Hi - advice needed re 98 Accord or C180

jizzyboner

Hi Guys

Long story short - my 99 Disco II is going to need about €1500 in repairs and I was thinking of just getting something else to get me and the family around. I'm not eligible for scrappage yet due to it not being insured for a year until the end of June, and really don't want to part with big bucks anyway for a new small car.

So with a budget of about €1500 I looked at 2 cars yesterday. A 98 Honda Accord 1.8 Vtec, 91,000 miles, fully serviced and really is immaculate, and a 98 Merc C180 manual, 128,000 miles, also fully serviced and new tyres.

Accord is asking €1500 and C180 is around €1900 with a bit of flexibility.

I'm just looking for opinions on either from anyone who has had experience of both or either one, and any potential problems with either that could cost an arm and a leg.

I had heard that those C180 from around that time could have expensive problems with the wipers and also are known to have ECU problems that make the car basically worthless due to a new ECU being about €1200.

Don't hear much about the Accord, maybe cos they're not so plentiful or maybe they really do have bulletproof reliablity.

Any info from someone in the know would be great as I really do need something reliable this time - last 2 cars have been a bit of a disaster moneywise.

Or alternatives to consider for around the same money.

Many thanks

Pat

langdang

I think the Accord changed model in 98-99, so new or old model?
Both models are pretty much bulletproof as long as the oil has been checked and changed as required. The father has a 99 accord 1.8 with 160k miles on it. Engine uses some oil but not excessive. Had some problems with door handles (not locks, just the handles), there was a recall at some stage on a relay in the ignition circuit that would cut the car out intermittently, his car was not called in for it but did develop the fault, no big deal to fix...

Headlamp covers are plastic and will cloud up/ oxidise/ scratch - basically will give you dimmer lights than when new. I'm told it can be restored with some elbow grease and the right compound to rub on. (This issue is not confined to Accords, common on many plastic headlighted cars...)

An accord would definitely be on my list for if I could make do with a saloon....
If you need a liftback/hatchback then maybe a mazda 626? Cheepcheep?
With either one just make sure there aren't any looming timing belt bills

E39MSport

The merc I reckon will be heavier on the pocket. The engine is also too small for the frame imo. I had a C280 for a while and had to spend £400 on getting the ECU repaired. Problem (from memory) is that the wiring to the coil packs can degrade and short circuit the ECU which is responsible for controlling the firing (certainly on the C280 anyway). You end up short a cylinder or more making it awful to drive. You then also need to replace the wiring or your new ecu goes again.

Wiper arms are ok if they have been maintained.

They also tend to let water in through the bulkhead and into the passenger footwell. It can ruin the fan blower also. You need to make sure that the windscreen drains are free of clutter.

The non air con models can also give problems with the heaters running permenently on full heat as a another member here has just posted about.

That's all I know from my experience. Hope this helps. Don't let research put you off a purchase. They are beautiful to drive. Mine had 155k miles on the clock and I could throw it over ramps with very little impact.

Don't know much about that Honda but my experience of Honda has been very positive.

If it's a 1.8 VTEC it's the new model Accord. Very few of them on 98 plates though iirc. The Accord is the better buy, more efficient, less complicated and far more reliable. I had a 1999 Rover 600 which was more or less the same as the old model Accord, also had a 1993 Prelude and a Merc e250 diesel. The C class is not seen at its best in the C180. €1500 seems a tad cheap for a new model Accord of that era that is minty though with less than 100K miles on it, sure it's the VTEC 1.8 ie new model and not the older 1.8 ?

Accord Accord Accord

E39MSport

@RJ - nice one on the Lude - whice one? H22A?

jizzyboner

Hi guys

Many thanks for the replies.

Yes should have said the Honda is an early new model from 98 - looks well in black and would have been my preferred choice out of the 2, but of course wanted to get some owners views of the C180.

I am pretty sure the timing belt was done on the Honda, but will of course check again before I decide. It looks like it was always serviced on the nail anyway and the guy selling it came recommended as someone who only sells clean and looked after cars.

Cheers

Pat

VolvoMan

The C180 only has the badge going for it to be honest, if that's what you're in to. Otherwise I'd choose the Honda every time.

jizzyboner

VolvoMan wrote: »

The C180 only has the badge going for it to be honest, if that's what you're in to. Otherwise I'd choose the Honda every time.

Thanks VolvoMan

me too to be honest - just wanted to get some views from people more experienced than myself.

Looks like Honda it is - unless something else appears over the weekend.

Pat

E39MSport

E39MSport wrote: »

@RJ - nice one on the Lude - whice one? H22A?

No, twas an f22b5, non vtec, was ok though in fairnesss to it.