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2008 Honda Accord Coupe and Sedan
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Comments
2008 Honda Accord "EX" Package
MSRP:$24,495
Your Price:$22,915
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3 Year Lease
12,000 Miles Per Year
$349 Per Month(Payment Includes Tax)
$0 Down(1st Payment and Plate Due at Signing)
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The guy told me he uses Honda Leases since they are usually the best payment and the least hassle when I turn it in. Honda includes "GAP" protection on every lease. There is no "drop off" fee associated with this lease. Honda also includes "forgiveness" with your lease. Up To $500 per body panel up to $1500 total.....which means....a dent or scratch is not an issue at lease turn in.
Can I negotiate this price? Is it possible to get the total payment down to $315 for an EX?
He gave me an LX P quote that would be around 340? I am confused and too new to this.
My son is 6'5" and fits into his 2007 V6 sedan - the 2008 is a bit better fit for him, but 2007 ok.
Many feel the 2007 is quieter than its 2008 brethren.
Important question - 6 or 4. Keep in mind that the 2008 V6 has the VCM - and there are owners, if you go to the VCM forum, who find it very noticeable and annoying. I have driven both - there is essentially no difference in the 6 cylinder performance because of thw increased weight of the 2008 over the 2007. But the 2007 is constantly in 6 cylinder mode and doesn't go through the changes of the VCM 6-4-3. if you car considering the 6, drive THE ONE you will buy extensively and see what you think. Do not drive a demo - from owners experiences posted here, it is readily apparent the VCM behaves very differently from car to car.
Good luck.
I was startled by what I found. With the stick shift, it's quite powerful enough to be enjoyable. The engine is free-revving and very quiet, very flexible and not as peaky as previous Honda fours I've driven. The clutch has a very light touch, much more so than our '99 Civic. The shifter is exactly what it should be, with no learning curve at all.
The handling is a bit floaty, but very capable. I'd probably set the tires at 35psi to firm it up a tad. The steering seemed quite a bit lighter than my '02, but also very quick. It reminded me of the steering of the '86-89 models (the ones with the covered lights)--once you get used to the feel, you can do amazing things with it, but it doesn't feel as natural as my '02.
There's lots more room. LOTS more room. Comparable to my folks' E-Class sedan, actually. The cloth seats without adjustable lumbar were at least as comfortable as the leather ones in my '02.
Overall I found the car very appealing. I would probably prefer the handling of the EX (which I haven't driven because I know I can't afford it), but the LX-P is no slouch at all.
I prefer the smaller size of the 2003-2007 models since the 2008 didn't seem to offer that much more front legroom. Instead, the car was wider.
Also, if you're considering a 4-cylinder, the older models are actually peppier off the line. They have the same amount of torque as the new model, but weigh less. I wound out a 2008 190hp Accord last weekend (only once from a red light, to over 6,000 rpm). It didn't feel any quicker than my 166hp 2006 model.
I'm sure I'm biased because I own one, but I'd choose the 2007 model over the 2008. If something happened to my current car to cause me to need another, the 2008 Accord wouldn't be near the top of my list; the Altima would, however.
Keep us posted on your quest for an Accord!
TheGraduate
2006 Accord EX I4 - 35,000 miles
1996 Accord LX I4 - 182,000 miles
Last comment on the 2.7 V6 in the legend vs the Accord - Gen I Legends had a dual range transmission - you could shift into "Sport" that changed the gearing to more aggressive gearing for acceleration and harsher shifting. This too I believe lent to the 2.7 being peppier in the Legend than the Accord.
The Gen I Legend wasn't alone with this feature. The Accords, up until the 1992 model, offered a "Sport" mode as well. It didn't change the gearing, but instead raised the shift points. Are you sure the Legend had different gearing?
Let me get back to you - have the brochure at home. Will look it up tonight and post later on.
Honda called it a Dual mode electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission, with programmed lockup torque converter. I thought it not only changed the shift points but also some of the gearing. Now that I think about that, that would be rather complicated. But so too is VCM!
A 2-Mode Automatic would be easy to do - 2 simple shift programs. Extra gearing would be darn near impossible at that size/price.
VCM is QUITE complicated, but this is 2008, not the age of the Apple II/e.
but I thought I recalled the brochure for the '89 showing two different charts of gear reduction for regular mode versus sport mode. Perhaps that can be accomplished through some sort of programming? Perhaps it was the power of suggestion at work but the car seemed much quicker off the line in sport mode versus standard, and yes, the shift points were definitely higher.
