When did the accord trans weakness start to drop? 03 was a new body style. Were the 4cyl 03 trans better than 02? 04? 05? I am trying to stay around $3k and don't want another bum unit like my 01 V6. Does it make any difference if you get a V6 vs 4cyl?

 

The 98-02 (6th gen Accord's)had more than their share of issues. In those (4 and 6 cyl) a sticking valve in the valve body would cut flow to the trans cooler below 2~2.5K rpm's.....sitting in traffic they would just cook. A good trans shop would know this and "update" the valve and things would be good to go.

Outside of that I can't say there are any real "known" issues.

 

Well, you have to completely tear down trans to update valve body. Which means overhaul. Which means $$$. Were the 04 trans better/worse than an 02 trans? How new of an accord do I have to buy to get a statistically better trans? Or just bail and get a Toyota?

 

From what I understand Honda fixed the AT trans problem with the later mid 03's. However, Honda does have an issue with 3rd gear in the 04 thru 07 6speed MT's. There's even a TSB #08-020 on them as I was doing a search for my son's 07 Civic Si 4 door sedan (yes it qualifies) to see if others were having the same problem.

 

Well, that's good to know if I buy a manual trans car. But I want an auto trans. So, 05 or newer. And as low miles as possible. Not sure what's wrong with mine. It shifts too early in all 4 gears. I test drove an identical car and I could tell each shift was at a higher speed. My car shifts 2-3 at 30mph. Test car shifts 2-3 at 38 mph. And so on. Ya maybe trans overheated and some o-ring blew where fluid pressure is leaking past and it affects ALL my gears?

 

If you want an auto - as stated try to stay away from the 6th gen Accord's (98-02)....then get as new/low miles/good maintenance records as your budget allows.

 

Are you suggesting you want to buy a transmission from a 2005 Accord and put it in your 2001? If so I don't believe that will work; you'll be far better off if you simply buy a quality remanufactured unit for your 2001.

 

Good point . I read this at first like the OP was getting/wanting a whole new car.....

 

No. The 01 will be gone soon. I want a newer car. Commuter? Purely functional. What do I want? A car with a good rep for reliability.

 

Oddly enough, your 2001 V6 Accord has a pretty darn good reputation for reliability once the transmission has been remanufactured with the latest updates. I'm still thinking that is a great option for you.