- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
75kW, 147Nm
- Fuel
NA
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
NA
- Ancap Safety
NA
1986 Honda Accord review: Used car guide
A FORMULA UNBURDENED BY EXCELLENCE
FOR: Smooth, refined, quiet, comfortable, economical. The Honda badge.
AGAINST: Steering too light, average performance and handling, expensive spares.
VERDICT: Smooth and undemanding, but helped by the name, it was a "safe" buy when new. Expensive spare parts can make the used-car experience more demanding.
STAR RATING (OUT OF 5): **
The Honda Accord was probably the first mid-sized Japanese alternative to European marques such as Renault, Volkswagen and even BMW.
That was back in 1977 when the Accord was launched to rave reviews as to its build quality and standard features - such as a five-speed manual gearbox and coin holder. This new Honda was seen in many driveways as the cheaper second car alternative to a 3 Series BMW.
But in the years that followed Honda seemed to lose the plot or, rather, failed to develop it further. Instead we just got more of the same formula which meant the Accord ceased to be anywhere near the cutting edge of either fashion or technology and became just another nice Japanese car.
The model launched in January 1986 epitomises this. Pop-up headlights were its major distinguishing features but we'd already seen these on the Prelude in 1983. As in the Prelude, the Accord's very low dashboard gave occupants a great sense of space and a very good view of the road - too good perhaps, because subsequent models reverted to a more conventional cowl height, which was a pity.
This was the first of the 2.0-litre Accords and the pattern seemed to be to increase the capacity by 200 cc with every model change: 1977 1.6, 1982 1.8, 1986 2.0 and 1990 2.2. But as the size and weight also kept increasing, much of the extra engine capacity was required just to preserve the status quo and the 1986-89 model was only fractionally better on acceleration than its 1977 predecessor. Indeed the vaguely sporty feel of the original seemed to have disappeared.
By this time Honda finally had a conventional four-speed automatic transmission, but the five-speed manual was a better choice. The excellent gearshift was appealing and the Accord was a livelier performer than when equipped with the self-shifter. In 1987, fuel injection was introduced in 1987 - look for the Si specification.
Refinement continued to be an Accord strongpoint and, in 1986 terms, the level of standard equipment was high - power steering, central locking, electric mirrors and metallic paint. This was just as well, because the Accord sedan cost almost as much as the Holden Calais. (Not much has changed.)
It certainly wasn't a driver's delight, but the Accord was a comfortable and effective means of transport with a higher place in the status queue than a Magna even if it couldn't compete on interior space; this didn't matter because the cars appealed to different buyers.
Expensive servicing and spare parts, a Honda issue in the mid-'80s, have been addressed to some extent in recent years. For instance, not long ago a set of front disc pads cost an astonishing $200 but they are now a (barely) reasonable $100.
So it is fortunate that the Accord has proven reliable with none of the original model's engine problems.
The automatic transmission sometimes gives trouble - "flaring" on the first to second gearchange. Some automatic transmission specialists have an exchange gearbox from as little as $2,000 but you will probably pay more if you take the car to a Honda dealer and follow the original equipment-only route that manufacturers urge on us.
Worn drive shafts are common, as on many front-drive cars, and cost about $300 a side if you use genuine parts, about $200 otherwise.
If regular oil and filter changes are not carried out, a build-up of sludge in the engine can cause major and expensive problems.
Again, a service history is a very important purchasing consideration. So is a thorough mechanical inspection.
VERDICT:
Boring but helped by the name, smooth and undemanding, it was a "safe" buy when new. Expensive spare parts can make the used car experience more demanding.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
Automatic transmission can "flare" between first and second gears. (At least $2,000 to fix.)
Drive shafts: check for knocking.
Fluids and filters: regular services essential.