srry if my question could've went into another thread but im new here and i really need help.I am looking to buy a honda accord and more specifically the 2003 year model because it 's the only one with the new look that i can afford ,but while i was reading online reviews i was shocked by the amount of the people complaining about the transmission defects the cars has and people replacing their transmission 2 or even 3 times ,i want to ask how serious is the transmission problem ? and if i could know if the tranmission wouldn't give me any hard time because im forking out all my savings to buy this car ,i just graduated from college and it's gonna be the first car i buy.

 

the transmission problems were with the 1999-2002 V6 accords (i believe).

I believe, a 2003 4cyl would be unaffected and a 2001-2002 4cyl would also be unaffected.

 

further, i recommend negotiating with the dealer, review the owner's manual for scheduled maintenance. full fluid changes, timing belt, etc. should be included with the purchase (assuming you buy from a dealer).

if you buy from a private party, plan on setting aside a grand to tune up the car. that doesn't include new tires.

a Honda can give you a good life, don't hesitate to get one with 100k miles on it, just recognize the required maintenance.

 

Tranny problems are with automatics. Get a manual tranny, those are bulletproof.

 

Jim-so the accord 2003 automatic 4 cylinders does have the transmission problem too ? cz the thing is, buying a manual tranny is out of the question,cz even though im 21 , i have back problems(shocking :P)

 

The 2003 4-cyl engine & tranny are COMPLETELY different from earlier, they're even mounted opposite sides of the engine bay. But I've heard people talking about auto-tranny problems with 4-cyl cars into 2003 & 2004. I honestly don't know if that's real, or if that's 2nd-hand stories by people who don't know about the new-for-2003 K-series engine. The 1998-2002 4-cyl cars DID have auto-trans problems, but I guess not as bad as the V-6 cars.

Getting a manual was kind of a wise@#$ remark, I didn't intend to be mean.

 

haha man ,i didn't think it was mean it's just im kind of stuck in the middle of my back problem and spending 13 k $ on a car that the transmission would maybe fail on me .
10x for ur help and 10x to keep_ur_hope_alive too.

 

If you get one, I'd change the tranny fluid more often than the book says. Seems like Honda tries to use stupid long intervals for tranny fluid.

Use HONDA ATF-Z1 fluid, don't use Dexron. Drain & fill; Honda autos don't like to be "power-flushed".