What do you recommend?

ZiabR

Going for my new car soon. It will be one of 4. Give me your input please. Oh i am leaning towards the Accord at the moment.

what_car

logik wrote:

Going for my new car soon. It will be one of 4. Give me your input please. Oh i am leaning towards the Accord at the moment.

go for the accord i just bought a new s type auto....and its a dream to drive
build quality is better than toyota! and the seats are more comfortable than toyota!.

its not that bad on petrol......and the auto box is so refined and smooth and its a 5 speed!
the accord gets excellent reliability reports, and their engines are superb.

Cyrus

what_car wrote:

go for the accord i just bought a new s type auto....and its a dream to drive
build quality is better than toyota! and the seats are more comfortable than toyota!.

its not that bad on petrol......and the auto box is so refined and smooth and its a 5 speed!

no offence but better build quality and comfort than a toyota? sure toyotas and hondas are reliable, if you want build quality and comfort, go bmw

ZiabR

BMW are too common on the roads. They make lovely cars, there is a 530i in the family that i have driven a few times and it is amazing. But i seem to love Honda also and the VTEC engine is amazing.

Oh and i wont be buying an Auto. No control imo.

fletch

Personally I would choose the Accord as I think it's a hugely underrated car. However you have two diesels and two petrols to choose from, whats your mileage going to be like?

ZiabR

Ah one thing, the Saab listed there is the 2.0i one, i have the wrong BHP down for it. It is actually coming in at 175BHP.

Anyway to answer your question. I am currently driving a Mondeo and it is Diesel. I feel i don't need Desiel anymore because my mileage is not alot per yer. Maybe 10000 a year. To work and back and visiting friends etc. Plus i agree with you about the Accord, way way underrated.

Its just a hard decision to make.

what_car

Cyrus wrote:

no offence but better build quality and comfort than a toyota? sure toyotas and hondas are reliable, if you want build quality and comfort, go bmw

well u know the ole toyota advertising line

best build cars in the world! not true.......... honda are better build quality...

hondas are equally comfortable as a bmw, and less costly to service!:D

the accord auto has tip tronic and you have control of the gears......... the auto is a fantastic drive....
quick to take off from the traffic lights too....

Cyrus

logik wrote:

BMW are too common on the roads. They make lovely cars, there is a 530i in the family that i have driven a few times and it is amazing. But i seem to love Honda also and the VTEC engine is amazing.

Oh and i wont be buying an Auto. No control imo.

em bmw common but you have a mondeo and audi a4 there as choices? the 2.0t saab is a nice car but arent the most reliable in the world, are you buying new?

crosstownk

I'd have go with the Accord too. Great car. Excellent reliability and it should be easy enough to sell on when the time comes. It's a great car to drive too - 152BHP is ample poke for smooth overtaking.

HashSlinging

I'd go for the Honda, your not doing the mileage to justify diesel and the accord is the most comfortable out of your list, they have very good resale value, and the 2.0 VTEC is silky smooth, refined and quiet, esp as an Auto.

Hondas cant be faulted they are seriously great cars.

ZiabR

Cyrus wrote:

em bmw common but you have a mondeo and audi a4 there as choices? the 2.0t saab is a nice car but arent the most reliable in the world, are you buying new?

Nope, looking at a 04 - 05 model. around the 25000 - 50000 mile range.

Cyrus

whats the budget, ive a day off i can search some nice cars for ya

ZiabR

anywhere between 17000 and 22000.

bazz26

Cyrus wrote:

no offence but better build quality and comfort than a toyota? sure toyotas and hondas are reliable, if you want build quality and comfort, go bmw

A bit OTT but my cousin would disagree with you.

He owned two E46s, a saloon and coupe. He now has a Lexus IS200 and rates it to be better put together than the BMWs he had.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion though.

ZiabR

Aye i did hear the Lexus IS200 is an amazing car all round.

