Older Honda Accords

dfong87

i know most people are still breaking in there car, but i thought this would be an interesting thread.

what are people seeing?

with our EX-I4 (Auto trans), our first tankful (260 miles) got us 27.6 mpg in mixed driving. [half highway and half stop and go city driving] for comparison, my 2000 Civic EX (MT) gets around 30-31 in the same type of driving.

krillin

Has anyone else with an '03 Accord been experiencing a rubbing/brushing feel and sound after it has been parked for awhile.

This has happened to me a few times when I either back out the car in the morning from my driveway and then straighten out to go down the street or when I back out of a parking space and begin to move forward. It sounds like two things are rubbing/scraping against each other after the front wheels straighten. It never happens other than when I first pull out from being parked for awhile. (i.e. does not occur if I have been driving it and then park it for a little bit to run into the store) Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

BTW - Have ~2700 miles already on the car and loving every inch of the ride!

bodydouble

You sure the sound you hear is not the sound of the ABS self-test, which can sound like a humming/groaning sound?

krillin

ABS self-test??? I never knew such a thing existed. Does this self-test always occur whenever the car is first driven from being parked? Because I only get the sound when it has been parked for awhile. Anyways, thanks and please explain this ABS self-test further if you could.

krillin

Also, you can actually feel something rubbing against another thing through the accelerator pedal.

krillin

If so, which ones were they? 9006ST?

Thanks in advance.

rogcheng

2003 Accord EX 4dr 5spd manual

first tank: 30.9mpg (dealer filled gas)
second tank: 30.4mpg (premium 91 octane)

Driving is pretty mixed. Some city miles, mostly highway. Several cold starts per tank (about 7ish). Average driving style (sometimes agressive 3-5krpm shifts, but usually conservative).

rogcheng

Anyone notice the VTEC kicking in at different times? It seems like when I drive agressively, the VTEC kicks in sooner (lower rpms) and when I drive less agressively, the VTEC never kicks in.

Also, anyone notice the difference in performance with premium octane gasoline in the 4cyl? I called Honda's customer support out of curiosity and they said that the 4-cyl uses a knock sensor similar to the one used in the V6. My 4-cyl seemed a little faster with premium, but it could have been placebo.

bolivar

Yes, several cars I've owned did a ABS test. And the ones I remember most occured after being parked for a while and after being backed up.

It's kind of a 'burring', 'humming', or 'mutted clicking'. And I think you can 'feel' it sometimes.

ickes_mobile

ABS test. We have the same on our '01 Accord EX. It typically occurs by the time we've backed out to the street over our 25' driveway.

bodydouble

Just to add to what the others have said alreay, the ABS system performs a self-test everytime you start the car after it's been parked for awhile to make sure the system is working . The sound you hear is as the other posters have described. I can't say for sure if I've felt it. But if you could, it would just be a slight vibration I think. Your manual may offer more information on this.

essweb

recently started a new job, and one way of 45 miles to work. After the first two weeks, my 98 Accord averaged more than 32 mpg. The cars has 76,000 miles and so far I only spent money on oil changed every 75K miles since new, two brake pads. The rotor needed refinished at about 60K miles. It is not a BMW 3, but it sure last longer.

okidokie

Subjectively, I think this accord is not that good looking. But certainly it looks different than the previous model.

Honda's trannys are not reliable. There was a recall, and many people's trannys broke down. It is a major mechanical failure that I think is unforgiveable.

Minor issues like broken door locks, broken gauges, etc...happen.

In words, it needs improvement in reliablity.

bodydouble

anonymousposts

Thought you might want to know that BMW M3 engines are self-destructing and BMW electronics self-destruct. Honda had a problem with a limited number of V6 transmissions and has taken all necessary steps to rectify the situation.

diploid

BMW. The Ultimate Recall Machine.

adamr2

When I hit the lever to move the upper part of the seat back (to recline as if you wanted to lay down), the seat moves fine, but it gives off a fairly loud grinding noise as it moves back. If I continue to move it back, then forward, it gets quieter. But then if I let it sit for a minute, then move it again, the grinding noise is loud again. Anyone experience this? Are your power seats loud when the move?

okidokie

The following are just PART of ALL the RECALLS for Honda and Acuras. Bottom line is, they are not reliable.

http://209.58.136.120/rcls/nhtsa/99/acura.htm

re: acura transmission problem recall

http://209.58.136.120/rcls/nhtsa/pr98nhtsa/feb98/98v018.htm

re: honda and acura recalls

http://www.safetyalerts.com/recall/a/02/v00332.htm

re: a recall of 17511 new hondas and acuras.

http://209.58.136.120/rcls/nhtsa/99/99v069.htm

re: a recall for ball joint failures

http://209.58.136.120/recall/a/013/v181.htm

re: honda recall Civic

diploid

"Bottom line is, they are not reliable."

