Hello, I am considering to buy Accord Coupe between 1999-2002, and preferably manual tranny. Can you guys post some experience between these year ranges? (problems, pluses, and minuses etc.)

Other car i am considering is BMW 1999-2001 3-series coupe. This looks bit more expensive and wonder which one honda or bmw is better.

I wanted to do some research on the models etc. I am getting really confused by the model numbers EX, LX etc and can't decode what these means. Anyone knows how to find the detailed information about what these model numbers would exactly mean?

Also, I am looking for a maintenance schedule for these models, anyone has this? I am specifically interested in timing belt change intervals. Thanks!

 

I'm kinda curious as to why you're putting that accord vs a BMW?

Obviously the BMW would be a nicer vehicle, but it'll be smaller than the accord overall space wise.

EX would really be your only option if you're putting it against a BMW (leather, sunroof,premium sound, etc)

So long as you get a stick shift you will be fine, the automatics in those years are known for difficulties.

 

that is exactly what i mean, honda is considerably cheaper so I am contemplating to get more economical honda or more sexier BMW for more money. Anyways thanks for advice, keep posting :0

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hondatechguyen &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hello, I am considering to buy Accord Coupe between 1999-2002, and preferably manual tranny. Can you guys post some experience between these year ranges? (problems, pluses, and minuses etc.)

Other car i am considering is BMW 1999-2001 3-series coupe. This looks bit more expensive and wonder which one honda or bmw is better.

I wanted to do some research on the models etc. I am getting really confused by the model numbers EX, LX etc and can't decode what these means. Anyone knows how to find the detailed information about what these model numbers would exactly mean?

Also, I am looking for a maintenance schedule for these models, anyone has this? I am specifically interested in timing belt change intervals. Thanks!

i believe its 60k-90k is recommended. Some people do it later though.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Could you give me more info on these problems with automatics? I was looking for a manual shift coupe in 200miles radius around where I live, I haven't found a single manual tranny. There are few great coupes I found but they are all automatic.

 

98-02 Accord auto trannies are notorious for failure. 2nd gear isn't lubed, wears/burns out and the tranny is shot. Most of hte cars are out of warranty, even the extended goodwill one.

I have an auto Accord and i've already had a tranny replaced on the goddamned thing.

 

Hmm, too bad, I'll have to postpone my buying I guess, how about next gen. model starting on 03'-s. do they have some problems. Seems like the EX models don't come with the manual. You guys know info somewhere on web that details all the models and years? Thanks a lot!

 

auto.consumerguide.com has some helpful info.

Just a note- in general, all Honda transmissions are weak, but the 98-02 Accords were notorious.

5th gen accords are generally regarded as the most tuner friendly and enjoyable of the Accord family. 7th gens continued the midsize-commuter trend, so it's going to be bigger and heavier.

7th gen (03-07) coupes are very very sexy though. Especially the 6 speed manual V6's with an HFP lip kit

 

so that is why it is so hard to find manual shifts. I'll guess I 'll concentrate on the 2003 models then. There are some info on consumer guide that extended warranty on failed transmission, are they really mean it?


Modified by hondatechguyen at 4:55 PM 11/24/2007

 

Sorry I mis-wrote. Honda AUTO trannies in general are weak, but the 6th gen autos are notorious. Check to make sure there's a service bulletin on teh transmission issue for hte 03 Accord, and you should be good.

 

well, it is really hard to find manual ones:
I have one 2002 model still seem to be under warranty on franchinse dealer:

http://www.kirklandhonda.com/en_US/
1HGCG32202A003309

or I have found one manual from the dealer that looks like a wholesale like the following:

http://www.laceyautosales.com/
Stock# : 1595

I wonder which one is better choice. As we know the wholesaler usually gets the skunky ones after scavenging through the franchise dealer's backyard aka wholesale yard.
What do ya think?

 

Thr some research this is what i found out: Vehicle covered under extended coverage, so I guess, 1999, 2002 are not covered at all:

Honda Accord
2000-2001
Honda Odyssey
1999-2001
Honda Prelude
2000-2001
Acura 3.2 CL
2001-2002
Acura 3.2 TL
1999-2002
Certain Acura 3.2 CL & TL *
2003

or while thing:

http://www.hondatransmissionse...t.pdf

 

As noted above, it’s the automatic transmissions that are notoriously weak (need repairs). The 5-speed manuals are just fine (I have a ’99 LX with five-speed transmission). In ’98 and ’99 5-speed manuals were not offered in V6’s, I think that this changed in ’00.

I believe that you can buy an automatic and drive it until it breaks, then swap it to a manual transmission for something like $1,500, with somebody else doing the labor.

The scheduled change for a timing belt is 105,000 miles or 84 months (seven years) on my ’99. I assume that the other years are the same but I’m not positive.

 

Don't buy a BMW, as much as people talk about how great they are, my family has only had problems with them, and the cost to fix one is unreal, especially if your used to japanese cars. I've had 3 6th gen accords, an 98 ex auto that cost me 1500 to get the tranny rebuilt, an 01 V6 that was flawless, and my current 99 H22 turbo sedan, they're great cars and cheap. You'll forget about how sexy any german car is when you have to pay out your *** to fix them.

 

I am considering 03 accord LX sedan. Do all hondas replaced tbelt with tchain? Is there any trouble spots with these models?