Honda Accord 1.8

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 July 2000, it had about 44,000 miles on the clock.
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 to the eye, and is well designed. It looks good, whether going fast down a motorway or stationary by the kerb. The paintwork is still in good order, a few stone chips etc. but there are no leaks or rusts spots, that I can see, but if you like the drivers window open, even in the cold and rain, like I do, (I'm a smoker), beware, you will get dripped on! Its because there's no gutters on the roof. (sleek lines or gutters?) Also, when you open the hatchback it drips into the boot space. (Honda - please take note).

The central locking works well, no noisy bleeps, just a flash from the hazard lights. A push on the remote unlocks all the doors/hatchback and turns on the interior lights. If you don't open the door within about 10secs it locks the doors/hatchback again, very nice feature. It also has double locking, when you push the button once, it locks all doors, push the button again within 5secs and it double locks all doors. This now means that if someone did break a window to get in, God forbid, they can't open any of the doors from the inside either, nice. It also has a nice looking set of alloy wheels.

Inside is well laid out, again quite pleasing to the eye, everything is where it should be, stalks and switches are all easy to reach, although not all are visible from the driving position. The seats are adjustable for, up/down, back/forward and recline. The steering wheel is also adjustable up/down.
The seats are comfortable, even on a long journey, and there is an armrest between the front and rear seats. Plenty of legroom in the rear. The rear seats split 60/40 for those longer or larger items you might need to carry, but the suspension strut tops do tend to impinge on the width of the boot. There is also a headlight adjuster, for heavy loads or towing.
Interior lighting back and front fade off 10-15secs after closing the driver's door just enough time to put the key in the hole, but not much else, I'm being picky. The electric windows can be locked (but not the drivers windows) by a switch on the drivers door, good if you carry small children, also if you put your hand, (or anything come to that) in the way of a window being driven up, it will stop and go back down, a good safety feature.

On the road this car is a pleasure to drive, its free revving VTEC engine works really well, giving you plenty of revs when you need them, (and yes it does move, very well indeed, it just goes so smoothly and effortlessly) and lowish revs when you want to poodle along. The power assisted steering has enough feel, when driving slowly or quickly, without being too light or too heavy, its about right.

The '4 speed auto. box' works well, although it does seem a bit sluggish when changing gears sometimes, I'm being picky again. It works well in traffic or town driving, and with its 4th gear is long legged enough to give you reasonable fuel consumption on a long run (about 32-34mpg). But, the fuel consumption around town is not too good (about 24-25mpg).
The 'semi auto. box', which you engage by pulling the stick to one side, is simple to use, just push forward to go UP and pull back to go DOWN, sequentially. The gear you are 'in' is indicated on the dashboard. The 'semi auto. box' is great if you need an extra few hundred revs when overtaking. But beware the rev limiter will cut in and cut your revs, you have to change up just right to gain the extra, but it is worth it. It says in the manual you can also improve your fuel consumption by using the 'semi auto. box', but I've not notice any difference.

Servicing is about average for a main dealer, about £80 for an oil change etc. and about £200 for a full service. Parts are not cheap, but other than consumables, (brakes, filters, exhausts etc.) you would be unlucky to need them.

Overall, this really is a good car, it should not let you down, and you will not be disappointed. Its just a shame about the 'around town' fuel consumption though.

Would I recommend a Honda, you bet I would.