Honda Car Update

The car is toast – engine failure. This isn’t a boo-hoo, woe is me type post. I am not one to cry over material things or money, so I don’t expect you to do it for me.Since I vented my frustrations in my last post, I thought it would be appropriate to follow up on it.

Why this happened exactly we do not know. After spending four days in the repair shop with no clear, visible definition, we decided to pull the plug. The outcome is still the same – we need a new vehicle. We do have a contingency fund, but I was really really really hoping to dip into it for a trip to Cuba this spring. Under the circumstances, it would be irresponsible of us to do so. (The little devil on my shoulder says “fuck responsibility, just go!”)

My MIL did some investigating (i.e. googling) and found that we are not the only ones that this has happened to. In fact, car complaints has the 2003 Honda Accord listed as the second worse vehicle to buy. Major grievances include weak oil retention rings leading to excessive oil consumption, weak tensioners that cause the timing chain to slip out of place and faulty/frozen crank shafts. (Could the oil  rings been so weak that I would burn a litre of oil in three days? ) The number one complaint was widespread transmission failure.

I have to question the validity of checking on these type of websites. Surely there are lemons in every batch of vehicles that are made. But if I had seen my car listed in the number two slot, I may have thought twice before my purchase. Just thought I would pass along the information, just in case one of you might have one of these lemons in your driveway too. In the mean time, I’ll be watching the seat sales to Cuba and indulging my little devil with a fantasy vacation.

Thanks for stoppin in.

Kelly

 

 

 

 

Posted on Posted in LifeTagged , , ,

71 thoughts on “Honda Car Update”

  1. I’m a little late seeing this one — just wanted to chime in that I have friends with 2004 Accords who had great luck with them. I have a 2005. My big problem with it was a weird odor (only in the beginning – it had to be aired out for a while!) — Honda was completely unresponsive to complaints and I swore I’d never deal with them again. That said, 10+ years later the car is still going strong. Consumer Reports gave them good ratings for years, not sure if they still do. — so sorry to hear about your 2003, I HATE having to get new vehicles. — Sandy, also still driving 1990 pickup

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I know! We bought another Honda 😊 Couldn’t help ourselves, addicted to the brand and gas mileage. They can’t all be lemons! (I hope). Oh, and you might find me in your spam. I commented on your last post. I thought that the newspaper was pretty cool. Tuna for 39 cents!

      Like

      Reply

  2. Well, hey, on to the next one right? No point in wasting time on things you gotta move past. And that trip to Cuba sounded real nice but alas, life did not grant you that luxury…this time 😉 Keep you head up Kelly 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Quite interesting as my sister has a 2001 Honda Accord which still lasts her perfectly to today. And we even went cross country with it years ago a couple of times. Longest was from South Carolina to California. I hope you’ll be able to get a new car soon and one that has a longer-lasting engine. Enjoy your day!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Our 2001 Civic is still running, my stepdaughter has it. They aren’t all bad! I was really surprised to see it listed as the second worst car on carcomplaints. We are still keeping our eyes open for another Honda. I think they have the best gas mileage and they do, usually, last forever. Thanks for visiting and the well wishes. I appreciate it. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. I had the same thing happen to me last year and posted about it. Unfortunately, my car was not a lemon and have only myself to blame. I did not check the oil and so burned out the engine. It died just as I came to my exit on the freeway after all day out in the desert by myself. The engine had just over 200,000 miles on it and I was looking forward to hitting 300,000. Oh, well. Next time.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Oh! I bet you check the oil all the time now? Not all of them are lemons. My older one is at 365 and still running. Not running well, but it gets my daughter from point A to B. Good luck with the next one. 😊

