Capsule Review: 1986-1989 Honda Accord

Mike Solowiow
by Mike Solowiow

Next time you’re driving, look around. Provided you’re one of TTAC’s North American readers, chances are you’ll see at least one third-gen Accord humming along happily– despite its tatty cosmetic condition. The late ’80’s Accords showcased perhaps the finest demonstration of Japanese manufacturing capability; Honda crafted a sedan rivaling the legendary Toyota Hilux’s affinity for destruction-resistance.

Honda still had not solidified its reliability reputation in North America. Honda was still a foreign word in many parts of the US. The Japanese transplant knew they had to set a new standard if they were to continue their remarkable market growth. They equipped the Accord with features not normally seen in cars in its price range: cruise control (even on the most basic DX model), a/c, power everything and a pretty decent stereo (complete with blinking lights). Honda also decided to throw out the previous American-influenced style for something really cool. Clock those flip-up headlights, the tiny Hoffmeister-kink, the low cowl and bolstered seats. Honda banished the be-chromed squared off goodness of 1981 for a shuttle craft from Battlestar Galactica.

[Non-Dodge] Viper comparisons don’t end there. No car with only a 90bhp, carbureted four-cylinder should be as much fun to toss through the turns as a late 80’s Accord. Fully-independent double-wishbones, available four-wheel disc brakes, manual transmissions on every trim level and optional fuel-injection (with 110bhp on tap, rising to 120bhp in 1988). The Accord extended the brand’s growing rep for cars that handled well. At the limit, the Accord will plow into understeer. As grip greatly exceeds power, a little throttle lift will tuck the diminutive sedan back onto its grin-inducing line as you snick the five-speed into a lower gear. Even the automatic leaned towards hooliganism as it tended to hold gears longer and downshift with less prodding than most.

The Accord broke ground not only dynamically, but culturally. The sedan found an audience outside of its traditional demographics. It was embraced by college students, ski bums, LA commuters, families, yuppies, hippies and a certain Ms Vera Carp from Tuna, Texas who wanted to make a statement and have fun on her way to the hairdresser. Twenty years later, the third-generation Accord is Honda.

Mike Solowiow
Mike Solowiow

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  • Janter Janter on Jun 15, 2015

    I have had the luck of owning 3 third generation Honda Accords. My first was a 1988 DX with 64k miles she died at 180k. I also owned a 1987 LXI hatchback this car was my favorite I had so much fun driving her. Her acceleration was impressive. My last was a 1989 Accord 4 door LX. I drove all these cars till nothing more existed. I sometimes wonder why can't we just make cars like that now? Same style, same features, same incredible durability, and pleasure to drive. I know as do you that is not possible except in dreams. Hands down the best cars I have ever owned. Hands down the most fun as well.

  • I'm looking at buying a used 1996-2002 Accord with a Manual. I've test driven them and in my opinion they're excellent cars. They’re not perfect, but I especially liked the smoothness of the engine and the slick action of the gearshift. These cars and the camry really gave Detroit a run for their money and it forced them to wake up. American cars of the same vintage or a few years newer are just so rough for me. I think the problem with Detroit was not that they even built the worst cars, but they built cars that were just "good enough". These cars would meet the minimum requirements to be a car and would just last long enough, but everything else would be poor quality. Examples would be the GM A-body Cutlasses/Centuries/etc., later Ford Tauruses, even some Crown Vics/Grand Marquis. I believe until about the mid 2000s or so this was the case. The second gen focus we got here is a good example. I used to own a 2005 ZXW wagon. The engine itself was bulletproof, but at 125k it developed a valve rattling noise which is apparently common with these, and it was rough and buzzy compared to a Honda or Toyota of similar vintage. It’s interior was AWFUL, not a single soft touch surface anywhere except the armrest, and even that was very thin. It was worse than even 90s GM cars I’ve sat in. It felt like being inside a plastic cave, and the doors shut with a hollow metallic thud. I loved the handling though, had the ride of a big car with the cornering of a small car, and it was cheap at $2800. 2000-2007 Foci have great handling and comfort, and with the duratec 2.3 engine they could be fast, but everything else seemed a cut below. In the past 10 years Ford have really stepped up their game though. I got to drive a 2014 Fusion for an auto auction and it had a superb interior, with old-school Honda levels of soft touch materials.

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
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