By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Random thoughts/questions:
- front end is stylish, rear end more than compensates and looks old already. 2-3 years from now, it's going to look REALLY old. In contrast, a '94 model still looks current.
- USA Today says that only 25% of Accord buyers are families, and most of the others are empty nesters (usually >45 years old). If that's true, why is the Accord growing bigger every generation? Are drivers getting bigger? Doesn't car size detract from the handling?
- 03 has lost the commanding view from the driver's seat. The dashboard is higher. Bad move, Honda.
- Seems like Honda is trying to redirect the younger crowd to the upcoming Acura TSX, and the older crowd to the 03 Accord. I predict that the TSX will easily sell 100,000 copies, if they keep the price in the 24-25K range.
On a somewhat related note, I've never understood the preoccupation with 0-60 times. Does anybody drag race their Accords?
That's why I still think that MotorWeek is honest and they told it as it was...
NOT like C&D that have some MAJOR problems in their current October edition. The numbers in the comparo you used are WAYYYY off... A TL-S with a 0-60 in 7.6sec? and the 1/4 mile at 16 flat?!
In the same edition, they talk about the 6spd Maxima (which got a 0-60 in 6 flat) and say that it was as fast as the Acura TL-S that ran a 0-60 in 6.2 and the 1/4 mile in 14.8. Trust worthy? I think not.
In short, do NOT compare the Accord with those numbers.
From the LA Times,
"Mike Spencer, a spokesman for Acura, Honda's sport-luxury division, confirmed that there has been a "higher than normal incidence" of problems with two Honda-built automatic transmissions. "
"The two transmissions are the five-speed used in V-6-equipped Acuras since the 2000 model year and in Honda Odysseys since the 2002 model year; and the four-speed automatic used in V-6 Honda Accords since 2000 and in 2000 and 2001 Odysseys. "
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20020914/1036070.asp
Since I just bought my SI I will probably hang on to it for a couple of years and get a EX 5-speed sedan or a V6 6-speed coupe or maybe I'll be able to talk my fiance into getting rid of his car for the Accord instead of the G35 coupe he wants. Who knows.
regfootball: I wouldn't compare the Diamante to an Accord if I were you. The Diamante has not been redesigned since 97 so it's on an even older platform than the 98-02 Accords. The Diamante has a 3.5L engine but can only muster 200HP or so in ES/LS trim and only 215HP in VRX trim. The Accord gets 240HP out of a 3.0L V6. Also, I'm sure if you compared features the Accord offers more luxury features than the Diamante even though the Diamante is priced to compete with the Acura TL and Lexus ES/IS300. Diamante's also depreciate like a rock and have poor reliability and are nowhere near the quality/performance of other cars in it's $29,000 price range. But Mitsu does throw them away with generous incentives and the no payment/no interest for a year program. But like I said considering how fast they depreciate I wouldn't extend the finance term any longer than I had to.
Michael
I don't know what problem Motorweek was having, but if I were them, I'd get a different V-6 sample and try again. There's no way in God's green earth that their results are even close to being representative. I trust that they're being honest, but something was clearly seriously amiss there.
as to price, my personal view is 1.5% to 3% over invoice is reasonable after considering some holdouts that the dealers get (although for 03 they are getting much less than the previous models sold last august when it was reported that the hold outs run as much as $1,500 for some models). They will also make money from the accessories that most of us will get (I like the rear decklid spoiler) one has to probably wait for awhile, dealers always have the upper hand for a newly introduced model, specially hondas.. I will be patient when it comes to price
hope to hear more from those that have bought their 03 accords already..
if you read the enthusiast's magazines (such as car and driver) or consumer based magazines (such as consumer reports) as part of your research, you'll find out that the taurus isn't rated nearly as well as the camry/accord. you may already know this though.
i don't think there is much cross shopping between the taurus and accord.
i don't currently owned an accord. but before my jetta, i had owned/leased 4 accords and would highly recommend them.
but again, I still want the v6, just have to wait till the kinks are solved for the first production runs...
honda said they are confident the problems have been solved.. so its one's personal decision to buy now or later
Actually, if you haven't noticed, the new Accord has fractionally smaller rear seat and trunk compared to the outgoing model. Perhaps in an effort to tweak that rear suspension for sportier performance.
Front legroom has grown by 0.5", but rear legroom is down 1.1".
Looking for Honda Accord '03 - Sedan in St.louis or Kansas city area. Can anyone suggest me a dealer giving good deal!!.
Thanks in advance.
They don't have to. People are very happy to buy extended plans.
Besides it helps keep cost down. Just like those timing belts.
Jerry
Regards,
Mark.
Still I don't like to put all my eggs in one basket. While MW has been forthcoming in past, there is still no explanation for video-taping the LX 4cyl for the acceleration run, and then subsequently stating that these numbers were for the V6 (the text on screen does not associate the numbers with either engine).
If not MW or AW, then what are good numbers for 03 ivtec & V6 Accord?
I love the new '03 Accord, but my budget matches the i4 cyl. (auto. trans.). Living on Long Island, climbing hills is not an issue, but highway-speed entrance and passing are big!
My question is "Can a v6 guy find happiness with an i4?"
Who wants to buy a new car, then get a rebuilt tranny put in it?
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20020914/1036070.asp
INKY
you should like your chances in comparison with most domestics. toyota had their engine sludge problems, but i would still like my chances having one of those too. no one makes a perfect car.
Could you email me at pat@edmunds.com? Thanks!
moonkat...there is no visual difference between the lx 4-cyl and the lxv6, so dont assume that because it had wheel covers that it was a 4-cyl car. it frustrates me that i cant tell the difference between the lx and lxv6 from the outside anymore...lol.
bowke - you say "honda's target age for the accord sedan is 34-41, and the target age for the coupe is 24-30. the target range for the '02 sedan was over 45."
