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Comments
I also didn't notice engine vibration or noise problems... the car I drove was very quiet.
As for comparative performance, I tested a 2000 Camry V-6 when I was shopping for my 2000 Accord V-6, and I felt that the engines were pretty well matched. And the extra power available with the 2003 V-6 that I drove was VERY apparent as compared to my 2000. Which means that it would be very apparent as compared to the Camry as well, at least to me.
I'd ask for a different sample of Accord to drive before deciding...
the car i test drove was an EX-L 4 banger...
I can honestly say that this car blows my 2000 Accord EX-V6 out of the water. I have not experienced any of the drifting or door misalignment mentioned by others. Unlike many, I actually love the exterior styling of the Accord, and the interior is outstandingly comfortable (as much time as I spend in my car, I wouldn't settle for anything less).
Also, I've been pleasantly surprised to notice that my '03 gets better gas mileage than my '00. Wasn't expecting that with the greater HP.
I can't say enough good about this car. I would recommend it without one degree of hesitation.
My 03 EX V6 got 24 miles per gallon on the first tank of gas. All of the miles were wife's work commute, a mixture of city/highway driving.
As for the Camry, the rumors that I've heard is that Toyota plans to go to a more powerful 3.2 liter V-6 for the 2004 models in the Camry, ES300 and RX300 (the latter 2 would be renamed to the ES320 and RX320, respectively). So it sounds like you'll have a better set of choices in a year or two.
What I'm having difficulty liking is the exterior rear styling, and the bigger width that aggravates it. It almost seems like the Accord is putting on some bulk, as if it was getting middle-aged.
These are of course subjective comments and I'm sure there are lots of people who love the rear end.
I still think it needs a formal grille, though.
that would be an edge over the 02 accord. knowing what those dimwits look for in a car, they'll probably still feel the same way with the 03 accord though. for what i want in a car, it's a no brainer who wins out between these two.
Which is interesting to me because it is still not big enough for me and my family. Especially the trunk.
I think that Honda should consider coming out with a larger and different model much as Toyota did with the Avalon, except not so blandly styled and targted at older folks.
A car that is about 5-6 inches longer(195 inches),
a 3-4 inch longer wheel base(more back seat room)
a larger trunk and a few inches wider.
They could put a 260 hp 3.5L v6 in it.
Keep the weight down to about 3700 lbs and it would sell like hot cakes.
What do you think?
Honda's strategy is to have one high volume vehicle to try and cover the family sedan market. I'm sure they looked at the sales of the Avalon in '99/2000 and decided that the Accord should get some of that market. With the increased width, bulky styling for the rear, and a more powerful V6 engine than Avalon, the Accord is also Honda's Avalon, IMHO.
Honda's strategy looks smart since sales of the Avalon have suffered big drops in 2001 and 2002, as many Avalon buyers have defected to the Camry and even the Highlander.
Considering the corporate imperative of self-preservation, Honda like any other auto manufacturer, will acknowledge only as much as necessary in order to save its image. I believe this problem is far worse than Honda will ever publicly acknowledge. Fortunately, they have wisely taken the necessary steps to control the damage and stand by their otherwise excellent product. It appears they have learned well from the Bridgestone/Firestone fiasco. However, one critical issue remains: will they continue to replace failed transmissions under the extended warranty with remanufactured units that have the same design flaw? We shall see :-)
2001 Accord EX V-6 with Japanese built automatic
oh, and i do agree that honda needs a larger than accord sized car to complete its vehicle lineup...one with a small v8 and decent styling would be nice!!
Gm will be coming out with a whole new line of DOHC V6 engines and they will only have 251 hp.
The full size Honda would be quicker than all of GM's full and Midsize cars except for the GTP.
And the Honda would be smoother and more refined.
GM sells over 700,000 of it's wbody cars a year.
That is a large share of customers looking for roomy cars. If I added in the Lesabre, Bonneville, etc. that is well over a million sales of cars that are larger than the Accord.
I see very few people under 45-50 driving them.
Styling is not great. dash is very Buick like.
Car is also slab sided.
you are assuming alot when comparing future GMs and Hondas. keep in mind that the future mid size gm cars will be based off a european GM platform that will be significantly better than the current one. refinement is one area where detroit (per say) will catch up with the japanese...because they have to. now whether they will attain the so-called superior japanese overall quality...i don't know.
as for avalon competition...to me the only GM cars that compete are the large cars...lesabre, etc. don't think anyone looking at a grand prix would ever look at an avalon. just like i don't think folks looking for avalon sized cars will look at an accord...but they would look an acura RL sized honda!
You might be thinking of the 2004 malibu which will be on the all new Epsilon chassis.
Unfortunately the GP will debut with a more powerful supercharged version of the 3800 engine.
Still pushrods. No OHC for a couple of years.
CTS will get it first in 2003.
The death of Oldsmobile and the demise of the Shortstar has left GM with no OHC engines in its midsize cars.
I miss my Intrigue, not because of its myriad of problems, but because that car went like stink with the Shortstar.
It will be at least 2-3 years before GM will have it's engine program together.
New 2004 GP will be wbody. Impala is changed out
in 2006 or so. Maybe it will be.
