I just read an interesting article on Consumer Reports on reliability
as cars get older.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...view/index.htm

According to this article, it seems that the 12 year old Honda will
cause me less trouble than a 8 year old Ford.

The trends in reliability on Consumer Reports only go back as far a
1998 so I could not check the 94 Accord. From 98 till 2005, the Accord
consistenlty gets "Much Better than Average" rating for Used Car
verdict. The Used Car Verdict was Average for the 98 Escort.


Elle wrote:
> <webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
> > I was wondering which is the better car value, a 94
> > Accord with 106k
> > for $3900 (total would be around $4600 when adding the
> > $700 or so for
> > timing belt, CV boots to the purchase price) or the 98
> > Escort with 47k
> > for $5000.
>
> To help with this decision, I suggest going to the April
> issue of "Consumer Reports." This is its annual car buying
> issue. Turn to the matrices indicating reliability of
> different cars' sub-systems, based on thousands (a couple
> hundred thousand, IIRC) of readers' input. Look up the
> matrix for the Ford Escort, then the matrix for the Accord.

 

<webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
>I just read an interesting article on Consumer Reports on
>reliability
> as cars get older.
>
> http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...view/index.htm
>
> According to this article, it seems that the 12 year old
> Honda will
> cause me less trouble than a 8 year old Ford.

Yet my impression is that properly maintained American cars
are lasting about as long as Japanese makes these days.

Overall, I still think a person is better off with a Honda
or Toyota, but I must admit I know people swearing by their
15 year old American makes.

> The trends in reliability on Consumer Reports only go back
> as far a
> 1998 so I could not check the 94 Accord. From 98 till
> 2005, the Accord
> consistenlty gets "Much Better than Average" rating for
> Used Car
> verdict. The Used Car Verdict was Average for the 98
> Escort.

To be very exacting, you could see if the library has the
April 2002 (or so) car buying issue. This might have the 94
Accord.

 

<webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
>I just read an interesting article on Consumer Reports on
>reliability
> as cars get older.
>
> http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...view/index.htm
>
> According to this article, it seems that the 12 year old
> Honda will
> cause me less trouble than a 8 year old Ford.

Yet my impression is that properly maintained American cars
are lasting about as long as Japanese makes these days.

Overall, I still think a person is better off with a Honda
or Toyota, but I must admit I know people swearing by their
15 year old American makes.

> The trends in reliability on Consumer Reports only go back
> as far a
> 1998 so I could not check the 94 Accord. From 98 till
> 2005, the Accord
> consistenlty gets "Much Better than Average" rating for
> Used Car
> verdict. The Used Car Verdict was Average for the 98
> Escort.

To be very exacting, you could see if the library has the
April 2002 (or so) car buying issue. This might have the 94
Accord.

 

<webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
>I just read an interesting article on Consumer Reports on
>reliability
> as cars get older.
>
> http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...view/index.htm
>
> According to this article, it seems that the 12 year old
> Honda will
> cause me less trouble than a 8 year old Ford.

Yet my impression is that properly maintained American cars
are lasting about as long as Japanese makes these days.

Overall, I still think a person is better off with a Honda
or Toyota, but I must admit I know people swearing by their
15 year old American makes.

> The trends in reliability on Consumer Reports only go back
> as far a
> 1998 so I could not check the 94 Accord. From 98 till
> 2005, the Accord
> consistenlty gets "Much Better than Average" rating for
> Used Car
> verdict. The Used Car Verdict was Average for the 98
> Escort.

To be very exacting, you could see if the library has the
April 2002 (or so) car buying issue. This might have the 94
Accord.

 

'Curly Q. Links' wrote:

> Greg Campbell wrote:
>
>>Transmission feels great; smooth, sure ***** with no hang-ups . . .
>
>
> ------------------------------------------
>
> Yep . . . . We've been increasing our dietary fibre and everything works
> better at our house too, except there's less reading time in the day
> now.
>
> Stay loose,
>
> 'Curly'


LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Whoopsie!)
Dang 'f' key must be a bit sticky.

