All About the 1997 Honda Accord Special Edition
The 1997 Honda Accord Special Edition is a mid-level trim that offers both comfort and reliability to the used car market.
Written by Mary Cahill
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Reliable, sporty, and practical—the 1997 Honda Accord Special Edition still has a presence on the used car market. Applauded for its enviable fuel economy and ability to run for hundreds of thousands of miles, you may find that purchasing an older Special Edition Accord is a worthy investment.
Since its introduction in 1981, the Honda Accord has become a long-time top seller. Its continued popularity can be credited to its variety of body styles, powertrains, and affordability. Accord drivers of the mid-level Special Edition trim can enjoy upgraded features like an AM/FM/CD stereo, keyless entry, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel—but it’s been suggested that the Special Edition’s engine is a bit lacking in power.
Here to help you decide whether the 1997 Honda Accord Special Edition is the right used car for you is
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comparison extraordinaire and money-saving super app Jerry
. We’re exploring all the specs of the 1997 Honda Accord Special Edition: what it costs, the features you’ll get, and where this particular model year could improve. Plus, we'll even offer tips to help you save on your Honda car insurance costs
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What is the Honda Accord Special Edition?
1997 is the first year Honda rolled out its Special Edition Accord since last making an appearance in the lineup back in 1993. The Special Edition trim was only available in a
sedan or coupe
body style, but not as a wagon—the Accord wagon was discontinued in the US by the following year. With the re-entrance of the Special Edition, the 1997 Honda Accord was available in the following trims:
Back when it was brand new the 1997 Accord Special Edition had a starting MSRP of $20,400, but today the average retail price for a used ‘97 Special Edition is around $3,225.
1997 Honda Accord Special Edition overview
The 1997 Honda Accord SE was part of the final year of the Accord’s fifth generation. While few mid-size sedans offer as many body styles, long-time competitor Toyota Camry edged out the Accord to be the best-selling car that year. The Accord SE holds steady when it comes to snagging top-tier reliability and safety ratings, but lacks the sportiness and stylish interior of the
Nissan Altima GXE
.Let’s get a closer look at some of the key specs of the 1997 Honda Accord Special Edition:
- $20,200
- 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder engine
- 130 hp @ 5,200 RPM
- 139 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 RPM
- 5-starNHTSA safety rating
- Factory-installed security system and keyless entry
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What’s special about the Special Edition?
When the Special Edition rolled out for the 1997 model year, it debuted certain features that made it unique from the other trim levels. For instance, it comes in the following three custom colors:
- Heather Mist Metallic
- San Marino Red
- Dark Currant Pearl
The 1997 Accord Special Edition also comes with a factory-installed security system, CD player, and a sunroof. It’s also the only trim level that is not available with a manual transmission.
Another added feature is the fold-down rear seating—a strong nod to the versatile nature of the Accord. Safety is always a top priority in Honda’s vehicles, and that’s why the Special Edition comes equipped with dual airbags and side-impact beams.
1997 Honda Accord Special Edition vs. EX
Wondering how the 1997 Honda Accord Special Edition stacks up against top-trim EX? The primary difference between these two trim levels is that the EX is available with a 2.7-liter V6 engine whereas the Special Edition does not deviate from the base-model four-cylinder engine.
Another difference is the starting MSRP. back in ‘97, the starting MSRP for the EX trim was $25,100.
Other EX specific features include:
- Anti-lock brakes
- 145 hp @ 5,500
- 147 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500
What do the experts say? Save the nearly additional $5,000 upgrading to the EX when you can stay comfortable in the happy-medium SE.
That being said, if you’re craving a little extra power from the engine you might be better off getting behind the wheel of the Accord’s EX trim.
How to find the best Honda Accord Special Edition insurance
After you’ve taken the time to learn about all the specs of the 1997 Honda Accord Special Edition and compare it to other Accord trims, trying to find an affordable deal on your
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