Honda Accord timing Question: I know 1998-2000 engines have timing belts, but what about 2003 to present???

Question

I am looking to buy a 1998-2006 honda accord. I have had a lot of vehicles in the past, and let sjust say that I didnt always follow the maintenance instructions and chancge the timing belot before it broke, so I broke two. I bought a brand new 2004 Acura RSX, and one of the big sellers for me was that it was a 4 cylinder engine with a timing CHAIN. I dont want to buy a car with a timing belt. I know about all of the arguments as to why a belt is better, and that a chain can cause so much damage when it breaks, and that whether is has a belt or a chain you should change them, but I just have had bad experiences with timing belts, including one breaking when the car had 40,000 miles on it, leaving me stranded 40 miles from anywhere, no cell phone, in the middle of the night. Please help with the listed question I have posted !!!

Answer 1

Timing belts have come a long way, and for the most part on newer engines are very reliable.

I have seen original belts run to 160,000 miles.

Me I'm the other way around, timing chain tensioner failures ( Chrysler )

Timing chain wearing holes in the engine ( Nissan )

Answer 2

Dont be afraid of maint costs on a Honda; Range Rover, BMW, etc, yes. Be afraid of the costs of poor maint, they'r far higher. Maintenance is an investment; I'd have only Honda do it all including oil/filter change. Prob around $750, but ask Honda abt the specials they run on this job; maybe as a courtesy [or bc you'r a good negotiator] they'd give you the special rate even tho they'r not currently running it. They'l wana do the water pump, too, which is a good idea due to labor costs of accessing the belt/pump area. Pumps arent expensive.

Answer 3

i own a repair shop and some of the cars to day are chain and gears,and they do have to be replaced every 100k or so,but there not as bad about breaking as the belts are,I'm not sure which cars now have belts and chains,they keep changing things around so much its hard to keep up with all of it,but remember this,no matter what you drive sooner or later you,ll have to have something replaced either a belt,or a chain and gears,i do agree with you on belts,if you loose track of the mileage ,they will wear out and break,just use your best judgment on finding one that you like,and keep in mind either one can go out at anytime,good luck,i hope this help,s.