the car would not turn over when starting sometimes.

Some rust appearing on rear window and rails which run down middle of roof. Rust spreads rapidly once it appears and I recommend attacking it quickly. Have also removed rust from boot rim, check under the rubber seal.

General Comments:

We bought this car due to its low mileage even though it was 15 years old. It has been very good in that it is still easy to get parts for.

Not a high performance car, but manages 100km at 2600 revs and 0-100km in 11 seconds.

Fuel economy of 150km/litre on open road. 120km/litre city driving.

We have done 50000km in it with only the starter motor problem.

Built strong and looks like it would be safe considering its age.

Faults:

The usual brake wear.

Front end went AWOL after kissing the back end of a RangeRover.

A little rust around the back hatch.

Paint worn off on the wiper blades.

Fails to attract women on a purely aesthetic basis.

General Comments:

If the only car I ever own could be as good to me as this one has. Although I did pay a premium price for it (as it had basically sat in a garage for the 14 years until it met me), I think that the 50,000 km's of enjoyable driving it has provided me with have justified the expense.

The build quality outstrips any similar japanese model of its day. The interior is extremely comfortable, especially after the addition of an expensive aftermarket stereo, and all interior plastic is UV durable and tasteful. Dash controls are well laid out and functional, and the electrics are Honda-faultless.

It is also a fantastic car to drive regardless of conditions, provided you have good tires (try Pirellis).

Having resisted the urge to replace any of the standard handling components, I found that it still holds the road well at high speed, although standard suspension means plough understeer around those fast, tight bends.

Mechanically, this car feels very tight and refined, provided it was not treated badly by its previous owner, of course.

The manual gearbox action is very smooth and short, making 2nd-gear chirps and double-clutching a pleasure.

The engine is typically Honda, putting out a surprising amount of power once revved past 5 grand. However, the lively performance is somewhat compromised by a heavy body that can land you in trouble if overly ambitious handbrake turns are attempted at speed.

Whilst this is a slight problem, you've got to praise Honda for the level of safety that they've achieved with this model. Unlike the eggshell that we know as the CRX, this car's heavy body is a blessing in disguise when ricocheted off another large vehicle, believe me. Also, the classic 80's black plastic body mouldings are very durable for those shopping centre carpark incidents.

I've had some great times in this car, and I'll be reluctant to let it go. The parts are slightly expensive, but the quality is considerable. Definitely worth checking out.