Hey guys what's up. I'm going to buy an Accord once I sell my current car, and I'm trying to find out which model has less problems. The price range I'm looking at will put me into either a 92/93 or a 94/95 model year (however I'm open to spending more to get a 96+ if I think it will be a far better experience). From searching the forum a bit I've come to understand that the 5th gen has several well-known problems, including the following:

- Possible balancer shaft seal defect (factory recall)
- Power windows slow (all accords, I had the same problem on my old '86)
- Fuel gauges can read incorrectly when full
- Tachometers can read incorrectly
- Power antenna can rattle when retracting
- Engine buzz from the exhaust at 1800 rpm.
- Heater control cables can pull out so heat doesn't work

Are some/all of these problems also common to the 4th gen? Know of any problems I missed? In people's experience/opinions, which is the better designed and built car? To avoid wasting anyone's time, I would also want you to know that I don't plan to modify this car at all. I'm looking for a boring but reliable/comfortable commuter car.

 

From a style aspect...I'd go for 5th, and likely because it's newer, it should be in better shape.

Yeah, every car has a few problems...but a 5th gen Accord is going to have fewer than the average car. It's a HONDA!

Too bad you have to get rid of the IS...nice car.

 

Oh yeah, it's definitely nice. But I'm wasting it, it's a sin! I'm putting almost 100 unenjoyable highway miles on every day I go to work. That plus the huge monthly payment (I'm purchasing, not leasing) and the insurance is $240 per month (on a '95 Accord my ins. co. quoted me $106).

By the way may I say that your Accord is beautiful! I love cars like yours that have a few very simple, effective mods and are left at that.

 

Obviously a 5TH Gen. will have less problems... plus it looks like a much newer car... and if you like the IS style then you would for sure like the 4 Door 5TH Gen. Accord. As far as some of your list...

- Fuel gauges can read incorrectly when full... I used my odometer for a while, and now my guage fixed its self... now it still wont go completely full but I know it is so who cares??

- Power antenna can rattle when retracting... This happens to tons of cars... Is it really a big deal? If you get a Coupe then there is no external antenna... it is built into the rear windshield wireing.

- Engine buzz from the exhaust at 1800 rpm... This isn't a "problem"... Some might find it annoying but if you get headers intake or even just exhaust then you cant hear it... Its no big deal AT ALL. I never noticed it at all before I got my exhaust... and now its just nice and loud right there.

- Heater control cables can pull out so heat doesn't work... This IMO is the worst problem in my car... As of now my knob is too hard to turn so the plastic on the back of the knob that goes around the metal shaft cracked... So you cant tell its broken, but when I want to change Temp. (twice a year :fawk: ), I have to whip out the needle nose plyers. Either way I hear it isn't expensive to fix... I just don't care that much.

- Possible balancer shaft seal defect (factory recall)... I've never heard of this happening. I personally had a oil seal bust, and all my oil leaked out of my engine... So I had to get my car towed and fixed... But Honda payed for most of it, it was a recall, and they even saved me an ass load of cash cause I had my timing belt and water pump replaced at the same time... Some oil leaked on the timing belt so that part was free! .

- Tachometers can read incorrectly... Never heard of this happening... I hope it doesn't happen to me!

Oh and the windows, yeh mine are kinda slow I guess, isn't even a small deal. I can wait the extra 5 seconds. :fawk:

Any other problems you'd like more info on? I'd like to add that the CV boots usually need to be replaced usually at about 125k miles or so... and obviously there is the timing belt/water pump thing.

Either way good luck with the Accord and I hope you get a 5TH Gen.

 

you realize that 90-97s are basically the same car, but with different interior and bodies. most problems found on 5th gens will be found on 4th gens.

a 5th gen looks better, is newer, should have less mileage so it should be a better car.

 

Dude, good info Aados! I hear you on all points. I probably will get a 94 or 95. Having read a bunch of negative comments about them this morning and not seeing anything about the 4th genners just made me wonder.

Sleeper, you're right...I think that's partly why Japanese cars are more reliable than American cars. Once they figure out how to make a good part, they carry it over from year to year instead of redesigning every new car from the ground up the way we do (this is also how they are profitable while we are not...we're spending a lot of $ on new designs and they aren't).

So I figure it doesn't really matter which body style I get, it's just a matter of how many miles I want on it and what price I'm willing to pay. And of course, looks. Yeah, I think I'll take the fifth.

 

damn you guys are fukking ruthless to us 4th gen peeps...

 

you're welcome to try to persuade me that your car is better...that's why I started this thread!!

 

I prefer the 4th gen body style over the 5th. I can't convince you because it's completely personal opinion, but you'll find quite a few people who like the lines of the 4th better.

 

96 EX