If, as I age, I start to feel the needs for 'sureness,' I'll just chug a
teaspoon or two of MTF!

<Still LOLOLOLOL.............Hehehehehehhehehe!>

-Greg

 

'Curly Q. Links' wrote:

> Greg Campbell wrote:
>
>>Transmission feels great; smooth, sure ***** with no hang-ups . . .
>
>
> ------------------------------------------
>
> Yep . . . . We've been increasing our dietary fibre and everything works
> better at our house too, except there's less reading time in the day
> now.
>
> Stay loose,
>
> 'Curly'


LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Whoopsie!)
Dang 'f' key must be a bit sticky.

If, as I age, I start to feel the needs for 'sureness,' I'll just chug a
teaspoon or two of MTF!

<Still LOLOLOLOL.............Hehehehehehhehehe!>

-Greg

 

'Curly Q. Links' wrote:

> Greg Campbell wrote:
>
>>Transmission feels great; smooth, sure ***** with no hang-ups . . .
>
>
> ------------------------------------------
>
> Yep . . . . We've been increasing our dietary fibre and everything works
> better at our house too, except there's less reading time in the day
> now.
>
> Stay loose,
>
> 'Curly'


LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Whoopsie!)
Dang 'f' key must be a bit sticky.

If, as I age, I start to feel the needs for 'sureness,' I'll just chug a
teaspoon or two of MTF!

<Still LOLOLOLOL.............Hehehehehehhehehe!>

-Greg

 

Just went for a test drive on the 94 Accord.

Before starting the car, I checked the coolant reservoir and it was a
little low. The car owner did not have any antifreeze to mix in so he
got some distilled water and filled the reservoir to the minimum level.
He did not want to add any more because he said he should add 50/50
mix of antifreeze and water to the reservoir and we did not have
antifreeze with us.

After a good 25 minute drive (15 minutes of that on the expressway) we
stopped and turned off engine and checked reservoir again. It looked
like it was still at the minimum level. It looked like there was no
change at all in the level. The temperature gauge did not indicate any
problem. Would this mean the coolant situation is fine?

I did a couple of 360 degrees slow turns in the parking lot and there
was no sound coming from the CV joints.

The car seemed to drive really well. I really felt the bumps in the
road so maybe I can ask the mechanic to check the suspension.

I listened carefully for any brake noise but heard none. The car
accelerated fine and seemed to have enough power.

We climbed a very steep hill on a highway in our area going 55mph. The
car dropped into a lower gear during our drive up the hill and the
downshift seemed to be a little rough, but nothing that really alarmed
me.

The car pulls a little to the right when I was on the expressway. The
steering wheel seems to be a little cockeyed to the right. Is that a
big problem?

The A/C worked really well. Cruise and all the power options worked
well too. Back two doors were a little stiff when opening and it
looked like there was some rust on the hinges. Apparently, the back
doors were seldom opened. I did not notice any rust on body of car.

Apparently the drivers side seatbelt got closed into the door several
times so there is some minor damage on the inside of the drivers side
door. It seems the seatbelt won't retract powerfully when released,
but with a quick pull, retracts nearly all the way.

I think this 94 Accord wagon would be better for my wife and daughter
than the 98 Escort because of the size.

I would like to get it inspected and hopefully get the buyer to go drop
their price a little to compensate for the timing belt change I would
need to do.

I will try to go for the inspection on Monday.






Elle wrote:
> <webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
> >I just read an interesting article on Consumer Reports on
> >reliability
> > as cars get older.
> >
> > http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...view/index.htm
> >
> > According to this article, it seems that the 12 year old
> > Honda will
> > cause me less trouble than a 8 year old Ford.
>
> Yet my impression is that properly maintained American cars
> are lasting about as long as Japanese makes these days.
>
> Overall, I still think a person is better off with a Honda
> or Toyota, but I must admit I know people swearing by their
> 15 year old American makes.
>
> > The trends in reliability on Consumer Reports only go back
> > as far a
> > 1998 so I could not check the 94 Accord. From 98 till
> > 2005, the Accord
> > consistenlty gets "Much Better than Average" rating for
> > Used Car
> > verdict. The Used Car Verdict was Average for the 98
> > Escort.
>
> To be very exacting, you could see if the library has the
> April 2002 (or so) car buying issue. This might have the 94
> Accord.

