New Here, Considering a 3rd Gen..

[Bonka]

Hey fellow members, I wandered here from a forum of a board..

Anyways, I am no owner of a 3rd gen, well not now anyways. I currently drive a 98 Maxima SE which I'm starting to save up for modifications.

I'm looking for a "beater", ummm, more appropriately called a "daily" driver. Something smaller, can run on 87 octane, reliable and is a tank. Actually I knew an "acquaintance" who owned an 89 EX sedan and it drove admirably, until he totalled it.

Anyways, after browsing through the threads and using the search, I haven't found anything quoting the differences between 2 particular models, the EX-i and the LX-i. Just curious to know if there are any particular differences between those two?

I already know they're reliable, many 200,000km + can be found used around my area. I'm starting to "casually" look for one; is there a specific year I should be eyeing for? At this point, my focus is on either an 88 or 89 EX-i or LX-i sedan.

Also I'd like to get an idea what you guys feel about your own Accords.

Sorry for the long and numbing post, hope you guys can help a "prospective" feeler :wave:

[dXsquared]

EXi is canadian LXi... we dont have LXi in canada.... when it says LXi.. its an exi.. and i have 400 000 km's on my hatch

Travis

[A20A1]

EX-I and LX-I are the same... both fuel injected models of the accord.
EX was the canadian badging though... and LX was used in the US

[dXsquared]

lol... we were typin at the same time mike

Travis

[A20A1]

Damn you beat me too it.
Anyways I love my car and I wouldn't give it up... easily.

[Bonka]

Woops, I probably should've posted in that Newbie forum instead. D'oh.

Thanks for the clearup guys. I do remember running across a couple of LX-i's on Buysell. I suppose they came from the states.

Rust seems to be a problem with the 3rd gens..Maintanence wise, besides the regular oil changes and tune ups, anything on these that tend to go bad fast?

[A20A1]

You may need to replace old coolant hoses and old vacuum lines since some of them haven't been replaced since the car was made.

Things that tend to go out and cause problems.
- Water pump
- Radiator fan thermal switch

The water pump found on our cars sometimes is a very low quality part. I've replaced 3 pumps so far (on 3 seperate accord motors) and the rebuilt ones I get all have a cast iron impeller... while the low grade pumps I remove have sickly looking metal fin impeller, which in my opinion looked liked something a 3 year old would design. I've heard the bearings also tend to fail quicker on the lower grade water pumps. And the bearing giving out is usually why the pump is replaced.

I guess the thermal switch that activates the fan just gets old and dies out. If you nottice the fans don't come on when the coolant temp guage is reading hot, and you know your coolant is full and the thermostat is ok, then check the fuses and the fan to make sure there is power and the fan works... if thats ok then it's most likely the thermal switch is bad.

[danronian]

Also if your looking at higher mileage 3g's, I would also consider the CV joints. I bought mine which had 140K mi. and had to replace both of them in the first month because they both ripped and were clicking badly. They shafts only cost $60 a piece but if you arent installing them yourself your total bill could be around $300. Also be sure they previous owner has proof of installation of a new timing belt because if they snap valves can be bent(that is if you can not visually see that it was installed). Also, I put 87 in my 3g once and it pinged in every gear, I have to use high test whenever I fill up. It doesnt bother me though since the car gets great gas mileage(up to avg 34 mpg).
I would say overall the cars are great in all weathers, and mine, with 150k mi. on is just as smooth running as a newer car and burned no oil after a 200 mile trip at 80mph. I think it would be a great daily driver. Mainly because that is exactly what it is for me.

[babboyyawdie]

If your looking for a beater, 3gee is the way to go.:D

[pimp86LX]

i paid $100 for my old beat up 3g. I decided to keep this one stricktly beater as the cost of fixing rust is just too high. When i first got it i did a full tune up, replaced, drive belts, timing belt, axels and front end suspension. (upper&lower balljoints, wheel bearings, all bushings, etc...) the total ran me just over a few hundred bucks. Weather everything needed replacing is debateable but it rides like brand new!. It has just over 200,000km on it and i havn't had to even touch the engine. well wait, i adjusted the timing cause my smog test was showing something odd. but the timing was way off so i fixed that quick.

a 3g is a very reliable machine. Not too fast but handles great(in the snow too!) and its very durable. In the future (aka when i get a real job) im going to buy a mint 89 ex-i and pimp it out.

For some reason though the resale value of 3g's in the states is incredibly high. Around here i've seen about 5 or 6 3g's for sale. Some beat up some mint. And the highest price i've seen is $1800CAD.


Cliff notes: 3g's rule, buy one now!