I looked at two used 4 cyl 2006(?) stick shift exl's today.

My first question is whether the better car first registered in late-Sept 2005 is a 2006. When did the model year switch?

My next question is 'odd' to me. I have been driving stick shifts since 1968. It is common to run a 4 cyl engine past 5000 rpms in the low gears. It has always been common for me to 'test' an engine by reving at 5000+ rpm. Both cars that I tested today stumbled around 4400 rpm and could not hold that area smoothly. I think the second one did smooth out after warming up. The problem seemed to disappear early in the test drive.

Is there a quirk in the 4 cyl 2.4L engine? Is it likely that this second (better) car had its original spark plugs at 96k miles and needs them replaced?

Sorry, I forgot to say this is an Accord because I was trying to post initially in an Accord forum.

 

What model car are you referring to? I'll move it to the appropriate forum.

 

Sorry, it is an Accord and the original message was meant for that forum.