Honda Problems

When you've hit the mark with a new car, as Honda did with the Accord Euro in 2003, there's little reason to make major changes to it.So, when it came to renewing it in 2008 Honda chose an evolutionary approach rather than a radical one. The new Accord Euro was longer, wider with a wider track, and sat lower, which gave it a much more stable grasp on the road.A stiffer body and a new rear suspension helped make it more agile and responsive. Inside, it was roomy enough in the front, but lacked space for rear seat passengers who wanted to stretch out.One engine was offered, it was a 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft four-cylinder pumping out a useful 148 kW and 230 Nm, which was slightly more than was on tap in the previous model.Performance was, let's say, sufficient. It wasn't blindingly fast,but was smooth and unfussed with either the six-speed manual gearbox or five-speed automatic that were the available transmission choices. Three models were offered, the base model Euro, the Euro Luxury and the Euro Luxury Navi.All were well equipped, even the base model, which had cruise, auto air, 10-speaker CD sound, reach-and-rake steering adjustment, active head rests, power mirrors and windows, and cloth trim.Climb one step on the model ladder and you got the Luxury with sunroof, leather trim, heated seats, eight-way power seats, rain-sensing wipers, fog lights, and front and rear parking sensors. Step up further, to the Luxury Navi and you drove away with an Alpine navigation system, Bluetooth readiness and a reversing camera.IN THE SHOPThe Accord Euro is well built and to date is proving to be reliable in the field. There's a lack of complaint to Carsguide from owners confirming the car's reputation for reliability. Servicing is a must with Hondas; they don't appreciate being neglected in that area so ask to see a service record. Check also for evidence of a crash, particularly where the repairs haven't been up to scratch.IN A CRASHANCAP handed the Accord Euro four stars out of a possible five, but it was still well equipped with safety features with dual front   airbags, head airbags, side front airbags, ABS brakes and stability   control.UNDER THE PUMPThe claimed average of 8.9 L/100 km is quite good for its class and size, but the recommended 95-octane fuel requirement takes some of the gloss off.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $34,990 to $44,990Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol; 148 kW/230 NmTransmission: 6-speed manual; 5-speed auto, front-wheel driveEconomy: 8.9 L/100 kmBody: 4-door sedan Variants: Euro, Euro Luxury,Euro Luxury NaviSafety: 4-star ANCAP

Most people who ventured beyond the black top in a CR-V returned with a scathing assessment of its ability to handle the rough and tough going. They missed the point, the CR-V isn't an off-roader, it's a high-riding townie, which is why Australians have taken to it the way they have. The CR-V became one of our top-selling SUVs because it won over city dwellers, not bushies.If you want a car that will eat up the bush stop reading now; if you're looking for a car that will serve the family well round town read on. The RE model launched in 2007 was larger, smoother and fresher than the outgoing model it replaced. It was an attractive car, although the front with its gaping intake took some getting used to.The spare wheel was moved from the rear to a position under the car, which said more about the CR-V's intended use than anything else. Anyone heading bush would appreciate the easy access to a spare mounted on the rear, but anyone stuck in town traffic would prefer the easier loading with the spare underneath.The new body was more rigid, which was a boost for its safety and handling, it also made the cabin quieter. As a result of the increased rigidity the on-road feel, never one of the CR-V's strengths was a little sharper making the driver feel more connected than in previous models.The 2.4-litre engine had more power, 7kW by Honda's measure, which boosted its performance slightly. It was never a fireball, and the performance was only marginally increased, but at the same time it was perfectly adequate for its role in the marketplace.A new six-speed manual gearbox was an option alongside the five-speed auto, and the final drive was through the front wheels, but with drive sent to the rear wheels as and when needed for traction. Overall the CR-V was a competent family wagon that did everything well without being particularly outstanding in anything.IN THE SHOPHonda has always enjoyed a solid reputation for building quality cars, and the lack of complaints CarsGuide has received about the CR-V is testimony to the company's continuing commitment to quality. Regular oil changes are a must with Hondas, so check for a verifiable maintenance record.IN A CRASHNew to the CR-V in 2007 was electronic stability control, a worthwhile safety feature by any measure. Already with front and side airbags, and ABS brakes, the addition of stability control completed an impressive safety package.UNDER THE PUMPWith a claim of an average of 10.0 L/100 km - which was backed up in real life tests - it couldn't be said the CR-V was a fuel miser. Fuel required was a minimum of 91-octane unleaded and Honda approved the use of E10. LPG experts recommend against running the multi-valve CR-V engine on LPG, advising that premature valve recession is a real possibility.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $31,990 to $41,990Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder; 125 kW/218 NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, 5-speed auto, on-demand 4WDEconomy: 10.0 L/100 kmBody: WagonVariants: Base, Sport, luxurySafety: 4-star ANCAPGreen: 3.5 stars.VERDICTBigger, roomier, smoother and more powerful than before, the CR-V makes a great family choice.