MrNemo

Hello, this is my first post here. I have been driving a 93 BMW 325i for the last 5 years, and I am sorry to say it has been one of the biggest disasters (at least financially) in my life. I probably spent over $10,000 just keeping it on the road. The head gasket alone blew twice.

About 8 months ago, I bought a 91 Acura Legend sedan for a whopping $2500 (note: sarcasm). I didn't know much about them except that the body style seemed rather modern for a 13-year-old car, and I liked the leather (which, surprisingly, looks almost new). Also, I still haven't figured this one out- the engine looks new... I mean NEW, like showroom. I have never seen anything like it.

Anyway, I purchased it as a temporary road car (I drive about 300-500 miles a week) to use while slowly fixing the many problems on the Bimmer. I've put 15K on it, and it now has 190K miles.

Having driven the Legend as if it were just a temporary vehicle that I would sell after fixing the BMW, I treated it with a bit of disrespect. I have cornered like a bat out of hell, floored it from the line too many times, and have regularly ran 120mph on the highway. The thing is, the Legend keeps hitting me right back. Nothing has broken, it performs even better the more I push it, it's power definitely has made up for the fact that it is a front-wheel drive car (can't wait to try some J-turns), and the 'ride' quality is like a cloud compared to the BMW.

Having reflected on the events just mentioned, the car earned my respect over the BMW. This is a car with nearly 200K miles, and it drives like it just came out of a showroom. It smokes the BMW in acceleration. After giving myself a reality check (why pour money into a limitless German hole), I sold the BMW a few days ago. The BMW had 130K miles and wouldn't go a month without needing another $500 or so, almost from the time I purchased it (from 90K miles).

Anyway, having not really cared about keeping the car in good shape when I bought it, I wasn't concerned with getting a carfax report at the time. Could someone please check my vin number? I would really appreciate it.

JH4KA7661MC040942

I just changed the Legend's timing belt and all other belts and water pump the day I sold the BMW, which was $700 at an indie garage. I also installed a new radiator the day I got the car, since it was cracked, which was about $500. The rack and pinion developed a small leak, but I put some goo in the system and the leak hasn't shown up in 2 months now. Not much to complain about in a car this age.

The only problems I have now are the shocks are trashed; there is a bridge here in town with steel grating at its peak, and when I go over this section, even at around 30 mph, the car bounces into other lanes and I have almost died at least twice in this situation. Since I definitely need struts/springs, I would like to upgrade the wheels to 17" or 18" and lower the car, but I am more interested in doing what will preserve a decent ride (not a BMW-stiff ride) and won't get in the way of highway driving (like I don't want to end up destroying tire after tire due to camber issues (happened to me in the BMW, and that was with 17" rims and very conservative lowering). I was sold on the H & R / Koni setup, but I think from reading your group's FAQ that I may need a softer configuration to preserve at least a relatively comfortable ride (minus the god-awful bouncing).

Other than that, my power seat doesn't work (very annoying), one rear window doesn't go down, the driver's window crawls, the window rubber gasket/ bezel is deformed (Acura wants $80 for a piece of rubber!) and the locks lock themselves about 30 times before stopping (and the passenger side door only locks manually). I have heard of all of these problems from the Legends, and none of them are severe like the BMW that would randomly cut all its power on highways.

Thanks for reading, and you guys really know everything there is to know about these cars, I am so impressed! I'm also glad to get away from the BMW forums, where every other person also has like 4 other German cars and gets pissed if u mention modifying anything (God forbid u mention changing the stock design, apparently made by blonde and blue eyed angels who descended from heaven to instill upon German engineers some sort of elite understanding of fashionable alloy shaping). Yeah, let's not forget WWII. I guess we could say that about the Japanese, too, though, DOH!

SO that's it, I'm sold. The Legend is the most fantastic car I've ever owned. I don't even miss the BMW.

__________________
"I am not a Marxist." ~ Karl Marx

 

duck

Good News -- Vehicle qualifies for the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee! No severe problems (major accidents, fire, flood damage, major odometer problems or lemon history) were ever reported by a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for this 1991 ACURA LEGEND L (JH4KA7661MC040942). If you find that any of these severe problems were reported to a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back.

