kamaboko

Hello,

I'm seriously looking into purchasing a 96 or 97 Accord. I would appreciate any "gotcha" information on these models (e.g, 96 was a bad year for brakes, or the 97 had a bad trunk leak issue, etc). From what I've read they seem very reliable, but I'd like some info from people that have a lot of experience with them. I plan to leave it stock, or whatever mods it comes with.

Thanks a lot for your help,
D

Tech-Nics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Accord

The-Kid

Lets just say a Honda is perfect. No defect. If you want to find anything, go to a recall website and they have recalls or concerns. Google it.

I do own a 96 Accord Coupe EX 4cyl. We didn't do much maintenance until recently. And still running strong.

EvenStar

You should always check for EVERYTHING in the car before you buy it. I regret not checking mines because:

1-Previous owner ruined the front brakes (pads and rotors)
2-Previous owner gave me oil change and tune up papers... when I changed the oil myself, it was total BS... that oil came out DARK.
3-Headlights. Lighting interior. Always check these too to make sure all the lights work. My driver headside was not working and bulb was burned out by previous owner (which means he must've been using high beams the whole damn time).
4-A/C. Make sure it works and that the **** doesnt easily fall out.
5-Cigarette burns on seats.
6-dents, scratches, etc.
7-i noticed the coolant was low, but i took it to a mechanic and told me the coolant was leaking.
8-leaks leaks leaks, radiator leaks, etc.

I'll list more later. Just trying to help out a HT member save up money, but be sure to check everything!


Modified by EvenStar at 2:38 PM 1/2/2007

DaBzzMN

^^^do a manual inspection of the car yourself, do these things plus check the radiator fluid. If it is brown and crudded he has been driving it way to hard. Look for crackes in any of the rubber hosing. If you go for a test drive turn off the radio, and listen to everything but the road.

EvenStar

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DaBzzMN &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">^^^do a manual inspection of the car yourself, do these things plus check the radiator fluid. If it is brown and crudded he has been driving it way to hard. Look for crackes in any of the rubber hosing. If you go for a test drive turn off the radio, and listen to everything but the road.</TD></TR></TABLE>

jmk64

Check to see if the timing belt has been replaced. If the job was done professionally there will be a sticker on the timing belt cover or on the hood. All Honda engines are interference engines, meaning, if your timing belt breaks your pistons will crash into your valves, and money goes flying out of your wallet.

Front brake jobs are a MAJOR PAIN, search the forum and you will find a very nice write up on the subject.

kamaboko

Thanks for all of your input. I'm just trying to be cautious as I'm going back to school and don't want to end up buying a money pit.

chuckgregory

i bought a 96 ex coupe six months ago with 172k miles and it still runs strong.

something else i would suggest is making sure the fans that cool the engine work, i didnt check this and it cost me later. check for leaks, check the oil color, and most importantly of all: drive it before you buy it. i love my car, it was a great investment

AJ06

What everyone said...

and CLEAN ur car on a regular basis...
and protect the exterior paint..
Jeeeeez I regret not doing that earlier...

professorman

Here is a list I compiled when I was buying my car. I know it is kinda excessive, but I print this out, along with the ad for the car, then I would try to fill in as much information as I can about each car I looked on. I then went home and compared all the cars I looked on. Never buy the first car you look on. Usually, I go home and sleep on it first.

Download the original attachment
Roopchan Questions for calling to ask about car


DATE_________________ MAKE______________

Model___________ Year______________ Color___________


What’s the Mileage?__________________________________________ _______
What is the 17 digit VIN# of this car? ___________________________________
Is it auto or manual?___________________________________________ ______
How long have you owned the car?_____________________________________
What was the primary use of the car? Who drove the car, you? _______________ __________________________________________________ _______________
Was the car driven by a person who smokes?_____________________________
Why are you selling the car?___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________
How many owners has this car had?_____________________________________
How often do you change your oil?_____________________________________
Are there any sounds in the engine? Engine knocks?________________________
What major repairs/ maintenance have you done to the car since you owned it? When was those done? Do you have records?_____________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Are there any known problems in the car?________________________________
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________________________

