How much is transferrable between a 1989 Accord DX coupe vs Lxi coupe?

[Viper GTS]

I found a 1989 Lxi coupe for $3,000, & as many of you know I have a wrecked 1989 DX coupe sitting in my parents driveway right now. If I were to get the Lxi, how much value would the existing vehicle have for parts? They're both 5-speeds.

Viper GTS

 

[Viper GTS]

Somebody has to know this...

Viper GTS

 

[Thegonagle]

The shifter knobs are interchangeable.

Actually, the answer is, unfortunately, not that many. Most of the body parts will be interchangeable, but not a ton else. The LXi has larger front brakes, different shocks or springs, if not both shocks and springs. The engine is different, obviously, as one is fuel injected and the other is carbureted. IIRC, the FI engine has a higher compression ratio. The front sway bar is thicker on the LXi (I think), and there is small one in the rear, where none exists on the DX. The LXi has 14 inch wheels, the DX has 13's.

The transmission is probably interchangeable, but I'm not certain, because they might have different final drive ratios. If you're going to get the transmission, you might as well take the drive shafts, and the front suspension stuff, in case you need them.

From your old car, I would get the side glass, the combination switch (headlights, turn signals, wipers) from the steering column, and the relays that control the pop-up headlights.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Garfang is right on as usual. Aside from engine and suspension bits though, most parts should be interchangeable. Interior trim and bodywork are the items that are generally overly expensive for what they are, so it will be nice to have spares of those things. (Example: The glovebox is over $100 through a Honda dealer.) The transmission is, as has been pointed out, interchangeable as well. Even though the wheels are different sizes, the bolt pattern should be the same, so you might consider keeping the old 13-inch wheels and putting a set of snow tires on them if you are able to do so. Just remember to put "taller" tires on the 13-inchers so that the rolling radius is about the same as the 14-inchers (LX-i tires: 195/60 R14) otherwise your speedometer and odometer will read fast/high.

ZV

 

[Viper GTS]

That really isn't much.

Oh well.

Neither of you mentioned the clutch, do you know if that's the same? I put a new one in mine shortly before I wrecked it.

BTW, the Lxi has only 107K miles on it, which is significantly lower than most in that age bracket.

Viper GTS

 

[Thegonagle]

BTW, for $3000, make sure it is in A1 condition. That price is a little high if the car is not nearly perfect.

I've found that the generation after 89 (90-93) are pretty nice cars too, with smoother running engines, and as good handling as it gets in a car that size, but they aren't quite as fun to drive as the smaller 86-89 Accords.

EDIT: I've got no idea about the clutch. A quick call to your friendly Honda pars department in the morning (when they're not busy) might yield a meaningful answer.

 

[Viper GTS]

<< BTW, for $3000, make sure it is in A1 condition. That price is a little high if the car is not nearly perfect.

I've found that the generation after 89 (90-93) are pretty nice cars too, with smoother running engines, and as good handling as it gets in a car that size, but they aren't quite as fun to drive as the smaller 86-89 Accords. >>



KBB Private Party value is $3,675 with 107K as the mileage (I entered Good for condition...)...

What do you think is a more reasonable price?

Viper GTS

 

[StageLeft]

Not many miles but Garfang is right - for $3k that thing better be PRISTINE. I paid $2300 for a 93 sentra in good condition (142k miles at time). Paying $700 for something 4 years old and not really a nicer car is a tough buy.

 

[Thegonagle]

It depends on the car. $3000 might be perfectly reasonable. They're great cars (yes, nicer than a '93 Sentra😛 ). But if it's got any rust, looks dull, is dirty, etc., it is not worth $3000.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Given the fact that the '89 almost certainly has 100,000 miles left in it (by a conservative estimate) and the general market I have observed for 3rd generation Accords, $3,000 seems to be a decent price for one that is in very good mechanical shape (should have most records) and has a clean body. The price sounds about right to me judging from the market value of older Accords in my area. Also, AFAIK the clutch from the DX should work in the LX-i since it's the same gearbox. You'll want to make sure of that though.

ZV

 

[AlwaysWong]

My first car was an 88 DX coupe. At the same time, my friend had an 88 DX hatch. Between the two of us, we probably spent about 5000-8000 just trying to keep those POS cars running. I think I spent a little bit more than he did, but my car did last a couple of months longer until I donated it. Once you strip the old DX, you should donate the wreck and just rid yourself of it. Hopefully, with the two cars combined, you can actually have a decent running car.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Garfang and Zenmervolt beat me to it. My dad owns an 88 LX (carbed), I own a 88 LXi - pretty much nothing is interchangeable on them that Garf. and Zenm. hasn't already mentioned w/ the exception of the A/C (compressor is a little bit different).

 

[Viper GTS]

<< My first car was an 88 DX coupe. At the same time, my friend had an 88 DX hatch. Between the two of us, we probably spent about 5000-8000 just trying to keep those POS cars running. I think I spent a little bit more than he did, but my car did last a couple of months longer until I donated it. Once you strip the old DX, you should donate the wreck and just rid yourself of it. Hopefully, with the two cars combined, you can actually have a decent running car. >>



Funny, mine only had problems when I ran it into things.

Like elk.

Viper GTS

 

[Thegonagle]

Here's the retail price guide from NADA. $3000 seems to be in the appropriate range.

BTW, the little yellow guides that most car dealers and banks use (around here anyway) say NADA on the cover.

 

[StageLeft]

<< My first car was an 88 DX coupe. At the same time, my friend had an 88 DX hatch. Between the two of us, we probably spent about 5000-8000 just trying to keep those POS cars running. I think I spent a little bit more than he did, but my car did last a couple of months longer until I donated it. Once you strip the old DX, you should donate the wreck and just rid yourself of it. Hopefully, with the two cars combined, you can actually have a decent running car. >>

My first car was an 89 Accord LX. Damn thing cost me about $2k to keep running over the 6 months I owned it. It has 117k miles when I bought it and when I sold it I sold it for about $100 less than I'd paid - using the fact it had a new transmission as a big selling point, and new brakes...and new ball joints...and new whatever else :|

 

[Zenmervolt]

Post:


<< My first car was an 88 DX coupe. At the same time, my friend had an 88 DX hatch. Between the two of us, we probably spent about 5000-8000 just trying to keep those POS cars running. I think I spent a little bit more than he did, but my car did last a couple of months longer until I donated it. Once you strip the old DX, you should donate the wreck and just rid yourself of it. Hopefully, with the two cars combined, you can actually have a decent running car. >>



User Name:
AlwaysWong

Just one letter off... 😛 (Kidding, don't mean to piss people off too much.)

First of all, if you really spent $5000-$8000 on the cars then neither of you knows when to stop. Any properly maintained 3rd generation Accord (either the DX/LX with the A20A1 engine or the LX-i with the A20A3 engine) will last long past the point at which the body falls off in a cloud of rust. Methinks you and your friend got a pair of sadly mistreated cars and then attempted to "band-aid" the problems instead of fixing them properly.

ZV