2003-2006 Honda Accord Euro - opinions

blueoval · 27-03-2007, 06:55 PM

Just wondering if I can get some unbiased opinions of what they think of the Honda Accord Euro in standard and luxury specs.

I have read the reviews on the net and now I'd like some real world experiences from guys and gals who have owned/driven one and their realistic thoughts of what they are like.

I have also been on the honda forums and asked questions and they all rave on about them.. So far the reviews from the owners are very positive, but it just would be good to get comments from people who arent 'heart' attached to that car and can give some 'real fact' comments.

Please be as specific as possible and also give constructive reasons WHY you feel the way do rather than just an opinion. i.e. 'I just dont like it', or 'its a 4cyl who cares', 'there are better cars out there', 'it looks ugly' etc etc.

Basic specs:
weight: 1395kg
Power: 140kw @ 6800rpm
Torque: 223Nm @ 4500rpm
available in: 5spd auto or 6 spd manual

Bucket · 27-03-2007, 08:07 PM

I like them! They look great Dropped with a Body Kit and Deep Dish Rims.
I actually Test Drove one before I bought the Zetec. This one had leather and was an 03 Model but I could see some damage repairs, some scratches so I turned it down....Other than that, it was good...The Drive lacked feedback to me...but was responsive however in my opinion, its not a Drivers car per-say...
My friend has one, Take the Six Speed Manual and try and get one with Leather if you can...they have all the creature comforts

mitch_lx · 27-03-2007, 08:44 PM

One of my friends has a Luxury euro 6 speed.

It has the usual bits and pieces such as full exhaust, lowered, 19inch wheels and the standard honda upgrade bodykit.

Its a very nice looking car plus its one of the few new hondas which is actually built in japan.

They are incredibly well screwed together and i doubt you will ever have anything go wrong with it.

My friend has put about 15 thousand kms on his and absolutely trouble free.

Having said that, i raced him with all his ricer mods in my stock GTI and i beat him which he was slightly upset about.

But then again, you dont really buy a euro luxury to go racing around in do you..?

colossus · 27-03-2007, 09:15 PM

I think for the money nothing else gets close.

QualityCounts · 27-03-2007, 09:20 PM

It's one of the very few Hondas that are built in Japan. The other Japanese made are S2000, Legend, Civic Hybrid and Odyssey. I believe a new model will be released in Japan in the last quarter of '07. The interior is getting dated now and very cramped. I could see the cost cutting hood holder in your photo. Should have gas struts.
I prefer the bigger and roomy Aurion.
1610kg
200kW@6200rpm
336Nm@4700rpm
6 speed auto
Unleaded petrol
3.5L V6 engine which is used in millions of Toyota cars worldwide.

RG · 27-03-2007, 09:24 PM

Very horn looking automobile. Looking at getting one for the mrs.

blueoval · 27-03-2007, 09:31 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys. Very positive.

If all goes well, Id want to go the lux model.

Probably doesnt mean much to some of you here, but the features are hard to turn down. You know, things like, leather, sunroof, heated seats, dual zone C/C, rain sensing wipers, HID's etc. I know I could pick a second hand lux model in black for mid to high 30's which to me isnt bad at all. And as far as driveability was concerned, I have read they are exceptionally well handled for a FWD.

Anything else to look out for ?

QualityCounts · 27-03-2007, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

Thanks for the feedback guys. Very positive.

If all goes well, Id want to go the lux model.

Probably doesnt mean much to some of you here, but the features are hard to turn down. You know, things like, leather, sunroof, heated seats, dual zone C/C, rain sensing wipers, HID's etc. I know I could pick a second hand lux model in black for mid to high 30's which to me isnt bad at all. And as far as driveability was concerned, I have read they are exceptionally well handled for a FWD.

Anything else to look out for ?

Check out the Aurion first.

blueoval · 27-03-2007, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QualityCounts

Check out the Aurion first.

While I like the aurion very much. I would prefer to go second hand. There just arent enough second hand aurions on the market for my budget.

GXL078 · 27-03-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

While I like the aurion very much. I would prefer to go second hand. There just arent enough second hand aurions on the market for my budget.

A Jap built Honda (a rarity these days) has got to be a better built car than an Aussie Toyota. I liked the ad they used to have for the Euro: Don't you just like it when things just work. Imagine Ford trying to push that claim.

blueoval · 27-03-2007, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcgxl

A Jap built Honda (a rarity these days) has got to be a better built car than an Aussie Toyota. I liked th ead they used to have for the Euro: Don't you just like it when things just work. Imagine Ford trying to push that claim.

: yes it would raise some eyebrows.

GXL078 · 27-03-2007, 09:33 PM

Luxury price is a LOT of money for a 4 cylinder car. I wouldn't buy one because it requires premium unleaded fuel

blueoval · 27-03-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcgxl

Luxury price is a LOT of money for a 4 cylinder car. I wouldn't buy one because it requires premium unleaded fuel

well in some cases I am used to using PULP as my subaru requires often. So as far as thats concerned, it doesnt bother me. But I know what your saying. At the same time, its fairly high powered 4cyl and it can still get 8.5L/100km. Not bad in my books.

GT-E · 27-03-2007, 11:58 PM

My mum bought one late last year and LOVES it.
My dad now takes it on long trips instead of his 430Merc as he thinks it feels more sporty.
I have driven it a few times and it is well built with nice features, but is it front wheel drive an 4 cylinder, so it is not my cup of tea, but a great choice for a car.

