Keep 06' Honda Accord or replace with a newer car? Any advice..

Arequipa

Hi!

I hope you are well.
I have a 2006 Honda Accord 2.0 ivtec. It is a nice car: solid, very reliable and comfortable to drive. It is heavy and slow to get up to speed, but is very capable at motorway speed.
Tax is over €700 a year and for me the insurance is just under €500.
I have to get an nct every year for this car.

So my question is...do I keep it or can you recommend a replacement car?

I just need something nippy and economical and I do a bit of cycling so store the bike in the boot, if possible...
I think size-wise a car between a Fiesta and Focus would be perfect!

Thank you,

A

colm_mcm

Keep it. You won’t see the likes of it again.

Arequipa

thanks for the reply... would you rate it as a car?
it is the executive model... so all leather...electric everything...

colm_mcm

They’re a great car. Spend some of the money you would have spent on some misery box on the tax.

PsychoPete

If you are happy with it then keep it. I don't think you should change just for cheaper tax, it probably won't work out any cheaper. Those accords are a nice solid car

Arequipa

Thank you for the feedback.
It has 128,000kms on the clock and as I said is very reliable.

If I try and sell it I wont get much I imagine.. so it is worth more to me than what someone else will want to pay.

Is there any garage /operator that can fit replacement light surfaces or other worn parts ...i mean more cosmetic thsn the engine etc?

PsychoPete

Arequipa wrote: »

Is there any garage /operator that can fit replacement light surfaces or other worn parts ...i mean more cosmetic thsn the engine etc?

If the lights are faded you can get them polished, saves the hassle of changing them. Any detailer will be able to do it for you

colm_mcm

You can buff the headlights or get them buffed if they’re opaque.

Atlantic Dawn

You would be lucky to get a grand for it, try to find something for a grand that compares remotely to what you have, you won't. I'd put money aside over time for a replacement in the future and if a big job comes up on the car consider changing then.

Insurance won't be that much different on newer car whether it's smaller or not.

For the lights this kit is a great job...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiSSEvskgHE

TrailerBob

The in-laws had one of them in black from new in 06.. had it 10 years and I drove it a few times. Very tasty car, and if it has the gunmetal alloys, they are the one to have. Keep it

Rustyman101

have an 01 accord, 1.8 vetec 129k on it, bought it at year old, what a car, rust is becoming an issue now, prob cost 2 grand to get it right, half think of doing it tbh.

fonecrusher1

I recently went through a similar keep or sell dilemma with my 09 Mazda 6. I let it get a bit unloved over covid lockdown and then was thinking about selling it. Anyway i put a small bit of money into it, new tyres, new battery, Headlights buffed, full service, good thorough wash and valet and she's looking nice n shiney again and running sweet. Keeping it.

Truth is it never gave me a minutes bother. And i'd get **** all for it anyway. :pac:

Iodine1

Well worth keeping, after all 128000 km is only just over 70000 miles, far from worn out. Don't look at the tax is €700. Look at it as you are paying at most €400 more in tax, with no repayments and you have a lovely car.

Arequipa

Ah okay...
Those Mazda's are nice cars too.. my bro in law calls them, 'the Alfas from the East!'

I have had mine serviced regularly enough...had a set of new tires, brake discs and pads, bushings, ...thats about it i think!

I always think this Accord looks faster that it is... it is a bit sluggish from a starting point... but when you get up to speed it is very smooth and has plenty of power at motorway speeds... i am sure if it was chipped .. it would be a lot quicker...
I think i bought her for €6k back in late 2014...

johndaman66

I'd concur with other replies on the thread and definitely keep it. I can see that the temptation might be there to switch but as has being mentioned you won't see the likes of it again.

If you were to buy an eight year old car again for say €6k again would you really save anything over the next five years? Any saving in motor tax or fuel would likely be negated by the depreciation alone and then some. Savings in fuel might be more negligible than you think unless you are doing serious mileage. Even if the car is in great order you would probably be hard pressed to get €1k for it unfortunately - no bad reflection on the car - its just the way the limited market is for older larger engined petrol cars.

Arequipa

Thank you for the feedback John...😉😊

fonecrusher1

Arequipa wrote: »

Ah okay...
Those Mazda's are nice cars too.. my bro in law calls them, 'the Alfas from the East!'

I have had mine serviced regularly enough...had a set of new tires, brake discs and pads, bushings, ...thats about it i think!

I always think this Accord looks faster that it is... it is a bit sluggish from a starting point... but when you get up to speed it is very smooth and has plenty of power at motorway speeds... i am sure if it was chipped .. it would be a lot quicker...
I think i bought her for €6k back in late 2014...

The problem for me was when I sat down and thought about it, I realized i'd need a loan to get the car that I actually wanted. I mean to come up a few years and get something decent with low to medium mileage. The only real immediate justification I had was that I wanted a hatchback / estate for better practicality. But I owe nothing on the mazda and mechanically its been perfect.

Patrick2010

Rustyman101 wrote: »

have an 01 accord, 1.8 vetec 129k on it, bought it at year old, what a car, rust is becoming an issue now, prob cost 2 grand to get it right, half think of doing it tbh.

Was in the same position a couple of years ago, 01 2.0 Vtec. Brilliant car, very comfortable, solid engine but rust was too expensive to fix to get through NCT.
To the OP I'd say hold onto it as long as you can.

Truckermal

Madness selling that the engine is only run in!

Wildly Boaring

Keep it
Tax might be "high" and NCT annually
Depreciation is zero

My car depreciated by say 3000 this year.
And will again next year.

My tax is 500 cheaper than yours and Ive no NCT.
So I save 600 to pay 3000.

I've a newer car as I do big mileage and get expenses.
If I did small mileage I'd be buying something old and solid
That's what you have. Ideal

Arequipa

Happy Christmas and I appreciate the feedback...
Thanks wildly boaring!

I had a Bluetooth system installed by a company called Icetech, I think... they might be able to spruce up the cosmetics of this car at some stage..
Something subtle and classy... I am not a fan of the boy racer look tbh!

CJhaughey

The Mk7 Accord was a great car, capable of serious reliable mileage.
I had a Tourer with the 2.2 and I'd still be driving it but a young fella on his phone decided to shorten it on me.
They were built in Japan not Swindon and it shows in their reliability and build quality, the interior is very comfortable.
I still prefer the look of the 7 over the 8 but its a damn shame that Honda killed the Accord off in the EU.
There is plenty of scope for making it more pleasing to the eye without going down the road of felt spec,

PsychoPete

You could pick up a type s lip kit if it's a straight fit