Good morning! Today on Shitbox Showdown, I’m taking it easy on you all. I know some of our choices have been a bit left-of-center recently, so I’m making up for it by featuring two cars you might actually want. Imagine that! But first, let’s take care of yesterday’s rusty foolishness:
Mr. Plow wins it by a country mile. Me? I’m on team Rampage; the Comanche never did much for me. If I want a small 4×4 truck from that era, it’s going to be a Nissan. But I always did like the Rampage’s baby-El-Camino vibe.
Anyway, let’s move away from the rust belt and take a look at a couple of ultra-clean West Coast cars. The complete lack of rust on these cars, and millions like them, is part of what makes car culture so great over on this side of the country. Seeing old relics like these that have the time to wear out mechanically instead of rotting away from underneath makes up for the weirdos, the taxes, the wildfires, the looming threat of “The Big One,” and the population doubling every few years. Well, it almost makes up for it. Usually.
Oh, and by the way, I specifically chose two manuals, to take transmission issues out of the decision. Everyone knows stickshifts make better cheap used cars anyway. Let’s take a look.
1991 Honda Accord LX – $2,300
Engine/drivetrain: 2.2 liter overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Lynnwood, WA
Odometer reading: 313,000 miles
Runs/drives? Just fine
As gearheads, I’m sure you all get asked the same question by your friends when they’re in need of a vehicle: “What car should I buy?”
“Toyota Camry,” is usually my answer.
“But they’re boring! I want something fun.”
“Oh. Then a Honda Accord. With a stick.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
Rarely do they listen. And thus has the humble four-cylinder manual-transmission Accord remained one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to motoring fun on a budget. Sadly, this dream team of a basic four-banger and a five-speed disappeared from the option sheet some years ago. But the good news is that these things run for-freaking-ever, so you have plenty of used options. Like this one.
In this fourth-generation Accord, the role of “basic four-banger” is played by a 2.2 liter overhead cam engine. Like most non-performance-oriented Honda engines, it prioritizes economy and refinement over sheer power, but it was no slouch in its day, especially with a manual. This one has over 300,000 miles on it, but still runs just fine. I know our fearless leader had some bad luck with an Accord, but he’s very much in the minority.
I’m quite fond of Honda interiors from this era; they’re just so clean and purposeful. This one has an aftermarket radio held in by what looks like packing tape, but that appears to be its biggest flaw. One drawback to the early fourth-generation cars is the motorized seat belts. You get used to them, as long as they keep working properly, but I don’t think anybody really likes them.
And I don’t mean to rub it in, to those of you in saltier places, but just look at how clean this thing is! These Accords are notorious for developing rust-through behind the rear wheels where the quarter panel meets the bumper – not a speck on this one. Hell, even the clearcoat looks decent on it. Someone took care of this car.
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 – $2,500
Engine/drivetrain: 2.0 liter dual overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Edmonds, WA
Odometer reading: 160,000 miles
Runs/drives? Yes, but needs a new starter (it’s included)
Ford likes to throw the term “World Car” around, and this little car might be the best example of that. It rides on a Japanese-derived Mazda BG chassis, with American-styled body, a European-designed engine under the hood, and the whole thing was put together in Mexico. This thing is from everywhere. And the best thing about this international stew of parts is that it works really well.
This was the second time Ford tried to make a sporty two-door Escort. The first, the Escort EXP from the 1980s, looked sort of cool, but it drove and performed like, well, a 1980s Escort. The ZX2 did quite a lot better, packing Ford’s two-liter Zetec twin-cam four under the hood, along with the handling goodness of that Mazda chassis. The combination makes for quite a fun car to drive.
Unfortunately, at the moment, this ZX2 will require a push or a hill before you can enjoy it. The starter conked out, and the seller bought a replacement but didn’t install it. I’m not sure why that was the final straw for this car, but for some reason it was. They replaced lots of other things, and these cars are generally pretty reliable, so if you’re handy with a wrench and have a pair of jack stands, you could take care of the starter issue pretty easily.
The rest of the car is in good condition. As inexpensive fun cars, these tend to get used up and abused; this is the cleanest one I’ve seen for this cheap for a while. And at only 160,000 miles, it should have plenty of life left.
