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I think I might have consumed too much caffeine before sitting down to write that.
Anyway, yes, I am currently smoking around in an old #Honda Accord.
Anyway, yes, I am currently smoking around in an old #Honda Accord.
Long story short: I was kindly offered the car by a friend. It had been parked up for six months and didn't have much MOT left, but it was free and appeared like it had some life left in it. However, I didn't need it – and I wanted it to go to someone who could use it.
Not long after, a relative's car failed its MOT and they weren't in a position to do much about it and needed something for work. I put two and two together and got HONDA, so picked up the phone: yes, it was still available.
I didn't have much time, so I grabbed a load of gear and a spare pair of hands and rocked on down to see what the story was. Yup, it had definitely been parked for a while. Dank, dirty and distinctly dead.
I checked all the fluids, topped everything off, made sure all the moving bits moved, slung some 12-odd fresh volts into it and...
But of course.
I could finally move it out of the corner (yup, it moved) and look at it properly.
Problem.
Problem.
This was quite problematic, as it was late on a Saturday. The local ECP had one hanger out of four, but a local motor parts place saved the day. I bought an armful of hangers and managed to get the exhaust back on the car. Pressures, fluids and lights all checked out.
The paperwork then turned into a complete mare, due to some old and outdated documents, which ultimately entailed me using a Post Office to tax it. Remember that? Anyway, I got it legal.
No, I still haven't got the new V5C back after posting off the old one...
No, I still haven't got the new V5C back after posting off the old one...
And it made it home! Ran like an absolute top; great engine, slick transmission, good steering and a pleasant ride. Did about 35mpg, too, which isn't bad.
I promptly threw it into the local cleaning place just to get the revival started, as it was horrible inside.
(Continues)
I promptly threw it into the local cleaning place just to get the revival started, as it was horrible inside.
(Continues)
(And off we go again).
With it now vaguely presentable, I could start reviving it in earnest.
With it now vaguely presentable, I could start reviving it in earnest.
I started with the engine bay, as I always enjoy doing that. Never fails to amaze me what a bit of elbow grease, myriad cleaners and some ACF-50 can do.
Perfect.
The interior was pretty damp and nasty – and filled with dog hair. It took a few days to get it back to a satisfactory standard. Vinegar, cleansers, a steam cleaner, multiple vacuum and lint rollering sessions, glass polishing...
Sorted. Such a clean and straightforward cabin. I cleaned and lubricated all the moving bits, too, just for peace of mind.
Then it was a case of tackling all the external detail bits and cleaning, polishing and waxing everything. Finally got it into a sanitary state.
Then I set about fixing things like the broken bonnet stay clip, cleaning the distributor cap and rotor, changing the plugs, etc.
After that, to better its MOT chances, I fitted new plates and restored the headlights.
Headlight kit review here: https://www.yesauto.com/uk/news/article/19271
After that, to better its MOT chances, I fitted new plates and restored the headlights.
Headlight kit review here: https://www.yesauto.com/uk/news/article/19271
After that, I finally managed to get it in for an MOT test. It failed the first time (ball joint cover, track rod gaiter) and picked up a load of minor advisories.
I got a new ball joint and gaiter on it, got some of the minor advisories sorted and sent it.
I got a new ball joint and gaiter on it, got some of the minor advisories sorted and sent it.
It passed, pleasingly. Still got some minor advisories (some surface corrosion on springs, a little perishing on the sidewalls, but I can't gripe for a 20-year-old car) but it's otherwise all dialled in.
Naturally, this hasn't been a cheap process – even free cars incur costs. Simply collecting it and getting it back home ended up costing £448.48 (tax, insurance, fuel, food, battery, etc.). I could have saved places in money but it needed to be effortless, so I took a hit.
Similarly, getting it through an MOT and making it serviceable cost £338.9 – and then there's the cleaning stuff, service parts, odds and sods – it all tots up quickly. Honda PSF-S steering fluid, jeez, that's expensive.
Just something to bear in mind if a free car tempts you.
Just something to bear in mind if a free car tempts you.
Oh, I also slung new wiper blades on it, repainted the arms quickly, fixed a noisy blower motor, changed the air filter, pollen filter, etc. Stuff to make it pleasant to be in.
I'm still debating whether to have a go at changing the timing belt and tensioner, because it's an unknown (it didn't come with a vast amount of history).
Such a sweet engine though and, despite having the efficiency-biased VTEC-E system, it makes a good noise at changeover!
Such a sweet engine though and, despite having the efficiency-biased VTEC-E system, it makes a good noise at changeover!
The four-speed auto is decent, too, and I like the natty nine-segment gear indicator in the cluster when you're in manual mode. Very '90s.
A satisfying car to drive, regardless. Reminds you how some aspects of the automotive world haven't really advanced, or have gone backwards.
A satisfying car to drive, regardless. Reminds you how some aspects of the automotive world haven't really advanced, or have gone backwards.
Oh, as a concluding point, my relative then decided they didn't want a free car (which I would have prepared to the nth degree so it was hassle-free), so I've still got it.
Ah, well. I get to hack around in a fine little Honda for a while longer. Can't gripe too much.
Ah, well. I get to hack around in a fine little Honda for a while longer. Can't gripe too much.
I also put this to good use, blowing out debris from all the nooks and crannies I couldn't get into.
Review this way: https://www.yesauto.com/uk/news/article/20089
Review this way: https://www.yesauto.com/uk/news/article/20089
