Ok, first I searched. 2nd this is a car for my teenage daughter. 3rd I like the 5 speed in the lil' 97 Civic HX I picked up last month, but she is having a devil of a time with it. 4th, the 88 Buick she drives has a hard miss I can't find after 2 days work, and when the junk yard told me yesterday, "Mister, we don't have parts for cars that old..." Well maybee it's time. PS: I know to stay away from the CVT in the HX's...

Poll question is: What is the expected life for an Automatic Transmission in a Civic, before a major repair... considering that the tranny is not abused.

Comments on the failure modes welcome.

 

On my moms 1994 integra with auto trans, it has 150k miles and just shifts hard when cold, no real problems. And a few years ago, back in my ricer days, it saw a few neutral drops, and is no worse for wear.

 

I have seen Honda automatic transmissions in both Civics and Accords with over 300,000 miles and they drove perfectly fine. If you change the fluid with anything that resembles regularity, consider the life infinite.

 

over 180K on the accord

 

Thanks for the info guys. I couldn't pass the deal up today from a guy at work after reading your advice. Picked up a 1996 Acord with 105,000 on it. Already ordered the stuff to do the timing belt change. Thanks again.

 

I change out honda auto transmissions more than any other auto trans out there, Chevy 700R4/4L60E is second on the list.

 

slomofo whats the going price for an Accord automatic rebuild? If your willing to share, what needs to be looked out for? I have done 6 automatic rebuilds in my day. 1 GM 350, 4 GM 700R4's, and one GM 4L60E... with that experience, is the honda within the skill set? What parts absolutely need to be replaced? An aftermarket converter vendor that you recommend?