I own a 2000 Honda Accord ( bought new ), it presently has about 186,000 miles on it.
I did the recomended dealer maintenance for about the 1st year ( say 50k miles), got tired of paying the high fees, they are high !
At that point, I began to space service intervals out, eventually eliminating altogether, except oil changes. I did have timing belt replaced at about 100k, and of course brakes and tires, as needed. I found brakes from my trusty old-school mechanic, last longer than brakes from Honda.
Now the car seems to need some Tranny attention, and a cat-convertor ( according to my traditional mechanic, also a timing belt.
I figure the timing belt at say $250, I can get the the cat-conv online for $150, the auto tranny I'm less sure about, cost wise !
I believe I would have spent far more than the vehichle is worth now ( tough to price $4,000 ?) by taking it to Honda for every proceedure they recommend. Maybe not worded correctly, but I think I make my point !
I've bought late 70's model Toyota's with 150-250k miles, back in the 80's, for like $150-$500, driven them tens of thousands more miles, only changing oil, even selling at a profit a year or two later. A modern Honda, can't I expect 300k, if I do the timing belt again, whatever ails the tranny ( if not too costly ). The Cat-Con , I'm not really worried about, this state ( CT ) can't get their emissions testing program back in place.
If I can drive this still decent-looking, and reliable vehicle, for another 100k, why not ? Another issue ( here) is property taxes on autos. Additionally I can drop collision, and insure cheap. Car has never broken down, or needed a tow. Honda's are supposed to be tough as nails, so far true ! If my 77 Corollas ( had 2 ) can go 225k +, why can't the Honda go 300k ?
Doug
I did the recomended dealer maintenance for about the 1st year ( say 50k miles), got tired of paying the high fees, they are high !
At that point, I began to space service intervals out, eventually eliminating altogether, except oil changes. I did have timing belt replaced at about 100k, and of course brakes and tires, as needed. I found brakes from my trusty old-school mechanic, last longer than brakes from Honda.
Now the car seems to need some Tranny attention, and a cat-convertor ( according to my traditional mechanic, also a timing belt.
I figure the timing belt at say $250, I can get the the cat-conv online for $150, the auto tranny I'm less sure about, cost wise !
I believe I would have spent far more than the vehichle is worth now ( tough to price $4,000 ?) by taking it to Honda for every proceedure they recommend. Maybe not worded correctly, but I think I make my point !
I've bought late 70's model Toyota's with 150-250k miles, back in the 80's, for like $150-$500, driven them tens of thousands more miles, only changing oil, even selling at a profit a year or two later. A modern Honda, can't I expect 300k, if I do the timing belt again, whatever ails the tranny ( if not too costly ). The Cat-Con , I'm not really worried about, this state ( CT ) can't get their emissions testing program back in place.
If I can drive this still decent-looking, and reliable vehicle, for another 100k, why not ? Another issue ( here) is property taxes on autos. Additionally I can drop collision, and insure cheap. Car has never broken down, or needed a tow. Honda's are supposed to be tough as nails, so far true ! If my 77 Corollas ( had 2 ) can go 225k +, why can't the Honda go 300k ?
Doug