Again, will confirm with the brochure tonight. And despite my age, I do recognize that technology has changed - I only wish I had had the foresight to put $5000 into Microsoft in 1985 with its IPO.
Regardless of age, hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20!
I'm beginning to wish I'd kept a brochure of my car as well. Would be fun to see ten or twenty years down the road. It'd also make good reading for a buyer when selling to a private party.
Still a neat idea - though not gas saving! With these gas prices I am SO happy I seldom have to drive any where.
Bud H
Here I am the day I picked up my car (wow, this was 30 months ago!)
Which is true also when I sit in a Camry, Sonata, Altima, etc, etc! But NOT true in a 2008 Accord.
Bud
Bud H
-Add padding/liner to trunk lid. It feels cheap and hallow when it shuts. Both Camry and Sonata trunk lids are lined.
-Add outside temp reading to all Accords AND put in radio/clock display and not in the third setting in odometer display. Outside temp reading should be a constant display reading and not one that you have to search for.
-Move the filling neck of windshield fluid away from the hood prop rod base on 4 cylinder versions. You can't easily fill the reservoir without spilling with the hood rod base in the way. In 2003-2007 models, it was in a ok position, they moved it in 08 and made it harder to fill.
- Scrap the front seats and borrow Sonata or Camry seats. My son's 95 Dodge Stratus has more comfortable front seats than the 08 Accord.
Joe
Someone buying a 4 cylinder EX or EX-L version should be able to get the trip computer.
(But now that my Scangauge II just arrived in the mail today, there won't be as much need for the trip computer.)
Bud H
2008 2008 2007
Avalon Accord Accord
Front legroom 41.3" 42.5 " 42.6 "
Front headroom 38.8" 39.0 " 38.3 "
Buena Park Honda $27,900.00
Hollywood Honda $28,341.00
Honda of Pasadena $28,598.00
Long Beach Honda $28,906.00
Goudy Honda $28,998.00
Colonial Honda $28,998.00
Honda of Santa Monica $29,700.00
CS Auto Broker (My Broker) $30,042.00
Airport Marina Honda $30,645.00
Culver City Miller Honda $30,676.00
Norm Reeves Superstore $31,180.00
Miller Honda Van Nuys $32,145.00
These were the final prices I got after haggling and going back and forth between various dealers.
I wanted silver and trying to locate the car was hard. Out of these dealers, only 3 had one in stock. Buena Park, who was asking for 27,900 had only a black one. I called Pasadena Honda (Eddy Lin) with a written quote from Buena Park, and he threw in the wheel locks and lowered their price before TTL to $28,236.00. Out the door after TTL, it was a little under $31,000. After qualifying for 3.9% APR, I chose to pay off the car in 48 months with $5000.00 down. My monthly payments came out to roughly $580.
I'm 6'1" with long torso and find the driver's seat extremely comfortable, the passenger seat not so much. I don't plan on spending much time in the passenger seat, though. :P
While the road noise was substantial when I purchased the car, I swear it seems to be quieting down. I suppose it may be the tires wearing a bit.
Overall, we love the car - so much so that we just purchased a '94 Accord EX-L Coupe for our son's first car. Very solid, even at 209,000 mi -I guess it's just now being broken in....
Oh, the Nighthawk Black Pearl is absolutely gorgeous but what they say about keeping black clean is very true.
MPG - Avg. 23MPG in mostly city around town driving. Mixing in some highway miles, I've reached 26MPG once on a tank of gas. Sure wish it had the trip computer like my 2007 CRV does. Seems silly that the CRV would have it, but the Accord doesn't.
Flickering Headlights - Yep, got it. Annoying, but getting used to it. I wonder how the people driving in the other direction think. Do they think I'm flashing my lights? Seems to me that Honda will have a TSB on this in the future. Can't believe it isn't something that can be fixed.
Firm Ride - Tires sure aren't forgiving. My 98 Accord rode better than my 08. In fact, it's really bad when you first start out when the tires are cold. I get a lot of jittery ride from the tires almost like I'm going over little bumps. I can feel the car vibrating. Once the tires warm up, the vibration goes away.
Acceleration - Not bad. Not great either. But about what you'd expect for a 4 cylinder. There is noticeable hesitation when you start from a dead stop. Also seems to shift at odd points sometimes. Not as refined as I would have thought.
Front Seat - I'm 5' 11'' and fit comfortably in the front seat. No real complaints.
Radio - Very good sound. Just wish that with XM and MP3 ID tags, they could have found a way to display both the song title and the artist on the screen at the same time. That's just poor design in my book.
