Simple Survivor: 1982 Honda Accord LX
It’s hard to believe that this 1982 Honda Accord LX hatchback is even remotely related to the 2023 Honda Accord other than in name. It’s a half-ton lighter, 30 inches shorter, has 117 fewer horsepower, and a carburetor rather than fuel injection. And yet there’s something very appealing about simple vehicles. This one is listed here on eBay in a perfect spot for such a happy car: Happy Valley, Oregon. The current bid price is $3,300 and there is no reserve.
Sadly, Honda hasn’t offered a two-door coupe version of the Accord since the 2017 model year and it’s getting to be harder to find two-door vehicles. Even most pickups have four doors today, at least for those relegated to commuter duty. Here’s a nice vintage two-door Accord that a person could use for commuting and then drive right to cars and coffee events on the weekend and fit right in. I know, it’s not a muscle car but it’s 41 years old and appears to be in nice shape.
There appears to be an issue with the paint around the gas filler area and a ding in the rear just above the left side of the bumper, but otherwise, it looks nice. The Accord has been made continuously since 1976 for the 1977 model year and in this era, they came in both a four-door sedan and two-door hatchback as seen here. This is a first-year second-generation Accord, which was made from 1982 to 1985. The seller has provided many good photos, kudos to them for that. They even included a few underside photos showing how solid this car appears to be.
The seats look good both front and rear, as does the rear cargo area under the hatchback. If you’re like me, and for the love of Mike I hope you’re not, the first thing you look for in an interior photo is what type of transmission is there. As you can see, this car has an optional three-speed automatic with a console shifter. A five-speed manual would have been nice in a small car like this in order to wring out as much power and driving fun as possible.
The engine is Honda’s EK-series 1.8-liter carburetor-equipped inline-four, with 75 horsepower and 96 lb-ft of torque. Honda’s famous CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) engine would be handy today for holding off catalytic converter thieves, as it didn’t require one. The seller doesn’t give too much info on its operating condition but I have to assume that it runs as well as it looks. I’m guessing that the bids would be higher if this car had a five-speed manual, but even with an automatic, this would be a fun throwback vehicle to own. Have any of you had an Accord from this era?
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Comments
My aunt has one of these with over 700,000 miles on it. It’s her only car and she drives it everywhere.
No rust on her car? Most of these cars are no more today. Aunt’s car must be used in Southern California. Or at least never used in bad weather elsewhere.
The author above also forgot to mention the ALL blue interior on this car for sale, which i don’t think today you can even get on exotic import sports & luxury cars, let alone on any modern vehicle for the masses, much less on a Civic.
Remember peoples paying thousand or so over retail for these to get put on a waiting list.
It’s obviously an automatic. The manuals have had their spindley long shifters rung out years ago.
We paid a thousand over sticker for an 83 1/2 Prelude when it first came out. It was worth it
My first Accord I bought in 1990 was almost identical to this one except mine was a 5 speed non-LX so no AC. Loved the simple yet stylish design!
Can’t be almost identical because they changed body styles in 86 and then again in 1990
They said bought in 1990 they didn’t say it *was* a 1990
Mine was an ’82 that I bought in 1990.
Hondamatic.
Just like their Snowblowers.
rules of nature: death, taxes and you can’t kill a Honda Accord
Put a billion miles on one. Efficient, comfortable, fun to drive. Be sure to do the timing belt on a regular basis. Given how good these cars were, I wonder how we got the bloated version we have today.
With only 70k miles on it, this is a bargain. It should go for twice that.
I hope it doesn’t end up being high school kid transportation, but if it does, the kid will seldom see a repair shop, even though it’s a 35 year old car.
I had a first-gen Accord for a winter beater in the mid-90s and it was trash. Ran great at 20 below zero but carb problems when it got warmer. Sold it for what I had in it though. I love these old Hondas (mostly) as long as they’re good runners.
Bought a 1981 Accord 5 speed 4 door new that year. Drove it all over the west……fun car, no issues at all. Traded it for an ’86 new that year….mistake. I guess they hadn’t worked out the kinks on the new body style. Pop up headlights failed, lots of rattles and wind noise. Should have kept the ’81.
Nice Shape! Find a Honda Dealership GM or Owner and convince him he needs this in his showroom.
I learned to drive a stick shift on a Burgundy 4dr 5 Speed just like that.
I would gladly take this over a brand new one, so much more reliable, easy to work on and very simple overall. Todays cars way too much tech. If I want to drive tech, Ill play a video game.
Is the frame rail bent?
It doesn’t have a frame
My brother had to ordered 83 4dr New. I remember Honda dealers couldn’t get enought of them at the lot. he sold it to me in 1995 & I drove another 5 years but rust ate thru the mcpherson strut tower & had to reluctantly junk it.
always wanted one back. can’t no garage in NYC.
JCA The third picture from the last in the ebay ad shows an apparent bend in the metal on the floor pan. Is that how it came or is that impact damage?
No, definitely not how it came. It could be impact damage but it’s usually damage from improper jacking and lifting. It’s common
At one time in the 90s I had two of these, both the same blue as this car. One standard, one automatic. I loved those two cars and I sure wish I still had one today, preferably the standard. Awesome little cars, decent gas mileage, cheap to repair when they needed it, and reasonably fun to drive. I really miss the hatchback cars of the 80s and 90s.
Current bid was over 3k I don’t know what it sold for but OMG people. This is the most basic transportation. 1500$ maybe 2k tops no matter what the condition.
Please contact me for some prime swampland I have and a bridge in Brooklyn…. WOW
Don’t agree John. This was a car in unusually good condition….run forever, fun to drive, and maybe someone’s trip down memory lane. Doubt they bought it for just basic transportation. This site isn’t just a used car lot.
My first new car, but in brown was an 82 Accord LX hatchback. The main difference was mine was a 5 speed manual. What a blow it was when someone ran a red light and plowed into me at an intersection.