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All of my own Accord 74 of 75 Ciao Users found the following review helpful
Rating from Silverback 4 Stars ()

Advantages Reliability, looks, performance

Disadvantages Interior trim and space, fuel consumption

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.

Detailed Rating

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The Author

Silverback since 23 Sep 2002

I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees. more

175 Members trust me

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Comments

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Previous page Next page Page 1 of 16 | 1 - 5 out of 76 comments
  • Templar19 08/04/2011 12:46
    Rated this review as
    Exceptional

    I've owned two Hondas in my driving life and they've both been ridiculously reliable and pleasant. Unrustable, unburstable and impeccably mannered. The only downside is that old Civics invariably fall into the hands of boy racers who fit drainpipe exhausts and fat alloys and fling them around like idiots. Oh to be young again!

  • CelticSoulSister 26/05/2010 11:11
    Rated this review as
    Very Helpful

    I'm glad I've never learned to drive. I'd find the whole ballgame of owning & running a car stressful beyond belief. Good review!

  • kevin121 03/11/2009 22:08
    Rated this review as
    Exceptional

    Hope you've had relatively trouble free motoring since writing this, and maybe got to grips with the car gynae now.

  • browndoll 01/11/2009 02:47
    Rated this review as
    Very Helpful
  • gizmogizmo 15/10/2009 22:42
    Rated this review as
    Very Helpful
Previous page Next page Page 1 of 16 | 1 - 5 out of 76 comments

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