I'm looking at changing my car next March and torn between the Honda Accord 2.2i Ex and Lexus IS 220D SE_L.
The Lexus is about £2,000 more than the Honda, but it will probably be the last car I will buy, and aim to keep it until it drops - at least that is my present intention.
I have been happy with my present Honda, that I bought new in 2004, but was wondering if the Lexus may be a better proposition.
Any comments?
Edited by Robbie on 03/12/2009 at 15:12
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Both are likely to be good to own, well made and reliable.
My preference on brand would be the Honda. Your preference could equally be the Lexus.
Have you tried both? Which was nicer to drive / faster / smoother / more comfortable / a nicer place to be?
If you're keeping it for the long term factors like residuals don't really matter, although servicing costs might. I'd buy which ever one you like better.
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Would you be paying for a badge, or is the Lexus better built from better components, or do many Lexus parts come from the Honda parts bin? The Honda is unobtrusive the Lexus more "in your Face", it comes down to personal preference.
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do many Lexus parts come from the Honda parts bin?
Probaby none, but quite a few from the Toyota parts bin.
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or do many Lexus parts come from the Honda parts bin?
Toyota parts bin :)
Hehe, beaten to it
Edited by Lou_O on 03/12/2009 at 15:28
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Sorry brain fade, I thought it was a Honyota. :-)
Edited by Old Navy on 03/12/2009 at 15:31
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Both are reasonable motors , but the extra cost of the Lexus gets you what exactly that you do not get in the Honda?
I would stick with Honda personally but it is a matter of personal choice. My Accord suits me and the only Lexus I have been in which is owned by a friend did not impress.
I would try them both and also check out what your local Honda and Toyota dealers are like on the service costs and backup when things go wrong.
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...Sorry brain fade, I thought it was a Honyota. :-)...
Not that this so-called premium Japenese stuff is all much the same when viewed from anything more than three paces.
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The Lexus will be quite a bit smaller.
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The Lexus will be quite a bit smaller.
That's a good point.
If you can live with the anonymity of an Avensis, that would be another option, and cheaper than the Lexus (and cheaper than the Honda, too!). Not as good-looking, but the same engine in the T180 (and more powerful than what you get with the Honda, I think) as in the 220; FWD rather than RWD.
Lovely big boot, geet comfortable ride etc.
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I remember being slightly surprised when I realised the Lexus is smaller than the previous model Audi A4 (B6/B7). So quite a bit smaller than the current Honda Accord.
Last week's Autoexpress did an analysis of the current Lexus. They didn't do the complete car break down that they do on some but some problems were highlighted. It highlighted two recalls and the fact the interior is not put together as well as you might expect. Alloy wheel can blister if not cleaned regular. Worth reading if you can get hold of a copy?
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Robbie i have the latest Dtec Accord and would say get the Honda ,its probably the best value
for money car of its type, you get everything on it and save £3/4000 against the Germans,also
its engineered better than anything out there,and they are not ten a penny.
The Lexus diesel has been a problem car from the start many recalls and unhappy owners read here.
lexusownersclub.co.uk
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Unless you are covering 15k miles or so per year, I'd have a look at the Lexus IS 2.5 petrol automatic - just creeps in under the 225g/km tax hurdle and sweet as a nut.
For a 'retirement car', much as I love Hondas, anecdotally the Lexus dealerships seem to bend over backwards keeping customers happy.
Just my 2p :-)
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Robbie i have the latest Dtec Accord and would say get the Honda its probably the best value for money car of its type .....
SQ
I'm happy with my Accord diesel and fancied the Lexus with RWD.
Didn't realise it was so small and with so many problems.
Guess I had better stick with Honda.
Thanks all.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 03/12/2009 at 19:21
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I wouldn't call it small but it's not a big car. That did surprise me. I considered one last time I chose a car. Next time I will consider (I hope) an Audi A5 Sportback ;-)
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I would agree with most of the posts already entered in that both cars are very well engineered and will last the distance. I have owned Honda cars in the past and a colleague has an IS250. The space in the back of the IS is limited and I would not get it with big wheels as it does effect the ride. Don't let anyone tell you that they are a glorified Toyota - I agree that some parts are shared but members of my family work in senior positions in Toyota and for a long time they have experienced the very strict rules on quality that a factory must comply with before Toyota will let them build a Lexus car. to date only the factory in Canada has demonstrated the necessary quality standards - and that is over and above very high standards that Toyota expect anyway.
The customer service at Lexus is second to none and surprisingly you may find that the Honda may be more expensive to service over the long term - so when doing your sums, consider the higher mileage service costs as well.
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Both are really lovely cars. The small Lexus really is small in the back. I would go for the new Honda Accord. I know they have both been at the top of the reliability tests. I read that the new Honda Accord actually was voted No.1 for reliability by "Which" UK this year. The Honda Accord has absolutely superbly comfortable front seats and the extra room would be useful. Both companies are very strict.
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The seats are very comfy indeed ,i intend to keep the Accord for at least 5 years ,i have had
it three months, the space was needed for a growing family amongst over things.
Main issue with the diesel Lexus was Mpg ,some owners were getting 50 but others 30 or less.
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I'm really a Lexus man, but given the choice you offer I'd pick the Honda with the caveat that some (including me) find it a bit noisy, so make sure you give it a good test drive.
I'm assuming you want new, otherwise there'll be a million suggestions of alternatives (like forget the Accord, pick up a Honda Legend for ten pence and still hardly run in. Recently withdrawn from the UK but a serious Lexus GS rival, never mind IS.)
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Next time I will consider (I hope) an Audi A5 Sportback ;-)
Me too! Seems to tick all the boxes for me, but "What Car" seem to have a real downer on it.
All I can say to the OP is that a work colleague has an Accord with the 2 litre petrol engine and loves it. Runs like clockwork, deceptively spacious and running costs are reasonable.
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