I just purchased a 96 Honda Accord that had 126,000 miles. I am a grad student and just wanted something reliable to drive for a couple of years. I really don't know anything about cars, but according to carfax.com my vehicle was regularly serviced by the previous owners, had no major accidents or damage, and is not a lemon. I would love any suggestions about what I should do to ensure that my Honda runs good for the next two years. More specifically what should I have checked now, and then what should be done later in upcoming months or mileage. Again, I know nothing; so the more info the better.
Thanks!!!
I have a 96 Accord that I bought recently with little over 103,000 miles. A week after I bought the car it wouldn't start (intermittently), I had the starter replaced then went on a 500 mile trip and then back again. The car was perfect for a week after I returned, but then it wouldn't start at all, and I don't mean turn over slowly I mean wouldn't start; all I hear is the hum of the fuel pump and the click of the starter, I had the starter replaced and for a week it was fine then doom struck and here I am again scratching my head wondering about the reliability of my car, my baby. I am perplexed as to what could be the cause. I thought Honda's never die, what happened??? : (
I have a '96 Accord LX (4cyl, non-vtec), second owner, with 117K. It's been a decent car, I do keep up on all the maintenance, as did the 1st owner. This car is nothing flashy, but it's been reliable and I wouldn't hesitate to get another Honda. This is my second Honda, also have an "88 Civic that just won't die and keeps begging me to drive it. I think the key to Honda's (all vehicles for that matter) is to follow the maintenance schedule, even though it sometimes seems like a waste of money to fix things that are not yet broken (read timing belt, water pump, etc..)
My Accord with 232K did the same thing. It would not start. I thought it was the original fuel pump going out, but that checked out fine. Turned out it needed a tune up, with new spark plugs and wires and fuel pump being the only thing replaced at the tune of 277 bucks. Cars starts every time now.
I have a 95 Accord and my driver side power window will not go back up. I can tap the switch down and the window goes down easily, but it will not go back up. The dealership wants to charge $300 to fix. Is there anything I can do to avoid bringing it in besides a plastic bag and duct tape?
DO not go to the dealer; instead go to an independent mechanic. It will cost much less than the dealer. Remember the dealer needs to charge more to pay for the mechanics and their sparkling million dollar buildings.
I finally sold the 96 Accord, but many of you will be surprised to hear what I bought to replace it! I got an excellent deal on a 99 Accord EX with 2.3 4-cylinder with only 32,000 miles. I have had no problems with this car and it drives MUCH better than the 96. Smoother, quieter, more comfortable, larger and feels more substantial. Hopefully this car will live up to it's reputation... so far so good. After my experience with the 96, I was strongly leaning toward the Camry... but it is just too boring. I was finally convinced that my 96 was just a lemon and decided to give Honda a second chance. I'll write another review in a year or so once I have some time to really rack up the miles>>>
UPDATE. I am the author of the original review of the 96 Accord. I have recently (approx 6 mos ago) sold the 99 with just under 100,000 trouble-free miles! This car is what the 96 should have been like. My faith in Honda's has been restored. For those of you who own or just bought 96s, don't be discouraged by my review. My Accord was a poor example, I simply bought someone else's problem. Several of my friends/co-workers own Similar year Accords and swear by them. Anyway, I am now the owner of a 2006 Honda Accord EX-L with 2.4 4-cylinder and 5-speed auto trans. LOVE the car so far (though I still have less than 10k miles on it) I'll keep the review updated.
HI I JUST GOT A 1996 HONDA ACCORD 2.2L 4 CYLINDER WITH THE VTEC MOTOR IN IT AND I HAVE HAD IT5 DAYS AND THE CAMSHAFT BROKE AND I Can't SEEM TO FIND ANOTHER ONE AND I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE KNEW WHERE TO BUY ONE AT. I KNOW THAT IT Isn't THE CAR I THINK THE OWNER BEFORE ME Didn't KEEP UP THE MAINTENANCE ON IT, but NOT VERY SURE, but WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IF YOU HAVE ANY DETAILS FOR ME. IF SO PLEASE EMAIL ME AT amberhill_2@hotmail.com.
I am a proud, original owner of '96 Accord EXL with 106,000 careful miles.
The only major repairs have been a new master cylinder and driver's side power window regulator, which I had a private mechanic fix for under $200.00, since the Honda dealership wanted over $300.00 to do the same job.
These are normal wear and tear items that occurred over a long period of time. That's it folks as far as problems go! All I do is change the oil regularly and put gas in it, premium gas that is.
You see, ever since I have owned my '96 Accord new, I has always had a steady diet of premium gas, and maybe that's why I have never experienced some of the engine problems that you guys have had with the VTEC engine. My VTEC engine just purrs like a kitten since the day I bought it. I know it doesn't require premium like my Prelude SH, but I believe it will prevent a lot of the reported engine problems in the long run, and with Honda's great gas mileage, I can afford spend the extra money for the premium unleaded.
