Most likely it will be between 1995-2003.
Anything I should know before going to check out cars?
I will get the vin number and do a carfax report. I will hire a mechanic too to do a preinspection check. Let me know if there is anything else.

Ideally, I would like to use this car for 5 years.

What mileage should I aim for?

 

The 98-02 accords had a higher rate of transmission failures compared to other years.

If you got a manual transmission accord, then any of those years are good.

If an automatic, I would go with the 96, 97, or the 03 accords.

 

1998 - 2002 accords are supposed to have auto trannies that fail early.
Someone else would have details. 5 spds are said to be good any year.

May want to look a certain 'generations' rather than calendar years when choosing one ...

I've had two in the 1990 - 93 generation and liked both, but I don't have a horse in this race ...

welcome to forum, btw

 

Good to know.

 

just recently went thru the same thing, looking for an accord. was glad to come here and find that the 98-02 are BAD for tranny failure. the tranny is the same in both the 4 cyl and V6, holds up better in the 4cyl due to it having to handle 50 horse power less but i came to the conclusion that id be CRAZY to buy either after what i learned here.

In the end, i bought a mint 2000 136K EX-L, 4 cyl with 5spd. I LOVE IT. what a great car, do much more refined compared to the 94 that my ex-wife now drives. I would highly recommend one!.

94-97 are a great car....after 02, I have no advice/experience.

 

Tranny is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT for 4-cyl & V-6. Both have had problems 98-02, but it seems like the V-6 has more problems.

 

I totally fell in love with a 2001 accord. It appears to be very well kept. Now, that you all mention that automatic transmission problems. I guess I need to keep looking. I don't know how to drive a stick shift. So, I am not sure if going with a manual transmission is a good idea for me.

 

Well, it's easy to learn, and it's more fun than an automatic.

There's an awful lot of people with automatic transmission WITHOUT problems. But still, they have more problems than the earlier years.

 

I have a 2001 EX-L V6 (which by definition is an automatic); love the car. The good news is the transmission is working correctly but I so-so-so wish this car had a manual transmission which would make the car better in pretty much every way possible (in my eyes at least). Do yourself a favor, buy a car with a stick, learn to drive it, and enjoy the car.