02 Accord as a commuter car
Discussion
So it looks like soon I might have a chance to buy a very well looked after accord. It's a 2.0 vtec with an auto box - usually that would bother me but seeing as I'll be driving 60 miles a day + a 300 odd mile round trip once a month it might be nice to have an auto again.
It's got around 50k on the clock and all receipts for everything since it was new. It's the right colour, belt been done recently as well as a service.
I thought about a more 'barge' style car for my commute but really I'm not sure I could justify the fuel bill of something like a LS400 - if indeed it would be as bad as I imagine, I quite like the occasional bit of 'spirited' driving. The honda has plenty enough power, looks nice enough and will go on forever if I look after it.
Anyone commuting in one of these at the moment? It's the older shape on an 02. If so, how do you find it? Any problems to look out for? And if you have an auto how do you find the box?
I can't seem to find anything with such a decent history, and it's a car I want to use for work for a long time to come.
Not interested in a diesel as too many problems with modern ones... Any advice appreciated!
Cheers
It's got around 50k on the clock and all receipts for everything since it was new. It's the right colour, belt been done recently as well as a service.
I thought about a more 'barge' style car for my commute but really I'm not sure I could justify the fuel bill of something like a LS400 - if indeed it would be as bad as I imagine, I quite like the occasional bit of 'spirited' driving. The honda has plenty enough power, looks nice enough and will go on forever if I look after it.
Anyone commuting in one of these at the moment? It's the older shape on an 02. If so, how do you find it? Any problems to look out for? And if you have an auto how do you find the box?
I can't seem to find anything with such a decent history, and it's a car I want to use for work for a long time to come.
Not interested in a diesel as too many problems with modern ones... Any advice appreciated!
Cheers
Got a 2001 Accord - 2 litre auto like yourselves
Mine is the SE EXEC so loads of kit for the money!
Yes the auto boxes are a weak point - they can't be changed either as they're programmed to each car
One way of avoiding damaging the autobox is to make sure you've fully stopped before swapping between drive and reserve as otherwise you can damage the box.
Daily driver wise I can't see why not! Mine was used daily until I bought it and is on 144k.
Brakes aren't the best but I have an s2000 to compare to so not really fair!
Feel very hard wearing and the hatchback is awesomely practical
Mine is the SE EXEC so loads of kit for the money!
Yes the auto boxes are a weak point - they can't be changed either as they're programmed to each car
One way of avoiding damaging the autobox is to make sure you've fully stopped before swapping between drive and reserve as otherwise you can damage the box.
Daily driver wise I can't see why not! Mine was used daily until I bought it and is on 144k.
Brakes aren't the best but I have an s2000 to compare to so not really fair!
Feel very hard wearing and the hatchback is awesomely practical
Not sure on the auto box, but I use a 03 Accord Type S (2.4 Petrol) to commute 80-90 miles a day.
Only major bill in 70,000 is a clutch and clutch master cylinder.. ABS sensors can cause isses, but other than that just fuel, tyres and brakes. (Maybe suspension bushes).
Bought mine at 120k, now on 190k three years later - Engine is still good, but drive shafts are starting to go which is a common issue on higher mileage cars.
Great car, reliable and reasonably quickish but thirsty!
Only major bill in 70,000 is a clutch and clutch master cylinder.. ABS sensors can cause isses, but other than that just fuel, tyres and brakes. (Maybe suspension bushes).
Bought mine at 120k, now on 190k three years later - Engine is still good, but drive shafts are starting to go which is a common issue on higher mileage cars.
Great car, reliable and reasonably quickish but thirsty!
mw88 said:
Not sure on the auto box, but I use a 03 Accord Type S (2.4 Petrol) to commute 80-90 miles a day.
Only major bill in 70,000 is a clutch and clutch master cylinder.. ABS sensors can cause isses, but other than that just fuel, tyres and brakes. (Maybe suspension bushes).
