Purchasing an 87 LXi hatchback

[aaron212]

Hi all,
New user here. I'm pursuing an '87 LXi hatchback that's in very good condition. 101,000 miles, very little rust, everything works expect for the A/C which does nothing (not even hot air) when turned on. A/C isn't important to me though. Asking price is $1,700. What I'm concerned about is the automatic transmission.

It engages well enough with no slip whatsoever. It just seems like it kinda 'kicks' into each gear with a slight thud. It's not horrible, but I wonder what the future of this tranny will be. Will I end up replacing it way too soon? I checked the manual (very surprised the owner had it) and wanted to check the fluid level, but didn't want to reach between some hot hoses. The same type of thud happens when the car is parked and shifted from park to reverse or park to drive.

So what do you guys and gals think? Thanks!

[BITESIZE]

I will never buy another autmatic 3g. I previously owned an 86 auto and had it rebuilt for $2,000 and it still didn't run right, now I have an 89 auto and the tranny sucks ass as well. BUY A 5 SPEED!!!!

[guaynabo89]

Originally posted by aaron212
The same type of thud happens when the car is parked and shifted from park to reverse or park to drive.

So what do you guys and gals think? Thanks!

That sounds like broken motor mounts.

[Neuspeed87lx]

my automatic 3g did the same .... if shifts hard..... a few of my friends auto 3geez did the same thing..... nothin to worry about .... it sounds like a great deal.... go for it ! ... welcome

[neoblue89lxi]

my dad was a parts manager for the second biggest honda dealership in the us and he constantly tells me that hondas are known to shift hard even my 97 does the same thing don't worry it is normal.

[BITESIZE]

Dude, you'll regret buying an automatic, the tranny's suck. Search around the forum, and if you can find one person that has an automatic that shifts beautifully, then I will shut up.....I'm just trying to save you a hassle.

[Jareds 89 LX-i]

Originally posted by BITESIZE
Dude, you'll regret buying an automatic, the tranny's suck. Search around the forum, and if you can find one person that has an automatic that shifts beautifully, then I will shut up.....I'm just trying to save you a hassle.

Rooz's (SiR) auto tranny shifts beautifully, and I do mean that. I've ridden in it several times. And it's also the completely original tranny with 281,000 something miles.... shifts perfectly.

It's amazing what regular fluid changes do for an auto tranny!

[BITESIZE]

K, I'll shut up! but how do we know it's not a lie?

[neoblue89lxi]

I would advise not to go out and change your transmision if it hasn't been changed for every 30,000 miles because it is a formula for disaster.

Just a heads up.

[BITESIZE]

I heard that from someone else too. If the fluid hasn't been changed in a while,I guess it is better to leave the shitty fluid in. Doesn't make sense....but it does.

[Jareds 89 LX-i]

Originally posted by BITESIZE
K, I'll shut up! but how do we know it's not a lie?

What, you don't believe me? I wouldn't lie! hahah You can ask him yourself, he'll tell ya the same thing

The 3g autos were actually really good as long as you kept the fluid changed. Since the filters are internal and not servicable, if the fluid went unchanged and got dirty, the filters would start to plug up. Once they start to plug, it's downhill from there. But if the fluid is changed like it's supposed to be, the fluid doesn't get dirty and the filter stays relatively clean, and everything operates smoothly and trouble free. Sad thing is, alot of people forget [or don't know] to change the tranny fluid every 20-30k miles, so with cars as old as ours it's hard to say if the previous owners changed the fluid or not, other than checking to see how clean it is.

[neoblue89lxi]

its not worth taking the chance and besides if your trans goes and it's an automatic then it is a perfect excuse to convert to manual.

[Jareds 89 LX-i]

Originally posted by BITESIZE
I heard that from someone else too. If the fluid hasn't been changed in a while,I guess it is better to leave the shitty fluid in. Doesn't make sense....but it does.

That's true.... when the fluid gets dirty, it starts using those dirt particles as friction material. When you drain all that out and put fresh clean fluid in, it now has gaps where the dirt and such that was actually "helping", and it begins to slip. Same thing can happen to your brake master cylinder if the fluid is real dirty, when you change the fluid you may just find your pedal slowly sinking to the floor in the near future.

