13 Apr 04
3206cc, 204bhp V6
£2500-£9500
Service history, electrical faults, oil leaks, not much else<
If the Fiat Coupe is a look-at-me choice, then the Honda Legend Coupe is the car for shrinking violets. Honda sold even fewer Legends in two-door form than it did as saloons, mainly because we snobbish Europeans have never taken to big luxury Japanese cars. Although the model is less than legendary here, a few comfort-seeking buyers (nearly all of them past retirement age) liked the Legend's high specification, smooth V6 engine and bomb-proof build quality. However, in the USA, the Legend has a very different age profile: there are whole sub-cultures devoted to tuning, modifying and accessorising it, and turning it into a low-ridin' street machine. The 1992-95 generation car was a lot sleeker and smarter than its predecessor (1986-91) although it was developed from the same original project that spawned the Rover 800 Coupe, which was always a little more downmarket. It's no out-and-out sports car, the handling being more than a touch made-for-America in its remoteness and tendency to wallow, but it's a good old traditional tourer and probably the nearest the Japanese have come to Merc CE levels of sophistication (it's classier than a Lexus Soarer).
Available only with a 3.2-litre V6 engine and automatic transmission, the Legend had a high level of standard equipment, including cruise control, air-conditioning, ABS, electric sunroof, a driver's airbag, electric windows and mirrors and a leather interior. Revised models from February 1993 are preferred as they have slightly sharper handling thanks to revised suspension, as well as improved soundproofing, larger alloy wheels and a passenger airbag.
Honda continues to sell the Legend saloon in the UK - although when did you last see one? - but the Coupe was discontinued in '95. That makes it very rare indeed, and if you've ever seen one in any colour other than dark metallic burgundy... actually, no, please don't e-mail us.
