03-08 Gen 7 Accord - experiences?
Discussion
I've currently got an ATR and whilst it's a great car and has served me well, I'm starting to think about replacing it for something a bit newer.
I've been looking at the Gen 7 Accord, may seem a bit boring for a 29yr old male, but I've got the Honda bug and genuinely like the way the Gen 7 looks.
I'm not really keen on a Cdti, as the potential for big bills from the likes of turbo, injectors, HP fuel pumps worries me, plus I have a small commute to work so fuel savings would be minimal.
Obviously the choice engine would be the 2.4 petrol, but I'm wandering how the 2.0 fares, it's quoted at 155bhp, but the Accord is a big car and I'm a bit worried it'd feel a bit gutless.
I've seen a nice metallic blue 03 2.0 Exec and it's tempting me.
Anyway, I guess what I'm looking for is some owner's experiences about reliability, the drive, overall impressions etc of the Gen 7 Accord.
Ta.
I've been looking at the Gen 7 Accord, may seem a bit boring for a 29yr old male, but I've got the Honda bug and genuinely like the way the Gen 7 looks.
I'm not really keen on a Cdti, as the potential for big bills from the likes of turbo, injectors, HP fuel pumps worries me, plus I have a small commute to work so fuel savings would be minimal.
Obviously the choice engine would be the 2.4 petrol, but I'm wandering how the 2.0 fares, it's quoted at 155bhp, but the Accord is a big car and I'm a bit worried it'd feel a bit gutless.
I've seen a nice metallic blue 03 2.0 Exec and it's tempting me.
Anyway, I guess what I'm looking for is some owner's experiences about reliability, the drive, overall impressions etc of the Gen 7 Accord.
Ta.
I owned an iCTD-i Exec at the age of 24 and I know there are plenty of young owners on the owners club forum, so you're not alone in fact.
For what it's worth, in my time on the owners club I can't say I recall any issues with injectors, turbos or HP pumps with the N22 engine, and many of them had high mileages and remaps. There might have been problems since I departed, but there are no inherent issues in those areas. I really enjoyed mine, but if you want a petrol then fair enough.
To drive, they're really rather decent for what is essentially just a boggo 4-box saloon. The ride and handling is pretty impressive and they're very comfortable, well made and have a decent amount of kit if you buy the right model/spec. I had mine for over 20k in about 14 months (IIRC) and it was faultless, and I often gave it, erm... a "good workout".
Coming from an ATR, I think you'll struggle a bit with the 2.0. Whilst they make reasonable progress, they're not noted for their whip-crack performance. The 190bhp model is much more lively.
With the petrol models, I can't actually think of any common faults... Out of the petrols, I'd go for the K24 model, but at the end of the day it's up to you.
For what it's worth, in my time on the owners club I can't say I recall any issues with injectors, turbos or HP pumps with the N22 engine, and many of them had high mileages and remaps. There might have been problems since I departed, but there are no inherent issues in those areas. I really enjoyed mine, but if you want a petrol then fair enough.
To drive, they're really rather decent for what is essentially just a boggo 4-box saloon. The ride and handling is pretty impressive and they're very comfortable, well made and have a decent amount of kit if you buy the right model/spec. I had mine for over 20k in about 14 months (IIRC) and it was faultless, and I often gave it, erm... a "good workout".
Coming from an ATR, I think you'll struggle a bit with the 2.0. Whilst they make reasonable progress, they're not noted for their whip-crack performance. The 190bhp model is much more lively.
With the petrol models, I can't actually think of any common faults... Out of the petrols, I'd go for the K24 model, but at the end of the day it's up to you.
I have a friend who works for Honda and he has also re-assured me that the diesel is a pretty reliable unit.
I was also thinking a bit more about the 2.4 petrol last night, it has a 6 speed box and being a newer engine it should actually be better on fuel than my ATR and won't require SUL too.
I think come Oct / Nov, I'll take a look at a few and go from there.
Have you got a link for the owners club you mention? Always good to check them out for some info.
I was also thinking a bit more about the 2.4 petrol last night, it has a 6 speed box and being a newer engine it should actually be better on fuel than my ATR and won't require SUL too.
I think come Oct / Nov, I'll take a look at a few and go from there.
Have you got a link for the owners club you mention? Always good to check them out for some info.
I went from an impreza GB270 to a 57 plate 2 ltr iVTEC Accord in Febuary this year. At first I didn't appreciate it much, but having got used to it now, I actually quite like it. The engine has to be ragged a bit to get anything much out of it, and the handling is a bit pedestrian, but all in all it's not bad really. The standard seats are quite comfy and it's a good motorway car.
Matt_N said:
Have you got a link for the owners club you mention? Always good to check them out for some info.
Sure. It used to the The Honda Accord Owners Club (THAOC) but it has since morphed into Type Accord - http://typeaccord.co.uk/forum/
Some very useful info and knowledgable people on there.
When I sold my diesel model, I was looking at getting myself a 2.4 petrol but I was so pleasantly suprised at quotes I was getting for DC5s that I went with the Type R instead. The 2.4 is a very nice car.
Matt_N said:
I have a friend who works for Honda and he has also re-assured me that the diesel is a pretty reliable unit.
Hmmm...the turbo and inlet manifold cracking problems on the diesel are widely known. Also the diesel MPG varies dramatically from car to car - we had one at work that wouldn't do 40MPG. http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/honda/accord-...
Old Gregg said:
To be fair, now that you mention it I do remember the cracked manifold thing. As the article states, though, Honda generally replace FOC.