OK, what brand do you say is reliable?

bodydouble

but if, based on that list of problems, you have come to the rather general conclusion that Hondas are not reliable. Period, no ifs ands or buts, then fine. All I can say is.......OKIDOKIE!

BTW, have you perused recalls and TSB's and lemon cases of other brands, such as BMW, MB, Ford, etc, etc, etc?

bodydouble

I was also going to ask you the same question diploid asked.

diploid

Stop it bodydouble, I was waiting for him to answer my question so I could do that.

okidokie

Most cars have been recalled. But some cars have fewer frequency of recalls than others.

BMW have a LOT of recalls;and BMW is not that good in crash test either.

So bottom line is, no bmws and hondas.

Chevy cavalier has pretty few recalls in the last 6 years. The following are "virtually" all the recalls for chevy cavalier and pontiac sunfie in the last 5-6 years.

http://209.58.136.120/recall/autorecall/99v218.htm

re: chevy cavalier

http://209.58.136.120/rcls/nhtsa/pr98nhtsa/98v319.htm

re: chevy cavalier and sunfire recall

http://209.58.136.120/rcls/nhtsa/pr98nhtsa/jun98/98v146.htm

________________________________

Due to the fact that chevy cavalier have few recalls (fewer frequency), maybe cavalier is more reliable than honda civic.

Lexus LS430 is pretty reliable, I don't see any of its recall. Cadillacs are prettly reliable because they don't have any recalls in the last 2 years. etc etc

Bottom line: There are more reliable cars out there. And do your research before you get one. And if you got the wrong one, don't get mad at other's critisms.

diploid

No one's mad at your "criticism," but quite honestly its logic is extremely faulty.

Now, you posted recalls for the Cavalier, a single model in the Chevrolet brand.

However, you posted recall notices for Honda cars, not just one specific car, but for the whole brand to show that it's not reliable. Not a fair comparison.

I want you to name the brand that you think is reliable and I will provide links for every recall that that brand has had and tell you that it's not reliable. That's basically what you're doing when you say Honda is not reliable by posting links for recalls. And that is what's annoying people. It's not your criticism, but the method you used to form that opinion.

asm0721

Hello:

Any have a remote start installed on an 03 Accord yet? Any major issues? Anything I should watch out for before I get one installed?

maple49

Recalls do not necessarily mean a vehicle is not reliable. Recalls fix a design problem that in the vast majority of cases has not caused any issues (yet?). And, the recall may have nothing to do with a cars reliability.

Reliability, as most people would agree, would refer to a vehicle that provides an owner with many years of trouble free service with minimal repair costs. I have owned three Hondas. I sold one with 95K miles. I currently have one with 96K miles and another with only 6K miles. They have never left me stranded or needed to be towed. I have never paid for any repairs other than regular maintenance. If that doesn't qualify as reliable, I don't know what does.

Anyway, we don't need to address these dopey reliability claims. Every "expert" with historical data will tell you that as a brand Honda, along with Toyota, manufacture the most reliable vehicles PERIOD.

ickes_mobile

http://www.auto.com/reuters1.htm

maq4463

Can anyone please post a link where we can find the parts content (%) of a specific car. I mean the percentage that's written on the window sticker.

I was a little surprised when I saw on a made in Japan accord's window sticker that Japanese parts were only 25%. I remeber when my sister bought her 2001 Accord, made in Japan, japanese parts were around 70%. Has Honda so drastically cut back on Japanese parts on even cars made in Japan?

Any ideas?

bowke

honda has moved so much of their manufacturing to the US that they actually have to import accord parts to build them in japan...however...i wouldnt worry about it, as honda has proved that they can build the same part, with american workers, and keep the quality as good or better than if built in japan. its all a matter of quality control at the manufacturing point, and honda is the best in the world at this.

aming

I talked to a sales person here in Calgary, AB Canada and they told me that they get their cars from a plant in Ontario.

For our American friends:
Alberta is above the state of Washington (West) and Ontario is above the Great Lakes (East)....

I had believed that Canada also received them from the US ...

krillin

Unfortunately, I already have one. I was just wondering if anyone knew a good method in which I can use touch-up paint to hide this blemish as much as possible. Like how to apply and if anything else is needed like sanding?

