what are common problems with this car?

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Great question! The 1990 Honda Accord (fourth generation, known as the CB7) is a generally reliable car, but at 36 years old, there are some well-documented weak points to watch for:

**Rust** — You already found the big one! Wheel wells (where yours were repaired) are notorious problem areas. These cars also commonly rust at rocker panels, door-bottoms, and the rear wheel arches. Even with Vancouver garage storage, the coastal humidity makes this a persistent issue. Check underneath thoroughly.

**Timing belt** — This is the #1 question buyers ask (it's literally in our FAQ for this model!). The timing belt *should* be replaced every 60,000–90,000 miles or **every 5–7 years** — whichever comes first. Since your car is 36 years old with unknown prior service history, this is critical. If it breaks, the F22A engine is an interference design and will suffer catastrophic damage.

**Transmission** — The 4-speed automatic is generally robust, but look for: rough shifting into 3rd gear (synchronizer wear), noisy operation at idle (input shaft bearing), or a "check engine" light with shift solenoid codes. These have likely been addressed given your regular maintenance, but worth confirming.

**Ignition System** — Distributor failures are common on these cars. Symptoms include no-spark conditions, stalling when hot, or difficulty starting.

**Age-Related Items** — With only ~79,000 miles (127k km), your car has averaged just 2,200 miles/year! While "low miles" is great, rubber parts (vacuum hoses, coolant hoses, seals, belts, bushings) deteriorate from age, not just use. At 36 years old, these likely need attention regardless of mileage.

**Engine mounts** — Soft or cracked mounts cause vibration and can stress other components.

The good news? Your car has been garage-kept, regularly serviced, and the rust you found has already been addressed. For a buyer, I'd recommend confirming when the timing belt was last done (if ever), checking for any stored transmission codes, and budgeting for some rubber refreshes despite the low mileage.

Want me to help you find similar Accords in the market to compare, or do you have other questions about this one?

1990 Honda Accord EX

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