Accord Type R advice needed please
Discussion
I'm thinking about buying an Accord Type-R, and although I've scoured the internet for info on common problems, this doesn't actually tell me what the cars are like to live with, and how they drive. I've owned a DC2 a while ago, but I expect the Accord to be quite different, more like a baby fwd M5, is that about right ?
Anyone near Chester that'll let me have a nose at theirs ?
Failing that I'll probably buy an Evo V, but the potential costs scare me.....
Anyone near Chester that'll let me have a nose at theirs ?
Failing that I'll probably buy an Evo V, but the potential costs scare me.....
Even though I haven't driven a DC2 I have read comments on the European ATR website www.accordr.org in summary the comments would probably say that is is the same spirit as the DC2 but with 4 doors and slightly less raw.
I am sure there are a few owners on that forum who would take you out for a ride. They are a thouroughly rewarding car to drive and quick, they can surely perform above there weight due to a great engine and chassis, if high revs and resonably low touqre are your thing. However, in terms of speed the top spec EVO's and Scoobies are in a different league, however they have running costs to match and how usable is the performance on the UK roads? I can keep up with most things, obviously faster cars and drivers who are prepared to exceed the speed limits will always be quicker.
The thing that I find remarkable after 5 or 6 years ownership is that after 142k miles the car has touchwood had far less spent on it then I ever imagined. Only non service items that I can recall are two rear bearings, one wing mirror (accident damage), apart from that regular oil changes, valve clearances and the EGR rail being cleared out are the only additonal things it has required. The cambelt is due changing in 2k miles and I shall have the water pump and balancer belts and tensioner changed, I know other drivers get all this done at 72k miles but my car was only 3 years old when I have the first set of belts changes.
Take on for a drive and be surprised, just remember staying in the VTEC on this car required perfect shifts, do too soon and you drop out and to late will see you bouncing of the limiter. Nirvana when perfected.
Apart from the associated problems which it appears you know about go into it with open eyes, these cars are now dropping into the realms of the chav and those who don't want/know how to look after them. There are a few dogs about.
Pop over to the forum for lots of further advice.
I am sure there are a few owners on that forum who would take you out for a ride. They are a thouroughly rewarding car to drive and quick, they can surely perform above there weight due to a great engine and chassis, if high revs and resonably low touqre are your thing. However, in terms of speed the top spec EVO's and Scoobies are in a different league, however they have running costs to match and how usable is the performance on the UK roads? I can keep up with most things, obviously faster cars and drivers who are prepared to exceed the speed limits will always be quicker.
The thing that I find remarkable after 5 or 6 years ownership is that after 142k miles the car has touchwood had far less spent on it then I ever imagined. Only non service items that I can recall are two rear bearings, one wing mirror (accident damage), apart from that regular oil changes, valve clearances and the EGR rail being cleared out are the only additonal things it has required. The cambelt is due changing in 2k miles and I shall have the water pump and balancer belts and tensioner changed, I know other drivers get all this done at 72k miles but my car was only 3 years old when I have the first set of belts changes.
Take on for a drive and be surprised, just remember staying in the VTEC on this car required perfect shifts, do too soon and you drop out and to late will see you bouncing of the limiter. Nirvana when perfected.
Apart from the associated problems which it appears you know about go into it with open eyes, these cars are now dropping into the realms of the chav and those who don't want/know how to look after them. There are a few dogs about.
Pop over to the forum for lots of further advice.
I bought one about 3 months ago and don't regret it. I changed from a Focus ST3 to an ATR simply because I was fed up of spending quite a bit of money (for me) on cars then changing them every year or less. IMO the ATR is great for me because it is reasonably quick when you want it to be, does all the practical things yet does not cost big money to enjoy.
I paid 5700 quid for mine with FHSH (51 plate 46k) and apart from changing the throttle cable due to it sticking its been faultless. I don't worry how many miles im putting on it as I used to with the focus nor do I worry about the depreciation as it wasn't a vast outlay. Can't really comment on the handling too much as tbh I don't really push the car but it feels well planted. On a day to day basis I also think the interior is a nice place to sit as the recaros are excellent. Plus since Ive bought one I have only seen one other on the road compared to the 10 ST's that I used to see daily when I used to drive that.
I can see me keeping it for a couple of years if all is well. I can agree with the comment above about the abused examples which aren't looked after, however, there are an equal amount owned by enthusiasts such as myself who will change the oil every 4.5k and take a certain amount of pride with keeping it tip top.
