Faults:

The gearbox is slowly failing; a common problem on most CL1 Accords. Luckily, the warranty is there to cover it. If you do get an Accord, check to see if the gearbox has been re-built. If not, put aside over a grand to get it re-built.

General Comments:

Firstly, this isn't any ordinary Accord.

It comes equipped with Honda's most powerful H22A engine, producing 220hp @ 7200rpm and a respectable torque figure of 220nm @ 6700rpm. This is usually the catch with other small capacity Honda engines; although it is easy to bump up the HP, it's is pretty hard to do the same with the torque figure. Given that fact, although on paper it is quite impressive, you have to really work the car in order to realise its power. That's okay though, because in buying this car, you're probably not the type to cruise around at 1500rpm to save gas. Speaking of which, with a high compression ratio, you need to pump the high octane stuff. Party trick for the Euro R would be the LSD to help plant its power to the ground.

My Honda Accord Euro R is bone stock standard. No modifications have been done to it whatsoever. The Accord is equipped with 16 inch alloy wheels, a stiffer body and improved brakes. Also comes with Recaro Bucket seats, a leather wrapped MOMO steering wheel, and aluminium shift knob, white gauge cluster, and a red painted engine cover. Also, this car was one of the first Japanese cars to come out with HID headlights, and the usual creature comforts are also standard; power windows, air con, driver and passenger airbags, ABS.

This car has 2 personalities. You can drive it around town, and it is a very comfortable ride, and yet no one would know you have 220hp beating under the bonnet. The other personality would be when you enter VTEC zone, kicking in at around 5400rpm, the car is a monster pulling towards redline in every gear, screaming its head off,

Throwing this car around corners, it handles like a dream. The suspension is hard enough to take on twisty tight turns, yet gentle enough for easy driving. Putting this thing through its paces on the twisty back roads is a wonderful experience. Keep it in VTEC, and you're in for a treat.

So if you're looking for a car that won't attract the boys in blue, is cheap on insurance, cheap on gas (if you stay out of VTEC), and able to rip up the tarmac, the Accord Euro is definitely one not to be overlooked.

Faults:

Ignition barrel fault - fixed immediately.

Warped brake discs @ 50K - common problem apparently.

Some very annoying squeaking from passenger door trim happening now, and won't go away.

General Comments:

The car was perfect when I got it, and the brake discs had just been changed, as they had warped, and this is apparently a common problem.

Clutch was replaced, but the local garage made a right mess of it, and it's never been right since with bad engagement and now a creaking coming from the clutch. However, this isn't a fault of the car, and it still ran great despite this!

Tappets needed adjusting as they are manual. Again, another local garage made a right mess of this, and it came back sounding like a diesel. Ended up getting my uncle to do it (old school mechanic), and it was perfect and quiet afterwards. Seems that today's mechanics don't know how to get the engine "on the rock".

Performance is poor until you hit the VTEC prime time at 4,500rpm and then it flies! Fuel economy is not very good unless you take it really easy. Hit the VTEC and you can watch the fuel gauge drop!

Cabin quality is very good, and feels expensive with soft-touch trims. None of that hard plastic crap.

Handling is excellent thanks to the great suspension! Stick a set of Yokohama tyres on and it's like being on rails! A little crashy round town, but an awesome motorway car, and very smooth and quiet.

Obviously this is now quite an old car, but it's gone through a hell of a lot with me, and I've red lined it on regular occasions - the engine is indestructible!!!