Auto-tranny concerns

[Auron]

Hey all, I'm new here but I've had a '96 Coupe for the past 10 years that didn't give me a single problem.

My last one was a manual and now I want to get an automatic. I can only really only afford one that is going to have at least 120,000 miles on it, but don't plan on putting a total on of more than 200,000. Is there reason to be concerned about the tranny dying on me? I know there are a lot of variables but if I need to spend more and get a nicer one with less miles I'll do it, but I'd rather not. Seems like the one expensive mechanism that has the highest chance of failing.

Thanks!

[mc1114]

Hard to say. Best you can do is find out how much maintenance has been done

There are 06-07 Accords with low miles that have had transmission failures, and there are 03's with higher miles that never had a problem. You just never know

I was not apprehensive or worried at all when I purchased my 05 automatic. It shifted normally during the test drive, and after the purchase the first thing I did was a transmission service. I also recently took it on a 1000 mile drive without any problems. Even tho these transmissions are known for problems, I'm sure its only a small percentage of all the Accords out there

[Mitchell]

Most i4 engine accords dont have issues with the trans, regardless of people maintaining them (and if people do have issues with them they dont seem to go on Driveaccord and talk about it!) Most trans problems here are typically
V6 transmissions.

[Auron]

The internet can be very confusing as people with problems are usually the ones talking about it.

I found an '03 coupe LX with 61,000 miles at a dealer that wants $9,950 for it which kbb's at a private owner price. He also said he could come down a bit.

Anything I should look for when test driving it tomorrow? I read you can swipe the inside of the tail pipe to see if it's an oil burner.

Wet and oily is bad.
Black is good
Clean is really bad cause the dealer cleaned out the pipe.

Sound about right?

Thanks again

[Mitchell]

Originally Posted by Auron

The internet can be very confusing as people with problems are usually the ones talking about it.

I found an '03 coupe LX with 61,000 miles at a dealer that wants $9,950 for it which kbb's at a private owner price. He also said he could come down a bit.

Anything I should look for when test driving it tomorrow? I read you can swipe the inside of the tail pipe to see if it's an oil burner.

Wet and oily is bad.
Black is good
Clean is really bad cause the dealer cleaned out the pipe.

Sound about right?

Thanks again

Its kind of unlikely that it would burn oil at such low milage. I am at 227,000KM (130,000 miles?) and I dont burn any oil.

[mobiless2]

At 224k, car has never been to the dealer. Regular maintenance only. Modification because I wanted them.

[Auron]

I only brought up the burning oil thing because I read some '03's have been known to be oil burners. Who knows if that's true or not, I've over dozens and dozens of Hondas and all combined probably burned a few cc of oil

[fazio767]

Well.. i know that the accord is notorious for having transmission issues. However, i also had an interesting issue with my accord when i bought it about a month ago. The EGR valve had become clogged with carbon, which apperently can be common. Its just something to look for on the records maybe, or inquire about.

[mschumacher]

The main thing that's going to damage a transmission is an aggressive launch, whether AT or manual. With Automatics, you have one less thing to worry about (idiot grinding gears by not shifting properly).

Do a transmission service, use good lubrication and don't beat on it when launching. That should be good enough for whatever amount of mileage you want to put on the car.

[namegoeshere]

Originally Posted by mschumacher

The main thing that's going to damage a transmission is an aggressive launch, whether AT or manual. With Automatics, you have one less thing to worry about (idiot grinding gears by not shifting properly).

Do a transmission service, use good lubrication and don't beat on it when launching. That should be good enough for whatever amount of mileage you want to put on the car.

So all those soccer moms driving Odyssey's where the transmissions died on them was due to an aggressive launch, eh? Must've been racing home to catch Oprah or maybe a group of them hit the drag strip after dropping off the kiddies at school.

[mschumacher]

Maybe they didn't service the car regularly?

I don't have a lot of experience with them, just bought my first AT tranny Honda, so I was basing my explanation on common sense.

[Auron]

HA! Soccer moms are always in a hurry so it actually does make a lot of sense. I always launch like a grandma so hopefully that will help.

[Mitchell]

Originally Posted by mschumacher

Maybe they didn't service the car regularly?

I don't have a lot of experience with them, just bought my first AT tranny Honda, so I was basing my explanation on common sense.

Its actually a design flaw. People could thoroughly maintain their transmissions and still expierience failure.

[Auron]

Driving like an asshat can exacerbate any minor design flaw and turn it into a major failure.

[Arkainzeye]

Speaking of the odessey... i have sister in law with a 2003 that has 255,000 miles on the original transmission. I asked her how many times has she serviced the transmission? She said Never!