Warning!!! This will be a long thread, but I will organize it as well as possible as to make replies to specific areas of it easier.

"NEW" CAR

I am in Miami, Florida and just purchased a 2001 Honda Accord LX 4-cyl sedan with 170K miles off Craigslist for well under $2K two days ago. Except for a big scare as soon as I brought it home (next section), the car looks and runs great. Something had to be fixed right away, some things are mechanical and highly recommended and others are mostly cosmetic. This post will list all of them and the purpose is to get as much advise as possible on any of these. Please keep in mind throughout this whole thread of the fact that I am not Mechanically inclined at all or even know how a car works. That said, I just purchased the Haynes manual for this car and plan to learn and get hands-on where it makes sense. I found this DIY garage by my house that has lifts and all the tools you can use and charge $25/hour. Their techs will not touch your car, but are there to offer guidance as needed. This should be an exciting experience for me, but do keep in mind getting the car fixed up for as little money as possible (remember how much I paid for the car) is my #1 priority, whether I do it myself or I pay for it.




BIG SCARE!

These photos should give you an idea. The transmission fluid completely drained out of one of the lines that connects the tranny to the radiator because the rubber hose was cut.



So I had a Mechanic come in today and replace both of these rubber hoses. No more leak. Stream, rather.



MECHANICAL MUST-DO'S AND RECOMMENDATIONS

As you can see below, at least one of the motor mounts is broken and it's very noticeable, since the car vibrates a lot when idle. I am planning on changing that one, but I've heard it's also recommended to change all engine plus transmission mounts. Is this an "easy" DIY project? How much should I expect to pay a Mechanic to do this, including parts?



Other replacements I've heard recommended are:

• all remaining hoses
• timing belt/tensioner/pulley/water pump (sounds like this is all one single job)
• thermostat

Same questions on those... Which ones would you say a rookie can do with the Haynes manual, a little assistance and a lot of time and which ones are better left to a Mechanic and how much should I expect to pay for those, approximately?

Anything else you would recommend?

The car also came with an aftermarket cone-style air filter and the custom line it needed. It's also loose, no bracket, so it probably also rattles against the metal, since it's touching it. I was thinking of installing all stock again. Approximate cost? This one must be an easy one to do, no doubt.



COSMETIC FIXES

I plan on either buying these parts online and installing them myself or going to a local junk yard that specializes in Hondas only. However, if you can offer any advise on any of these fixes, by all mean. That's why I'm posting.

Exterior minor rust, chrome trim, roof rack trails and Accord emblem:



Driver's inside door handle - No matter how many photos I look at, I can't figure out whether my interior is lapis, quartz or beige, so I haven't been able to order these, which I did find on a few sites. Help! LOL



Radio - The whole assembly is loose. Broken clips maybe? I plan on either attempting to install it again or buying another one, as long as it's a Honda one or look just like it. I want to keep the car as stock as possible.



Hazzard lights switch - Gone. How much will I need to buy? Just the switch? Some other part that goes back there? Cables? I won't know until I remove the fascia (which I also need to buy a replacement for)?



Random light fixtures and covers, headliner and doors - Some will need replacing, some tightening (new clips, glue?).



Headliner - Sagging in some areas. I dount this can be fixed and fear the only possible repair is replacement. I hear some people in the area do it for about $200.



Center console - Cover is cracked. I am assuming it needs to be fully replaced.



Rust under seats - Should I worry? I am assuming this was submerged at some point. Then again, this is South Florida and that's pretty common. Maybe even a victim of the recent hurricane. Anything I should be doing?



Cruise control - Doesn't work at all. Light doesn't turn on in this button or on the dash when I press any of the CC buttons. Sounds expensive. Or could it be as simple as a blown fuse?



Speakers - Front ones work, read ones don't. It could be something electrical, unless they're both really gone. They don't sound at all. I move the fader all the way to the rear and all sound is gone. Is there an easy way I can diagnose this?



Door locks - Some work from the driver's door switch and some don't. Or those that work don't always work. I honestly haven't been able to really understand what happens, but it sounds like it could be an electrical problem too. I need to test this further.




If you have read this far, my respects! I don't think I could. If you can offer some advise on what you recommend I do or how much you think something will cost, whether fixing something isn't worth it or anything of that nature, I will be very grateful.

Thank you for taking the time!

 

Use the vin and the color code off the door jamb on a site such as hondapartsnow.com or hondapartscheap.com. It will be something like B,G,F,I or whatever and then use your car vin to find parts and coordinating years. Be aware the color while being the same as other years may have a specific tint to it. Also, ditch the haynes and get a real FSM. You can purchase them off Helm Inc, ebay or some other less reputable internet source.

 

Nice. Accords are such good cars. Because the recent market and their age some models are very affordable.<br /><br />The recyclers on ebay help with the little stuff.<br /><br />I try to keep with factory honda parts, however I rehab'd a 2nd winter/work car. I have to say the ebay preloaded strut assemblies and loaded control arms worked, as did the water pump timing belt big kit, and 4 wheel brakes and wheel bearings. The China starter was $35, not 300. The XTD(not Excedy) clutch kit was also half the cost. So there are options. A beautiful Accord can be thrown together for what seems like pennies.<br /><br />Sagging? That's no fun. Ebay has the headliner kits too . Check online.<br /><br />Rust under the carpet, I use a wire wheel to clean it up on a 1/4 die ginder. Then hit it with some VHT undercoating. Probably finish the interior off with a Cheap ebay carpet. Unroll it let it relax , use weights and heat. Might go with a nice smelly air freshner, Pine tree or 6 demon bag.<br /><br />Replace the Gauge and interior bulbs with SMD LEDs.<br />Replace the reverse bulbs with monster multi- CREE's (superbrightleds.com) because you need to see whats behind you when in reverse.<br />Clean or replace the headlight housings<br /><br />