... And it says "Son, it's time you thought about buying a Honda."
That voice first spake unto me about six years ago. And yea, though I was sore afraid, I resisted for a while. But in July 2001, I found myself wandering the wilderness of a used car supermarket, running my fingers idly along ... Read review
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A review by Silverback on Honda Accord 1.8 July 16th, 2006
Author's product rating:
Safety
Good
Comfort
Excellent
Road Handling
Excellent
Looks
Good
Features
Good
Advantages:
Reliability, looks, performance
Disadvantages:
Interior trim and space, fuel consumption
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
HISTORY ************ Most signs of middle age you can ignore. Grey hairs, wrinkles, the endless aches and pains. All can be denied much of the time. The one thing you can't disregard is that nagging voice in your head. You know the one. It sounds a bit like the late Johnny Cash. And it says "Son, it's time you thought about buying a Honda."
That voice first spake unto me about six years ago. And yea, though I was sore afraid, I resisted for a while. But in July 2001, I found myself wandering the wilderness of a used car supermarket, running my fingers idly along the smooth curves of a 1999 Honda Accord saloon in Senility Silver. (It is also available in Retirement Red and Last of the Summer Burgundy). A few days later I was handing over a cheque for £7,395.
With just under 40,000 miles on the clock, the car had above-average mileage for its two-and-a-half year life. But as an ex-lease car it had a full main dealer service history and one owner - albeit one whose fag end had got too close to the dashboard at least once. It had a few touched-up paintwork marks and some slight interior wear and tear. But otherwise it was in fine nick.
The car was the most basic of the range. It was nevertheless the most pimped-up ride I'd ever owned. Believe it or not, this was my first car to have air-conditioning, power steering, ABS, electric windows (only at the front though), electric mirrors, central locking, fuel injection or a CD player - although the Pioneer one fitted was lousy. It skipped if you went over a crisp packet, and I soon replaced it.
Honda's Swindon factory produced this version of the Accord between 1998 and 2003. It was an evolution from the previous version, rather than the revolution in looks between it and the current Accord. But although its design lacks the granny-worrying brio of the new Civic, it still exuded a stylishness not evident in other Honda models at the time.
ART ****** As someone who takes only a passing interest in cars' performance, I find their aesthetic appeal at least as decisive as the mechanicals. And I still think this version of the Accord stands up well. It predates the current fashion for chunky, tiny-windowed, slab-sided models. It thus has a more sinuous character than many current cars.
For me, this makes it more pleasing to look at than the more angular new Accord. Nice touches like the slight overhang on the boot lid and the angle of the headlamps make it attractive from any quarter. The metallic paint job is excellent. It resists most stone chips, which rarely penetrate to the metal beneath. Even when they do, rust never seems to spread or bubble. I've never been able to buy a touch up kit in the car's exact shade. But to be honest, I've not really needed one.
The upholstery and carpeting is a pensioner-pleasing but practical grey. Even on the driver's seat, the velour shows no signs of wear after its current 82,000 miles, although the carpet is not quite as resilient. The interior plastics are not up to the standard of a BMW, or even a VW or Volvo. Although the dash is pleasingly soft, the covers on the door pillars and around the gearstick are of a slightly inferior hard plastic.
The seats are comfortable and supportive, and I've noticed no back pain, even on long motorway drives. Front and side airbags are standard. For a car of this size, leg room is not fantastic, at the front or back. A tallish driver like me couldn't have Jeremy Clarkson sat behind him - for which I'm mighty grateful. But I would have foregone an inch or two in the admittedly huge boot and the deep fascia for more knee-space.
All dials and controls are clear and fall easily to hand (although there are none of those handy steering wheel volume controls). The glove compartment has an interior light, but is not particularly spacious. And its lock succumbs easily to a scumbag with a screwdriver, as I found to my cost less than a year after buying this car. Its immobiliser and alarm, though, do mean it's likely still to be there when you come back from shopping in Hull, even if the window is broken.
The cabin can be slightly noisy, mainly from the tyres: but the 1.8i petrol engine, even at high speeds, is smooth and refined. At tickover, it is virtually silent. Are you getting bored yet? I know I am. Let's move swiftly on to the facts and figures.
MATHS ********* Hondas are known for their reliability. This was the major factor in my decision to buy one. If a car starts every time and never breaks down, it already wins a place in my heart. And touch wood (if that pointless little strip of walnut veneer-looking stuff on the dashboard is wood), it has never let me down so far.
So the main costs of ownership to date have been down to MOTs, regular (9,000-mile) servicing, and the repairs occasioned by vandalism, my idiocy, and wear-and-tear. In the 42,000 miles I've driven it, I've gone through one and a half sets of tyres, brake pads and discs front and rear, and rear anti-roll bar bushes and linkages - whatever they are.
