10 Used Honra And Acura Cars I Would Buy Right Now

Honda and Toyota are generally regarded as the most reliable cars money can buy. While each car manufacturer has high and low points, the two Japanese carmakers have been pretty consistent regarding the quality and longevity of their vehicles. The same holds true for their luxury arms, Acura and Lexus. I recently compiled a list of used Toyota models I would buy right away, and given my fondness for Honda, I decided to create a similar list of used Honda and Acura cars worth buying in 2024 and 2025.  

My choices for this list of Honda and Acura used cars are based, not just on subjective preferences, but also market value, reliability, and ease of maintenance. I also researched these models through forums and specialized websites like Cars.com, Copilotsearch.com, Classic.com, and others. Without further due, here are 10 Honda and Acura models you can find on the used market that are still worth every penny. There is even a JDM icon in there. 

2018-2022 Honda Accord 2.0 T 

For me, the tenth-generation Honda Accord did many things right. Its spacious interior, balance between sporty handling and comfortable ride quality, and a de-tuned Honda Civic Type-R K20 engine make this the perfect sporty sedan that you can use on a daily basis. I specifically focus on the 2.0-liter turbo-four variant because of its power output which doesn't come at the cost of fuel economy. That and the fact that early versions of the 1.5-liter unit suffered from failing head gaskets and oil dilution.  

Pre-facelift models (2018-2020) also offer a six-speed manual in addition to the 10-speed automatic, which from 2021, becomes the only transmission option for the 2.0-liter engine. There are no major issues reported for the tenth-generation Honda Accord 2.0, which shares significant hardware with the Acura TLX. High-mileage models could experience some software glitches, failing sensors, and problems with the rearview camera. Tenth-generation Honda Accord prices start at $13,990. 

2016-2021 Honda Civic Si Coupe 

Remember the era of cheap-to-run, front-wheel-drive sports coupes that were based on economy cars? Good times. Not a lot of carmakers offer such a model in their lineup nowadays, but until a few years ago, Honda would have sold you a brand-new Civic Si Coupe.

I would skip the range-topping, 1.5-liter turbo-four engine and go for the much more unpretentious, K20C, normally-aspirated 2.0-liter unit. Yes, performance is not blistering, but it's usable power that will serve you well enough, daily.  

Also, there is something exhilarating about driving a slow car fast, especially with the six-speed manual. You get around 30 MPG combined and you can get close to 40 MPG on the highway. For me, the 2015-2021 Honda Civic Si Coupe is one of those cars that you buy if you want something mildly sporty that will serve you for a long time, without making a dent in your wallet. Prices start at around $14,900. 

2021-Present Acura TLX SH-AWD 

If the tenth-generation Honda Accord doesn't offer enough luxury for you then the Acura TLX is right up your alley. Both cars share the same platform, but the TLX features a slightly longer wheelbase (113 vs 111.4 inches) and a shorter overall length (194.6 vs 196.1 inches).

The TLX is also 0.5 inches lower and 1.9 inches wider than the Accord. The Acura TLX's base engine is the venerable K20 turbo-four, but with 20 more horsepower than the Accord. The TLX doesn't offer a manual, but can be equipped with the brand's Super Handling all-wheel-drive system.  

If given the choice, I would go for the TLX A-Spec since it comes with more aggressive styling, wireless charging pad, ventilated seats with suede inserts for more traction, 17-speaker surround sound system, and a flat-bottom steering wheel, to name a few. There are no major issues with the second-generation TLX although some owners report frequently-failing puddle lamps and complain about turbo lag. Used Acura TLX prices start at $24,900. 

2004-2012 Acura RL 

The Acura RL, also known as the fourth-generation Honda Legend in other parts of the world, allowed the model to firmly step into the 21st century. Its rounded forms were a sharp contrast from the previous generation's angular, 1990s looks. It also attempted to rival the likes of Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series, which is why the fourth-generation Legend is packed with technology.

It is these luxury-car features, not akin to most Honda models that may cause issues in the long run. Earlier Acura RLs are nearly 20 years old now, and some issues are bound to appear. 

In terms of the mechanicals, the RL is no less reliable than most other Honda/ Acura models. The only real issue is that some parts may be harder to come by as the model isn't nearly as common as the rivals from Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes.

Models produced in 2011 and 2012 come with a six-speed automatic instead of the five-speed on earlier models. The 2004-2012 Acura RL/ Honda Legend came standard with all-wheel drive and a choice of J35 and J37 V-6 engines, both of which are solid motors, providing adequate performance. Used prices for the Acura RL start at around $9,000. 

2012-2015 Honda Accord V-6 Coupe 

The Honda Accord Coupe is your entry into compact-ish, Japanese luxury coupes. I specifically chose the 2012 and newer models since they are more reliable. Models that are 2012 and older are known to suffer from premature brake wear and there have been reports of the K24 engine burning oil.

