Honda Accord

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Mon 29 Jul 2002 09:43
Honda Accord - Monaro
Hey all

Your collective wisdom is needed. My flat-mate has just put a deposit down on a car and now wants some advice on what to look out for on this particular model (wrong way round I know). This is where I am hoping some of you have either long memories or old cars. This being NZ, it is a Honda Accord of the 1980 vintage. I have had a look at it and it seems fine but I was wondering if any of you knew of its weaknesses? It is a automatic with an overdrive mode, a city mode and a normal mode. Not sure what size engine it is but it's in so much better nick that a similar age car in the UK would have. It has no surface rust beneath its original lime green paintwork (urgh) and there is no evidence of any major prangs. It seems to be mechanically fine too, with a new WOF (NZ for MOT). For $700 (about 210 quid they can't go far wrong) and get this for insurance - $500 for 4 young drivers - one of whom is 17! Makes my UK insurance renewal make me cry. (You may remember me asking about that a while back.) So now in the flat it is an Accord and a Skyline. Any other suggestions now I'm looking? But back to the main point - anyone have any gems of wisdom on this car?


Paul C
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Mon 29 Jul 2002 12:57
Honda Accord - Harmattan
As HJ indicates, it is generally rust that finishes off these 70s and 80s Hondas under the UK's salty winter conditions. I would add only to check the floor pan towards the outer edge in front of the rear wheels, and around jacking points. In the UK would probably already be patch welded. Check that crud hasn't lodged around the petrol filler tubing leading from the filler to the tank and helped rust away the metal tubing. Easy to replace but basically impossible to find the proper part in the UK, at least, other than in a breakers. If there is any pinholing showing it has rusted and allowed diret or rust flakes in the tank, I would also change the fuel filter which is probably down there just where the fuel line leaves the tank.

David
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Tue 30 Jul 2002 04:24
Honda Accord - Monaro
I have since had a chance to look at the car and it appears to be free from rust in all the places that you have mentioned, and it has had a timing belt change. Only time will tell but as it has been bought to last only a year then it does look good. Thanks to HJ and DM for your comments.


Paul C
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