You must register to activate this free guarantee!


CARFAX Talking CarTM
The story of this 1991 ACURA LEGEND L (JH4KA7661MC040942) according to our interpretation of the information reported to CARFAX:
This sedan has had 3 owners and was owned in Florida. The first title for this sedan was reported to CARFAX by a Florida DMV in 1991.
It was involved in 2 different accidents. These police-reported accidents occurred in Florida.
It has had no DMV-reported total loss events, like a major accident, fire or flood.
It has a consistent mileage history with no indication of an odometer rollback. It was driven an average of 14,724 miles per year, which is slightly lower than the industry average of 15,000. The last odometer reading, reported on 07/25/2003, was 174,638 miles.
It was not reported to a DMV as a Manufacturer Buyback (LEMON).
Go to the Detailed Vehicle History for the complete history and a glossary of terms.


Report Summary
1. ACCIDENT CHECK

Total Loss Check No Severe Accidents Reported to DMV - Buyback Guarantee!
Other Accident Indicators Accident Indicator Reported
2. MILEAGE ACCURACY CHECK

Truth-In-Mileage Check No Odometer Problems Reported to DMV - Buyback Guarantee!
Odometer Rollback Check No Potential Odometer Rollback Found
Mileage Consistency Check No Inconsistent Odometer Reading Found
3. LEMON CHECK®
No Mfr. Buyback Reported to DMV - Buyback Guarantee!
4. OWNERSHIP CHECK

Number of Owners 3 Estimated Owner(s)
Type of Owners Checked 9 Types of Vehicle Registrations
5. RECALL CHECK
ACURA Does Not Report Recalls to CARFAX
6. WARRANTY CHECK
No Data Reported to CARFAX
DETAILED VEHICLE HISTORY 20 HISTORY RECORDS REPORTED

Year/Make/Model: 1991 ACURA LEGEND L

Body Style: SEDAN 4 DR
Engine: 3.2L V6 SOHC PFI 24V
Fuel: GASOLINE
Driveline: FRONT WHEEL DRIVE
Manufactured in: JAPAN
Safety Equipment: 4 wheel ABS, Driver front air bag/passenger side active (manual) belt

Standard Equipment: Power Windows, Power Steering, Air Conditioning, AM / FM Cassette, Power Brakes, Power sun / moon roof, Tilt Wheel




Accident Report Date: Source: Detail:
03/17/2001 Florida Police Report Accident Reported
Involving left side impact
with another motor vehicle

12/28/2001 Florida Police Report Accident Reported
in Duval County
Involving a front impact
with a bicycle
Moderate or severe damage reported


CARFAX searched more than 2.7 billion records from over 5,300 sources and found 20 record(s) for this 1991 ACURA LEGEND L (JH4KA7661MC040942).

Date:
Mileage Reading:
Source:
General Comments:


07/31/1991 18 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Newnan, GA
Title #61871850
Odometer reading reported for title


09/17/1991 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Newnan, GA
Title #61871850
Title issued
First owner reported
Registered as lease vehicle


08/02/1995 59,000 Florida
Inspection Station
West Palm Beach, FL
Passed emissions inspection


09/04/1996 Auto Auction
Eastern Region
Vehicle sold


09/05/1996 71,000 Florida
Inspection Station
Jacksonville, FL
Passed emissions inspection


09/18/1996 71,886 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Jacksonville, FL
Title #61871850
Odometer reading reported for title


10/24/1996 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Jacksonville, FL
Title #61871850
Title issued
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported


12/06/1996 Florida
Inspection Station
Jacksonville, FL
Failed emissions inspection


12/06/1996 76,000 Florida
Inspection Station
Jacksonville, FL
Passed emissions inspection


12/07/1996 76,845 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Green Cove Springs, FL
Odometer reading reported for title


12/30/1996 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Green Cove Springs, FL
Title #0061871850
Title issued


12/30/1996 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Green Cove Springs, FL
Title #61871850
Title issued
Loan or lien reported


10/25/2000 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Green Cove Springs, FL
Title #0061871850
Title issued
Loan or lien reported


03/17/2001 Florida
Police Report
Case #571110070
Accident Reported
Involving left side impact
with another motor vehicle


