Hey Honda-Tech!

My name is Freddy.

I don't know how I have not seen this website before. I am a 25-year-old guy on his second Honda Accord. First was a 1995 5-speed. It was fairly old when I got it, but it's what turned me into a Honda guy. My current Accord EX is a 2005 5-speed manual. I purchased it in NJ at 109,000 miles almost five years ago. It had been maintained at the Honda dealer (something I can not afford to do) until I purchased it.

They were originally asking $11,500 for the car. After checking the CarFax with my mechanic, he told me that since it had already been sitting on the lot for 5 months they would have to renew the insurance on it after 6 months. I was 20 years old at the time. My mechanic said that if I didn't buy the car, he was going to. After walking off the lot 4 times, and two weeks, I was able to snag it for $6,000 flat. Even at 109,000 5 years ago, this car was pretty mint. The used car dealership I purchased it was not expecting to negotiate such a deal. My mechanic said they were pretty much at my mercy because of renewing the insurance, and because no one seemed to want it because it's a manual trans.

I wish I could say it's still mint, however, I've had a few hiccups in the past 5 years. Everything mechanical is in tip top shape - but I have some cosmetic flaws. I'm installing a new bumper cover, PS wheel well, and headlights. I rear-ended my friend in her 2003 Suburban (big steel bumper on her truck) in first gear, and screwed the front up a little. So that's really what sparked me to join this forum. I've been doing research online so I know exactly what parts to buy. So far I have the bumper cover, both bumper filler side beams, a bunch of 10mm push fastens rivets, front engine undercover/lower guard. I went to bkhondaparts.com and found that they have diagrams that shows you exactly what to buy for hardware/bolts. My friend an I are going to do it once I get all the parts collected.

It's got 165,000 on it now and has been very good to me - even though I have not been the best owner. I just had a new clutch installed, and man what a difference!

I have joined this community because I am very interested in learning about how to do simple maintenance on my Accord. I'm impressed with the reliability of my Honda's and when the time comes, I will be getting another Honda - ideally a 2010 Accord 5 Speed. I prefer a manual transmission not only because it helps me be more focused (not as mindless as an automatic), I like them in the Vermont winters, and they are just more fun to drive.

I don't have any photo's I can find of my Accord, but will share tmrw when its sunny out!

Looking forward to exploring this online community!