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Honda has always been noted for their great engines.
Since I never hot rod (the VCM version is plenty fast for me/wife), I prefer the extra gas mileage. Honda is a relative small company and they can't make any major mistakes. So, they put the 6 speed automatic in a smaller number of cars to find major flaws. I expect once they feel confident they will use the 6 speed auto in the Accord.
To me, the Accord is a little more of a driver's car and the Camry is a soft quiet car (sort of like a Buick). It depends on the driver which they prefer. My wife is more of a driver person. Plus, she likes the green house effect (large windows/windshield) of the Accord.
Seems like the market is plenty big enough for all these cars to coexist.
In terms of fuel economy, four-cylinder Accords are about average, while V6-powered models receive slightly above-average ratings. Four-cylinder cars with automatic transmissions achieve 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined, while the manual transmission bumps those numbers up to 22/31/25. The six-cylinder returns 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway (28 in automatic coupes) and 22 mpg combined with the automatic, though the manual-shift V6 coupe drops to 17/25/20, as its version of the V6 lacks cylinder-deactivation technology. Notably, we had a hard time replicating the EPA's 29 mpg highway figure in a long-term test of a 2008 EX-L V6 sedan.
We don't spend as much on automobiles as I suppose we could afford (we feel like money spent on an automobile is wasted) so we splurge a little on a cheaper automobile. We like how the Accord handles and the good visibility. We have a good dealer who is close by and handy. I guess you could say we are satisfied with our purchase/decision.
0-60 1/4mile
2010 Honda Accord Coupe 5.3 14.2
1970 Chevrolet Corvette 427 6.1 14.3
1968 Chevrolet Corvette 327 7.7 15.6
1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS-350 8.0 15.4
A little " VCM noticing" is a small price to pay......
Our fuel-economy logbook surprisingly shows the Mazda to be the easiest on fuel, and our observed average of 20 mpg exactly matches this car's EPA rating for combined average mpg. Perhaps because this 3.7-liter V6 offers the highest torque at the lowest rpm, the Mazda 6 doesn't have to be driven as aggressively as the Accord or Altima to get the job done. The Accord's 268-hp 3.5-liter V6 managed only 18 mpg in our hands, while the Altima's 270-hp 3.5-liter V6 recorded just 17 mpg. (The Altima V6 also requires premium fuel.)
In terms of real power, the Mazda 6 went through the quarter-mile in 14.7 seconds at 95.6 mph, while the Accord did the task in 15.6 seconds at 91.0 mph and the Altima did 15.0 seconds at 95.2 mph.
Other factors need would need to be evaluated before I could make a decision.
Here is another dumb question. If the all 6 cylinders are moving why wouldn't you just reduce the overall fuel flow to all of the cylinders and not worry about vibration and noise eliminating radio waves and all the other stuff Honda tries to do to cover up the noise & vibration? What are you saving by turning off the fuel to 3 cylinders? You are still moving 4000 pound and you still have all of the friction of 6 cylinders? If you say less fuel then I would say design it to distribute the lower amount of fuel to all 6 cylinders
IMHO - VCM is an oddity, just like the old 4-6-8 engine Cadillac made for a short time in the eighties (hopefully the VCM engine is more durable). More marketing spiel than anything. It helps a certain segment of consumers convince themselves to buy the more powerful car by helping a specific area of fuel consumption. Until physics are repealed, buying a smaller engine in a lighter car is the only way to get big increases in economy across the board.
I kind of miss the old style Accord - before the ACE body structure resulted in a higher dash/cowl, much like the typical US make sedan where you sit down in a tub with high cowl and window sills.
The car has grown way up, and lacks some of the earlier Honda magic and touches (if they inflate the Civic a like amount soon to match, it might be a better choice). Mine has the most paint flaws of any vehicle I have owned since my 96 Chevy Silverado pickup. It feels big, bulbous, and cheaper than the older Accords. My impression of the four cylinder base model 08 Accord (loaner) was it screamed rental car inside, after being used to the V6 navi.
After a few problems with air travel of late, my wife and I have decided to drive from New England to Florida for a few Red Sox spring training games. We'll take 2 days down on pure interstate and 4-5 days back a mix of interstate and Blue Ridge Pkwy. This will be the longest trip we've been on in the Accord EX-L V6 and we'll see if I'll be willing to write any other posts with a title similar to this one. I suspect that I will.
Are there other family sedans that chew up interstate miles more comfortably and quieter? Sure there are, but most lack the crisp handling and feeling of being connected to the road that you still get from this Accord, although this generation has taken a step backwards in this regard from the previous generation. My car will have just been serviced @ around 30,000 miles when I embark on this trip, so I'll have the tires rotated and balanced before leaving. At their current 28,500 miles they are noticeably more noisy then new but that is to be expected. I'll post my thoughts after the trip, with what should be several tanks @ 30MPG or better.