 

Just went for a test drive on the 94 Accord.

Before starting the car, I checked the coolant reservoir and it was a
little low. The car owner did not have any antifreeze to mix in so he
got some distilled water and filled the reservoir to the minimum level.
He did not want to add any more because he said he should add 50/50
mix of antifreeze and water to the reservoir and we did not have
antifreeze with us.

After a good 25 minute drive (15 minutes of that on the expressway) we
stopped and turned off engine and checked reservoir again. It looked
like it was still at the minimum level. It looked like there was no
change at all in the level. The temperature gauge did not indicate any
problem. Would this mean the coolant situation is fine?

I did a couple of 360 degrees slow turns in the parking lot and there
was no sound coming from the CV joints.

The car seemed to drive really well. I really felt the bumps in the
road so maybe I can ask the mechanic to check the suspension.

I listened carefully for any brake noise but heard none. The car
accelerated fine and seemed to have enough power.

We climbed a very steep hill on a highway in our area going 55mph. The
car dropped into a lower gear during our drive up the hill and the
downshift seemed to be a little rough, but nothing that really alarmed
me.

The car pulls a little to the right when I was on the expressway. The
steering wheel seems to be a little cockeyed to the right. Is that a
big problem?

The A/C worked really well. Cruise and all the power options worked
well too. Back two doors were a little stiff when opening and it
looked like there was some rust on the hinges. Apparently, the back
doors were seldom opened. I did not notice any rust on body of car.

Apparently the drivers side seatbelt got closed into the door several
times so there is some minor damage on the inside of the drivers side
door. It seems the seatbelt won't retract powerfully when released,
but with a quick pull, retracts nearly all the way.

I think this 94 Accord wagon would be better for my wife and daughter
than the 98 Escort because of the size.

I would like to get it inspected and hopefully get the buyer to go drop
their price a little to compensate for the timing belt change I would
need to do.

I will try to go for the inspection on Monday.






Elle wrote:
> <webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
> >I just read an interesting article on Consumer Reports on
> >reliability
> > as cars get older.
> >
> > http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...view/index.htm
> >
> > According to this article, it seems that the 12 year old
> > Honda will
> > cause me less trouble than a 8 year old Ford.
>
> Yet my impression is that properly maintained American cars
> are lasting about as long as Japanese makes these days.
>
> Overall, I still think a person is better off with a Honda
> or Toyota, but I must admit I know people swearing by their
> 15 year old American makes.
>
> > The trends in reliability on Consumer Reports only go back
> > as far a
> > 1998 so I could not check the 94 Accord. From 98 till
> > 2005, the Accord
> > consistenlty gets "Much Better than Average" rating for
> > Used Car
> > verdict. The Used Car Verdict was Average for the 98
> > Escort.
>
> To be very exacting, you could see if the library has the
> April 2002 (or so) car buying issue. This might have the 94
> Accord.

 

Just went for a test drive on the 94 Accord.

Before starting the car, I checked the coolant reservoir and it was a
little low. The car owner did not have any antifreeze to mix in so he
got some distilled water and filled the reservoir to the minimum level.
He did not want to add any more because he said he should add 50/50
mix of antifreeze and water to the reservoir and we did not have
antifreeze with us.

After a good 25 minute drive (15 minutes of that on the expressway) we
stopped and turned off engine and checked reservoir again. It looked
like it was still at the minimum level. It looked like there was no
change at all in the level. The temperature gauge did not indicate any
problem. Would this mean the coolant situation is fine?

I did a couple of 360 degrees slow turns in the parking lot and there
was no sound coming from the CV joints.

The car seemed to drive really well. I really felt the bumps in the
road so maybe I can ask the mechanic to check the suspension.

