I have an Accord DX 1997 with about 125K miles on the engine. I've been mulling for many months now about what to do with this car. I paid it off at the end of summer last year and not having a car payment is pretty nice to say the least.

My dilemma is what now? After 8 years now the paint is starting to show it's age, the interior is getting worn, not torn up, but the engine and everything else mechanically is running perfect. I know mechanically Honda's are just about bulletproof when it comes to the mechanical aspect.

I guess I wanted to put it to you all to perhaps get some insight that I'm not considering. Should I perhaps keep the car and spruce it up with new paint and interior, plus some mechanical mods, or would the money be better spent on a newer vehicle? If I did clean it up, I don't know really how much more I could get for it because miles make a difference when either trading it in, or selling it outright.

 

I’m guessing your car is worth around 3-4k

I’d do general maintenance, get the pain job if needed, and get better suspension. Engine swap last.

 

well..you cant do a whole lot mechanically unless you go w/a turbo or an engine swap..lookin at a few grand either way there.

but it seems to me that you just want your car to look nice again,so,make it look nice. you can pick up misc.interior parts off ebay all day long at a good price..seat covers or even leather kits (OEM and aftermarket).
then w/the paint..i woulndnt suggest going to like maaco or something..they do a pretty cheap job. id suggest goin w/a reputable body shop..

if you wanted to go all ricy you could add a nice gaudy body kit or something like that..or maybe something a lil more suttle like a lip kit from wings west ( i love it)

18's fit great on your accord..19's look even better and they will fit great(bigger chance of bending a rim)..maybe some suspension work to lower it a couple inches so the wheels tuck nicely under your car.

personally,my cars lowered 1.5 and i have 18's and clear marker/turn signals w/some dark tint..and im happy w/that.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mac_24_seven &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well..you cant do a whole lot mechanically unless you go w/a turbo or an engine swap..lookin at a few grand either way there.

but it seems to me that you just want your car to look nice again,so,make it look nice. you can pick up misc.interior parts off ebay all day long at a good price..seat covers or even leather kits (OEM and aftermarket).
then w/the paint..i woulndnt suggest going to like maaco or something..they do a pretty cheap job. id suggest goin w/a reputable body shop..

if you wanted to go all ricy you could add a nice gaudy body kit or something like that..or maybe something a lil more suttle like a lip kit from wings west ( i love it)

18's fit great on your accord..19's look even better and they will fit great(bigger chance of bending a rim)..maybe some suspension work to lower it a couple inches so the wheels tuck nicely under your car.

personally,my cars lowered 1.5 and i have 18's and clear marker/turn signals w/some dark tint..and im happy w/that. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Hmm, thanks for the insight. I guess you are confirming what I think I already knew myself, but wasn't listening myself. As for your suspension idea, I don't think I want to drop it, but would it be worth getting a different suspension at all if I'm not going to drop it any?

Also, are there some cat back exhaust kits I could pick up for my Accord? I don't want one of those big fart cans on the back, but perhaps an nice chrome tailpipe with a better air flow system underneath the vehicle?

I'm pretty dead set on putting a short ram intake on it from K&N and I think that's about the extent of my "engine mods". Everything else will be cosmetic, such as some Altezza tail lights and perhaps cleaning the blotchy **** on the head lights...

 

Some additional ideas:

New Paint Job
New Headlight Capsules (get rid of those pitted lens (lamps work better too)
Rebuild suspension ( urathane bushings*, KYB adjustable struts and new ball joints)Suppliment Suspension: Anti-Sway Bars front & rear
Exhaust: Magnaflow 15687 Stainless Cat back exhaust (lets turbo breath)
Honda / Acura oem alloy wheels 15"
215/55x15 Tires

* If required
Hey, It's a start................

 

look through ebay theres you find a lot of stuff for accords. and for the short ram, dont waste your money on brand name ones. just get a ebay intake and a k&n filter. just my .02

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CD7power &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">look through ebay theres you find a lot of stuff for accords. and for the short ram, dont waste your money on brand name ones. just get a ebay intake and a k&n filter. just my .02</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ebay huh. I've actually been looking over there at that ****. BTW, do the mounting brakets just screw into exiting holes, or do you have to drill it out yourself?

 

existing holes

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CD7power &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">existing holes</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think it's quite apparent I'm still quite a newbie working on my own car...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Calean007 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have an Accord DX 1997 with about 125K miles on the engine. I've been mulling for many months now about what to do with this car. I paid it off at the end of summer last year and not having a car payment is pretty nice to say the least.

My dilemma is what now? After 8 years now the paint is starting to show it's age, the interior is getting worn, not torn up, but the engine and everything else mechanically is running perfect. I know mechanically Honda's are just about bulletproof when it comes to the mechanical aspect.

