[sandy]

selling the car

May be the right decision given your stressors. I am selling/trying to sell my daughters 93. The thought of the car leaving her stranded is a bit much for me. The legend does have some definate problem areas, the cooling system (22 hoses??) is of poor design. Given the cars cost (when new) one would expect better overall reliability and no sense of "dread" at having the inevitable HG problem surface so damn quickly and repeatedly. It is true that some other autos do have HG problems, but, generally not for many miles and then again only when someone does something to force the issue (I.E, driving an extra 100mi with a blown radiator/hose) while the temp. guage is pegged.
Those old Civics etc. are a lesson in simplicity, well engineered and thought out. Same with the original bmw's, jettas, bugs and even the early year benz's. Dont get emotional about cars, they don't replace time with friends and family.
On a side note. OEM..ya know, most if not all car companies contract with major manufactures to build parts to their specs. Honda/Acura does not make thermostats or oil filters etc. Their thermostats most likly CSF units or Stant. Whom ever has the best price. Same with filters. Used to be that GM and AC delco (their OWN parts division) made parts for their cars. However, money talks and they also made itms for other car brands as well. Just business.
have fun.
anyone want to buy a 93 type2 coupe?

 

[endofmankind]

Just take care of it and it will take care of you.

^^ x2 :thumbsup:

 

[MillerTime]

I've been thinking of the same things as the OP after finding this site.........but with 75k original miles..........I'm more inclined not to sell:thumbsup:

 

[trs031]

Headgasket paranoia

It's normal what you are going through right now. I remember over a year ago now when i bought my legend and started reading the horror stories, I too, Got very paranoid. So 8 months into owning the car, finally one part went,The one that tells the fans to turn on when its hot like 20 bux, but I was BUGGING convinced it was something serious and that my HeadGasket would soon be shot. But like many members have mentioned the way the car has been maintained plays such a big part, mine was owned by an 88 year old lady to my relief who babied it. Now my opinion is I have never owned such a reliable car except maybe my old toyota rav4, which never broke down till i totaled it. Don't sell it unless the car is showing signs of problems, and try to be honest with who ever u sell it too. You will really grow to love this car especially once you start changing parts by yourself because of previous members great DIY's. Or when your buddy in the civic decides he want to go to the track and race the legend(now thats funny). Shyt I burnt a wannabe M3 at the "track". I just never thought they would be so affordable to buy, but I was also shocked to hear how expensive they r to maintain.

 

[MondiVTEC]

I have the same paranoia...my Legend has 205,XXX on it and i feel like i look at the temp gauge more then the road when im driving aranoid: ...makes me glad to have an Impreza as a backup vehicle...

 

[08AspenMom]

Lexus and Toyota not a bag a chips either!

I probably had SHG as well in my first Legend cause my car would smoke white from time to time, but being a kid and not hearing a ton of BHG horror stories back then I assumed it was burnt oil cause of the mileage... I don't mean to taint the rep of the Legend anymore because I really do like the car, but the stress and paranoia of getting one is just too high for me. I'm an easily stressed out person as it is and I don't want to add to it... I just wish the Legend was as rock solid as the LS400 in terms of reliability. I like the Legend much better though... I just don't like always wondering and worrying if I'll be the next...

I'm really sorry you are giving up on the Legend. I can't say that I don't understand your worries. I don't know if I would have bought our Legend had my brother just not had over $ 2,000 worth of head work done on it. The car had approx. 63,000 miles on it. The timing belt was replaced along with the water pump. I felt that it was a GREAT investment for $ 3,700 with a car that was in mint condition (NO rust) and only 72,000 miles on it. It has 76,000 on it now and we've invested approx. $ 2,500 in it for various other things...not mechanically needed. Wheels, mats, etc.

In regards to the Lexus. I worked for Toyota Motor Corp. They are GREAT car, but can be notorious for bad front ends!!! I've had MANY :yes: Toyotas and a few Lexus. All had strut plate problems. My dad has a mint 1997 LS400 with less than 100K miles on it. He's looking at over $ 3,000 in front end work and has already had new ball joints put on and one strut plate replaced. He's about ready to give up. He's had this car since new and has taken care of it better than any person I know can.

My 97' Camry was bought new. We had to have both strut plates replaced at 65,000 miles and they need it again. Not to mention Totota put a $ 6,000 engine in it (along with thousands of others) for oil sludge rather than having a massive recall. This was on the Camry V6 at 80,000 miles....Toyota's workhorse!

For the first time in YEARS...I walked away from Toyota. My 2005 Sienna was CRAP!!! I leased it and it only had 19,000 miles on it when I turned it in after 3 years. I just HATED driving it! The gas mileage SUCKED! I don't think it EVER got 15 mpg in town. Therefore, I bought a Chrysler Aspen with a 5.7 L HEMI. The gas mileage sucks BIG TIME, but I know why....it's a HEMI and at least I have horsepower and not a sewing machine . Everyone here knows I love my Aspen. I couldn't be happier with her (Big Bertha).

EVERY car has it's faults!!! Legends have theirs. However, I wouldn't give up our Legend for a Lexus it's same age. NO WAY! NO HOW! She has aged beautifully and with a little extra tender loving care, she'll give us years of use and pride!

ANY older car is not going to be for empty/shallow pockets and without some stress. Especially foreign cars. They're older....just like we get and parts/repairs are expensive . Again...I do understand your feelings, but just wanted to give you another perspective.

Hugs to all!
Kumi

 

[Legend"11]

I changed my mind; I'm not going to sell. I'm just going to do a ton of Preventative Maintenance and give the car the benefit of the doubht. I will even do one BHG Fix... If the car fails me after all this then atleast I tried.... My friend and some members in here have helped me feel like I'm making a wise choice keeping the Legend...

