Honda Car Forum

Ike wrote:
>
> TeGGeR® wrote:
> > Ike <binarydotike@gmail.com> wrote in news:UvCRg.6737$%i.2457
> > @tornado.socal.rr.com:
> >
> >> My daughter's new FIT Sport (auto trans) is the family's first Honda. It
> >> drives and feels like a small Mercedes, and we agree with the favorable
> >> articles regarding build quality and features. However, we've heard
> >> unlikely stories about engine-trans longevity, and wonder if there's any
> >> repository of such information.
> >>
> >> How long should such a drive train last assuming proper maintenance, etc?
> >>
> >
> >
> > Half a million miles, easy. Given the right kind of driving that is.
> >
> > For most people, you can expect about 300K max.
> >
>
> I'm from an era when a valve job was necessary after 40k, and at 80k or
> so the engine was shot. My 1949 Chevy followed that profile, but of
> course gas was 24c/gallon and Earl Scheib would Paint Any Car for $29.95!


Well, the Chevy was splash lubricated (rod bearings) and of course,
lubricants back then were not close to what they are today.

My favorite old cars are Studebakers and the Stude V8's were virtually
indestructible. Still, a lot of these cars ended "parked" in the back
40 well before 100K. Most suffered a premature end of life because of
something simple like broken points, bad wires, or cracked distributor
cap, etc. I have purchased a number of 'em for parts and with a little
coaxing, most start right up with the proper attention.

Those same engines with today's lubricants would go well past 200K. A
Honda properly cared for would do even better due to better seals and
other improvements in technology over the years. Yet, a goodly number
of Hondas also don't make it much past 100K and usually for simple
things like a blown head gasket due to an aged hose failure etc.

Service life in my opinion is strictly up to the user...

JT

Elmo P. Shagnasty wrote:
> In article <Xns9848BA89DF99Ategger@207.14.116.130>,
> "TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote:
>
> > > Maintain it, fix things that break, and go on with your life. A Honda
> > > is genuinely an appliance. A pleasant one, in that it's not breaking
> > > the bank.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > The new ones seem to have problems the old ones didn't.
>
> That's true. Auto transmissions, anyone?
>
> A 4 cylinder manual transmission Honda, though, is a jewel to
> behold--and to last forever.

I wish mine had a manual... I think they are usually a bit
more reliable overall.. Less parts, etc..
I'm driving a 89 accord that I bought about 6-8 weeks or so ago.
It has the automatic 4 speed, which doesn't have the most stellar
record.. But I think some is the upkeep. I have heard of a few auto-
matics lasting well over 200-300k. But... I bet those are the ones
that change the fluid regularly, don't drive like Speed Racer's ® lost
stepchild, etc.. I bet many don't even bother to change the
tranny fluid, even though it's quite easy with the drain plug.
I know mine was pretty dirty and brown looking. I've already done
one drain/refill and plan to do it again pretty soon. So far, mine
seems to shift normal, and doesn't seem to slip or anything.
I don't hot rod around, so I might get lucky and get quite a few
more miles out of it if I keep the fluid clean. As far as the engine,
I have no doubts it could go 300k plus before needing an overhaul.
Mine has 151k, and still runs very well. Quiet valves, no smoke, etc..
It shows no signs of even being close to wore out. I think as long
as I don't break a timing belt, or overheat it, it will last as long
as I
own it, no sweat.
My 89 uses the iron block engine. "last year" I've heard theories that
those engines were kind of "underdriven" and thus tend to last quite a
while if kept up.
So anyway, I consider the auto tranny a weak link compared to the
engine, but all I can do is drive it, keep the fluid clean, and hope
it
doesn't crap out..
Secrets to long life.. Tranny, keep the fluid clean, and don't dog it
half to death playing race car driver.
Engine, keep the oil clean, don't *ever* overheat it, and don't dog it
half to death playing race car driver. Just common sense really.
MK

High Tech Misfit <me@privacy.net> wrote in
news:vzka15uzyn80$.dlg@hightech.misfit:

> TeGGeR® wrote:
>
>>> Maintain it, fix things that break, and go on with your life. A
>>> Honda is genuinely an appliance. A pleasant one, in that it's not
>>> breaking the bank.
>>
>> The new ones seem to have problems the old ones didn't. Lots of the
>> usual new-style EVAP issues, cats, and alternators. All of those
>> really add up in expenses. Mind you, all but the alternator seem to
>> be endemic to ALL makes, and you can thank the federal EPA for them.
>
> And let us not forget the increased use of electronics for throttle,
> auto tranny, and numerous other things. Electronics do not
> necessarily make things more reliable, especially when bugs are
> discovered after people buy them. And again, this applies to all car
> manufacturers.



