hello

817 Views 12 Replies 9 Participants Last post by ND1980LS, Dec 28, 2005

guegan

Discussion Starter · Dec 26, 2005 (Edited)

Hello,

I'm french and i'm thinking about buying 89' Legend Coupé with Automatic gearbox.

I post on this US forum because Legend is not a best seller in France, so there's not a lot of forum...

I have some question about legend Coupé mk1 :

Is there some known probleme of reliability (mechanical, electrical...)?? What must I check in a first time?

Do the american drivers have problems with automatic gear box? because in France, it seems that it's not very reliable on the Legend (maybe the differences between US way of driving and French way of driving?)

Is it possible to disconnect ALB? Because, repairing ALB is not cheap...

Could you tell me the differents between US model, european model, australian model and japanese model? (i saw the different name,the corner lights, the rear lights, but i've read that the interiors are differents but i don't understand...)

Thanks a lot!

I'm also interesting in Us cars, I've ride for 3 years in Buick Century Coupe '74. There are a lot of american cars owners in France.Do US people talk about French cars?

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

Black_Panther

· #2 · Dec 26, 2005

Welcome to the forums!
The Auto tranny is probably the most common problem - if it has been taken care of it should be fine (fluid changes at more than regular 30k km interval). If the car has been city driven a lot the tranny will be a lot worse off and fluid should be changed every 15k or so. Other than that you should have no major issues.

BP

Save

MACuraLegend88

· #3 · Dec 27, 2005

I take care of my auto tranny (get the fluid changed once a year or so and I only drive about 5K each year).

As far as what has gone:
-Horn needed replaced in 2002
-New emergency brake installed in 2003
-Stuff that's supposed to wear out at times, like brakes and the timing belt, have been replaced at their proper intervals according to wear/mileage/age
-Power antennas can stick (mine has been stuck since 2003, seems common on 1986-1990 Legends and 1986-1993 Accords)
-Rust around the wheels (had some repaired in 1998, current rust is very minor, this problem is common on ALL Hondas)
-Faulty security alarm (read my post about it)
-Trim clip needs replaced (just something that happened with age)

As far as other countries, I know it's the Honda Legend sedan in Japan and Australia. Not sure about France or any European country for that matter. Our Acuras in the US have no Honda logo (or Acura "A") on first generation Legends where the "H" should be on a foreign model.

I'm not a mechanical expert so I'm not sure about ALB (sometimes called ABS) being disconnected. I do know that ALB is considered safer than regular brakes. I got my car (records and all) from my grandparents about a year and a half ago and they told me that ALB was very important--I have a 1988 without an airbag.

Out of curiosity, how many miles on this coupe you're looking at? And does it have all the maintence records?

See less See more

Save

ND1980LS

· #4 · Dec 27, 2005

Don't repair the ALB....it's not worth the money...just disconnect the 3 ALB fuses in the engine bay.

I disagree with some others on the auto tranny.....I have 2 Coupes: 1 w/274K miles and the other w/123K miles and both trannies are fine ! Just use Honda ATF when flushing or filling !

Be aware of the rust around the gas filler area and the rear whell well areas !

Make sure your car has had the timing belt/warter pump changed at the required 90K mile intervals......and that your front CV axle boots are not cracked and leaking !

I don't think there was much of a difference with the models other than cosmetics/accessories. I think the non-US models offered seat heaters and an automatic door lock/opener system for some years !

Best of luck and welcome....bonjour !!!!

.....John

As far as American people talking about French cars.........NO !!!!!!.....

See less See more

Save

89HondaLegend

· #5 · Dec 27, 2005

As far as American people talking about French cars.........NO !!!!!!.....

That goes for Australian people too.

Save

dmjole

· #6 · Dec 27, 2005

I agree with them...

I concur with the previous posters--if you don't know when the water pump and timing belt were last replaced, plan on getting it done as soon as you can, for preventive maintenance (or maybe peace of mind.)
You asked about what else to look for:
>wheel well rust--Hondas/Acuras are known for this problem.
>transmissions on generation 1 Acuras are over 15 years old, so be prepared for troubles.
> check the electric powered windows. If they don't work, are you prepared to diagnose them, and then perhaps replace the motors?
> oxygen sensors might need replacing.

As for Americans discussing French cars...I imagine it happens somewhere, but not very often. Most Americans have never really experienced French cars.
My family, however, once owned two Peugeots--a 504 sedan and 504 wagon (diesel engines). They were pretty good cars, but hard to find parts for.

Save

sleeprlegendcp

· #7 · Dec 27, 2005

guegan said:
Hello,

I'm french and i'm thinking about buying 89' Legend Coupé with Automatic gearbox.

I post on this US forum because Legend is not a best seller in France, so there's not a lot of forum...

I have some question about legend Coupé mk1 :

Is there some known probleme of reliability (mechanical, electrical...)?? What must I check in a first time?

Do the american drivers have problems with automatic gear box? because in France, it seems that it's not very reliable on the Legend (maybe the differences between US way of driving and French way of driving?)

Is it possible to disconnect ALB? Because, repairing ALB is not cheap...

Could you tell me the differents between US model, european model, australian model and japanese model? (i saw the different name,the corner lights, the rear lights, but i've read that the interiors are differents but i don't understand...)

Thanks a lot!

I'm also interesting in Us cars, I've ride for 3 years in Buick Century Coupe '74. There are a lot of american cars owners in France.Do US people talk about French cars?

Welcome to our Legend Family! We do have many people here from many different continents. I do believe you are the first from France though. You might also want to check out www.honda-legend.com. If you go there tell MikeD and Kevin that Lee from A-L said hi! The only problem is that all of the activity is in the German forum. If you can speak German you should be set.

Either way have fun around here too. We have tons of information in the search function. Make sure to try the advanced search too.

Later!
Lee

Save

guegan

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 27, 2005

Thanks a lot for your answers!

The car i've found has got 220 000 km (150 000 miles) and belt and waterpump were changed at 215 000 km.So, its' fine!

I've not seen it "with my eyes", but the seller said "no rust";

I'm trying to give you the web site :

http://cgi.ebay.fr/Honda-legend-2-7-coupe_W0QQitemZ4598906536QQcategoryZ91972QQcmdZViewItem

I'll give you more informations!

Save

2.7legend

· #9 · Dec 28, 2005

whoa 150,000miles in honda years thats a teenager legend.

i have'nt had major transmission problems just the shifter solenoids.

Save

ND1980LS

· #10 · Dec 28, 2005

WOW....the pics of the legend look great ! No rust at all. I'm wondering what's on the bumper in front of each headlight !!??

Save

5speed

· #11 · Dec 28, 2005

guegan;
Welcome! If your having problems with your ABS, do as ND1980LS mentioned...pull the fuses in the under hood fuse box(ALB). If you want to get rid of the ALB.ABS light. take the dash pod off(4 screws-2 under "visor" and one on each side). Reach behind instrument panel and unscrew lightbulb.
I don't believe there are any French cars imported into the United States anymore.

Save

89HondaLegend

· #12 · Dec 28, 2005

ND1980LS, Those things in front of the headlights are wipers. Some european models had them. Not us here in Australia and not the U.S. though.

Save

ND1980LS

· #13 · Dec 28, 2005

89HondaLegend said:
ND1980LS, Those things in front of the headlights are wipers. Some european models had them. Not us here in Australia and not the U.S. though.

I thought that's what they were.....I've only seen those on older Mercedes'.

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month