Acura Legend 1st Gen (KA2/KA3)

Verdict

BHP

151-161 bhp

0–60

9.0 s

Top speed

130 mph

MPG

21.0 mpg

Used

$2,000-$8,000

The Legend was the centerpiece of Acura's 1986 launch — the first Japanese luxury sedan in America, three years before Lexus and Infiniti existed. Joint venture with Austin Rover (platform shared with the Rover 800/Sterling), but with a Honda C-series 2.5L V6 (151 hp) and Honda engineering. From 1987, a 2.7L V6 made 161 hp. Sedan and coupe bodies, with the coupe arriving for 1987. Won Car and Driver's 10Best in 1986 and 1987. Served notice on the German establishment that Japan could build credible luxury cars — directly inspiring Toyota and Nissan to launch Lexus and Infiniti in 1989. Surviving examples are now genuinely vintage cars; clean originals are rare and have a quiet collector following.

Strengths

Founding model of the Acura brand
Won Car and Driver 10Best in 1986 and 1987
Coupe body is quietly collectible
Honda C-series V6 is bulletproof
Forced Lexus and Infiniti into existence

Weaknesses

All examples now 35+ years old
Rover-sourced electrical components were temperamental
Power output modest by modern standards
Few survive in unmolested condition
Period interior plastics aging

Notable tech

First Japanese luxury sedan sold in America (1986)
Honda C-series V6 (jointly developed with Rover)
Coupe body from 1987
Longitudinally-mounted V6 for better weight distribution
Available with 5-speed manual

Common issues

Distributor failure on early V6
Power steering pump and rack leaks
Climate control LCD failure
Power window motors
Rust around rear arches and sunroof on northern cars

Used-market budget

$5,000

Clean original sedans $4-7k, clean original coupes $6-9k. Heavily-modified examples are common; originality commands a premium. Most surviving cars are project-grade.