I'm thinking about getting a used, beater-ish, 6th gen coupe. (lotta miles, probably 150-225K)
I was originally looking for the 4 cylinder with the 5 speed. Now I'm thinking about broadening my search for the 3.0 with auto.
As far as RELIABILITY, what are owners recommendation?
I was under the impression the 5 speed would be bullet proof, when compared to the automatic. Is that right or wrong?
Any other thoughts?

 

Do the make the 3.0 with a manual? I have an 02 4cyl auto and its pretty terrible. I have been nursing the tranny for like 100k ish miles but its finally to the point it needs major overhaul, along with some other bits.

 

My son and I really like his '99 LX V6 coupe, even with the automatic which does not have the best reputation. We've been reasonably consistent in R&R' ing the ATF with OEM fluid over the years and most recently added an external filter as well just before the clocked turned to 130K. Adding the filter was triggered by occasional 'clunking' during 4 to 3 downshifts in stop and go traffic and it's much better with the recent service; so out of habit, we usually keep it to 3rd gear max until we get on a freeway.

So if you run into a candidate vehicle with credible service records and it shifts well in stop and go as well as on the freeway, it's worth considering. Also check for engine oil leaks. Ours has a small leak running down the back that needs to be tracked down; could just be the valve cover and it's not even enough to leave a mark on the ground.

Honda did not ship any V6 Accords in the 6th generaton with manual transmissions; if you find one it's not original (at least in the states). I recently acquired an '04 LX sedan with a 5 speed/ I4. It's a fine car but still prefer driving the '99 V6.

I've also read on other forums that Honda did replace some 6th generation transmissions under warranty and/or customer satisfaction TSBs; and they included an external filter; never seen one personally though.

 

I ended up getting a 2000 EX (auto tranny) with the 2.3 L for cheap off craigslist. I bought this beater as a "lab rat" of sorts for me to practice my R & R skills. From some earlier reading, I was under the impression that the V6 auto tranny was the one with design flaws, now I seem to see that the auto on the 2.3 might have similar problems as well? Is this correct? This car I got has 224K on it. (No service paper trail to speak of) I just changed oil, and ATF. It was pretty dark (coffee colored, smelled OK) I have had no shifting problems in the 2 weeks I've owned it so far.

Question: Do these autos on the 2.3 L fail unusually early? Is it half the time? Does anybody here make it to 300K with the original auto?
Thanks for any input.

 

My transmission started having problems around 100k. I now have about 180k on the clock but I babied it. It finally started getting really bad that it probably needs a rebuild now. Not sure about 300k, I mean anything is possible. I just have never heard good things with the Honda auto trans.