Walk into any high school parking lot in the late 90s, and you’d see it. That sleek, two-door silhouette with the surprisingly sharp "NSX-lite" taillights. It was the honda accord coupe 98, a car that basically redefined what it meant to be a practical enthusiast. People often lump this car in with the "boring" sedan version, but they're dead wrong.
Honestly, 1998 was a weirdly pivotal year for Honda. They decided to split the Accord into two distinct personalities. While the sedan was the quintessential "grocery getter" for suburban families, the coupe was something else. It was rakish. It was wider. It didn't share a single exterior body panel with its four-door sibling. Not one. If you look closely at the headlights and the aggressive, chiseled front fascia, you'll see a car that was trying—and largely succeeding—to look more expensive than its sticker price suggested.
The 3.0L V6 Power Trip
Most people think of the Accord as a slow, steady fuel-sipper. But when the honda accord coupe 98 debuted the 3.0-liter V6, things got spicy. We’re talking 200 horsepower. In 1998, that was a big deal. That engine, the J30A1, was pulled straight from the Acura CL and shoved into this "pedestrian" Honda.
You've gotta understand the vibe of driving one of these. It wasn't a raw, rattling sports car like the Civic Si of the era. It was a cruiser. The VTEC kicked in with a smooth, linear surge rather than a violent "bwaaah" pop. It felt sophisticated. It felt like you were winning at life because you had leather seats and a sunroof, but you weren't paying BMW maintenance prices.
The Transmission Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about the automatic transmissions. It's the one thing that keeps these cars from being perfect "forever" vehicles. If you're looking at a V6 model today, you've probably heard the horror stories. They were... fragile. Honestly, "frail as a pane of glass" is how some forum users describe them.
The 4-speed automatics in the 1998–2002 generation were prone to overheating and premature wear. If you’re hunting for one of these in 2026, you basically have two choices:
- Find one where the owner treated the transmission fluid like liquid gold (changing it every 30k miles).
- Buy the 4-cylinder manual.
The 2.3L inline-four (the F23A1) might "only" have 150 horsepower, but paired with that 5-speed manual? It’s a joy. It’s light. It’s flickable. And more importantly, it will outlive most of us.
Double Wishbones and Why They Matter
Modern cars have mostly moved to cheaper MacPherson struts, but the honda accord coupe 98 still rocked the legendary double-wishbone suspension at all four corners. This is why these cars still feel "right" on a twisty backroad.
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The steering is weighted perfectly—not that numb, electric feel you get in a 2024 crossover. You actually feel what the front tires are doing. It’s a "driver’s car" hiding in plain sight.
Real Talk: Reliability vs. Reality
I’ve seen these things with 350,000 miles on the clock, looking like they just rolled off the lot in Marysville, Ohio. But they aren't invincible. Here is the reality of owning a 28-year-old Honda:
- The Timing Belt: If it snaps, the engine is toast. It’s an interference design. If the seller can't prove it was done in the last 60k miles, do it immediately.
- The Main Relay: If the car won't start on a hot day, it's probably the PGM-FI main relay. It’s a $50 part and a 20-minute fix.
- The Clock Light: For some reason, the backlight on the dash clock dies on every single one of these. It’s basically a rite of passage.
- The Clear Coat: Honda's paint in the late 90s was... let's say "environmentally friendly." It loves to peel, especially on the roof and trunk.
Is It Still Worth Buying?
If you want a car that feels "mechanical" but won't leave you stranded (if it's a manual), then yes. The honda accord coupe 98 is a masterclass in ergonomics. The buttons are huge. The visibility is like sitting in a glass bubble. There are no distracting screens, just three big dials and a road ahead of you.
It's a lifestyle choice. You're choosing a time when cars were simpler but still had soul. It’s not just a "cheap old car." It’s a piece of peak Honda engineering.
Your Action Plan for the 98 Accord Coupe
If you're serious about picking one up, don't just jump at the first $2,000 Craigslist find. Do this instead:
- Prioritize the 5-speed manual. Even if you don't know how to drive stick, learn on this car. It’s worth it for the reliability alone.
- Check the subframe. If you're in the Rust Belt, the passenger-side subframe is known to rot out due to A/C condensation dripping on it. Get it on a lift.
- Verify the Recalls. Specifically the Takata airbags and the ignition switch. Any Honda dealer can run the VIN for you for free.
- Look for the EX trim. You get the 4-wheel disc brakes and ABS, which the base LX models often lacked. It’s a massive safety upgrade.