Honda Accord Saloon (1998 - 2003) 2.2 Type-R 4d (1999/V) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
I have taste, can see beyond the badge, to purchase, quite possibly the most dynamically capable front driver able to ferry five in comfort.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
Everyone bar my missus loves it. It's heavy, eg heavy steering and pedals, and it's quick so shes scared it catches her out.
Would you buy this car again and why?
Probably not. Whilst it is an excellent car, which I plan on keeping for several years, I intend to get something quicker next time.
What are you likely to buy next?
A Honda S2000, Integra Type-R, Clio V6 or a Passat W8.
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Independent
Did you buy this car new?
No
What price did you pay?
£4,500
When did you buy the car?
August 2006
Did you get a good deal and why?
A very good deal as 5th gear synchromesh was shot. They said they'd fix it, they didn't. It cost me 500 quid but I still got a bargain.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
It was very cheap from Arnold Clark and insurance is far more reasonble than it ough to be!
What was the dealer like?
Total and utter lying gutter rubbish. Totally incompetent when he was challenged on anything he'd scratch his head and go and ask one of his bosses what he should do. I'd love to see him sacked given the number of lies he told me. His boss was, however, an exceptionally efficient man and I pity him for having to work with the kind of pond life he has to.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
The car is a joy to drive. Its hard work if you really want to nip on as the engine, obviously, needs to be revved to obtain maximum performance. However, the cars cornering ability is a joy. Generally neutral, with gentle oversteer when cornering hard, it is quite difficult to get the front to understeer in the dry. As this car only weighs 1300kg Honda clearly left out all the sound proofing. It's noisy all the time. This can prove annoying when cruising, but wind down the winds and hit v-tec and you understand why there is no need for sound proofing, this car is not designed to cruise anywhere. It should be driven. One further annoyance comes from every Vectra on the road. From the front the Accord is relatively non-descript and, therefore, every vectra sxi/sri fancies a race.
What's it like to park?
Easy. I'm a man. Its a mans car. Men can park anywhere.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
The fifth gear synchromesh. Cost £800 at Carden Motors Aberdeen including a new 5th gear. The boot leaks hellishly and a power steering pipe on the low pressure side split. The pipe, 900mm long, cost £97.70 from Honda. My brother runs a Rover 600 and got the same piece for his, almost, identical car for £15 from a breaker. If you own a Type-R you'll be hard pushed to find a breaker supplying parts. The synchromesh is a common fault but Carden told me having done many they have never had one back. They presume the part must now be uprated.
What's most practical about your car?
4 doors. Who cares if its practical, its fast. But really 4 doors help as I lug my friends about all over. My car is by far the favourite out of my friends' cars.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
None
