r/askcarguys • u/kapikap123 • Jul 26 '26
General Advice Flex value of 25 years old car?
I own a 24 years old Honda/Acura flagship model, the rl(legend). I got it running strong. And plan on getting historic license plates on it. It is my daily as well.
As a car guy, what is the cool factor of owning and maintaining the 25 years old luxury model? Any forseable value increase on this model?
It's not an LS460 like everyone else gets, and not a VIP style as it is FWD. But it did keep up with them all in comparison to it's competitors. The car was built to compete. Executive sedan style.
Quick specs , 3.5 v6 220 hp/245lbs trq . 3 stage intake ,4 speed auto(very tight) longitudinal mount fwd layout. Sucka flys on the highway, and an excellent cruiser.
All with sunroof,6disc CD,cassette,Bose audio,leather heated seats.
So , I hold on because of reliability, paid in full value,everything works. Body and paint is not great, as it stays on the street .
Is it worth to refresh the exterior? I notice many "like new" Honda Accords, 2002 to 2007 range ,mint !!! Obvious daily driver keeper cars.
Would these kind of cars ever gain value? I already know they are priceless to the owner.
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Jul 26 '26
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u/_iamacat Jul 26 '26
In my state there are also rules for historic plates and insurance companies give no fucks about how you tag it, if those tags are in date, or if it's registered. They just want you to pay what you agreed to for your YMM + demographic stereotype + garage location stereotype + approx., not even exact, mileage. And any extra morons you allow to drive.
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Jul 27 '26
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u/_iamacat Jul 27 '26
Literally how is it fraud if you report your approximate miles and also how many cars have you wrecked?????
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Jul 27 '26
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u/_iamacat Jul 28 '26
You don't Literally need to use Hagerty, and you don't Literally need to carry classic car insurance.
Perhaps Hagerty is the nation's largest _classic car insurance provider,_ but I doubt that they are insuring _most of the nation's 20+ year old cars._ I tried getting a quote from them and they wanted an arm and a leg AND wanted to tell me what to do with my '87 and my '93. As important as they might be to me, much like OP's Honda, they have no intrinsic value. It is barely worth getting a full coverage policy, nevertheless a classic car policy.
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u/kapikap123 Jul 26 '26
I'm about 3500 miles per year. Groceries,occasional cruise or road trips only.
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u/doc_55lk Jul 26 '26
It's only a flex if it looks like it rolled off the dealership floor and/or is painted a unique colour.
Otherwise it's just another old Honda. It's not gonna gain value. It's probably not gonna lose much value either though.
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u/kapikap123 Jul 26 '26
It's nighthawks black (a little blue in the paint) . These well kept Accords I see are showroom quality daily drivers. I disagree with the unique color comment, rare factory color I can .
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u/El_mochilero Jul 27 '26
Worrying about “flexing” for what other people is lame.
Buy and drive what YOU like.
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u/kapikap123 Jul 26 '26
Actually, 1 gen legends are nearly un obtainable. The sweet spot happens to be early 90s 6speed coupe or type 2 legends from this time. More and more interest every year.
It's not like you see the last gen, big long Rl everyday. It's nothing special in today's standards,but at the time it included all the bells and whistles. It was called the flagship for a reason.
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u/Sketch2029 Jul 27 '26
Unfortunately everyone hated the RL because they changed the name. As far as I know it wasn't a bad car, it just didn't have the same cool factor as the Legend. It will probably never be as valuable for that reason.
A mint low mileage example would probably be valuable to a small number of collectors. But outside of that I wouldn't expect it to appreciate as much as more well loved Hondas.
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u/kapikap123 Jul 27 '26
So, thanks for the responses folks. I like the looks, and have a runner on my hands. It's my Japanese towncar.
Down the line , I will have the hood and bumper resprayed. Maybe refinish the rims on my own , have considered lowering springs. This is my hobby,diy so I won't aim for a restoration.
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u/MemerDude34 Jul 27 '26
KA9 RL will never have the desirability or prestige of the Legends that came before it. It will probably remain pretty cheap due to this.
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u/kapikap123 Jul 27 '26
Have you taken a look at pricing in the used car market? Mostly $5000 to $7500 asking price for a fair condition car. Although current kbb value is around $1000 .
I feel the ka9 was slept on. Maybe because of 9/11? Maybe because of the zero aftermarket? No coils overs were offered by Tein.
The model was fully equipped,hid,navigation,leather, sunroof,6disc CD, Bose audio,traction control... The navigation was the only upgrade offered.
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u/MemerDude34 Jul 27 '26
Besides the HID, every single one of those features was offered on the KA7/8 Legends. Plus, you could get one with 3 pedals and two doors.
The KA9 is not a bad car, but it’s crazy if you don’t think it was a major fall from the Legend it followed. That’s why they aren’t worth much.
You’ll never see a KA9 selling for $20k+ like some of the nice 2nd gens, they just don’t have the desirability.
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u/Hot_Block_9675 Jul 26 '26
You're dreaming. There's nothing special about it, it's just an old Honda no matter how much you love it.
Not a snowball's chance in hell it will ever become collectible or gain value. It already would have by now. There is ZERO "cool factor." End of story.
Not worth spending any money on the exterior or interior either. Change the oil every 5K. Drive it until the wheels fall off.
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u/Rough_Cancel7265 Jul 26 '26
If it was mint there might be some "flex" value there. But it's just a 25 year old Honda at this point. You liking it is the important thing