[TheFazz]

I love the 407. I love continental cars, and I love being different.

Aside from a used BMW E39 (2000/1 525i), I am considering the 407 as my
next car. Also on the shortlist are the Accord 2.4l and the Mazda6 2.3l.

It would appear that the 407 / E39 is the easy choice for me here... but
not quite.

I`ve test driven the 407 and the Accord and I can say that I like the
handling characteristics of the 407... but the Accord gives me more oomph
with about 25 extra horses. For the often spirited driving that I do, the
Honda is a wonderful machine.

Add to this the better resale value, and the wide support network - the
Honda is starting to convince me as the most sane option for me.

I have not tested the Mazda6 yet, but would welcome some discussions here.

Also, being a lifetime Bimmer fan... the E39 is never out of the picture...
although the whole issue of cost is a major deterrent... ahh.. I am perhaps
too rational?

Please let`s have a discussion going here.

[ahmz1969]

U mentioned u love contis and lurve being different. If u get into the
Accord, you sure ain't practicing what u preach man! No one will give u a
second look la! Become one of those boring Honda drivers.... Just ask
Jeremy Clarkson.

Get the 407 la. Mazda 6 interior material quality cannot compare to the 407.

Also, don't just look at the horses but also look at the torque curve. 407
has 89% of the available torque between 1800 and 5750 rpm. However, for
info, Peugeot has come out with a 2.0 NA engine delivering 180 horses. But
don't know when CCA will import into Malaysia la....

Bimmer? No comment. Too expensive for my taste. And wow factor much less
compared to the 407.

[TheFazz]

yeah... i would love to go for the 407... but the honda just makes so much
sense!! aiyaah... where did you read about the 2.0NA putting out 180bhp?
link please?

[TheFazz]

also - i note that in europe they sell the 2.2l (with 160bhp - equal to the
accord 2.4l) for about GBP1k more... why can't C&C or whoever has the AP
import this model???

[ahmz1969]

since when was buying contis about making sense man? It's all about
PASSION......

As for the 180 horses 2.0 NA engine, it's already being fitted in the
307CC. URL is http://www.307cc.peu...asp?action=back

Once there, just click on the Performance link and it'ss inform you that
there are 2 versions of the 307CC. One with the 138hp 'normal' engine, and
the other with the sportier 180hp engine. Text also states this is at 7000
hp, so redline should be around 7500 - 8000. Quite exciting I would say....
but don't think CCA will bring it in. Even 307CC also not being imported as
it would cost more than 200K.

So choice is now actually to be a boring rational person with the Honda or
a person with flair and passion with the 407.... It's just no contest ma!!

[wallacelee]

mazda 6 is out of the picture.
i have driven both 407 n Accord 2.0....sorry to say this, although i
drive a French car too, but apart from looks wise, the Honda wins hands
down...just my personal opinion.

1. The 407 is underpowered. It has a 4 speed box...can be considered
ancient compared to the competitors. i am not sure how much it costs, but
I think Honda is around 150K. Honda has a 5 speed box and silky smoooth
motor.

2. The IVTEC engine is marvellous. 2.4 litre should be even better and i
would reckon the best model to get.

3. Refinement. Honestly, some may say the handbrake and the bonnet lever
on the left hand side is accecptable, but to me it is not. I do
understand the car is made for LHD's market, but if you wana convert,
convert properly. The parking brake is so awful with that degree of angle
when pulled up.

4. Looks wise, 407 wins, but Honda not far behind. I have never been a
fan of the Accord styling, but this American body style Accord changes my
view thoroughly.

however, compare both with an E39, i will go for E39 personally...

just my own opinion.

[puginfo]

"407 has 89% of the available torque between 1800 and 5750 rpm"

>>> is this where it sounds like a diesel engine. where did you get these
info?

[ahmz1969]

Diesel engine eh! Any of you 407 owners want to comment on this?
Anyway, figures are pulled directly from the torque curve of the 138hp 2.0
NA engine. Peak torque of 190Nm obtained at 4100 rpm. 89% of the torque
(169 Nm is achieved beginning at 1800 rpm, then rising to its peak at 4100
rpm before decreasing to 169 Nm at 5750 Nm. So, torque curve is considered
relatively flat and results in high available torque across the most
commonly used rpm range.

[halimmo]

ahmz1969...

The 180bhp 2.0 engine is only available in manual format.. it have a
sportive character for sportive driving..if I'm not mistaken, it is not an
option engine for 407.. other than the 2.0, the 2.2 is the next available
option (in addition to the 3.0 and the diesel engines) .. it is safe to
assume that the 407SW will be the 'normal' 2.0 with 4 speed auto.. not
sure on 2.2 version..

407 interior good meh? I still think the french has not master the art of
refinement ..... gaps are not consistent.. the japs has master the art..
especially toyota.. i still think germans are expert in this (they screw
up on recent models though!!)

the 180 bhp 307cc is only available in manual transmission.. the 138bhp
comes in 2 format.. 5 speed manual and 4 speed auto..


I like the 307cc very much.. it has the space and the pleasure of topless
driving.. i asked CCA on when and how much if they ever bring it in..
fyi.. they already have 1 here for testing.. so I guess the plan is still
on.. but when? the price.. they indicated around 180k.... still on the
high side, but that the only decent 2.0 convertible within the price
range.. anything beyond 200k.. better by Saab convertible..

[cpyew]

I test drove the 407 again last week, but this time with new demo car.
Ride seems smoother than the test drive last year with 1st demo car.
Gear shift not noticable now, maybe they have upgraded the software.
Doors closing is much better not so filmsy like earlier demo car.
Didn't get to push the car due to traffic. Will wait to see the SW.

cpyew