Honda was one of the companies that were at the forefront of all this new technology. Sometime in 1989 they started using variable valve timing in their cars. This was a first and they called it VTEC for Variable Valve Timing and Electronic Lift Control. It made small displacement engines make loads of horsepower. Aside from going VTEC, Honda also started using double wishbones on the fronts of their cars (as well as the innovative new multi-link suspension at the rear). This allowed Hondas to have extremely nice handling throughout the range. It basically allowed the wheels to be on top of most road conditions and allowed the Hondas to be able handling machines. Honda made a whole load of innovative cars back then and even considered going after BMW by having premium sports sedans in the guise of the Honda Inspire / Vigor
The Honda Inspire (CB5, CC2, CC3) from 1989/90 to 1995 was something I believe to be an experiment in drivetrain technology by Honda. It was a low slung 4 door sedan (with frameless doors to show off its sporting intent) based on the more normal looking Honda Accord. It differed from the Accord by having a longer and squarer front end than the Accord. It was powered by two 5 cylinder double overhead camshaft engines, a 2.0 and a 2.5liter (but no VTEC). The 2.0liter made 153hp / 186Nm and the 2.5liter made 187.7hp and 237Nm. Yes, 5 cylinders. And warble it did. This was why the Inspire / Vigor had the longer front end compared to the Accord.
Now aside from the very Audi-like 5 cylinder engines the engines were also very Audi-lilke in their longitudinally layout. The transmission, either a 4 speed automatic or a 5 speed manual, is attached behind the engine, with a driveshaft that sends power to the front of the car to an asymmetrically installed limited-slip differential which then supplies power to the front wheels using equal length half shafts; this allowed the whole engine to remain slightly behind the front wheels. This also gave the car a 60:40 front to rear weight distribution. If you note, even Audi were putting the engine forward of the front wheels instead of like this old Honda. It was only after the B8 Series Audi A4 that Audi pushed the engine rearward and the drive shafts forward making the A4 very much less understeery than before. Honda thought of everything years ago. The Inspire was what a proper sporting front wheel drive car should be.
Now aside from being a proper sporty front wheel drive, the Honda Inspire also added a touch of luxury. The original wood and leather trimming came from a Japanese furniture manufacturer Tendo Mokko (which makes award winning furniture and stuff that reach high prices at auctions). All of these were laid down in a typically ergonomic Honda passenger cabin. It was s nice place to be inside whilst listening to that 5 cylinder engine warble and enjoying the pretty good handling of its double wishbone / multi-link chassis.
In terms of prestige, the Honda Inspire sat just under the larger Honda Legend but was basically catering to performance oriented full sized sedan. And so, the Honda Inspire was a heck of a lot of car for the money.
In Malaysia, quite a few were brought in via grey imports. This 1st Generation Inspire together with its Vigor (2nd Generation Vigor) was bought by those who wanted something slightly different compared to the Accord (which was selling like hot cakes those days - people bought both the official CKD variants and also lapped up the better equipped Japanese grey imports too). The imports of this first generation Inspire lasted to the late 1990s, when the Malaysian economy suffered from the Asian currency crisis which basically halted most of the grey imports. It also halted demand for the second generation Inspire and note that after 1999, no one imported different types of Hondas other than the bread and butter ones.
So the Honda Inspire you see here today is what remains of that era where Honda tried its hand in trying to usurp BMW. It was also a period of experimentation which did not last. If it did you'd see more Honda 5 cylinders, wouldn't you?
Anyway, you can occasionally see one or two pop up on the local classified. Take this example from Mudah.my (the link here - while it lasts of course). A 1995 car selling for a low RM10,800. The interior seems sound (leather could be and the car, aside from the different sports wheels seem to be decent to use especially for its age. There are not many unique cars you can buy at this price.
So what can you expect from a owning a rare car like this? Unique engine noise, decent handling (good for its time, good for a front wheel drive as it does not understeer early like a normal transverse engined Accord - used to drive my uncle's those days) and frameless door good looks. Maintenance is actually pretty normal. Many parts are interchangeable with the Accord (but some body parts are of course unique to the Inspire) The engine is pretty durable if serviced regularly but the gearbox may need repairing after 200,000km or after fifteen or more years. I remember my mechanic changing a secnd hand 'box on one a few years ago which costed in the region of RM2,500, all in. Of course, transmissions aren't that cheap, but take a look at the rest of the car....quite unique isn't it?
Original Advert details:
Honda Accord Inspire 2.0(a) Injection Leather Seat -95
-15" SPORT RIM-NICE INTERIOR
-CAREFUL OWNER
-ACC FREE AND WELL KEPT
-VERY GOOD CONDITION
-NO NEED REPAIR
-SMOOTH ENGINE AND BEST PRICE
-MUST VIEW TO BELIEVE
-HIGH TRADE IN AND WELCOM TRADE IN
-LOAN CAN BE ARRANGE
-PRICE CAN NEGO.
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