1988 Honda Accord LXi 2.0L 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Typical Honda - they run forever

Faults:

Timing belt broke shortly after purchasing car - no damage to engine since it happened at idle. Also replaced the clutch at the same time, since it was already worn out when I got the car.

Heater hose blew around 160k - replaced all hoses.

Accelerator cable broke around 160k.

Clutch cable broke around 165k.

Drivers door power window started acting up at about 170k miles (would roll down fine, but sometimes would not roll up) - replaced relay in control box myself, no more problems with the window.

Power locks would occasionally lock themselves - common problem on 86-89 Accords.

Sunroof would leak during heavy rain.

Alternator died at 180k, halfway through a 700 mile road trip at night - car still completed the entire trip, though it finally died literally as I was pulling in to the driveway of my destination (headlights were too dim to be of any use for the last hour though).

Air conditioner compressor seized at about 185k miles.

Occasionally would die and refuse to start for a few minutes (tachometer would start jumping erratically, and the engine would run badly just before dying) - Replaced distributor at 190k, solved problem.

Replaced parts of passenger side pop up headlight mechanism at some point (headlight would bounce while driving).

General Comments:

The car was stolen around 220k - later recovered, though totaled (wrecked w/bent frame, clutch was burned out, 2nd gear was unusable, and the entire interior was stripped). It still ran great after getting it back, it just wouldn't move easily because of the clutch.

This was easily the most reliable car I've ever owned. I found out a couple of months after buying it that the odometer had been rolled back - CarFax showed a state inspection 2 years prior to my purchase with 160k, and another year before that with 140k - the odometer read about 150k when I got it. Miles reported above are going by what was on the odometer, I suspect it had close to 300k miles on it by the time it was stolen.

This was a really fun car to drive - especially for a sedan. Plenty of power from the 130 hp engine, handled great, and plenty of room. I put less than $1000 into repairs in this car while owning it, a real surprise for a 10 year old car with over 200k miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th November, 2002

1988 Honda Accord LX from North America

Summary:

A wolf in sheepskin

Faults:

The doors stick in the winter and sometimes freeze totally. I'm sure this would happen with any car.

The body is starting to form rust above the rear wheels and around the gas tank. Also, this happens with every car.

General Comments:

The Honda Accord was one of the best models that Honda ever created. The S2000 and the new Prelude are, however, the best.

The handling is insanely good for a car so old. Although my suspension is very loose, the car responds instantly to every movement of the wheel.

My next car will probably be a brand new Prelude or Accord. The guys at Honda must really know what they are doing.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th November, 2002

2nd Jul 2004, 20:28

Funny thing, the doors sticking. That occurs whenever you park your vehicle (most import vehicles for some strange reason, maybe its the thin doors) on a hill, with the tail end facing the decline. If the temp drops below 32 that night or day you can be sure that you won't be able to open those doors effortlessly. I had someone point that out to me, after much frustration when it kept happening to my 300ZX in my sloped driveway.

1988 Honda Accord LX 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Not as good as they say-

Faults:

Transmission failure.

Power window motor burned out.

Cassette player went out.

A/C had to be worked on.

Power steering hose busted.

General Comments:

Everyone said buy one buy one they last forever and they all lied I hate this underpowered pile of trash. I never had any real problems with my Eagle, but this thing is a nightmare it makes so many noises its not even funny everything rattles and shutters. Its not good on gas nor is it a good car for traveling long distances.

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

Review Date: 25th September, 2002

1st Oct 2002, 16:43

Let me address these issues one at a time:

Transmission failure. 14-15 year old car with 130+K miles. Get real. Most automatics don't last very long, especially old ones. My advice: go with a stick next time.

Power window motor burned out. My '86 Ford went through no less than 3 gears, 3 switches and 2 motors. When I sold it, 2 windows were inoperable again. My '88 Accord has all 4 windows working, with 265K on the odometer. My advice: Stop whining or go with manual windows.

Cassette player went out. 15 year old car! Gimme a break. New cassette players are less than $40.

A/C had to be worked on. How so? Charged? All cars need that periodically. Broken? That can be a pain, but on a car that old, it's not a total surprise.

Power steering hose busted. Original hoses, I will presume. Old hoses harden and crack when exposed to heat and extreme cold. No matter what the car! I just saw the same problem on a friend's '93 Lumina.

Nevertheless, the only problem I've had with my '88 is a stuck choke. My A/C needs to be charged, but I never use it anyway. It blows cool, but not cold air. I think You're really picky about your ride. No problem with that. Just give your ride a break. It's older than dirt in car years.

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