Ford Mondeo or Honda Accord?

[CHIEF]

After months of faffing about and changing my mind trying to decide what to buy I've narrowed down to the above saloons.

I've decided to buy a petrol simply because diesels are simply too problematic,
I've a budget of 2-2.5k

I've been looking a 2.0 Ford Mondeo and the Honda Accord 2.0 vtec.

I really wanted a 2.4 Type S but it seems they are very thirsty but I'm wondering if the 2.0 Accord is actually quick enough after reading some comments plus doing a search on here.

I've looked at the Mondeo as well as its a lot of car for the money and whilst it probably isn't as fast its a decent handler and is cheap ish to run.

Has anyone actually drove both back to back?

Will I be dissapointed coming from a punchy VAG diesel?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

[SlowV6]

2.4 type-S is about 200bhp. Fine car with good kit.

This is PH so that's obviously the only one to even consider!

[anonymous-user]

This:

http://www.jardinemotors.co.uk/jaguar/used-cars/27...

is for sale at a Jaguar dealer in Bradford. It's got the 240 horsepower version of the 2 litre petrol engine, with a semi-auto gearbox. Looks like a really really nice car, I am tempted myself.

Considered buying it as the insurance quote came out decent, but then I checked the price of 4 Continental 19" tyres and that was almost £1000... hadn't realised how expensive some of the larger premium tyres can be!

Reviews seem to say the Mondeo is the "drivers car" whereas I would think the Honda Accord is lesser so. (I haven't driven either so I may well be wrong...)

P.S. Sorry, hadn't realised your budget of 2-2.5k. Oh well, that's what I get for posting when I'm half awake. Hopefully the link above will be useful to someone else though.

• walks off into a corner*

[C900]

...although the Accord 2.0 is adequately fast as is (in my book, adequately is punchy enough to overtake without a heart-attack, and to cope with a full passenger complement + luggage without turning the car into a complete barge).

[V8Wagon]

I've got a 2.4 Accord and really like it. The engine is smooth and pulls strongly. Mine has the automatic box though so I guess the 2.4s would feel significantly quicker being a manual. I do find that the 2.4 gives me the sensation that it is a reasonably powerful car. It pulls more strongly than my dad's 2.0 Accord (bought on the strength of liking mine!)

I heartily recommend the Accord, it's been a real surprise to me just what a good all rounder it is. Lots of people who've been in it comment on what a nice car it is and I'm struggling to replace it with anything half as competent for the same kind of money.

[hman]

had a 2.4 type s accord manual, sold it after 12 weeks.

Hated it.

Was going rusty after 2.5 years and the worlds most backlashing 1st gear making traffic an absolute ball ache of jerky transmission shunting.

That said on an A road it flew and hitting vtec was pretty addictive, just that the car felt like it was made of baco foil - the boot didn't even have a trim panel on the inside!

[Fastdruid]

joshc said:

Considered buying it as the insurance quote came out decent, but then I checked the price of 4 Continental 19" tyres and that was almost £1000... hadn't realised how expensive some of the larger premium tyres can be!

When I was looking for my current car I was put off a few cars because they had the 19in wheels (which were an option), tyres for the 18in wheels are ~140ea, 19in are ~240ea... I'll take the 18in wheels please!

[Fittster]

Why not a ATR?

[CHIEF]

Hmmm food for thought. Always liked the Mondeo ever since I drove one and was very impressed with the steering and handling but I'll be always thinking if the Accord is the better car.