1989 Honda Accord LX review from North America

Split CV boot.

Driver's power window stopped working.

Several coolant problems: replaced thermosensor (for fan) twice, and had some kind of coolant manifold split and leak (may have been my fault from putting in double-diluted antifreeze and corroding the system).

Front seat side bolstering torn internally, leaving wire bars against fabric. Upholstery still intact. May not be a problem if you're less fat than I am.

Battery died.

Headlights replaced twice (they seem to have a very fixed service life: both times, one headlight died, then its twin died within a couple of weeks).

Radio broke.

I bought this car new in 1989, and it served me well for thirteen years. Aside from routine maintenance (including two timing belt replacements), the only money I spent on the car is listed above, and comes to about $2000, nearly all of it in the last couple of years.

I didn't rate dealer service, because I never visited the dealer after buying the car. The car buying experience was OK.

I sometimes wish I had spent the extra money and bought the fuel-injected model, but that is my only regret with the car. The manual transmission is delightful, and with regular maintenance, 200,000 miles on the engine is no stretch at all.