honda accord advice? other suggestions?

robin3

hi all,
looking for opinions and advice on this car, Honda Accord 03 2.2 ictdi, but not one in particuliar, just wondering is it good car, how does it cope as it gets older, etc
was originally going for 3series bmw but now looking at accord or even a mazda 6, they seem to be quite similiar. I know nothing about these cars and want to be guided in the right direction.
I need lots of room in the back for the kids, short run to work, but need it to handle well on rural roads, and needs to be reliable, I won't be tinkering under the bonnet!
Any advice welcome, thanks

SpannerMonkey

The Honda accord is a good choice they are one o the most reliable cars on the road an great to drive , that engine diesel has won many awards for smoothness an refinement I'm not sure about space but I'm sure it would be perfect for kids , I personally love BMW's vie owned 8 including 2 x 320d's but I could not recommend older BMW diesels they are too problematic Mazda 6 is a fairly good car aswell , did you consider a Volvo possible a Volvo estate diesel possibly best all rounder and available fairly cheap, personally in your situation id prob go with the Honda but Volvo worth considering aswell;)

Green Hornet

I've got an 06 Accord diesel and I have no complaints. Plenty of grunt and 51 mpg on daily 80 mile round trip. Dont know anything about the 6 for comparison tho. The tax is a dog - 860 euro or thereabouts!

vengeance52

ive an 04 accord 2.2 i-CTDI and I love it. Loads of room in the car, im 6ft 1" and with the driver seat in my position there is still roam for people to sit behind me.

Quite nice to drive and doesnt roll about like other big diesels ive driven. Plenty of torque too so can over take in 5th gear on motorways etc.

well spec'd too compared to the mondeo i use to have. Id say go for the accord.

daingeanrob

i'm also with the guys here, the wife has a 05 accord for the last two years with no problems, very comfortable and if you pay a few pound extra now you can have a really well specced one for good money. the €860 tax is a joke though.

robin3

thanks confirmed my suspicions that they're a good car, but the 2.2 is very off putting, how's the mpg? is it worth getting a diesel for short trips, mostly it'd be less than 20 mile journeys? How does it do for insurance?

Have been looking more and more at the Mazda6, there quite by comparasion and seem to have good reviews, anyone have one? Poor resale value I'd imagine if i got an 05 and kept it bout 4 years, I'd get next to nothing for it so i'd have to keep it another year or two???

PaulKK

What put you off the 3 series OP?

bazz26

Avoid the Mazda 6 2.0 litre diesel engine, it has well documented expensive problems. A fellow poster here called galwaytt has one sitting in his yard with a blown engine afaik, he can fill you in on the details.

-Corkie-

bazz26 wrote: »

Avoid the Mazda 6 2.0 litre diesel engine, it has well documented expensive problems. A fellow poster here called galwaytt has one sitting in his yard with a blown engine afik, he can fill you in on the details.

+1 Bazz. A mate has one aswell and a replacment engine is costly. The accord is relatively trouble free. I havent heard any bad reports here anyway.

vengeance52

My accord 2.2 gets about 52 mpg

Green Hornet

Mine gives 51 mpg.

robin3

PaulKK wrote: »

What put you off the 3 series OP?

put off the 3 series as was going for the diesel, but there have been quite a few reports of them giving trouble as they get older, and I don't want an engine that'll need a lot of attention. Also I had all but bought 1 and it turned out to have been written off earlier this year, (God Bless motorcheck- although my hubby wants to check every car we're happy with but so far we've also found a taxi, and a car that was left up for a year )
May go back to the 3 series if insurance on Accord is significantly higher

Thanks lads you've also quenched my thirst for a Mazda!

robin3

what about the petrol accord?,
looks like the 2.2 ictdi will prove too costly to insure and tax so now looking at alternatives. Recommend these anyone?

robin3

Also what about servicing these? bout how much a go? are repairs costly?

Green Hornet

Well I'd imagine the servicing costs should be lower than the diesel if anything. Less hungry on brakepads, tyres etc. A little bit thirsty though - 35 mpg or thereabouts at a push. Will go forever and a day without issues though.

Honda08

Green Hornet wrote: »

Well I'd imagine the servicing costs should be lower than the diesel if anything. Less hungry on brakepads, tyres etc. A little bit thirsty though - 35 mpg or thereabouts at a push. Will go forever and a day without issues though.

you are a bit off there.

the accord petrol 2.0 ivtec does 45mpg motorway run, around 60mph.
cheap to service in the north in main honda dealers.

the petrol engine is very reliable, it has a timing chain instead of belt .

the 2.0 petrol has a nice bit of power too, and is no less hungry on tires either. accords like their rear pads.

you have a choice of the type s, executive, sport ( lowest spec not many around) models in petrol. road tax on the petrol is €630.

Green Hornet

45 mpg? Had a Civic 1.8 ivtec and used to get low 40 mpg alright. Brother has a 2.0 Accord and gets 35 ish. Suppose it depends how you drive it but I only get 51 mpg from the diesel version. Better learn how to get more!

Honda08

Green Hornet wrote: »

45 mpg? Had a Civic 1.8 ivtec and used to get low 40 mpg alright. Brother has a 2.0 Accord and gets 35 ish. Suppose it depends how you drive it but I only get 51 mpg from the diesel version. Better learn how to get more!

one of my cars is an Accord Auto 2.0 Petrol. had it since new.
if i set it on cruise at 90kph, i will get 45 mpg on a spin.

around town stop start, its 25mpg. 5 speed auto.

its serviced as per schedule, ( only in honda main dealer) and i keep all the receipts. ( for when i go to sell it at some stage)