randalf
Members
Hi
As a relative newbie here and a recent 7th generation accord purchaser I thought that i would try and put something back into the board. While I expect that what I say won't sway some of you old hands, maybe it will be of ***istance to new people in the future. This being my first honda, it may be possible to show a perspective that is a tad different than that shown by those long term owners.
I'd also add that as a new owner, I haven't got everything as I would like it - yet. If I say something that is obviously (or not so obviously) wrong, please feel free to correct me.
Now I recently lost a VW scirocco in pretty nasty circumstances, as a result I decided to take the plunge and buy the car that has always been bubbling under on my 'to buy' list and that's an Accord EX diesel.
Cost and VFM
It appears that Honda are actively wanting to move the Accord up market, in price terms it's probably that bit more expensive than the equivalent Mondeo or Laguna, while being much cheaper than a similar age Merc or Beemer.
The EX (Sat Nav & HFT) model appears pretty fully loaded, I'd say that the only possible things that I would want in addition would be reversing sensors, USB input and MP3 compatible stereo.
So you get a lot of car for your money and you aren't paying a substantial amount more than a similar age Mondeo.
I'd also note that if you want an 8th gen Accord, there is quite a step up in price terms, even if you are talking about comparing an 08 7th gen and an 08 8th gen with similar mileage. Easily a couple of thousand pounds.
Driving
It's a very good drive, not a great drive IMO. I'd have to say a stock 3 series BMW is a better drive, but then the BMW has been the class leader for many years. If you believe the motoring press, the only cars that run it close are the Mondeo and the Mazda6. I can't argue too much with that only to say that if you take the 3 series out of the equation then the Accord is easily in the top 3 cars of its size and class for driving.
The engine is relaxed and torquey, pulling in most gears. It's actually so relaxed that you can easily slip over the speed limit, because you just don't believe that it is going so quickly.
yep, the 2.2 is a bloody good engine, class leading IMO.
Economy
well so far the trip computer hasn't really changed from an average of 50mpg over 500 miles. I can't comment upon the accuracy because I'm just not interested in doing the maths and working out just how far I can travel on a full tank. If the computer is accurate then it is more economical than a 2.0 TDI (140bhp) Golf, 1.9 TDI (150bhp) Seat Toledo and a 120d (180bhp) BMW by approx 5-8 mpg...which for a large car is pretty good going.
Interior
Well the interior is a pretty nice place to be, the sheer number of switches do take a bit of getting used to (how bad must the 8th gen be?) but I suspect that they will be much better than say BMW's iDrive (which is an absolute nightmare). The quality of plastics (and mock aluminium trim on mine) is up there with the very best of other manufacturers, certainly you would have to be in the £30k+ bracket to get a better quality interior. and then there is the seats.
my god the seats, I had a go in the Volvo S60 a couple of years ago and IIRC the seats were just that tiny bit more comfortable...possibly! if they were then there isn't much in it. They grip without squeezing you like a bucket seat, they support you and force a good posture. The leather is soft and supple. The only way that these seats could possibly be any more comfortable is if they replaced them with armchairs. oh my wife says the passenger seat is a touch too low for her and she can't find an adjustment lever to move it up.
Sat Nav
well it's pretty simple and 2d only (btw whats the highest version of software that a 7th gen voice activated sat nav can take???), but it works and the TMC is pretty accurate. It's also the only manufacturer supplied sat nav that works on 7 digit postcodes that i've ever seen. Typically you need to go and buy a tomtom or garmin for that, my 59 plate scirocco with full dvd sat nav didn't have this feature. The screen appears dated and cluttered, but then it was probably developed around 2000. go look at a ten year old tomtom and you'll see the Honda satnav is light years ahead.
Conclusion
There are elements of the car that are bettered by other manufacturers. but not by much. You won't buy this car because it has a better image than Audi or because it drives better than a BMW. It's not as prestigious as a Merc or as spacious as a Mondeo.
You'll buy it because it's more spacious than the Audi, has a better image than a Ford, drives better than a C Class and is better value for money than a BMW. It's a subtle car that has it's own areas of superiority and isn't that far behind the other top manufacturers in their traditional strong areas.