Looks to me like Honda set that target range AFTER designing the car, instead of before. Honda has just found out to their dismay that the redesigned Civic is getting cutomers about 4-5 years older than the previous Civic. I think they're concerned that it's going to be the same with the new Accord. But setting a lower target age now is not going to get droves of young people to buy this car.
They're going to miss their 32-41 age target by about 12 years or more, IMHO. This Accord will be great competition for the Camry and Avalon, and that means mostly people over 50. They'll easily sell over 400,000 copies/year to them. As I said in my previous post, it's the Acura TSX which could sell over 100,000 copies/year, mostly to the younger age group, if it's priced reasonably.
Actually, the correct term is remanufactured, because no parts other than the housing are reused. And I believe the articles states that this is common practice when a transmission is replaced.
Here are my details:
Cap. Cost: $24,375 (Approx. $700 over invoice)
Term - 42 months
Mileage - 15k/yr
Residual - 61% ($16018.60) (Unbelievable for 42 months at 15k!!!)
Money Factor - .0022 (5.28%)
Up front $ - $1405.90 ($550 Acquisition, $113 Tax Title and License, Cap. Cost Reduction $400, Other Taxes $40.50, First Payment $302; Security Deposit waived because of Honda lease loyalty)
Monthly payment is $302.40, broken down as follows: Monthly Depreciation $189.44, Interest $87.99, Pennsylvania's 9% lease tax $24.97.)
It is my understanding (second hand info, so verify this) that these are the residual and money factors through 10/31/02.
I have posted extensive residual value info on the Honda Accord 2003 Redesign at #675
If you are anywhere near Pennsylvania, contact Murray's Honda in DuBois, PA for a deal like mine. They will discount like this, for what ever reason. I understand that someone saw my deal on here and is coming in from Indianapolis, Indiana to get one. Their number is (814) 371-5502. Ask for Matt, and tell him you saw the information here, and that Brian sent you.
civicw: you drive the lowly civic, so whose cares what you think? just kidding. i guess in time we will know how successful honda was in their target age group.
Did you even see the video?...I thought not.
Of course MW could have shown interior/exterior/engines for a graphite/LX (wheel covers)/4cyl & red/EX (7-spoke)/V6 then switched to a graphite V6 with LX wheel covers (shown nowhere else in the segment)......but I don't think so.
As a salesman, you should study your product segment better; view and comprehend, video, literature and posts. Honda Accord and particularly the V6 buyers are a picky lot!-)
INKY
4 cyl auto: 24 city, 33 hwy
6 cyl auto: 21 city, 30 hwy
6 cyl, 6-speed manual: TBA
moonkat...i do know my product, and i see and read every review i can get my hands on. no, i didnt see this one, but my assumption would be that they either had an lxv6, or the lx footage was just better than the v6 footage.
I looked at the accessories brochure for the 03 Accord sedan and XM radio is missing from the list, I read that it should be available starting on Oct. 1 according to the XM Radio website.
Can the MP3 player, DVD i-VES & XM radio be ordered together ( I noticed that only 2 head units can be installed where the CD cubby is the default option ) ?
Are ID3 tags supported on the MP3 player ( showing song title, artist, on the center LCD ) ?
Does anyone have a i-VES system installed on their Odyssey or Pilot, how is the screen quality ?
Any invoice info available yet for the Accord ?
Thanks in advance from this potential Accord owner & current Camry owner !
4 or 6 cyl.? EX with Leather?
Please fill me in.
Has Honda released that information yet?
When I took delivery the fuel filler door presented a large paint chip and the dealer still hasn't furnished the replacement part which comes primed only and must be paint matched by dealer 'bodyshop'. The drivers location has a grab handle in the ceiling over the door which gives my head a nudge every time I get in/out. I asked the dealer to remove it and stick the appropriate beauty plugs into the screw holes. Can't be done says the dealer parts man, there are no plugs provided for this purpose. Could be quite hazardous in an accident! Fuel mileage for this 4 is avg. 24 mpg at this new 1700 mi. I find the drivers seating very cramped and entry/exit difficult to both the front & rear seating. It's my wife's car and she is comfortable at 5'5". This is my first Honda and for now I'm quite depressed with this purchase. And you guys tell me to expect transmission problems? I thought Hondas were better than Toys, or so I hear tell. Our other car is a Camry Wagon. No pizzas, just iron clad reliability, so far 82,000 mi. This Honda purchase set me back $22,168 incl. T/T/R/6%ST.
Did you try speaking with the dealership's manager first? There's usually a chain of command you should follow. Certainly don't want to report this dealership to Honda and then come back for oil changes in the future.
My '01 Impala was repainted at the factory around the driver's door handle. My dealer called Chevy and they said they would repaint it again, but that was all.
My dealer got an indentical car from Florida and had it waiting for me. I didn't take the new car because it had an earlier build date. We buffed out the repaint and it is not noticeable except by me.
I didn't sit in one but it looked like there was more front seat room. Back seat room appeared to be a little less.
The interiors are very nice with good quality materials.
Overall a nice package.
Just wish they offered the EX without the sunroof.
I am very tall and need the extra headroom.
5MT 5AT
DX $23,800 $24,800
LX-G $25,000 $26,000
EX-L $28,500 $29,500
LX V6 NA $29,000
EX V6 NA $32,500
LX price is up $2,000 (8.3%), EX-L up $1,200 (4.2%) and EXV6 up $1,400 (4.5%). Damn, those are big jumps.
Didn't notice any difference in the list of features from the American model. Sedan goes on sale Sept. 30th, coupe in November and 6-speed coupe in early 2003.
Complete Press Release http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/020914-1.htm
INKY