Hey everyone, my name is Ted. I've been lurking here for a while, and thanks everyone for all the information on here! I have a 1989 Accord LXi, and I'm thinking about selling it, but I'm not sure yet. Wanted to try to get an idea of what it would be worth, since searching the internet seems to give a VERY wide range of prices.

Here's the lowdown on the car...

1989 Accord LXi. Two Door. Automatic. 110,000 miles on it. 2.0 liter engine 120hp. I think it's A20A3.

The car is black. I spray painted it. I've seen better, I've seen worse - spray painting your own car isn't quite as simple as I thought! Just to be perfectly honest.

There are 3 issues with this car:

1) Idle - it's a little erratic at times (like when it's cold). Generally it's not a problem. Once in a great great while it gets erratic while warm.

2) Power Steering - I took the belt off because the lines to the steering rack were leaking.

3) Air Conditioning - I took the belt off because the A/C Clutch failed.

Otherwise it runs well and gets about 35 mpg highway. Interior is in great shape. Everything works (except Air and Pwr Steering, as mentioned).

I'm seeing values for these all over the place, most seem to be 2000-4000, but I don't know if anyone is buying them at those prices or not, and with the issues mentioned above I'm sure I'd be looking at less.

Obviously if I decide to sell it I want to get what I can out of it, but I don't want to price it unfairly either.

Thanks! Any feedback would be appreciated.

Ted

 

2000 - 4000? I hope that's pesos.




Sounds like another $500 bucket, to me.

 

no A/C an no PS an you rattled canned the car yah sounds about $500 bucks give or take

 

Yeah guys, I agree... I was just surprised for what people are trying to sell these for. Especially since this car is pre-VTEC and not old enough to really be a "classic".

I bought it for 600 and have done the timing belt and new tires, so I have a little more than that in it, but I don't have an inflated sense of it's value. Thanks for confirming that.

So all that being said, my best bet is to probably keep it. It only has 110K on the clock. These last a long time, yes?

 

Yep, it's not a classic, so you're even in the wrong forum. This forum is for '88 honda's and older. With little effort though, your 500 dollar car could be a 1000 dollar car. I'd keep it and drive the hell out of it. It will last a long time if it's been cared for.

 

Yeah, I know it's the wrong forum, but the other choice for accords is 1990-2002. So there really isn't a correct forum for 1989 accords... or is there another one that I didn't see?

I think it will last me a while, yes, but I'm worried about it being 22 years old. The mileage is low on the odometer, but all the parts (especially rubber seals) are 22 years old. Nothing is leaking though, so that's a good sign.

I did notice that if i floorboard it, I get some oil going by the rings (over 5000 rpm). My mechanic's response was "you have no business going 5000 rpm in a car that old"

 

I agree with your mechanic lol.

 

G Man, yes, he, and you are right. I guess I didn't formally introduce myself to the forum. "Hi, I'm Ted, and I'm a 42 year old teenager". LOL

Seriously though, is it worth the money to fix the power steering and air? Otherwise everything seems okay... or should I just drive it as is. As for the appearance, I'm working on wet sanding it to try to make it a little nicer. My spray bombing leaves something to be desired.

 

Welcome I'd fix it, but that's just me. I enjoy working on my cars. I wouldn't worry too much about the air, but the power steering is something you should repair. Especially if it's losing fluid, and making driving it difficult. If you only get into it about 1000 $, then what do you have to lose? It ought to give you plenty of miles on the road.

 

Power steering in a Honda isn't essential, it's a convenience.

Try driving a '68 Ford 4x4 on 35x12.5 mudders with manual steering and a sloppy gearbox. Eesh.

 

That's a little different than driving a car with power steering that doesn't work properly. My civic doesn't have power steering and I wouldn't have it any other way

 

The power steering is unhooked and has no fluid in it. I took the belt off to prevent damage to the power steering pump which so far is okay. Just leaking lines. But they aren't leaking with it unhooked.

Steering - it isn't too bad once you're moving. A little hard to turn around in a parking space but I just deal with it.

But here's a question -- will it hurt the steering components if the power steering isn't working? Since it's harder to turn, I'm assuming that I'm putting more stress on the parts - is that correct? Or does it matter?

Also, is there a way to delete power steering and just put manual steering in?

 

I don't have anything against H-T but you should go to 3geez for more info. As for the steering, as long as it has fluid it doesn't hurt it if you use it as is. There are manual steerings but they're rare but I think there's one for sale in 3geez.

 

@89 - thanks for the reply. I took the belt off because of leaky power steering lines - it leaked out ALL the fluid in less than 1/2 hour. Which got all over the exhaust, risk of fire, etc. I'm just driving it without power steering.

Thanks for the tip, I'll check out 3geez too.