Okay, my girlfriend is looking to buy an 89 Accord and I'm wondering if there's any problems we should be looking for, or things to check whent taking it for a drive? Are these cars notorious for anything?

Anyone here have any experiences with them? Its got 140,000 kilometers and its nice and cheap.

So, tell me about your 3rd gen Accord.

Thanks.

 

They are awesome cars...especially if fuel injected, and will run for years to come with a little bit of TLC. Take note of the quarter panels near the rear wheels for rust, and take a look at the PS line that runs across the top of the radiator for leaks.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SiZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are these cars notorious for anything?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yea, they're notorious for lasting FOREVER and a week, and being some of the most reliable, durable cars Honda has made. Reliable as HELL! I ain't kidding ya, you can beat the living **** out of them and they just laugh at you! The A20A1 (carb'd) and A20A3 (EFI) were the last of Hondas cast iron blocks, and you probably won't find an engine more bulletproof (more like bomb-proof) than these. If it's an auto and the fluid was changed regularly, then the tranny will hold up no prob. If the fluid wasn't changed though and it's real dark and dirty, the tranny may be questionable as Honda autos don't like being dirty. Manual trans is great! No problems there. In your case, with only 87,000 miles that car still has a TON of life left in it! As for my 3rd gen....my car will be turning 328,000 miles (which is 527,864 km) in another week or so, and literally still runs like it's brand spanking new.... all original engine, tranny, etc. I can barely even hear or feel the thing idle, even with the a/c on. Everything works like a charm except the power antenna.... heat is hot, a/c is nice and cold, all power options work flawlessly. Manual trans still shifts like brand new, hell even the original factory clutch lasted 321,000 miles (516,599 km)! I drive it every single day up and down the Florida turnpike at 80-90 mph and it'll cruise smooth as silk all day long like it's nothing. I use Mobil 1 full synthetic 10w-30 (summer) and 5w-30 (winter), and after 5,000 miles when I change it, it barely even goes through a full quart of oil. I also did a compression test not long ago, and compression ranged from 199-203 psi across all 4 (brand new is 178)

Several of the common things to wear out on 3rd gens are:
-CV boots
-main relay
-worn front and rear motor mounts (if it shakes while idling, it's usually the mounts)
-leaky sunroof
-high pressure power steering hose leakage (but hey mines still original and doesn't leak a drop!)

Nothing major, really. Since you're up north just keep an eye on those rear fenderwells, where just about all Hondas end up rusting at some time or another. If the car is in good shape though and looks like it's been taken care of, go for it! They're not the fastest, but if you're looking for something totally reliable that will start every single time, you sure can't go wrong with a 3rd gen!

Check out http://www.3geez.com for more 3rd gen info

 

Cool, thanks so much for the good input.

So no compalints so far?
She's pretty apprensive about buying a carbed car (her pervious car was a POS Sunfire), but doing so anyway.

 

3rd Gen's are nice!

 

Much love for the 3g Accord!!

Alex

 

Ain't no one feelin tha 3rd gen. Accord//to feel that ya'll aint got no life a.K.a bored//**** all ya'll that hate me//ima here to stay cant u see//that i am tha Rap Prodigy//so follow me//if u ready to die//Accord 3rd Gen. aint even good to get high//in so bye bye//nite nite//bitch dont talk **** on me//ooo yea ha 3rd gen. sux jus ya'll cant see!!!!!!!!!!

 

oh ****, you again?

 

AWWW SNAP.

sup guys.

3g jester here from 3geez

 

I love 3rd gen Accords. My friend have a 89 Se-i. It's very quick!

 

3rd gen accords rule, and they go forever

 

i got 1 for sale... check classfield...