RSgerry · 28-03-2007, 12:11 AM

My dad has a Euro and I drove it for a week or so. Very quiet and well built car. IMO, a great looking car as well. The only things I didnt really like was the fact that it felt like it ran out of breath a bit after about 80/90 kmh under full throttle. For some reason, I also didnt think the seats were brilliant, not uncomfortable, just not brilliant. To be fair, I had an XR6 at the time and Falcon seats have always been brilliant. But a lot of kit for the money in a well built car that will hold its value very well.

SpoolMan · 28-03-2007, 12:15 AM

My sister got a brand new Honda Accord Euro last week very nice car, hard to fault.

blueoval · 28-03-2007, 12:23 AM

Cheers guys.

Well I personally am not looking to break any speed records and dont expect it to be as quick as a 6T etc. But for what it is, I think its a good option for a daily cruiser

Franky · 28-03-2007, 02:10 AM

One of the cars I am looking at aswell as the Mazda 6, Golf and Focus.

Only bad thing I've heard about them so far is that it is a little rough on bad surfaces, if you do a lot of city driving then it's no real drama. So far i've seen 03-04 luxury models for under 30k which is frankly unbeatable value.

mbukukanyau · 28-03-2007, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franky

One of the cars I am looking at aswell as the Mazda 6, Golf and Focus.

Only bad thing I've heard about them so far is that it is a little rough on bad surfaces, if you do a lot of city driving then it's no real drama. So far i've seen 03-04 luxury models for under 30k which is frankly unbeatable value.

buy a Ford... or Holden Monaro

colossus · 28-03-2007, 08:04 AM

Check out their resale, pretty hard to beat IMO.

mowog · 28-03-2007, 08:34 AM

I looked at buying Luxury 6 Speed a couple of years ago. They are a very nice ride but I decided I wanted a bit more edge... So I got a Corolla Sportivo instead. This is the 141kw 6 Speed Corolla Leather Climate control. It was great car in the time I owned it. For me at the time the Accord Euro was just a bit soft.

blueoval · 28-03-2007, 10:57 AM

What model was that corolla mowog?

mowog · 28-03-2007, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

What model was that corolla mowog?

Mine was a 2003 Corolla Sportivo. They look like a Corolla Levin they even use the same body kit except for the rear skirt.

The big difference is the Sportivo has the 1.8l 2ZZGE engine and 6 Speed close ratio box from the Celica. They have bigger brakes than the standard Corolla as well.

The thing with them is you have to rev them to get the best from them and its not hard to do they love to rev. They have another cam profile that comes on at 6000 rpm to 8200 rpm and the noise is just bloody awesome.

The mid range 3000-4000 rpm can be a bit weak but thats easy to fix with a decent exhaust. I had a CES exhaust on mine.

I only sold mine because SWMBO agreed to the XR6 Turbo. I sold it to a guy who had a WRX but the insurance was killing him. He loves the thing.

**Mechan1k** · 28-03-2007, 11:01 AM

My Mum recently bought a Limited Edition (Sports?) version last year in red ... very nice vehicle indeed. She has nothing but praise for it.

Pics can be found here
http://s92.photobucket.com/albums/l4...Accord%20Euro/

blueoval · 28-03-2007, 11:13 AM

Thats great mechan1k cheers for that.

Rev28K · 28-03-2007, 11:43 AM

I have heard that the Accord autos may be a bit fragile. That is going for the Accord 4cyl and the 6cyl as well as most recent Honda autos. Honda parts and dealer servicing are expensive, dig around on the Honda forums and see if there is an independent in Adelaide that is the equivalent of Sydney’s Hannys or Melbourne’s CRS Automotive.

It’s more than halfway through it’s model cycle at the moment so second hand prices will be highish now and will prob take a dive when the new one comes out. One of the early ones before the mid-term update (blue tinted “wood”?) should be cheaper second hand.

They seem a nice, no-stress, cruiser and offer a lot of European flavor for not as much money. I think that they can look great when modified well. The competition in this segment seems pretty keen so expect it to be leap-frogged by new Mazda 6’s, Liberty’s, etc before too long.

Spotty · 28-03-2007, 11:56 AM

Bought one new in June 06. Fantastic car around town, and with 2 bods is great on the open road dont know about 4 bods and a full boot. Really well built and finnished, economical and the engine is a smooooth turbine I love it and its fun to drive. They hold their value well. Did a fair amount of research on hondas before I bought it and all hondas have a reputation for going forever.

Rev28K · 28-03-2007, 12:24 PM

Hey Mowog how did that Toyota engine compare to a B18 or a K20 Honda Vtec engine? The Toyota engine has a reputation of being peakier than the Honda but I’ve never driven one so can’t compare. Have you driven both and how did they stack up?

mowog · 28-03-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rev28K

Hey Mowog how did that Toyota engine compare to a B18 or a K20 Honda Vtec engine? The Toyota engine has a reputation of being peakier than the Honda but I’ve never driven one so can’t compare. Have you driven both and how did they stack up?

Sorry mate never drove the Honda.

The 2ZZGE had a reputation for being a peaky engine I think this was because the transition to the high lift cams was so sudden. But even below 6000 rpm if you dont bog it down in the wrong gear they went ok.

I use to love taking Sportivo Virgins for a drive. At 6000rpm the whole world would change for them.

blueoval · 28-03-2007, 12:59 PM

I like the corollas but the main problem for me was the size of the car. I think its getting a bit on the small side for what i need. mid size cars are the smallest I will go considering I take 4-5 people around regularly. But I will look into them as they seem to be well priced. Also, having good low-mid range down torque is a must.