Do I have to talk to Hector about Spoon engines? (LM: EM1)

In reply to docwyte :

I agree with your sentiments- asking a 25 year old car to be your DD isn't ideal. Although I would ask- Tim, how much do you drive a potential DD and in what conditions? 

While they technically weren't my DD's (due to having a work car), my old Honda's (1996 Integra GS-R, 1988 CRX Si and EK hatch) were very reliable. The only problem I ever recall having with my CRX was an oil seal on the distributor leaking during a weekend long track event- fixed in the track parking lot in ~10 minutes with basic hand tools. My EK never gave me one issue at all, ever. The biggest problems I had with my GS-R were self-caused due to modification- with the only exception being the fact that it burned a bit of oil when I was spending a lot of time in VTEC. If you ignore the issues listed above (parts getting more expensive, terrible community, risk of theft, B-series oil burning, etc), old wishbone Honda's are pretty tough to kill- they're so simplistic that there isn't much to go wrong. When something does go wrong, the fixes are pretty easy/straightforward- they're designed to be easy to service and tolerate a decent amount of abuse and neglect. I got to the point where I could swap out a timing belt and water pump on a B-series in under a couple hours- even less time for the SOHC D-series- easiest timing belt swap of any car I've ever turned a wrench on. The biggest issue I noticed really was rust forming around the rear fender wells. If I was ever so inclined to buy another one (unlikely for reasons listed above), I would remove the rear fender rubber guards and check the lip of the fender for rust (if not immediately visible). Maybe check for bondo around that area as well (quite a few of them have been cut up and bondo'd in that area by this point). 

If the OP primarily works from home, or has a short commute in a temperate area outside of the rust belt, it might suit him just fine. You'll have to forgive me for not knowing his DD needs. If he travels cross country through the rust belt, or needs to stay in hotels in shady areas on a regular basis, I would agree with you- maybe pass on a 25 year old Honda. Otherwise, mechanically, they're very reliable and easy to maintain. 

another vote for an FA5 (sedan) 8th gen Si.  i had one for 7 years, terrific DD.  30mpg easy, safe crash structure, more or less left alone by theives...I had zero issues despite it being bright blue with bronze wheels.  the back seat is fine for adults and one thing often unmentioned is the rear floor is dead flat so you can fit tons of stuff on the floorboard too.  with the seat down the inside is cavernous.  

loved the stock stereo and sunroof too.  and obviously, if you have the coin, a tune and a few choice bolt-ons to the legendary K20 will really open it up quickly.  handling is fun stock especially with the Torsen LSD, but they come alive with a good alignment and some mild lowering springs.

most difficult part, like most hondas, is finding one that isn't on its 4th owner who parked it under a pine tree and occassionally changes the oil when they think about it.

In reply to ScottyB :

... and then you find out they changed the pine tree's oil.

How do they hold up to high miles? A lot of the FAs I'm seeing sport a mileage in the hit 100s or low 200s. 

docwyte said:

In reply to 93gsxturbo :

That would help but doesn't change the fact that buying a 25 year old car and expecting it to work as a DD is just a bad idea right out of the gate. 

Many of the cars that I really like were built in the last 1990's and early 2000's.  I'd love another B5 S4 avant (or import a B5 RS4 avant!), or an E36 wagon, but the Audi was a needy car when it was relatively new.  Things haven't gotten better with time and parts supply is drying up.  Me expecting to use any car of that era as a reliable DD is just lunacy.

100% - i and any other reasonably sane person recommends the OP gets a less than 5 year old Camry for a daily driver considering the needs presented and get a fun car for a fun car when the time is right.  

Or get the fun car and make some more good stories.  

BoxheadTim said:

In reply to ScottyB :

... and then you find out they changed the pine tree's oil.

How do they hold up to high miles? A lot of the FAs I'm seeing sport a mileage in the hit 100s or low 200s. 

i bought mine with 88k miles on it and sold it with 135k.  never left me stranded, just general maintenance and replacing worn items.  when i did the valve adjustment at 100k the inside of the engine was literally spotless.  i've seen many churning along with over 200k.  i have a lot of super fond memories of that car, it was a great one.

that said they DO have fragile AC systems (weak compressors or blown compressor clutches) and the stock gearbox does not tolerate extended fluid changes well.  the gearsets and bearings are physically less robust than a B-series box and the early synchros (06-08) do not tolerate abuse well.  combined with more power and a higher body weight, you can run into issues if they aren't cared for.  its rare but i've also heard of a few K20 blocks cracking on the front coolant sleeve under the starter from a poor engine casting, for no apparent reason.  the K24's don't suffer from this so if you don't mind the lower redline a 13-15 Si might be easier to find a good example and one with less owner swaps.  Avoid the 2012 Si, it was kind of a transitional dud.

Bit of a plug, but take a look at the 04-08 Acura tsx. 

Double-wishbone front, the good k24, stealthy, modern-ish safety, and just all around a wonderful car if you can find one in good condition.

Slight power bump in 06-08. 07-08s are most desirable but as with all older cars try to find one with a good owner above all.

Why is double-wishbone front a good thing for a daily driver?  Those are the ones that blow lower ball joints apart, with all of the consequences.

They also are a right pain to work on when it comes time to replace the axles, or do anything else with the front suspension.

I do like the TSXs (and TLs) but I see that front suspension as a liability, not a benefit.

I guess if we're talking Hondas from the mid-aughts, what are the hive's opinion on the Ridgeline?

It's closer to the LX, probably tows enough for my needs, and there seem to be a few around.