Oh! Did I mention that all my Hondas are pure stock down to the wheels they ride on? None of this aftermarket garbage that so many of you youngsters out there add on to an already very good, and very capable automobile.
All this talk about '96 Honda Accords not being reliable is way off the mark and totally unfounded. You guys who wrote these negative pieces either don't know what you're talking about, or just made bad purchases of someone else's problems. These are the same people who would have ruined just about any car they put their hands on, no matter the make or model due to lack of proper maintenance/care, or just sheer abuse and neglect.
My '96 Accord still drives like-new, and runs very quietly without any valve adjustments whatsoever, not even regular maintenance. The strange thing is it has only had one minor tuneup in its life (new plugs, wires and dist. cap).
You see, I think sometimes when these mechanics keep putting their hands in the engine for this, that, and the other "scheduled maintenance issue, it just sometimes creates more problems, where problems never existed before, if you know what I mean.
While I do believe in some preventative maintenance, I'm also a firm believer in the philosophy -"if it ain't broken, don't go tampering with it."
I reiterate, my '96 Accord drives like a dream, and is truly the lowest-maintenance vehicle I have ever owned.
I also own a '97 Prelude SH with only 73,000 miles on it. It also has never given any kind of major problems.
I just recently bought a new '06 Pilot EXL for the wife, and she just loves it, so much so that I don't even get a chance to drive it.
I'm like the fellow who said his next Honda will be a lawnmower, because just last week I too purchased a Honda lawnmower with the "Smart-Drive" system that you don't have to push to make it go like other manufacturers' so-called "self-propelled" systems. Just a tap of your finger is all that's needed to make this thing take off, and did I mention it utilizes a twin-blade cutting system unlike any other mower out there.
What can I say, Honda has brilliant engineers working for them. Well, I guess you could say we are now an official Honda family. The bottom line here folks - Honda is the intelligent choice of smart people who know a good thing when they see it. Enough said! Any questions?
Greg from Florida.
To Greg from Florida: yes, I have a question. Can you comment on the brilliant Honda engineers that designed the junk transmission in the Odyssey? Anybody who bought one of those lemons isn't feeling very intelligent right now.
I would hope that you haven't had any major problems on a car with only 73,000 miles on it. Your '97 has only been driven an average of about 7,000 miles per year! When (if) it hits 200,000 miles, then you can crow about how reliable it is. Meanwhile, my '02 Ford with 84,000 has also had "no major" (or even any minor) problems. You do the math: a car that has done only 7,300 miles per year or a car that has done 16,800 miles per year... which sounds like the better vehicle? As for high mileage, perhaps when you reach the 260,000 miles that I have on my '85 Dodge, you may be able to talk. Until then...
I just bought 1996 Accord ex 150100 miles got a great deal
needs some small things,got some seaks.But 30 miles to the
gallon good ride, everthing still works. Great 2nd car.
I bought a 96 Honda with 132,000 miles 4 years ago. now I'm on 200,000 miles and I've only had to fix wear and tear things on the car. I have been driving a honda since I've got a license and I love them. they're the best cars. as long as you have a good mechanic and keep up maintenance.. you will have no problems.
I bought a 1996 accord ex about 2 years ago, and until now, I've never had any problems at all, except that my speedometer won't indicate how fast I'm going, other than that it feels like a new car, it drives like a new car, and I love my vtec engine. I do agree that Honda's aren't exactly "sophisticated" but they sure are reliable!
I have purchased a 1996 Honda Accord EX. I was told it has new brakes. It seems after I put on the brake there is a knocking noise that you can feel while your foot is on the pedal. They can't seem to figure it out.
Also, can anyone tell me why my Honda Accord has no air bags? I was told according to the title it wasn't in any accident's. Because if it was the title would have an R on it for being reconstructed.
My first car was a 1996 Honda Accord EX, purchased in 1999 with 35,000 miles on it. At the time, as a young and impulsive new driver, I knew absolutely nothing about responsible driving, nor diligent care of an automobile.
The first 15k or so miles I drove without even realizing that I needed oil changes. I didn't go for my first service until about 30-40k miles into my ownership of it.
It was involved in numerous small accidents, including one where I took an offramp too quickly in rainy conditions, resulting in my vehicle being stranded in a mess of small trees and bushy undergrowth.
I regularly drove took the vehicle over 100mph for extended periods of time on my drive to and from school, and brought it up to a hair under 140mph on a few occasions.
It's now 2008, with 160,000 miles on it, and I'm only now starting to see the wear and tear of my abusive driving habits on this wonderful machine. Considering everything I've done to it, it's a miracle it's still in one piece. Now that I'm much more responsible with my vehicle, I look forward to replacing it with another Honda soon =). This time I'll be much nicer, and I'm sure it'll see many more years than even this current one has given me.