My friend called me foolish and told me to "live a little"... I think he might be right and paranoia shouldn't get to me because there is no guarantees in anything in life. Plus If I spend 500-800 in a BHG fix and redo the whole coolant system, I would have a car super reliable for another 15 years... Seems smarter than buying a brand new civic. + these cars are kind of rare in my area so I'll have something more nice...:thumbsup:

I'll give it a go. If it burns me once then I will give it a shot. If it burns me again even with thorough maintenance (which it really shouldn't) then it is time to get rid of it and move on... Thanks guys:bowdown:

And in all honesty, from what I've read... The legend isn't all that expensive of a car if you are willing to do the repairs yourself :yes: Granted parts may be more, but if you took your Civic to a dealer or mechanic for everything as opposed to doing the DIY's for this car, I'm sure the Civic would cost more...:yes:

I will give it a shot and I'm sorry to be so on the fence especially after purchasing it. I think I just got upset a little and had a tad of buyer's remorse only because I know I paid a little too much for it (KBB and NADA for Car was right around $4800 and I paid $5500+taxes). The car was in good shape for it's age and it has easily been 3 years since I came across one in the exact color I wanted in great shape and I just couldn't walk and risk losing it...:hitit:

So in a nutshell, I will give the car the benefit of the doubt and methodically work to make it work for me. If it burns me more than once then I will get something else..

 

[samblaze]

I changed my mind; I'm not going to sell. I'm just going to do a ton of Preventative Maintenance and give the car the benefit of the doubht. I will even do one BHG Fix... If the car fails me after all this then atleast I tried.... My friend and some members in here have helped me feel like I'm making a wise choice keeping the Legend...

My friend called me foolish and told me to "live a little"... I think he might be right and paranoia shouldn't get to me because there is no guarantees in anything in life. Plus If I spend 500-800 in a BHG fix and redo the whole coolant system, I would have a car super reliable for another 15 years... Seems smarter than buying a brand new civic. + these cars are kind of rare in my area so I'll have something more nice...:thumbsup:

I'll give it a go. If it burns me once then I will give it a shot. If it burns me again even with thorough maintenance (which it really shouldn't) then it is time to get rid of it and move on... Thanks guys:bowdown:

And in all honesty, from what I've read... The legend isn't all that expensive of a car if you are willing to do the repairs yourself :yes: Granted parts may be more, but if you took your Civic to a dealer or mechanic for everything as opposed to doing the DIY's for this car, I'm sure the Civic would cost more...:yes:

I will give it a shot and I'm sorry to be so on the fence especially after purchasing it. I think I just got upset a little and had a tad of buyer's remorse only because I know I paid a little too much for it (KBB and NADA for Car was right around $4800 and I paid $5500+taxes). The car was in good shape for it's age and it has easily been 3 years since I came across one in the exact color I wanted in great shape and I just couldn't walk and risk losing it...:hitit:

So in a nutshell, I will give the car the benefit of the doubt and methodically work to make it work for me. If it burns me more than once then I will get something else..

GREAT choice!!! Your friend is wise. I am sure you can find all the help you need on this site whether it's int he DIY section or via direct answers from members. Feel free to PM me with any questions/concerns you might have as I recently did this repair myself in '08. :yes:

 

[95_JDM_KA7]

Doesn't matter what car you own, as long you maintain it properly you shouldn't be worried. But a legend isn't just any car as we all know. :woot: good luck friend. I think once you get all the work done, you will be happy again and build your confidence back as a proud legend owner. YOU CAN DO IT! :thumbsup:

 

[CraigB]

Glad to hear you are keeping the car. As everyone says, maintain it properly and you shouldn't have any problems...

 

[Legend"11]

:woot:

I'm happy now! LOL! Yeah, I just think there is this mass panic of BHG going on that members forget how long it actually took to receive one. I mean, I had it in my head that I would be having to deal with this every 6 months or something like that!

Who cares if it is needed....


ADVICE TO THOSE PARANOID!!!

BHG IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD! If you like the Legend enough then it is worth dealing with... If you fix it correctly, then you shouldn't have anything to worry about for the next 10-15 years.

 

[08AspenMom]

:woot:

I'm happy now! LOL! Yeah, I just think there is this mass panic of BHG going on that members forget how long it actually took to receive one. I mean, I had it in my head that I would be having to deal with this every 6 months or something like that!

Who cares if it is needed....

ADVICE TO THOSE PARANOID!!!

BHG IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD! If you like the Legend enough then it is worth dealing with... If you fix it correctly, then you shouldn't have anything to worry about for the next 10-15 years.

You're too funny! Just think...you kicked paranoia's butt today! :thumbsup: I completely understand the "buyer's remorse" thing too. We didn't have our Legend a week until we found out it needed new axles and brakes. Once we got into her and saw all the GREAT things about the car....we were able to get over it. Not to mention all the GREAT people who have helped me out here.

It can be a love/hate relationship. Luck to you!! She'll probably run great now that it knows you're keeping it. Just talk to her.....just like a plant. :bigok:

Hugs to all,
Kumi

 

[endofmankind]

I have the same paranoia...my Legend has 205,XXX on it and i feel like i look at the temp gauge more then the road when im driving aranoid: .

^^ X2
I used to do the same and I get really worried when I start smelling burned plastic.
But here is TX countryside we smell more skunks than anything else:rofl:

I did an overhaul on the engine and trans back in July/August and that has given me a little bit more piece of mind because it is running much better than when I bought it. As a precautionary mesure, I always have my tools on stand by:lol: .

don't worry be happy