What saloon will I upgrade to with €19,000 to spend?
The question
Hi, I am looking to upgrade (i.e. trade-in) my 2005 Honda Accord V-TEC Sports. My budget limit is €19,000 (as I reckon I will only get between €2,000-€2,500 for my Accord as it has 189,000km on clock even though it is still running fabulous without ever giving trouble - I've had it six years) ) as my max borrowing figure is €16,500 (which you call 'cost to change.).
I am considering the following: Honda Accord 2.2 i-DTEC, Volkswagen Passat 2.0-litre diesel, Audi A4 2.0-litre diesel (though isn't that the same car as the Passat, with just a different badge?) or Ford Mondeo 2.0-litre diesel. Someone also recommended a Lexus, but probably outside my budget! I've had three Civics before my current Accord and they have proved both exciting to drive and very reliable. But am open to a change from Honda. I've heard from my mechanic that he wouldn't recommend secondhand Audis, Volkswagens or BMWs as they are not mechanically as reliable as Hondas or Toyotas.
Any thoughts?
Best regards
Barry
Asked by CompleteCar.ie reader ·
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
Your mechanic has a point - an old BMW or Audi isn't going to be as reliable as a Honda or Toyota. Then again, few things are. I'd say, in descending order of reliability, your choices are Accord, Passat, A4, Mondeo. I think if you've been a Honda fan this long, and know the brand, then another one could just be the best thing for you. The current Accord is going to go out of production very soon, so this will be one of your last chances to buy one, and it's a cracking car - comfy, smooth and refined. I'd say second best choice of your list is the Passat, if you can't track down a nice Accord or you really just want a change.
Answered by Neil Briscoe