Nothing really. The car has been so reliable and problem free, it's funny.
Rear view mirror fell down.
Cloth headliner beginning to fall down.
Minor squeaks and rattles.
Rust.
Smokes a little under full throttle acceleration.
UTTERLY dependable car. Engine never quits or needs any major work.
Simplicity makes for easy and cheap repairs and general maintenance and upkeep.
No computers to fool with.
Overall, the car is very ahead of it's time.
All power accessories still work, including the cruise control.
Leather seats are very comfortable and well stuffed.
The ride is soft and the car sails down the road smooth as silk, but handling is crisp.
4-speed automatic is butter smooth and shifts perfectly.
The engine is refined and gives the car more than adequate acceleration. The peak torque is at a low rpm, so the car accelerates quickly without having to race the engine.
Travels at speeds up to 75-80 mph with ease.
Fully carpeted trunk with a large opening.
Being an 'SE' model, this car is fully equipped. Power sliding sunroof, power door locks, windows, leather seating, cruise control, power antenna and unique Honda allow rims. I do not know how many of these were made, but I haven't yet seen another one.
She rattles and squeaks, she's old and has a lot of miles... but age and mileage is just numbers! Don't be afraid of these early generation Hondas... for they are probably the best Hondas that were ever built.
Despite being 22 years old with almost 180,000 miles, it can still drive like (if not better) than any newer car out there today. In fact, I pass quite a few much newer vehicles stranded on the side of the road on my way to work. Break downs are no fun, but fortunately, I don't have to worry about one in this fine little Accord.
In a sentence, if you're looking for a ridiculously reliable car that is dirt cheap and easy to maintain and repair... then an early 80's Accord is your car! Don't mess with later models that are run primarily on computers... the older stuff is better, period.
The "SE" model was just Honda's way of squeezing out some more sales in the final year of a design cycle. Honda always put out an SE model of the Accord the year before they came out with a redesigned model.
Rattles, squeaks, rust and smoke?
I'll stick with later models, thanks.
Not quite accurate. 1983 was not the last year for this generation Accord. 1985 was, however... and as you stated, an SE was offered. My car is a 1983, and is an SE model. During the 4th generation, an SE was also offered in 1991, which was also not the last year for the model... which was two years later in 1993. Every generation afterwards, however, SE's were only available during the last year of the production run and were gussied up LX models.
As for my 22 year old car having a few squeaks and rattles and a little smoke at full throttle, so be it. I get behind cars 10-15 years newer than mine that smoke like a house on fire and I've driven late model cars (particularly GM cars) that rattle and squeak far worse than my car! So, you can keep your 'new' car. I doubt very seriously it will still be running as good, be as reliable and trouble free as my car after 22+ years of service.
Ayuh...whatever.
While your comment about reliability of older cars is relatively true, especially with the computer theory, I will say this. I had a '83 Accord, owned it from 84-88. Unfortunately, it started rusting in 86, despite my constant maint. on the metal and paint. I then got into a car accident with it, and it just crumpled up like a peice of paper. I was hit by a car of comparible size (87 LeBaron), at 25 mph, and not only did it total my car, but with the injuries I aquired and the damage caused, I decided to drop Honda and go back to American. I then bought a Chevy of which I drove for 15 years, and then gave to my son for his first car. Squeaks and rattles? Not many at all, none until it hit 8-10 years old. And, it didn't burn one drop of oil. I went out and bought another Chevy (03 Impala LS). I did buy a 05 Accord for my wife due to all the hype on them. This one better hold up better than my 83. If it doesn't, you can have it, lol.
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