I just bought accord 97 EX 6 cyl but the first thing I noticed was that the transmission fluid was dark and needs to be replaced. After a lot of reading about automatic transmission fluids, I am left with the impression that Honda ATF-Z1 and ATF-DW1 are the two best options. I will appreciate any advice

 

I'm pretty sure DW1 is the "new version" of official Honda ATF, so you might not find Z1 at a dealer?

I'm a fan of having 3 pedals, so I don't know firsthand. But lots of people have said that for ATF you really want to use actual Honda fluid.

 

Yes, Z was replaced to DW. Local stores (carquest) carry this for $7.99 a qt. You might be able to get a better price at the dealer.....or online, just include the shipping and compare the "per qt" price with shipping. My local dealer knows me so if I buy by the case it is ~$6 per quart....one weekend when my memory and math was off, what is new, I had to grab a quart from carquest.