I listened carefully for any brake noise but heard none. The car
accelerated fine and seemed to have enough power.

We climbed a very steep hill on a highway in our area going 55mph. The
car dropped into a lower gear during our drive up the hill and the
downshift seemed to be a little rough, but nothing that really alarmed
me.

The car pulls a little to the right when I was on the expressway. The
steering wheel seems to be a little cockeyed to the right. Is that a
big problem?

The A/C worked really well. Cruise and all the power options worked
well too. Back two doors were a little stiff when opening and it
looked like there was some rust on the hinges. Apparently, the back
doors were seldom opened. I did not notice any rust on body of car.

Apparently the drivers side seatbelt got closed into the door several
times so there is some minor damage on the inside of the drivers side
door. It seems the seatbelt won't retract powerfully when released,
but with a quick pull, retracts nearly all the way.

I think this 94 Accord wagon would be better for my wife and daughter
than the 98 Escort because of the size.

I would like to get it inspected and hopefully get the buyer to go drop
their price a little to compensate for the timing belt change I would
need to do.

I will try to go for the inspection on Monday.






Elle wrote:
> <webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
> >I just read an interesting article on Consumer Reports on
> >reliability
> > as cars get older.
> >
> > http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...view/index.htm
> >
> > According to this article, it seems that the 12 year old
> > Honda will
> > cause me less trouble than a 8 year old Ford.
>
> Yet my impression is that properly maintained American cars
> are lasting about as long as Japanese makes these days.
>
> Overall, I still think a person is better off with a Honda
> or Toyota, but I must admit I know people swearing by their
> 15 year old American makes.
>
> > The trends in reliability on Consumer Reports only go back
> > as far a
> > 1998 so I could not check the 94 Accord. From 98 till
> > 2005, the Accord
> > consistenlty gets "Much Better than Average" rating for
> > Used Car
> > verdict. The Used Car Verdict was Average for the 98
> > Escort.
>
> To be very exacting, you could see if the library has the
> April 2002 (or so) car buying issue. This might have the 94
> Accord.

 

<webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
> Just went for a test drive on the 94 Accord.
>
> Before starting the car, I checked the coolant reservoir
> and it was a
> little low.

Had the car been driven in the last hour or so before the
above check?

> The car owner did not have any antifreeze to mix in so he
> got some distilled water and filled the reservoir to the
> minimum level.
> He did not want to add any more because he said he should
> add 50/50
> mix of antifreeze and water to the reservoir and we did
> not have
> antifreeze with us.

That's reasonable.

> After a good 25 minute drive (15 minutes of that on the
> expressway) we
> stopped and turned off engine and checked reservoir again.
> It looked
> like it was still at the minimum level. It looked like
> there was no
> change at all in the level. The temperature gauge did not
> indicate any
> problem. Would this mean the coolant situation is fine?

It should rise a little. Then again, all might be fine.

> I did a couple of 360 degrees slow turns in the parking
> lot and there
> was no sound coming from the CV joints.
>
> The car seemed to drive really well. I really felt the
> bumps in the
> road so maybe I can ask the mechanic to check the
> suspension.

Look especially at control arm bushings and the coil
springs.

Chances are they are pretty raggedy, but I suspect the
Edmunds etc. prices on 94 Accords take this into account.

> I listened carefully for any brake noise but heard none.
> The car
> accelerated fine and seemed to have enough power.
>
> We climbed a very steep hill on a highway in our area
> going 55mph. The
> car dropped into a lower gear during our drive up the hill
> and the
> downshift seemed to be a little rough, but nothing that
> really alarmed
> me.
>
> The car pulls a little to the right when I was on the
> expressway. The
> steering wheel seems to be a little cockeyed to the right.
> Is that a
> big problem?

May need some suspension renovation, followed by an
alignment. Or it may just need, say, something like the tire
pressure adjusted.

Suspension renovation on these older cars is expensive.
$1000 or so, easily, I bet.

