Pros
None - My Accord has been terribly unreliable, uncomfortable and expensive to keep.
Cons
This car has the durability of a potato chip.
The Bottom Line
I don\'t know why Honda has a reputation for reliability. My domestic cars have been much better.
Full Review
Well, my experience is somewhat different than everyone else\'s. I bought the car in 2003 with 35,000 miles on it. As of this writing, it has 59,300. I bought it from the local Honda dealer and have had everything serviced at Honda. Over the past two years, the car has developed the following problems:
1. The ball joints had to be replaced at 42,000 miles. I live in a rural area with really smooth roads and I do not drive aggressively, so this was some kind of production defect.
2. I had to replace the radiator cap within a week of having the cooling system flushed and filled at the Honda dealership. This would not have been so bad except that Honda installed two different kinds of radiators in \'99 and no one had my cap. I was given the wrong one on several occasions at several different Honda dealers.
3. The driver\'s side tie rod end had to be replaced (see comment one).
4. The car has a manual transmission. Sometimes, it refused to go into first gear unless I let the clutch out while in neutral and try again. I had this checked and was told that there was nothing wrong with the transmission.
5. The engine RPMs do not go down when I shift. When I engage the clutch, the engine acts as if I still have my foot on the accelerator. I had this checked as well; several mechanics at several dealerships noticed this problem. Eventually, after calling American Honda, I was told the \'99 Accords with manual transmissions have some kind of glitch in the computer that causes slow spin-down. Nothing can be done to fix it. So, unless I decelerate before I push the clutch pedal in, the RPMs stay high and I will chew up my clutch.
6. About a year ago, I engine began to make a metallic clattering while cold. I assumed that the valves needed adjustment, but I was recently told by the Honda dealership that my engine has developed a piston slap, which occurs when the cylinder walls take the shape of an oval due to wear and the piston skirts slap against the cylinder until the engine heats. Now, I have had my oil changed every 2000 to 3000 miles only at Honda dealerships. I have used their recommended oil and only genuine Honda oil filters. There is no reason why this engine should be so worn after 59,000. It has not been abused, over-revved or neglected. I am absolutely fanatical about car maintenance.
7. The car pulls to the right. I have had the car aligned several times. It\'s still not fixed. I was told the frame is straight and the front end (after replacing the ball joints and tie rod end) are in good shape.
8. Recently, I started smelling gasoline in the oil, which can indicate piston blow-by or a fuel injector problem.
Generally, I\'m not picky about cars. I traded my 1992 Buick Century for this car because, after 11 years of use and 125,000 miles, one problem after another developed. I thought that the Honda would be a good, reliable car that would be relatively cheap to keep. However, I have spent more money on this thing in two years than I spent in 11 on my Buick. I don\'t get it.
In addition, it drives like a truck, handles poorly and makes a lot on noise on the highway. But I would be able to overlook these problems if the car were not such a money pit. What\'s gonna go wrong next? The mechanic at the Honda dealership said that he thought the clutch was slipping. I haven\'t felt anything yet, but it wouldn\'t surprise me. I cannot recommend this car. If you already own one, I hope that you have better luck than I have.