Family car... Accord?

Soldato
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Having decided against the family minibus idea as we'd probably only ever fill it twice a year, I need to pick a good value family car. Needs to be safe, good value to run, half decent to look at, good size have a few creature comforts. I think things like air-con are a must as it's nightare with all the kids in summer if it's hot.

Currently the wife is liking the Honda FV-R and Audi A4. I'm not too keen.

I'm leaning towards the Honda Accord 2.2 cdti. Audi A4's are ok but I don't think you get much for your money compared to most, I think the FV-R might be harder to sell when the time comes.

Is the Accord a good buy? Or are the more common Vectra's and Mondeo's a better bet these days?

In terms of budget I'm thinking around the £6k mark for decent value but it's not set in stone.
 
Associate
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A Mondeo is one of the best value cars you can buy, it drives fairly well, and can be reasonably well spec'ed. It has a very dull image though not much different to the rest of the sector. It does everything you want very well.
 
Soldato
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Interior aint up to much on the Accord tbh. Look tidy on the outside though, I really like the looks, the current model is even better. Shame they never saw fit to sell the Euro-R model over here, I guess people prefer a torquey engine in a saloon car like that.
 
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i may biased as i own an Accord which a fully loaded EX model the handling is OK but the ride is very good better then the Lexus GS i also own. as for the engine your really do forget its an oil burner its quiet smooth a free revving. here are some pictures for you pleasure.

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Soldato
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I dont know about "better" - similar age and mileage, similarly specified. The Mondeo is more practical being a hatch rather than a saloon, but the Accord is a diesel (although there are plenty 2.0/2.2 TDCi Mondeos around too). The Mondeo has, IMO, a much better interior. Swings and roundabouts - the Mondeo is definitely worth a look for your needs though
 
Soldato
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The Accord is a better car than the Mondeo IMHO, and you may call me biased but remember mine's ten years old :p (Although still better than the mk1/mk2 Mondeo again IMHO) - it's better built, will be more reliable and just looks smarter, but drive both and decide for yourself :)


Lol at that Ipod link :D
 
Associate
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The Accord is arguably the better built car, and does have a better diesel engine, but they're not good value. They're a fair price for what you get and do hold their value because they have a reputation of being well built and have a good engine.

The Mondeo is a good value car, but the Mk3 is a 2001 car whereas the Accord with the CTDi engine is a 2005/6 car and has the more modern looks (IMO). The Mondeo is reliable and good to drive though and can be cracking value for money provided you hold out for the right spec. The one Iaind posted is what you should be looking for, except my preference would be to hold out for full leather and sat nav, because the centre console is hideous without it.
 
Soldato
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Stoke
Having decided against the family minibus idea as we'd probably only ever fill it twice a year, I need to pick a good value family car. Needs to be safe, good value to run, half decent to look at, good size have a few creature comforts. I think things like air-con are a must as it's nightare with all the kids in summer if it's hot.

Currently the wife is liking the Honda FV-R and Audi A4. I'm not too keen.

I'm leaning towards the Honda Accord 2.2 cdti. Audi A4's are ok but I don't think you get much for your money compared to most, I think the FV-R might be harder to sell when the time comes.

Is the Accord a good buy? Or are the more common Vectra's and Mondeo's a better bet these days?

In terms of budget I'm thinking around the £6k mark for decent value but it's not set in stone.

Is FV-R a sporty version of the FR-V? :p

I only know one family with an FR-V but they absolutely love it, even the Dad, and he's a real car man. Loads of space and good seat arrangements and all that jive.

No idea what they go for though, they are discontinued now though so maybe they'll depreciate less or even increase in resale value like an old Ferrari? :D
 
Associate
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519
The cable is a nokia car kit which was in the car when i bought it which as now been removed. I dont even know why it was fitted seeing as the car as bluetooth as standard.


You say the Modeo dash is better your having a laught i once saw that stereo in a Ford Escort and we all remeber how good that was.
 
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The cable is a nokia car kit which was in the car when i bought it which as now been removed. I dont even know why it was fitted seeing as the car as bluetooth as standard.


You say the Modeo dash is better your having a laught i once saw that stereo in a Ford Escort and we all remeber how good that was.

a lot of the MK3 Mondeo's had the nice piano black sony radio's, the MK1 and MK2 had the Early Learning Centre big button crappy stereo's.

Accords got the sweetest Diesel this side of a BMW diesel imo, but the Mondeo is the sharper car to drive,and is available as a Hatch, which means greater practicality. The Accord Estate is expensive, but is flipping huge.I dont think you will go wrong with either, but no doubt the Accord is the dearer car, but it does feel the more polished product.
 
Soldato
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The cable is a nokia car kit which was in the car when i bought it which as now been removed. I dont even know why it was fitted seeing as the car as bluetooth as standard.


You say the Modeo dash is better your having a laught i once saw that stereo in a Ford Escort and we all remeber how good that was.

No you didnt, that's a Sony stereo and is rather smart (http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2435/1381/31085690009_large.jpg) - you're thinking of this - http://www.incar-emporium.com/images/Ford 6000CD used.jpg which hasnt been used in a Mondeo since the prefacelift Mk3 in 2004.

The Accord is a bit nicer designed, but is let down by horrible plastics and nasty bits like the handbrake etc. Personal taste
 
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