1983 Honda Accord LX review from North America

Replaced radiator at time of purchase.

Replaced thermostat at time of purchase.

Alternator failed due to contamination from engine oil.

Low-beam headlights no longer work, and Hi-beams are sporadic at best. Suspect wiring problem or bad combo-switch.

Rust is a major problem on these Accords, and mine is no exception.

I bought this car for $400 (CAD) in March of 2002. The thermostat and radiator, which I knew the vehicle needed at time of purchase, brought the initial cost to $606.

This has been a great car! I often use it to go rescue my Mom when her more expensive vehicles leave her stranded. (I would give it to her, but she hates manual transmissions.) I highly recommend the early-80's Honda Accord to anyone who needs a very reliable vehicle, but cannot afford ideal maintenance - it will run for extended periods without it, and still not let you down.

My Accord loves road trips to Washington state... I've driven there four times, putting 2400 extra miles on the car. Seems to actually run better afterward :) It is also stable at very high speeds, does not vibrate or make you think it is going to fly apart, even at 107mph. (This was going downhill, though. Maximum emergency speed on level ground seems to be around 90mph.)

Home repair and maintenance of this vehicle is easy. The alternator, thermostat, radiator, and oil filter are especially easy to remove.

A very worthy successor to my previous vehicle, the ultra-reliable 1988 Chevy Cavalier. Died at 226,800 miles (!!)... and only because I was asleep in the passenger's seat when my friend continued to drive it even after it had suddenly lost all engine oil.