Apart from the costs of a door mirror kicked off while the car was parked in Liverpool, and a rear light cluster I smashed reversing into a fence post, that's it. My only gripe is with the rate at which it goes through headlamp bulbs. Every few months I have to visit Halfords to fork out £9 and then carry out 15 minutes of car-gynaecology trying to undo the wire clip that holds the bulb in. Never ask me to fit an intra-uterine device.
Fuel economy isn't brilliant by modern standards. In mixed driving, a 50-litre tankful of petrol (they didn't do a diesel version) takes me about 380 miles. I make this about 34.5mpg, slightly more on longer motorway trips. This is better than Honda's official figures of 25.2mpg for urban driving, 40.9 for 'extra urban', and 33.6 for 'mixed' driving.
Main dealer repairs and servicing costs I've always found reasonable. They compare well with small local garages (two sets of discs and pads fitted by the dealer were £215 for example, as against £212 from an independent). So a big-up there to DeVries Honda of Hull. The extra £3 must be for the bowl of sweeties on the service reception desk.
I'm not sure how depreciation compares with other brands. When I bought it at two and a half years old, it was less than half its £15,295 new value. Now, five years later, my model would cost around £2,500 from a dealer or about £1,700 privately. The most you'd pay for this Accord - for a top-of-the range 2003 model - would be around £8,000 from a dealer.
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY ***************************** The mechanics and performance of a car, as I mentioned, rarely trouble me. This is mainly because I've never been able to afford a car that does anything that could be called performance. The Accord was the first car that gave me an inkling that driving could be a pleasure.
The car is rock-steady, even on reckless, tyre-squealing cornering. And I'll never forget the thrill of the first time I put my foot down in second gear and unexpectedly felt it surge forward. This is down to the VTEC engine with its 'variable valve timing'. This comes into play at certain engine speeds. So if you keep your eye on the rev counter and accelerate at the right point, you get massively greater oomph than normal. This makes for impressive overtaking ability - even from my modest 1.8 litre lump (2-litre and 2.2 litre versions are available). It also scares the bejaysus out of unsuspecting passengers, who often soil their tartan car rugs in response.
So I take back all I said about Hondas and pensioners. This is a brilliant car, even in its most cheapskate incarnation. If you pick up a low-mileage, regularly-serviced version for a couple of grand or so, you'll be buying peace of mind and, when you need it, a bit of fun too.
Advantages: Legendary Honda reliabilty, comfort, quick. Disadvantages: Fuel consumption 'around town' not so good.
Honda Accord 1.8i SE VTEC (Auto/Semi Auto) Hatchback
This is my third Honda, so yes I do like them, I like them a lot.
How can you not like a car that starts first time, every time you turn the key. How can you not like a car that just goes on and on, and gives you no trouble, (whether you service it or not, but that's not recommended) but just gives you lots of pleasure to drive.
I bought this one back in Sept. 2004, its a 'W reg', registered ... ...It has the VTEC ('variable valve timing') engine with a 4 speed fully automatic and a semi automatic gearbox. 'SE' spec. includes electric windows (back/front), electric sunroof, air-conditioning, electric door mirrors (heated), cruise control (on the steering wheel), rear wash/wipe, Pioneer CD Radio (not sure if this is 'SE' spec.), and good speakers front/rear, all together a good spec. car. Outside this year/model of the Accord is very pleasing ...
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Advantages: Smart, Large, comfortable, affordable. Disadvantages: Parts can be expensive, rear brakes can play up.
...is a 1997 R reg Honda Accord 1.8i LS Saloon in bright red. Purchased last year by my father for £1200. It has has 3 owners from new (inc. my Dad) and has 110K miles on the clock. Very good condition, few scratches around the door locks. And a few bumps now due to my dad hitting a few pillars and high kerbs. Haha. This model Accord is the one that is based on the Rover 600.
*+*+*THE ENGINE*+*+*
She's got the 1.8i unit. Same it's not the VTec because ... ...she develops between 120-130bhp. And she can get up and go real quick if you are lead footed. *+*+*FEATURES*+*+*
As mentioned she is an LS model. I'm not quite sure where that stands on the trim level scale, but she has Electric windows all round, Electric tilt/slide sunroof, metallic paint, radio casette, electric aerial and an in car boot release, and front driver and passenger airbags. But strangely comes with manual wing mirrors. Higher end ...
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Advantages: Excellent engineering, a joy to drive! Disadvantages: Expensive servicing costs
...couple of days later by Honda themselves.
They showed me all the buttons and switches and wher everything was.
So within minutes I was taking a journey to another city. My first reactions were its ok, as with anything new its always an exciting experience and you always find things you like. From experience, novelty experience wears off after time.
Since the vehicle had such low mileage, I drove the car in gently over a period of time till it ... ...with it. Honda servicing is very expensive and maybe it is worth shopping around Honda dealerships to see how much they will charge. Tyres were purchased elsewhere since Honda charged so much.
This car continued to serve its life without errors until it was written off in the year 0f 2006.
I would certainly purchase another Honda again and would not hesitate in owning another one of these cars. It has helped me appreciate the engineering of Honda ...