[aaron212]

Hey thanks for all the replies so far. Like I said the car really is in amazing shape and I was just concerned about the tranny. I've never owned a Honda before, but after reading through many of the posts on this site I'm surprised I haven't become an owner sooner

I doubt the previous owner (who is the only owner of the car since 1987) actively changed the fluid on his own. So what you're saying is if it hasn't been changed in a while, don't change it? Sounds odd. If I do get the car, and it sounds like I will, I should probably get the timing belt checked out soon, eh?

Oh, and I agree on many levels with you Bitesize... I've only owned 1 automatic car out my five past cars. Perhaps I'm just not used to automatics. But if the tranny should happen to die (hope not right away) is it a relatively painless process to install a manual? that would be pretty sweet.

Any one else out there got more advice for a future 3g owner?

[neoblue89lxi]

you will most likely need to get a new altenator, master cylinder, a/c compressor, and some suspension parts. These are just things that all older cars will eventaully need. Check the arm with the ball joint in the wheel well above the tire if the rubber seal looks detiriorated get new ones. I would highly advise it because one of mine broke causing the wheel to fall inward leaning against the well. Luckily i was only going about 15 when this happened. Each new arm for me was about $65.00.

good luck with a new 3g. You'll love it.

[Dibbs]

Oh yeah, the timing belt is a definite. I've heard anywhere from 60-90k miles between replacements. Also, if the previous owner had changed the fluid regularly and you have that shifting "thud" you might want to change the fluid and replace with Honda ATF from the dealer. It's a bit more expensive, a lot actually as far as tranny fluid goes. People are genuinely suprised at the diffference the Honda ATF fluid makes. It's formulated different than the Dexron 3 Mercon fluid that a lot of ppl use.

[markmdz89hatch]

Well, now that I've owned 4 different 3G's, I've seen quite a few things go wrong/right.

Here's my thoughts on these auto tranny's:

If the fluid is not changed regularly (and most are'nt) then 200K seems to be the general lifespan of them.

All 3G auto tranny's I've had do not shift extremely smoothly. Not saying they're rough, but you know when it shifts. I kind of like that, and have not experienced this to be any indication of it's death.

I don't like their gearing at all, but I'm one to push my vehicles, so maybe I'm just too heavy footed.

Anyway, the LX-i's are nice b/c you don't have to worry about the finicky carb issues. Overall, I like the sounds of that deal.

As someone already mentioned, you'll want to at least inspect those rear control arms/ball-joints. Those too usually have a 170-200K mi. life, so you should be fine for a while.

And as for the 5-spd conversion... Personally, I kind of enjoy working on the 3G. Now, with the help of other members here, I've got 2 of these conversions under my belt, and will soon have 3. It's not a tough job at all, but due to the age of the car, there are always a few suprises.

As for the timing belt, yeah, they say every 90K mi. just to be safe. In all reality, if you go over that, just be ware that it has a better chance of breaking then before. Personally, my hatch had it's belt replaced at 90K and it's now at 216K on that same belt. My timing is beginning to foul up a bit due to the belt stretching a little, but I'll change it soon enough.

Hope you get to enjoy that hatch as much as many here enjoy thiers. If you have anything else you want to ask about, go for it, someone will always be able to help.

[aaron212]

I just want to say thanks to everyone for their very helpful advice. I'd decided to buy the car and I will be heading out in a little bit to pick it up. If those of you are interested I can post some pix of my new ride.

Thanks again everyone!

[aaron212]

Picked it up this evening. Here's a quick pic.

[Bonka]

looks to be in MINT condition.

Great find!

[HostileJava]

The shifting a little hard is normal, both auto 3g's that I've owned have done it. BTW, repaint that bumper molding and the car will looks great.

[aaron212]

Heh, I agree. Both the bumper caps are pretty faded. I saw in another post that you used Krylon Fusion paint. Is that still holding up well for you?

[HostileJava]

Still looks real good on the hatch.