In the car, that is. Especially if I don't want to be stranded.
Background: It's a 2.4L automatic coupe. Bought it new and I've been keeping up with routine maintenance, and repair items such as wheel speed sensors and an O2 sensor, and a "power steering line" when that failed 4 years ago. My mileage breaks down to be about 90/10 highway/local.
It seems to work fine with no odd noises or driving characteristics. I try to be gentle with acceleration and braking.
But it is relatively old, and I need to start taking 100 mile weekly trips, which prompted me into dipping my toe into the new car market. $5000 mark ups? Ummm...WUT?
My questions: how confident should I be that some issue won't come up suddenly and leave me stranded? What additional preventative maintenance can I do to improve my odds? (e.g., hoses, PCV, etc). I'm mostly concerned about surprises.
I generally like the car. I'd prefer to keep it rather than be held up by dealership bandits. But I'll do what I need to do.
TIA!
I have a 1999 Honda Accord Coupe, gen 6, with 277K miles. Most of the mileage was accumulated in the first 10 years of the car, 200K miles. And it was basic maintenance until then, including the clutch itself.
Since 200K, I had to change out a starter, a relay, the fuel pump assembly, clutch cylinder. Some wear and tear items like struts and suspension. And eventually changed the timing belt as preventative maintenance.
The only one that left me stranded was the clutch cylinder, which you don’t have.
The one annoying thing that broke was the latch mechanism on the drivers side door. I couldn’t open the door! So crazy. But the drivetrain was amazing.
With your specific gen 7 Accord, you have the K24 engine, one of Honda’s best and most reliable engines ever created. Good thing, because you don’t have a timing belt, but a timing chain!!! Which usually don’t need to be changed.
Engine and transmission wise, I think you should be fine. It’s more the suspension from age that might eventually become an issue, but you will see warning signs before it would leave you stranded.
Keep up with the basic maintenance!!!
FWIW, I still take my 20+ year old car on 500 mile road trips.
IMHO, with 100K miles, your just getting started on your Accord.
Welcome new member!
You have a great car. I think you have a pretty good handle on things (such as the hoses and PCV valve you mentioned). So I think you ought to be able to keep it and monitor it yourself.
Given that it has mostly highway miles, most of the components are probably OK. And a lot of things that could fail unexpectedly on a 20-year-old car won't necessarily leave you stranded (door seals, window motors, and the like).
I'd check the battery frequently, since that is something that could strand you. Might even be worth getting your own batter tester. And of course keep all the fluids fresh. Get a good scan tool too (see FAQ's on the home page) to do your own troubleshooting.
Besides, there is no guarantee that a new car won't leave you stranded, either.
