Well a year and a half has past since my last review and so i give you my latest installment. My year old new car is now up for review! The New shape 2004 Honda Accord Type-S!
I have driven the car for 31K miles now all in a year and a half, so i think i've expereiced things that people would normally experience in 3 years or more lol! I bought the car in late 2004 for a very good price (please see my further advice below).
Here I'll review the ownership of the vehicle, as well as discuss possible problems, including those I've experienced! I've done some modifications to the vehicle (please see The Honda Accord Owners club - www.thaoc.co.uk), however here i will discuss th vehicle in standard form.
THE LOOKS ========= Ah the New Accord, that high waist line, that menacing looking front end and those twin exhausts at the back...all I can say is that the New Accord has a distinctly European look. And not to mention the advert! The close fitting bumpers..those incredibly close panel gaps give the Accord a very solid look, to me it is one of the best looking cars out at the moment (bar the new Lexus IS!). Get inside...close the door and you'll be greated with a most solid sound of the doors closing (apparently it was engineered to sound this way!) Sit on the seats and you'll experience one of the most comfortable car seats there are now, the half cloth,half leather interior complete the sporty look of the Type-S. The dash and control systems are incredibly simplistic to view and use....there is an air of simplicity yet completeness. The red dash illuminates when you insert the key (how cool). Yes if you compare it to the likes of BMW the dash of the Accord seems spartan yet the whole dash is very functional and has all the controls you would need...maybe sometimes you don't need an outspoken designer to complicate something that works?!
INTERIOR AND BUILD QUALITY ========================== Build quality is something that really astonished me in this car compare to the old Accord, everything was solid, for the 30K miles I have not had a single rattle/noise issue from the dash and the feeling of the whole car in general is very solid. Interior as I have stated is simple and elegant...something you can see will work and look good for a very loong time.
The mainly dark interior of this Type-S model may not suit all and the lack of a trip computer may annoy some...but let me assure you this very soon dissapears! More rear courtesy lights would have been also welcome.
The dual control climate control is simple and works well.
The boot is HUGE! some have complained that the boot sill is too high..but to be hoest I've never had an issue with it, interior space is very good with excellent leg room and head room for adult that are 6ft or more.
Wind noise and engine noise is the best I have experienced in a mid priced saloon..this includes the 3series, Vectra and Mondeo but i would have to concede that road noise is slightly above average...this maybe due to the performance wheels and suspension..please read below.
THE HANDLING ============ The Accord is a front wheel drive car....but let me assure you this is one of the most neutral FWD cars I have driven, the grip level is excellent and understeer is minimal. The car used a multilink suspension system as used on racing cars giving it exceptional road holding.
What must not be forgotten here is that is Accord is a big car! it is about 20cm longer than the old 3 Series BMW (a car that it is most often compared to) and also slightly wider. For it to be even compared to a BMW you must know it's doing something right! the 3 series after is the base line for a performance handling saloon!
When I bought the car I opted for the the 17" wheels and also the sports suspension. this no doubt affect ride and handling. I test drove a standard Type-S before my purchase and can say that the sports suspension gives a slightly more bumpy/harsh ride at slow speed (but this is marginal). At speeds more than 40 and the difference is even smaller. The sports suspension and 17" really comes in its own when driving more 'spirited' the change of direction and minimal body roll is excellent.
It's somehting i would say is a must have if you want a slighly lowered look of your vehicle and if you want a more involved drive.
I have never driven an Accord with 16" alloys but apparently it is even quieter and the ride is more 'plush' (i think that's the word?)
Oh and did i mention the SEATS and DRIVING POSITION! All other manufacturers really need to take note here!
Another slight nibble is the brakes..although they are very linear and progrssive...it would have been better if Honda used slightly bigger brakes.
THE POWER ========= This is where the new IVtec engine differs from the Vtec of old. The power is given as 190BHP and 165lbs/ft granted the torque isn't as high as it should be, but that can be equalised by the engines willingness to rev all the way to that 7500rpm redline!
The power is delivered to the wheels through one of the best 6speed manuals there are now...silky smooth and the change is crisp and short.