Problems: noisy on motorways (compared to my Passat and the Focus you would expect this) as it needs a sixth gear.
Can look a little dated from certain angles although this doesn't bother me.
Tax bracket if the government gets their way means mine will be about 400 quid to tax each year. I did know this when I bought it but it will still grate me to pay it. Insurance is about 450 per year for me thg which isn't too bad.
The only other car which interests me at the moment is the Honda Civic FD2. But for their price, practicality and performance I can't think what to replace the ATR with.
I paid 5700 quid for mine with FHSH (51 plate 46k) and apart from changing the throttle cable due to it sticking its been faultless. I don't worry how many miles im putting on it as I used to with the focus nor do I worry about the depreciation as it wasn't a vast outlay. Can't really comment on the handling too much as tbh I don't really push the car but it feels well planted. On a day to day basis I also think the interior is a nice place to sit as the recaros are excellent. Plus since Ive bought one I have only seen one other on the road compared to the 10 ST's that I used to see daily when I used to drive that.
I can see me keeping it for a couple of years if all is well. I can agree with the comment above about the abused examples which aren't looked after, however, there are an equal amount owned by enthusiasts such as myself who will change the oil every 4.5k and take a certain amount of pride with keeping it tip top.
Problems: noisy on motorways (compared to my Passat and the Focus you would expect this) as it needs a sixth gear.
Can look a little dated from certain angles although this doesn't bother me.
Tax bracket if the government gets their way means mine will be about 400 quid to tax each year. I did know this when I bought it but it will still grate me to pay it. Insurance is about 450 per year for me thg which isn't too bad.
The only other car which interests me at the moment is the Honda Civic FD2. But for their price, practicality and performance I can't think what to replace the ATR with.
Echo the above. Fantatsic cars and well worth checking out. I test drove a DC2 and ATR back to back and they are suprisingly similar cars. I owned mine for 3 1/2 years, the only thing that tempted me away was the FD2.
The ATR is very underated a bargain right now. Pre 2001 will remain in the capped tax band, & as mentioned post 03/2001 will be in the new £400 band. Not that many common issues, my costs were low over the 3 1/2 years. Tensioners are a common issue though, any car near the 72k mark needs the balanace belt and auto tensioner replaced. Pre-facelift models suffere from a third gear synchro problem. 90% have been fixed under warranty but if you look at an early model ensure it is done else the bill will be $$$$$
The ATR is very underated a bargain right now. Pre 2001 will remain in the capped tax band, & as mentioned post 03/2001 will be in the new £400 band. Not that many common issues, my costs were low over the 3 1/2 years. Tensioners are a common issue though, any car near the 72k mark needs the balanace belt and auto tensioner replaced. Pre-facelift models suffere from a third gear synchro problem. 90% have been fixed under warranty but if you look at an early model ensure it is done else the bill will be $$$$$
I had one for about 3 years and can agree what the others have said, things to look out for there are three main issues:
1) 3rd gear syncro, is the car hard to get into 5th gear at high revs, it shouldn't be.
2) Tensioner going - this went on mine but was fixed under warranty, check to see if this has been done.
3) Self leveling headlights not leveling.
That's it really mine suffered only number 2, not all cars suffer from the above it's case of some do and some don't. I had only that one issue. Great car miss it, I would love to add that as a family wagon with the Lotus.
1) 3rd gear syncro, is the car hard to get into 5th gear at high revs, it shouldn't be.
2) Tensioner going - this went on mine but was fixed under warranty, check to see if this has been done.
3) Self leveling headlights not leveling.
That's it really mine suffered only number 2, not all cars suffer from the above it's case of some do and some don't. I had only that one issue. Great car miss it, I would love to add that as a family wagon with the Lotus.
Edited by bing on Thursday 16th October 15:43
They are Jekyll and Hyde cars. One minute you are cruising along at 30mph, with a relatively smooth ride and low noise levels. Next thing, drop a few cogs, floor it and you are whisked up to 7,800rpm, and your passengers ask you, "Is THIS a sports car?"
How underrated they are got demonstrated to me when I took it to an Andy Walsh driving day. On the time trial with lots of tight bends, my runs were quicker than many of the CTRs. Only the ITR was beating my time.
How underrated they are got demonstrated to me when I took it to an Andy Walsh driving day. On the time trial with lots of tight bends, my runs were quicker than many of the CTRs. Only the ITR was beating my time.
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