Honda are very good if you're the original owner (or bought used from a franchise dealer) and the car has a good service record (I've seen reports of them paying out even with non-franchise servicing).The OP is looking at 03 cars though - so hoping for goodwill at that age, when the car has probably had several owners and an uncertain service history, is stretching it.
Deva Link said:
Hmmm...the turbo and inlet manifold cracking problems on the diesel are widely known. Also the diesel MPG varies dramatically from car to car - we had one at work that wouldn't do 40MPG.
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/honda/accord-...
Interesting, thanks for the link.http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/honda/accord-...
My mate works at the manufacturing plant, so no direct experience with cars at dealerships, I'll send him that link!
A lot of those issues are on the diesel too.
I'll have a budget of around £4-£5k, so I'll see what comes up for the money in a few months.
Ive had a 2.4 typeS for around 2 and a bit years. Apart from service parts, the only thing thats gone wrong is a rear wheel speed sensor.
I keep thinking about changing it, but Ive done a few things to it - Konis, eibachs and x-car link and its such a nice car to drive I fear I may regret changing it.
Theres always a big debate on TypeAccord with petrol vs diseasle, seems clutches, flywheels and manifolds are the issues with oil burners as they are the most discussed.
Mine is up to 82k now and still pretty rattle free.
Go for the 2.4, the engine is sweet and the difference in fuel economy is marginal. I can get 40 mpg on steady long cruising runs. Of course if you nail it then that drops dramatically.....
I keep thinking about changing it, but Ive done a few things to it - Konis, eibachs and x-car link and its such a nice car to drive I fear I may regret changing it.
Theres always a big debate on TypeAccord with petrol vs diseasle, seems clutches, flywheels and manifolds are the issues with oil burners as they are the most discussed.
Mine is up to 82k now and still pretty rattle free.
Go for the 2.4, the engine is sweet and the difference in fuel economy is marginal. I can get 40 mpg on steady long cruising runs. Of course if you nail it then that drops dramatically.....
Matt_N said:
A lot of those issues are on the diesel too.
I'll have a budget of around £4-£5k, so I'll see what comes up for the money in a few months.
I can't remember the diesel's intro date but I imagine that sales of the petrol model probably dropped off dramatically once it got going.I'll have a budget of around £4-£5k, so I'll see what comes up for the money in a few months.
These days I doubt there would be much demand for the 2.4 on the used market - many car dealers say they just can't sell any petrol bigger than a 1.4 now - so you be able to pick one up very cheaply. But bear in mind it's only going to get more difficult when you want to sell it.
I have a 2005 CDTi, I bought it 8 months old with about 14k miles on. I've had it now going up for 6 years and apart from general servicing (I do myself as I used to be in the job) I put 6 tyres on it, a full set of brake pads and 1 headlight bulb.
In fact it's been the best car that I've ever had in my 40+ years of motoring. I get an average of between 40 - 50mpg depending on how hard I press the 3rd pedal.
In fact it's been the best car that I've ever had in my 40+ years of motoring. I get an average of between 40 - 50mpg depending on how hard I press the 3rd pedal.
With these feet said:
Ive had a 2.4 typeS for around 2 and a bit years. Apart from service parts, the only thing thats gone wrong is a rear wheel speed sensor.
I keep thinking about changing it, but Ive done a few things to it - Konis, eibachs and x-car link and its such a nice car to drive I fear I may regret changing it.
Theres always a big debate on TypeAccord with petrol vs diseasle, seems clutches, flywheels and manifolds are the issues with oil burners as they are the most discussed.
Mine is up to 82k now and still pretty rattle free.
Go for the 2.4, the engine is sweet and the difference in fuel economy is marginal. I can get 40 mpg on steady long cruising runs. Of course if you nail it then that drops dramatically.....
I love our 2.4 I keep thinking about changing it, but Ive done a few things to it - Konis, eibachs and x-car link and its such a nice car to drive I fear I may regret changing it.
Theres always a big debate on TypeAccord with petrol vs diseasle, seems clutches, flywheels and manifolds are the issues with oil burners as they are the most discussed.
Mine is up to 82k now and still pretty rattle free.
Go for the 2.4, the engine is sweet and the difference in fuel economy is marginal. I can get 40 mpg on steady long cruising runs. Of course if you nail it then that drops dramatically.....
So reliable, it's untrue (touch wood)8 years from new. Now done about 75k. Only had tyres and brake pads in that time. Still on the original exhaust which surprises me, as my wife only works 5 miles away, the car barely warms up by then!
Not sure about 40mpg though. I can only get about 35 on a steady run.
Grandad Gaz said:
Not sure about 40mpg though. I can only get about 35 on a steady run.
Me too!Had my 2.4Exec since the end of February and done just shy of 10k in that time and as the others say it's a lovely car. The only thing i'd advise is that if you're looking for a bit of performance stick to the manual versions.
I didnt mean it got 40mpg every time!
Just fitted another Thule bike carrier on the roof. It was one of the only issues in that you cant really hang bikes off the rear so roof-rack it was.Almost thought of getting a van but would miss the car. Least I dont have to pinch the wifes Vitara if I go out on the bike...
Just fitted another Thule bike carrier on the roof. It was one of the only issues in that you cant really hang bikes off the rear so roof-rack it was.Almost thought of getting a van but would miss the car. Least I dont have to pinch the wifes Vitara if I go out on the bike...
Looking to move my 175k mile ATR on as well, had it 9 years and done 154k of those miles. I am also thinking about the estate version diesel of this car, looking at this one.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
or this one
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
or this one
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
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