Older Honda Accords

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Comments

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,385
    I've been looking at new cars and despite some bad dealership experiences with Honda in the past that turned me off them, the new Accord seems to offer a very appealing package. I have read that the 4-cyl with manual trans is fine, but I want an autobox and don't want to move up to the V-6. Any real-world experiences with this combo? Is it a slug?

    I am not crazy about the styling although the front end has grown on me, but having looked at a top-line 4-cyl with alloys, leather, and woodgrain in Redondo Red with ivory leather it seemed like a tremendously appealing package - if the performance was acceptable.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    Every 15k ...rotate tires

    Wow, there's no way that'd work for me! You really get no less than 60,000 miles out of a set? Do all Accord owners drive this conservatively? =)
  • atlantabennyatlantabenny Member Posts: 735
    ab348, I bought this car for my wife and we're both happy with its acceleration and overall performance.

    The 5-speed auto tranny has a lot to do with this car's responsiveness, as it shifts very quickly when you step on the gas. Having driven manuals before, in my view it's the next best thing to a manual.

    Just came back from an 1800 mile round trip to New York; on the highway it'll pass energetically enough that you'll cut back sooner than desired.

    The V6, which I also tested, is expectedly quieter and more instantaneous in response but costs about US$2k more.

    If you'll be the primary occupant of the car and won't be going on occasional 4-occupant & their baggage trips with steep highway grades, the 4 is just right.
  • cds12cds12 Member Posts: 139
    FYI - Red only comes wth a dark grey interior.
  • asafonovasafonov Member Posts: 401
    Greetings,

    I am looking for a used 2000 or 2001 Accord - a 2 or 3 year old car. I considered the LX, SE and VP trims. I know that Accords are (usually) reliable, but I am wondering whether these years represent a good buy. Also, are Edmunds' dealer TMV prices for those (about 13k for a 2001 LX, 11.5k for 2000 LX) in the ballpark?

    BTW, I would not mind paying a close-to-dealer price when buying from a private owner with maintenance records, but in Minneapolis/St. Paul where I live few 2-3 year old cars are sold privately - most are advertised by dealers.
  • own4hown4h Member Posts: 20
    I took my new 2003 EX-L on a long trip thru the rockies, and I was so impressed with the 2.4 litre engine. Have a 98 EX-V6 auto and I believe the EX-L with the 4 and manual will beat it off the line, and will highway cruise with ease and comfort (even when loaded with 5 adults and luggage) and thru the mountain passes. I test drove the 5 sp auto and found it to be a good match to the engine, but think the 5 sp manual is more fun to drive and a slightly better performer. Gas milage is great, as is the drive train. Great family vacation car.
  • abpelch1abpelch1 Member Posts: 48
    Every 15k ...rotate tires

    I think you misunderstood. He is talking about rotating the tires, not replacing them. Rotating every 15k miles helps to extend the life of the tire. You would have to be laying a lot of rubber on the street to need to replace tires every 15k.
  • bburton1bburton1 Member Posts: 395
    If u don't they get cupped or mine do at least. Then they go wa wa wa wa-have heard some people go by and their poor tires are screaming. A couple of years ago somebody posted an explination of why FWD cars cup the rear tires so fast. rotate rotate rotate and they last longer.
  • prabakarpprabakarp Member Posts: 2
    Please help me find the web sites for 2002
    inventory. I am looking for a bargain price on
    new old models.
    Thanks
  • bimmer4mebimmer4me Member Posts: 266
    stick with the LX or SE, if I'm not mistaken, the VP is nothing more than a gussied up DX that has the smaller engine,manual windows,cruise control, power door locks and not much else.
  • s852s852 Member Posts: 1,051
    I thought they were normally around 5K miles.
    Usually the tire manufacturer's chain of stores will rotate the tires free even if the dealer won't.
    I have been to Honda dealers that would rotate the tires free if you were having an oil change or some other service where the car would be raised anyway and other to dealers that still charged extra for the tire rotation no matter what.
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    yeah, like s852 said. 15k miles is a long time to wait between rotations! Of course they'll last longer than 15k total, but using a 15k interval means the tires don't complete their rotation until 60k miles!

    Tires should be rotated no more than every 10k miles (preferably less), or does Honda recommend 15k intervals to go with their 10k oil changes?

    My rule is that the tires get rotated when the oil filter gets changed. That's every 6-7000 miles. For you Accord owners with the super clean engines, formula would work out to 20k miles- maybe that's the confusion.