But Malibu is Epsilon. Same as Opel, and I think Saab 9-3?
Go to www.GMinsidenews.com, or cheersandgears.com
does honda throw in gap insurance or require an acquisition fee when you lease the '03 accord??
Jeff
you have anything to back that up? my understanding is that it's not a design flaw but the result of bad parts from a supplier. and Honda is not able to hide the extent of the problem as you are implying. so go on with your conspiracies.
Inventory is on their web site and prices are clearly shown. http://www.markroberts.com/
If you buy from there dealer is in Bartlesville OK and salesman to talk to is John Page. They have an 800 number on the Web site--tell him INKY sent you!
My 03 Noble green EX V-6 has finally reached shipped status which makes me happy since I need a car now. Although the $9.99 rental on weekends from enterprise is quite a hoot for $32.00 total with tax and 450 miles.
INKY
INKY
I found a dealer in MA who will sell it for 24K. He does charge $250 for title,doc,and reg. Are you sure invoice is around 23,700? I think it is lower, but I am not sure. There is a 3% hold back on sticker so even at invoice dealer makes $800. My concern is some of the unsure reviews from others. I want V6 with no moon roof, but would have to settle for cloth which I do not like in their style.
Take the new GP, which made the auto show tour as the G-Force. I saw it in Chicago and was not impressed. All they are doing is throwing a big engine at and old chassis that can't match Honda or Toyota. Even GMinsidenews is down on the W-Body cars.
Honda (and Toyota) have little to worry about...
Still have not seen a 03 Accord. The dealer I stopped into on the weekend had none. Have they even arrived in Canada yet??
Please email me name/address of MA dealer. My window of opportunity closed with Mark Roberts & MA is closer for me anyway (bought a 99 Ody EX there in Aug 99, 1300 miles to save 2K). I'm in Muddyland so MA looks to be only about 400 miles away!
Inky:
Good luck on your purchase and let's hear a review of your new wheels!
Also, about the Accord being too big: I haven't been in the new one, but I have a 98. I never would have bought a previous-generation Accord because they lacked sufficient headroom and back seat room. So you can count me in as one who doesn't want to see the Accord shrink back to the dimensions it had before 1998.
College Hills Honda lists invoice/MSRP prices on their web site:
Accord DX
Manual - Retail $15,800 | Invoice $14,228.42
Automatic - Retail $16,600 | Invoice $14,947.32
Accord LX
Manual - Retail $19,200 | Invoice $17,283.77
Automatic - Retail $20,000 | Invoice $18,002.68
Accord LX S-SRS
Manual - Retail $19,450 | Invoice $17,508.43
Automatic - Retail $20,250 | Invoice $18,227.34
Accord EX
Manual - Retail $21,600 | Invoice $19,440.49
Automatic - Retail $22,400 | Invoice $20,159.40
Accord EX-L
Manual - Retail $22,900 | Invoice $20,608.72
Automatic - Retail $23,700 | Invoice $21,327.63
Accord EX-L NAVI (Available Nov 02)
Manual - Retail $24,900 | Invoice $22,405.99
Automatic - Retail $25,700 | Invoice $23,124.89
Accord LXV-6
Automatic - Retail $23,000 | Invoice $20,698.58
Accord EXV-6
Automatic - Retail $25,800 | Invoice $23,214.76
Accord EXV-6 NAVI (Available Nov 02)
Automatic - Retail $27,800 | Invoice $25,012.03
Destination and Handling add $460 | Effective Date: 09.05.02
Keep in touch
INKY in Tulsa
2 women mid 30's with previous gen Avalons. 1 with/1 without kids. Both professionals that needed a larger car and traded up from smaller imports (1 Civic/1 626). Both looked at the usual imports but neither looked at Buicks/Grand Marquis etc. One of them recently traded up to a CPO BMW 7 series but kept the Avalon.
The other is a mid 20's man with a current gen. He would only look at Toyotas and needed something for carting clients and the such. It works for him.
thanks
if you are thinking of IMPORTING a car, then you should check Transport Canada (government agency responsible for auto standards here) for import duties/taxes - http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/rsimp_e.htm
In general cars (new and used) are cheaper here. Check www.autotrader.ca for a listing of used cars in Ontario. My advice: sell there and buy used/new car here.
At 38k on my 01 Accord, it's time for new tires. I'm sure they'd make it to 50k if I pushed it, but I don't want to risk the upcoming winter snow with worn tires.
I can't think of any reason to stick with the OEM Michelin Energy MXV4 tires. Disadvantages include being incredibly expensive, lackluster snow performance, and so-so tread wear.
I'm most seriously considering the Michelin X-One, but have heard good things about the Toyo 800 Ultra and the Bridgestone Turanza LS-T.
According to Michelin's own web site, the X-One rates higher than the MXV4 in every category except "high performance".
The disadvantages for the X-One are a lower speed rating (T vs. H), but that's not an issue for me since I rarely exceed 85 mph.
I'm not interested in a performance tire - quietness, long life and snow performance are the most important factors for me.
Anyone have personal experience with the X-One, or recommendations for other tires?