Accord or Focus?

[Bunjiweb]

Looking at getting a new car at some point in the next few weeks or so, I have narrowed down my choices to the above cars. I like Hondas, have been looking at Accords of 1999 onwards, and same age for the Focus. Focus do seem to be very popular cars, almost too popular, but does this mean they are as reliable as a Honda?

Any opinions welcome..

Ben

[Howard]

I have an Accord, and I love it, but I'm biased They are pretty much the most reliable cars around, Hondas, and I think it feels slightly more "special" than the average Ford, but that's not to say the Focuses aren't good cars, a Focus might use a little less fuel for example, depending on the engine. I average about 32-34MPG with mine

Edit: Pics of mine here
If you want more info do ask

[GeorgeTuk]

Driven alot of that age Focuses (Focii?) and found them to be pretty good, nice Zetec engine. Accord is good too, but not driven that as much, its not as funky inside but does the job.

[Howard]

Driven alot of that age Focuses (Focii?) and found them to be pretty good, nice Zetec engine. Accord is good too, but not driven that as much, its not as funky inside but does the job.

It has a much nicer interior than the Focus IMO, the Focus one is nasty (again, IMO )

[Mossy]

Accord - Honda over Ford everytime

[malfunction]

In ~4 years / ~ 55k miles (68k total) of focus ownership only 2 things have gone wrong outside of normal wear and tear which were both minor - wipers stopped parking automatically on intermittent and the seal on the pollen filter perished letting water into the car through the aircon in the recent (continued!) heavy rain. For me I can see that the focus is 10 a penny but the normal accord is a bit of an old man's car.

[Gordy]

Having just got my focus c-max yesterday I have to say the focus's are very nice to drive. I've not tried the honda tho.

[Bunjiweb]

Well some interesting and mixed comments there. I am looking at Hondas because they have a very good reputation for reliability. My golf is just over 10 years old and is really starting to show it, spent about £800 on it this year.

Focus I seem to see alot more of around, but that can only be a good thing. I also love Audis like the A3, but this seems to be out of my price range (sub £3k)? Any other cars anyone would suggest?


Ben

[Howard]

Well some interesting and mixed comments there. I am looking at Hondas because they have a very good reputation for reliability.


Ben

Not to mention they're good to drive, have lots of kit, and I think Accords look lovely too

[madman045]

I have a 2001 (51) Accord Sport and love it to bits, its done not quite 58k, great motorway cruiser and shifts when you need it

Get about 250 town driving with a heavy foot and about 350-380 motorway trips on £45

[GrahamGarside]

The Accord is probably less likely to need work doing but also going to be more expensive when it does.

[Vimeous]

I'd agree with pretty much all that's been said so far. This is what I'd expect:

Focus
+ Fun and incisive to drive; Massive choice; Relative cheap to repair.
- Interior will feel cheap in comparison; More likely to need repair; Interior looks shabby after a few years.

Accord
+ Comfort focused but still decent to drive; Reliable; Generally robust and should look like new after 100k miles;
- Cost to repair higher; Slightly dull base models; 1.8 needs more poke;

IMHO they'll cost the same to run in all but fuel economy (Focus wins there) because their strengths and weaknesses will balance out.
Avoid main-stealers and look for specialists although Honda are now doing special deals for servicing on older cars. No idea if a 1999 on Accord fits into that bracket.

Zak will be the best to ask about residuals but at this price I'd expect the Focus to depreciate slightly faster. The Focus is always in demand and has a great reputation despite a huge number of cars in the market while the Accord is rare, wears its age well and has great reliability but suffers the older Honda image and for being an Exec without a Propellor badge.
At this price condition is everything, mileage less so.

Not tempted by a late Civic VTi on a 1999 V?

[Howard]

Good words there Vimeous

You should get a nice 2000 or 2001 example of an Accord SE or SE Exec for under £4k, and a newer one, perhaps a Sport model if you pay more. I'd probably have liked an Exec or Sport model myself, but they seemed somewhat rare round here, the 2L manual gearboxed Accords, and mine was a very nice example from a garage just down the road, and still has all the toys I need

It's up to you whether to go for the saloon or the hatchback.. I think the saloon looks nicer, but obviously it's slightly less practical (smaller opening) but still has a cavernous boot. The image is a pity really, but if you don't have a badge complex, there's nothing to worry about.

[malfunction]

but if you don't have a badge complex, there's nothing to worry about.

He's asking for advice between a ford and a honda... Pretty sure he doesn't have a badge complex

[Vimeous]

I have a badge complex about Fords* and yet I'd still consider a Focus because they're better than that.

*Not all Fords. In general I hate their interiors.

[schmunk]

Out of interest, why 'Accord v Focus' and not 'Civic v Focus'?

You're not currently comparing two cars of the same size and shape (unless of course you're looking at booted Focii?).