Usually how many years do Honda cars start experiencing problems? I've only owned mine for less than two years so I don't know. But I didn't exactly do a good breakin so I'm worried about the longevity of my Lude (hence another reason for thinking of an upgrade).

 

Trouble free for five to eight years and then minor niggles, usually.

Both of the Hondas we've traded away ('86 Accord; '88 Prelude) gave their new owners 150,000 miles AFTER we sold them.

Our '92 Accord has 110,000 and has only had a couple of repairs (fuel pump, distributor, replaced windshield due to crack and sand pitting).

Our '94 Accord has had no repairs in 80,000 miles. Our '93 Prelude has had one "igniter" replaced and needs a new switch or relay for the tail lights at this time.

Barry

 

Experiences with Accords Preludes and Civics, in my family and inlaws (adds up to over 12), they will run for many years if maintained properly. All were sold because they either became outdated, or we needed larger cars. None were "lemons" and all had fewer than average breakdowns. Most were kept 8+ years.

Of course driving style, maintanance service and luck will determine hw long your car will last.

 

My wife has driven a number of her Hondas nearly 100K miles (she drives 80 miles round trip 5-6 days per week) before trading without any significant mechanical problems; however, we have always purchased extended warranties to cover our butts.

In the case of our '98 Accord, this warranty more than paid for itself when the auto tranny shot craps at 36,800 miles. The extended warranty paid $4200 for a new transmission plus some related labor.

 

I had an 87 Civic get to 117,000 before blowing it's head gasket. Fixed that and it went about another 40,000 miles before any more problems.

97 del Sol has 80,000 and I have slight oil loss when VTECing, but it isn't bad. I know your worry from your other post. I shift at redline a lot. I mean A LOT. And I have missed shifts at 8 grand that would be a lot worse than your "driving lessons" I am sure. You mentioned you shift at low RPM's....I really don't think your Prelude could have any damage to it.

Have them change the trans oil. If it is really bad....you'll have some metal in there. Funny enough, I just had mine changed and it was fine. So much for the missed shifts causing problems.

 

Well I stalled A LOT in the early going. And I didn't exactly break in the car by running it. I was practicing my start and stop in the beginning. not that much I guess. 30min before I headed out? haa.haa...

My maintenence sched says 3months or 6000km. Since I have low kms, should I still take my car in every 3 months?

 

I would for oil changes....can't hurt.

Sounds like you might have just beaten up the clutch in the beginning. No big deal....now it might die at 80,000 miles rather than 110,000 (yankee doesn't do kilometers!)

My del Sol is still on Clutch #1 and I'll never know how.