Faults:

Dry clutch release bearing squeals for a second very occasionally if riding the clutch. Can be greased or replaced (£38) easily if I ever have to replace my clutch.

General Comments:

A great car; the engine is quiet, and when pushed it doesn't sound stressed, but instead you get a lovely performance note from the twin exhaust system.

Performance is excellent, but you must use the right gears. The VTEC engines are well known for not having a huge amount of torque, but you can comfortably take it to the red line at 7,200 RPM thanks to the bullet proof engine. Maximum torque is at 4,500 RPM and the VTEC engages at 6,000 RPM. So if you are doing 60mph, and then drop to 3rd gear, you'll be sitting at 4,500 RPM, allowing you to accelerate very quickly. You will drink fuel doing this, and expect about 270 miles to a tank if driving enthusiastically.

Taking things easy with the odd bit of fun and you'll get 350 miles from a tank local; more if on the motorway all the time. If you are used to a diesel, then don't expect to get loads of pulling power from 2,000 RPM, however you won't run out of power 1,000 RPM later, as with the 2.4 Accord you can take 3rd gear up to about 90mph from 60mph with maximum power.

The handling is excellent, especially on country roads where the stiffer suspension excels. Anti-roll could be improved on slightly in my opinion.

17" wheels can cause a little bit of tramlining, but a quick 4 wheel alignment to the later released tighter specs solves this.

If going for the Accord, make sure you go for the Executive or EX as it comes fully loaded. The 2.4 will always have SatNav and HID lights in this spec. The HID lights are excellent with no dazzle, yet provide very good visibility.

The SatNav is excellent for its age, and the top spec gets you electric everything, and being a Honda the electrics are exceptionally good quality. You get a 6 disc CD changer located in the dash and not in the boot, and the radio antenna is internal.

Comfort: Honda spent a lot of money getting the seats just right, and they've been said to rival and even exceed the likes of SAAB etc. Loads of adjustments possible. However, rear legroom isn't great if the drivers seat is quite far back, but I suspect this is due to the boot being so deep. For a saloon it's huge.

Running costs are not too bad. Honda parts tend to be quite pricey, but you don't often need them. However, I would highly recommend servicing the car yourself or with a trusted local mechanic, as the Main Honda Dealers are terrible up in Scotland. The pollen filter is very easy to change, and is a 30 second job by pushing in the sides of the glove box lid, then literally just pulling out the filter. Yet the main dealers never do it. Terrible service.

There is, however, one rather annoying problem with the Accord 7th Generation. Interior squeaks. Because most things are clipped rather than screwed, you do get the occasional rattle, but they are usually quite easy to eliminate. Road noise is also a little high, but it does allow that lovely exhaust note to be heard!

A great thing about the car is that it looks like an everyday family car. It's good looking, especially with the graphite grey five spoke alloys, but apart from the twin exhausts, it's like a wolf in sheep's clothing, and other drivers don't expect it to take off the way it does. :)

General Comments:

I bought this Accord, thinking it is a Honda, it will be good. What a mistake; I was very disappointed, it buzzed and rattled, and drank petrol like it was going out of fashion. Very uncomfortable, and the panel fit was awful. As for reliability, I don't know as I only kept it a month.

Never, never will I buy another Honda.