And this is comparing the 7th gen Accord with the current generation of large family saloons.....just think how good the 8th gen Accord must be
As a relative newbie here and a recent 7th generation accord purchaser I thought that i would try and put something back into the board. While I expect that what I say won't sway some of you old hands, maybe it will be of ***istance to new people in the future. This being my first honda, it may be possible to show a perspective that is a tad different than that shown by those long term owners.
I'd also add that as a new owner, I haven't got everything as I would like it - yet. If I say something that is obviously (or not so obviously) wrong, please feel free to correct me.
Now I recently lost a VW scirocco in pretty nasty circumstances, as a result I decided to take the plunge and buy the car that has always been bubbling under on my 'to buy' list and that's an Accord EX diesel.
Cost and VFM
It appears that Honda are actively wanting to move the Accord up market, in price terms it's probably that bit more expensive than the equivalent Mondeo or Laguna, while being much cheaper than a similar age Merc or Beemer.
The EX (Sat Nav & HFT) model appears pretty fully loaded, I'd say that the only possible things that I would want in addition would be reversing sensors, USB input and MP3 compatible stereo.
So you get a lot of car for your money and you aren't paying a substantial amount more than a similar age Mondeo.
I'd also note that if you want an 8th gen Accord, there is quite a step up in price terms, even if you are talking about comparing an 08 7th gen and an 08 8th gen with similar mileage. Easily a couple of thousand pounds.
Driving
It's a very good drive, not a great drive IMO. I'd have to say a stock 3 series BMW is a better drive, but then the BMW has been the class leader for many years. If you believe the motoring press, the only cars that run it close are the Mondeo and the Mazda6. I can't argue too much with that only to say that if you take the 3 series out of the equation then the Accord is easily in the top 3 cars of its size and class for driving.
The engine is relaxed and torquey, pulling in most gears. It's actually so relaxed that you can easily slip over the speed limit, because you just don't believe that it is going so quickly.
yep, the 2.2 is a bloody good engine, class leading IMO.
Economy
well so far the trip computer hasn't really changed from an average of 50mpg over 500 miles. I can't comment upon the accuracy because I'm just not interested in doing the maths and working out just how far I can travel on a full tank. If the computer is accurate then it is more economical than a 2.0 TDI (140bhp) Golf, 1.9 TDI (150bhp) Seat Toledo and a 120d (180bhp) BMW by approx 5-8 mpg...which for a large car is pretty good going.
Interior
Well the interior is a pretty nice place to be, the sheer number of switches do take a bit of getting used to (how bad must the 8th gen be?) but I suspect that they will be much better than say BMW's iDrive (which is an absolute nightmare). The quality of plastics (and mock aluminium trim on mine) is up there with the very best of other manufacturers, certainly you would have to be in the £30k+ bracket to get a better quality interior. and then there is the seats.
my god the seats, I had a go in the Volvo S60 a couple of years ago and IIRC the seats were just that tiny bit more comfortable...possibly! if they were then there isn't much in it. They grip without squeezing you like a bucket seat, they support you and force a good posture. The leather is soft and supple. The only way that these seats could possibly be any more comfortable is if they replaced them with armchairs. oh my wife says the passenger seat is a touch too low for her and she can't find an adjustment lever to move it up.
Sat Nav
well it's pretty simple and 2d only (btw whats the highest version of software that a 7th gen voice activated sat nav can take???), but it works and the TMC is pretty accurate. It's also the only manufacturer supplied sat nav that works on 7 digit postcodes that i've ever seen. Typically you need to go and buy a tomtom or garmin for that, my 59 plate scirocco with full dvd sat nav didn't have this feature. The screen appears dated and cluttered, but then it was probably developed around 2000. go look at a ten year old tomtom and you'll see the Honda satnav is light years ahead.
Conclusion
There are elements of the car that are bettered by other manufacturers. but not by much. You won't buy this car because it has a better image than Audi or because it drives better than a BMW. It's not as prestigious as a Merc or as spacious as a Mondeo.
You'll buy it because it's more spacious than the Audi, has a better image than a Ford, drives better than a C Class and is better value for money than a BMW. It's a subtle car that has it's own areas of superiority and isn't that far behind the other top manufacturers in their traditional strong areas.
And this is comparing the 7th gen Accord with the current generation of large family saloons.....just think how good the 8th gen Accord must be
