91 Acura Legend Coupe as DD? Opinions/Experience Please

Zishan · 14 February 2007

Hey guys,

SHORT:
Looking at a 91 Legend Coupe AT w/100k miles, stock, no accidents. What a good price and how are these cars with this many miles?

LONG:
I recently picked up my 2nd NSX and it has extremely low miles on it(at least to me). I work in a pretty rough part of town. Not ghetto, but in an industrial kind of part, and the roads are horrible. Seriously, I drive 15 mph in 35-45 mph zones on some parts to avoid bending anything.

Anyways, this brings me to looking for a Daily Driver. I know someone who is selling his 91 Acura Legend coupe(auto) with 100k miles. He said everything runs perfectly and the car has never been wrecked. It's black on tan, all stock.

Does anyone know more about these cars or have any experience owning one? What should I ask him/look for? I did a search but didn't find any information.

Thanks,
- Z

clr1024 · 14 February 2007

NSX FoYoAss said:
Hey guys,

SHORT:
Looking at a 91 Legend Coupe AT w/100k miles, stock, no accidents. What a good price and how are these cars with this many miles?

LONG:
I recently picked up my 2nd NSX and it has extremely low miles on it(at least to me). I work in a pretty rough part of town. Not ghetto, but in an industrial kind of part, and the roads are horrible. Seriously, I drive 15 mph in 35-45 mph zones on some parts to avoid bending anything.

Anyways, this brings me to looking for a Daily Driver. I know someone who is selling his 91 Acura Legend coupe(auto) with 100k miles. He said everything runs perfectly and the car has never been wrecked. It's black on tan, all stock.

Does anyone know more about these cars or have any experience owning one? What should I ask him/look for? I did a search but didn't find any information.

Thanks,
- Z

Funny I want a legend for my DD as well, finding a clean one is becoming a bit of a pain. Something around a 100K miles and not abused to all hell and not one that is way overpriced. I have seen some people are asking $20K+ for their legends....

Read this

http://www.acura-legend.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=78331

I know the BHG is an issue other than that typical maintenance should of been done, timing belt and water pump as with any honda etc. Not sure what they are asking but I would say anywhere between 3-5K would be reasonable depending on interior and exterior condition.

BTW I have seen many legends in the 200K+ miles so if taken care of they will keep on going and going.

Ben · 14 February 2007

I have a '92, and it's been my daily driver for the past 14 yrs. 146K miles, and hasn't given me much trouble at all. I plan to keep driving mine until Honda can provide a worthy successor in a 4-seat Coupe format. The way things look, that may be forever or until the parts supply dries up.

Items to watch for on used cars:

- Has the radiator has been replaced? The original '91-'92 ones failed around 60K miles. If the previous owner caught the radiator failure before the car overheated, great, otherwise, I'd check the head gasket too.

- If the car is an LS model, have the amps been replaced? Most of them should have been, as there was a recall to address this.

- Do either of the front seats "rock" slightly back and forth? Bushings have gone bad if they do.

- Does the CD Changer work? They tend to go bad every 6-7 years.

- Has timing belt and water pump been done?

- Assuming everything else looks good, a sign of a very well kept car is to check the rubber seals around the rear window. Are they fine, or do they bind underneath the glass when the window closes?

Zishan · 14 February 2007

Wow, the BHG problem is pretty scary! Since I'm at work, I can not page all the pages of Acura-Legend forum, but if it does not have any of these symptoms, is there preventative maintenance to avoid this $2g blunder?

Thanks again guys, glad I posted this now and found answers and the Legend website!
- Z

AdnanVCS · 14 February 2007

Take it Legends are great car very strong and last for ever

I head a few legends they are great cars (head the 4 door versions)

Coupe's are super look nice (like the MUGEN legend coupe)

Also makes a great combo 2 of Honda's best cars!

clr1024 · 14 February 2007

NSX FoYoAss said:
Wow, the BHG problem is pretty scary! Since I'm at work, I can not page all the pages of Acura-Legend forum, but if it does not have any of these symptoms, is there preventative maintenance to avoid this $2g blunder?

Thanks again guys, glad I posted this now and found answers and the Legend website!
- Z

Don't drive the car if it overheats. Its rare that you just blow a head gasket without cause, typical reason is that the car overheated casued by a bad thermostat, broken radiator etc, so in a word it wouldn't be any different than any other car. Good luck hunting, man I want to find a clean one.

