2004 Honda Accord Executive review from UK and Ireland

Slipping clutch replaced by the independent dealer before taking delivery - very poor for an 88k miler.

Clicking clutch, master clutch cylinder faulty, which is a common fault among the newer Accords and Civics. This is still not fixed and I have to grease it up every month for smooth operation.

Cracked exhaust manifold - replaced by Honda dealer under warranty at 95k miles.

Paint chips very easily and already has rust spots in places.

This is my first foray into the Japanese cars. Previously I have owned French cars, such as Renault Clio and Peugeot 405/406 all of which were reliable and relatively trouble free. This Honda... isn't.

For a Japanese car, whose maker is renowned for its reliability, it is terrible. Many things have gone wrong with it, something that my previous 9 year old 406 would only think about at over 200k miles. Clutch? Exhaust manifold? Clutch cylinder? These are all fairly major things that I don't expect to fail in a 3 year old Japanese car. If it wasn't for warranty, I wouldn't be happy at all. I am waiting for the next thing to break. Other comments...

Very quick car, thanks to its truly amazingly refined diesel engine.

Good handling for its size.

Relatively comfy, but not as good as my previous 406/405 - seats a little firm and 17" wheels are the main culprit.

Absolutely rubbish "premium sound system".

Decent economy for its performance (~45mpg).

Aesthetically pleasing.

Paint quality is of very questionable quality.

I wanted to love this car but I just don't. Its reliability niggles leave me cold, and was the main reason for buying this car in the first place. Only time will tell whether it will change my mind...