What's up people of Honda Tech? I'm new to the forum but not quite new to the world of Hondas.
I'm a freshman in college and recently got into an accident which left me with a totaled 2004 EM2; thing was my baby :/. Anyway, it's possible that I'll be getting a deal on a 1997 CD7 in EX trim, in immaculate condition with only 76k miles on it; I'd only be paying around $2100.
I've done quite a bit of research on 5th and 6th gen Accords and their reliability, and I'm slightly concerned about the reliability of the transmission in this year of Accord. I know the 6th gens are to be avoided like the plague, but I also read that the '97s have a similarly-designed transmission, and tend to have more problems than their older brethren.
When I had my EM2, I changed the transmission fluid probably 3 times in my 35,000 mile ownership; similar care would be taken with this car, though I've also read that changing the fluid doesn't do much to prevent the problem that's bound to happen.
I guess what I'm ultimately wondering, is whether or not I should go through with the acquisition of the car, or skip it and go for an older model? Is transmission failure on the '97s really as inevitable as in that of the 6th gen?

Your opinions and any information are greatly appreciated!

 

A friend of mine just purchased a 97 with 240k miles. He has put 5k on it so far. There's no way to tell that the auto trans is original, but it most likely is. It has had the fluid recently changed, and does slam into 2nd a little harder than I would like, but it doesn't slip and feels fine other than the slight harsh 1 to 2 change.

 

I have a 1997 cd5 and it had the the original tranny for 207k and then I swapped to 5spd to which i sold it and it was put in another car back in 2009, and it still pulls perfect without issue. If you take care of it, it'll return the favour.

 

I guess I kinda figured that this would be the case. Seems like everything's going through, guess I'll just have to muddle through the bus rides to work for the next couple weeks; it'll be worth the wait in the end though.