Honda Accord v Lexus IS

[Artsy]

Hi all,

Looking for some collective knowledge here.

I'm about to sell our BMW X3 35D and get something more budget friendly, normally aspirated and petrol auto. I won't go into too much detail other than that the BMW is worth more than I owe so I'm going to use the change to buy our next car.

I'm looking for something reliable, auto and have narrowed it down to the Accord and the Lexus. I would have gone smaller than these but want to maintain some NCAP rating so prefer a bigger car to something that is Yaris sized.

The drawback of the Lexus I can see is quite a small boot and less rear legroom.

Reliability wise I think the Lexus has a slight edge.

I'm looking to spend approx £5-£6.5k which should get me into cars of 2008-2009 or so.

Any strong opinions on the above?

For the Honda, I'm open to the 2.0 and the 2.4.

Thanks in advance.

[Whataguy]

I've owned both, a slightly older Accord and slightly newer Lexus.

Personally I'd go for the Accord, I much preferred it to the Lexus - although quite a few prefer it the other way round.

Rear legroom in the IS is quite tight. Although the Lexus might have higher perceived quality, I found the Accord to wear better.

My Accord was the 2.0 which is decent, but if you can find a 2.4 (they are quite rare) that's the engine to have.

[ninjag]

The Honda 2.4 engine is a beauty, almost indestructible. Vtec engages at 6,000rpm and it revs to 7,200rpm. EX (or Executive) model is best to get all the toys and lovely leather seats. The 5 speed auto is a bit meh, I would advice a manual for this engine.

My father-in-law had a Lexus IS300 (previous equivalent gen I think to the Honda). Was quick, although thirsty, and a little cramped inside. It blew a tyre on the A77 and went head first into the central barrier destroying the front. The airbag never deployed which was odd.

[Artsy]

While I agree and I've had a Honda with the auto 5-speed before although it was a CRV 2.2 DIESEL, I'm in London so can't return to manual at this point...

[ninjag]

Artsy said:

While I agree and I've had a Honda with the auto 5-speed before although it was a CRV 2.2 DIESEL, I'm in London so can't return to manual at this point...

Aye big difference with the diesel because of the torque. The Honda 5 speed auto with the 2.0 petrol is great around town but on the motorway it was terrible, had to keep kicking down just to maintain speed and the fuel economy vanished. Might be better with the 2.4 though.

[Artsy]

Coming from the 35d engine I'm fully committed to a lack of performance.

Just wanting to get something reliable to take the kids to school and occasionally go a little further but without dropping the safety to something like a Yaris.

[ZX10R NIN]

I know you said it was out of those two but the Mazda6 is a very good buy at this price point & you'll land a nice 2.0i with sensible miles/nice spec.

Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205095...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205225...

Between your two there's really nothing in it when it comes to reliability.

Leftfield

G37 Saloon you won't have as much of a power deficit but you will have higher road tax:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201231...

[Artsy]

The Mazda has crossed my mind too if I'm honest.

Good shout-out on the Infiniti. I would, but I resent paying HMRC and Camden council a combined £1140 a year for the car to just exist if you see what I mean. I'd considered a Lexus GS300 but rejected for the same tax reason.

[ooid]

I’ve got IS, top car. if you can I would recommend Honda Legend though;

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204144...


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205185...

[chip*]

I owned a 2003 Accord 2.0 Type S (manual) and currently drive a 2009 IS250 SE-L as my runaround/work horse. Personally, I prefer the IS250 for the following:

Cabin noise insulation is very good (especially on M'way).
Smooth V6 2.5L engine with a nice little growl in anger!
SE-L has loads of toys (I just wanted heated/cooling seats, but it also has sat nav/Rear camera, keyless entry + start/stop button, electric front pax seats, Zenons, Mark Levinson stereo etc..all on a 2009 car!).

The IS boot isn't as large and practical as the Accord, but it's still pretty roomy (golf buggy + golf clubs + several shopping bags is no problem). The Accord build quality was good, but the car just felt a tad bland to me. However, I saw my old Accord last week (I gave it to my mate's son as his first car), and he absolutely loves the Accord. He's completed 2 charity Euro car tours and loves the space, practicality (carried 4 adults during Euro tour) and reliability of the Honda. He's only 22 years old, and he said won't ever sell the Accord despite owning a BMW 140i as his main car.
Both cars are pretty reliable if that's your primary concern, so it's down to your personal preference on spec, boot size, rear space, price etc..

Edited by chip* on Saturday 28th May 11:16

[Artsy]

Applying man maths to the above.

Should I just give up completely and get a Toyota hybrid? Most likely and Auris at around £9k.

Savings are £532 per year in tax and parking permit, plus any savings in petrol. Which I've calculated at around £500 annually.

Price wise probably need an additional 3k for the Toyota so in 3 years it will have paid for itself and I can get a dealer provided car that is roughly 4 years younger.

Hybrid system batteries warrantied for 15 years so would be safe on that I hope.

