Accord or Insignia?

mickob16

I've already posted about changing my car and had been looking at a Mondeo but after driving them was disappointed how little power they had (coming from a 2.5 litre).

So now after more test driving that has included the c5,which was nice to drive but underpowered I'm left with a 08 Honda Accord 2.2 CTDI Sport or a 09 Opel Insignia 2.0 CDTI 130BHP. I'm leaning towards the Accord based on its sportier looks.

Does anyone have any experience good or bad on either? I've been researching both and the Accord seems to have a bullet proof engine.
Fuel economy is hugely important,Tax not an issue as I'm already getting screwed by over a grand a year.

Leonard Hofstadter

Why not try a large capacity diesel if you feel that the likes of an Accord or an Insignia aren't quick enough?

A 530d automatic is in category E, so that's €677 in motor tax. Same goes with a 535d. From 2010 when the new model came out this improved to €481, and from this year on the 530d automatic is only €225 (in SE spec):D!

If you want a smaller capacity diesel then a 320d has 177 bhp from 2008 and is €225 in motor tax and would be a lot faster than an Accord or Insignia, so it shouldn't be a lot slower than a 2.5 petrol. Also, the Insignia was available with 160 bhp, so that should make quite a difference for power compared to the 130 model, it was only €500 more to buy the 160 at the time so I can't understand why anyone wouldn't pay that small bit more to have that engine over the 130!

mullingar

mickob16 wrote: »

.....Tax not an issue .....

captainspeed wrote: »

.....A 530d automatic is in category E, so that's €677 in motor tax. Same goes with a 535d. From 2010 when the new model came out this improved to €481, and from this year on the 530d automatic is only €225 (in SE spec):D!

If you want a smaller capacity diesel then a 320d has 177 bhp from 2008 and is €225 in motor tax and would be a lot faster than an Accord or Insignia, so it shouldn't be a lot slower than a 2.5 petrol.

:pac::pac::pac:

mickob16

It's a 525d that i have already so not looking for another mainly because my budget doesnt allow.The 130 Insignia was ok power wise,the 160bhp version seems to be a rarer car to find.I'd imagine there's not much difference fuel economy wise between the two so your right the 160 makes sense. I just pick between the two

wandatowell

I drove a 07 Accord 2.2 deisel and was very impressed with the looks and feel of the car.

I didn't drive an Insignia but I was a passenger in one and I didn't like the look of the interior. I cant comment on the performance of the Opel.

Limbo123

Insignia or Accord?

Accord any day of the week.

jayok

The Accord.

pcardin

captainspeed wrote: »

Why not try a large capacity diesel if you feel that the likes of an Accord or an Insignia aren't quick enough?

A 530d automatic is in category E, so that's €677 in motor tax. Same goes with a 535d. From 2010 when the new model came out this improved to €481, and from this year on the 530d automatic is only €225 (in SE spec):D!

If you want a smaller capacity diesel then a 320d has 177 bhp from 2008 and is €225 in motor tax and would be a lot faster than an Accord or Insignia, so it shouldn't be a lot slower than a 2.5 petrol. Also, the Insignia was available with 160 bhp, so that should make quite a difference for power compared to the 130 model, it was only €500 more to buy the 160 at the time so I can't understand why anyone wouldn't pay that small bit more to have that engine over the 130!

You obviously missed the great news about changes in current tax sytem.

Ardennes1944

i like Opels but it would most certainly be the Accord for me

mickob16

Could ye tell me why ye would pick the Accord specifically?

pcardin

mickob16 wrote: »

Could ye tell me why ye would pick the Accord specifically?

Why, why? To be like everyone else, thats why! :pac:

Ded_Zebra

My dad has an insignia with 160bhp (2010). It has 71000 km on it and has given very little trouble. Needed the steering rack replaced cause it started leaking ( changed under warranty). Other than that I find it fast and it handles prity well. Steering feel not as good as the passat we had before it but it's still good enough for me.

mickob16

pcardin wrote: »

Why, why? To be like everyone else, thats why! :pac:

You've lost me there The Opel is the more common car surely?

carbon nanotube

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

i like Opels but it would most certainly be the Accord for me

I could have got a number of vauxhalls/opels instead of the accord ex i bought but tbh Honda and Vauxhall are in the different league.

Hondas are miles ahead.

Leonard Hofstadter

The Accord is a nice car for sure, but I can't see what's so special about it over a Mondeo, Insignia or Superb to be honest. I really don't think they're worth the premium.

mickob16

captainspeed wrote: »

The Accord is a nice car for sure, but I can't see what's so special about it over a Mondeo, Insignia or Superb to be honest. I really don't think they're worth the premium.

Maybe it's the quality and reliability of the engine that puts it above the others although surely the Insignia is a good model as well?

maddness

I worked selling Opel and Honda a few years back and I would have the Accord in a heartbeat.

mickob16

maddness wrote: »

I worked selling Opel and Honda a few years back and I would have the Accord in a heartbeat.

Can you explain why? Everybody picks the Accord but doesnt state the reasons.

positron

I would think Accord would rate really top of the list for reliability, equipment levels and efficiency etc, and they are working really hard to make the car more upmarket inside and out. But most crucially it's the bulletproof Honda reliability, imho.

R.O.R

New Model Accord or Old model?

New model is a great car, and I'd go for that, but if it's the old model, the Insignia is a better car.

Early Insignia's were not without their issues, but they should all be ironed out by now. They've held their value pretty damn well though so not cheap like the Vectra was.

mickob16

Not sure if it's the new or old model.What obvious changes are the between the two?

R.O.R

mickob16 wrote: »

Not sure if it's the new or old model.What obvious changes are the between the two?

They look totally different. 2008 cars in Ireland are mainly old Model as Honda Ireland wanted to get rid of them before selling the new model.

The old model isn't a bad car, but it was around since 2003 and the game had moved on by 08. The Insignia only really became available at the start of 09 so you are looking at a brand new model there.

mickob16

I'd reckon it's the older model so.I've seen other 08's that looked totally different but put it down to body kits and higher specs etc

carbon nanotube

mickob16 wrote: »

Can you explain why? Everybody picks the Accord but doesnt state the reasons.

honda and engines... period

they just dont go wrong.

vauxhall are at the lower end of the price range compared to an accord.

Marty McFly

OSI wrote: »

I had the Insignia for a week as a rental and really didn't like it. It was 2.0T Petrol and felt slow, so I can't imagine the Diesel is going to feel in anyway quick. And for a reasonably large car it was neither particularly comfy, nor did it have decent visibility, especially out the back which makes parking it a pain.

My main beef with it though is the steering. Driving on the motorways in the UK I just did not feel safe with the steering in that car. It felt very floaty on the road and the response to the steering was nowhere as direct and instant as I would have liked.

+1 on this had an Insignia for a few days as a rental car last year and really didnt like , It wasnt comfy, the interior felt cheap and brittle. Also the steering as above at high speed and just didnt feel relaxed in it one bit couldnt trust the car.

I also drive an older model accord 06 and find it much better handling wise and interior find its a much nicer placer to sit now mines a petrol so cant comment on the diesel engine.