BMW are way way overrated.

rebel.ranter

I'm not so sure I would put the Lexus ahead of the BMW in terms of refinement. A friend of mine recently picked a 2004 LS430 e.g. & I felt a little let down when I drove it, I was really looking forward to driving the car.
However I have a Landcruiser for work and to be honest I could have been sitting in that when I was sitting in the Lexus, the sterering wheel and all the switches were the same, even the dials were identical, well they did light up in a bit more funky way. Aso there was far too many buttons around the place. When I was a young fella all I wanted was for my dad to get a car that had as many buttons as possible but it is just wrong.
eFor example the were 3 memory buttons for the seats, each memorising the seat position for 3 different users. Then there was the memory save button, all four aere on the drivers door in additon to windows, morror adjust etc, etc. However in a BMW the key actually remembers the settings (correct me if I'm wrong Ned 78) so not need to program, no need to have the buttons.

I thought it a bit much that the flagship Lexus was so similar to what is essentially a work/agricultural vehicle.
Also the handling was terrible, very wallowy, this is compared to a 730D or my own 525i.
I did like the ventilated seats though:)

Still not sold on the rebadged, blown up Toyota Corolla though.

Cyrus

bazz26 wrote:

A bit OTT but my cousin would disagree with you.

He owned two E46s, a saloon and coupe. He now has a Lexus IS200 and rates it to be better put together than the BMWs he had.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion though.

is it the new is200? its supposed to be a big improvement, the old one wasnt great inside, wasnt a fan at all, and the performance wasnt great either, put me off them.

bmws arent overrated at all, a well specced bmw with a nice straight 6 engine is as good as it gots until you hit the really expensive stuff

bazz26

Cyrus wrote:

is it the new is200? its supposed to be a big improvement, the old one wasnt great inside, wasnt a fan at all, and the performance wasnt great either, put me off them.

bmws arent overrated at all, a well specced bmw with a nice straight 6 engine is as good as it gots until you hit the really expensive stuff

It was the old IS200 as opposed to the new IS250. Yes the interior of the BMWs had better quality of plastics on the dash but his only had typical Irish poor spec which meant lots of blanked out panels, etc and lots of black.

The BMW 6 cylinder engine is nicer but he bought a NI spec IS200 with almost every extra as standard and overall he is happier with the Lexus package overall.

Cyrus

ah fair enough, if he has a fully specced is and povert spec beemer, the lexus is gonna feel better

bazz26

rebel.ranter wrote:

I'm not so sure I would put the Lexus ahead of the BMW in terms of refinement. A friend of mine recently picked a 2004 LS430 e.g. & I felt a little let down when I drove it, I was really looking forward to driving the car.
However I have a Landcruiser for work and to be honest I could have been sitting in that when I was sitting in the Lexus, the sterering wheel and all the switches were the same, even the dials were identical, well they did light up in a bit more funky way. Aso there was far too many buttons around the place. When I was a young fella all I wanted was for my dad to get a car that had as many buttons as possible but it is just wrong.
eFor example the were 3 memory buttons for the seats, each memorising the seat position for 3 different users. Then there was the memory save button, all four aere on the drivers door in additon to windows, morror adjust etc, etc. However in a BMW the key actually remembers the settings (correct me if I'm wrong Ned 78) so not need to program, no need to have the buttons.

I thought it a bit much that the flagship Lexus was so similar to what is essentially a work/agricultural vehicle.
Also the handling was terrible, very wallowy, this is compared to a 730D or my own 525i.
I did like the ventilated seats though:)

Still not sold on the rebadged, blown up Toyota Corolla though.

Audi have been doing the same thing for years. Have a look at some of the switch gear in one and then sit in a Skoda and it will feel familiar. Same goes with the Golf and A3 but it doesn't bother alot of people.

BTW my cousin's IS200 has different memory settings for the seats, steering wheel and mirror positioning via the key.

Anyway this thread has gone way OTT.

Of the cars mentioned above I would probably choose the Accord too as I had one many years ago and loved it.

bazz26

Cyrus wrote:

ah fair enough, if he has a fully specced is and povert spec beemer, the lexus is gonna feel better

Well everyone will have a difference of opinion as they look for different things from their cars. If we all thought the same then this motoring forum would be very boring.

Cyrus

exactly

Captain Slow IRL

honda accord without a doubt - if I could afford one........:(
what about this one - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=639674

vengeance52

well thanks to the guys (an gals) here on boards, i pick out an accord and ive put a deposit down on one. Such a great car.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=53047213#post53047213

check this thread for comments about it.

ZiabR

land9 wrote:

honda accord without a doubt - if I could afford one........:(
what about this one - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=639674

Miles are a little high and i don't like the 3 owners either.

