OK, so I learned the hard way 4 years later not to stray from my Honda roots. Now that the 2nd stock engine in my '02 Suzuki Aerio has let go, 8k miles after it was installed I've decided the time is right to return to the Honda camp. A coworker's friend is selling his '96 Accord EX sedan (4cyl), as he has just purchased a nice new G35 coupe and has no need for the Accord any more. Here's the details:

'96 Accord EX sedan, 4 cyl auto
200k miles (CA highway commuter)
Championship white exterior, tan cloth interior (pretty clean IMO)
DC headers, otherwise stock engine
Lowered on Neuspeed Sports and ? struts, DC front strut bar and rear lower tie bar
? 18" silver wheels and Falken tires (not sure of wheel brand, nothing I've ever seen before)
Wings West lips (side and rear), needs front lip
just replaced battery (yellow top Optima), transmission, timing belt and water pump but needs new CV joints/boots and PS pump

asking $3k

From my initial impression, everything looks and sounds OK. Nothing that I could see that would make me believe that there's anything wrong with the car, other than the CV joint and PS pump issue, but those, I can deal with. Engine felt and sounded strong, no body damage or obviously Bondo'd panels, interior was damn clean for a 10 year old car and it seems just right. The seller isn't acting shady, just like a guy that has a car he no longer needs taking up space in his driveway.

My question is there anything particular with this year/model Accord that I should get checked before I commit? Owning 3 Hondas prior to this, I have a pretty good idea of what to look for, but not having any experience with an Accord, just asking the experts before I join the ranks. Thanks in advance!


Modified by bigrob119 at 12:26 AM 9/25/2006

 

Doesn't sound bad, especially for that price, why'd it need a tranny replaced? You carfax the VIN and see if anything showed up?

 

Everything came back legit, I didn't think to ask why the tranny was replaced, just figured it had seen better days. Both of my Civics needed new trannies at approx 150k miles, so I wasn't that concerned.

I have an independent Honda guy in town that'll give the car a good once-over. If everything is kosher, I'll make the guy an offer.

Any other last-minute advice anyone can offer me? If not, more than likely at this time tomorrow you'll be reading a "Proud new owner..." thread from me.

 

check to see if its leaking any fluids or burning oil? otherwise sounds ok, miles are kinda high for tha price i think but it is a nice accord, If the car was well taken care then the engine should be good for a while, and if its got a new tranny, awesome

 

Just outta curiousity, I know my tranny's still running strong at like 145k, but at 200k I guess it's not unreasonable to have it replaced haha.

 

Honda Trannys can last jsut as long as the motors, just drain the fluid every 20K miles and refill with OEM Honda. The first time you do it you will be amazed at the 1-2cm layer of metal shavings that turn into a grease that will be stuck on the magnetic drain plug it will really blow your mind. I could not believe what I saw on my 89 civic auto, 93 accord auto, and 95 v6 accord auto the first time I drained the trannys.

You might have to do it 2-3 times per 1000K miles so the old mixes with new and you can get more and more of the old out. The tranny will stop clunking into gear after gear, which it totally does when the fluid gets worn out.