Lukey13
26-10-2009, 10:29 AM
Well, it's time to say goodbye to my beloved Euro Luxury. So I thought I'd share my experience with the Euro...
Why a Honda?
I'd always loved the look of the Euro and I still think it's one of the best looking cars on the road. While I had been impressed by my brothers Prelude VTi-R (love the VTEC), it wasn't until I inadvertently test drove one that I decided to jump in and buy one.
Thoughts and opinions on options and modifications...
At the time of purchase it was an alternative to purchasing a used BMW 325i (being the most powerful 6 cylinder manual - as the 330i was auto only). However, I opted for a brand new Euro fully decked out. I opted for the full body kit and spoiler (controversial, I know) as the car looked so much better with the body kit - a much better street presence. I also went for the interior silver kit - which I thought also makes the interior look much sportier than the regular all-black look. Aftermarket metal door sills marked Honda Accord Euro look OEM and also added class, I thought. I ended up with the Honda Multimedia player (MP3) really because the dealer through it in for free after I bought the car as he'd promised MP3 compatibility. I definitely wouldn't have paid $1,000 for this otherwise.
I also eventually put on a Whiteline rear sway bar, which I highly recommend as a must-do suspension modification - it really makes the steering more neutral and the handling much flatter with less body-roll. The only other aftermarket item I went for was the Comptech Icebox air-intake. I don't think this made much more than a couple of extra horses, however it did improve throttle response slightly. But more importantly it opened up the breathing of the engine and made a lovely growl when at WOT and high revs. No real difference in sound at partial throttle, which was important to me.
I suppose the biggest option I went for in the Euro was the $3,000 sat-nav. I know some will espouse that a $200 aftermarket Tom-Tom will do a better job, but I think they miss the point of the integrated Honda unit which is still reputed as one of the best OEM setups around. I reckon this system made the whole dash layout look so much classier and more sophisticated. The touch screen was great for adjusting audio controls, air-con and even playing around with the calendar and calculator functions!! It just looks fantastic and is really easy to use. I think the standard stereo and controls just looks plain boring.
Will I miss the Euro?
Short answer is, yes. It is such an attractive machine and the build quality in the Euro is very good - although not as good as some Germans, it outclasses just about everything else a long way. I think the body kit, the sat-nav and the silver interior kit transform the car into something special. The six speed manual transmission is a joy to use and is essential in a car that needs a few revs on board to get going. I do love the sound of the engine - especially with the Comptech Icebox - and I get a real thrill from pushing the engine into the high-rev zone where it seems to just thrive! THe Euro is definitely no rocket ship and has substantially less power than my previous car and my next car, but in some ways that makes it easier to rev the engine a bit harder to get the great sound without exceeding the speed limit straight away, if you know what I mean.
Did I pay too much for options? Yes, perhaps. But I had that much to spend ($50.5k drive away) and I feel that the car was much classier looking as a result. So I got my money's worth I suppose. In terms of resale - obviously you're not going to recoup the full cost of those options (selling on Carsales for $34k) , but that's what you've got to expect when loading up on options.
What else will I miss?
I just loved having the sunroof for those nice, sunny days. Even in a hot climate, the heated leather seats were fantastic in winter. Xenons... I could not have a new car without these now. They are amazing and look great too.
Moving on now...
I'm moving onto a brand new Volkswagen Golf R32. The narrow-angle V6 in a stealth-looking (and even boring/mild looking) little hatchback is very cool. The noise it emits is amazing and this combined with strong, linear power delivery though four wheels is utterly addictive.
However, I will always hold fond feelings for my Accord Euro Luxury. And we haven't left the Honda family altogether as my wife has a brand new one now too!
Why a Honda?
I'd always loved the look of the Euro and I still think it's one of the best looking cars on the road. While I had been impressed by my brothers Prelude VTi-R (love the VTEC), it wasn't until I inadvertently test drove one that I decided to jump in and buy one.
Thoughts and opinions on options and modifications...
At the time of purchase it was an alternative to purchasing a used BMW 325i (being the most powerful 6 cylinder manual - as the 330i was auto only). However, I opted for a brand new Euro fully decked out. I opted for the full body kit and spoiler (controversial, I know) as the car looked so much better with the body kit - a much better street presence. I also went for the interior silver kit - which I thought also makes the interior look much sportier than the regular all-black look. Aftermarket metal door sills marked Honda Accord Euro look OEM and also added class, I thought. I ended up with the Honda Multimedia player (MP3) really because the dealer through it in for free after I bought the car as he'd promised MP3 compatibility. I definitely wouldn't have paid $1,000 for this otherwise.
I also eventually put on a Whiteline rear sway bar, which I highly recommend as a must-do suspension modification - it really makes the steering more neutral and the handling much flatter with less body-roll. The only other aftermarket item I went for was the Comptech Icebox air-intake. I don't think this made much more than a couple of extra horses, however it did improve throttle response slightly. But more importantly it opened up the breathing of the engine and made a lovely growl when at WOT and high revs. No real difference in sound at partial throttle, which was important to me.
I suppose the biggest option I went for in the Euro was the $3,000 sat-nav. I know some will espouse that a $200 aftermarket Tom-Tom will do a better job, but I think they miss the point of the integrated Honda unit which is still reputed as one of the best OEM setups around. I reckon this system made the whole dash layout look so much classier and more sophisticated. The touch screen was great for adjusting audio controls, air-con and even playing around with the calendar and calculator functions!! It just looks fantastic and is really easy to use. I think the standard stereo and controls just looks plain boring.
Will I miss the Euro?
Short answer is, yes. It is such an attractive machine and the build quality in the Euro is very good - although not as good as some Germans, it outclasses just about everything else a long way. I think the body kit, the sat-nav and the silver interior kit transform the car into something special. The six speed manual transmission is a joy to use and is essential in a car that needs a few revs on board to get going. I do love the sound of the engine - especially with the Comptech Icebox - and I get a real thrill from pushing the engine into the high-rev zone where it seems to just thrive! THe Euro is definitely no rocket ship and has substantially less power than my previous car and my next car, but in some ways that makes it easier to rev the engine a bit harder to get the great sound without exceeding the speed limit straight away, if you know what I mean.
Did I pay too much for options? Yes, perhaps. But I had that much to spend ($50.5k drive away) and I feel that the car was much classier looking as a result. So I got my money's worth I suppose. In terms of resale - obviously you're not going to recoup the full cost of those options (selling on Carsales for $34k) , but that's what you've got to expect when loading up on options.
What else will I miss?
I just loved having the sunroof for those nice, sunny days. Even in a hot climate, the heated leather seats were fantastic in winter. Xenons... I could not have a new car without these now. They are amazing and look great too.
Moving on now...
I'm moving onto a brand new Volkswagen Golf R32. The narrow-angle V6 in a stealth-looking (and even boring/mild looking) little hatchback is very cool. The noise it emits is amazing and this combined with strong, linear power delivery though four wheels is utterly addictive.
However, I will always hold fond feelings for my Accord Euro Luxury. And we haven't left the Honda family altogether as my wife has a brand new one now too!