hello

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?

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 !!!!!!.....

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.

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!