Replacing honda accord tourer

[dex101]

First post on my go to forum for advice on cars.... Thanks for years of help.

This is not imminent, however have been struggling with this for quite a while.

I currently have a accord tourer. It's a 2006 (1 month before tax brackets changed...) 2.4 type s.

I absolutely love it.

It's comfortable, has good sound, brisk if not quick and plenty of space for kids, bikes, camping stuff etc.

It's now done over 160,000 miles. Has been hassle free except tyres, servicing and a new exhaust system. I went for a custom stainless replacement as liked a bit more sound and now never needed changing again.

At some point, I will need/want to replace it but have now real contenders! My wish list would be:

Petrol
Spacious for 2 children plus stuff
"Professional" looking. Growing up, loved modified cars but turning up to business meetings in a Impreza (however nice) just wouldn't feel right.
Budget will know be around £8000. I prefer older cars, happy to tinker myself.
Have a long term dislike of VAG (and BMW) I can appreciate the engineering, just don't like their esthetics.
12 mile commute is my main driving with infrequent business meetings across the country. 10,000 miles per year.

Just to clarify,I am not looking to buy now... Just have hit a wall in terms of what I would buy!

[stevemcs]

Keep the Honda, spend new car money on a Boxster.

[mbwoy84]

£8000 would buy a very nice Legacy Estate.

[ZX10R NIN]

Look for one of these when the time comes they're hard to find but worth seeking out:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009193...

[stevemcs]

ZX10R NIN said:

Look for one of these when the time comes they're hard to find but worth seeking out:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009193...

No warranty on a Powershift gearbox = walk away.

[ZX10R NIN]

stevemcs said:

No warranty on a Powershift gearbox = walk away.

Disagree I have lots of clients who I've supplied these to with zero issues I have one as my daily zero issue, there was a problem with the dry clutch setups (same issues VAG had) but the wet clutch cars are reliable definitely have less problem than dsg's.

[anonymous-user]

Civic Tourer with the 1.8 petrol. It’s a bit gutless so... add turbo kit

https://tdi-north.store/products/civic-type-s-r18-...

[dontlookdown]

ZX10R NIN said:

Look for one of these when the time comes they're hard to find but worth seeking out:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009193...

I am in similar position with almost identical requirements and that looks interesting. Haven't had a Ford since I was a teenager, maybe time for another one...

Do those Mondeos with the 2.0 ecoboost engine come in manual too? And are there younger ones to be had? I usually buy cars that are around 6 yrs old, with slightly below av miles if possible.

[Roger Irrelevant]

I had an Accord Tourer and loved it too, would have kept it for much longer if it weren't for the headlights which were terrible at the best of times let alone with bulbs blowing at least twice a week! It's not terribly imaginative but if you're after the same sort of thing why not look at...a newer Accord Tourer? The model that came after yours is v. smart and, while the boot may be a bit smaller, will still be plenty big enough. I would probably have got one of these if I didn't want better ground clearance and 4wd - fwiw I ended up replacing the Accord with a Subaru Outback.

[anonymous-user]

Those newer Accord tourers have a small boot (by volume) than the saloon

[Roger Irrelevant]

mstrbkr said:

Those newer Accord tourers have a small boot (by volume) than the saloon

...which just goes to show how daft the usual method of measuring boot size is! If you only consider the volume below the level of the top of the rear seats then yes estates often aren't much more voluminous than their saloon siblings. In practice estates have loads more useful space, particularly if you've got a dog guard that allows you to pack the buggers right to the roof (I always get a dog guard for this reason, despite not having a dog).

[anonymous-user]

Roger Irrelevant said:

mstrbkr said:

Those newer Accord tourers have a small boot (by volume) than the saloon

...which just goes to show how daft the usual method of measuring boot size is! If you only consider the volume below the level of the top of the rear seats then yes estates often aren't much more voluminous than their saloon siblings. In practice estates have loads more useful space, particularly if you've got a dog guard that allows you to pack the buggers right to the roof (I always get a dog guard for this reason, despite not having a dog).

Yeah I think the volume I was talking about is below the parcel shelf. There's not really a "usual" method though. It's just what manufacturers choose to use in their brochure, or what Parkers for example, decide to use.

[dex101]

stevemcs said:

Keep the Honda, spend new car money on a Boxster.

Interesting take!

not sure a boxster would be my choice if I ended up with 2 cars but if I had the room, I guess that might be an option.

The complication I have is that my wifes car is a "family car" in terms of some sort of SUV (not my choice, but her money...) so we would end up with a family car, an estate that will at that point be past its best and won't get driven very often unless we really need it and another car.

My wife works shifts (Community Nurse) but she is always terrified of driving my car! Be even worse if I got something a bit fun!

