RE: SOTW: Honda Legend

[only1ian]

That 3rd gen 595 squid honda was for sale at a cheshire dealer for &895 last month. Nearly went to look but bought a puma for 100 quid less in the end.

If its now for sale in norfolk for 300 less i smell something rotten!!!!

[EDLT]

Black S2K said:

EDLT said:

Black S2K said:

Well, Audi recently tried to copy the engine layout, but still buggered it up by getting it too far forward. The Legend's would have been perfect for SH-AWD, had Honda not lost the plot recently. Pity Honda cannot build cars like it anymore.

They were a very smooth, refined and well-balanced car for a big FWD.

The engine was a proper 60 degree V6, unlike the NSX whose 'characterful' 90 degree V6 was related to the old Legend/800 unit - slightly.

The later Legends did come with SH-AWD and I think Honda still build them, they just don't sell them (or they aren't bought by anyone) in the UK. The Americans buy loads of them with the Acura badge stuck on top.

You're missing the point; the KB1 has a regular nose-heavy transverse end-on layout, unlike the earlier iterations.

Admittedly it's more space-efficient.

I think you are missing the point, nobody buys a Legend to dab oppos down a sinewy ribbon of Welsh black-top. Why would it matter if the engine is slightly further forward?

[SuperHangOn]

EDLT said:

The later Legends did come with SH-AWD and I think Honda still build them, they just don't sell them (or they aren't bought by anyone) in the UK. The Americans buy loads of them with the Acura badge stuck on top.

Saw an '08 plate one (one of the absolute last?) today. Screams quality up close, very classy car. Will be very popular 1-5k fodder I think!

Edited by SuperHangOn on Saturday 17th December 19:51

[ITech]

I think the next car I buy will be a Legend, had completely forgotten about them. But, what a great car, had no idea they we so well specced and so cheap!

[Lippy Kid]

SuperHangOn said:

Saw an '08 plate one (one of the absolute last?) today. Screams quality up close, very classy car. Will be very popular 1-5k fodder I think!

Edited by SuperHangOn on Saturday 17th December 19:51

I saw one earlier this year, the registration was something like LE09 END, which I thought was a nice touch.

[dinkel]

yonex said:

Super smooth engines and built like tanks. Another Honda that nobody really cares much about unfortunately. Much bigger reputation in the US.

. . . when well maintained they should run forever. If they are neglected they will cost ya.

[elephantstone]

Isnt the auto box weak? Im sure i read that here a few months ago. Could be making it up though?

[PJ S]

Lippy Kid said:

SuperHangOn said:

Saw an '08 plate one (one of the absolute last?) today. Screams quality up close, very classy car. Will be very popular 1-5k fodder I think!

I saw one earlier this year, the registration was something like LE09 END, which I thought was a nice touch.

Reintroduced in June '06, iirc, and stopped being imported early '09, if not end of '08. Be rare to see anything later than an 09 plate.
Doubt any dealers bought some and held off registering until Sept or later.
As an Accord owner I really wanted it to make a case for itself, but after quite an extensive drive over various road types, I can honestly say it's no wonder it was such a short-lived reintoduction of the model!

5–speed auto, foot-operated parking brake, god-awful control layout/menu for all useful features, vaguely mediocre steering feedback, blunted acceleration (290 bhp ffs!), and just trying to eek out a half decent mpg was nigh on impossible (25-26).
Only slight saving grace was the straight gearlever operation.

Compare to a Lexus GS300 of year previous MY (2005), and you get 6-speed box, similar stty parking brake (having driven E65s with hydraulic operated auto/push button operation, which stops the car moving, one is spoiled a little!), far more useful layout and ease of use centre console. You also get better mpg without even trying that much, and a better feeling of accelerating & current speed. Steering feel is improved, but not to a night & day difference, and if only the gearlever pattern were straight too, the Lexus would make it a clean sweep, bar that parking brake malarky!
Of all the Leg Ends I've seen for sale, and (rarely) on the open roads, I've yet to see one that's not got the black interior!
Either HUK/HEu never imported any in beige, or everyone who did order one, only did so in "conformist black".

[binberme]

They sold a version of this car in the US, I had an uncle that drove one. Brings back memories.............

