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Honda Accord

Get behind the wheel of any Honda and there's immediately a taut, precise feel. The Accord is no exception, with great handling finesse and driver involvement to rival many German executive competitors. Throw in a fine reliability record and superb engine range, and this model looks even more appealing to the used car buyer.

February 2003

Get behind the wheel of any Honda and there's immediately a taut, precise feel. The Accord is no exception, with great handling finesse and driver involvement to rival many German executive competitors. Throw in a fine reliability record and superb engine range, and this model looks even more appealing to the used car buyer.
Head to your local Honda dealer, and you won't be blown away by the sticker prices. The Accord has strong residual values, which means they are not cheap to buy but shouldn't shed too much value during your ownership period. A new model is imminent, but the classy four and five-door it replaces still have a lot to offer.
The Accord isn't the most spacious machine inside, but it still has a big-car feel and the styling is tidy. The flagship Type R offers great high-revving performance, with 0-60mph covered in 7.5 seconds. Its sporty image hasn't extended to the rest of the range, but all VTEC engines are keen to be pushed and offer flexible performance.
Checklist
* The Accord's reliability record is impeccable, but a few owners have complained about interior trim. A common fault is a rattle in the door; it's not serious, but is good haggling ammunition.
* Other owners have bemoaned the quality of dealer-fitted accessories. Ensure everything works properly.
* The Type R is a serious performer, but avoid any thrashed examples and check the history to make sure the car hasn't been stolen or crashed.
* There shouldn't be any mechanical problems, so if you find any, walk away. Listen for a blowing exhaust, too.
Glass's View
You might expect a model that's due for replacement to have fairly unstable used values, but not the Accord, says Glass's Guide. Main dealer prices may look high, but availability has been carefully managed to ensure supply is often exceeded by demand. Thanks to this, the introduction of the new model shouldn't affect used prices too badly. It's a well built, sensibly priced family saloon, and a safe used bet.
My Accord...
Covering an enormous 40,000 miles a year, Mike Baird keeps his Accord very busy - and there's not a lot he would change. Now on his second example, the 30-year-old accounts manager took delivery of his latest Accord last June as a company car. The firm he works for runs a fleet of Hondas, and finds them bombproof. He told us: "They are well screwed together and faultlessly reliable."
Mike, from Milnrow, Lancashire, says his 2.0-litre SE five-door is great on long journeys and easy to drive, but as an auto its poorer economy makes for some big fuel bills. He is also not too impressed with the Honda's image. "It's not the most exciting car to look at, and it has the reputation of being an old man's motor." When it's time to replace his Y-reg example, Mike plans to get another Accord, but he would like a bigger engine, even if the economy would be even worse. "I'd really like a V6, but Honda doesn't offer it, so a 2.3-litre model will probably do." Overall, he has been very happy with his car, and it's excelled as a family ferrier as well as a motorway mile-muncher.

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It would be all too easy to fall for the race-bred Type R, but the smart money goes on a more mundane Accord. Don't choose a base model, because the Honda sells much better with plenty of luxuries, but a three-year-old 2.0-litre VTEC SE Sport or SE Executive would make a fine buy. The engine isn't the most economical, but performance is strong and it's widely available. Autos are in even greater demand.


For a review of the new Honda Accord visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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VERDICT

    It would be all too easy to fall for the race-bred Type R, but the smart money goes on a more mundane Accord. Don't choose a base model, because the Honda sells much better with plenty of luxuries, but a three-year-old 2.0-litre VTEC SE Sport or SE Executive would make a fine buy. The engine isn't the most economical, but performance is strong and it's widely available. Autos are in even greater demand.


 

OTHER EXPENSES

Depreciation:4
Running costs (ppm):49-75p
Insurance groups:8-17

HISTORY

    1998: New Accord introduced as a four-door saloon. Choice of 134bhp 1.8-litre and 145bhp 2.0 petrol units. A five-speed manual box is standard, but a four-speed auto is available. Base S has air-conditioning, electric front windows and four airbags. Higher-spec LS and ES also available. 1999: Hatch arrives, along with new VTEC engines replacing old units of same capacity. Trim levels superseded by S, SE, SE Sport, SE Executive and SE Executive Sport. Flagship Type R also introduced in four-door form only, powered by a high-revving 2.2-litre
    four-cylinder engine producing 209bhp. 2001: Range replaced with 1.8-litre VTEC S and VTEC Sport, and 2.0 VTEC SE and SE Executive. New three and five-door VTEC Type V sold along- side flagship Type R, with alloys, locking wheelnuts, front foglamps, full climate control and an electric sunroof. Minor facelift introduces new grille and front bumper, plus increased standard spec throughout the range. 2003: Production is discontinued to make way for the all-new model.
 
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