1996 Honda Accord S 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Basic and boring, but I miss it

Faults:

Electric window failed, brakes and suspension at MOT time usually needed attention, alternator and battery failed at 100K miles, basically nothing out of the ordinary over the time I had the car. Was generally reliable, I kept it serviced on time.

General Comments:

Mid 1990's Accord has a reputation for reliability, and mine was no different, it was a dependable car. The 1.8 S model was as basic as it gets, but equipment was OK (electric windows in front) not bad for the time.

Very comfortable seats inside. Interior was too plasticy though, and dull and grey, but this was typical of Japanese cars interiors.

The car handled well but performance was boring, reasonable economy averaging nearly 40 mpg on long drives. Typical for a 1.8 engine; I would imagine the 2.0 is a better choice.

Might buy a more modern one, I do miss the Accord.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th August, 2021

7th Mar 2023, 15:21

I had one of these at work as a company car back in the day, simple and reliable, loved it. Very dull, but give me reliability any day.

1996 Honda Accord SE 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Still one of the most reliable cars I ever had

Faults:

Electrics caused the most headaches, most were sorted fairly quickly and for a reasonable price. Alternator failed, electric windows were slow to move, and a few other gremlins blowing bulbs now and then.

The car had the brakes and exhaust system replaced pretty much entirely during my ownership, though this is wear and tear expected of any car. Change the oil and belts at specified service times and you will have no major problems.

General Comments:

The 1990's Honda Accord was pretty well known for reliability here in the UK, and my Accord certainly lived up to that reputation. Bought in the year 2000 at only 4 years old, this low mileage example lasted me many years of comfort and reliability.

The car was very well equipped with all the electric features you would expect. Interior had dull grey plastic everywhere, but this is typical of mid 1990's Japanese cars. Seats were very comfortable.

The 2.0 petrol engine was a good all rounder. Fast enough and you will get well over 30 miles per gallon taking it slow. Not great by today's standards I know, but typical of bigger petrol cars from this time period. Handling was OK for the car's size.

Loved the look of the car in dark red with alloy wheels and spoiler. Not sure if this was standard SE model equipment, but there were sportier Si models that looked even better.

I sold it back in 2007 with over 100K on it, fearing it would start to get unreliable, but I bet it would have easily lasted another few years. To sum up this was a good car from a bygone era of simple yet reliable cars. I have since owned a 2008 Ford Focus, 2009 Mazda 6, both decent cars, but nowhere near as reliable as the Accord from a decade earlier was. Next I might buy a more modern 2012 Honda Accord that is for sale nearby where I live, but they are still expensive to buy used. I wonder if it will match the reliability of the older 5th generation Accord.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th April, 2021

9th Apr 2021, 13:01

Just a quick note to my review (it was a long time ago I had this car!) it was the ES model, not SE, I got it the wrong way around. SE spec was a later Accord spec from the newer 1998 onward cars.

Either way it was a well equipped car whatever you get, even basic 'S' models had electric windows. And after a bit of research the sportier version was badged SiR, later I believe this became the famous Type R on Civics and other faster Honda's.