Automatics were changed in 88 (solenoids are outside and accesible). A lot of the time you just need to clean/test those. Automatic trannies in these cars are often a problem..you may want to look for a 5spd for this car..probably going to cost about the same as a rebuild or a lot less if you swap it yourself.
You could also think about finding a running g1 and using this 88/89 for parts (having a parts car has saved me at least $500 in the last year).

BP

 

Personally I prefer automatics. Although my '82 Accord is a 5 Speed.

This one runs but has some shifting issues that have cropped up. I've found the main thing with these trannies is how they are cared for more than them actually having issues, unless you get a bad rebuild like I did. The problem is most people aren't willing to care for them well or they romp on them because the cars have the power to do it, hence detiorating the transmission.

Initial outlay is an issue which is why I'm looking at this car. I'm not looking for a super fast car, or increasing the performance. I'm looking for a car I "Know" that has the look and feel of Luxury for Business use, especially for when I take the '82 accord out of service to rebuild the engine, replace the clutch, replace the driveshafts, and replace the balljoints.

Plus the Accord is going to be garaged starting next month most likely and be turned into more of a show car so I need a daily driver.

All of the work to return it back to excellent running and appearance condition will be done by me. Once there though it will probably end up at Acura every time it has a problem as my last one. I know the service manager at Lyle Pearson Acura here in Boise. They have always treated me right and normally been under what other companies would charge.

 

An 82 accord would make a unique showcar...cough cough
I think you'll have good luck with the g1 legend, I'd say most of us have.
Rebuilding a tranny is never cheap but 5spds are fairly common and its something you should be able to install yourself if you've got the time/patience and materials. I wouldnt be surprised if the auto shifts fine after those solenoids are cleaned.

 

For a $ 100 I'd buy it.....just to see what it looked like. Send pics....then we'll all jump in with the suggestions !

 

The 2nd Generation Accords are getting rare. It was also the first year they did this body style, which is much like the G1 Legends.

Pictures of my '82 Accord:

Aside from that I've seen it. I will get pictures if I do this. I'm going to go get the VIN today to find the Title loan company. My biggest leverage is the Tranny. Book for KBB is only like $1300 "with" a good tranny.

The bad part is I will probably have to have it towed without Keys then take the number off the trunk and have the key made at the dealer.

 

Great looking car! Low mileage?

 

On the Accord? No, it has 151,000 and I just had to put a different engine in it due to having bought it with a burnt valve. Engine blew on me so it has another 1.8L now. Gets a steady 25mph with a combination of around town/highway per tank.

I have the VIN now, just need to find out who the lienholder is on the Acura.

 

Just ran the VIN through Autocheck and came back clean.

Year: 1988
Make: Acura
Model: Legend
Style/Body: 4 Door Sedan
Engine: 2.7L V6 SFI SOHC

 

Wow, I used to have an 82 Accord, too!
Looked just like yours (color, 4 door), except with Honda Cancer (rear wheel well where the fuel filler pipe attached to the body, and the underside of the trunk, where the spare tire was stored--a couple holes down there!)
Great days...that thing ran, and ran, and ran. I had to replace both CV joints, and I had a ball joint break once, too. That was scary--good thing I wasn't on the highway when it did!
I could drive for a week on 5 dollars worth of gas--I got 35 mpg on the highway, 25 around town.
That Accord was the reason I bought my Legend. I wanted that reliability and feel again, and it was durn near impossible to find an Accord to fit my very tight budget.
If you're willing and able to fix the transmission woes, you'll have a heck of a car for 100 bucks.

 

The only rust on the '82 is surface rust from where some paint has been scratched/worn? off in places. There are no holes nor rust in the normal wear spots (wheel wells, spare tire, gas filler, etc..). It's the only reason I keep putting money into it. I'm hoping the current major issue is related to the engine swap not being done right and is simply a transmission mount not attached/missing or bad.

Aside from that, I have another post regarding the tranny hoping to find out the problem............

 

trannies?

If your thinking about getting a rebuilt tranny I wouldnt recommend it. Id go with a used tranny if you can find one in a good condition and has warranty. Rebuilts cost way more than a used and most likely breaks down fast because that is the just the way its setup to be so the rebuilders can make more money. Cheap parts are used for rebuilds compared to a used tranny... everything is original for a used one though. I asked about rebuilding an auto tranny once and the mechanics told me it would cost like $2400. true?? I wouldnt know but I went to buy a used one and it only cost me $150.00. Its up to you but Id choose used over rebuilt any day. Besides that swap a 5spd tranny for it because if you drive it right it will last longer than the auto... why do you think auto legends arent selling very well compared to the rarer 5spds. good luck.

 

Where you found a used one for $150.00 is beyond me. I've never seen them that inexpensive.

To buy and have installed a rebuilt tranny is around $2400.00. That is including the install. To buy a rebuilt transmission is only around $1600.00. If you were to rebuild it yourself your only looking at $600.00.

And I've actually never found a rebuilt item that is "planned" to fail. You occasionally get bad and some companies don't do quality work though.

For the most part if you go with a good rebuild company they use OEM parts when rebuilding a transmission.

Also, I'm not a big fan of 5 speeds. If I buy this I will be fixing the Auto. I miss having an Automatic. My Accord is a 5 speed.

 

i've owned 3 accords.

a 1986 lx (with over 300,xxxmi) a 1988 lx (120,xxxmi) and a 1989 lx-i (132,xxxmi)

the 86 lost in a VERY BAD accident.
the 89 i gave to my uncle
the 88 i sold becuase i seen the legend and wanted the legend.

those accords are VERY durable.
you can beat on them and they'll still run

i seen a couple of 2nd gen accord here (in chicago).

do they know excactlyt whats wrong with the car.

 

With the '88? I believe it might be solenoids. I posted there description of the problem on another post.

 

oh yea i remember...it's pssible that the solenoid for 1st/4th is gummed or no good.
have you driven her

 

Dead battery not driven in over 2 years so guess. I'm working the title first. No point in going farther if I can't get the title.

 

Just an update. I called my dad today and asked him to pass a message to the car owner to have her call me. In reality she isn't the car owner anymore since the Title loan was taken out in 2002 and she never made a payment, but they never repoed the car or took possession of the title.

I picked up a Vehicle Title Report which listed the Title Loan company and contacted them, in person. They couldn't find her in the computer. I talked to a friend of mine who runs a car lot and he stated she is probably in there "write off" file and no longer in the system.

So now I have them chasing circles to locate the amount and what it might take to get them out of the picture.