I have a '04 6 speed Accord but I was looking for a good "cheap" used car. I've got the following lined up. Can someone tell me which one may be best and WHY?

91 Accord LX auto 72K miles
91 Accord EX sedan auto 111000 miles
93 Accord LX coupe 5 spd 157,000 miles
92 Accord EX coupe 5 spd 150,000 miles

90 Civic EX sedan auto 138000
95 Civic DX coupe 5 spd 93000
98 Civic LX coupe auto 102000
98 Civic EX sedan auto 106000

All of these are between $2700 and $4000.

Any suggestions? OhI'll probably be looking at some of these tommorow. What should I look for in my inspections.

Thanks

 

i would be inclined to go with the 92 5spd EX. All around great car and you wont run into problems with a manual like you MIGHT with an auto. (not to mention its just more fun to drive). However, just looking at that, youve really not told us much. definitely make sure you look at them all and make sure everything is in good working order.

 

OK, during the last few days I had some time and basically LOOKED at them all. I only got to drive one of them though.....It was New Years weekend and some things were open and some not.

I took and good look at and drove the 91 Accord auto with 72K on it. I came away a bit disappointed. The interior was nice, but dirty! Seats in good shape and not really faded (It had biege interior) The carpet had some stains ont it.

The exterior is dark blue and it is rust free. Problem is the car has quite a few dents and scratches. The worst being that it looks like somone sat on the hood and dented it in. This does not show up under the hood though.

Under the hood, here I was a little disappointed too. There are a lot of componets and screws that are either have surface corrosion on them or are actually rusty. I don't know if this surface rust is a problem or just something cosmetic but I saw more of it than I liked.

In driving it, it started right up and I think ran pretty well. I don't have much experience with these older Hondas so I was not totally sure what to look for. It is peppy and doesn't seem to burn oil or have any blow-by. It idles fairly quitely and smoothly. My biggest dissapointment was that the A/C did not blow cold air at all.

The car is at a used car dealership and they wanted 3900 for it. I told them I'd think about it. Overall, not that bad but I expected better for only 72,000 miles.

The other places weren't really open but i did get to get a good look at the inside and outside of the 92 EX 5 speed coupe. It has 150K miles on it and it does look worn. Outside, not too many scrathes but there is a smally susty spot in the Honda Accord rust spot behing the rear wheel well. Inside, everything was intact, just a little faded a a little dirty here and there. Under the hood there wasn't much corrosion as I saw in the other car just everything under there was a little oily feeling. The clutch made a noise when I pushed it in and the shifter felt a little notchy. Neither one felt as smooth as in the 5th Gen Prelude I had. they want 2500 for this car.

Ther was a 92 LX sedan i didn't list before. I just got to see the outside. It really looks **** outside with very few scrathes or dents. There's no rust and the paint looks really nice. It's black but the paint has gold metal flakes in it! I've never seen anything like this, very pretty. Is this flaminco black pearl?? I guess the only black Hondas I've seen upclose have been nighthawk black. The interior looks ok, its a medium gray and looks a little dirty and faded and there are no tears in the upholstery. It had 101K on it and they want 3800.

I saw a Civic coupe, I guess it was an EX 5 speed. It had about 150 K on it and had torn up vinyl upholstery and the evidence of an amatuer aftermarket stereo installation. I don't think I'll look at that further.

You guys have any advice?? Especially what too look for on these cars. i really like the 4th gen Accords and hope to find a good one!

Oh, the other cars I mentioned are a little farther out of my area and I just had time to look at stuff close to home.

 

what do you plan to use this car for/do to it?

 

I'd like to use it as a second car primarily, but eventually fix it up or restore. Idon't want a basket case to start out with though. Powers that be at Home don't understand car enthusiasm. They think car is just some thing to go point A to point B. It would be easier to convince them if I bought home another car that at least makes a decent visual impression (doesn't look like junk sitting in the driveway). Personally i would perfer a manual tranny and then maybe upgrade to an H22 eventually. However, the manual tranny ones I've seen are the ones with 150 K or above. Isn't this high mileage? What kind of life can I expect out of the F22 that's in the oldr Accords?

 

I absolutely love my 92 accord EX. Even though it's an auto, it's fun to drive. Overall the body looks a lot better than all the other years. If the engine is taken care of it can easily go over 200k. If it dies, drop in a h22. I have so much sentimental value on mine that I would take a new engine over a brand new 05 any day.

 

Thanks folks,

One more (actually two more ??)

1) Can I put an H22 in if it is an automatic?

2) Anyone know about the paint? It's black but has gold metal flakes in it. Is this the original paint for a '92 Accord or do you think its a repaint?

As I said, I really like the 4th gen Acccords. I think they're the best looking IMO. They're also nice and roomy and comfortable. you still see them around driving all over the place so apparantly they last.

 

That would be a repaint...it's not that one on ebay is it?

 

I would go for the 92 EX 5-speed.
5-speed is great (unless you commute in bumper-to-bumper everyday)
And the EX has the f22a6 - 140 hp (15 more than lx) and at 2888 lbs. that's a decent p/w ratio.

The biggest issue is: DO NOT buy a car with rust. By far the most expensive repair if you want to get rid of it. Clutches, brakes,... all that stuff can be replaced, rust is a different story.

If the paint looks fresh on a 4th gen, investigate the rear quarters with a magnet for rust repair work.

 

If your going to swap in a H22, you can get one with a manual transmission already with it. Or you can keep the one you got. Not a big deal. You can evn get it with the manual h22 ecu. something to think about.