Honda Accord 2.0 E (Facelift) (2010–2012) (Discontinued) - ฿1,268,000

On a used Honda Accord 2.0 E (Facelift), check the 5-speed automatic first: it should shift smoothly with no shudder when cold and no delay when you select drive. Look underneath for rust and for signs the car has sat in standing water, since these cars are old enough to have seen a few rainy seasons, and check that the air conditioning still cools hard at idle. A full service history from a Honda specialist is worth more than low mileage on its own.

The Honda Accord 2.0 E (Facelift) launched in Thailand at THB 1,268,000 and now only trades on the used market, where asking prices vary widely with condition and history. Beyond the purchase, set money aside for the things an older sedan needs: suspension bushes, brakes, tyres in this size, a fresh transmission fluid service and possibly the air conditioning. Insurance and annual tax are ordinary for a car this size, but a pre-purchase inspection is the cheapest money you will spend.

The Honda Accord 2.0 E (Facelift) is a bigger car than the Toyota Corolla Altis, at 4,895 mm long with a 2,800 mm wheelbase, so it trades easy parking for far more rear-seat and boot space. Against the Mitsubishi Galant it plays the same midsize sedan game, and the choice comes down to condition, price and how easily you can find parts and a mechanic you trust. If most of your driving is short trips around town, the smaller Altis is the easier car to live with; if you cover long distances between towns, the Accord's size and 70 L tank earn their keep.

The Honda Accord 2.0 E (Facelift) is reasonable for its size, with a rated 12.8 km/L that keeps monthly fuel spending closer to a compact sedan than to a large one. Stop-start traffic will pull that figure down noticeably, while steady motorway running will get you close to it. The 70 L tank means you fill up less often, though each fill is a bigger single outlay.