Bought mine at 120k, now on 190k three years later - Engine is still good, but drive shafts are starting to go which is a common issue on higher mileage cars.
Great car, reliable and reasonably quickish but thirsty!
Completely different model car unfortunately! Only major bill in 70,000 is a clutch and clutch master cylinder.. ABS sensors can cause isses, but other than that just fuel, tyres and brakes. (Maybe suspension bushes).
Bought mine at 120k, now on 190k three years later - Engine is still good, but drive shafts are starting to go which is a common issue on higher mileage cars.
Great car, reliable and reasonably quickish but thirsty!
My missus has been running an 01/02 (cant remember) for about 10 months now, its a 2.3 Spec V with everything + a kitchen sink in the boot on about 42k miles, last (old) gentleman had it from new. She only does about 10 miles to work each way.
Its pretty crap on fuel on short journeys and not cracking on long journeys but a comfortable place to be, but what do you expect? We have never measured it but its probably 20-35 mpg depending on the type of driving.
R.E. the auto box, when ive driven it the box is fine, it kicks down ok but if you want to the semi automatic works well but its not a car that should be smashed about (even though you can V-Tec Yo and all that) its quite happy wafting about with cream leather
She didn't like it at first but its grown on her and she loves it now
Its pretty crap on fuel on short journeys and not cracking on long journeys but a comfortable place to be, but what do you expect? We have never measured it but its probably 20-35 mpg depending on the type of driving.
R.E. the auto box, when ive driven it the box is fine, it kicks down ok but if you want to the semi automatic works well but its not a car that should be smashed about (even though you can V-Tec Yo and all that) its quite happy wafting about with cream leather
She didn't like it at first but its grown on her and she loves it now
Thanks for the replies. I'm really tempted by it and the only thing stopping me making a firm decision is because I feel like I might regret not getting something bigger I can waft around in. Something v8 wouldn't be much worse on fuel really....
Having said that it's hard to find a decent example of any car it seems with every single receipt for everything from new with full history.
Having said that it's hard to find a decent example of any car it seems with every single receipt for everything from new with full history.
Ghost91 said:
Thanks for the replies. I'm really tempted by it and the only thing stopping me making a firm decision is because I feel like I might regret not getting something bigger I can waft around in. Something v8 wouldn't be much worse on fuel really....
Having said that it's hard to find a decent example of any car it seems with every single receipt for everything from new with full history.
Yeah this one we got is exactly like that, it will never go wrong! A v8 would be nice and like you say it wont be that much worse on fuel!Having said that it's hard to find a decent example of any car it seems with every single receipt for everything from new with full history.
Ghost91 said:
Thanks for the replies. I'm really tempted by it and the only thing stopping me making a firm decision is because I feel like I might regret not getting something bigger I can waft around in. Something v8 wouldn't be much worse on fuel really....
Having said that it's hard to find a decent example of any car it seems with every single receipt for everything from new with full history.
Depends how much is the Accord?Having said that it's hard to find a decent example of any car it seems with every single receipt for everything from new with full history.
There's plenty I see for sale for less than £500 - would you trust a v8 at that price? If you're talking more like £1000 then you're right, I'd probably want a different car.
I think most people with the 2.0 auto average about 30mpg, My commute is mostly motorway so I'm expecting mine to be higher. The auto box being only 4 speed wont help though and higher speed cruising I imagine you would get better economy with something with a bigger engine with at least 5 gears!
Riknos said:
Depends how much is the Accord?
There's plenty I see for sale for less than £500 - would you trust a v8 at that price? If you're talking more like £1000 then you're right, I'd probably want a different car.
I think most people with the 2.0 auto average about 30mpg, My commute is mostly motorway so I'm expecting mine to be higher. The auto box being only 4 speed wont help though and higher speed cruising I imagine you would get better economy with something with a bigger engine with at least 5 gears!
