I went from a 94 Corolla to a 96 Accord. So far I'm not real impressed with Honda engineering.

-Instrument cluster light bulb change is significantly more involved. Not just a simple matter of removing the cluster, but you have to remove the center console as well.

-It's easier to get to the drain plug for the transmission fluid than it is getting to the dipstick to check the fluid level.

-You can't change the oil filter without raising the car up . . . who designed that?

-I did fix the door lock actuator as described in this forum, and that went pretty good . . . Thank you, by the way.

 

And the point of this post is?

 

I just got off the phone with Honda Japan. I quote, translated: "No ***** will be given."

 

Point?? . . . . . Uh . . . I don't know . . . . . Just an early moring rant, I guess. My friends who have Hondas have always talked about how simple they were to work on. Well, I guess I expected different, that's all.

Please excuse my whinning . . . .

 

We are men of honor, fowl language does not become us . . .

 

A man is only as good as his Honda.

 

You can't base your opinions of two makes on only two models. There are **** easy Honda's to work on, and there are pain in the *** Toyota's.

 

some cars because of engine design etc are a little harder to work on, its just how it is. especially fwd tho. check out an s2k one time, they are incredibly easy to work on for almost any job

 

So the car doesn't go together like legos. Stop bitching and learn how to turn a wrench.

 

^ LOL

 

i suspect the oil filter design has nothing to do with the desires of a shade tree mechanic and was designed around the oil galleries in the block and access by a dealership mechanic. My gripe on the filter is NOT the fact the car has to be off the ground, but that the filter is directly over the exhaust pipe.

 

dont you have to lift the car to drain the oil from the oilpan on toyotas? Im pretty sure I have been under enuff toyotas. Oil should be drained when changing the filter, So whats the point? What about toyota celica where the oil filter is on the front of the block and when you change the oil it runs all down the front of the motor and you have to dodge header pipes.. ya awsome design

This post sucks

 

You think a 95 accord is a pain to work on, try changing spark plugs on the acura TL.

Some things on the accord are easy some aren't, for instance the timing belt is a pain. Rotor replacement also comes to mind, and god forbid you have to replace the fuel pump.

 

I have one request: when engineering criticism is to be given on anything, please also provide examples of your own feats of engineering first, or at least a reasonable "re-engineering" of the component/system being criticized. That way there can be a productive, progressive discussion.

 

Actually Honda engineering isn’t that bad but it isn’t perfect either. The one gripe I have is with the door latch on the 90-93 series. If the thing is going to break then make a way to open the door without drilling and smashing things...lots of other aspects of Honda are nice to work on compared to most.
OK, this is my first post...thought I would chime in so I could start on my 5.
Cheers!

 

Interesting replies . . . . . . . very interesting . . . . . . . some thoughtful, some unique, some . . . .well, for some - anger comes easily.

Sucky post? Possibly . . . . . but it did initiate some very interesting responses . . . . .

Of all my faults, I'm pretty sure wrench turning isn't one of them . . . .

On a 94 Corolla 1.8 the oil filter can be reached from the top or bottom but can be reached without lifting the car to get behind the motor.

Looks like this is going to be a fun forum . . . .

Good day, all!

 

different engineers had different priorities. the honda f series engines as found in 90-97 are easily capable of lasting well over half a million miles with care. aside from the oil filter most other maintenance items are pretty easy to get to, i can typically do a timing belt change on a sohc honda engine in 2 hours or so, add more time for water pump. I have not worked on the specific model of corolla you had, but i did do some extensive work on an 88 or 89 celica, and HATE the intake manifold shape as far as changing injectors and the location of the power steering pump was absolutely miserable, though the alternator was great to get to, same with the catalytic converter. just different priorities of design....

 

You can always buy another corolla. Perhaps buying a Haynes manual would help. Otherwise the anger invoking responses you're getting are going to be the norm.

 

still have to get under the car to drain the oil whats your point...

 

I patiently await his rant on the HoR brake setup.....