1999 Honda Accord Type R from UK and Ireland - Comments

Warning! Honda Accord Type R's on S, T and V plates Will cost you a lot of money.

Faults:

5th gear selector fork must be replaced along with synchro ring and other parts, ask your Honda dealer about the technical bulletin. This becomes evident when you shift into 5th above 4500 rpm.

Major fault with cam belt tensioners.

Electric window motors fail.

Axle Joints fail and cause loud road noise.

Car must be run on 98 unleaded.

Xenons do not auto adjust after time correctly.

Eats tyres.

Known manifold problems.

Do not buy one.

Honda will not recall the gearbox fault. They expect you to pay for it.

Nice.

VTEC engine is only up point.

Thanks for your review. I was considering buying a 99 T plate Type R, quite low mileage too. After I read your review I went and looked at it again. While studying the service history I noticed advisories from Honda mechanics on the receipts. These were problems engaging 5th gear and wheel bearing problems, also I noticed the owner was complaining of fuses blowing with great regularity. I'm steering clear of what is obviously a money pit.

Thanks again, you saved me money.

I feel I should leap to the defence of the Accord Type R. The fifth and reverse gear synchro problems are well documented, and Honda UK have been known to honour out of date gearbox warranty claims. Even if this is not the case, the work does not have to be done at a main dealer; the previous owner of mine had it done by a gearbox specialist and cost around £350, instead of the £1000-odd a main dealer will charge.

My biggest gripe concerns the ATRs fuel consumption, which is in the high twenties. The official factory figure is 29.5mpg, so my car, which is six years old and has 45k miles up, is not far under this, but the super unleaded only rule makes life expensive. Post facelift (2001 on) ATRs have a different ECU, and can run on standard 95RON fuel. Other bad points concern some rattly interior trim, possibly loosened over time by the taut suspension, but either fixable by a handy home mechanic, or ignored by turning the stereo up!

The good points are that the ATR is one of the most complete drivers cars around. Granted it's fast, and with 209bhp it should be, but it's so much more than that. That taut suspension gives it incredible poise, and coupled with its 8000rpm 2.2 VTEC, will dispatch almost any road with utter conviction. However, there's even more than that, for many modern sport saloons will tear up roads with disdain, but will also distance the driver from the action. The ATR has more feel and feedback than I could possibly have imagined. The perfectly dimensioned Momo wheel telegraphs every single detail of the road surface; every change in surface, any tiny camber thrusts and all available grip levels. It just picks up everything and delivers it into your palms and up to your brain. This allows you to get on with the job of really driving properly, with the real-time data stream keeping you locked in the loop, and laying waste to tricky backroads, twisty B roads and fast, flowing A roads. And it's not just the steering either; the fantastic Recaros, which seem as firm as the suspension, but never get uncomfortable, send the information from the back wheels just as well, so much so that your passenger can feel as much as you.

The only downside to this is that it can be a tad wearing when you're not in the mood to play, but it's still a quiet and refined cruiser, just not exactly blessed with a cosseting ride. Also, it's not really at its best on the bumpiest roads, but probably does as good a job as most cars. To sum up then, Hondas Accord Type R does have some compromises, but as a front-wheel drive sports saloon is pretty much without equal.

I agree with the post above, and certainly not the one at the top!

Www.typervault.com for all the info you need, in the articles section you will find many reviews praising the Honda Accord Type-R.

I quote: "probably one the greatest, most satisfying, most perfectly balanced and tuned drivers car to be built this decade, if not this century" - AutoCar Magazine.

Don't let one of these get away if you want one - you will not be disappointed!

I was recently looking at a T reg Accord Type R with a high mileage. A friend did mention that he hear there was a problem with the gearbox. After reading your article it appears that he was right. I'm staying well clear of this vehicle as my price bracket only covers the T and V reg range. Thanks very much for your advice.

I am the author of the first post above. I have read the comments added in defense of the Accord R pre 2001, all I can say is that I am a Honda enthusiast, I have owned a CRX VTEC (Mk2 greatest car ever built), Integra Type R, Civic Type R, Prelude Motegi and am also a Honda Revolutions member. Trust me this is the worst R badged Honda ever produced, at least until 2001. A nice steering wheel does not compensate for the money pit that this car is. The costs are not reasonable at all.

Steer Clear!