JHMEG

Cyrus wrote:

if you want build quality .. go bmw

Spot who hasn't been in the current Accord.

The build quality is superb.

vengeance52

JHMEG wrote:

Spot who hasn't been in the current Accord.

The build quality is superb.

I agree, all the switchs and buttons are solid, the dash is nice, unlike the dull plastic of some bmws, and the heated leather seats are some of the most comfortable to sit in. It actually was the seats the sold the car for me, 20mins after sittin in em, i was handing over my credit card for a deposit.

Go Accord.

Captain Slow IRL

logik wrote:

Miles are a little high and i don't like the 3 owners either.

I've driven that car (I work there) and it feels as tight as any pre-reg accord in stock.
High mileage and honda's aren't necessarily a bad combination!

Cyrus

JHMEG wrote:

Spot who hasn't been in the current Accord.

The build quality is superb.

ah c'mon its a feckin honda saloon, a mondeo rival, decent car but doesnt excite me in the slightest, do they do a type r any more? im sure the build quality is fine but it doesnt look like a bmw rival to me

what_car

vengeance52 wrote:

well thanks to the guys (an gals) here on boards, i pick out an accord and ive put a deposit down on one. Such a great car.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=53047213#post53047213

check this thread for comments about it.

cool did ya go petrol or diesel?

i have my new accord a week nearly now and love it.. its so quiet and smooth (auto)... S type..
on my first tank of fuel i averaged 31mpg over the tank,.,. that included a good bit of town driving... its a lovely motor to drive...

one thing that i noticed is that my accord was made in Japan! i thought that
they were built somewhere in europe? anyways,,, the build quality is superb!
the car is so solid...compared to my last car ( avensis diesel had a few rattles in the dash but was ok... honda is put together better)


will my fuel consumption improve as i put miles on the car?



anyways good choice...enjoy!

bazz26

what_car wrote:

cool did ya go petrol or diesel?

i have my new accord a week nearly now and love it.. its so quiet and smooth (auto)... S type..
on my first tank of fuel i averaged 31mpg over the tank,.,. that included a good bit of town driving... its a lovely motor to drive...

one thing that i noticed is that my accord was made in Japan! i thought that
they were built somewhere in europe? anyways,,, the build quality is superb!
the car is so solid...compared to my last car ( avensis diesel had a few rattles in the dash but was ok... honda is put together better)


will my fuel consumption improve as i put miles on the car?



anyways good choice...enjoy!

The Honda Accord sold in Europe has been built in the UK since 1993 along side the Civic hatchback, CR-V and Jazz afaik. The Accord sold in Japan and USA look totally different to the Europe model.

what_car

Cyrus wrote:

ah c'mon its a feckin honda saloon, a mondeo rival, decent car but doesnt excite me in the slightest, do they do a type r any more? im sure the build quality is fine but it doesnt look like a bmw rival to me

bmw rival? who i their right mind would spend €40,000+ for a 1.6 bmw 3 series
316 SE retails €39,750 + metallic and delivery brings it over 40k.....

its a terrible small car for 40k , i have driven one , a mitsubishi carisma look alike.... doesent do it for me at all......there as common as avensis or mondeo on the road...... and the 1.6 a bit small for the weight of that car.

for a few bob more you can get a better spec'd honda accord with a pokey 2.0L ........ anyways........ people pay their money and make their choice......
each to their own........ IMO BMW 3series saloon = YUCK!

what_car

bazz26 wrote:

The Honda Accord sold in Europe has been built in the UK since 1993 along side the Civic hatchback, CR-V and Jazz afaik. The Accord sold in Japan and USA look totally different to the Europe model.

my car was made in Japan! the stamp on the identification plate under the bonnet confirms so......

it says Honda Japan.........


whats the story there? so?

