I am planning on converting my accord to a manual. The other day I got a quote for the hardware and the mileage on the transmission. However, the mileage seemed high at 100K miles. What is this a good thing or bad thing?

 

That would be a fairly low mileage for a mid 90's transmission but you didn't specifiy so I don't know what kind of transmission you are talking about.

Buying a used one is tough. Is it rebuilt...? if it isn't you really have to take the person you buy it from word that it has been maintained and not beat on. Unless of course you open it up.

 

Well to give you an idea, My friend has a 92 accord, with 180k on it, its 5 speed, his older brother had it, and he beat the **** out of the car, and the tranny ONLY has a slight grind in second gear, other than that the only things they replaced was the clutch and seals, and the fluid...

I mean my grandpa had a 1990 accord 5 speed, and he has it till this day with no problems at all, nothing no grinds nothing

It really depends on how it was driven

 

I was kinda hard on my 90 LX, by 237,000 the 2-3 shift was getting really tough. Needed a clutch and main seal so I pulled it. Shop wanted $1100 to rebuild (shoulda tried it myself I guess), so I put a used one in, supposedly with 60K on it - it's been fine for 20K since. 100K isn't bad if you know the history. Put new axle seals in and use Honda MTF.

 

200k+ on my tranny, and I've been using 10w30 Valvoline all-climate for awhile now.

edit: as far as inspecting the used tranny... see if the guy will crack it open for you. Check for any missing bits on the gears or synchros.