Just as the title asks; I am looking at 2000 Accord EX's Both are sedans w/ automatics.

One the first one, I've found that it has had no alternator or transmission problems in its 72000 mile history. He is asking 12,300.

The other one has had its transmission replaced back in June (at 71,000 miles). It's also still on the factory alternator. She wants ~11,500 obo.

My question to all of you who know Accords better than me (which is just about everyone here), which car would go with? Please don't make price your deciding factor. I guess where I am going with ths is, do the cars that have bad trannys continue to have bad trannys - like the cars just eat them up or something? Or is it just rotten luck for the people that have gone through 2 or 3 transmissions?

By the way, the lady had a local Honda dealer do the transmission, it was done under warrenty - I've called the dealer to verify this.

Thank you all very much,

Steve

 

id say choose the one with the rebuilt tranny because it could have been that the tranny was not even that bad in the 1st place & honda mechanics would recommend any high cost service and if you have verified honda has rebuilt it, you can count on its reliabilty & should include warranties. Are both clean title accords?

 

another thing to keep in mind, auto trannys for honda/acura are not as durable/reliable as toyota auto trannys. but honda/acura manual trannys are flawless

 

Dazzlin714 -

Thank you for the quick reply. Yes, both cars have clean titles (verified with CarFax). The car that has transmission history, I guess Honda actually replaced the tranny under warranty. I don't know if they replace trannys with rebuilts or 'factory fresh' units.

I would consider the manual, but this is going to be a family car - and I think for its function an auto is going to be a better choice

The one thing I'm thinking is, the newly rebuilt one can still have maintance done on it. Whereas the original one (w/ 72K miles) you shouldn't change the ATF with those high of miles.

Also, what causes the trannys to fail, does anyone know?

Thank you,

Steve

 

if the 72k mile car has not had the tranny fluid replaced AT LEAST 2 times it should be avoided. honda auto trannes' should have the fluid changed at minimum every 30k miles, but better they should be done every 15k miles...

 

Steve,

Just one more suggestion.

Go to your local Honda service dept and tell the service advisor that you will be purchasing a Honda and you will bring to him/her for service. Get this person's card.

Then, ask him about Honda tranny's. Which Honda would this person purchase, as you described?

As for the alternator, I don't feel that's a big deal. I got a replacement installed at a local shop for $125.