w261w261
05-04-2007, 06:34 AM
In another thread, I commented on the general lack of 3G around, at least here in SW Connecticut. Seems like they're still in good numbers in CA, at least.
But unless you're an enthusiast keeping one up, eventually, all the beaters will die. Already, most of the 4G don't look so hot (why Honda can't get the rust thing under control as the Europeans did 25 years ago is a blemish on them), and so I think we should start to think about what's going to happen when Mother Honda stops with the parts. For a preview, look at the 2G..I guess there's virtually nothing available OEM now.
For awhile, the yards will provide spares, but that's really dependent on scrap prices. When prices are up, bye-bye.
Typically, for collector cars, when OEM makers stop, the few remaining NOS parts increase in value until it becomes economically feasible for someone to build a new piece. In our case, I'm not sure anyone is going to do that, because the cars aren't that collectible. I'm not going to count on it.
So the question becomes, are there any parts, now available from Honda, that an (intended) long-term owner should lay in? Ones that aren't available as replacements in the aftermarket. I can think of one...a couple of the little coolant hoses that go to the fast idle valve, etc. They're odd sizes, and have the curves built in. Might be very hard to duplicate if Honda didn't offer them.
Anyone think of any others?
But unless you're an enthusiast keeping one up, eventually, all the beaters will die. Already, most of the 4G don't look so hot (why Honda can't get the rust thing under control as the Europeans did 25 years ago is a blemish on them), and so I think we should start to think about what's going to happen when Mother Honda stops with the parts. For a preview, look at the 2G..I guess there's virtually nothing available OEM now.
For awhile, the yards will provide spares, but that's really dependent on scrap prices. When prices are up, bye-bye.
Typically, for collector cars, when OEM makers stop, the few remaining NOS parts increase in value until it becomes economically feasible for someone to build a new piece. In our case, I'm not sure anyone is going to do that, because the cars aren't that collectible. I'm not going to count on it.
So the question becomes, are there any parts, now available from Honda, that an (intended) long-term owner should lay in? Ones that aren't available as replacements in the aftermarket. I can think of one...a couple of the little coolant hoses that go to the fast idle valve, etc. They're odd sizes, and have the curves built in. Might be very hard to duplicate if Honda didn't offer them.
Anyone think of any others?