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By
EWAN KENNEDY
13 June 2005
Honda
Accord is a high-quality, fully-imported Japanese car that’s
popular on the used-car scene. Once a small-medium
four-cylinder, in recent years Accord became a medium to large
six-cylinder car. As it grew in size, the Accord became pretty
soft and conservative.
Until 2003 that is, when Honda in Australia decided to take an
interesting route and import two different models. One called
Accord Euro has a real emphasis on sporty handling, the other,
American-based, continuing the softer, more comfortable theme is
simply called the Accord.
Most Honda Accords are four-door sedans but station wagons were
sold between 1992 and 1997. They went for fashion before
function and it didn’t appeal to Aussie customers. Wagons are
still sold in other markets and may make a return to Australia
one day. Interior space is good, though for adults to get
comfortable in the rear seat the front seats have to be set a
few centimetres forward of their maximum position. Boot space in
the sedan is good, with a wide, low opening which makes it easy
to load.
The Honda tradition of designing cars with a low waistline means
outward visibility is excellent. This makes it easier to park
and also makes it more comfortable for young children to see out
of.
In the older models as well as in the American Accord, try the
handling for yourself before deciding to buy one. Many owners
only drive very gently and find it more than acceptable. Those
with more of a sporting makeup will find it rather soft and
inclined to understeer at relatively slow speeds. The Accord
Euro is a dream to drive in the handling department, but is
still relatively rare on the used-car scene.
The four-cylinder engine was a 2.2-litres until late 1997 when
it went up to 2.3 litres with the new body style. Finally the
four went up to 2.4 litres with the 2003 release of the Euro
model and the American Accord. The 1997 Accord was the first to
come with a V6 option. The V6 is a 3.0-litre unit which adds to
the car’s already good refinement. It continues today in the
American car as an option to the four-cylinder engine.
Transmission options were five-speed manual and four-speed
automatic for most of the period being examined here.
Interestingly the Accord Euro of 2003 has a six-speed manual,
though most are likely to be specified with the new five-speed
sequential automatic.
The Honda dealer network usually concentrates on the major
population centres so it might be wise to make inquiries to
Honda’s head office, or your local regional office, if you are
in a remote area.
Honda has worked had at reducing spare parts costs in recent
years. However, the price drops usually apply more to the common
parts than to the unusual ones.
These are relatively complex cars, especially from the 1997
model, and are best left to professional mechanics. A good
amateur, armed with a workshop manual, can tackle some of the
routine work.
Insurance is generally very reasonable as is only to be expected
from a car in this ultra conservative market segment. It will be
interesting to see if the new sport-oriented Accord Euro changes
the premium structure.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
The engine should be all but inaudible at idle. Check there are
no oily black stains in the exhaust pipe and the surrounding
body and bumper. Make sure there isn’t a puff of oily looking
smoke from the exhaust when the accelerator is floored after the
engine has been idling for a minute or so.
Manual gearboxes should move freely with no sticking or
crunching on fast gearchanges. Automatics should go into gear
promptly and their changes should only be noticeable when you're
accelerating hard.
During your test drive check the brakes pull the car up evenly
without one wheel locking before the others. On cars with ABS,
feel for a pulsing through the pedal during very hard braking.
On cars with central locking, make sure it works correctly. Make
sure it doesn’t unlock unless told to do so.
Look at the condition of the interior, paying special attention
to the top of the dashboard and the rear shelf for sun damage.
Fading or cracking in these areas can cause hassles.
Rust is not common but may have found its way into the guard
edges, the fuel filler cap, the door corners and/or door sills.
Be particularly careful of cars that seem to have spent most of
their life in the open.
CAR BUYING TIP
Cars that have a reputation for being conservative are
generally bought by gentle drivers – though that doesn’t
always apply.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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