From its launch in Japan 50 years ago, the Honda Accord has become one of the most resilient and best-selling automobile nameplates of all time. With nearly 20 million sold to date, the Accord ranks right up there with the VW Beetle in popularity. The third generation ran from 1986 to 1989, including this survivor-quality coupe from ’89 that looks and runs great. Ready for some more miles and smiles, this Honda is in Woodland, California, and is available here on eBay where the current bid is $2,401 (no reserve).
Honda began manufacturing automobiles in the U.S. in 1982 (Marysville, Ohio), so this 1989 Accord was built there, and many of these coupes were actually exported back to Japan! It was classified as a compact car at first, though the name has passed over several lines, including the Crossover. The third gen was noted for its hideaway headlights, a not-uncommon feature of autos in those days. In 1989, the Accord used a 2.0-liter inline-4, and this one has a 5-speed manual transmission, though an automatic was on the table, too.
This Accord is a DX model, which means it was devoid of features like power windows. The car is advertised as having low miles, which 100k is kind of low today but not necessarily so 40 years ago. The body is rust-free, and the paint should be original, though it has a few little nicks and scratches as you would expect for the age. The machine looks to have been well-kept, and the seller makes no mention of any shortcomings.
Typical of a Honda, the fit and finish on this vehicle look good, and it would get better as Japanese quality control became a way of habit internationally. The seller tells us what works, so we have to assume the list of those items that don’t is either short or non-existent. Anyone up for a Made in the USA Honda?
This should sell well. It’s an unusual body style, it’s a 5spd and it’s a Honda. The problem is it’s a Nevada car being sold in California, likely not in the sellers name. It needs a VIN verification by the CHP and a smog test. If it fails smog, you can’t register the car in California, only transfer title, but if the seller isn’t the owner it’s your problem. Even if it’s going out of state, if there are registration issues, you would be on your own.
Steve R
I was never a big fan back in the day. The Accord was too practical and sensible. But next to today’s Accord this looks like a go kart. I’d be in if it were closer to me.
I liked the Accords in general but never saw the point of the coupe over the sedan or hatchback. Bringing in the Aerodeck would’ve made more sense to me and even then the Aerodeck should’ve been a 5-door.
There was no need whatsoever for three distinct 2/3-door models and then only a 4-door sedan and apparently someone at Honda agreed since the next generation subbed a wagon.
The Preludes were the ones to have from this era. I had first and second gen Preludes and I would DD one today if it were in good condition. But this is an excellent Accord that would probably still serve as a nice DD.
Funny, I’d totally forgotten these even came in a coupe variant, until just recently they were mentioned in comments on a Curbside Classic post about the demise of 2-door sedans and the distinction between those vs. coupes (TL;DR: coupes have at least a reduced wheelbase and/or roofline vs. their sedan counterparts), and now we see one of these up for sale here.
These go down the road so nicely. The always awesome Honda manual in there is icing on the cake. Someone will be very lucky.
Oh yeah Stan, I agree, these were one of the nicest shifting transmissions on the road back then. Very nice driving cars too.
Anybody here know if these were the EFI systems or a carb ? I agree with Driveinstile these were so simple but drove so nice and smooth. One of the vehicles that always you looked forward to running down to the grocery store for this , that or the other. No dashboard computer screens. Great times
I didn’t see any mention of working A/C ? ? /
Don’t think the DX had A/C. Or a radio for that matter
AI says that 1989 was the last year the Accord used carburetors. The hold overs to that point were the LX and DX. It says all Accord’s used EFI starting in 1990.
Steve R
States in the add the A/C blows cold.
I think back then you could get A/C installed at the dealership for any Honda.
I worked at a Honda dealership in the late 80’s cleaning and prepping new Hondas I miss that, they all were delivered with a full tank of gas as well and I had the opportunity to drive every single new model to fill them up, and I liked them all, CRX, Preludes, Accords Civics, all great cars. I remember the dealership installing new AC units in some of the new cars before delivery. I also remember the dealer markups on the new cars then too. People were paying above sticker price back then.
I built these things in Marysville OH. The 86 thru 89 generation had the LXi model that was EFI; 2D, 3D and 4D. The 2D was targeted at mainly women. The DX and LX were carbureted.
Nice looking Accord coupe before Honda dropped the two door and it got all bloated. Sort of a poor man’s sport tourer, needs a a sun roof though.
To get a sunroof, the customer had to spring for the top-of-the-line EX model.
I loved.my silver 2000 Accord LX coupe, 5-speed. As the version below the EX, it didn’t come equipped with sunroof, remote locking, etc. Absolutely GREAT car!
ownin my 1st camery now. Accord has it all over them to me.
(better trim, comfort, upgrades; same durability, tho)
Lovea 2 dor ‘honda’ but want it ina more sporty package (even
the hatch of the 3rd, 4th or 5th gen)…
Funny how different all our ‘tastes’ are~
don’t like Hondas but they have a following and this looks clean as a pin. should be an easy sale.
Wish I’d never sold my ’86 Prelude SI, with that fantastic 5 speed. Dang it!
Yes, it does have A/C and it does work. The question would be “has it been converted to the new refrigerant for the A/C”? It does have an aftermarket radio / cassette (Audiovox). I had this car in the four door LX with five-speed manual transmission in 1988 which was a great car but dog slow. Struggled shifting gears uphill. They do drive nicely on the highway and the cloth seats were very comfortable.
I wish this was closer, being on the east coast shipping adds anther 1,500 to 2 k to the final price. I bought and sold a lot of these old Honda’s back in the day, you just dont see them any more and they were fun to drive and drove very nice. Someone is going to be very happy with this car.
I would buy it if it were closer…
Bulletproof motor, 5 speed Manual theft deterrent and clean 2 door… ?
Me like