[dex101]

mbwoy84 said:

£8000 would buy a very nice Legacy Estate.

I love the legacys on paper (even the saloon shape) but everytime I have sat in one I feel somehow disappointed. A longer test drive (in ta Spec B...) might solve this mind!

[dex101]

stevemcs said:

No warranty on a Powershift gearbox = walk away.

And this is my problem with more modern cars. The technology is amazing... until its not. This even applies to Air con, every car I have ever owned had air con... but none of them have ever worked. Obviously this says something about my car buying skills but at least with air con it doesn't actually matter. bigger issues make me nervous.

[Fastdruid]

dontlookdown said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Look for one of these when the time comes they're hard to find but worth seeking out:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009193...

I am in similar position with almost identical requirements and that looks interesting. Haven't had a Ford since I was a teenager, maybe time for another one...

Do those Mondeos with the 2.0 ecoboost engine come in manual too? And are there younger ones to be had? I usually buy cars that are around 6 yrs old, with slightly below av miles if possible.

No. It's Powersts or nothing. It's one of the reasons I'll never have another Mondeo.

The 2.5T is far better than the 2.0T (in every way except on fuel) but unfortunately no newer than 2010.

[dex101]

Roger Irrelevant said:

I had an Accord Tourer and loved it too, would have kept it for much longer if it weren't for the headlights which were terrible at the best of times let alone with bulbs blowing at least twice a week! It's not terribly imaginative but if you're after the same sort of thing why not look at...a newer Accord Tourer? The model that came after yours is v. smart and, while the boot may be a bit smaller, will still be plenty big enough. I would probably have got one of these if I didn't want better ground clearance and 4wd - fwiw I ended up replacing the Accord with a Subaru Outback.

In all honesty, this is probably what I will end up doing.

Problem is with the change to tax, the 2.4 doesn't appear to have sold particularly well and I would want to stick with Petrol.

My only issue really is that IMO it isn't as good looking and it is of the age where cars all suddenly appear to have got a bit obese looking!

The other option would be to buy another (lower mileage) accord of the same age! Before my accord (s) I used to change car every 9 months or so. My first Accord I had for 3 years, my second is about to be 3 years also. says lot for it but maybe I am due a change!

[Fastdruid]

dex101 said:

And this is my problem with more modern cars. The technology is amazing... until its not. This even applies to Air con, every car I have ever owned had air con... but none of them have ever worked. Obviously this says something about my car buying skills but at least with air con it doesn't actually matter. bigger issues make me nervous.

I think that really is picking the wrong cars. It's worked on all the ones we've had, even the 10+ year old cars! Although admittedly have had to replace some parts, a condenser and a pipe on one and a pipe on another. That said, the oldest car (98) I've owned also never needed any work on the air-con until we sold it at 15 years old and was utterly ice cold. To the point where in 30+ heat outside you could be shivering inside!

If you are worried about issues though buy Japanese.

This table has some "issues" (particularly as it takes cost into account which in part is why the more expensive makes are at the bottom) but gives an _idea_ of how relatively reliable manufacturers are. https://www.reliabilityindex.com/manufacturer

[dex101]

Fastdruid said:

I think that really is picking the wrong cars. It's worked on all the ones we've had, even the 10+ year old cars! Although admittedly have had to replace some parts, a condenser and a pipe on one and a pipe on another. That said, the oldest car (98) I've owned also never needed any work on the air-con until we sold it at 15 years old and was utterly ice cold. To the point where in 30+ heat outside you could be shivering inside!

If you are worried about issues though buy Japanese.

This table has some "issues" (particularly as it takes cost into account which in part is why the more expensive makes are at the bottom) but gives an _idea_ of how relatively reliable manufacturers are. https://www.reliabilityindex.com/manufacturer

I have been hugely impressed with both my Hondas so Japanese brands would be high on my list for my next car. Its just a shame the estate seems to have fallen out of favour. I know all cars can go wrong but my logic is the more complicated they are, the more likely it is to cost me money or not work!

[Fastdruid]

dex101 said:

Fastdruid said:

If you are worried about issues though buy Japanese.

I have been hugely impressed with both my Hondas so Japanese brands would be high on my list for my next car. Its just a shame the estate seems to have fallen out of favour. I know all cars can go wrong but my logic is the more complicated they are, the more likely it is to cost me money or not work!

I really like the looks of the newer Mazda 6, particularly on the estate...



Only downside is that it's pretty slow with no decent engines and from having a mid-2000's Mazda previously, they rust *really* badly, have very expensive parts and aren't as reliable as you'd want.

I'd have another one if I was planning on getting a relatively "new" one and selling it before it got too old, wouldn't get an older one. Well except I wouldn't as they're too slow but you know what I mean.