I guess I wanted to put it to you all to perhaps get some insight that I'm not considering. Should I perhaps keep the car and spruce it up with new paint and interior, plus some mechanical mods, or would the money be better spent on a newer vehicle? If I did clean it up, I don't know really how much more I could get for it because miles make a difference when either trading it in, or selling it outright.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

LMAO, just park it in front of your trailer, and call it lawn art.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Drip Pan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">LMAO, just park it in front of your trailer, and call it lawn art.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wow! Two threads that you've flamed me in....That's really awesome you know. Go away for more than a month after being goofed on, and now come back wanting to talk ****....amazing really... Bet you spent this whole time coming up with now 2 flames both having to deal with trailer parks...that's comedy...

You know, I just thought of something...You go away for more than a month, and of all the people on the boards, you immediately search out my posts to flame. I don't know, but you sure are giving the impression that you have a thing for me, but I will have to say this that, "No, I will not **** you."


Modified by Calean007 at 6:28 PM 5/31/2005

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Calean007 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I don't know, but you sure are giving the impression that you have a thing for me, but I will have to say this that, "No, I will not **** you."</TD></TR></TABLE>

Big words from a fella who took the time to find my e-mail address on my company web page.

Face it, you suck at life.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Calean007 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Bet you spent this whole time coming up with now 2 flames both having to deal with trailer parks...that's comedy...
</TD></TR></TABLE>

No I spent time in Israel visiting Family. Its you who dwells in the home on wheels.

 

laalaa ok this is gay... stop arguing with each other... take it out of the thread and im each other if you have something to say off topic its getting old..


btw you could only go so far with the accord.. its really nice and you could make it really nice.. but after saving up all that money i would either do the turbo set up or engine swap or just sell it and get a better car to fix up... thats just me tho becuase i dont care as much about asthetics so i would want to get a better car to fix up.. well in the end its totaly your decision buddy i guess it wat rally makes you happy thats worth it

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DJ14aZnS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">btw you could only go so far with the accord.. its really nice and you could make it really nice.. but after saving up all that money i would either do the turbo set up or engine swap or just sell it and get a better car to fix up... thats just me tho becuase i dont care as much about asthetics so i would want to get a better car to fix up.. well in the end its totaly your decision buddy i guess it wat rally makes you happy thats worth it </TD></TR></TABLE>


Or he could fix up the dodge diplomat sitting in his yard that is currently serving as a community dog house

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Drip Pan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Big words from a fella who took the time to find my e-mail address on my company web page.

Face it, you suck at life.</TD></TR></TABLE>

edited, because you are old news....


DJ - yes, I know what you are saying, and that's the hard part is actually deciding on exactly what you said. In the end though, I think that due to some hookups, I can shine her up for a nominal investment and get plenty on the return if I decide to sell it...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Calean007 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

edited, because you are old news....

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Whats wrong snookums, can't take a little bit of Karma?

 

drip pan i think you should stop already.. this just shows how much Calean007 is bigger than you.. just stop.. i reported your post btw...

anyway Calean007 just to let you know when you change things on a car from stock to custom i devalues your car.. so im not sure if its going to make you anymore money adding things to it that are not stock. cars are the worste investments to make.. ive learned that the hard way..

 

Does that apply to interiors, such as going from cloth to leather?

I'm not looking to slap a turbo on it I don't think, but just to put a short ram, perhaps replace the exhaust to get some better airflow. Nothing too fancy. Mostly just cosmetic **** such as paint, interior, and perhaps a new sound system, but again, nothing fancy...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DJ14aZnS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">drip pan i think you should stop already.. this just shows how much Calean007 is bigger than you.. just stop.. i reported your post btw...

anyway Calean007 just to let you know when you change things on a car from stock to custom i devalues your car.. so im not sure if its going to make you anymore money adding things to it that are not stock. cars are the worste investments to make.. ive learned that the hard way.. </TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL I don't know what's worse, the two of them going at it or you.

 

i dunno about hte interior.. i guess if it looks nice and you sell it privately then it could be a + but as far as engine mods... it could go down.. i guess depending on who you sell it to

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Xtreme Bishop Don Shizzle &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">LOL I don't know what's worse, the two of them going at it or you.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Bishop, the only one going at anything it Drip Pan...it's his personal feud...let him play it out to a banning...and lets stay on topic, because I am trying to have a serious conversation here...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Calean007 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Bishop, the only one going at anything it Drip Pan...it's his personal feud...let him play it out to a banning...and lets stay on topic, because I am trying to have a serious conversation here...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Whats wrong, dont like it when people go off topic in your threads?