1998 - 2002 Honda Accord Sedan - Bread, Butter and Salsa
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| 1998 Honda Accord V6. (Photo: Honda) |
Although the Honda Accord is one of the most popular cars in Canada new or used, there's a group of people who simply won't consider it. "It's too mainstream," say some, "Styling is too bland," comment others, and "I don't have a wife and 2.2 kids yet," can be heard from the younger set. While it exudes commoner status, and might seem a bit too responsible for those not quite ready to settle down, a short shift behind the wheel might change a lot of minds quickly.
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| 2001 Honda Accord LX. (Photo: Honda) |
The Accord has always delivered sporty driving dynamics, especially when compared to archrival Toyota's Camry. The 5th generation Honda, redesigned for the 1998 model year, is more exciting than anything previous. Even the base 2.3-L 4-cylinder is lively, with 150 horsepower and 152 lb-ft of torque on tap. The VTEC equipped engine offers a fairly broad torque curve, which translates into strong acceleration from either the 5-speed manual that came standard, or the precise shifting 4-speed automatic. The base engine's fuel consumption is stellar compared to many of its competitors, at 10.3 L/100 km (27 mpg) in the city and 7.2 L/100 km (39 mpg) on the highway when new.