Tell me what you guys think about this. I have had my Accord since it was new in 1996. I have about 154,000 miles on it and everything seems solid. I'm going to retire from the military in 06 and don't want to buy a new car until it will be my retirement present. If I had to do it now I would get the LS430 just because I deserve it for having the same car for this long and 20 years in the Air Force.
My question is, would you guys put money into the Accord or buy something like a 98 or 99 Accord coupe with the money. I currently have:

Stereo - deck, sub and amps
Intake, exhaust, headers, carbon fiber interior, carbon shift ****, white guages, wheels, suspension

The car needs some love! This is what I'm thinking about doing:

Taking it to Honda and having them go over the engine to make sure it is sound.
Belts - timing and all others
New Intake - I just want another one
Exhaust - Apexi WS, I think that is the name. I want a better one but a quiet one.
Seals around the windows and roof
Paint - this is the big $ area. The car needs it bad and I think I would get the lower black part painted if I'm comfortable with the shop's ability to paint them. I think a kit is just a little too much "attention" for me.
I'm not sure what they are called but the Pillars on the outside (black) are faded and need to be replaced
Wheels - either new ones or the ones I have (17") re-conditioned
Interior - either detailed or new carpet
Short shifter - I don't remember the name brand but it is the one that is a real shifter since I already have the adapter
Seats - I've seen the leather "kits" but I would have to find out if this route would be cheesy. If it is I would look into a shop doing it.
New mirrors
Clear-bra on the front - I hate the rock chips!
Lip spoiler - only if I can find one I like


Obviously the price tag on this will be around $6,000. It is almost a case of the evil you know versus the evil you don't know.
Let's face it, I'm not young anymore but I love this car. If I was to get something else it would probably be something like a 99 Accord coupe or a Lexus ES300 in the same year range. Another car could be equally reliable but the Lexus would cost more to fix if something went wrong. Also, I don't know how I would handle an automatic. Shifting is all I know. It doesn't bother me 95% of the time.
If these choices are equal, I would stick with my car. After 9 years, we go together well with each other. I just don't want to be a fool for thinking about putting this much money into the car.

 

Let me digest your "to-do" list. But in the meantime I'd suggest you keep what you know. Jumping into anything used (other that a 2yr old lease turn-in) is a crap shoot; you never know what other peoples' problems you're buying.
I'd suggest keeping the '96 for the Weekend Road Warrior, and buy the Luxo-Ride for transporting the "significant other" and other "Official" events.
If it pulls strong and has no vises; a compression test, a belt/hose refresh and a fresh tune may be all you need under the hood for now.
Your list is impressive, and will probably keep you busy for several years. Several things I'd suggest
1) good set of Ceramic (Kelvar if possible) brake pads
2) Stainless braided brake hose kit
3) Aftermarket Anti-sway bar set
Those and a good set of rubbers will completely change the Accord's personality on the road.

P

 

If you love the car, then invest in it. Most of what you wish to do except for the paint will not increase the value of the vehicle. Just do a couple of the things on your list first and think about your investment.

But I say, if you have property (house, land etc...), invest in that. If not, then start thinking of buying some! Life is short. It sucks not to own your own place.

Anyway, you started in the USAF when you were 14-15? Kinda young to be in the academy, no? Anyway, GL.

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I must have said something off. I should have said I'm retiring in 09. I'm 35 right now. I have a townhouse and two rental properties. Also, a non-profit and some other small investments. I'm about to be debt-free so I'm going to start putting some money away for a retirement home and my retirement present.

When you say anti-sway bars are you talking about a strut bar or something else? I have the strut bar now.
I also have different tires, I can't even remember what kind I have right now. Might be some Khumos.
I will look into the brake pads and the lines.

I know what I want to do will not increase the value of my car but I plan to keep it until it won't go anymore. I just want to "freshen" it up a little. It needs some TLC.

 

I would say spend on suspension first after you have done maintenance and 'freshening'. That will do the most for the performance of your vehicle.

 

Anti-sway bars:
Those bars which tie the front or rear suspensions together side to side.
They control body lean, thus suspension reaction as you go thru turns.

DX,LX and SE Accords come from Honda with a 7/8" (aprox) diameter bar in the front, none in the rear.
EX's come with a 1.0" (aprox) diameter bar in the front and (I'm guessing) a 1/2" bar in the rear.

Manufacturers like Suspension Techniques offer a 1 1/8" Bar in the front and a heavier bar in the rear.
A far stiffer set-up from stock

P