That Accord model is the same as mine; except, I don't have all the after-market parts. Mine is stock and I love that car.I have user information for a 1990 Honda Accord EX-R. I will give information about its performance, reliability, and comfort.
SPECS
Year: 1990Model: Honda Accord EX-R 4 Door
Engine: 2.2L Honda 4cyl, 130hp and 137ft lbs torque
Kms: 183,260 total
Features: 5-Speed Transmission, AM/FM Stereo Tape, Air Conditioning, Air Dam, Aluminum/Alloy Wheels, Bucket Seats, Center Console, Cruise Control, Digital Clock, Intermittent Wipers, Power Antenna, Power Brakes, Power Door Locks, Power Mirrors, Power Steering, Power Sunroof, Power Windows, Rear Window Defroster, Remote Trunk Release, Tachometer, Tilt Steering Wheel, Tinted Glass
PERFORMANCE
The car drives well for being a 2.2L 4 cylinder engine. I never knew how powerful it was, in comparison to other cars, until I raced it against a 90s Ford Taurus. I figure if I wasn't as crazy as the middle aged man driving the car I would have been able to pass him. I was able to keep up until I slowed down for a 30Km/H turn going 140Km/H. I could then smell my brakes, burnt rubber doesn't smell very good. Well then, after the corner, I gunned it and caught up to the Taurus again. I didn't want to continue the "race" because I didn't want to ruin my brakes anymore. I let him go. Ever since, I usually pump the brakes more. I don't have ABS, so if I am not too careful, I will be off the road.Another example of 1990 Accord performance is its ability to handle. I admit, I have taken it for a 120mph test run on a streech of highway at 3:00am. The top speed of my Accord is 220Km/H. I haven't been able to get that high before. On my bonzai run, I couldn't see very far in front of the car. So for every turn I had to brake quite hard. The worst thing was when I was going 200Km/H in fifth gear, the car was reving to 4000-5000 rpm. The gas was falling quite quickly. I only had to pay $5 and the gas level was back to when I started. Another thing about going that fast was dips. I think I broke the front struts and springs. I snapped them in half with one huge dip. It ended up costing $700 or more to replace them. We got a good deal and a good mechanic.
To all you reading this that own an 1990 Accord, you can beat a 1999 Civic SI (140 hp version, SI-R has 160 hp)in a street race. Maybe not so much on a straight away, but up hill. That Civic has to rev so high, yet it seems so weak. My friend and I raced, and like nothing I beat him everytime. Except for the time when we went to a parking lot and I felt too confident. I had to emergency breaks on and revs with intensions to win. Another friend was standing outside with his arms raised. His arms went down and I hit the gas. The emergency break didn't fully go down. It didn't matter though because that gao disapeared quickly. I caught up and had to slow down again. He won, I had to stop because I couldn't see where the parking curbs were. I was headed right for them, that lucky Civic.
For highway driving, I usually keep the car in 5th gear because it had enough power. Going up hill, I have to gear down to 4th to stay at the speed limit (I could easily speed though). If you are buying a cheap family car, this car is perfect. If you have more, however, you should buy something with more power.
RELIABILITY
This car hasn't had any problem over the time I have had this car. Lucky for me, the car was lady driven. I bought it in 1998, and I tune it up every year. To make an example of an American company, the new Malibu's 140,000-160,000 Km before its first scheduled checkup is full of garbage. Nothing more has to be said, but it is American made so it won't last very long. Even after 2 years, I haven't had to spend a lot, except for the new struts. For fuel economy, my car seems to do alright. It isn't new, so the fuel doesn't last as long. On the fuel dial, it seems that the fuel uses up quicker at the half tank point.COMFORT
The front seats have pads that stick out for shoulder roll. It really helps for when I want to corner really fast. The EX-R model has lumbar support which is located on the front driver seat. I have to spin a dial on the side of the seat and then a pad starts coming out of the seat. It is really useful if you have a bad back. If it isn't out, my back doesn't feel relaxed. During long trips, my seat becomes hard and uncomfortable after about 200-300km. Maybe it is me, but it is very uncomfortable. It goes away after I get out of the car for a quick break.
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