My experience with the Taurus/Contour turned out well in the end, but I still couldn’t quite trust the Contour when all was said and done. After owning the Contour for about two years, I was ready to trade it in and be done with the whole thing. Maybe now was the time to return to Honda, or get a second Toyota after the good experience with the Camry.
It was around this time (roughly mid-1998) that a national-brand used car “superstore” opened a location near our house, and the large selection and no-haggle prices both appealed to me (savvy readers can probably figure out the specific dealership name). Other than my first car, all my other cars were purchased new, but I figured that a low-mileage used vehicle could serve our needs equally well. (And also be a bit cheaper than a new vehicle, since I was probably going to lose some money flipping the Contour before its lease was up).
I was definitely impressed by this superstore’s operations and selection. Unlike past car transactions, I didn’t feel like I was being pressured into buying anything, nor did I feel like I was about to be cheated out of a large sum of money. We looked at a number of vehicles – I test-drove a very nice 1996 Camry LE four-door that still had the original window sticker in the glove box. I was also very interested in a 1995 or 1996 Avalon XLE sedan (don’t quite remember which year) that was pearl white (some will remember when that paint color was popular). This particular Avalon had a bench seat and column shifter as a throwback to mid-80s (and before) American cars. I thought very seriously about buying this car as I liked the combination of Toyota reliability and American car aesthetics. I noticed, however, that the paint on the hood and fenders was subtly different than the rest of the car. There were no collisions listed in the car’s history, but I was a bit concerned that the front end of the car was repainted at some point, so I decided against it.
Once passing by the Toyotas, I went to the Honda section and looked at several Accords in the same body style that I’d skipped buying in several previous car transactions. I was a bit less sensitive to having the newest body style, particularly if it came with a lower price tag. The first Accord I looked at was a V-6 model. At that time, the V-6 Accord (1995-1997) required a different front clip with additional overhang ahead of the front wheels to accommodate the wider transverse engine, giving those models an odd anteater look (although the difference was subtle to the casual observer). This particular car also came with a built-in car phone from Honda that took up the DIN space under the cassette stereo. Laughably obsolete now, but this was the latest technology in 1996. The other Accord I examined was a 1996 4-cylinder 5-speed EX sedan in green, my wife’s favorite color (Eucalyptus Green Pearl, in the parlance of the sales brochure that showed this car as the example for the EX sedan). This one was more to my liking, as it had all the EX options (more powerful 145 hp 4-cylinder engine, alloy wheels, sunroof, uprated stereo with CD changer, ABS brakes, and a driver’s seat that had power adjustable height but oddly manual fore-and-aft adjustment). This car was very similar to the EX coupes that my parents had purchased in 1994 (one for my mom and one for my brother) and that I found to be very enjoyable to drive.
This EX sedan was priced reasonably well, had relatively low miles (under 30k if I recall correctly), and still had several months of factory warranty remaining. The used car superstore was ready to buy my Contour at a price that was acceptable (once I figured out that the offers to buy cars were no-haggle just like the sales prices of the used vehicles). The salesman couldn’t quite figure out why I wanted to trade in a car newer than the one I was buying. I didn’t take the time to explain the whole courtesy buyback saga that had left a bad taste in my mouth about the Contour, so he just shrugged and figured “it’s his money.”
I bought the car (no leasing for these used cars) and was initially happy with it. Although it was larger than my 1991 Accord and felt more like a mid-size car than a compact, it was responsive and fun to drive, especially with the manual transmission that was precise and easy to shift. The uprated engine in the EX (lesser 4-cylinder Accords made do with a 130 hp engine) was greatly appreciated, especially in DC traffic. The instrument panel had clear analog gauges and easy-to-access high-mounted HVAC controls – the dashboard was somewhat higher than my old ’91 Accord so there was less of a feeling of airiness than the older car, though.
I also really liked the dealer-installed integrated CD changer in the trunk – the main cassette head unit controlled the CD changer, which was much more slick than the FM-radio remote units I’d been buying for other cars. Nowadays, the idea of having to open the trunk to switch out music on a long trip seems hopelessly quaint. It’s especially outdated if there’s only one CD magazine and you have to switch out CDs – the more sophisticated mid-90s car owner had multiple magazines, but I didn’t have the money or the patience to search out the magazines compatible with the Honda changer. The car was very solid to take on long trips (as long as you had enough music in the CD changer, that is). This was around the time that Maryland introduced special license plates supporting the Chesapeake Bay, and the colors of the plate matched very nicely with the car’s green color (and clashed with the brick red exterior of my house at the time, as you see below).