Cyrus

what_car wrote:

bmw rival? who i their right mind would spend €40,000+ for a 1.6 bmw 3 series
316 SE retails €39,750 + metallic and delivery brings it over 40k.....

its a terrible small car for 40k , i have driven one , a mitsubishi carisma look alike.... doesent do it for me at all......there as common as avensis or mondeo on the road...... and the 1.6 a bit small for the weight of that car.

for a few bob more you can get a better spec'd honda accord with a pokey 2.0L ........ anyways........ people pay their money and make their choice......
each to their own........ IMO BMW 3series saloon = YUCK!

no one, id buy a year/2year/3year old one with a 2.5 or 3 litre engine and enjoy it im certainly not recommending a 316i to anyone but the way you lads are talking about the accord makes it sound like its a bmw 335 rival

what_car

Cyrus wrote:

no one, id buy a year/2year/3year old one with a 2.5 or 3 litre engine and enjoy it im certainly not recommending a 316i to anyone but the way you lads are talking about the accord makes it sound like its a bmw 335 rival

I wouldnt buy a 3 series saloon at all :eek:

Cyrus

lol fair enough horses for courses!:)

bazz26

what_car wrote:

my car was made in Japan! the stamp on the identification plate under the bonnet confirms so......

it says Honda Japan.........


whats the story there? so?

I think this is the Japanese built Accord:

what_car

bazz26 wrote:

I think this is the Japanese built Accord:

duno whats going on...... someone told me that honda bring in the high spec cars, s type etc from Japan.....

honda ireland told me last wk that there are only approx 20 Accord S type autos in Ireland!


Being built in Japan is a good thing! better build quality ...

i must check this out further....

jonno23

All Accords since the new model was introduced in 2003 are built in Japan, not the UK.
Any dealer will tell you the build quality is better than the cars built in the UK!

ZiabR

The Accord in Japan does look alot different to the Accord in Europe. I have seen the Jap one and it is nowhere near as nice looking as the European one.

Thanks for the input so far btw, i was already leaning towards the Accord but now my mind is set. To the above post about the miles etc. I know 78000 miles is not that much but i am spending alot of money on this car and i am looking for one between 2004 and 2005 with between 25000 - 55000 miles with a MAX budget of 22000 euros. I have seen a few on Carzone that have real low miles and are in great condition within my budget.

Captain Slow IRL

I was just saying about the 78k to point out build quality - best of luck with your purchase!

vengeance52

what_car wrote:

cool did ya go petrol or diesel?

i have my new accord a week nearly now and love it.. its so quiet and smooth (auto)... S type..
on my first tank of fuel i averaged 31mpg over the tank,.,. that included a good bit of town driving... its a lovely motor to drive...

one thing that i noticed is that my accord was made in Japan! i thought that
they were built somewhere in europe? anyways,,, the build quality is superb!
the car is so solid...compared to my last car ( avensis diesel had a few rattles in the dash but was ok... honda is put together better)


will my fuel consumption improve as i put miles on the car?



anyways good choice...enjoy!

I got the 2.2 CDTI, and its so nice. I love the ride and the interior and i think it has the BMW beat on looks.

Captain Slow IRL

vengeance52 wrote:

I got the 2.2 CDTI, and its so nice. I love the ride and the interior and i think it has the BMW beat on looks.

New? they drink oil for the first few thousand miles - make sure you keep an eye on the oil level

vengeance52

land9 wrote:

New? they drink oil for the first few thousand miles - make sure you keep an eye on the oil level

Its new to me but its a late 2004 but ill keep an eye on it. thanks

ZiabR

I can't go the 2.2 as my insurance would be mental. 2.0i is the highest i can go as i am only mid twenties.

what_car

land9 wrote:

New? they drink oil for the first few thousand miles - make sure you keep an eye on the oil level

is it the same for the 2.0 petrol?

vengeance52

logik wrote:

I can't go the 2.2 as my insurance would be mental. 2.0i is the highest i can go as i am only mid twenties.

im 25, and to change from a 2.0TDDI mondeo to the 2004 2.2 accord cost me an extra......wait for it........ 80quid.

ZiabR

vengeance52 wrote:

im 25, and to change from a 2.0TDDI mondeo to the 2004 2.2 accord cost me an extra......wait for it........ 80quid.

Oh i am also 25. Only 80 quid more? Who are you with? Would love the Diesel 2.2

Captain Slow IRL

no only turbo diesel - little bit of oil seeps past the turbo seals at first, excessive at first but calms down after the first service. make sure you get castrol 5w30 fully synthetic oil for servicing - anything else and goodbye turbo!

just because a car doesn't burn oil isn't an excuse to neglect it!

vengeance52

logik wrote:

Oh i am also 25. Only 80 quid more? Who are you with? Would love the Diesel 2.2

with quinn direct.