Ben · 14 February 2007

NSX FoYoAss said:
Wow, the BHG problem is pretty scary! Since I'm at work, I can not page all the pages of Acura-Legend forum, but if it does not have any of these symptoms, is there preventative maintenance to avoid this $2g blunder?

Thanks again guys, glad I posted this now and found answers and the Legend website!
- Z

Unfortunately, it's dicey when buying a used car. Basically, if the car has ever overheated at any time in its life, the head gasket is at risk. The key on the '91-'92 cars is the original owner catching the fact that the radiator is going bad before the car overheats. Luckily, I was aware of the problem before it happened on my car, so I replaced it as soon as it showed signs of starting to go bad. My car has never overheated, and my original head gasket is just fine.

Blackend · 15 February 2007

The BHG is common to all of the 2nd Generation Legends, not just 91-92. It's something everyone over at A-L is very aware of! One missed coolant leak and you very well could be on your way.

I would test drive the car, and keep your eye on the temp guage. It should warm up and stay a half mark below the middle at all times. If it spikes at all, don't buy it - most likely it has overheated, or has air trapped in the system and will overheat soon. Try to drive it long enough to get up to temprature, then drive it fairly hard for 10-15 minutes, and then stop and let it idle for 10 minutes. As long as the temp guage doesn't move, you should be fine.

Also - check for white (sickly sweet smelling) exhaust smoking after warm. That could be a sign of bad seals and/or a BHG. Oil in the coolant resevior is a sign too.

Like everyone else has said, if the TB and WP have been fixed within the last 30K miles (supposed to be replaced every 70K) then it's probably been well cared for, and with proper maintainance, will last you forever.

'Course you could hold out for a 94 or 95 6-speed

Ben · 15 February 2007

Blackend said:
The BHG is common to all of the 2nd Generation Legends, not just 91-92. It's something everyone over at A-L is very aware of! One missed coolant leak and you very well could be on your way.

Ahh, got it. It may be a problem on all the other years too, but '91-'92 had the problem with the radiators going at 60K, which directly caused a lot of blown head gaskets down the road if the car was allowed to overheat. The radiator design was updated in 1993, although I have heard of some post '93 radiators going south too.

Blackend · 15 February 2007

Ben said:
Ahh, got it. It may be a problem on all the other years too, but '91-'92 had the problem with the radiators going at 60K, which directly caused a lot of blown head gaskets down the road if the car was allowed to overheat. The radiator design was updated in 1993, although I have heard of some post '93 radiators going south too.

Exactly. The problem is the top cap. I've had to replace mine in my 95 and the previous owner replaced it as well. Not a good track record! Still haven't (knock on wood) had any problems with mine though and I drive it pretty hard. Nice to see the aftermarket finally showing some love as well!

Here's me:

ChrisK · 15 February 2007

I'm more with Ben on this one. Ben and I have been involved with the Legend forums since practically the beginning of time (Around 1995). :smile: Yes, while the BHG problem could affect any 2nd Gen Legend, that doesn't mean it is going to happen. I've had 3 2nd Gen Legend Coupes, a 91L a 93 LS 6-Speed, and a 95 LS automatic. All made it well past 100K and none had a blown head gasket. All 3 were sold to family and friends, and two are still going strong. The 91 died on my friend from other problems. Like Ben said, if you catch any coolant/radiator problem ASAP and neveer let the car over heat the head gasket more than likely will last you well past 100K and probably past 200K. Problem is buying a used car there is no real way to know if the previous owner(s) caught the problem in time. Since my Legends were bought all with lower miles, I had a much higher chance that my cars never suffered from the radiator crack and leak, thus never over heated.

Anyway, the radiator cracking problem affects all 91-95. Even my 95 had a cracked radiator replaced at around 70K miles under warranty. I think there was more than one problem with the radiator crack. One potential spot was near the neck were or cap area, and the other was along the seam were the top plastic tank mates to the metal radiator. Mine leaked along that seam.

CDX_NSX · 15 February 2007

+1 on the head gasket issue not being inevitable. The key is to avoid overheating. I will qualify that by saying that the Legend headgasket isn't all that fragile. It will stand a little overheating. I do stress a little, but if you catch it early, you can save the head gaskets.

I have two '94 Legend GS sedans (one auto, one 6-speed) and both are on their original head gaskets at 157k and 145k miles respectively. Both have had their radiators replaced. One has overheated briefly due to a bad radiator fan relay. I caught it quickly, and about 30k miles later, it's still going strong.

Best to get a full PPI on it and get a compression and/or leak down test done. Certainly worth the peace of mind.