Well, there they are. My hope is that after many cries of “ugh, neither” over the past few days, these two will give you something to honestly think about. Either one would make a good cheap runabout. Do you want a legendary reputation with more miles, but less excitement, or do you want something a little thrashier and possibly more fragile, but a hoot to drive?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
I was actually prepared to choose the Honda—I’ve never been a big Honda guy, but I can respect a car like this—but you sold me on the sporty Ford. The color and the good body condition helped.
I’ve already told the story of accompanying my sister on a test drive of an ’88 Accord LX-i hatch, 5-speed, black over ivory. I drove it also, and when we got back I said, “OK Rich, how much for two of them.” We each got the same car @ list price which was a screaming deal back then.
My mother had an ’86 LX 4-door and a ’91 LX door.
The 5-speed hatch was a real ball to drive with that 2-liter Honda growl and snickety-snick shifter. The big deal that year was 120 HP and 14-inch wheels vs. 13.
Good times.
I drove an ’88 DX hatch all through college. The carb’d DX made only 98 HP, and you really missed that 22 hp.
I just sold a ZX2 with 20,000 more miles for $1,000 more, so this one seems like a bargain to me.
Looked at buying an S/R in the early 2000s. I ended up knuckling under to convention (I’m an American male, damnit!) and putting that money toward a V8 Mustang instead. Totally happy with my choice, BUT part of me knew I was trading away rarity/cool that’d come years later if I’d gotten the S/R.
Escort all the way. Others have said it better with respect to the performance side (NB there were a ton of FRPP performance parts available at the time to hot it up), but I’ll add that style-wise, a review at the time noted that it looks like the offspring of a Taurus and a Toyota Celica. Not a bad thing at all in this case.
I am partial to coupes, so all things being equal, I’d go with the Ford over the Honda. Seven model years newer and half the miles sweetens the deal. The “just needs a…” disclaimer is worrisome, but the seller seems to have otherwise taken good care of the car, so maybe this is just the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
On the other hand, it’s difficult not to go for the daily driver of our lord and savior.
I don’t remember ZX2s beating ACRs very often. Actually, ever. 1998 Solo nationals was won by a Neon R/T.
How the heck could anyone vote ford in this one? Do they not remember those interiors and panel gaps and ford “quality” back then?
The only problems with the Accord are the motorized seatbelts and the captive rotors 🙁
Still better than a Ford LOL
Too bad the Zetec wasn’t available on the 4-door Escort at the time. That wouldn’t come until the Focus a few years later.
I voted for the Accord
Captive rotors? You mean how they’re held on with 4 bolts?
No, they’re not. They’re integrated with the wheel bearings, it’s really, really, really fucking stupid.
I was fairly sure they aren’t on mine, but I don’t think I’ve had the rotors off either.
Anyways, just wait until you have to work on any 3/4 ton, or most older 4x4s, or just about any car before the 70s. Floating brakes are a comparatively recent innovation.
“before the 70s”
“recent”
are we talking geological timescales now?
That design continued in to the ’94-’97 iteration of the Accord as well. Replacing the front discs is not a shade-tree operation.
Huh. I know the 3rd gen Accord wasn’t like that.
the 4th and 5th gen have that stupid design. 90-97
I had an Accord just like that one, but black. Fantastic car. Very close to peak Honda.
Had a manual Legend sedan of that era, too.
Glad to see them getting their groove back in recent years!
Tell me more about this “CVH recipe” or what that even is without the acronyms.
Ford, please.
In the early 1980s the regular Ford Escorts were everywhere, and I developed an irrational irritation of them as a model. Upon reading the headline I expected to vote for the Honda because of that (and because Honda) but changed my mind.
Others have mentioned the annoying seat belts in the Honda, so that’s covered. There are two things that bother me about this car: based on the pics in the CL ad, it appears to a) have been broken into and b) been in a rear-end collision.
Look at all the pictures. In addition to the taped-in stereo, it looks like someone tried to pry open the glovebox. Someone also tried to pry off the door card on the driver’s side rear. The passenger side rear door card has a similar mark but much less noticeable.
Image 6 in the CL ad shows that the area between the bumper and the taillights was pushed in. The part where the Accord emblem is was apparently pulled out by an unskilled operator while the part with the EX emblem remains pushed in. There is also a strangeness to the trunk/fender panel gap in that corner.
