Honda Accord Baby Boy (Accord 1998-2002) review & prices in Nigeria

When the 6th-generation Honda Accord was launched in 1998, it was a breath of fresh air from the spacious yet compact Accord models. The vehicle came at a time when it seemed many loyal Honda fans were considering shifting posts to the Toyota Camry. The Honda Accord 1998 - 2002 (6th generation) got into Nigeria and in no time did it gain the nickname the Honda Accord Baby Boy. Perhaps, this moniker was as a result of how long people had waited for it and how sleek and bold it looks from the outside.

The Honda Accord Baby Boy is easy to maintain while being potent in power

Right from the first sight, you can be impressed by its spacious look along with comfy seats.

Some perks were added including the V6 and 4 cylinder engine options and user-friendly controls.

The Baby Boy, coming in a four-door sedan design packed with a lot of power, maintained the three trim levels DX, LX and EX and doesn't do badly in fuel economy.

The car isn't a bad choice for those looking for an affordable Honda car to purchase with it being reliable, safe, fuel efficient, and firm on the road.

>>> End of Discussion, Evil Spirit, Bull Dog are some Nigerian nicknames for different generations of Honda Accord. What else can you name? Check it out here!

The Honda Accord Baby Boy comes in three trim levels - DX, LX and EX. As expected, the EX is the upscale and sporty variant which also carries a lot of features as compared to the others. You also know what that means, it won't be as affordable either.

Brand new Honda Baby Boy prices in Nigeria

It is rare to find a brand new Honda Baby Boy, though you can visit Accredited Honda dealers in Nigeria to find one. Also, if you have a more generous budget, you can consider buying the latest version of the Honda Accord that won The Best Car of the Year.

>>> Accredited Honda dealers in Nigeria

Tokunbo/Foreign used Honda Baby Boy prices in Nigeria

Nigerian used Honda Baby Boy prices in Nigeria

Engine

The Honda Accord Baby Boy offers 3 engines for buyers to choose from. You either opt for the 3 liter single overhead Cam (SOHC) V6 VTEC engine which puts out 200 horsepower, or you go for the 150 horsepower 2.3 liter inline 4 cylinder engine. This inline 4 is also a SOHC VTEC with 16 valves. The third engine variant is a bit less potent than the two listed above but it is still worth the try for a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder engine. This SOHC engine has a 135 HP output. The only thing about these engines is that they came with a timing belt, not the timing chain you find in more recent cars.

Fuel economy

Also to add, the fuel economy rating of the engines were ideal too. For instance, the V6 engine has a 26 miles per gallon rating on the highway and 18 mpg in the city. The VTEC comes with 28 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg in the city ratings. You can obviously tell which is better if you seek a fuel economy car. This also means that you drive up to 600 kilometers on a full tank - from Lagos to Benin and back!

>>> Honda Acccord is among Top 10 cars cheapest and easiest to maintain in Nigeria. Click the link to check out the rest!

The wheelbase, length, and height of the Honda Accord Baby Boy are far better and more than what you would see in the previous generation. The vehicle also comes with a radio and cassette player with a CD changer, air conditioning, airbags, and great seats. The rear is roomier than what is found in the Honda halla for instance. I guess the automaker listened to the complaints of car owners and carried out major upgrades on this one. You also enjoy a lot of space in the rear as there's just enough cargo room in the trunk. Driver's safety is guaranteed with the anti-lock brakes and good traction. The vehicle is definitely made for tough Nigerian roads but it is a bit low. You will have a lot to worry when you climb bumps.

The Honda Accord Baby Boy is definitely an upgrade of the Honda Halla

>>> If you are owning a Honda car, make sure you keep a close eye on it as Honda cars are most likely to become targets of car thieves

Pros:

The pluses of owning a Honda Accord Baby Boy outnumber the negatives:

• You enjoy great comfort and quality.
• The brakes are really effective. 
• The steering wheel is light and easy to handle.
• Fuel efficient, even the V6 engine which wasn't specially built for saving fuel, still its fuel economy figure is impressive.
• As always, Honda vehicles are among the safest

Above all, we highly appreciate what Honda did to its spacious interior.

Cons:

Still, of course, there are quite a few cons:

• The engines use a timing belt, not a timing chain, which has to be changed often.
• The automatic transmission variant has issues with uneven shifting when you're driving.
• There's a lot of noise coming from the engine and the road all at the same time while you're driving.
• Honda Accord Baby Boy, as well as other older generations of Accord have common ball joint problem. 

>>> If you are an DIY guy, you can try this simple trick to fix the ball joint issue on your Honda Accord Baby Boy once and for all!

Things to look out for when buying used Honda Accord Baby Boy

The Honda Accord 1998-2002 has few problems. However, when you go to buy a used one, make sure you look out for the following critical parts:

• First, blue smoke from the exhaust pipe. Once you notice this, it's a red flag.
• Sometimes you would hear noises in the engine or the car will jerk when it's switching gears especially in the automatic transmission variant.
• The road and engine noise can be managed, but slow transmission shifting and humming noise from the wheel bearings cannot.
• Keep an eye on the dashboard for the engine light, while you're test driving. You won't want to purchase and get home with engine sludge or a car with a smell emanating from the engine.
• Also, don't forget to examine the air conditioning and the timing belt. Once you and your mechanic certify both as okay, it's fine. Anything else, look for another car to buy.

>>> Make sure you know these 5 essential things to look for when buying a used Honda Accord 

How to maintain Honda Accord Baby Boy

Coming to maintenance, the Honda Accord Baby Boy is easy to maintain but there are still some things to care for.

• Firsly, always check for a bad ignition switch. This makes it seem like your car starter is bad.
• The car also experiences faulty heater control and PGMFI relay. These make the car overheat. So endeavor to visit the mechanic once you notice they have gone bad.
• Change the transmission fluid often.
• Check the spark plugs and ignition coil regularly too.
• The water pump should also be replaced when they go bad. Once these are done along with the regular routine maintenance, you have nothing to worry about.

>>> Check out Basic Honda car maintenance routine owners must know and Tips on how to maintain used Honda Accord for better care of your Honda Accord Baby Boy

All in all the Honda Accord Baby Boy is a great ride. Its rivals are the Nissan Maxima, Toyota Camry Pencil Light and Mazda 6. Asides the fuel efficiency which the Camry has better, the Accord beats the rest on almost every spec.

>>> See Toyota Camry Pencil Light review & prices in Nigeria for a comparison of these two arch rivals!

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