1988 Honda Accord LX-i Hatchback review from North America

179,260 miles: Clutch explodes while driving home from the dealership, replaced clutch and resurfaced flywheel for $588.

179,320 miles: Brake pads start to squeal.

179,400 miles: Passenger-side CV joint begins creaking.

179,620 miles: Brake pads and rotors replaced; $65.

179,700 miles: Passenger-side CV drive axle replaced; $105.

180,000 miles: Gets hit in a parking lot; front driver-side marker lights and trim shattered.

180,500 miles: Tail lights mysteriously broken one morning, replaced along with marker lights and trim for $137.

180,750 miles: Brother slams passenger door, breaking the plastic shell over latch component. Door now must be slammed to shut, and pulled really hard to open.

181,200 miles: New relay fixes power moonroof; $10.

181,850 miles: OEM front hubcaps break off, replaced all 4 with el cheapo's; $13.

182,200 miles: Temp gauge on dash stops functioning except at idle. Shocks start squaking very badly.

As near as I can tell, the brake lights have never worked. Neither has the dome light, or, for that matter, the horn. I don't like the fuel gauge, which doesn't seem to accurately tell me the true amount of fuel remaining.

I bought the Accord on eBay for $1211 (including TTL). So far, I've paid about $918 in various repairs, and it's been worth every penny.

The 2.0 Litre fuel-injected Honda engine has plenty of power, and I have no problem passing on the highway. I've had it up to about 120 on the loop out here with no problems. The 5-speed standard transmission is very fun to drive and a huge relief after driving a beat-to-hell 1979 Toyota Pickup.

It handles like it's on the proverbial rails; I've never been able to get it to slide. It's very smooth, too, although it sits entirely too close to the ground (about 5 or 6 inches and the closest point). I can't make it over some of the higher speed bumps her because I scrape the bottom of the car.

I average somewhere around 36 mpg in the city, making it perfect for my generally bare wallet.

The seats are very comfortable; I could go out and take a nap in that thing.

I intend to drive it until I die or it dies, and it may yet outlive me...