2003 Honda Accord Tourer reviews

Honda Accord Tourer Type S 2003

First the good points: 120,000 on the clock and still a delight to drive - performance, gear change, handling, comfort, accomodation - would all gain 5 stars. Unfortunately the bad points drag down what would have been a very good car. After too many years of Ford ownership with all the negative connotations of unreliability and poor dealerships, I was really looking forward to an improvement in these areas. But: Air conditioning system required a replacement clutch under warranty and then when out of warranty the compressor seized completely, stranding my wife due to the fan belt melting. The replacement cost of the compressor and associated parts and labour would have meant a repair bill greater than the value of the car. Alloy wheels corroding - one new set under warranty - replacement set just as bad as the first. Tailgate motor replaced. Alarm main module replaced three times - alarm kept going off in heavy rain or hailstorms. Suspension bushes clunking after 50,000 miles - no, I don’t tow and the majority of miles are with one up and a laptop. New battery required after 2 years - the (non-Honda) replacementhas lasted for 5 years so not my usage at fault. Rear brake calipers, both replaced, again just outside warranty To cap it all, snooty local main dealer who believes in the invincibility of Hondas and that I’m just imagining problems. I wish these companies would tone down their advertising. This is the car that was launched with the slogan "Isn’t it nice when things just work". I don’t know, because it doesn’t "just work". They raise peoples expectations without the substance to correct their misplaced optimism.