Honda accord 2.3 vti m/t 2001 review.
If I had to summarize this car in 7 words then I would say “ its simply the best car in India “
The car , bought as a replacement of our audi100
Exteriors
This was one of the first batches of the then new gen accords to be imported into India…
Ours is a silver one.
Even though I wanted black, it was only launched later in the vti-l guise …
The car seemed Spartan or its price but at that time we really had no choice.
It was either this or the sonata, which didn’t meet my requirements a bit
When we bought this car we were on the lookout of something big, comfortable, powerful, easy to drive. Looks didn’t matter to me much but it still looked better than the sonata as I don’t like my luxury cars to look flashy.
In pictures the car doesn’t look interesting, in fact it is said that it looks like an overgrown city.
Its only when u walk up to the car do u realize how sleek and beautiful it looks.
The rear in comparison is a bit boring with the wraparound taillights being the only redeeming feature (in the new version, this mars the appeal of the car)
The car however looks best when viewed sideways.
All one can think of when viewing it sideways is – wow that is big …
To summarize the exteriors all I can say is that Honda has played safe by launching this sober version of the car.
The car, though understated and boring will age well unlike the ‘ futuristic’ designs of the other cars, which have already dated e.g. – w210 e class. The w – 124 looks way better in comparison, the sonata, the accent – looks a bit boring nowadays. Cant turn heads the way it used too …
But I guarantee, if u ever see the car, its kept in better than showroom condition barring the bumpers.
It was rear ended once and the bumpers sort off got dented. The dents gone but the lines still remain.
The front got scratched while taking a turn though L
The wheel caps are a let down on such an expensive car though
Anyway I give it a ranking of * 7 / 10
Interiors
Anyway, moving to the interiors.
On entering the car, u are greeted with a nice, good quality dashboard which, once u get comfortable in the 8 way adjustable American sized (xxl) sized seats, u notice provide a good view ahead .
There are signs of cost cutting though such as the lack of leather seats, flimsy stalks and door pads etc .
The music system provided is good for daily use but a music enthusiast is advised to change the speakers, which tend to crack when played loudly.
However , on the upside , the car is big inside, even bigger than the merc e class
The design, just as the exterior is a bit dull and unexciting and due to flimsy bits doesn’t get more than 6/10
Ride and Handling
When the car had done approx. 27 k km, I changed the standard turanzas to Goodyear eagle f1s which has improved the handling and stance by quite a margin, however, there has not been much of a difference in ride though .
The ride and the space are just excellent, even better than the new e270 as we found out on the way to Pune.
BTW – merc lovers, apart from these two problems, the e class is way better in all other respects
The car handles relatively well and is quite easy to drive in the ity but as I haven’t tested it to the limit I cant really comment on it
This section gets an easy 9/10 in my books
Engine, Gearbox and Performance
The 2.3 lit VTEC engine is quite refined and free revving.
Its performance is just outstanding but a notchy gearbox let it down
The pickup in any gear is just awesome and is a way better drivers car thn the city VTEC if kept on the boil.
This is a topic I cannot comment on much as I haven’t driven it a lot but from what I have experienced it gets a 8/10, only letdown with a un-Honda like gearbox
Brief Summary
This car keeps on surprising me,
After all how many cars can combine ride and comfort and driver appeal in such an uncompromising way
The quality issues which were present in this car, seemed to have been completely wiped off with the new gen accord which is why it a best seller in its segment.
The reliability ( only 27 pp100 vehicles, least in its class by a big margin )and sense of safety ( palio build quality better though ) which one associates with this car and also its good prices – for used cars make it a convincing buy as after all u can get a low used accord for 7.75 – 9 in the used car scene nowadays
This is one of the best buys in the used car market especially if u change the tires and put on a good alloy set, the car will keep you happy for the next couple of years at least.
Oh yeah and put in some leather seats for added luxury
Likes – performance, space, comfort, reliability, handling (on Goodyear eagle F1s at least) … (I can go on and on so just read the dislikes …. It’ll be simpler)
Dislikes – gearbox, FE (5.5 – 6.15 in city), understated looks , cost cutting – door pads, no alloys , flimsy stalks
Costs – apart from service just 17500 for tyres..
