Ive been looking at 98-02 Accords lately and I was wondering if there are an known problems with these cars that I should look for when buying used? I will most likely be getting a 98 or 99 with around 100K on it because thats all I can really find in my price range. Whatever car I buy it will be a auto because my wife doesnt drive stick. So let me know if there is any major problems or things I should look for when buying one with the miles I'm looking at.

 

01 Accords. 01 Accords has an automatic transmission problem. But theres a 10yr warranty on that.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/c...h.cfm go there for any recalls. Good site.

 

I have 102k on mine. I'm 18 now, I bought it in July of 05'. Since then I had to replace the rear calipers because they leaked, if you can do it yourself its not a bad repair but that was pre-DIY for me. -.- the brakes + a ball joint cost me 600 I believe. I also had to put new tires on it when I got it, usually expected. I also recently replaced what looked like the already once replaced starter on my car at 101k. I put a new battery in as well around 100k(my battery my was no where near making it through this winter). Since maybe around 90-95k my car throws the "p0420" code, my cat is getting clogged/going bad. My car still runs fine but its there, I saw replacement cats for maybe 200-250? I've heard dealer wants near 700 for the job, eesh. Overall I do not believe there is a more practical car for my age group, or any one really. Infact I'm going to admit I'm insecure about how practical it is, lol, I didn't want to feel like a bitch so I bought an RX7.

One thing to really lookout for with that mileage is the timing belt. Its due for change at 105k, I'm starting to piece together my parts to do mine myself, otherwise I've heard prices around 500-600 at dealerships for the same job. If they "did the timing belt" GET A RECEIPT and real proof of the work done, so when that "new belt" snaps at 110k you can sue the **** out of them for a new engine.

For reference I paid less than 500 for 4 new tripletreads; installed on my 98 4 cylinder EX.

Other than that I drive the **** out of mine, it's been my first car and lets say I'm well aware of what VTEC sounds like.

When you go to buy it-
Check the ATF color, if its dark-bad sign, bring documents about how the transmissions go bad, knock some money off for that.
Pull the rear tires off and see if its leaking brake fluid all over the rotor or pad, happen to me, knock some more off.
Often times when it rains the brake light sensor gets tripped and the car thinks its out, could probably knock some off for that.

When you drive it-
Roll around 25 and floor it, it'll down shift and fly into VTEC , thats a good check to see how it shifts and overall health of the engine.
My ball joint was very audible on the highway somewhere around 80-90mph, really loud rattle from the tire area. I would imagine the noise would occur sooner and sooner in the mph the worse it was, knock some off for that. However to your advantage I believe the upper ball joint is under warranty for repair from Honda

I can't comment on the actual safety of the car as I've yet to experience an accident *smashes wooden desk* However I can say its started everytime except once and I just needed to hit the starter and it kicked back into it, so don't count of being able to use "the car" as an excuse for not being at work on time =p . Highway passing is good from my experience, and VTEC is good for keeping my mixed MPG around 22-23-I'm 18, what do you expect? Overall love the car and Hondas in general, what a novel of a post.

 

Your main concern is the tranny for all 6th gen accords including the Av6 models.... i been through 3 rebuilt one recently and 4 used ones.... and time i can Imagen.... but yeah tranny main thing....

and you also wanna test the car out when the car just started up, dont let them sucker you and say oh we're gunna warm up the car.... drive it from a cold start if it slips once.... book it! hahah


other then the transmission i love my car....

 

No 5spd swap yogi? Anybody know how much a tranny rebuild kit is?