Honda Accord 05'ish - what to look for?

Honda Accord 05'ish - what to look for?

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JimmyB88

Original Poster:

21 posts

129 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
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Hi all..

I have had a mixed history of cars in my relatively short life, but have been without one now for sometime. As I am now a family man, an increased car size has been something I have been looking for.. And I have always enjoyed the Honda Accords around the plate I mentioned in the title.

A chap at work has his type-s for sale. It's the 2.4 petrol. Has covered roughly 53k miles, full service history.. I think it's a
55' plate. He's asking 4k for IT, but is willing to let it go for 3.5k.

I have never owned a Honda, so wondered if I could defer to your advice and better judgement.. What are these cars like to live with? Are they relatively trouble free or are there things that I will need to do short-term etc?

I cycle to work, so it will only be used as a weekend car to get shopping, up to the beach etc. So fuel economy isn't really an issue

Cheers!

Deerfoot

4,897 posts

183 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
quotequote all
The 2.4 cars are pretty bombproof to be honest.

I had a 2.4 Tourer for a year or so and apart from replacing the tailgate motor (a common failure) I had no problems at all.

You'll find loads of information on www.hondakarma.com

For the money he's asking so long as it's good condition you'll not go far wrong.

JimmyB88

Original Poster:

21 posts

129 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
quotequote all
Okay, thanks for the link - I will take a butchers..

He brought in all the paperwork this morning, and it all looks good.. Service was 800 miles ago, new break discs and pads.. It's not the standard exhaust from factory, he had some after-market exhaust fitted from manifold to tailpipes.. They're a bit larger than what I have seen in pictures, and he seems to think it made the car a bit quicker - I dunno what truth is in that?

Anyway, sorted out some insurance for a test-drive tomorrow night after work until the following day, so ill put her through the paces - but I already have my heart set on it. Think it will be purchased Friday :-)


Deerfoot

4,897 posts

183 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
quotequote all
Make sure you give it a decent drive, I remember mine was very sensitive to tyre choice, it tram-lined badly on Goodyear F1s but was much better on Conti Sport Contacts.

The car might not feel that fast but they are good at carrying speed.

I'll be interested in your thoughts.

pstruck

3,518 posts

248 months

Thursday 29th January 2015
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I've had my 06 2.4 Exec saloon since last summer and love it. It is a comfortable and refined place to sit, with plenty of toys. It drives very well and can make quite brisk progress when needed. The engine is silky smooth and quiet and in the 8000 miles I have done so far I have averaged (according to the dash readout) 35mpg. Other than a new set of rubber it it hasn't needed anything else yet, although I have got a rear brake binding, which I believe is fairly common. There was a facelft around 55/06 I believe (mine is the newer) which brought about a few subtle styling changes and some interior bits too. These are nice cars for not too much £!

JimmyB88

Original Poster:

21 posts

129 months

Thursday 29th January 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for the further replies.

So the chap gave me the keys today after work, promptly told me that there was 3/4's of a tank - and to enjoy myself.. Lol. The weather has been pretty crappy over here today, so it hasn't had the true test of handling I would of liked to give it, especially if it was dry..

But what a joy.. It feels like one hell of an accomplished car. It felt very stable and solid even in tricky conditions.. I am fortunate to be surrounded by very decent bypasses and straights so gave her a belting a few times (okay most of the time). I was throughly impressed with the speed-pick up and it's ability to cruise along at any given speed.

It's not hugely fast, but i think it's cracking! Thoroughly enjoyed the 110 miles I drove after work.. Couldn't believe I had covered that distance!

And comfortable - lovely and Cush in there.. Had the heating on and just felt so relaxed, real pleasure to drive.

So have offered 3.5k on it and had it accepted :-)

Chaps gonna bring it to work on Monday and it's all mine, he's even going to fill it up for me! Legend.. Not even jealous of the 13' plate Audi S4 work have given him as a company car either :-)

I will try and get round to getting some pictures uploaded next weekend once it's had a wash and clean and coastal drive.. I don't know how you guys feel about mods, but an awfully tempted to get the alloys sprayed gloss or Matt black.. Would make it look gorgeous :-)


Deerfoot

4,897 posts

183 months

Thursday 29th January 2015
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Excellent.

They're underrated cars, most people wouldn't even consider them and look instead at an A4, 3 series etc.

For the money you've paid it appears a good deal.

JimmyB88

Original Poster:

21 posts

129 months

Saturday 31st January 2015
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I think for the money, it's probably one of the best family cars you could go out and buy with that money.. I considered a pokey hot hatch, a Cupra R or something along those lines. But those days are gone for me now that I have my daughter, and more to come along in the future..

Granted it's now a ten year old car, but you would never tell by looking at it.. It's actually only covered 51k miles. It's full service history is Dealership stamps.. And I would much prefer this type-s over some generic A4 or BMW equivelant - not a fan! Think these accords have real character. I also like the fact (I don't know if it's the same everywhere), but there's not a lot of these cars on the road!

I like having something unique.. Anyway, it does the trick for me..

Thunder18

160 posts

118 months

Friday 6th February 2015
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Congrats on the purchase, the 7th gen Accord has styling that lasts, I still haven't grown tired of mine, 7 years on.

The 2.4 Type S had lowered factory suspension too I believe (15mm more than standard), and these cars really respond to being lowered, plus an alignment specialist (with a Hunter machine) will help eliminate the tramlining that people often complain about.

I opted for the oem accessory suspension kit from Honda and it really transformed how my car behaved/handled, just felt so much more surefooted, it's a real joy to drive.

mw88

1,457 posts

110 months

Friday 6th February 2015
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The 2.4 is a good choice, and the current mileage shouldn't (in theory!) give you any issues for a while. I've got an 2003 2.4 Type S, which is currently pushing 185k miles and is still going strong after nearly 3 years of 400 miles a week

Providing it's been serviced regularly, you should be fine.

From my experience over the last few years
- ABS Sensors can be troublesome. Mine has gone through 3 of the 4 so far.
- Clutch Master Cylinders can creak/squeak - Common problem with the lubrication on the spring
- Clutch - Depending how the car has been driven before, will probably need replacing in a few years depending on mileage (Mine was replaced 125k w/ master cyl).
- Very thirsty, but fun to drive! Still a capable car if you're at the right revs.