1988 Honda Accord LX-i Hatchback 2.0L

Summary:

This is the best car I've ever owned!

Faults:

179,260 miles: Clutch explodes while driving home from the dealership, replaced clutch and resurfaced flywheel for $588.

179,320 miles: Brake pads start to squeal.

179,400 miles: Passenger-side CV joint begins creaking.

179,620 miles: Brake pads and rotors replaced; $65.

179,700 miles: Passenger-side CV drive axle replaced; $105.

180,000 miles: Gets hit in a parking lot; front driver-side marker lights and trim shattered.

180,500 miles: Tail lights mysteriously broken one morning, replaced along with marker lights and trim for $137.

180,750 miles: Brother slams passenger door, breaking the plastic shell over latch component. Door now must be slammed to shut, and pulled really hard to open.

181,200 miles: New relay fixes power moonroof; $10.

181,850 miles: OEM front hubcaps break off, replaced all 4 with el cheapo's; $13.

182,200 miles: Temp gauge on dash stops functioning except at idle. Shocks start squaking very badly.

As near as I can tell, the brake lights have never worked. Neither has the dome light, or, for that matter, the horn. I don't like the fuel gauge, which doesn't seem to accurately tell me the true amount of fuel remaining.

General Comments:

I bought the Accord on eBay for $1211 (including TTL). So far, I've paid about $918 in various repairs, and it's been worth every penny.

The 2.0 Litre fuel-injected Honda engine has plenty of power, and I have no problem passing on the highway. I've had it up to about 120 on the loop out here with no problems. The 5-speed standard transmission is very fun to drive and a huge relief after driving a beat-to-hell 1979 Toyota Pickup.

It handles like it's on the proverbial rails; I've never been able to get it to slide. It's very smooth, too, although it sits entirely too close to the ground (about 5 or 6 inches and the closest point). I can't make it over some of the higher speed bumps her because I scrape the bottom of the car.

I average somewhere around 36 mpg in the city, making it perfect for my generally bare wallet.

The seats are very comfortable; I could go out and take a nap in that thing.

I intend to drive it until I die or it dies, and it may yet outlive me...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th April, 2005

4th Apr 2011, 21:04

I have 1988 Honda Accord LXI hatchback. I bought it new in 1988. I have 546,000 miles on the same engine, it's a 5 speed trans, which I had to change recently because I let the oil leak out of the transfer case.

This is the best car I have ever owned.

1988 Honda Accord LX 4.0

Summary:

A very reliable, comfortable, inexpensive, fuel efficient car

Faults:

There is a very small oil leak from the valve gasket cover, not hurting anything; the steering wheel is stuck up; interior light went out.

General Comments:

Very fuel efficient, and despite its age it still runs like a dream. It's a very comfortable ride, with great visibility.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th April, 2005

1988 Honda Accord LXi 2.0 liter

Summary:

I like the car, but I hate automatics

Faults:

When the car is cold it starts right up, but after the engine has been running and has warmed up it cuts out and the check engine light come on, And when I shut it off it is hard to start.

General Comments:

I like the car even though I bought it for only $200. I like the performance and the sound, even though I can't figure out the problem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th April, 2005

1988 Honda Accord LX 2.0

Faults:

High RPM, takes to much gas.

General Comments:

My car goes to 3000 RPM when you start it, and it goes down to 1000 RPM after 1 hour of driving, but after that if nu stop the ebgine, and started again it will go up to 3000 again. it is a carburetor. Anybody knows how to fix that?., thx, Brad (403) -561-6580.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 13th March, 2005

14th Mar 2005, 12:49

Try checking your choke. Sometimes they can get greasy and stick or turn on at improper times. The choke is what makes your rpm go higher when starting a cold engine.

22nd Mar 2005, 16:19

Post this in a 3geez.com. That's a site dedicated to the 3rd gen Accord. They've got a whole section for carbs. This is for reviews.

17th Aug 2005, 20:53

It is the 3-way Thrermovalve. I had one go bad on my '88. It wouldn't let the engine idle down, even to shut it off. I had to put it in 5th and dump the clutch with the emergency brake on in order to turn the car off.

19th Oct 2006, 17:37

I am having the same problem happen with my 1988 Honda Accord DX, mine would not shut- down I had to put it in gear to stop the engine from dieseling..