Ben · 15 February 2007

Blackend said:
Exactly. The problem is the top cap. I've had to replace mine in my 95 and the previous owner replaced it as well. Not a good track record! Still haven't (knock on wood) had any problems with mine though and I drive it pretty hard. Nice to see the aftermarket finally showing some love as well!

Here's me:

Nice Legend! What color is that? I don't remember them offering that color.

I guess I'll share a family portrait as well.

Blackend · 15 February 2007

Ben said:
Nice Legend! What color is that? I don't remember them offering that color.

I guess I'll share a family portrait as well.

Thanks! It's 2006 TL Anthracite - car was originally Sherwood Green but I got in a wreck and decided to change it instead of trying to match 12 year old paint!

I'm still a couple of years away from extending the family to include the NSX though, but I'll get there

m3456y · 17 February 2007

I love mine...it's a 6-speed coupe about to be painted Gran Prix white to match the NSX.

minervoflorida · 17 February 2007

I had 3 91-95 Legends, wonderful cars, great cars.
Only reason I sold mine was a 06 RL.

Head gaskets are not a problem if you replace the radiator and thermostat before they go bad.
Tranny mount is an issue, tranny fluid must be changed at least every year, 2 times per year is better. ABS miodulator goes but can drive without it , no problems.
My Acura NSX mechanic has seen one with 500,000 miles, original tranny and motor, ran great.

I put front and rear sway bars on my last one, wow, really handled, did I say great cars.

Look for a Florida car, on Ebay and Autotrader.
Spend a bit more for the right car, you will not regret it.

DPRSupra · 18 February 2007

i miss my Legends

Nukem · 6 December 2007

In theory if the engine was never overheated, how long would the original last and how much would it cost to fix. (I know it would be up there.) I am in the market for a legend coupe.

CDX_NSX · 6 December 2007

There are many Legends out there that have well over 200k and some have gone into 300k mile territory on the original engine. Cost to repair a blown head gasket I believe runs +/-$2000.

minervoflorida · 6 December 2007

The blown head gaskets come from plugged up radiators, and they also leak, if they are replaced soon enough, there are no head issues. Radiators go bad at about 7-10 years as I recall. Fantastic cars.

queenlives · 6 December 2007

we had a '92 (i believe it was). great car. this thread reminds me it wouldn't be a bad idea to pick one up again. thx for the heads-up on radiator / gasket issues.

Ben · 6 December 2007

Radiator on my Legend was replaced around 60K miles with an updated OEM Honda radiator. Does it need to be replaced every 60K miles? Or, is the replacement one good to go from there on out?

minervoflorida · 6 December 2007

Ben said:
Radiator on my Legend was replaced around 60K miles with an updated OEM Honda radiator. Does it need to be replaced every 60K miles? Or, is the replacement one good to go from there on out?

Hard to say, my guess if it was a quality radiator, it should go much longer if the antifreeze was changed every 3 years and only use distilled water if you mix the two. Also make sure the front is not filled with bugs. If your thermostat has not been changed, then do that for sure.

minervoflorida · 6 December 2007

Ben said:
Radiator on my Legend was replaced around 60K miles with an updated OEM Honda radiator. Does it need to be replaced every 60K miles? Or, is the replacement one good to go from there on out?

Hard to say, my guess if it was a quality radiator, it should go much longer if the antifreeze was changed every 3 years and only use distilled water if you mix the two. Also make sure the front is not filled with bugs. If your thermostat has not been changed, then do that for sure.

5inchfatlip · 6 December 2007

I found the cleanest 1 owner LS Coupe 95 for my ex-GF back in 02 ish. Super clean, Monoblock AMG looking wheels, every single option with even fogs, heated seats, mirrors, wow. I remember even the sticker price at like $50k or so. It ran like a champ and only had 54k miles. Was such a looker too- got it in the best color- champagne.

Now the bad news- I thought her how to take care of cars, and has been meticulous about maintenance and care. We've kept in touch through the years. The car now has about 160k. Tranny had to be rebuilt at about 120k, Motor lost compression, and EVERYTHING went bad at about 140k. She had to drop a new motor in there practically. I couldnt believe everything started going wrong on such a nice car. I guess just bad luck. We had every service record since practically new...she still drives it. Looks a bit dated, and soon she will get an accord.

My point is get an accord if you are in a bad part of town and want a good DD. It wont stand out or catch an eye to pretty much anybody and a million to choose from.

91 Acura Legend Coupe as DD? Opinions/Experience Please

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