[EX PANDA CLAMP]

I have run Honda Legends for the last ten years plus, fantastic cars.
The biggest problem, apart from neglect, is the Head Gaskets, prob around the 100K mark !
There is a preventative procedure to follow if you want to avoid this . . .

http://forums.acuralegend.org/why-legend-head-gask...

The above website is prob the best way to become informed about these cars, it's a US site, but same car.
Warping of front brake discs can be a problem, I'm told, but beyond that, albeit a little dated, ( it ages like a fine wine ! I wish that Honda had continued the Coupe.
However, have Honda lost their way a little these days, since manufacture is not only carried out in Japan ? And, of course the Eco monster lol

Fantastic shed !! recommended

[ITech]

EX PANDA CLAMP said:

I have run Honda Legends for the last ten years plus, fantastic cars.
The biggest problem, apart from neglect, is the Head Gaskets, prob around the 100K mark !
There is a preventative procedure to follow if you want to avoid this . . .

http://forums.acuralegend.org/why-legend-head-gask...

The above website is prob the best way to become informed about these cars, it's a US site, but same car.
Warping of front brake discs can be a problem, I'm told, but beyond that, albeit a little dated, ( it ages like a fine wine ! I wish that Honda had continued the Coupe.
However, have Honda lost their way a little these days, since manufacture is not only carried out in Japan ? And, of course the Eco monster lol

Fantastic shed !! recommended

Useful post and good link. I vaguely remember hearing about ECU/Management Chip failure that can right the car off, as it's so expensive to replace as its a Dealer only job because it needs to be coded, or something. Is that a common issue or rare?

[Masterblaster2]

ITech said:

Useful post and good link. I vaguely remember hearing about ECU/Management Chip failure that can right the car off, as it's so expensive to replace as its a Dealer only job because it needs to be coded, or something. Is that a common issue or rare?

Sorry to confuse but had to change my nickname from ex panda clamp !
To answer you question, I would say the ecu failure is uncommon, certainly not read about it on Acura site!
There is a posting on there at the mo of one of these cars just rolling the half million mile mark

http://forums.acuralegend.org/come-watch-me-roll-t...

. . . I wouldn't expect to see too many cars achieving that ?
There are a lot of members cars on that site that are well onto the 100's of thousand miles !
'the power of dreams' eh ? )

[dtrump]

bayemvay said:

Endorsed by Harrison Ford.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAkTmba85Q4

honda clio? not sure about that one

[dtrump]

love these cars. Just given the description you'd imagine it would look cheap and flimsy.

But somehow its solid and quality. Great car

[ITech]

Masterblaster2 said:

Sorry to confuse but had to change my nickname from ex panda clamp !
To answer you question, I would say the ecu failure is uncommon, certainly not read about it on Acura site!
There is a posting on there at the mo of one of these cars just rolling the half million mile mark

http://forums.acuralegend.org/come-watch-me-roll-t...

. . . I wouldn't expect to see too many cars achieving that ?
There are a lot of members cars on that site that are well onto the 100's of thousand miles !
'the power of dreams' eh ? )

Hmm, i've never owned a Honda before, I think it might be time

[12gauge]

Ive always liked these. The late 90s one always seemed like a cheaper Lexus LS.

[will261058]

Guy who lived next door to me had several two door coupe version of this. he was a very successful businessman who could have had any car he liked but he swore by these. He liked BMWs but refused to buy one over the Legend because of the equipment levels on both in the late 80s early 90s. Pretty shrewd but I guess thats why he was loaded! It was a lot of car for the money when new so super value now.

[jbi]

12gauge said:

Ive always liked these. The late 90s one always seemed like a cheaper Lexus LS.

Nah... it's missing RWD and a V8

[Lippy Kid]

dtrump said:

honda clio? not sure about that one

http://www.preludeonline.com/f28/honda-verno-clio-primo-104578/

[Black S2K]

EDLT said:

I think you are missing the point, nobody buys a Legend to dab oppos down a sinewy ribbon of Welsh black-top. Why would it matter if the engine is slightly further forward?

It matters at far less than 10/10 - to those with some discernment, at any rate.