All those you list are emissions and/or liability-driven.

--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Well,.. my honda civic is just last forever. Planned to buy the new
Civic SI coupe last year.. but it still run...and keep delaying my
buying plan...

89 civic sedan auto, 300k+ km already... still runs...

I assume your lovely FIT will do the same....


Ike wrote:
> My daughter's new FIT Sport (auto trans) is the family's first Honda. It
> drives and feels like a small Mercedes, and we agree with the favorable
> articles regarding build quality and features. However, we've heard
> unlikely stories about engine-trans longevity, and wonder if there's any
> repository of such information.
>
> How long should such a drive train last assuming proper maintenance, etc?
>
> Thanks.

TeGGeR® wrote:
> Ike <binarydotike@gmail.com> wrote in news:UvCRg.6737$%i.2457
> @tornado.socal.rr.com:
>
>> My daughter's new FIT Sport (auto trans) is the family's first Honda. It
>> drives and feels like a small Mercedes, and we agree with the favorable
>> articles regarding build quality and features. However, we've heard
>> unlikely stories about engine-trans longevity, and wonder if there's any
>> repository of such information.
>>
>> How long should such a drive train last assuming proper maintenance, etc?
>>
>
>
> Half a million miles, easy. Given the right kind of driving that is.
>
> For most people, you can expect about 300K max.
>

The only question mark I would have is the automatic trans. Honda has
had some trouble in recent years with them and I suspect that getting
500k miles out of one is rare.

Luckily the company is called Honda MOTOR Company, not Honda
Transmission Company .

John

Minimum 10 years, 100,000 miles.

Ike wrote:

> My daughter's new FIT Sport (auto trans) is the family's first Honda. It
> drives and feels like a small Mercedes, and we agree with the favorable
> articles regarding build quality and features. However, we've heard
> unlikely stories about engine-trans longevity, and wonder if there's any
> repository of such information.
>
> How long should such a drive train last assuming proper maintenance, etc?
>
> Thanks.

--
Tp,

-------- __o
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--- ( )/ ( ) ---- -\<.
-------------------- ( )/ ( )
-----------------------------------------

No Lawsuit Ever Fixed A Moron...

92 Accord, 5 speed, 233,000 milles. oritginal clutch.

My 89 was better though 265,000 (it was a better car too.)

Ike wrote:

> My daughter's new FIT Sport (auto trans) is the family's first Honda. It
> drives and feels like a small Mercedes, and we agree with the favorable
> articles regarding build quality and features. However, we've heard
> unlikely stories about engine-trans longevity, and wonder if there's any
> repository of such information.
>
> How long should such a drive train last assuming proper maintenance, etc?
>
> Thanks.

Nice. Excellent on the manual, lots of highway miles or both?

"...." <nospamming@msn.com> wrote in message
news:45256BAC.A943CE9E@msn.com...
> 92 Accord, 5 speed, 233,000 milles. oritginal clutch.
>
> My 89 was better though 265,000 (it was a better car too.)
>
> Ike wrote:
>
>> My daughter's new FIT Sport (auto trans) is the family's first Honda. It
>> drives and feels like a small Mercedes, and we agree with the favorable
>> articles regarding build quality and features. However, we've heard
>> unlikely stories about engine-trans longevity, and wonder if there's any
>> repository of such information.
>>
>> How long should such a drive train last assuming proper maintenance, etc?
>>
>> Thanks.
>

36,001 miles :-)

the first 120,000 miles on each was a high proportion of highway miles. The
miles after that were a normal mix.

Norman.

Dave L wrote:

> Nice. Excellent on the manual, lots of highway miles or both?
>
> "...." <nospamming@msn.com> wrote in message
> news:45256BAC.A943CE9E@msn.com...
> > 92 Accord, 5 speed, 233,000 milles. oritginal clutch.
> >
> > My 89 was better though 265,000 (it was a better car too.)
> >
> > Ike wrote:
> >
> >> My daughter's new FIT Sport (auto trans) is the family's first Honda. It
> >> drives and feels like a small Mercedes, and we agree with the favorable
> >> articles regarding build quality and features. However, we've heard
> >> unlikely stories about engine-trans longevity, and wonder if there's any
> >> repository of such information.
> >>
> >> How long should such a drive train last assuming proper maintenance, etc?
> >>
> >> Thanks.
> >