Facelift Differences

[foobyj]

Hey guys, my first post here! I'm an active member on Mighty Car Mods and a few others if anybody uses them. I currently drive a K11 Nissan Micra after taking My '04 Subaru Outback off the road due to fuel and insurance costs when I was made unemployed. Me and my girlfriend have been working out what car would be perfect for us when our money situation is back on track. The Outback was always one of my dream cars, but the fuel economy just makes it unreasonable unfortnately

After looking at many diesel alternatives, Golf TDi's, Boxer Diesel Legacy's mainly I remembered having liked the look of the Accord Tourer's when I was looking for my Outback. I love Japanese cars for their ease and practicality when it comes to fixing them. Everything can be done with a 10, 12 or 14mm socket for the most part and parts are cheap.

I looked at a few and it seems for a much lower price (and probably much more reliable) than the German options, I can have a low milaege kitted out 2.2 CDTI Accord. More power and lower insurance weirdly.

Our budget will be around £2500 - £3000, and I was wondering what the difference between the 2004 - 06(?) models and the facelift is? I have searched but haven't found much. All I can tell is the de-tangoed headlights, boot opening button on the drivers side and MPG information on the dash. Anything else that might make me spend a little more on a facelift?

Thanks!

(I also find it very funny that V.A.G is swear filtered on a Honda forum :lol

 

[apintofmild]

If I remember rightly the facelift has a revised timing chain, so less chance of needing it replaced. You'll get an extra gear in the box. Not sure if the exhaust manifold and VSA issues were resolved on the facelift, but I'm living proof neither fault is a certainty on a pre-faclift. Your (diesel) fuel filter is different. Pre-facelift is upto '05. '55 and later are facelift (though check if it's on the edge!)

 

[Goodluckmonkey]

Haha, Foobyj, just making the same swap.

'05 Legacy 3.0R Spec B wagon, to a Diesel Accord Touring.

Had the Subaru 5 years, and the cost of a 100+ mile round trip every day is killing my wallet after giving up commuting on a motorbike.

I bought an '04 as a cheap hack, and it promptly broke the oil pump chain, so I'm mid engine-swap.

Fortunately I never even got round to advertising my bulletproof Subaru, which hasn't missed a beat in the last 80k I've had it.

My advice, get a facelift car with the revised tensioners, and a proven history of regular oil changes.

Ironically, for me going from a modded 3.0 petrol (currently 270hp) to a diesel with half the hp increases my premiums?

 

[foobyj]

If I remember rightly the facelift has a revised timing chain, so less chance of needing it replaced. You'll get an extra gear in the box. Not sure if the exhaust manifold and VSA issues were resolved on the facelift, but I'm living proof neither fault is a certainty on a pre-faclift. Your (diesel) fuel filter is different. Pre-facelift is upto '05. '55 and later are facelift (though check if it's on the edge!)

Thanks! The 6-speed and timing chain are the only things that appeal to me there, not worth an extra £1000 I don't think.

Haha, Foobyj, just making the same swap.

'05 Legacy 3.0R Spec B wagon, to a Diesel Accord Touring.

Had the Subaru 5 years, and the cost of a 100+ mile round trip every day is killing my wallet after giving up commuting on a motorbike.

I bought an '04 as a cheap hack, and it promptly broke the oil pump chain, so I'm mid engine-swap.

Fortunately I never even got round to advertising my bulletproof Subaru, which hasn't missed a beat in the last 80k I've had it.

My advice, get a facelift car with the revised tensioners, and a proven history of regular oil changes.

Ironically, for me going from a modded 3.0 petrol (currently 270hp) to a diesel with half the hp increases my premiums?

That's so weird! Yeah mine is the '04 2.5L version and insurance was way cheaper than anything else with similar power. 160HP 4WD Subaru was getting on for £2000 cheaper than it would have been to insure a 2.0 A4 Quattro. 4WD and aspiration seem to kill insurance quotes on anything but big Subaru's! Wonder if it's because they're not very common?

The timing chain thing does sound like it might be an issue on a pre-facelift. I guess my options would be sub 100,000 miles Pre-FL or 150,000 miles + FL, especially as Executive is pretty much essensial (leather seats) due to a Golden Retriever puppy who will be wet and hairy 24/7.

Which would be better? I've had higher milaege cars with no issues, but it always scares me buying high milaege diesels with DMF's and Turbos to wear out.

 

[Goodluckmonkey]

No idea, seems it can be a lottery.
There are early cars that have done big miles with no problems, which Buck the trend.

Go for something with a good history, that's obviously been cared for.

 

[chew]

The face-lift is a better bet the lights are different the timing chain is revised and it has different fuel filter. As you said it also has trip computer and Bluetooth.