      Like

      Reply

      1. I didn’t tell my wife and she runs the car past the 3,000 miles recommendation because she thinks it’s a ploy to sell more oil. I got her to change it Friday just before our day trip on Saturday! 🙂 It was 6,000 miles since her last oil change. Mine died after 12,000 miles without a change.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  5. I am sorry you are having such problems with your Honda Accord. I have owned a 1983 Accord, a 1991 Accord Wagon, and a 2001 Odyssey (which I still drive). I have always been sorry to sell them, since they were still great cars except for their age. I guess every model has lemons and you have been unfortunate enough to own one. I wish you luck in your search for a new car and hope you get to visit Cuba. (I hope to get there some year soon.)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I know! Our whole family drives Honda’s so I am partial to them too. I find it a little weird to even contemplate another brand. And sweet Cuba! will be happening sometime this year, but it might be closer to next winter. I keep watching the seat sales I think to just tease myself. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. That would be great if they would fix for free but I think the car is too old for them to care. And you’re right about the space in a mini. You know what it’s like trying to get a sleeping kid out of the backseat and trying not to bang their head on the way out. And I had to look up the Micra – it does look lovely and a little sporty too. Must be a fun ride?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. “No hay ningun mal que por bien no venga” Spanish proverb, of which I know, knowing a little about your center, is practiced by you. Yet I know you will appreciate coming across it.
    The hard translation, non conforming, non assimilated is the best one (more impactful, literal);
    “There is no bad which for good does not come”
    All bad things bring good with them.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. Well my first car was a Honda. A few months after snared a Chevy shared w roomie. Got my Honda engine replaced by fiancé swapped in a used one. Sold to boss daughter. Few months that ones blown….they rebuilt that. 1979. So I didn’t wanna say this last time when you Post car problem…… I been waiting find a car now that is grandma’s low mileage special. Work van only and over 300000 miles maintained knew 2nd owner. Not Honda lol…anyway i can yap hrs re vehicles
    🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Ha I like that “grandma’s low mileage special”. That’s exactly what we are looking for! We shall see what breed jumps out at us. Thanks for telling me Sara. Hubby is convinced he should be buying a new motor.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  14. Well Kelly – I thought Honda was immune to a bad year of cars – but guess not! And my old accord was one of my favorite cars ever – so it really sucks to have to use your vacation money like this – well I mean if you bought a different brand of car (no names mentioned) I would say that it just Happens – but when folks buy a Honda it is partly for the quality and so this sucks that they had a bad year – I would believe the info your MIL found because I know a few other car companies (Volvo and ford ) had recalls on trannies and so I guess the almighty Honda was not immune!
    Anyhow – without sounding cheesy – keep in mind that sometimes these things Happen for other things to happen that would not have happened otherwise! Like maybe you need a local trip or who knows – but I do believe everything happens for a reason – even though still bummed me had to nix a Europe trip for appliances – but doing the responsible thing usually pays off – 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It usually does pay off. I wonder when? 😉 (only kind of kidding). There are more than one reason why we wouldn’t be able to jetset across the country too at this moment in time. It all happens for a reason, like you said. Thanks for the sharing with me. ☺

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. My pleasure to share! And side note – the title of this post leaped out to me from the reader also because I teach a class right now at a local college and had the students practice giving objective and subjective statements – and one student chose to describe her Honda – – objective was reliable – well made – usually good on gas – and found still driving on road still after 20 years – and the her subjective was “they are awesome” ha! Anyhow – maybe there were other dangers hidden and this is a way to prevent more mishap – you know – maybe an airbag would be lethal or the chemicals in the plastic were off-
        That may sound cheesy but sometimes I think it happens
        Not to ramble – but this school my son was supposed to go to never worked out – partly my fault and for a short while I grieved – and one day in line at a store we ran into a worker from there and she said that the school had air duct issues and everyone was congested all year!
        I really felt like the closed door was a gift from God for what we needed (or did not need) at that time

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  15. Bummer , like you I don’t give it a second thought….sad because now you have to deal with replacement and that takes time away from our lives and money, normally set aside for something more fun out of our pockets…but in the end its just a car…not a child or body part….I agree with you I wouldn’t of bought a car if it was on the list of junkers….so to say, we ended up with a Kia Soul, 2015….price wasn’t to terrible and so far so good….I normally go with Fords but the prices were just to high for what we needed at this stage in life…kat….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. So true! Not a body part or child! And it’s bloody cold here! Maybe when it warms up we will be more inclined to creep around the car lots 😊 For now, I just want to be warm and cozy inside.

      Like

      Reply

  16. I really hate cars sometimes. Have had more than my share screw me over over the years. I currently drive a Honda Odyssey as my commuter car. It now has 267,000 miles on it. The only real trouble it gave us was the transmission going bad. The replacement has been fine. Now, the drivers side slider doesn’t work, the door locks don’t work, it rattled and shimmies. But it’s long been paid for. I’m not materialistic either, especially about vehicles. I’ll drive her til she dies. Have with all my vehicles. I have a dream car too, but the payments aren’t worth what is given in return. Be wise and get something reliable and safe. Otherwise it’s money out the window. Just my humble opinion, but car payments are the biggest waste of money. Hope it works out for you guys and be thankful you have the spare.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I completely agree with you! We put way too many miles on to even consider buying something new. And I hate payments, on anything. Right now my dream car is something that has great gas mileage, 4 doors and, if possible, a good set of winter tires on it (at least 2). This car was perfect because it came with the winter tires on rims so we could switch it out ourselves. We will keep our eyes open but there is definitely a budget to adhere to.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  20. Oh, that’s too bad, I’m sorry! Another shame is that Honda is supposed to be one of those cars that you can drive forever and ever! That sucks! I hope you’re still able to go to Cuba eventually, one day, soon!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. While I haven’t a clue as to what car to recommend, I can recommend Cuba as a destination and am sure if you go you will see some of the most wonderful classic 50’s cars! Not at al practical for modern day life as we know it but a joy to behold in and cruise around in! I think Cuba as a destination will begin to change now the doors to the States are beginning to open. I say live dangerously and stretch the contingency fund! ( if possible!) Go for it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  22. The “new” won’t come unless the “old” is gone! 😀 Getting a new car would be exciting! Take your time to pick a good one, since you have a spare. I don’t drive so I can only get a remote control car! LOL! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

        1. When I was in the city I used my bike all the time (many years ago now). I kinda miss it. Weird how you just get used to your mode of transportation. Now I just hop in and go. My bike gathers dust and I am really really out of shape.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

            1. I can understand that completely! I feel that way when hubby drives and had to real fight off some panic attacks about driving after my little one was born. Thanks for sharing with me! I like our conversations and getting to know you!

              Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to honestme363 Cancel reply