Hi everyone, recently my dad gave me a 1999 Honda accord for my first car. I am very excited, however the car has 324,000 miles on it . I've been told that this car has been taken care of. My question is how long would you expect this car to last before it has major issues. Also, what Are some common causes of failure With accords

 

Welcome to HAF Xito. Wow 324,000 miles is alot even for a Honda. Try to find out when the timing belt was last replaced, if more than 100,000 miles ago, put that on the top of the list for things to do. Regular fluid changes with the correct Honda fluids will go along way in the longevity of your new to you ride. I am not aware of any specific issues on that model, others will chime in I am sure. Enjoy the new ride and add a picture, we like pictures.

 

Yes, welcome to HAF.

Is this an auto or manual trans?

 

It's automatic

 

Here is a pic.

 

Xito, congrats on your first car.

I'd simply check the fluid levels (power steering, tranny, radiator coolant, brake, engine oil) and top off. 1st two use Honda brand fluid; 2nd three use any brand.

Engine oil: keep using the same brand / viscosity / oil change interval that your father used.

Other than that I'd just drive it for next 5 months and worry about maintenance or repair in the summer months after school's out.

 

Looks like the driver's side seatbelt receiver needs to be replaced; that should get rid of the annoying SRS light.

 

+300K on one of these is not that bad....had a 95 with ~385K that only lost to "driver error".....still miss that car and wish the youngest hadn't messed up but he's ok so I should be happy.

Fluids, yes keep them changed. Being an auto trans, change the trans fluid every 15~20K......the 98-02 auto trans had an issue so you want to keep fresh fluid in them.

Timing belt "jobs" should be done every 100K.

Other than that the regular stuff, enjoy the ride.

 

First. Avoid any heavy cleaners. Sea foam and stuff like it can actually cause more problems then you could even have. Avoid those things.

Regular preventive maintenance will help ur cat a lot. Standard rule is major tuneup every 60-100000 miles, that would be spark plugs, wire, rotor and cap, timing belt and water pump, fuel filter, air filter [or as needed or get washable one].
oil changes about 6-10000 miles, depends on how u drive, where u r, what u use, and how well your oil is lasting.
Don't forget tire rotations about 5-6000 miles to help them last too, and alignment check is always a good idea.
Get ur front end checked out, cv axles, ball joints, tie rods, and so on, Hondas should not have any play at all in the front end. Play means worn out parts, sooner you fix it the less you will have to do.

That would be a good start.

 

The biggest question mark is the automatic transmission. As was previously stated, this generation of Accords had issues. My 2000 has 212k on it. It has the "flare" 2-3 shift (especially when cold), but otherwise shifts okay. I put mostly highway miles on it and plan to keep it going until the trans goes (no telling how long that will be). I swap out 3 quarts of Honda ATF every 10k miles.