But unless something's obviously broken (like a ball joint
or coil spring) I don't think that's something you can
negotiate. It's about ride comfort.

At most, you could subtract $100 from your offer for an
alignment.

> The A/C worked really well. Cruise and all the power
> options worked
> well too. Back two doors were a little stiff when
> opening and it
> looked like there was some rust on the hinges.
> Apparently, the back
> doors were seldom opened. I did not notice any rust on
> body of car.
>
> Apparently the drivers side seatbelt got closed into the
> door several
> times so there is some minor damage on the inside of the
> drivers side
> door. It seems the seatbelt won't retract powerfully when
> released,
> but with a quick pull, retracts nearly all the way.
>
> I think this 94 Accord wagon would be better for my wife
> and daughter
> than the 98 Escort because of the size.
>
> I would like to get it inspected and hopefully get the
> buyer to go drop
> their price a little to compensate for the timing belt
> change I would
> need to do.
>
> I will try to go for the inspection on Monday.

Nice update.

 

<webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
> Just went for a test drive on the 94 Accord.
>
> Before starting the car, I checked the coolant reservoir
> and it was a
> little low.

Had the car been driven in the last hour or so before the
above check?

> The car owner did not have any antifreeze to mix in so he
> got some distilled water and filled the reservoir to the
> minimum level.
> He did not want to add any more because he said he should
> add 50/50
> mix of antifreeze and water to the reservoir and we did
> not have
> antifreeze with us.

That's reasonable.

> After a good 25 minute drive (15 minutes of that on the
> expressway) we
> stopped and turned off engine and checked reservoir again.
> It looked
> like it was still at the minimum level. It looked like
> there was no
> change at all in the level. The temperature gauge did not
> indicate any
> problem. Would this mean the coolant situation is fine?

It should rise a little. Then again, all might be fine.

> I did a couple of 360 degrees slow turns in the parking
> lot and there
> was no sound coming from the CV joints.
>
> The car seemed to drive really well. I really felt the
> bumps in the
> road so maybe I can ask the mechanic to check the
> suspension.

Look especially at control arm bushings and the coil
springs.

Chances are they are pretty raggedy, but I suspect the
Edmunds etc. prices on 94 Accords take this into account.

> I listened carefully for any brake noise but heard none.
> The car
> accelerated fine and seemed to have enough power.
>
> We climbed a very steep hill on a highway in our area
> going 55mph. The
> car dropped into a lower gear during our drive up the hill
> and the
> downshift seemed to be a little rough, but nothing that
> really alarmed
> me.
>
> The car pulls a little to the right when I was on the
> expressway. The
> steering wheel seems to be a little cockeyed to the right.
> Is that a
> big problem?

May need some suspension renovation, followed by an
alignment. Or it may just need, say, something like the tire
pressure adjusted.

Suspension renovation on these older cars is expensive.
$1000 or so, easily, I bet.

But unless something's obviously broken (like a ball joint
or coil spring) I don't think that's something you can
negotiate. It's about ride comfort.

At most, you could subtract $100 from your offer for an
alignment.

> The A/C worked really well. Cruise and all the power
> options worked
> well too. Back two doors were a little stiff when
> opening and it
> looked like there was some rust on the hinges.
> Apparently, the back
> doors were seldom opened. I did not notice any rust on
> body of car.
>
> Apparently the drivers side seatbelt got closed into the
> door several
> times so there is some minor damage on the inside of the
> drivers side
> door. It seems the seatbelt won't retract powerfully when
> released,
> but with a quick pull, retracts nearly all the way.
>
> I think this 94 Accord wagon would be better for my wife
> and daughter
> than the 98 Escort because of the size.
>
> I would like to get it inspected and hopefully get the
> buyer to go drop
> their price a little to compensate for the timing belt
> change I would
> need to do.
>
> I will try to go for the inspection on Monday.

Nice update.

 

<webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
> Just went for a test drive on the 94 Accord.
>
> Before starting the car, I checked the coolant reservoir
> and it was a
> little low.

