Snowbird Survivor: 11K Mile 1986 Honda Accord

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Oh boy, this 1986 Honda Accord hatchback brought back some memories. My first car that I drove to school all by myself was my mother’s retired 1987 Accord LX-i sedan. These were the days when Honda was building cars that lasted forever while GM was trying to build a car that wouldn’t actively try to kill you. This LX-i hatchback belonged to a snowbird from NY who left it in St. Augustine in very, very good condition. Find it here on eBay with a $12,500 Buy-It-Now.

The Accord has a mere 11,206 original miles on it, helped by the fact that the elderly owner did not travel very far when living in St. Augustine. The Accord retains its original details, from the LX-i trim hubcaps to the integrated rear spoiler and wiper on the hatchback models. The low mileage is evident throughout the car, most notably in the interior with its perfect OEM floormats and plastic trim.

These were not necessarily exceptional cars to drive; no, the exceptional feeling came from everything it did so well. My father drove lightly-used Mercedes at the same time my mother entered into Honda ownership, and the Honda rarely needed anything other than its customary service visits (you couldn’t say the same for the Benzes). Ironically, that Accord was a good and bad sales tool for Honda, as it convinced my mom to buy another one, but only after ten years with the Accord: a 1997 CR-V, one of the first ones imported – which she still has. I’ve already laid claim to it when she’s ready to part with it.

The LX-i models featured fuel injection, an upgrade over the lesser models with their engine bays littered with vacuum lines and other debris. This one is said to run sweetly, although it is paired to an automatic transmission. The seller did note the paint is not original, despite the low mileage, with evidence of the entire passenger side repainted. That’s a bummer, and it may limit the pool of buyers who want to pay nearly $13K for a preserved specimen like this.

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Comments

  1. David P. Reeves

    Pre 2000 Honda’s are great! (And coming from a die hard 1940s-1960s FoMoCo nut). I know a guy with an ‘88 coupe he bought for $500 three years ago and he’s done the timing belt/chain (I can’t remember what he said it had) and that’s it! It’s a gold coupe with a 5 speed and 465,200 miles! My mother’s first new car was a 1991 accord sedan, Grey with black leather and an auto. My first automotive memory (circa 2002 when I was 3) is watching those pesky auto safety belts in amazement. We had that car until 2010 and it had 269,000 miles on it, and still ran like a top. The only reason we ever sold it was they didn’t want the first born (who had his learner’s permit) in a car with out airbags. (It’s still a sore point with my mother) Meanwhile, I (kid #3) drive a ‘65 Mercury Comet, so it really does show that you care less and less with the younger kids. 1960-63 Ford Falcons and Mercury Comets are usually my kick, but I’d snap this one up if I had the cash and preserve it as a rarely seen common, use it up til it stops car, just like falcons/comets were when this car was new.

    Like 3
  2. normadesmond

    I loved my ’85 Accord & mourned the day I watched it drive away.

    Like 2
  3. 8banger Dave MikaMember

    I can forgive a repaint, as the Florida sun is mean. I received the WORST sunburn of my life down there ’81.

    Like 4
    • Daved

      Probably wasn’t the Florida sun that resulted in the side repaint….

      Like 2
  4. Lroy

    A car to drive, they last for ever but were built to expire. 1 million miles from original purchase..
    Keep it clean don’t thin the paint and love this gem.

    Like 2
  5. Rumbleguts

    My neighbor has a Honda Accord, every morning when it gets started it knock like the crank and bearings are worn out. Must be it has a million miles on it?

    Like 1
  6. SebastianX1/9

    Anyone over the age of 40 can drive this car daily for the rest of their life.

    Like 3
  7. Miguel

    Even though I love big old American cars I have bought a few new Hondas.

    The first was a 1992 Accord LX 2 door in dark blue.

    The second was a 1993 Accord SE in Aqua.

    The third was a 1997 Civic EX coupe for my niece.

    They were great cars except for the headlights didn’t light up anything on the highway at night.

    Now saying that I would not pay 13K for a 1986 Accord no matter the condition.

    Like 2
  8. Bob C.

    I remember there being TONS of this generation (1986-89) on the road back in the day. They may rust out over time, but you couldn’t kill them. I knew a guy with close to 500,000 miles on his 2003, and he probably would still be driving it today if he didn’t wreck it.

    Like 3
  9. CanuckCarGuy

    Closest I got to owning a Honda was my ’91 Acura Integra, bought new as a young Private. No question, there’s a quality and feel that is unique to Honda products…but I wouldn’t pay this much for a 32 year old Accord. This would be a CRX or Prelude price for my pocketbook, not an Accord.

    Like 2
  10. Maestro1

    I have a 300,000 mile Accord, and I say buy it. It looks like a nice car. I’m too far away.

    Like 2
  11. Mike R in De

    Don’t think of this as a 32 year old car, instead what else can you buy for the $$$ with 11k miles, and it’s still a Honda. My wife traded her 84 Accord for a 93, because she wanted ” a new dress to drive “!!! Seriously, 84 was a very good car, no problems, 93 was nicer, it got totaled, replaced it with a 2002 4 cylinder EX-L. It was also totaled sitting at a red light with 184k on it. Never had any problems with Any of them. 86 was a very good car from Honda, one of the better drive packages from Honda. Good luck to the new owner and seller.

    Like 1
  12. Dusty Rhodes

    whole right side and rear ‘ for reasons unknown ‘ ….. before I’d spend 12 grand the reasons would have to be known

    Like 2
    • Miguel

      I bought a 1963 Monterrey S-55 at one time.

      The left side looked great. The right side was almost 100% bondo.

      Did I mention the previos owner was an elderly lady?

      It is probably the same with this.

      Like 0
  13. AMCFAN

    The two door coupes like this are getting tough to find. These cars have proven themselves time and time again.

    If I were in the market for a car and wanted to drive it 500K + miles what better way to spend $10K

    Much better way to spend the money then buy anything new and add $20K. No thanks GM,Ford or Fiat. Even with a ton of miles if kept in good condition the worst you could do is get 25% of your investment back. Sounds like a win to me.

    Like 0
    • Mike

      I have 4 aluminum alloy Honda wheels for this car still in the box. Just never put them on. Would sell for 100. They are really sweet.

      Like 0
      • Brent

        Still have them?

        Like 0

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