Replacing an Accord

[Flip Martian]

My 2.2 tdi Accord (late 2006) is suddenly getting costly - driveshafts replaced this year and now I'm having to shell out a couple of hundred quid on something in the cylinder head needing replacing as its consistently showing a fault. Not using Honda garages but still will have shelled out almost half the worth of the car incl a service in the last 7 months or so. And Honda parts are expensive!

So perhaps time to move on. The Accord regularly averages around 48 mpg, is pretty quick and good at overtaking, comfortable, drives ok (to me) and has really good levels of equipment (leather, dual climate control, electric everything etc).

I don't want another though - I miss having the versatility of a hatchback and a Civic isn't really something I'm keen on. So I'm thinking around 3 years old - VW Golf, BMW 1 series, possibly SEAT Leon, with mileage no more than around 40-50k. Decent fuel economy, fun to drive, plenty of toys and decent boot space required really.

Any comments welcome - or suggestions for anything else to consider? I've been a bit out of the loop as far as cars go the last few years. I did drive a brand new Gold Tdi in France on holiday in 2009 (the 6 speed model) and loved it, hence it being on my list but not driven anything else yet.

[vtecyo]

One of those Megane things that look like a 225 but have a diesel engine.

ETA: missed the 3 years old bit sorry. Worth a look though.

ETA mk2: It's a Renaultsport Megane dCi 175

Edited by vtecyo on Tuesday 17th June 14:42

[Flip Martian]

vtecyo said:

One of those Megane things that look like a 225 but have a diesel engine.

ETA: missed the 3 years old bit sorry. Worth a look though.

ETA mk2: It's a Renaultsport Megane dCi 175

Edited by vtecyo on Tuesday 17th June 14:42

Will have a look, ta. I was always led to believe Renaults weren't the most reliable in recent times (my Dad drove them for over 20 years before going to BMWs)

[Flip Martian]

Also looking at Mazda 3 TS2 or Sport spec. Comments on the paint quality not being all it should be do remind me of my Honda though...

[tali1]

"Last place...

100. Honda Accord MkVII

Overall rating: 84.22
2012 ranking: 38

Bringing up the rear of the Top 100 is the Honda Accord MkVII. This is unfamiliar territory for a brand more used to battling at the top, but the previous model is simply too old to compete these days. It has nose-dived by 62 places after putting in a weak performance pretty much across the board. In 2012, the car was fourth in our combined reliability/build quality category – but we’ve separated the two this year, and the Accord came 76th for reliability, which suggests it’s not as dependable as it once was."



Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/driver-power...

[lbc]

Everyone here used to say the Honda Accord was the most reliable car in the universe.

Obviously not true then.

[Flip Martian]

Interesting link that, ta. Is that on 2013 cars though? If so, sounds like newer Hondas have serious issues.

Can't see me wanting a Skoda Yeti though...

[Deerfoot]

Flip Martian said:

I don't want another though - I miss having the versatility of a hatchback and a Civic isn't really something I'm keen on. So I'm thinking around 3 years old - VW Golf, BMW 1 series, possibly SEAT Leon, with mileage no more than around 40-50k. Decent fuel economy, fun to drive, plenty of toys and decent boot space required really.

You haven't mentioned a budget but you should also consider a Skoda Octavia vr-s.

[delboy735]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

One of these. Better looking than Golf ( my opinion only )

[Deerfoot]

Flip Martian said:

Interesting link that, ta. Is that on 2013 cars though? If so, sounds like newer Hondas have serious issues.
.

The mk7 Accord is the previous generation car. The mk8 was launched in 2008, I've had zero faults with my 2009 Accord.

[Flip Martian]

Deerfoot said:

The mk7 Accord is the previous generation car. The mk8 was launched in 2008, I've had zero faults with my 2009 Accord.

Ah gotcha - when I remembered Accords go back to the 70s/80s, I gave up trying to count back... Clearly time to get rid then; almost like a timer has triggered inside it and set faults in motion.

Budget would have helped yep - probably 10-12k

[Flip Martian]

delboy735 said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

One of these. Better looking than Golf ( my opinion only )

Nice spot that, ta. That spec is definitely the kind of thing I was after.

[A500leroy]

Toyota auris, nissan note/quashqai/juke suzuki sx4

[tali1]

Flip Martian said:

Interesting link that, ta. Is that on 2013 cars though? If so, sounds like newer Hondas have serious issues.

Can't see me wanting a Skoda Yeti though...

My brother works as a mechanic and he moans about probs with those Accords and also Avensis esp Diesel and Lexus used in taxi.VW Passat seems best and the Isuzu 1.7 cdt engine used in Vauxhalls is a good one.
Octavia with big boot might be better bet

[Flip Martian]

That's two mentions for an Octavia; I'll stick 'em on the long list.

Not quite sure the list mentioning the Auris and Nissans was serious... might pass on those...

[Flip Martian]

Discounting the Octavia VRS as a bit too thirsty possibly. My other car is a Camaro so fuel consumption is a bit more of an issue for the daily driver (while still being good to drive). Top spec Octavias look a good bet but also as rare as rocking horse poo... Thinking not much is beating a Golf 2.0 140 diesel at the moment (they're certainly easier to come by).

[gleeman]

You'll get a 3 year old Mondeo Titanium for not too much money. Great to drive, loads of kit.

[Flip Martian]

gleeman said:

You'll get a 3 year old Mondeo Titanium for not too much money. Great to drive, loads of kit.

Thanks - fair call that. Must admit I'd ruled them out due to "it being a Ford Mondeo" but looks like I should check that out as well from what I'm reading.

[Flip Martian]

Holy thread resurrection, Batman...well it was my thread. A period of illness got in the way but I got back to sorting this out last week as the Accord was coming up for MOT and service.

And found a nice 3 year old Mazda 3 2.2d Sport (the higher 183 bhp model) for under 9k and a generous trade in on the Accord. Not sure mentioning the dealer breaks a PH rule (?) but they were excellent. Not pushy at all and not hard to get a good deal from. Very happy boy.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.