Re: buying recommendation 94 Accord LX Wagon
 

webmaster@tfy.com wrote:

> I recently saw a 1994 Accord LX Wagon for sale by a private party with
> a 106k miles on it. Asking price was $3900. It looks very clean.
>
> I am looking for a car that can last a year without any major repairs.
>
> I was wondering if anyone has any comments on whether or not it is a
> good idea to buy a 94 Accord with this many miles on it?

IF the car has been reasonably maintained, with regular oil/fluid
changes changes being most important, 100k is no big deal for an Accord.

> How many miles can a 94 Accord go before it needs a major repairs?

A whole bunch.

It just so happens that I bought a '92 Wagon last February. It had 140K
well maintained miles. Here's a list of the car's ailments. Most
problems are 'normal' and can be probably be expected, to one degree or
another, with any 100K+ car.

Suspension is sloppy. The car feels vague in crosswinds and meanders
slightly when braking. With all the joints/bushings to check/replace,
this will be a long term DIY project.

The right side drive axle (CV joint) is starting to make noise and will
need replacing soon. The rubber boot is intact, so I'm not sure why
it's having problems. I suspect the joints eventually wear out if the
grease isn't cleaned out and repacked every few years.

Prior owner recently changed the timing belt. This is an absolute must
by 100K. (I think 90K is the service limit.) Bad sh*t will happen if
the belt breaks.

Speaker are shot.

AC worked when I bought it, but has a hidden slow leak. In Tucson, in
June, this is a BAD THING!

The only 'problem' is a sporadic check engine light and occasional
off-idle stumble. The engine code indicates an EGR problem. (This is
hardly 'normal wear,' but is not 100% unexpected either.) I pulled the
access plugs and checked/cleaned the ports to no avail. They were
grungy but still flowing well enough.) It must be the valve or control
solenoid.


On the positive side.

The engine burns only half a quart per 5K miles. After 5.5K miles, the
oil (M1) is finally getting somewhat dark. Clearly, the rings (and
hopefully, the rest of the engine core!) are in great shape. You'll
hear lots of anecdotal reports of 200K Honda engines. They are very
well built and can go forever if you keep the oil clean and fresh.

32~33MPG commute (driving like a granny, anticipating those #$@# red
lights), 36+ freeway if I cruise around along at ~60MPH (two lane state
highways and the like), back to ~31 on the superslab at 70+.

Solid body/interior construction. No rattling doors, broken handles,
disintegrating console knobs, or the like.

Transmission feels great; smooth, sure shits with no hang-ups or synchro
issues. (Filling it with Honda's MTF vastly improved the feel and
shifting ease.)


Overall: I paid 3000 (a little too much?) and am content with what I got.

3900 is probably a few hundred too much, unless it's in superb running
order.

-Greg

Re: buying recommendation 94 Accord LX Wagon
 

webmaster@tfy.com wrote:

> I just found another vehicle for sale by a car dealer. A 1998 Ford
> Escort with 47,800 miles. The dealer wants $5000 for it. Except for a
> small ding in the door, it looks to be in excellent condition. I took
> it for a test drive and it seems pretty good.

> The dealer says he will give me a 60 day warranty.

> I was wondering which is the better car value, a 94 Accord with 106k
> for $3900 (total would be around $4600 when adding the $700 or so for
> timing belt, CV boots to the purchase price) or the 98 Escort with 47k
> for $5000.

How long will you be keeping the car?

For all my opinion is worth (Heh - not much!!), I'd take the Honda as a
long term ride. As with 'dog years' the Ford will age more quickly than
the Honda and will have caught and passed it after another 50K or so.
(150K Honda is arguably a better car than a 100K Escort.) If the seller
will lower the price, I'd take the Whale for sure.

If this is an interim car......Idunnow. Too close to call.

> I did not take the Honda for test drive yet, but hope to do so
> tomorrow.

Take your time and get as complete an impression as possible.


-Greg

Re: buying recommendation 94 Accord LX Wagon
 

webmaster@tfy.com wrote:

> I just found another vehicle for sale by a car dealer. A 1998 Ford
> Escort with 47,800 miles. The dealer wants $5000 for it. Except for a
> small ding in the door, it looks to be in excellent condition. I took
> it for a test drive and it seems pretty good.

> The dealer says he will give me a 60 day warranty.

> I was wondering which is the better car value, a 94 Accord with 106k
> for $3900 (total would be around $4600 when adding the $700 or so for
> timing belt, CV boots to the purchase price) or the 98 Escort with 47k
> for $5000.

How long will you be keeping the car?

For all my opinion is worth (Heh - not much!!), I'd take the Honda as a
long term ride. As with 'dog years' the Ford will age more quickly than
the Honda and will have caught and passed it after another 50K or so.
(150K Honda is arguably a better car than a 100K Escort.) If the seller
will lower the price, I'd take the Whale for sure.

If this is an interim car......Idunnow. Too close to call.

> I did not take the Honda for test drive yet, but hope to do so
> tomorrow.

Take your time and get as complete an impression as possible.