I’m taking the ZX2. This is in my opinion the only “all things ovoid” Ford that looks pretty good. This one is red, looks to be in pretty great shape, and my understanding is that these Escorts are fairly reliable for a 90’s Ford. The seller not being willing to replace the starter is sort of a red flag, but I think we’ve all known someone who took good care of a car, and then one day just decided they could not be bothered anymore.
The Accord is nice but I’m going to let it enjoy it’s final years out in the PNW instead of bringing it to Upstate NY, only for it to dissolve in it’s first winter here.
Two nice choices. I’m calling the Escort Service because a) 300K+ miles bugs me and b) I despise motorized belts.
The ZX2s were zippy pieces, and can be perked up further if you care. The looks were a little odd, but Ford was into that jellybean stuff back then, and you don’t really see the exterior from the driver’s seat.
If I were in the PNW, I’d hit up the Escort seller, flash a roll of (small) bills, and try to get it for a little less. A thorough cleaning, repaired starter and a quick visit to a car audio shop and it’d be ready for some fun.
As long as it runs, most of my time is spent of the interior of the car, so it had better be good.
That makes the Honda the only correct choice today.
Going for the Accord. My first car was the 92 Accord, and this brings back memories. I had it at 289,000 miles when the 2009 flood here in Atlanta decided to drown it.
The Accord is compelling, but the non-mouse belts in the Escort win. I just can’t get used to those stupid things and will never vote for a car with them.
These Ford are pretty good cars, easy to work on and some components shared with Mazda. Also newer than the Honda and probably “safer”.
I fully expected to go for the Accord because a ZX-2 that hasn’t been trashed is about as rare as it gets. This one looks incredible, however. I’ll take the car with airbags. You’d better give the ZX-2 a good sniff test though, in case those marks on the passenger’s door panel are cigarette burns.
You have more confidence than me in Ford airbags over two decades old.
As a vehicle I like the Accord more, but respect the ZX2 for its underpinnings.
Having the starter but not replacing it on the Ford, when they replaced so many other things seems odd, as pointed out. But then, unless the Accord has a bunch of service records in the glovebox, it could need many of those same things or more (like timing belt as mentioned in other comments) at that mileage and especially being from a dealer that probably doesn’t have much vehicle history.
Think I’ll lean Ford here.
Any Ford from the late 90s tends to eat through front suspension so I’m always suspicious of a used Escort
I mean, is there such a thing as an unused escort? Being suspicious of escorts in general seems like a prudent idea.
Boy you aren’t kidding about the rust-free thing.
I spent the last two weeks in the PNW on vacation, and the variety and quantity of regular, non-special old cars and trucks that would have crumbled to dust here a decade or more ago blew me away.
Yeah this makes me super jealous as a person who loves weird, old, run-of-the-mill cars. I’m more likely to see a Rolls in my neck of the woods than an early 90’s accord at this point. And this is NOT an affluent area.
The one that blew me away was how many OBS Fords were rolling around. GMT400s are still pretty common here in the Midwest, even in hard use, but the 80s-90s Fords are simply gone.
Out there, you see them everywhere.
And yes, I saw more 90s FWD Japanese iron in two weeks than I’ve seen here in two years.
Though I’m not a truck guy, I’m extremely partial to both the 9th gen and the 10th gen (ovoid era) F-150. The 9th gen is just about completely gone here, and anything older has clearly been either imported from places like the PNW, or oddly hidden from winter.
My brother in law has a 9th gen F-250 in green and it’s pretty sweet. He was going to bring it up from NC for Christmas one year with a shell for the sake of hauling things like gifts back and forth, and I begged him to leave it at home. Please don’t bring that thing up to the land of corrosives.
Two first-rate options! The Accord gets my vote, assuming my question about water pump/timing belt replacement is answered to my satisfaction.
While I like the accord better, and think it’s stupid of the ZX2 seller not to replace the starter, and would not pay that much unless they did, I still went Escort this time, if only so that I can loudly proclaim that for the first time in my life I paid for an escort. I have driven around in my high school girlfriend’s escort though…
I’m going Accord. My family owned many Hondas from model years 1985 to 2002 and all were pretty good. I also owned a BJ chassis Protege and it was good but I’m going 4 doors over 2.