Honest opinions on Acura Legend (1992)

[pito11213]

Hey fellas....

Just wondering what the boards thoughts are on a 1992 Acura Legend. Anyone ever had one? Anyone know anything about them? I am considering getting one and would like to get as much info as possible. I have already read good review on epinion.com and consumerguide.com.

But I would like the advice of my fellow nicoians.

[Rex]

IIRC, the 92 shared the same bodystyle as the 94/95's which I really like .

I can't remember what issues I found when I was looking (couple years back), but I was looking at the 94/95 GS and I don't think it would apply .

Good looking car, Acura reliability. If it's in good shape, has maintenance records and the price is right, I don't know why you wouldn't give it a good look.

They can look pretty nice .

[louiegz]

Aside from the fact that it's a front drive car, The Legend is a solid car. Honda dependabilty. Try to find one with a manual transmision. Very rare, but if you have the option of going stick, I'd do it.

[pito11213]

Lou I thought of getting the stick shift one but here are the downsides

1. The Legend I would really want is the 93 with the type II motor.

2. Stick shift will not be my favorite every single day. Plus it will make me want to speed. (Just being honest)

3. The damn type II legend is so damn expensive that the 93 coupe still goes for $6500 or better.

[pito11213]

Rex you are right..

The 91-95 legend have the same body style with a few exterior changes here and there between the 93 and 92. The head gasket seems to be a common problem if the car is not maintained correctly. The one I drove seems solid and feels good. transmission replaced by dealer under warranty and car was owned by a mechanic with his own shop. Motor was replaced and timing belt done. Everything worked and interior was in good condition. I believe he is asking for $3000.

[Rex]

By far the perfect world would allow for you to get a 6 speed Type II, those thigns are sweet, but unlike Q's the hold their price, and the owners hold on to them.

I like the overall body style of the last iteration of Legends the most, but the 2 door seems wierd.

I'll say $3k for a 13 yr old car seems like alot, but if you're confident it's in good mechanical condition and it's within your means, offer them $2200 and see where it goes.

[pito11213]

The guy is pretty firm. These cars hold their value and that price is actually good. I just lost out on a nice 93 that went for $3K. DAMN.

My friend want to buy my Q and I must say that it looks real good with the rims and tints and the alarm just sets it off. I have the injectors in the trunk so he can replace the two bad ones and still have extra. The car has many new parts on it so it wont take much to get it good again.

Any more opinions on the Legend guys?

[97Q45t]

I owned a 91 Legend sedan with a 5-speed manual long time ago. I'd say it's the BEST FWD car I've ever driven. Very reliable (nothing broke) and fast. They're still look good nowaday.

[pito11213]

I have to agree with you on that. Very nice handling kind of BMW'ish.

[Jesda]

I was a hair away from buying a 92 Legend, until the transmission took a dump (thankfully before I signed all the papers at the dealer). Took home a 93 Accord instead.

Overall, nice car. Not exciting, not dull either. Some have complained about being nickel-and-dimed to death.

[pito11213]

Those Acuras have good handling on them though. I have been out cornered by them before. Nice all around car and disgustingly enough cheaper parts than the Q.

[Jesda]

Not really. A fuel injector is still over $90. An AC compressor over $470. $166 for a water pump. $380 for a radiator.

Slightly cheaper than Lexus, Infiniti, and BMW, but still more than Lincoln, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, and Mercury. About on par with Cadillac, possibly cheaper on some parts.

Of course, you'll save time, parts, and fuel with two fewer cylinders, but you sacrifice performance. The ultimate automotive cost-benefit question -- Are you willing to pay to play? Do you want to drive or drive faster?

Budget yourself properly and be prepared. There's no free lunch.

[Jesda]

Oh yeah, I demand pics when you get it!

[pito11213]

That Acura is a nice driving experience. Good handle and nice speed. Good combo. Plenty of aftermarket for what I want. Good for me. The Q is a very nice car and I love it but at the end of the day I have blue smoke so the engine is on a decline whether it is slow or not.

Anybody want a 90 Q?

[Jesda]

Thats unfortunate. What happened to the offer you had for a 300E?

Should be easier to sell the Q now with proper wheels and tires.