Sorry for the long review though.
Is not easy fitting my love for this car in a paragraph or two
Will post more pics later
Cheers
lambo
hey lambo neat review.
The car has finally done 45Kkm.
5K km more for a 50K review.
I forgot to mention that the seats have gotten stuck twice.
Also recently near the 40K mark, the a.c. vent broke and it cost us 16K to replace the whole thing.
Also the paint has gotten a few scratches and chips too along with another bumper scratch in the same area.
The CD player has conked off also and now when it is sent for service we have to replace the Brake discs and some suspension stuff.
Is flushing required at this stage?
Will post pics of all the scratches and all later.
Honda Accord 50,000 KM Report
Hey guys,
Our car has finally crossed the 50kkm mark. It has just come back from service with a new clutch plate and we got the bumpers coloured again. In the last 15kkm the car has traveled to a lot of tight places resulting in a few dents and scratches from cycles and scooters thought luckily there are none in the body. We plan to get the interiors and body teflon coated in March once we shift to our new house where we will have proper parking. Anyways, in the last few months, I have noticed and learn quite a few things about the car. The air con apparently cools better then the Toyota’s though both are digital type and the temeperature setting is the same in both the cars. Also, the car is very jerky and unless you are smooth with the accelerator, the passengers can feel the jerks which is not a good thing and also absent in the corolla.
Also the paint has gotten chipped a bit on the hood which is not a good thing and doesn’t speak well about the paint quality. Anyways, on the brighter side, I am really impressed with the Bass of the speakers. I finally figured out how to adjust the settings from the HU and when I turned the ass upto full, you could actually feel it if you were sitting in the front with even the rear view mirror vibrating. It was awesome.
The engine however feels a bit lazy and even though, according to reviews in car magazines, it is meant to be faster then the mondeo, it actually feels like a rock in comparision and its not only me saying it, even Mondeo drivers feel the same.
Do you guys think a flushing job would help? The average however has remained at a steady 6 – 6.5 kmpl.
Also the CD isn’t working yet and as my mother doesn’t listen to music, we haven’t bothered repairing it.
Ride and handling are also the same i.e. AWESOME. The brakes however are squealing like nuts. I mean you can hear them till the 8th floor and that is no good thing. What do you guys suggest I do? Because everytime we get them repaired the come back and haunt us after a month.
Anyways, that’s it from me I guess. See you here at 60Kkm then?
Cheers.
Here Are some recent pictures.
This is of a the few dents on the car.
This is of the chip in the paint on the hood.
I like this pic for reasons i don't know.
More pics coming soon.
Ok first things...CHANGE YOUR BRAKE PAD. I made the mistake of delaying it until the same sqeeking sound got loud and it was the biggest blunder coz i had to get the disc skimmed which is "not a good thing" :p My brake pads were totally worn out and began to eat into my front discs. Also since your car has done 50K Km its high time u change the pads... and make sure u do it from the honda showroom...they will charge u a bomb but its worth it coz brakes r the most imp things.
You right abt the jerks... the reason is that the engine has alot of torque..."which is a good thing" :p provided you know how to handle it.
How much did they charge you to paint the bumpers? Doesnt the difference show since the bumper has new paint and body is older?Minor shade/shine diff?
Nice detailed review Lambo. But is the fuel consumption really that?
Sahil - Got bumpers painted when it went for service.
Not sure of cost but difference doesn't show
Just sent the car 2 days ago for suspension work and brakes. Exaughst was leaking so we got that rectified also.
I am worried about the average too but my driver insists its proper. Anyway i can get it improved along with performance?
... i have had a few fooling around races with frnds of mine who have city vtec's and i must admit that car does catch up till a certain extent but in no time the accord leaps forward ...and plus the light body of the city screws it all up for me. In short i Looovee my car...in certain aspects even more than the new accord ... i find this one much more comfortable.