Happy motoring to all!
The higher hood line is now mandated so all cars are in the same boat there. We still get that big window/windshield feel - as good as the 98. So I'm not totally following your observation there (unless it is a model I missed). For people that want a smaller car than the current Accord, it just seems like that is what they should select. Why buy the Accord when you want something smaller? Doesn't make any sense to buy one and then complain because it is too big!? I see where a lot of people do that. Sort of unbelievable.
Same deal with the 6-speed. If that is a must have, then buy a car that has one. Don't buy one that doesn't and then complain about it! Our 5sp auto seems pretty much flawless to me. Would I like a 6-sp? Yes, if it is as smooth and dependable as the 5-sp and gives 2mpg better mileage. I'm sure it would cost more. So it's a little hard to say how much better deal it would be, if any.
Interesting that so many can feel/hear the transitions.
Yesterday, we were driving in an extremely heavy rain on the interstate. I noticed the stability control LED suddenly lit like a fireworks show. I immediately slowed since I suspected we had begun a slight hydoplane. I never could even feel it in the steering or throttle but I'm sure it had started (we saw many cars that had slid off the roadway.) This is our first car with SC and it is a life save. Our insurance company doesn't give much discount though. Seems like they should. Maybe people don't slow down when they see it lite up. They don't know how to use antilock brakes so no discount there either.
That Element was simply a poor choice for older folks, I think. Super noisy on the highway, really poor gas mileage, and the AWD system (same as the Crosstour, BTW) only cut in after you started slipping BIG time. I hope they have done some "Fine Tuning" on the AWD in the Crosstour.
On the way to the dealership to pick up my new Accord a couple of nights ago I was reminded of how much I Ioved the 6-cyl engine when I had to make a power move to get on the interstate at rush hour. Man, it's nice to push the accelerator and get instant response. About 2 miles up the road I was stuck in bumper-to-bumper 65-mph traffic and on a slight upgrade when the hunting for the right cylinder combination began. Then I was reminded of why I was making this drastic move.
It should work out though. I've got 190 horses on this model and that's adequate, if not exhilarating. I expect to get beter mileage and when it's time to move on to another car I'll have something of higher value to sell or trade. For all you folks that don't noticeVCM, or if you do, don't care...I salute you. And for all of you guys (like me) who can't leave a scab alone and are constantly picking at it--do something. But don't abandon Honda, they'll get it right eventually. There are other good Honda's without VCM.
How did your arbitration go. I just leased a 2010 Coupe V6 automatic and HATE the way it drives on the highway and when the ECO light is on. I am in the process of drafting a certified letter and sending it to Honda management and my dealer.
Thank you
Also, the paint was chipping around the back tail lights from poor fit, the headliner was hanging down on one side in the back seat, the rims all had clear coat drips that were dried and broken off (down to the metal), the interior made constant cracking noises, the "grade logic" (LOL) was so bad that when the car was cold it would shutter horribly up the hill by my house when it changed gears. The passenger seat had two missing bolts holding it down and had to be repaired!!!!!!!!! The driver seat track was warped, and called "normal". The electric steering jerked at low speeds when turning.
Long, long story short: I drove two brand new Hondas for a total of less than 10,000 miles and will never own another. Both cars were junk. We drove other Accords so that the dealer could blame the problem on all Hondas and they all did that same idiotic VCM junk. You have to be clinically disabled to not notice it. Never again Honda!
I have a pilot. Had I been getting one for myself, I would have gone for the coupe. It is stunning. But, the wife wanted an auto and it was/is her car. Maybe you will have better luck with your next car. You may want to give it a good long test drive first.
To quote you from a post you put on this forum a little over a year ago on 1-29-09, regarding your '09 Honda Accord Coupe, "...This will be my last Honda for sure. I have been very, very disappointed with this car and it was my first Honda. It makes me mad, but I can afford to laugh at how stupid people who love Honda are and write this car off as a total loss..."
In view of this, I question your credibility, when you go on ranting about a car you may or may not even have. Let's be truthful here.
Really funny though! LOL!
As for the 2010. I've gotten nearly 1000 miles on it and reasonably happy. I sure miss the power and to tell the truth--I'm unable to see better gas mileage but that will improve with age and no cold morning warmups I expect.
If the car is that bad, I wonder why you didn't notice any of this on the test drive? Or was there a test drive? Once you sign the papers, it's hard to get rid of a problem car, and not lose a big chunk of moola on it. Live and learn I guess. I drove my niece's 2010 V6 Coupe, and I noticed it had a lot of road noise, but other than that, the car was fine. lots of power, and probably faster than my 03 V6 Sedan. It's a very nice looking car, but $30k is too much, for a two door car, IMO.
Thanks for replying
BTW, I've looked at other car threads here in the forums and every make of car gets whacked about something. There are a lot of people out there with axes to grind for one reason or another - and problems. Many get emotional and over-react so that it is hard to tell much about any of the cars based on their comments.