[EQwhipD]

Pito,My brother has a 91 Acura Legend LS. He seems to love his car a lot. The only problem he has had out of it was a bad water pump, and he replaced that with the timing belt for about $300 w/ labor. One common concern of LEgends, is that they blow head gaskets a lot, and the engine is pretty much ruined. Beware, if you are in NY, there a lot of people getting rid of Legends with BHG's (Blown Head Gaskets).Unlike the Q, the replacement parts are easier to come by. A JDM Type II motor can cost you as little as $700 with only 30-50,000 miles on it. Also the interiors of the cars seem not to even compare tot he Q. Beware, the leather is really thin on the seats, and they wear out prematurely. Before buying a Legend, I suggest that you go to their forum, and check out what things to look for (www.acura-legend.com)---go to "Forums"---click on "Second Generation Legend".As for reliability, if the car was taken care of, it can go far beyond 300,000 miles on the motor. Good luck, but please do your research before scooping an Ac with a bunch of problems. Beware of Legends less than $3,500; usually the owner knows something you don't.Evan (NC)

[pito11213]

One step ahead of you dog.

I went to ebay to see price comparisonscraigslist for the same thingacura-legend.com for infoand some other sites that i cant remember.

The legend i am looking at had the engine replaced I believe due to a BHG. The transmission was replaced by the dealer. The car was dealer maintained. The car is in excellent shape and withstood a nice hard ride by me. The temp gauge stayed right where it should and there is no milkyness in the oil.

I am really leaning towards trying to push this deal through.

[pito11213]

Jesda that 300E just doesnt suit me at all.

That would have been a straight up trade and I didnt want to do it. The Acura to me is much better.

[nuQ]

very nice car, and great performance (overlook the FWD!!! LOL). was a considereration along with a caddy sts before i, rightfully, deceided on the Q!!!!!!

[Jeff Williams]

My partner just retired his 1992 Acura, with 285,000 miles on it. It went through drive axles like candy. The engine smoked prety bad, but that was because he never changed the oil much. It burned so much, he kept adding a quart every week or so. There used to be an Acura re-builder close to my house, and said the engine mounts used to break, or loosten so much, that the upper radiator tank would break, from engine vibration. Tim never had any major problems with the car, except the leather dried out badly, and he replaced it with vinyl. he probably never put leather conditioner on it.

I always liked the car, and wanted it when he bought a new car, but he gave it to the church.

[AZhitman]

I was looking at a 95 Legend Coupe Type II with the 6-speed when I bought my Q.

Incredibly gorgeous car, love the styling, good reliability, no more of a PITA than the Q...

As has been said, the TypeII is hard to come by and command a premium price.

If I didn't own a Q, I'd have a Legend. The FWD and "bang for the buck" were the ONLY downsides IMO, and swayed me to the Q.

[louiegz]

The FWD and "bang for the buck" were the ONLY downsides IMO, and swayed me to the Q.

Amen Brotha. If I lived in AZ with no snow, I would allways buy a RWD car. Now, with snow comming tonight in Jersey, I wish I had an AWD, but my Q with the Blizzacks will service me fine. My buddy got an 05 TL. A car I would buy because it drives and handels so well, but the whole FWD thing keeps me away.

[3rd Q]

Had an '88 Legend ( first gen) before the 4 Q's. Great mechanically, still ran perfectly when I sold it at 150k. Rust was a huge problem with the 1st generation. Doesn't seem to be as bad on the '92+, but I still see some around with plenty of rust on them.

Paul

[vicQ45]

there's a ton of em in the parking lot at my university. they way these kids treat them, they have to be pretty damn reliable. like 3rd Q said they do sema to have a little more rust than average and teh leather isn't of teh best quality either, but for the price i'd say you're getting a pretty sweet deal. i'd buy it

[tkd_q45]

I'd try and get a 94-95. They have more sound insulation and are quieter as a result.

I too looked at the 2nd gen Legend but they are so pricey. I just couldn't justfy the spend over the G50. Though I'd admit that operating costs would be less.

[Jesda]

there's a ton of em in the parking lot at my university. they way these kids treat them, they have to be pretty damn reliable. like 3rd Q said they do sema to have a little more rust than average and teh leather isn't of teh best quality either, but for the price i'd say you're getting a pretty sweet deal. i'd buy it

I've also noticed the same. A lot of teenagers buy them used and beat the living crap out of them, and the Legends take it surprisingly well.

[Rex]

[metaverse3]

.

[driverdriver]

I always liked the Legend coupe.

[metaverse3]

heh heh.The feeling's mutual..Coupe's always had that edge for me.. Make it a TYPE II GS with the six speed transmission.. I drove one ages ago..beautiful car..just too impractical for being a coupe and with my work..(Computer service)