-Greg

Re: buying recommendation 94 Accord LX Wagon
 

webmaster@tfy.com wrote:

> I just found another vehicle for sale by a car dealer. A 1998 Ford
> Escort with 47,800 miles. The dealer wants $5000 for it. Except for a
> small ding in the door, it looks to be in excellent condition. I took
> it for a test drive and it seems pretty good.

> The dealer says he will give me a 60 day warranty.

> I was wondering which is the better car value, a 94 Accord with 106k
> for $3900 (total would be around $4600 when adding the $700 or so for
> timing belt, CV boots to the purchase price) or the 98 Escort with 47k
> for $5000.

How long will you be keeping the car?

For all my opinion is worth (Heh - not much!!), I'd take the Honda as a
long term ride. As with 'dog years' the Ford will age more quickly than
the Honda and will have caught and passed it after another 50K or so.
(150K Honda is arguably a better car than a 100K Escort.) If the seller
will lower the price, I'd take the Whale for sure.

If this is an interim car......Idunnow. Too close to call.

> I did not take the Honda for test drive yet, but hope to do so
> tomorrow.

Take your time and get as complete an impression as possible.


-Greg

Re: buying recommendation 94 Accord LX Wagon
 

Thank you for your information Greg. Very interesting.

I look forward to test driving the Honda to see how it feels. Will
post back.

Greg Campbell wrote:
> webmaster@tfy.com wrote:
>
> > I just found another vehicle for sale by a car dealer. A 1998 Ford
> > Escort with 47,800 miles. The dealer wants $5000 for it. Except for a
> > small ding in the door, it looks to be in excellent condition. I took
> > it for a test drive and it seems pretty good.
>
> > The dealer says he will give me a 60 day warranty.
>
> > I was wondering which is the better car value, a 94 Accord with 106k
> > for $3900 (total would be around $4600 when adding the $700 or so for
> > timing belt, CV boots to the purchase price) or the 98 Escort with 47k
> > for $5000.
>
> How long will you be keeping the car?
>
> For all my opinion is worth (Heh - not much!!), I'd take the Honda as a
> long term ride. As with 'dog years' the Ford will age more quickly than
> the Honda and will have caught and passed it after another 50K or so.
> (150K Honda is arguably a better car than a 100K Escort.) If the seller
> will lower the price, I'd take the Whale for sure.
>
> If this is an interim car......Idunnow. Too close to call.
>
> > I did not take the Honda for test drive yet, but hope to do so
> > tomorrow.
>
> Take your time and get as complete an impression as possible.
>
>
> -Greg

Re: buying recommendation 94 Accord LX Wagon
 

Thank you for your information Greg. Very interesting.

I look forward to test driving the Honda to see how it feels. Will
post back.

Greg Campbell wrote:
> webmaster@tfy.com wrote:
>
> > I just found another vehicle for sale by a car dealer. A 1998 Ford
> > Escort with 47,800 miles. The dealer wants $5000 for it. Except for a
> > small ding in the door, it looks to be in excellent condition. I took
> > it for a test drive and it seems pretty good.
>
> > The dealer says he will give me a 60 day warranty.
>
> > I was wondering which is the better car value, a 94 Accord with 106k
> > for $3900 (total would be around $4600 when adding the $700 or so for
> > timing belt, CV boots to the purchase price) or the 98 Escort with 47k
> > for $5000.
>
> How long will you be keeping the car?
>
> For all my opinion is worth (Heh - not much!!), I'd take the Honda as a
> long term ride. As with 'dog years' the Ford will age more quickly than
> the Honda and will have caught and passed it after another 50K or so.
> (150K Honda is arguably a better car than a 100K Escort.) If the seller
> will lower the price, I'd take the Whale for sure.
>
> If this is an interim car......Idunnow. Too close to call.
>
> > I did not take the Honda for test drive yet, but hope to do so
> > tomorrow.
>
> Take your time and get as complete an impression as possible.
>
>
> -Greg

Re: buying recommendation 94 Accord LX Wagon
 

Thank you for your information Greg. Very interesting.

I look forward to test driving the Honda to see how it feels. Will
post back.

Greg Campbell wrote:
> webmaster@tfy.com wrote:
>
> > I just found another vehicle for sale by a car dealer. A 1998 Ford
> > Escort with 47,800 miles. The dealer wants $5000 for it. Except for a
> > small ding in the door, it looks to be in excellent condition. I took
> > it for a test drive and it seems pretty good.
>
> > The dealer says he will give me a 60 day warranty.
>
> > I was wondering which is the better car value, a 94 Accord with 106k
> > for $3900 (total would be around $4600 when adding the $700 or so for
> > timing belt, CV boots to the purchase price) or the 98 Escort with 47k
> > for $5000.
>
> How long will you be keeping the car?
>
> For all my opinion is worth (Heh - not much!!), I'd take the Honda as a
> long term ride. As with 'dog years' the Ford will age more quickly than
> the Honda and will have caught and passed it after another 50K or so.
> (150K Honda is arguably a better car than a 100K Escort.) If the seller
> will lower the price, I'd take the Whale for sure.
>
> If this is an interim car......Idunnow. Too close to call.
>
> > I did not take the Honda for test drive yet, but hope to do so
> > tomorrow.
>
> Take your time and get as complete an impression as possible.
>
>
> -Greg

Re: buying recommendation 94 Accord LX Wagon
 

Greg Campbell wrote:
>
> Transmission feels great; smooth, sure shits with no hang-ups . . .