Just stick to your guns and don't be too disheartened.
I just bought my second Accord this past Saturday. Its a 2010 Coupe EX-L V6 5A w/Navi. My first was a 2001 EX-L V6. Inbetween these two, I had an Infiniti G35 coupe and a FX35 AWD. Both Infinitis had butter-smooth transmissions. I never noticed any shifting around while cruising. I don't remember if the 2001 EX-L V6 had VCM back then, but maybe one of you guys here does. In any case, I don't remember ever feeling the Honda shift like I'm feeling my new Accord do its willy-nilly highway shifts in Eco mode.
Its not bad...but since I came from butter-smooth...never noticing anything, this is noticeable...and starting to be a little annoying. I thought maybe it was just a difference I needed to get used to with a new (different) car. But coming here and seeing so much discussion, I'm starting to wonder if this is an issue I need to take up with my dealer.
Certainly this issue wouldn't make the Accord not perform as well, or last as long..be as good a car as I remember - right?
I did take test drive... I didn't do a long one, and now of course I regret it a little. I drove on main artery streets, side streets, and highway. I didn't notice the shifty ECO mode when I was on my test drive on the highway. Weird...but I was in traffic and perhaps I was distracted trying to pay attention to merging, etc..and not a smooth coast.
If this is something that cannot be fixed, then maybe I can get used to it. Its just odd enough since my last 3 cars didn't do this. Any advice?
I've driven many, many cars in the 33 years of driving and NEVER experienced anything like this. I've had mine in the shop three times and they keep saying its the wheels. I KNOW ITS NOT THE WHEELS!! They refuse to take it on the highway and cruise it at 65-70 because "its not throwing an engine failure light". This is very frustrating. They are going to balance the tires a forth time next week!! I am almost at my wits end. If this doesn't work, I'm going to file for arbitration, contact BBB, lemon law, retain a lawyer and sue the crap out of Honda, maybe contact the newspapers, start a web page and start a class action suit with other Honda owners. I'm sure I can find some lawyers who would love to get their hands on some Honda money. Especially with what is going on with Toyota.
After you buy the car they don't want to hear from you anymore, unless you are a paying customer. Don't want to deal with warranty issues/customer complaints. From day one I told them its NOT the wheels and its coming from the engine, drive train, engine mounts. They refuse to listen even after three wheel balances!!!
ps they are wanting you to give up and live with it. They should be warned you have a long memory.
You have to be kidding me. They would love for me to go to another dealer!! Then I'm not their problem anymore. They even suggested it. I am NOT letting them off the hook.
I have emailed other people with this problem and they assure me Honda will never admit its VCM and will never fix it no matter who I go to and my only recource is to continue to let them service my car, document everything and go the arbitration/lemon law route which is what I am expecting at this point.
By the way I have spoken to the salesman on this at least four times. He keeps telling me Honda stands by their product and the sale doesn't end until the customer is happy. Lots of words and no action.
I'd recommend to you, just sell your go and move on / go away.
What losses exactly are you suffering.........My God people are always looking to hit the lottery with CALS, I guarantee except for those who were hurt by Toyota no one will make enough ti fill their tanks.....or maybe get a voucher towards a new Toyota,,,,
They would laugh this one out of court.......
Seems to me people either did not research the vehicle first, seek out "issues" then test drive the vehicle in conditions that would imitate those who are having issues and decide for themselves whether or no the V6 Honda AT is satisfactory.
I believe many bought on faith alone THEN did the research. That is not Honda's fault and it is why they simply cannot do anything about the "problem" and will not and WILL continue to make the VCM engine becasue apparently they are selling everyone they are making.
What people are experiencing is normal. I felt it when when I test drove mine as I was concerned after reading these and other forums. I had to decide for myself. I concluded the benefits far outweighed the minor feel of the VCM operating between this car and the Altima, DTZ Malibu, and Milan I drove. All four doors. I decided on the Coupe becasue I liked the look and we already have the RAV 4 (which has not been recalled becasue it was made in Japan) I would not hesitate to buy either car again. With or without VCM.
I would say to those who don;t like their cars take advantage of the great resale and buy a Chevy or Toyota.....
I gave up a year ago when I took my car many times to Honda Service about vibration around 58 to 63 miles .They changed tires many times. Even their service manager at local service center felt the vibration. But Honda Motor said the vibration is within their design. I filed the claim with State of Ohio , they said as long as Honda Motor claims it is in their design and it does not cause any problem with safety they can do nothing, It is up to us , STOP buying Honda
Now with Toyota Motor get so much attention, may be now is time to get together to ask for review of Honda Motor on their design and safety issue. Is their any lawyer out there welling to help to set up a class action to sue Honda Motor?
What is your suggestion?