It was a step backward in one way, though. I’d quickly gotten used to having a remote keyless entry system for my cars as both the Contour and the Camry had them, so it seemed suddenly ancient to have to use a key to open the doors. The Internet came to the rescue, though, with a low-cost OEM Honda keyless entry system/alarm system that was very reasonably priced. I believe this was my first attempt at locating and buying accessories online, as we’d only joined the internet revolution at home a couple of years previously (at 56k modem speeds, of course). As it was nearing Thanksgiving of 1998 and we were planning to be visiting family in Ohio anyway, I made arrangements with the Honda dealer my parents used to install the system (also at a reasonable price). With the addition of the obligatory front end mask, my Accord was finally ready to roll.
The honeymoon didn’t last long, though. The car’s mechanicals were very reliable, so the expiration of the factory warranty during my ownership period was no big deal. As with the 1994 Civic we owned, the factory green paint was fairly fragile and seemed to pick up nicks and dings pretty readily, which I didn’t really like. Also, by the time I purchased this one used, Honda had refined the next-generation Accord, and I was already liking the latest generation Camry. The Accord that seemed so up-to-date in 1994 when my mom bought hers was not nearly so slick four years later.
Looking back over the cars I have described so far, it seems that I have a pretty predictable pattern: decide to buy a new car, spend lots of time figuring out what to buy, negotiating (often poorly) for the sale, getting the car, deciding I didn’t like it, and repeating the process. The Accord was no different. Another vehicle came along that I very much wanted to own, one that was as far away from these sophisticated midsize sedans as one could get. More on that next week…
“……predictable pattern: decide to buy a new car, spend lots of time figuring out what to buy, negotiating (often poorly) for the sale, getting the car, deciding I didn’t like it, and repeating the process. ”
Hmm. I have a pattern too: Set criteria, research, test drive, decide and live with the decision for a long time, repeat when the wheels fall of.
Is this better? I am not sure. It’s interesting that this Honda Accord made no trouble mechanically. There were chips in the paint and the newer model was more appealingly styled or equipped. I think someone got an Eucalyptus Green Pearl gem when you fancied the next vehicle.
I have had a couple of new cars, but never desperately wanted any. I prefer “previously driven” cars that I find desirable. I’ve been part of new car dealing with parents and relatives, and being best friends with dealer/families know the business inside out. I started buying mass cars at 16 years old and found I loved the variety, and they were so cheap then, even recent cars if desired. Since I had a restoration and detail shop from 18 years old, each was a blank canvas if I didn’t like the color or trim. Beside buying and selling, I was looking for the special cars to keep forever. I already had one, I would be inheriting Dad’s ’56 DeSoto Fireflite bought new with me at the dealership at age 7. My ’57 Belvedere convertible would have been a keeper but was the middle car in a six car pileup. By my 18th Birthday I had gone through hundreds of cars and knew what they drove like and felt like. I was working three jobs and was at the Buick dealership (detail job) when I was called to the service desk to drive someone home. It was a ’63 Buick Electra convertible (this was 1966) fully loaded, with the owner highly upset and on a rant, He didn’t want to drive and threw me the keys, it had a beautiful white leather bucket seat interior,with black dash and carpet, out side was deep gold with white top and wire caps. He lived 19 miles away,. I had driven Twin Turbine (Dynaflow) transmission cars before, but this one really moved with slight throttle apps. It has tilt column as well and getting comfortable was easy. The guy was still ranting…about the tail lights. They had been causing problems since new. He said his mechanic was busy and couldn’t get to it. His mechanic had told him the car was going to have big problems soon and offered him $800 for what should still be a $4000+ car. I was falling in love with the car as we drove. My cousin had a ’57 Chrysler 300 C I’d driven many times. The Electra suspension cornered as well as the 300,brakes were superb, and power felt more than the 300. He ordered the car at 19 years old (very wealthy family) and had ordered HD suspension and sway bars, plus the 425 nail head, which he had pumped more. By the time we were nearing his home, he was still on the tail lights. I blurted out I fell in love with it and would love to have it forever. He looked at me a moment (he was still only 22 then) then said “$500 and it’s yours.” I had enough with me and bought it on the spot. One of my attractions to it was the vast amount of room in it. The front floor looked like a front wheel drive car, the center hump was only three inches high. Going back to work in it, there was a 7 mile strait stretch with no traffic. I punched it. The speedo was marked to 140 mph, and very rapidly buried the speedo and kept climbing. The Electra does everything well, like 110% well, and has the most dependable, quality, oneness. I have been in love for 51 years and 420,000 miles (she already had 30,000 in 1966) through Mexico, the 48 connected states, most of Canada and Alaska.. There have been three accidents that would have been classed totals today. I rebuilt her each time, right and well. The last time I changed the color to Firemist Midnight blue and people quit running into it. After Electra, I kept the ’64 Riviera, The two ’57 Plymouths, and my ’64 Imperial convert and coupe and 65 and 66 Imperials. I wish I could have kept about 900 of the 1000+ cars that passed through my hands. When I see a desirable new car, I figure I’ll check if out in a few years.