------------------------------------------

Yep . . . . We've been increasing our dietary fibre and everything works
better at our house too, except there's less reading time in the day
now.

Stay loose,

'Curly'

Re: buying recommendation 94 Accord LX Wagon
 

Greg Campbell wrote:
>
> Transmission feels great; smooth, sure shits with no hang-ups . . .

------------------------------------------

Yep . . . . We've been increasing our dietary fibre and everything works
better at our house too, except there's less reading time in the day
now.

Stay loose,

'Curly'

Re: buying recommendation 94 Accord LX Wagon
 

Greg Campbell wrote:
>
> Transmission feels great; smooth, sure shits with no hang-ups . . .

------------------------------------------

Yep . . . . We've been increasing our dietary fibre and everything works
better at our house too, except there's less reading time in the day
now.

Stay loose,

'Curly'

Re: buying recommendation 94 Accord LX Wagon
 

<webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
> I was wondering which is the better car value, a 94
> Accord with 106k
> for $3900 (total would be around $4600 when adding the
> $700 or so for
> timing belt, CV boots to the purchase price) or the 98
> Escort with 47k
> for $5000.

To help with this decision, I suggest going to the April
issue of "Consumer Reports." This is its annual car buying
issue. Turn to the matrices indicating reliability of
different cars' sub-systems, based on thousands (a couple
hundred thousand, IIRC) of readers' input. Look up the
matrix for the Ford Escort, then the matrix for the Accord.

Re: buying recommendation 94 Accord LX Wagon
 

<webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
> I was wondering which is the better car value, a 94
> Accord with 106k
> for $3900 (total would be around $4600 when adding the
> $700 or so for
> timing belt, CV boots to the purchase price) or the 98
> Escort with 47k
> for $5000.

To help with this decision, I suggest going to the April
issue of "Consumer Reports." This is its annual car buying
issue. Turn to the matrices indicating reliability of
different cars' sub-systems, based on thousands (a couple
hundred thousand, IIRC) of readers' input. Look up the
matrix for the Ford Escort, then the matrix for the Accord.

Re: buying recommendation 94 Accord LX Wagon
 

<webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
> I was wondering which is the better car value, a 94
> Accord with 106k
> for $3900 (total would be around $4600 when adding the
> $700 or so for
> timing belt, CV boots to the purchase price) or the 98
> Escort with 47k
> for $5000.

To help with this decision, I suggest going to the April
issue of "Consumer Reports." This is its annual car buying
issue. Turn to the matrices indicating reliability of
different cars' sub-systems, based on thousands (a couple
hundred thousand, IIRC) of readers' input. Look up the
matrix for the Ford Escort, then the matrix for the Accord.

Re: buying recommendation 94 Accord LX Wagon
 

I just read an interesting article on Consumer Reports on reliability
as cars get older.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...view/index.htm

According to this article, it seems that the 12 year old Honda will
cause me less trouble than a 8 year old Ford.

The trends in reliability on Consumer Reports only go back as far a
1998 so I could not check the 94 Accord. From 98 till 2005, the Accord
consistenlty gets "Much Better than Average" rating for Used Car
verdict. The Used Car Verdict was Average for the 98 Escort.


Elle wrote:
> <webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
> > I was wondering which is the better car value, a 94
> > Accord with 106k
> > for $3900 (total would be around $4600 when adding the
> > $700 or so for
> > timing belt, CV boots to the purchase price) or the 98
> > Escort with 47k
> > for $5000.
>
> To help with this decision, I suggest going to the April
> issue of "Consumer Reports." This is its annual car buying
> issue. Turn to the matrices indicating reliability of
> different cars' sub-systems, based on thousands (a couple
> hundred thousand, IIRC) of readers' input. Look up the
> matrix for the Ford Escort, then the matrix for the Accord.

Re: buying recommendation 94 Accord LX Wagon
 

I just read an interesting article on Consumer Reports on reliability
as cars get older.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...view/index.htm

According to this article, it seems that the 12 year old Honda will
cause me less trouble than a 8 year old Ford.

The trends in reliability on Consumer Reports only go back as far a
1998 so I could not check the 94 Accord. From 98 till 2005, the Accord
consistenlty gets "Much Better than Average" rating for Used Car
verdict. The Used Car Verdict was Average for the 98 Escort.


Elle wrote:
> <webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
> > I was wondering which is the better car value, a 94
> > Accord with 106k
> > for $3900 (total would be around $4600 when adding the
> > $700 or so for
> > timing belt, CV boots to the purchase price) or the 98
> > Escort with 47k
> > for $5000.
>
> To help with this decision, I suggest going to the April
> issue of "Consumer Reports." This is its annual car buying
> issue. Turn to the matrices indicating reliability of
> different cars' sub-systems, based on thousands (a couple
> hundred thousand, IIRC) of readers' input. Look up the
> matrix for the Ford Escort, then the matrix for the Accord.