I would go for the J35 V-6 engine, which despite featuring a SOHC valvetrain doesn't lack top-end power and even has V-TEC. Sadly, these stylish coupes are front-wheel-drive only. If you are lucky, you could find the rare six-speed manual. Good examples can be found for around $9,500. 

2014-2015 Honda Crosstour 

In the world of weird and quirky vehicles, Honda also has an interesting entry. The Honda Crosstour (also known as Accord Crosstour) is based on the Accord sedan, but features raised ride height and is larger in dimension. The Crosstour is a hybrid between a hatchback, station wagon, sedan, and an SUV, without resembling the former.

The Crosstour dates back to 2008, but you would be wise to look for 2014 and newer as these are a lot more reliable. The J35 V-6 engine is a proven mill and the only available option for the Crosstour. SH-AWD is also standard as is the six-speed automatic (on newer models).  

Pre-2014 Crosstour examples are fairly reliable too, with most issues being fairly minor. The most frequent complaint is of premature wear on the brake pads and rotors. Models produced in 2013 are considered the worst as there are reports of problems with the steering and the starter. Used Honda Crosstour prices start at around $7,000. 

2009-2014 Acura TSX 

The second-generation Acura TSX improved upon the already well-rounded package that was the first-generation TSX. This is the smallest Acura sedan you can get with a V-6, more specifically, the J35 unit, which is known to be a stout platform.

The K24Z3 inline-four engine is also available here and while generally reliable, there have been reports of excessive oil consumption and coolant loss on some high-mileage examples. However, these are rare occurrences. The five-speed automatic does a good enough job, but is slightly outdated compared to some competitors.

Ideally, you want the six-speed manual. The TSX is an easy car to live with and sporty enough to have fun in. The only real downside is the interior, which isn't the most spacious. Used prices for the second-generation Acura TSX start at around $6,000. 

2011-2015 Honda Civic Si Coupe 

If you don't belong to that camp of people who firmly believe that front-wheel drive is the "wrong” wheel drive, and you want a compact Japanese coupe that's easy on your wallet, then the ninth-generation Civic Si Coupe is for you.

There are plenty of “okays” in the Civic Si Coupe (you can also get a four-door sedan). The K24 engine is, generally, stout, provides an average of around 25 MPG combined, and revs to 7,000 RPM with a decent (for a four-banger) soundtrack. As a bonus, there is vast aftermarket support for the Civic platform as well as the K-series engines, so you can, pretty much, do whatever you want with one of these.  

Back when the car was new, Motor Trend praised the Civic Si Coupe for its handling. In terms of reliability, some owners report clutch master-cylinder failure. I am also repeating myself for the K24's oil consumption issues, but that's not a common issue. Many Civic Si owners on Reddit claim the car pulls like new, even at over 200,000 miles. Small wonder, these coupes retain value so well. The ninth-generation Civic Si Coupe is almost on par with its successor. Prices start at $13,500. 

2009-2014 Acura TL 

If you enjoy the quality and reliability of 2000s Acura, but want something larger than the TSX, look no further than the Acura TL. The sports-luxury, mid-size sedan was introduced in 2008 and in typical Honda fashion, the TL has stood the test of time like a champ.

Even earlier model years don't have any serious issues as the model builds upon the previous generation's already stellar reliability record. The J35 and J37 V-6 engines are stout engines with up to 305 horsepower and plenty of torque, especially in the mid-range. The larger, 3.7-liter engine also comes with Acura's Super Handling all-wheel-drive system.

Ideally, you want the six-speed manual, which is a joy to work with. Models produced in 2012 and later swapped the five-speed automatic for a six-speed. There's no shortage of these cars with well over 150,000 miles, still going strong. Around $6,500 can get you a good example. 

1991-2005 Honda/ Acura NSX 

A proper JDM icon from Honda is always a good thing to aspire to as a car enthusiast. Especially when we are talking about the mid-engine Honda/ Acura NSX, which was developed with input from Formula 1 legend, Ayrton Senna.

The normally-aspirated C30 V-6 engine (C32 for the facelift) was positioned transversely behind the cockpit, giving it a weight distribution of 42: 58, front to rear. Horsepower was rated from 255 to 290 depending on the model year and version. There were a couple of variants of the first-generation Honda NSX, with the most track-focused variant being the NSX-R.  At 2,799 pounds, it was also the lightest.

In 2002, the first-generation Honda/ Acura NSX got a facelift which among other things switched from pop-up headlights to fixed ones. This helped reduce drag from 0.34 to 0.30 Cd, making the NSX more “slippery”.

The first-generation NSX is a reliable sports car if maintained. Common issues include minor annoyances like cracked ABS fluid hose, brake master cylinder, and on some 1992-1995 examples, problems with the gearbox going into neutral on its own. This JDM classic has already appreciated and prices start from $36,000, for decent examples. Know that many of these cars are engine-swapped, modified, or not taken care of properly.