Economy isn't paramount for me as long as I feel like the MPG is worth it - and with the honda I just don't think it would be worth it. The chap selling it is pleasant enough and understandably a car in this condition with the history fetches top money - but he's talking more like 1500+ and I just can't pay that for one of these.... Also the insurance is unnecessarily high, I've been quoted the same as I was for an s4 convertible audi. There's plenty I see for sale for less than £500 - would you trust a v8 at that price? If you're talking more like £1000 then you're right, I'd probably want a different car.
I think most people with the 2.0 auto average about 30mpg, My commute is mostly motorway so I'm expecting mine to be higher. The auto box being only 4 speed wont help though and higher speed cruising I imagine you would get better economy with something with a bigger engine with at least 5 gears!
So sadly - although I know it would of been hopelessly reliable, it has to be a no. There's another manual one more local for 700 quid, that's more like it!
There's also an old xantia with amazing and fastidious history and maintenance near me but it's a bloody diesel. Cheap though and comfy for a commute! Also got my eye on an old saab and a 540i bmw. Why are these decisions always so difficult....
What do you think you'd be after for the 1k mark then, out of interest?
Ghost91 said:
Riknos said:
Depends how much is the Accord?
There's plenty I see for sale for less than £500 - would you trust a v8 at that price? If you're talking more like £1000 then you're right, I'd probably want a different car.
I think most people with the 2.0 auto average about 30mpg, My commute is mostly motorway so I'm expecting mine to be higher. The auto box being only 4 speed wont help though and higher speed cruising I imagine you would get better economy with something with a bigger engine with at least 5 gears!
Economy isn't paramount for me as long as I feel like the MPG is worth it - and with the honda I just don't think it would be worth it. The chap selling it is pleasant enough and understandably a car in this condition with the history fetches top money - but he's talking more like 1500+ and I just can't pay that for one of these.... Also the insurance is unnecessarily high, I've been quoted the same as I was for an s4 convertible audi. There's plenty I see for sale for less than £500 - would you trust a v8 at that price? If you're talking more like £1000 then you're right, I'd probably want a different car.
I think most people with the 2.0 auto average about 30mpg, My commute is mostly motorway so I'm expecting mine to be higher. The auto box being only 4 speed wont help though and higher speed cruising I imagine you would get better economy with something with a bigger engine with at least 5 gears!
So sadly - although I know it would of been hopelessly reliable, it has to be a no. There's another manual one more local for 700 quid, that's more like it!
There's also an old xantia with amazing and fastidious history and maintenance near me but it's a bloody diesel. Cheap though and comfy for a commute! Also got my eye on an old saab and a 540i bmw. Why are these decisions always so difficult....
What do you think you'd be after for the 1k mark then, out of interest?
I was looking around the 1k mark earlier this year, and things I was looking at was (basically anything wit MOT that I liked )
Celica Gen 7- 140 & 190
BMW 3 / 5 series - any without lots of rust!
BMW E46 compact - few bargains out there - especially cheap in the awful gold colour!
Saab 9-3 / 9-5
03 onwards Accord
Hyundai Coupe - 2.0 not V6 (too thirsty)
Mk3 MR2 - should just be in the budget.
Hondas 4 pot engines are pretty thirsty generally, the auto can also be preserved by flicking into 'n' when stationary, then when I read on and realised the budget was that low in which case it doesn't really matter, you'll get what you pay for, perhaps better 5k on a better maintained, nicer v8, rather than disposable 4's.
I was looking for a Honda Accord in late 2013 but in the end went for a Mazda 6. The 6 is worth a look, as they are cheaper year for year than an Accord, the petrol engine one uses less fuel than a 2002 era petrol Accord and they drive really nicely.
Still quite like the Accord, its a shame no one buys them anymore. The current shape sort of lost the plot a bit. The 2002-08 Accord was a great car.
Still quite like the Accord, its a shame no one buys them anymore. The current shape sort of lost the plot a bit. The 2002-08 Accord was a great car.
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