Edited by Artsy on Saturday 28th May 16:16

[W201_190e]

Pre 2008 IS250 is not compatible with E10- to be fair, it’ll probably be ok but still I’d seek out 2008 onwards as your budget is enough. They don’t go wrong.

[Whataguy]

Artsy said:

Applying man maths to the above.

Should I just give up completely and get a Toyota hybrid? Most likely and Auris at around 9k.

Edited by Artsy on Saturday 28th May 16:16

I went from a IS250 to a Auris hybrid.

The cars are fine, but subject to catalytic converter theft. Toyota sticks the cat out the bottom of the car where it is very easy to steal.

I paid for a catlock protection plate as well as a tilt alarm, but these are pretty much worthless and won't stop your cat being stolen

Around £2k when it happens, plus your car off the road for maybe weeks/months depending on parts availability.

And after you get the new one fitted... the thieves can come back and take your new one too! A few people have had two stolen.

I'd never own another Toyota hybrid car because of it - unfortunate as their cars are ok.

[eleveneleven]

I've had both. A mk 7 & mk 8 Accord and a 250 which I still have.

250 engine/ auto gearbox is much better especially on a motorway run. Sound insulation (NVH) is superb better than most modern cars! It's buttery smooth and just wafts around silently at any speed. Has a nice smooth growl when you stamp on the pedal. The 8th gen Accord is refined but can't touch the 250 in that department. The Gen 7 is terrible for sound insulation and makes an absolute racket at anything over 70 (3.5k rpm @ 80mph)

Practically let's the 250 down, it's tiny in the back. I have 2 small children and it's a squeeze for them. Im 5'11 and have to push my seat forward into an uncomfortable driving position when people are sat behind me, not great for long journeys. Boot size is just OK.

Both cars won't put a smile on your face but are fast enough, they work much better as cruisers.
The 5sp auto in the Accord isn't great, its a little better in the 8th gen and much better suited to the 2.4'S. The manuals are amazing though.

Both have enough toys to cover most needs, but the 250 has the little touches that make it feel special. Keyless everything, Interior/exterior lights that illuminate when you approach the car etc. Aim for EX on the Accord and SE with nav or SE-L for the 250.

Reliability on both is A1 not much goes wrong if you get a well looked after ones.

Overall it depends on what you need the car for. If its going to be a family runaround or you need the space the Accord wins as it's the best all rounder. The 2.4 accord is the one to have if you can find one. Much more low down grunt and similar fuel economy to the 2.0. The 2.0 will do the trick but its gutless under 3krpm

If space isn't an issue the 250 is one of the the best old runarounds you can get for under £6k.

The best option would be a GS300 It's basically a more practical more comfortable 250.

[Artsy]

Yeah I wanted the GS but I don't want the £1150 annually for VED and parking permit.

[ZX10R NIN]

Artsy said:

The Mazda has crossed my mind too if I'm honest.

Good shout-out on the Infiniti. I would, but I resent paying HMRC and Camden council a combined 1140 a year for the car to just exist if you see what I mean. I'd considered a Lexus GS300 but rejected for the same tax reason.

I can understand that in which case the Mazda would get the nod out of the three, hybrid wise you won't get a lot for your money but the savings may make it worthwhile.

Lexus CT200:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203294...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205105...

GS450h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203033...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204204...

RX400h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205205...

Auris

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205195...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202082...

[ooid]

If you going SUV RX route, I would suggest RX 350 instead. Chain driven v6, unlike 400h which means it will live most probably longer.

[roger.mellie]

I’m not in a position to make recommendations but I’ll give my opinion.

I’ve owned a Mazda 6 briefly (petrol but not automatic) and own an IS250. When buying the latter I considered a 2.4 (can’t remember the spec) Accord and it was a slightly close call. It depends what you’re after and a short test drive is unlikely to reveal the differences. None would be a bad choice but I’d definitely take the Lexus over the Mazda unless rear leg space and boot room was a concern.

My most likely replacement for the IS is an RX. I keep flip flopping on that decision but bar crap media units I’m sold on Lexuses for daily reliable hard to beat on just don’t give a and relax comfort transport. Just be aware if looking at older RX’es they’re not cheap to tax even in hybrid form if that’s a concern.

I’ve used Lexus servicing for the last 10 years and one of the perks is I’ve worked my way through many of their cars as courtesy cars. Often on multi day loans. I wouldn’t touch the CT200 but that’s a personal opinion (wife hated them too, so that’s two). Whether you get on with the hybrid engines is personal opinion but I don’t have any problem with them.

[Whataguy]

FYI the CT200 and Auris are almost the same car - same engine/gearbox and if you park them next to each other you can see they are very similar.

The Auris is actually marginally faster than the CT due to less weight. The CT has more sound deadening and more equipment than the Auris.

As well as my own Auris, I've spent several days in CTs as loan cars when I had the IS.

But the CT is also subject to having the cat stolen easily unfortunately

[Artsy]

Do you reckon the cat theft is still an ongoing thing?

Most articles on it are dated 2021.

Also, I wonder if cat theft is less likely in central London due to more cameras and people about.