Thanks in advance.

jagdish

I bought a used 97 Honda Accord with 98,000 miles. My wife and I noticed this smell after a few days. Does any one else have a similar experince ? Is there a simple remedy ? thanks in advance

BTW, got better than 32 mpg on long drive from DC
to Miami

jagdish

czerwinski

To post #6717 above; (okiedokie, Champion of the Chevy Cavalier) Honda's are extremely reliable cars that are near the top of quality tests every year. There reliability is also proven by excellent resale values. I have had two Honda's and one Acura over the last ten years and not had one problem. Looking forward to test driving the new Accord, although not thrilled by the exterior design.

yugoboy

"Honda and Acuras. Bottom line is, they are not reliable."

Well that is one way to rock the boat, you better be careful in these neck of the wood's, the hondaphiles might find you and string you up by your toe nails if your not careful!!!! Just joking!!!

diploid

A more focused review of the Accord from Edmunds. Automatic V-6 did 0-60 in 7 seconds flat, 6.8 seconds for the Altima V-6...where did all that torque go?

Interior materials are better than Mazda6 and Altima, but the reviewer gave the handling to the 6, Altima and Passat.

robertsmx

One word... Tires. Also, I noticed Edmunds reviewers think differently of Honda's rear suspension geometry then I do. Based on what I gather from the review, the new Accord was happy to turn its tail around, something I was hoping didn't go away with the 2003 model (haven't driven it yet). C&D review pointed that out as 'missing' character with the redesign.

But a fair review this time. Interesting to note is the mileage they achieved, 26.5 mpg!

diploid

Does that explain the Altima's lower-than-expected performance or the Accord's higher-than-expected performance?

Yes, a much more fair review this time. They seem to agree with a lot of the other reviews that the Accord's seats are the best/among the best this side of 30K. The high praise for the cupholders was a surprise, though.

And if you look at the review index for Honda, the Accord article from the infamous Chris W. is not listed there. However, it's right here to our left under Helpful Links. Go figure.

piceno

piceno

I want to buy 4 winter tires for my car; I live in Montreal, Canada, where the winters can be brutal.

I've narrowed the choices to TOYO GO-2 or Yokohama F720. Can anyone recommend one vs the other? Are there any other winter tires which
can be recommended?

Thanks...

seaf

An I4 accord's rear probably would have stuck to the ground better than the LX V6 they test drove due to lighter weight. More weight from the V6 up front tends to shift the center of mass up more, leaving less traction in the rear when trying to do a sharp turn. Also the accords' suspensions are probably fine-tuned for the I4 engine since that's the mainstream target, an exception to this might be the EX-V6 coupe coming next year.

dfong87

anyone notice the sound levels measured/reported by the review? 92 db at 70 MPH cruising? maybe on a rough road. this has to be a typo (considering that at full throttle, the sound level is less)

bodydouble

How about Blizzaks? I've heard they are good snow/ice tires. I don't use snow tires though since we don't get much snow here in Lotusland.

aming

Bodydouble: Quit that. You beat me to it. Yes, I too would recommend the Blizzaks. Recently went on a fact finding mission (1 week ago) and found the numbers were pointing to Blizzaks ws50's and Michelin (Arctic Alpin). Both are up there in Price but you get the best winter tire on the market. Hope this helps.....

barresa62

The latest Edmunds review of the 03'Accord sedan mentions more than once that 17"wheels/tires aren't available from Honda. According to the "build your own" site at Honda, there are 17"wheels available as a dealer installed option for the sedan (at least on the EX v/6).

Stephen

bodydouble

hehe. You snooze you lose

diploid

barres - They tested an LX Accord. I think they were rightfully complaining that 17" wheels were not even available as an option for this trim level.

bartalk2

For winter tires, check out the current issue of Consumer Reports. They tested many.

barresa62

the 17" wheels available w/the LX v/6 according to the "Build and Price" link.

http://www.hondacars.com/models/model_overview.asp?ModelName=Accord+Sedan

Stephen

diploid

Those are dealer installed accessories. The 17" wheels would cost $1,000.00.

I think Edmunds was trying to say that 17" wheels should be available as a factory option, which saves you the inconvenience of coming back to the dealer to have them installed.

ickes_mobile

used to be a dealer installed option on the Civic when I was looking at them in 1994. As for wheels, its kind of a stupid setup because you end up paying for both the 16" and then the 17" wheels. Keeps things simple for Honda at the factory however. If you do buy the 17" dealer installed wheels, what do you do with the 16"? Spend even more $$$ for winter tires?