Attention anybody who owns a Honda Accord or has owned one or anybody that works/repairs them on a daily basis?

Pay attention to the idle when cold and as it warms up, especially when out of gear (assuming automatic transmission). One of the most frustrating common problems is idle hunting - cycling from the proper idle around 600 rpm to about 1700 rpm and back every few seconds. Lots of things can cause it and it can be a devil to fix. In addition, if the car vibrates a lot when idling in gear with the A/C on, the hydraulic rear engine mount is probably bad - about $500 parts and labor for a genuine Honda mount. The mount was bad in my daughter's Honda but I never worked up the enthusiasm to replace it.

If there is no solid documentation of when the timing belt was replaced, it has to be replaced as soon as you can. Assurances from the seller don't mean much when you have a car with an engine that will be severely damaged by timing belt failure. Parts and labor, with the water pump, runs $500-$700 with that many miles / km. And at 190K km I have doubts the timing belt has been replaced. Most people hold out as long as they can and sell the car before they replace the belt.

Find out what coolant is actually in the radiator. The 1996 originally came with blue coolant, but in 1999 Honda changed to green long life coolant. However, the old classic green coolant is death on Honda water pumps (I learned that the hard way), and replacing those requires removing the timing belt.

Do a basic check for a potential head gasket failure. With the engine cold, remove the radiator cap and start the engine. Place the palm of your hand over the radiator neck where the pressure cap was and pinch off the hose going to the reservoir. If you feel steady pressure rise within 5 seconds that is bad news for the head gasket.

Have the brakes inspected - most brake shops will do it for free. The front brakes on the 1996 Accord (like the 1993 my daughter had) require the drive axles be removed to replace the front rotors. If they are scored the value of the car has dropped about $600.

Honda transmissions are known for rather rough shifts, but if reverse grinds beware - it won't work for long. Honda automatic transmissions are sensitive to drivers who do not heed the owner's manual warning not to shift between forward and reverse unless the car is completely stopped.

There are also the classic Honda weak spots (see the second source) but at least those won't set you back many hundreds of dollars. The third source has the list of recalls for the 1996 - most of them are lighting compliance, common to zillions of Honda cars.

I never comment but when I saw this question I had to I am the owner of a 1996 Honda Accord with 200k miles have replace the heads, main relay, control arms and all the normal manitence. Tune up value cover @ 1st she was good drove every day no problems but once they get old it's a mystery think of a Honda like a women she can be good 4 U but it's always something wrong with her and sometimes you don't just figure it out on the 1st try , replaced the heads my self she has a no start issue transmission oil issue replacing the timing and keep in mind I'm a DIY I have a BMW and the Honda is a way more bigger of a headache they are money pit If your Honda has 150k and running good trade it in don't do like I did and kept throwing good $ after bad $ so I would say there good when they running but if you don't understand how this car is made you will be mad plenty of days......

Hondas are tanks when well taken care of, but care be rubbish when not serviced well. Before buying, ask about the service and test drive(i mean pushing it hard)on the motorway. Check for leaks and smoke. Ask for warranty for atleast 3 months. If you dont do all this, be ready for the unknowns, and that car cause stress and money. Hope that helps.

a 16 year old car that we have no idea how many miles are on it or how well it has been maintained. This could be a money pit or you might get lucky and it could be a good car. That's the most honest answer you are going to get