Had the car been driven in the last hour or so before the
above check?

> The car owner did not have any antifreeze to mix in so he
> got some distilled water and filled the reservoir to the
> minimum level.
> He did not want to add any more because he said he should
> add 50/50
> mix of antifreeze and water to the reservoir and we did
> not have
> antifreeze with us.

That's reasonable.

> After a good 25 minute drive (15 minutes of that on the
> expressway) we
> stopped and turned off engine and checked reservoir again.
> It looked
> like it was still at the minimum level. It looked like
> there was no
> change at all in the level. The temperature gauge did not
> indicate any
> problem. Would this mean the coolant situation is fine?

It should rise a little. Then again, all might be fine.

> I did a couple of 360 degrees slow turns in the parking
> lot and there
> was no sound coming from the CV joints.
>
> The car seemed to drive really well. I really felt the
> bumps in the
> road so maybe I can ask the mechanic to check the
> suspension.

Look especially at control arm bushings and the coil
springs.

Chances are they are pretty raggedy, but I suspect the
Edmunds etc. prices on 94 Accords take this into account.

> I listened carefully for any brake noise but heard none.
> The car
> accelerated fine and seemed to have enough power.
>
> We climbed a very steep hill on a highway in our area
> going 55mph. The
> car dropped into a lower gear during our drive up the hill
> and the
> downshift seemed to be a little rough, but nothing that
> really alarmed
> me.
>
> The car pulls a little to the right when I was on the
> expressway. The
> steering wheel seems to be a little cockeyed to the right.
> Is that a
> big problem?

May need some suspension renovation, followed by an
alignment. Or it may just need, say, something like the tire
pressure adjusted.

Suspension renovation on these older cars is expensive.
$1000 or so, easily, I bet.

But unless something's obviously broken (like a ball joint
or coil spring) I don't think that's something you can
negotiate. It's about ride comfort.

At most, you could subtract $100 from your offer for an
alignment.

> The A/C worked really well. Cruise and all the power
> options worked
> well too. Back two doors were a little stiff when
> opening and it
> looked like there was some rust on the hinges.
> Apparently, the back
> doors were seldom opened. I did not notice any rust on
> body of car.
>
> Apparently the drivers side seatbelt got closed into the
> door several
> times so there is some minor damage on the inside of the
> drivers side
> door. It seems the seatbelt won't retract powerfully when
> released,
> but with a quick pull, retracts nearly all the way.
>
> I think this 94 Accord wagon would be better for my wife
> and daughter
> than the 98 Escort because of the size.
>
> I would like to get it inspected and hopefully get the
> buyer to go drop
> their price a little to compensate for the timing belt
> change I would
> need to do.
>
> I will try to go for the inspection on Monday.

Nice update.

 

"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote
> <webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
>> The car pulls a little to the right when I was on the
>> expressway. The
>> steering wheel seems to be a little cockeyed to the
>> right. Is that a
>> big problem?
>
> May need some suspension renovation, followed by an
> alignment.

Forgot to add: Make sure the mechanic looks at the big
trailing arm bushings. There are two, on the rear. The cost
is over $300 (labor and parts) to replace them with OEM
ones.

It's not necessarily critical to replace ones that look beat
up. But handling will certainly be better, by all reports
here. (I replace my 91 Civic's next week. They're way
overdue.) If they look really bad, consider negotiating this
into the price.

 

"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote
> <webmaster@tfy.com> wrote
>> The car pulls a little to the right when I was on the
>> expressway. The
>> steering wheel seems to be a little cockeyed to the
>> right. Is that a
>> big problem?
>
> May need some suspension renovation, followed by an
> alignment.

Forgot to add: Make sure the mechanic looks at the big
trailing arm bushings. There are two, on the rear. The cost
is over $300 (labor and parts) to replace them with OEM
ones.

It's not necessarily critical to replace ones that look beat
up. But handling will certainly be better, by all reports
here. (I replace my 91 Civic's next week. They're way
overdue.) If they look really bad, consider negotiating this
into the price.