On 9/8/04 9:56 AM, in article
96f4662e.0409080656.59cd3248@posting.google.com, "estea"
<teslaroo@yahoo.com> wrote:

> I'm looking at a '98 Ody w/about 100K miles for approx $6800 USD -
> love the way it drives/handles - turns better than my accord and not
> as noisy! I'm a honda fanatic (have a 96 accord right now but need a
> wee bit more space for the kids)and have had great experience
> w/accords.

The timing belt was due at 90,000. Did they change it?
>
> There are a couple of things I noticed on the test drive -
>
> #1 engine light is on and dealer says it's cause the PO let the gas
> run completely out (!). I don't buy this and will have engine light
> checked at a dealer before purchase BUT doesn't letting gas tank run
> to nothing harm the fuel pump or is that on an older, different type
> engine?

I don't buy it either. Sounds like they are making it up. I would make
them fix whatever is putting the light on before buying it.

If you already have it, you can make it tap out a code on the light if you
short the SCS connector and turn the key to "Run" (II). Reset the light by
pulling the backup radio fuse in the engine compartment fuse box for 10
seconds.

>
> #2 when decel. from about 60-25 mph there's a faint sound similar to
> an jet descending , then it stops. Doesn't sound faulty, just haven't
> heard it in any other engine ( this car has the 2.3 Vtec which I've
> never driven so maybe that's just how they sound?)

The 2.2 they used in '96 doesn't make such a sound either.

>
> #3 ignition switch was replaced at one point, (per dealer) and there
> are separate keys for ignition and doors. This was covered in a Honda
> recall on the 98 Ody, so possibly it was replaced pre-recall and PO's
> didn't want to pay extra to key new ignition same as doors? just
> seems fishy.

The recall only replaces the actual switch, a $35 part that is screwed to
the back of the key cylinder. If they changed the key cylinder, it was for
some other problem.

>
> well I love the thing but am not married to it although the 1st
> generation odys are hard to come by in these parts and it's a good
> price for a car that will more than likely take me to 200K - would
> appreciate advice/comments from anyone w/more knowledge than a
> non-car-minded mom of 3 who just needs decent reliable transportation.
> I have dealt w/dealer before and he is not crooked, just not super
> knowledgeable and I don't really know any gearheads IRL ; )
>
> thanks in advance for any opinions on the issues I've listed here -
>
> estea

We still have the '96 Ody in the family. I bought it new. We passed it on
to my daughter when she had a second kid and decided she needed a van. It
has about 130,000 miles on it now. Only repairs ever needed were ABS (did
not fix - too expensive), the ignition switch went bad around 85000 miles,
and the brake master cylinder went out at 117000. Overall, it's as
bullet-proof as any car I've ever owned.