My nephew worked for Pacific gas and Electric company (PG&E) for years and was in peoples yards seeing cars for years, he started buying these Hondas 15 years ago, with mechanical problems, and made a driver out of the first one (90% of them are the same color green), then bought others for parts usually from $300 to $500, we detailed them and they presented very well. We travelled to swap meets all over the west in these Hondas. He moved to Florida after retirement, selling the hondas he had here (6 of them) He’s been back there 6 months and has 2 more of the same Hondas.
From what I understand, the 94-97 Accord was fairly reliable while the 98-02 Accord was slightly less reliable. BTW you dodged a huge bullet when you passed on that V6 Accord. I’ve also always thought the 94-97 Accord was a bit…odd, since it looked smaller than the previous generation and the following generation of Accords.
The chain of cars you have owned is interesting, yet up through at least 2000, it was made up of mainstream sedans. My sister owned an Accord, followed by a Camry just as you did, but switched to Subarus almost exclusively in 2004.
I was also surprised that you were able to get a Honda dealer to install (admittedly Honda factory parts) you bought from a 3rd party.
Our metallic red ’96 Accord LX, 5 spd was a fine sedan for the time. It would easily outrun my V6 Taurus, plus better economy, handling etc.
The only reason I got the 98 Accord was to save the “torture” my wife inflicted on the manual transaxle! It was a (failure prone) automatic. However when the well past warranty ’98s transaxle was a few shifts from failure…..Honda replaced it with a reman unit, at NO charge. Yes I’m a Honda owner; currently with my 2017 Accord Sport SE……….DFO
I hear what you are saying about the Maryland “Treasure the Chesapeake” license plates. I got them specifically for my Saab. Unfortunately, the plates lasted longer than the Saab.
I am familiar with your cycle, at least part of it. My variation was to fall in love with something older and inexpensive, then love it and fix things, then fall in love with something new once I had gotten used to what I had. When you do this with cars at the bottom end of the used car market it is less of a financial drain, at least.
A friend bought one of these used for his kids to drive in high school. The youngest one took it to college. At nearly 300K miles he got overly optimistic and took it on a trip out west to the Grand Canyon. It wound up puking its coolant and committing suicide. But they got a lot of good use out of that one. Exact color as yours, too.
I will agree with some others that the styling never did as much for me as other generations of Accord. But you can’t argue with the durability Honda built into them in that era.
I have long been a Honda fan, having owned many & a few Acura’s. When we found out we were having our 1st child, I decided to trade my 92 Integra hatch for a 4 door. I really wanted a 95 Maxima but my wallet said 96 Acoord LX. I took my wife to look at the Accord, she loved it so she wanted to trade her 91 Sentra for it. It’s an automatic so it really had no gitty up, took it to Dallas on vacation and almost had accidents trying to merge in Dallas traffic so I traded the Integra for a 97 Maxima SE. loved it & it be came the travel car & my daily driver. We still have the Accord, only has 125k miles on it, it became my son’s 1st car and he loves it even though he has a 13 Accord Coupe V6 . We just found out though the 96 has oil in its spark plugs so it’ll probably be parked for a while.
All I have to do now is look for COAL in the title and a bra in the picture and I know it’s yours!
IMO the last great era of the Honda Accord’s, this was my all time favorite era of the Honda Accord’s.
Was recently thinking about how I don’t see these very often anymore, even in temperate California. They used to be everywhere.