It has to be said however that in order to make the most of the power both engine and transmission need to be worked...this is not a lazy car to drive..AND I LIKE THAT! :-)
The Vtec of old had a distinct kick when the extra cam lobes were engaged. The new IVtec system tries to smooth this transition to give a more smoother transition...like it or loathe it..I say go with the change and enjoy it for what it is! The vtech on this new engine engages at 6Krpm and you do hear a subtle change in the induction note and extra rapidity...but nowhere as prominient as say an Accord Type-R of old.
I have never had any issues with the power of the car..yes granted if i could have more i would! but the engine is smooth and there is poke when i need it..driving on the motorway with the revs below 2500rpm and the engine is silky smooth and quiet.....a very pleasant drive....although i must add if you want to overtake in a hurry you'd need to shift down to fifth or even fourth.
COST OF OWNERSHIP ================= Well I bought the car at the end of November 2004 just before the dealer had to sudmit their books into audit their sales so they were trying to push as many sales through as they could...plus having a friend at the dealership I was able to get an astonishing deal.
I got the car with 17" alloys + spoiler + sports suspension +metallic paint...all for....wait for it........£19600..yes that's right!...all i can suggest to people buying new cars is to wait for the year end..this is when dealers really want to up their car sales.
Being a car of this size and power I was quite surprised when i averaged about 32mpg combined that's with a mix of driving about 60% motorway and rest other driving. Since i am a private owner the Co2 emmissions don't affect my tax but i think it is 214mg. I have had no outlay on my part apart from the routing servicing and new tyres at 30K miles (yes i drive it a bit hard). If you shop around you can get the 225/45R17 for good price since 17" alloys are becoming the norm these days.
It is group 15 insurance and for me, an 28 year old with 5 years no claims it was £560....my main advice here is shop around..some quotes are wild! use search sites such as www.confused.com to gauge your price.
The other thing i would like to add is that Honda in general have some of the more helpful dealers that i have dealt with, I'm always consulted on all aspects of the service and workshop times are always as they quote.
THE EXTRAS ========== Well as i said, maybe Honda could have added a trip computer to the car..but that is nothing really. If you're driving a lot in town you can buy a city pack consisting of bump strips and reverse park sensor. The dual climate control and quick clearing windscreen function are very easy to use
THE PROBLEMS ============ Well actually this section is going to be very short! but i will add a few bits
1) clicking from windows - actually the clicking was not from the windows but from the door seals.....dealer lubed them up and they have been fine ever since...cost £0
2) creaking clutch pedal - this was caused by the clutch master cylinder...if this is going to go it will do it before 25K miles...cos £0 replaced under warranty....
3) rear camber - not really a problem but i thought it is worth mentioning. some Accords seem to have a large negative camber which is non adjustable.....if this affects you it isn't really a problem but may cause your tyres to wear slightly faster on the insides. If your camber is a lot more than -2 then i'd take it to the dealer to see what can be done.
emm to be honest that's it
MY FURTHER ADVICE ================= It's A HONDA..and as good a HONDA it should be. It's been a trouble free motoring experience for the last 30K miles..and i expect it to be for a lot more.
One word of advice is to check whether the brakes are binding...if they are get someone to strip and clean them......this will give you a very noticeable difference in fuel economy!.....I found my rear brakes were binding and one rear brake disc actually had a ridge in it because it was soo stiff!....my mileage has increased by 3mpg!
As with any regular maintenance items such as engine oil change, brake fluid change, brake cleaning...find a competent independant mechanic to do it....trust me if you find a good one you'll save the hassle of having to sit around in main dealers and paying their extortionate rates! I only go to main dealers to get warranty and servicing done...just to get that silly little stamp in the book and to avoid warranty problems.
Final word of advice...if you look after your car it will look after you. Hope you've enjoyed the review.
If you are a fan of the Honda Accord why not head over to our new forum and discuss any issues of tips you may have? A lot more info about modifications and work done on my Accord can be seen there. ===================================== The Honda Accord Owners Club - www.thaoc.co.uk ===========================================
More details
Purchase Price
19600
Reliability
Excellent
Spaciousness
Excellent
Customer service
Excellent
Security
Excellent
Fuel consumption
Good
Evaluate this car review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
