2005 Accord

[Drew99GT]

Found a one owner Value Package model for 13K for my mom; she likes it and simply wants something that's gonna be ultra reliable.

Question: is this model plagued by automatic transmission problems and does it have a trans drain plug?

Also, if anyone here has a newer 2.4L Accord with an auto trans, what kind of fuel mileage are you getting? Thanks!

 

[Hermann]

Drew,

The AT's on this model have had no known chronic problems, that I have heard of, on this and several Honda forums.. The AT fluid is a snap to change, easier than a oil change. I would stick with Honda Z-1 or Amsoil ATF. The mileage on my Accord is 27-30 MPG ever since I bought it 2.5 years ago.

 

[Hermann]

Drew, forgot to say it does have a very easy to access drain plug.

 

[The Critic]

The 5-speed autos that are paired to the 4-cyl engines have no problems.

How many miles on this vehicle? 13k is very high. Unless they are willing to let it go for 11k or less, move on.

 

[SMB]

AT should be ok. IIRC, the accords between 1998 and 2002 had transmission problems, but not 2005.

 

[peking]

Hey Drew, my wife and I have a 2006 EX 2.4L and love it. I've had Hondas for mostly all my life and never had a problem with the tranny. Just make sure you change the tranny fluid every 30-40K and it will run like it's brand new (just a simple drain and fill). The process to change is quite easy. Jack up the car or use ramps. Then, remove the drain plug with a 3/8 inch socket wrench. Let it drain for a while and put the plug back in with a new washer. Finally, fill it back up with 3 something quarts of ATF (I prefer the Honda ATF).

BTW, we get 26-27 MPG with 60% city driving and 40% HWY.

Peace,
Paul

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
The 5-speed autos that are paired to the 4-cyl engines have no problems.

How many miles on this vehicle? 13k is very high. Unless they are willing to let it go for 11k or less, move on.


It's got 31,000 miles. We're gonna try and talk them down; I've got printouts with KBB, NADA, and edmunds pricing and your right Critic, 11K is more realistic, but the car is totally MINT.

 

[The Critic]

Any idea about the maintenance history?

Has the full 30k service been done?

Offer them 9k and go up from there.

 

[Schmoe]

That's a 7th generation AT. The 6th gens are the problemed ones. The first year 7th gens had AT problems with the 2nd gear over heating. Honda fixed that with an oil jet that squirted oil on top of the gear via the visual inspection hole. That was done after production. From late 04 and up, it was incorporated at the factory. No problems with these trans. With the 6th gens, it doesn't matter if it's 4 or 6 cylinder.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Any idea about the maintenance history?

Has the full 30k service been done?

Offer them 9k and go up from there.

They have receipts from a local garage for 3,000 mile oil changes. What else is done for the 30K sevice?

 

[The Critic]

Engine Air Filter, Cabin Air Filter and Brake Fluid replacements are required.

The ATF should also be drained and refilled, but isn't required according to the manual.

 

[Drew99GT]

That's all stuff I'd do myself for about what, maybe 50 bucks at most in parts? What would a dealer charge, 500!

 

[The Critic]

$400 for a full 30k service usually. But in the recent years, it's to your advantage to have it done at the dealer, for other reasons.

 

[Audi Junkie]

New 07s are SERIOUSLY discounted, like $4k off sticker or even more. I have one, a Coupe, like Buster's. Got the AT because it works so nicely. Other than the defective window trim "tape", no complaints. No new car I bought in a long time nor any that I seriously looked at felt as "right" in so many ways. The -L package was so worth it for +$1500. I get 29mpg driving briskly mostly hwy.

 

[Drew99GT]

I just checked out Honda.com and there are no cash back or rebate offers currently. Darn

 

[Drew99GT]

Pricing in my area is actually as follows: Edmunds - $13,458, NADA - $14,425, and KBB - $14,050. Other Accords with higher mileage and not as mint are selling for mid 14s on average around here so 11k is too low I think.

 

[The Critic]

I got the 14,050 figure if the vehicle was in excellent condition. NO vehicles, I repeat, no vehicles are ever worth this amount.

Most cars are worth the "fair" value for private party at best.

If the person took the vehicle to a dealer and traded it in, it would be worth about 10k (at most) if it was appraised using the Galves guide.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
I just checked out Honda.com and there are no cash back or rebate offers currently. Darn

Call your local dealer and ask. But considering that it's already December there are VERY few 07s left on the lot, at least around here. The ones that are left are heavily loaded models with Navi that are selling for about 20k.

 

[Drew99GT]

Critic, I've bought and sold a lot of cars and a car that is MINT with all receipts will sell for a premium in the private party market. If I low ball the guy and he doesn't want to budge, someone will sap it up in no time.

These NADA/KBB values are just one aspect of the game; look on Autotrader around the country for similar vehicles and they're all well over 14K. If I had this car and someone came in with 11K for an offer, I'd probably fall on the ground laughing. Galves, KBB, NADA are all basically bee ess; just like real estate, you have to look at what cars are actually selling for in the market.

 

[The Critic]

Be the guy who sells his cars for top dollar, but not be the guy who buys one at top dollar.

Look, if this guy took this vehicle to the dealer, he'd be LUCKY if he got 10k for it. For you to pay him 14k is just ridiculous.

To each his own though.