1986 Accord DX, Need advice.

[tiefling]

Hi guys, first post... not sure I'm in the right place. Basically lately I've been doing some soul searching. I have been saving up to buy/work on a mid 90's or late 90's civic or integra but I stumbled on this forum and fell in love with some of the cars on here. I do love my Accord. It's been so faithful and it's such an honest car. Imho it has a nice body shape and I LOVE LOVE LOVE 80's cars. So basically here's the deal:

This is my 1986 Accord DX Hatch. It has an A20A1, Completely stock. The motor is fairly new, (100k miles lol) and the body is in decent condition with only a few very minor bumps and scrapes. I'm considering making a project out of it.

The interior is in pretty rough shape, the pic doesn't really show it but the door panels (at the top) is really weather damaged and I will probably need new door panels and seats. The seats are REALLY tore up. Maybe I can source some from a CRX or a junkyard Accord.

The drivers side corner marker is broken, probably an easy junkyard fix, and the rear right tail light is broken, but functional. A not-so-easy junk yard find...

What do you guys think? Should I give her a new lease on life or just forget it?

I don't want to spend more than about 3000$ total. But I am very picky. So it'll be a simple well made done right deal if I do it. I don't care if its fast. But she needs to look good. Opinions welcome!

(sorry, I took the pics when I got home so hella dark lol)

[obdriver6]

I say keep it. Its has low miles and seems like it has no rust. Most of the interior pieces could be found at the JY. My door panels were also messed up but I got those reupholster. You can also upgrade to prelude seats. The corner light is an easy find but the tail light is a bit more challenging, you might want to post that in the wanted section if you can't find it. These cars are very reliable if you take care of them.

[tiefling]

I say keep it. Its has low miles and seems like it has no rust. Most of the interior pieces could be found at the JY. My door panels were also messed up but I got those reupholster. You can also upgrade to prelude seats. The corner light is an easy find but the tail light is a bit more challenging, you might want to post that in the wanted section if you can't find it. These cars are very reliable if you take care of them.

Might have misled a bit... the motor has around 100k, the frame has about 300k on it, rofl...

[mikekaos]

keep ittttt....

[charliekuney]

A hatch with that straight of a body? Keep it, even with 300k+ on the body. At least you have a newer engine that you don't have to worry about. Get a new corner light, a new tail light, matching wheel covers (or none at all), new seats and door panels, clean it up and call it good. Savor the excellent gas mileage and reliability that you don't find in a lot of other cars.

[parkersnine]

The question is, is it worth you putting your hard earned money into ? The end result is likely a car that is worth more to you than actual cash value . Often the process of research and of the project is as important as the completed project. Our family has had four of this generation Accords and they represent a great value in fun transportation . The answer would be easy for me! Go for it!

[obd0driver]

keep its. You would spend more time and money trying to find a clean body 90's civic/integra. and that means less money to fix it. your $3000 will get you more this way.

[obdriver6]

Might have misled a bit... the motor has around 100k, the frame has about 300k on it, rofl...

Mine does too, engine (maybe) and body! lol

[tiefling]

Alright guys you convinced me. Gonna do it. First on the list is junkyard weekend! I know the pick-a-part here in fresno doesn't have any hatchbacks. So finding the tail lights is going to be tough. Then I need to figure out how to make the dang suspension stop squeaking haha... Small steps first xD

[86ccord]

These cars are starting to become popular lately.... i say keep it. pretty soon it will be the new "Integra" or "civic". Some times i wish i would have kept mine.

[ecogabriel]

The question is, is it worth you putting your hard earned money into ? The end result is likely a car that is worth more to you than actual cash value . Often the process of research and of the project is as important as the completed project. Our family has had four of this generation Accords and they represent a great value in fun transportation . The answer would be easy for me! Go for it!

As you said, the road may be as exciting as the destination. I have had fun fixing my old 3G even though my aims were getting a reliable DD and little else.
The hatchie looks straight in the photos and with a 100K engine I would say rejuvenate it and drive it until the wheels fall off, that in these cars may never happen.
3Gs are still a sight on the roads although good ones are getting rarer and rarer; hatchbacks are rarer still. There used to be one on sale not far away from home and it did not last long
If you are adventurous you may want to do an EFI conversion, but it is an involving job from what I have read.