3.5i VTEC EX with ADAS Auto Saloon

Excellent driving experience, very comfortable and loaded with features

I purchased my Legend in April 2009 and have greatly enjoyed my ownership experience

I admit this was partly an impulse purchase, a case of the heart ruling the head to a certain extent. I was at my regular Honda dealership looking to buy another 2.4 Accord and the salesman suggested I may be interested in something else. After a test drive I was convinced it was a great car and wanted it, especially as it was priced at 26k instead of the normal 39k plus. The salesman explained Honda were disposing of their UK Legend stock after production ended for the Europe market, and in the economic conditions at that time were being realistic with their pricing. I realised the depreciation would be massive, it would be expensive to run and it would never match the badge attraction of the major German marques. I don't do a high annual mileage, I quite like the rarity value and the close on 14k discount convinced me to go ahead, and I'm glad I did make that decision.

I have been very impressed with the ownership experience, I have not had a single problem with the vehicle itself in all this time, (written April 2015). The level of technical innovation and driver aids is highly impressive, especially the SHAWD drive system. This system has to make the Legend the best handling large saloon I have ever driven, with the electro magnetic rear clutches reacting in an instant as required, to correct the first hint of under / oversteer, (or even correct cases of driver error!). The level of comfort for both driver and passengers has to be class leading and there are many driver aids which are only now becoming commonplace on other manufacturers products. (it probably took about a year of driving and reading the manual to fully appreciate everything available).

It is a great to vehicle to drive and own, but also incredibly complex and a mass of technical wizardry to operate all of the driver & passenger aids. I fear it could quickly become troublesome if any of these systems start to fail. There is so much to malfunction I expect it could suddenly present some very large bills, also maybe spend time off the road due to sourcing specialised and maybe unique parts.

Generally, my advice would be if looking to buy a Legend, tread carefully as the newest examples will be getting on a bit now. Go ahead if the price is right but ensure it has a full Honda service history, (also note, it has a 9,000 mile service interval) and do a very thorough test drive to check all the systems are working, (Super Handling All Wheel Drive, advanced driver assist, collision mitigating braking, directional swivelling headlights etc. - the list goes on). For me, I have really enjoyed this vehicle, it can be a wonderfully relaxing motorway cruiser, or switch to being a reasonably high performance sports saloon. I think a lot of people are surprised at it's handling and general performance

To sum up, a great vehicle, largely ignored by the motoring press probably due to it's rarity, (and also maybe as it's nothing exotic, just a Honda), but a viable alternative to the rival, mostly German choices available

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