Is the timing belt changed? Water pump? Radiator fluid? Transmission oil? Air filter? Clutch? Gas filter?___________________________________________ __ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________________________
Does the water pump make any strange rattles or noises?____________________
Is the engine bay clean? Or normal dirt? Is there oil sprays in the engine ?______ __________________________________________________ ________________
When was the battery or alternator replaced last? _________________________
Are there any squeaks in the struts or anything on the car?___________________ __________________________________________________ ________________
Are the CV Joints good?_____________________________________________ _
Are there any shakes at highway speeds? Like balance tire? Is there any pulling to any sides? Alignment problem?________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________________________
Are there any transmission problems such as slipping, not changing gear, etc.? Does the tranny shift smooth or can you feel the gear changes?_______________ __________________________________________________ ________________
Is the battery, alternator, and starter in good condition?______________________
Does the car have an oil leak, transmission leak or radiator leak?______________
When was the last time the A/C system was worked on?_____________________
Does the car burn oil or have white exhaust?______________________________
Has the title been branded by an insurance company as junked, flooded, totaled, etc.?_____________________________________________ _________________
Has the car ever been in an accident, and if so, was there frame damage, and how much was the repair?___________________________________________ _____
Has the car ever been repainted?_______________________________________
How often was the car waxed?_________________________________________
Has the car been used for hire as a taxi or limousine?________________
Are there any chips in the paint? _______________________
Is the color faded?______________________________
Is there any rust on the car?__________________________________________
Does it have hub caps or after market wheels? What size wheels?_____________
How old are the tires and when were they last replaced?_____________________
Do all the power windows and power door locks work? Do they roll up smoothly or slowly? Does it misalign when rolling up?_____________________________
Are the seats vinyl, cloth, or leather?____________________________________
Are there any rips in the seats?_________________________________________
How is the condition of the interior, seats, the dash, roof? ___________________
Is the dashboard cracked?__________________________________________ ___
Are all the turning controls on and working properly? ______________________
Is there a cassette player or CD player? Does it work properly? Are all speakers working and are any of them cracked?___________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________________________
Does the air conditioner and heat work? Is the a/c cold and the heater hot?______ __________________________________________________ ________________
Is it tinted? Are there bubbles?_________________________________________
Does it have sun roof? Does it work properly?_____________________________
Does the cruise control work properly?__________________________________
Are all the lights working? Head lamps, tail lamps, turn signals? Interior lights? Illumination lights?___________________________________________ _______
Does it have the spare tire, jack and lug tool? Does it have all the carpeting and mats?_____________________________________________ ________________
Does the horn work?_____________________________________________ ____
Do the wipers work properly?_________________________________________ _
Does the rear defroster work? All the lines work?__________________________
Are there any clips in the glass?________________________________________
Is there any interior pieces missing? Ash tray?____________________________
What version is it? DX, LX, EX________________________________________
What options are on the car?___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________
Does it have a spoiler? Rear wing?______________________________________
Does you have the title in your possession _______________________________
Can you e-mail me other pics of the car?_________________________________

kamaboko

jamaica,

great post! thanks!

Screaminz28

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EvenStar &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You should always check for EVERYTHING in the car before you buy it. I regret not checking mines because:

1-Previous owner ruined the front brakes (pads and rotors)
2-Previous owner gave me oil change and tune up papers... when I changed the oil myself, it was total BS... that oil came out DARK.
3-Headlights. Lighting interior. Always check these too to make sure all the lights work. My driver headside was not working and bulb was burned out by previous owner (which means he must've been using high beams the whole damn time).
4-A/C. Make sure it works and that the **** doesnt easily fall out.
5-Cigarette burns on seats.
6-dents, scratches, etc.
7-i noticed the coolant was low, but i took it to a mechanic and told me the coolant was leaking.
8-leaks leaks leaks, radiator leaks, etc.

I'll list more later. Just trying to help out a HT member save up money, but be sure to check everything!


Modified by EvenStar at 2:38 PM 1/2/2007</TD></TR></TABLE>

1. Brakes are a bit on the small side, check for warped rotors, usually due to abuse tho
2. Gotta disagree with this - oil comes out dark, sounds good to me. Would you rather all of the carbon deposits STAY in the motor?
3. Headlights - good idea to check them all, but no guarantees that one won't burn out one day...its called life, it happens, I've had a bulb burn out in 20 minutes, doesn't mean the factory tested it too long..
4. A/C - probably your only "concern" if you want to call it that...I have seen the ***** break a few times before, usually due to abuse tho...
5. Not a Honda problem - buy from a non-smoker
6. again, not a honda issue - look at it before you buy it...if you can't live with the problem, go to the next car
7. hoses can leak...just the other day, my fiance' slid the heater slide on her lude to the cold side real quick. Must have upped the pressure in the hose cause it busted right then and there...doesn't mean the honda is a POS, **** happens...
8. Leaks - not a major issue, I'd say honda's will burn more than leak...check valve cover for nasty crap, and oil pan...probably the 2 worst leaks..

I'd also check the axles just to make sure they are in decent shape. Leather can be kind of shoddy and wears kind of fast on the driver bolster, but most cars do. Leather boot isn't super strong and susceptible to tears. I hardly EVER see a center console that isn't broken somehow...Other than that...shouldnt be any problems...

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

Take it by Honda for a Pre-Purchase Inspection, it's about 90 bucks and it'll take an hour and a half. They'll go over everything and give you a report on it! It's one of the things I've done on the hondas I've bought used

TOP END MS

96 and 97 are nearly exactly the same. I have a '96 and love it. What i would be most concerned with is exterior repairs/repainting and how meticulas they maintenance the vehicle/engine... do they use auto zone parts or OEM Honda.