1991 Honda Accord SE review from North America
"Reliability/Durability overrated for every component of the car other than the engine"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Automatic Transmission replaced @ ~170K ($1200)
CV axles replaced @ 175k, both needed to be replaced again by 200K ($200 * 4 = $800)
Entire front suspension other than shocks and struts, which are currently starting to go, replaced between 180k and 200k ($1600)
2 out of 4 calipers, all four rotors, and all four sets of pads replaced between 180K and 195K ($1100)
Two out of four power windows non-functional, one window has 1/2 inch gap from seal when fully raised, other is very weak and slow.
Repeated, trivial brake light problems.
Entire exhaust replaced between 180K and 200K ($600)
Battery replaced @ 167K.
No matter how many times car is aligned, it pulls noticeably to one side or the other.
ABS non-functional, estimated cost of repair $1200.
Brakes ephemerally pulse, and always have.
Car shimmies between 50-60 mph (started around 190K).
Paint is fading.
General comments?
They say Hondas run forever. They do. However, despite their resplendent motors, beware being nickeled and dimed by these great cars when they get higher mileage.
I had a civic before this, bought when it was 5 years old with 67K. By the time I got rid of it at ~210K, there was nothing other than the motor worth anything on that car. Most of the problems (suspension (both steering and ride), clutch, windows off track, paint fading, exhaust, etc., etc., etc.) began around 150K, were addressed, and returned before I got rid of the car. Guess it could be the servicers I was using in for both this and my accord.
Regardless, my accord is still a very comfortable car, and runs better (smoother, less laboriously) now than the 2004 Ford Focus that I had did in 2005.
Also, considering that of the nearly 200K I've put on my Hondas, about 150K of it was in pizza delivery in Chicago suburbs and on a college campus, they both held up well.
That being said, the maintenance of this accord has been outlandish. Bought for 3500, put at least that much into it. Not at all worth it.
Recommended reviews
| 1991 - Accord EX Wagon 2.2 gas Good car, but wish I had bought Camry Wagon instead |
|
| 1991 - Accord LX 2 door 2.2 4 cylinder Honda at its best |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1991 |
| Year of manufacture | 1990 |
| First year of ownership | 2004 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2007 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.2L Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 7 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 2 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 167000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 200000 miles |
| Previous car | Honda Civic |
| Date of Entry | 26th March, 2007 |