1/4 million miles
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4
1/4 million miles
Hello,
I own a '94 LX (2.2 liter, auto trans) which I purchased new; it just recently turned over 250,000 miles on the original engine and transmission. For the most part it has been a reliable mode of transportation. Very soon it will need a major service, i.e. timing belt/water pump replacement (the third one). It's also developed a fairly significant oil leak (1 qt. every 1,000 miles or so) in the front of the engine which I think maybe a camshaft seal. I'm probably looking at least a $1,000 repair bill at my local Honda dealer.
Although it looks a bit rough with its faded paint and worn out interior it still runs well so I'm considering having the work done. Here is my question: Are there any owners of this generation Accord that have pushed the quarter million mile mark? If so, have you encountered any additional major repairs, most notably transmission problems?
I should mention that most of the maintenance and repair was done on schedule by Honda dealerships. I would be investing a considerable sum of money in a car that is worth no more than $2,500 at best so I'm interested in what others have to say. All comments are welcome and will help me decide whether or not to repair. Thank you in advance.
I own a '94 LX (2.2 liter, auto trans) which I purchased new; it just recently turned over 250,000 miles on the original engine and transmission. For the most part it has been a reliable mode of transportation. Very soon it will need a major service, i.e. timing belt/water pump replacement (the third one). It's also developed a fairly significant oil leak (1 qt. every 1,000 miles or so) in the front of the engine which I think maybe a camshaft seal. I'm probably looking at least a $1,000 repair bill at my local Honda dealer.
Although it looks a bit rough with its faded paint and worn out interior it still runs well so I'm considering having the work done. Here is my question: Are there any owners of this generation Accord that have pushed the quarter million mile mark? If so, have you encountered any additional major repairs, most notably transmission problems?
I should mention that most of the maintenance and repair was done on schedule by Honda dealerships. I would be investing a considerable sum of money in a car that is worth no more than $2,500 at best so I'm interested in what others have to say. All comments are welcome and will help me decide whether or not to repair. Thank you in advance.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 525
From: MA
My 99 5sp just turned 230,000 miles, body is very good, no ding, dent or rust, but it burned 1qt of oil every 300 miles so i replace the engine a couple week ago with 20k miles on it. Depending how much you like the car and decide keeping the car and get it fix or not.
Last edited by piggylover1985; Jun 24, 2011 at 08:28 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4
My 99 5sp just turned 230,000 miles, body is very good, no ding, dent or rust, but it burned 1qt of oil every 300 miles so i replace the engine a couple week ago with 20k miles on it. Depending how much you like the car and decide keeping the car and get it fix or not.
Hello Piggy, thanks for taking time to reply. Looks like I'm not going to get much feedback on my request. Man, you really did some driving on your 99, didn't you. Are you a travelling salesman? Anyways, I don't burn oil in mine (yet), just a leak and need for timing belt replacement. I've never done a compression test on my engine but it seems to run pretty good.
No, I don't love my Honda but if I thought it might last another couple of years I'd condsider doing the repair. May even take a stab at doing it myself. With the price of gas, could still pay off.
Regards, John in Colorado
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 525
From: MA
A new car payment is alot more than $1,000 right ? And if you are going to find something else, who knows what's going to be wrong with it next, could be a transmission or something that cost big bucks in repair in the near future. After all you had the car for so long, you know how well the car is holding up.And up here in MA there are many Hondas/Acuras for sale in craigslist with around 200k and they still want 3-4k for it, it's like they made of gold or something.
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 79
From: Bergen County, NJ
Used car prices are going up so if you plan on buying something used in the next 2 years you should keep that in mind.
Consider your total cost of ownership per year until this point. Let's say your car was $17k new in 1994. That means you have spend $1,000/year for your car (not including whatever you have spend so far on upkeep). If you spend $1,000 on maintenance and it lasts another 2 years that lowers your average annual cost from $1000/year to just under $950/year. Then again, waiting 2 years to buy a new/used car might mean spending an extra $1,500 as prices go up in which case you are better off upgrading now. Jumping back though, if your car is currently worth $2,500 and you spend $1,000 now and the value of your car increases to $3,000 in 2 years from now then you will recoup half of your investment.
I'm sure I'm just making the decision more complicated for you, but basically I would consider each option and do the math for each one. Also include other factors such as access to a second car for emergencies, likelihood of having to purchase a car or other large investment for a spouse, etc.
How many options do you have?
1) Do nothing and drive the car until it dies. (and risk losing the $2,500 it is worth)
2) Sell for $2,500 and upgrade today. (and risk the unknowns of a new car, but hedge against rising used car prices)
3) Fix the car and sell it in X years. (you might recoup some of your investment, but you risk new and costlier repairs that will kill the value of the car)
Consider your total cost of ownership per year until this point. Let's say your car was $17k new in 1994. That means you have spend $1,000/year for your car (not including whatever you have spend so far on upkeep). If you spend $1,000 on maintenance and it lasts another 2 years that lowers your average annual cost from $1000/year to just under $950/year. Then again, waiting 2 years to buy a new/used car might mean spending an extra $1,500 as prices go up in which case you are better off upgrading now. Jumping back though, if your car is currently worth $2,500 and you spend $1,000 now and the value of your car increases to $3,000 in 2 years from now then you will recoup half of your investment.
I'm sure I'm just making the decision more complicated for you, but basically I would consider each option and do the math for each one. Also include other factors such as access to a second car for emergencies, likelihood of having to purchase a car or other large investment for a spouse, etc.
How many options do you have?
1) Do nothing and drive the car until it dies. (and risk losing the $2,500 it is worth)
2) Sell for $2,500 and upgrade today. (and risk the unknowns of a new car, but hedge against rising used car prices)
3) Fix the car and sell it in X years. (you might recoup some of your investment, but you risk new and costlier repairs that will kill the value of the car)
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4
Hello SShaaron, thanks for taking time to reply. Yes, I follow your logic but I was looking for some actual examples from Accord owners. And I found some at another web site, Honda Beat. They have a section for high mileage Hondas. Check it out, very informative.
Regards, John
Regards, John
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