12/28/2001 Florida
Police Report
Case #601732000
Accident Reported
in Duval County
Involving a front impact
with a bicycle
Moderate or severe damage reported


04/26/2003 169,512 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Green Cove Springs, FL
Odometer reading reported for title


05/02/2003 174,607 Dealer Inventory
Jacksonville, FL
Vehicle offered for sale


05/06/2003 174,627 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Southeast Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle


05/21/2003 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Green Cove Springs, FL
Title #0061871850
Title issued
New owner reported
Duplicate title issued


07/25/2003 174,638 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Jacksonville, FL
Title #0061871850

Mike Diaz

Best first post in Acura-legend.com history. Somebody give this man a carfax!

Welcome to the forums. If nobody has given you the carfax by tomorrow, I'll do it while I'm at work.

__________________

3.5L DIY | Crank-No Start Diagnosis | How I built My Legend

borntohoop

welcome to the forums!

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Mastervtec

Why? Because he ripped on a BMW and praised the Legend? No doubt it was a good post....but the best?:p

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"I like your cane." <<< >>> LMAO. You had to be there.
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My Coupe - Sold
My New Coupe

MrNemo

Man, u guys are quick! What was that, 5 minutes before I saw a response? And thanks for the compliment and especially the carfax report. Dude, my legend took out a bicycle! I am very confident in the car's structural integrity now considering it survived that. Don't know about the guy on the bike, though. Geez, I'll check underneath the bumper for blood and teeth. And had I known there was a contest for best first post, I would have bashed the BMW more, praised the legend more, and complimented the people on the forum more! And especially ranked on the BMW forum folks on roadfly more. I had some front end damage once to the BMW and asked about tasteful body kits (since I would have to replace the front bumper anyway) and these people apparently took it as if I had threatened to rape their mothers or something.

__________________
"I am not a Marxist." ~ Karl Marx

91LSMAN

Welcome to the forum.

That was a very good 1st post!!!!!!!

ACURA LEGENDS ROCK!

__________________

isaac'slegend

I agree with everyone else this is a great post, It makes me feel proud of beeing an owner of a LEGEND>!!!!!

ILOVELEGEND

Welcome to our forums. I'm sure you will enjoy your stay here just as you are enjoying driving your 190K mile Legend!! Isn't that fantastic that a 13+ year old car with tons of miles still drives like a champ while these expensive pieces of so called status symbols cause so much grief. My own sister-in-law owns a 2000 328 and her grief list is never ending!
That said, once again welcome and good luck with your Legend!

Dethred

Nice post, My friend "stealth5er" on the forums is on his 5th Automatic transmission and his engine rebuilt for his 90' 525i. He has 22x,xxx miles but thats still pretty bad.

MrNemo

Ahh, the BMW. It was the most wonderful car ever.

Except for the double whammy head gasket failure, timing case profile gasket, warped head, exploding water pump, broken fan clutch, broken fan blades, cracked radiator, cracked intake manifold, broken muffler, seized brakes (that almost caught on fire, for no reason) factory rotor that split in two on a routine braking, trashed wheel bearings, defective right front brake line, busted axel, had to slam the doors over and over and lock and unlock the car over and over to make the car think I wasn't trying to steal it (I would have my friends all stand around slamming doors until one of them did it the right way or we magically had some transcendental aid and the lights would flash, signifying a better chance of the car starting when we got back in) falling-off bumper, non-working interior lights (that couldn't be turned off if they happened to come on for some reason), faulty central locking system, broken hood latch, faulty alarm, faulty keyless entry system, power steering leak, coolant leak, oil leak, auto tensioner, intermittent tail light, intermittent window washers, intermittent stereo, tweeters that break away and fall inside the doors, cracked fog lights (when they get wet, they crack), intermittent sunroof that wouldn't close all the way, passenger window that was always trying to go up (u could put it down but it would automatically go back up, even if the switch were disconnected), interior door panels falling off, the driver's window motor and switch, the two rear window motors, the intermittent interior console lights and a/c control lights, the leaking trunk, the hood shocks, crappy plastic interior splitting apart, glove compartment always hung down on one side ::cough cough::, rear seatbelt lock failure, no start after going in a puddle, no start after going in an automatic car wash, un-alignable (even the dealer ever figure it right), e-brake handle broke off, a/c did not split air from head to feet as it should've, climate control was some sort of sick joke, just like the backseat leg-room, unreliable dealer service (they put the wrong oil filter in and squeezed it to fit, causing my filter housing to be filled with gelatinous goo that had to be spooned out- Tom Bush BMW, Jax, FL), failed electric mirror (only one side!) check engine light that would never go out no matter how much I spent, ABS failure, "check brake" light that would never go out, O2 sensor, headliner, random battery death, car would randomly think i was stealing it while driving down the highway and would cut ALL power, leaving me with a wheel that would barely turn and breaks that would barely break, computer reset itself every time I started the car, interior plastic seatbelt cover beams cracked to pieces, at one point all the lights on the left side of the car would blow fuses at the same time, and I would replace all the fuses and it would be fine for a few months and would blow again, car gurgled for 30 seconds upon start-up, &c.