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Advantages: Too many to List Disadvantages: Only one found - Windscreen fogs up a lot
...was selling a S-Reg, 1998 Honda Accord and I chose this for two reasons -1. I had driven a Honda many years ago with trouble free motoring so I knew I could expect a certain standard and 2. I knew I could trust my friend more than anyone else. Simple as that.
What a pleasure to drive the Accord, I have now had the vehicle some 17 months and apart from 2 new tyres and an exhaust ( which I consider to be consumables on any vehicle) I have not spent ... ...yes there was one thing, Honda issued a recall for its safety belts. The belts were checked and modified at no cost to myself and this was after 6 years. I actually hadn't had a problem but it was good to know that the support was there.
All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to buy the car again and would recommend it to anyone.
However, having said that I would not buy from new. When one considers that the original price was nearly £17,000 - I purchased ...
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Advantages: Comfort for 4 or 5, good sounds, great engine and feels planted. Disadvantages: Tyre noise magnified into a bass boom at speed on some roads.
...Ferrari red (that’s not what Honda call it, but IT IS, believe me). Secondly, the engine – it’s great, a real Jekyll and Hyde piece of engineering.
Lets start on the outside. With the sport that means you get a front air dam below the bumper, side skirts/mouldings to visually lower the car and a small spoiler/wing on the rear boot/door with alloy wheels an low profile tyres (Michelin Pilots). It’s not exactly exciting to look at but it’s a sight ... ...that any sales rep or retired gentleman would be glad to have on his drive). On the plus side, it is just that little bit different (which I like) from the run of the mill rep mobiles like the Mondeo, Vectra, Bora et al. Shame they didn’t fit low level spot lights into the front air dam – that would look cool (so I might do it when I have some spare cash). Rear lights look a little bland but overall, it’s OK, Looks better in the red than in just ...
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Advantages: Equally at home in London and 'Germany' Disadvantages: None found so far...uses petrol and pollutes, I suppose.
...My lovely HondaAccord 2.0iLS (see an earlier review) has gone! After three years faithful service, during which time I only had to open the bonnet to add more water to the screeenwash...it’s gone.
Tearful moments...just let me catch my breath.
I sold it. It was like parting from an old friend, but I did it.
Kim...if you read this...I hope you’re looking after it. I know it’ll be looking after you.
So...if it was so bloody marvellous, why did I sell it?
Because...I bought a NEWER one!
At the urging of my accountant, (not that I need much urging to spend a few quid) I went shopping for a newer car, and found a Honda Acccord 1.8i VTEC Sport, with just 14,000 miles on the clock and 18 months of the manufacturers warranty still active. It was on the forecourt for £9,995, but after a bit of haggling, it became mine for £9...
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Advantages: Well built, smooth gear changes, very safe car Disadvantages: Handling not so good
...Being in need of a new car, I was on the outlook for a car simliar to my previous (see HondaAccord review http://www.ciao.co.uk/HondaAccord18Review5613916 ). I wanted something that was of similar power, I didn't want to downgrade to a smaller car. I very much enjoy driving and so the choice of car was very important to me. Had Honda's new Accord models (2003 onwards) been in the same insurance group as the previous model, it would have become a much easier decision. However the engines in the new range start from 2.0 and have a higher insurance group compared to the previous models. For the stereotypical customers of the HondaAccord, the insurance will not matter since they tend to be of the older age with a full no clams bonus discount under their belt. I am not so forutance to be blessed with either of these so...
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Advantages: Genuinely Different. Economical. Spacious. Very Well Equipped. Great to Drive. Feel Good Factor. Disadvantages: Visibility is Compromised. Some Just Will Not Like it!
...at 44% (£7040), an Audi A3 or BMW 116i, also 58%, a Ford Focus 39% (£6240). Even a £16,000 Mercedes A Class will be worth only 52% - or £8320 - of its original value after three years and 30,000 miles use.
According to my comparative figures - all thanks to Autocar magazine - the new Civic very much sits at the top of its class in terms of depreciation.
FUEL ECONOMY 7 / 10 Ahem. There are lies, damned lies and statistics…
…It is not that the Civic is a thirsty car, indeed the 1.8 litre petrol engine has in the hands of road testers been proven to be a very economical power unit, however Honda's claims for the diesel have also proven to be so optimistic as to be lies!
My own experience of this engine is that, in the Accord, you will be at least 12mpg overall short of the claimed average fuel consumption. I have read several...
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In March of 2004 I purchased a three year old, Y-reg Audi A3 1.8 Turbo-sport three door.
The first thing that struck me with this car was the build quality and feeling of being in a very solid car. Despite being a smaller-sized hatch, this car has a... more
I love Will and Grace they bring situations and decions that happen in real life and turn it into humour. They are a great laugh and have some really wild adventures. Other characters like Jack and Karen are enjoyable aswell Karen’s voice is so funny... more
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21.11.2006
24.09.2006