I am surprised at that. In Maryland (the rock salt capital of the USA) where I live they are everywhere still. it is the 98-02 generation that I really don’t see many of them anymore.
I don’t see them around my area either. The 98-02 are pretty much gone too. I even see more old Tauruses than Accords, although those are becoming pretty thin too. I see way more old Camrys than anything else. They seem to be king of the beaters right now.
I think rust took many of them out. Those that survived probably reached a point where timing belt replacement cost more than the value of the car.
Leon, it was a surprising realization for me too. I kept my eyes open yesterday while running errands around town- not a single 94-97 to be seen. Although unlike you, I saw several 98-02s. Even the 90-93 seems more common.
In the Accord’s defense, I also see very few 92-96 Camrys around, despite their strong pedigree; and I almost never see any prior gen (86-90) Camrys. I guess these cars are just getting old. Oddly enough, of the three major Japanese brands, I see the most Altimas from that generation (first gen 92-97 Altima).
In Chicago, past year has seen 92-96 Camrys start to disappear. Eventually, working folks want newer “beaters”.
Neighbor in my complex had one for awhile, then had note on it saying ‘we are going to junk this car tomorrow, please don’t tow’ and was gone.
The 94-97 Accords looked plain vanilla to me, and nothing special compared to previous versions. C&D of course “loved it” when new saying “will knock socks off Detroit”. But, they omitted two years from 10 Best during this era. [96 and 97]
Peak Honda Accord. Very solid. Despite the 98-02 Accord looking more modern, they were junk compared with the 94-97 models. I had a well taken care of 2001 Accord(with a 5 speed transmission) for a year and it just felt cheap compared to the neighbor’s 1997 Accord. It was comfy to ride in and nice to drive but it felt cheap all around. Like the 97-01 Camry, it just felt like a step back from the previous generation.
I still see a lot of the 1990-93 and 1994-97 Honda Accord’s around but not too many of the 1998-2002’s and the 2003-07’s for some strange reason.
These cars and the concurrent Camry are still roaming Los Angeles in large numbers. I did not like these Accords because this generation was the result of the cost-cutting that Toyota employed in the ’97 Camry.
It was essentially a reskinned 90-93 Accord, same wheelbase yet shorter length but the hard points were all similar. Honda regained their mojo with the 1998 Accord (for a while at least) and Toyota would not make the Camry interesting until 2002.
The V6 used in these cars has zero aftermarket support and was the same C27A engine originally from the 1987/8-1990 Acura Legend. A shame, because they are quite capable motors but the subsequent J30A was better all-around save for the grenading transmissions.
I seem to read a lot of posts where the author has a terrible dealership experience. I have seen the nightmares and lived them myself. BUT I have also gotten older and crankier. So when I go in now, I go in with the thought that I am the boss and it is MY money. And that if they want my money, they need to get it by doing what I ask of them. And if I’m driving ONTO the lot in my car, I can just as easily drive it somewhere else.
I do not fall in love with cars before I own them anymore either.
On to cars… my son’s mother came up with hima car owned by two of her aunts. 94 Camry with 160K miles. Should be as reliable as an anvil, right? WRONG. And rides about as nicely as an anvil. I do not see what the attraction to these cars was. And with age, this thing is really crapping out. My thought is that the aunts didn’t maintain quite as they should, plus the age. The gauge fuse seems to blow at random, but we’re figuring out it’s pattern – just can’t find the cause. So all these Japanese cars do not impress me and really never have. They end up having their own issues.
But keep on sending the COALs; I do love reading them.
I had a 96 Accord LX Coupe that I bought used with around 40k on it.
Absolutely hated that car.
It was slow, loud, handled like a pig and was just not comfortable to commute in.
Got rid of it after around 8 months.
Loved my 78 Accord LX and 91 CRX, but that 96 Accord was just not a good car.
Seen quite a few posts here and other sites where some say they are “amazed” to not see 1990’s cars as much.
Keep in mind that 1998 will be 20 years ago in 3 months. To some buyers looking for beater/work car, 20 is just ‘too old’ *. And many are past 200K or rusted/worn badly With newer ‘beaters’ coming to market, it’s “bye bye” to 90’s cars. Circle of machine life.
Some will go “I miss the cars of my youth”. Welcome to middle ages.
* not counting enthusiast/sports/collectible cars.