Buying next week! Which one?

Stab*City

Ok so im buying a car next week and would like some opinions. My two choices are the:

Honda Accord 04-06 or the Lexus is220d 2006.

The Honda has serious gadgets for an older car and ive heard plenty of good stories.

The Lexus i know very little about so any info would be great. I love the look of it and the gadgets are plenty too.

I have discounted the A4 as the inside looks like it was made in 98 from a gadget point of view.

Also are there any hidden costs when buying from the north? Obviously im taking the exchange rate, vrt and fuel up and down into account but is there anything else? And is it just a case of buying it up there and driving it down home?

Also this would potentially be my first Honda but i have a 00 IS200 at the moment and love it.

bazz26

There is plenty of information on the web about IS220d problems, ranging from head gasket failure to EGR valve problems. The engine is not very refined or economical and Lexus fitted a stupid gearbox that for the most part has a frustrating ratio.

christy02

Stab*City wrote: »

Ok so im buying a car next week and would like some opinions. My two choices are the:

Honda Accord 04-06 or the Lexus is220d 2006.

The Honda has serious gadgets for an older car and ive heard plenty of good stories.

The Lexus i know very little about so any info would be great. I love the look of it and the gadgets are plenty too.

I have discounted the A4 as the inside looks like it was made in 98 from a gadget point of view.

Also are there any hidden costs when buying from the north? Obviously im taking the exchange rate, vrt and fuel up and down into account but is there anything else? And is it just a case of buying it up there and driving it down home?

Also this would potentially be my first Honda but i have a 00 IS200 at the moment and love it.

I bought a 06 facelift accord diesel couple months ago and delighted with it so far.

I was looking at 220d's at the time as well and there is a lot of rough ones out there.

Couple of accords I looked at back then are still for sale. If you do get one try get the exec model. More kit and easier to sell on.

I discounted a4's as the 2.0d is problematic from that era and the 1.9tdi is fairly tractor like. Poor kit for a supposed premium car.

Saab 93 is worth a look or alpha 159. Both on my list but kinda had a gra for an accord!

Stab*City

bazz26 wrote: »

There is plenty of information on the web about IS220d problems, ranging from head gasket failure to EGR valve problems. The engine is not very refined or economical and Lexus fitted a stupid gearbox that for the most part has a frustrating ratio.

Thanks i did have a look at some problems but i guess all i was searching for was IS problems i guess using that method im gonna find loads! Was looking for a more balanced view of the car. But judging by your comments and the other stuff ive read im defo leaning towards the Accord now.. Thanks for your help.

christy02 wrote: »

I bought a 06 facelift accord diesel couple months ago and delighted with it so far.

I was looking at 220d's at the time as well and there is a lot of rough ones out there.

Couple of accords I looked at back then are still for sale. If you do get one try get the exec model. More kit and easier to sell on.

I discounted a4's as the 2.0d is problematic from that era and the 1.9tdi is fairly tractor like. Poor kit for a supposed premium car.

Saab 93 is worth a look or alpha 159. Both on my list but kinda had a gra for an accord!

Ya and this is the general feeling i got from talking to Accord owners i know. How can i tell the difference between a facelift and normal exec? Hoping to get the touchscreen sat nav too if possible.. Can you send me a link to the ones your viewed? Were they worth a look?

bazz26

Pre facelifted Accord:



Facelifted Accord:


Biggest giveaway is the front grill, bumper and headlights.

christy02

Facelifted model also. as a 6 speed gearbox. Two I looked at still up are both silver ones. One 06 and one 07. 06 was in carsonline.ie. felt it was a bit rough. Bonnet lines looked off and for me it had more than 118k on it. Seat was very worn.

Other one in.monasterevin. nice car but wasn't Impressed with seller. Wouldn't bring me to his house and tell me full name or anything. Just a bad feeling so walked away.

christy02

christy02 wrote: »

Facelifted model also. as a 6 speed gearbox. Two I looked at still up are both silver ones. One 06 and one 07. 06 was in carsonline.ie. felt it was a bit rough. Bonnet lines looked off and for me it had more than 118k on it. Seat was very worn.

Other one in.monasterevin. nice car but wasn't Impressed with seller. Wouldn't bring me to his house and tell me full name or anything. Just a bad feeling so walked away.

Just looking, one in monasterevin is back up today. RN plate on DD. At time I looked at it was for sale for 5650. I suggested if he would take 5k that I would be interested. He started getting back in car to drive off.
Now on sale at 4999 lol.

Also mileage is advertised at 209k km. This is incorrect. Actually 229k iirc. Motorcheck report shows at 219k in Sept 13. If you do look check that as it set me suspicious from the start.

Stab*City

Well I think I'll steer clear of that one anyway. Very helpful all thanks a lot. I'll post a couple links to what I'm considering later. Mainly looking for a black one.

christy02

Stab*City wrote: »

Well I think I'll steer clear of that one anyway. Very helpful all thanks a lot. I'll post a couple links to what I'm considering later. Mainly looking for a black one.

Yeah I got a black one with cream leather interior and wood centre console. They seem to go quicker than the black interior ones for some reason.

Couple went before I got to look at them.

Stab*City

christy02 wrote: »

Yeah I got a black one with cream leather interior and wood centre console. They seem to go quicker than the black interior ones for some reason.

Couple went before I got to look at them.

Did you get the satnav?

christy02

Stab*City wrote: »

Did you get the satnav?

No I didn't get the satnav. Not too many around with that on. Some of the sport models have it but then they don't have as much other kit as exec models.

Tbh not sure how well the built in ones work. Do you have to buy updates from Honda? I have my own satnav which I only use very occasionally so wasn't bothered really.

Stab*City

christy02 wrote: »

No I didn't get the satnav. Not too many around with that on. Some of the sport models have it but then they don't have as much other kit as exec models.

Tbh not sure how well the built in ones work. Do you have to buy updates from Honda? I have my own satnav which I only use very occasionally so wasn't bothered really.

SatNav is not a deal breaker for me but the sunroof defo is and i think they are only available in the exec version.

At the moment i drive a 2.0L petrol. My commute is 25km each way on national roads. Im wondering which would be more economical for me the 2.2D or the 1.8 Petrol.. Any thoughts guys?

Looks like its going to be late this week early next when i buy. Probably going to take a trip to Dublin as there is nothing much down here.

christy02

Stab*City wrote: »

SatNav is not a deal breaker for me but the sunroof defo is and i think they are only available in the exec version.

At the moment i drive a 2.0L petrol. My commute is 25km each way on national roads. Im wondering which would be more economical for me the 2.2D or the 1.8 Petrol.. Any thoughts guys?

Looks like its going to be late this week early next when i buy. Probably going to take a trip to Dublin as there is nothing much down here.

I get about 45-50mpg consistently on 2.2d. That's a 40km each way commute on dual carriageway some of which is 120km speed limit. Sometimes get stuck in traffic for part of it (jack lynch tunnel!).

On a long motorway spin it would do better. Eats motorway miles.