Overall, I'd give my Accord a B+ after the first 2,000 miles. I wanted to give it an A, but the headlights and tires/suspension are annoying enough to lower the grade. I'd also like to see the gas mileage improve to around 25 MPG on average instead of the 23 MPG I'm currently getting. Hopefully after it breaks in a little more. Still haven't taken it on a good highway run, so still waiting to see the mileage crack the 30 MPG barrier.
Oh, has anyone got the Cilajet on their Accord? I got suckered into it for $300, but can't really tell a difference. Was wondering if I can and should still wax the car on a regular basis, or is just washing it enough? I never did get a straight answer out of them about whether it was recommended to wax the car with the Cilajet coating, and if it would hurt the coating? Any thoughts?
I think the ride is fine but I'm moving up from a VW New Beetle and our other car is a Jeep Liberty so just about anything would seem to be an improvement to us. I am looking forward to replacing the tires hoping for an even smoother and quieter ride in the future, but as things stand now it is very nice. The Malibu had the quietest ride of the cars we drove.
Last tank dropped down to 24MPG which is the worst I've gotten so far. More in-town driving, I guess.
As far as acceleration is concerned, it's on par with the Altima (without the CVT whine) and far superior to the Malibu 4-banger. Best of the lot that I test drove was the Passat - that 2.0 Turbo is one sweet engine - but the Honda's 2.4 is almost as sweet without the added complexity of a turbo and without the premium fuel requirement.
Confused
My opinion of the car after owning for 10 months:
CONS
1. Road noise is absolutely unnacceptable for a $26.5k MSRP car. My dealer friend who drove the car to the auction immediatley noticed it + whining noise. A 2000 maxima with 145k had less road/tire noise.
Barely could hear people on my Bluetooth when driving on highways.
2. The radio/climate control dash layout is poorly designed. The '03-07 generation was excellent.
3. Gas MPG was marginal. The car was getting better at 12k miles - around 26mpg highway. Was getting 22-24MPG when it was new.
4. No homelink, trunk liner, or fog lights on EXL model. Front fascia should be the same as the V6 on EXL-4 cyl models.
5. Front tires were wearing quickly (not an agressive driver).
PROS
1. Thankfully didn't buy the VCM V6 model - not worth 1-2mpg savings.
2. Excellent Honda resale value.
3. Interior & Exterior styling looks expensive (almost on par with Acura).
4. Road shock was dramatically improved from the previous gen.
5. Subwoofer.
Now what? Probably a used 05'/06' Lexus ES330. I love Honda but until they fix the road noise problems I will look to Lexus/Toyota for my next car.
I agree that they should put the V6 facia on the 4cyl models, some thing that they do to make a trim line, does not make sense, or really impede any costly options any way, so just include it.
Having a trunk lid liner makes a car look of quality, and honestly cannot cost that much to include this option. It makes a car look complete and more upscale. Its like the get to that, and they cut that option.
I find that most of noise comes from the Michelin tires, mine have worn extremely well, look very new, so I am not sure why they are wearing more on your car, people often forget though to rotate their tires.
When I bought my 07 CR-V as a first year model, I was very upset that their top of the line EX-L w/Nav didn't have simple features like a power driver's seat, homelink, or dual automatic climate control. To think a 28K vehicle with leather seats weren't power operated was ridiculous.
Then, as soon as the 08 CR-V's rolled out, all three options became standard on the top of the line model.
I suspect that Honda will add back at least one of the goodies for '09, maybe even all three. Other than the fog lights, the other two items are extremely inexpensive options to add to the vehicle.
Japanese cars are no different than American/European cars, every car maker has its first year issues. Always wait for the second model
year.
Joe
Learn More Here
Reminds me of a funny story from 20-odd years ago when the Yugo was introduced in the U.S. I was at the Chicago Auto Show and was sitting in the driver's seat of the Yugo when the inside handle snapped right off in my hand when I was trying to get out of the car. No one noticed and I was trapped in this awful Yugo for about 5 minutes while I signaled to someone to get me out. Longest 5 minutes of my life. I was actually starting to panic. What a dreadful car that was.
What worries me is the drivers door handle did eventually break on my Integra - little plastic piece that connects the handle to the rod that pulls the pin.
The scarey thing is that if I drove a Durango or Yukon like a lot of people around here (SD) I would have spent an additional $4,000 in gas alone (and higher car payments) . That is about $270 every month EXTRA. I don't know how those people do it.