Im looking at getting a 99 Accord Lx, It is a japan made model, which is very unusual here in Michigan, as we are about 6 hours away from Marysville OH.
Do these have the same tranny Problems? how could I tell if it was going? The car has 91k on it.
How are these cars different from the ones made in Marysville?

thanks

 

it probably doesn't have the same tranny problems unless it isa V6 model, and I honestly wouldn't expect very many(If any) V6 models to be made in japan.

 

sorry, your correct it has the 4 cylinder.

 

the 4cyl models dont really have any tranny problems,....is it a 5 speed?....i think the body looks better too

 

not sure if this is as true with the later hondas, but in the earlier models (i know this from experience with 3rd gen accord), the japanese built cars were better built and seemed to have fewer problems.

again, i'm not sure how true this is with newer cars, but it seems true with the ones nearing 20 years old.

 

It has an auto tranny, It also has a rear spoiler on the trunk lid with a stop light in it. Is this a factory thing, or a costomer add-on?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ledebuhr2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It has an auto tranny, It also has a rear spoiler on the trunk lid with a stop light in it. Is this a factory thing, or a costomer add-on? </TD></TR></TABLE>
The rear wing spoiler is either a dealer add-on, or a customer bought it and added it. You can see them here:
http://www.handa-accessories.com/accext00.html

My '99 Accord was built in Japan though mine is a 5-speed manual (also an LX). The only problem I've had is that my door locks don't work all the time (when I unlock one side, all four doors don't always unlock when I hold it for a couple of seconds), but this problem is with the door actuator, I think. I don't blame it on being made in Japan.

Actually, the only unusual thing about my car that I can think of is that the radio doesn't need a security code.

Out of curiosity, how much are they asking? Just wanting to get a feel for what my car is worth.

 

They are asking $7990 for it. Do you think it is a fair price?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ledebuhr2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">They are asking $7990 for it. Do you think it is a fair price? </TD></TR></TABLE>Per http://www.edmunds.com , I'm seeing a private party price of $7,000 and a dealer price of $8,200, the only option I put on it was the automatic transmission.

Is $8K too much? I don't think so, if it has been well maintained and is in very good condition. Though one thing to keep in mind is that at 105,000 miles or 7 years, among other things it is supposed to have it's timing belt changed which is about a $500 to $700 job.

Also note that the automatic transmission fluid was supposed to be changed at 90,000 miles in "normal" conditions. For severe conditions it is to be changed every 30,000 miles. Per the owner's manual, Canadians are supposed to follow the severe conditions, I guess because of the cold. How close are you to Canada? Has the transmission fluid ever been changed? What about the spark plugs? (those are to be replaced every 30,000 miles)

 

I dont know about any maintence that was done. I called and talked to a salesman. He said that If there were any work records for that car that I could see them. I assuming that the timing belt is orginal as it has 91k on it.
What year did honda go to 105k intervals from 90k intervals for timing belt change?

Im am in Se Michigan, Not as harsh as northern Canada. We are only about 2 miles from Canada, the way the crow flies.

 

If it’s a dealer selling it, then yes, the $7,990 is a good price… if the car is in good shape and especially if it’s had the 90,000 maintenance done to it and it’s been properly maintained up until now. If I were you... get a Carfax report done on the car, use that plus google to get the previous owner's telephone number. Call them and just tell them that you are looking at their old car, what maintenance has been done on it and do they know of any problems?

As for your original question about whether Japanese built Accords have the same automatic transmission problems as ones from the US, it's a good question but I don't know the answer.

And for what it's worth, the maintenance schedule for 90,000 and 105,000 miles for normal conditions is below for reference.

90,000 miles or 6 years:
replace oil and filter
check engine coolant (it was supposed to have been replaced at 45,000 and 75,000 miles)
replace spark plugs (4 cyl only)
inspect and adjust belt drives
replace transmission fluid
inspect front and rear brakes
replace brake fluid
check parking brake adjustment
replace air conditioning filter (the cabin filter)
rotate tires
Visually inspect the following: tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots, suspension components, driveshaft boots, brake hoses and lines, all fluid levels and condition of fluids, cooling system hoses and connections.

And at 105,000 or 7 years:
Replace motor oil
Inspect valve clearance
Replace timing belt, balancer belt, and inspect water pump
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
(and the visual inspection listed under 90,000 miles above)

 

My auto tranny is an American Honda thing, and it's failed. 2000 Accord 4 cyl.

I'd say about 7,500 would be fair value...

 

It is a dealer selling the car, it was a trade-in. They will provide a Carfax report with it.

Is it safe to say that if the tranny hasent failed yet, then it probally won't fail? Is there a safe millage that you must pass before you know it wont fail?

The car also comes with a 3 month or 3k warranty.

 

If it's one of the affected trannies, it could go whenever the parts wear down. It depends on whether or not it's a bad one....

 

I thought the problem was a bearing carrier that was breaking down, the pieces were then carried throught the tranny and blocked fluid passages, this caused it to prematurly fail.

Can anyone confirm wheather I am correct?
Has Honda paid for any to be replaced that were out of warranty?

 

If the car has never been in a bodyshop, J-accords always have more uniform build assemblies. You can see it in the doors/hood/trunk aligning perfectly with the unit body. This translates to unseen parts too.

The US-built accords are built good but the J-built ones are just built exceptionally well. Pull a j-vin next to a US-built and you will notice the subtle differences.

 

Does anyone know if flushing the tranny will help protect it from going bad?

another thing, I have noticed that Honda put ABS only on certain Lx models. I have read it was optional on the LX. I was surprised as I dident think Honda had ever offered an option from the factory.
Is there any pattern to which models got ABS?
thanks


Modified by ledebuhr2 at 6:28 PM 9/6/2005