But what I REALLY hated was NO CUP HOLDER. I know we're rude, tacky, jerkwater, backwoods, cultureless Americans, but
we need cupholders, seriously. Err the Legend I have has no cupholder, so the one knee acrobatics continue.

Honestly, I realize this car had to have been the biggest lemon of all time, but there was really nothing I could do but pay payments on it and try to keep it running, no matter what the cost.

(surprising BMW things- a/c and heater always worked fine, handled like no other car I've ever driven, beautiful exterior styling, shocks were fine at 130,000 miles, blazing highway speeds and precision passing, superior breaking)

But I spent so, so, so much money on that car, probably $10,000 on repairs and about $14,000 on the car, and I'd say the majority of the things on that list were still broken when I sold it. For $3,500. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would depreciate to the same value of most mid-80s models. I tried so hard. I gave it my best. I was treating that thing to Pinnacle Sovereign wax at $70 a bottle, and it still always let me down. It was like being stabbed in the chest by ur best friend.

Sorry, just had to let all of that out for the last time, and now I can never think about my dark German past again.

__________________
"I am not a Marxist." ~ Karl Marx

Patent

Welcome to the forums! Not all Bimmers are bad; my dad has a 95 M3, but it (mainly the motor) was built to a different standard than the rest of the 3 series. I definitely wouldn't get a regular 3, though. Anyways, I think you will like it here.

LPB

Welcome to the forum. The only suggestion I have is that you might wish to have the vehicle placed upon a frame machine and the front end specs checked if upon inspection you notice that the gaps between the panels on the front end are not similar. There is no adjustment to the Legend panels. You also don't know the extent of the damage which was repaired on the LT side. An inspection will inform as to the level of quality of the repair.

__________________
Eyebrows
KMS Strut Bar
Enkei 16" J-Lips
Wings West Spoiler w/LED
Clear Corner Lens
Clear Bumper Lens
Clear Rear Side Markers
Brembo X-Drilled/Slotted
Stainless Braided Brake Hoses
Focus 2500 Driving Lamps
Gold Pkg

KevinKA7

Hey MrNemo, welcome to the forum.

It´s not that every German loves the German cars. I hate´m. You have to pay for every little Gimmick on them you can get stock in every little Japanese city scooter.

BMW is pimp, only turkish wannabe blingblings are driving around in it, here in Germany.

Oh, and don´t go too far talking about WWII. Not every German is a nazi or BMW engineer.

Get loose from your bimmer times and WELCOME TO THE LEGEND COMMUNITY.

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I'm highly motivated, multi-skilled, very creative and reliable and searching for opportunity to work in the USA.<br>If you can help to make a straight Legend-drivers dream come true, email to admin@honda-legend.com</center>

MrNemo

Ah, honestly I did not know there was international participation in this forum! Das tut mir leid. Ein verfänglicher Witz. Worry not, my German WWII comments were sarcastic. I love Germans, speak some Deutsch, my girlfriend is from Heidelberg, and both of her grandparents were in GMY for the wonders of the Reich. I don't think all Germans are Nazis and drive BMWs, nor do I think they all listen to techno, nor Rammstein.

Mein Auto ist ein richtiger Klapperkasten. BMW- Außen fix, innen nix!

__________________
"I am not a Marxist." ~ Karl Marx