2004 Accord DX long term review, what it's like caring for an aging Honda

Short review of my car, Also going through my maintenance log just to show what it takes to keep an Accord in very good condition over 20 years after it was built, This has been a very reliable car, never once broken down.

[@nicselectronics81]

Love my 07' 194k miles going to drive it as long as possible

[@blake5459]

It’s really nice to see someone that takes such care and pride in their car instead of treating it like a disposable appliance. Good on ya mate ✌🏻

[@ubuntulinuxrules]

I really appreciate it, man.

[@MrFrenzy718]

So now I know why my srs light is on . Definitely have a faulty hazard switch. Thank you

[@txaccord]

I was happy to see this video pop up in my recommendations. Your car looks to be in pretty great condition. You've had a lot of the same issues as I have with mine. The road noise is probably my biggest complaint with these cars. I installed sound mat and new carpet with thicker insulation. It definitely helped, but not as much as I hoped. The 9th gen Accord with the MacPherson strut suspension was a huge step up. They ride so much better. Hard to beat the simplicity and durability of the 7th gen though.

[@ubuntulinuxrules]

@txaccord Thanks Justin, I wanted to show any perspective buyers of these things the good, the bad, and the ugly.

[@andys_youtube]

great info

[@drwater7534]

I have a 2007 4cyl accord with the standard radio still, 236k miles no issues with it yet, having trouble with the AC though, just recharged it and now it blows hot again thinkin its the compressor which sucks. But i got the sunroof so its cool. Keep an eye out for the rear roof mine’s inner liner is falling off due to the previous owner being a heavy smoker

[@ubuntulinuxrules]

Yeah, unfortunately these 7th gen Accords are getting so up there in age that the A/C compressors themselves are starting to fall apart, either that or the actual compressor relay has died and can be cheaply replaced, but if the relay is still good, then the compressor itself has died.

[@wstafco]

Great video. How much did all the maintenance cost to date?

[@ubuntulinuxrules]

With all the fluid and filter receipts, brake job receipts, tire and alignment receipts, and every repair ever done to this car, I just about calculate my grandmother and I to have collectively put $19,187 into this car over the course of 20 years, now not all of that is maintenance just to keep it running, some of that is repair to preserve the car like the headliner falling down, or various little things breaking, but I still throw it in because I did spend the money and I don't want to leave anything out, I know this sounds like an astronomical amount of money, but the car's 21st birthday is tomorrow, which means it has cost its owners less than $1000 a year if you break it down like that, and we have never had a breakdown.

[@wstafco]

@ubuntulinuxrules Thanks for your quick response. I agree. On average, the total spent is not bad over that many years. I have a 2017 with 141,000 miles and counting. I do alot of highway driving. Keep up the good work and keep us updated on the car!

[@4Runner21]

How are the struts quality and comfort from AutoZone? How long you had them for? Ty!

[@ubuntulinuxrules]

@4Runner21 I've been running the duralast struts since December of 2020 for the past 39,000 miles and they've been fantastic, the car goes down the road like OEM new, however if you do purchase them and you own a 4 cylinder Accord, have your original springs on the front struts swapped onto the new ones so that the front of your car sits at the correct ride height, and rides as soft as it should with the correct spring rate of the 4 cylinder accord springs that originally came with your car.

[@MMa-eo1yw]

​@@ubuntulinuxrulesSome struts and springs come assembled. Do you recommend this rather than only placing the strut and keeping the old OEM springs? Btw if this information is useful for others, it seems OEM strut and spring assembly are no longer being sold. You must buy them separately.

[@ubuntulinuxrules]

@@MMa-eo1yw My duralast struts did come pre-assembled, but the front struts came with springs made to hold up the heavy front end of an Accord V6 or Acura TL, they will still work in a 4 cylinder Accord or Acura TSX, but the front end will sit too high and have a stiff ride, I mention swapping your original front springs over to save anyone the trouble I had of having incorrect springs, and thinking they bought low quality parts for their car, becsuse it doesn't matter if you had the most expensive bilstein struts on an Accord, it would ride very crappy if your springs are too stiff and not the correct ones for the weight of the front your car.

[@ferndog1461]

Keep your bucket running. The newer cars are junk. The new Toyota/Honda you gonna be tagged for a mortgage payment.

[@KrGsMrNKusinagi0]

tires also relate road noise and bad suspension components.. You wouldnt believe how much better a more expensive set of tires feels and rides compared to cheap ones