    Sorry for the oodles of sarcasm :)
  • asafonovasafonov Member Posts: 401
    Bimmer4me:

    Yes, I know VP is the updgraded DX, just as the SE is the upgraded LX. LX is probably a better value for the money, but since I am buying used, I am willing to consider a VP since:
     - this will be my wife's car, and she does not care much about performance (wanted a minivan)
     - the engine in the VP is weaker (135 vs. 150 hp) since it is a non-VTEC, though it has the same 2.3l displacement. Because the non-VTEC engine is simpler, it actually may be cheaper to work on and may last longer. Correct me here if I am wrong.
     - Manual windows are inconvenient, but, again, the price on a VP *may* be 2-2.5k lower than a similarly aged- and miled LX.

    What are everybody's opinions of fair dealer/private party 2000-2001 Accord prices in the Midwest (I am in Minneapolis/ St. Paul)? Edmunds TMVs have been accurate for me in the past, but I noticed that Edmunds had higher TMVs on 2000 SE's than EX's and LX-V6's - this certainly seems wrong.

    Accord4Her
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,385
    Maybe in the US, but here in Canada the Redondo Red EX-L is only available with ivory leather, which to my mind is a far more appealing combo than dark gray. The other color I like is the dark blue, but it comes with black leather which, while better than gray, might be a bit dark.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • s852s852 Member Posts: 1,051
    No matter what TMV or blue books say, you have to look at the what someone could buy it for new today. If they could buy a new car of the same model and level of options for around the same price as the book value says, no one is going to pay that for a used one. You will have to adjust your selling price to be less than anyone could buy new even after any rebates or incentives available on the new cars.
  • krillinkrillin Member Posts: 27
    I have a '03 EX-V6 coupe and the exhaust tips seem to have a brownish stain on them. Its not rust, but is this normal?
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    I had a 2001 EX V6 coupe and I feel that the engine in the 03 EX-L 5-speed coupe I have is just as responsive and quiet, if not more so, than the 01. The 03 EX is also way more refined than the 99 EX 5-speed sedan that I had.
  • cds12cds12 Member Posts: 139
    Sorry - Didnt see you were Canadian, AH
  • jud95accordjud95accord Member Posts: 58
    I have an 03 V6 sedan and I have the same orangish brown color on my exhaust tips. I just had my first oil change at 4000 miles and my Honda service person said it was okay (normal). Do you make short trips like I do? - 1 to 5 miles sometimes.

    Judy
  • 03honda03honda Member Posts: 96
    Hi everyone! I am going to be purchasing a 4cyl Accord EX within the next few weeks, however, I am in a dilemma. I am not sure if the leather package is worth the extra bucks. Is leather more durable in the long run than cloth will be? Thanks again in advance!!
  • hbund216hbund216 Member Posts: 162
    I don't know about durability but here is what I have to say. My 2000 is cloth and I wish I had it in leather. The good thing about leather is you can spill things on it and it wipes off. Also if you have an active life style it helps. When I go snowboarding I have to layout towels to get changed so the seats don't get saturated with water. Same thing when changing from paintball. If you like the way the leather feels go for it. I have an Oldsmobile with a 100,000 miles and the leather has held up very well.
  • maxamillion1maxamillion1 Member Posts: 1,467
    plus, don't forget with leather you get the power driver's seat and DUAL zone climate control
  • charliecarcharliecar Member Posts: 19
    03Honda: I just went through the same decision and finally got cloth. There are pluses and minuses for each, and it comes down to which factors are most important to you. There are many comments on many boards re specific cars, but I found it especially useful to read two archived message boards on Edmunds:
    "leather vs. cloth seats- which do you prefer and why?"
    and
    "Leather seats: Useful option or a ripoff"
    but as maxamillion1 points out, the extra equipment with the leather package is also a drawing card.
     
    ab348: This is the first time I realized that Canadians have different color choices that Americans. I had a tough time deciding on color. I wanted the silver exterior, but not the black interior. Just out of curiosity, what color interiors are in the silver and "gold" (Desert Mist) cars in Canada?
  • 03honda03honda Member Posts: 96
    Thanks a lot, those links are very helpful...I noticed from your profile that you live in PA; what dealer did you purchase from and were you happy with them?
  • charliecarcharliecar Member Posts: 19
    03honda: I'm happy to chat with you about this, but I'm not sure whether it is or is not appropriate for the public board. Sysop: guidance? Meanwhile, let's take the conservative approach and communicate off line. I have temporarily made my e-mail address visible in my profile.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    We would have preferred the cloth interior but since my fiance is 6'6 he needed the extra adjustments offered by the power seat. It is nice to have the dual-zone climate control and the heated seats though.
  • richm4richm4 Member Posts: 169
    I would prefer to buy the EX-V6 with cloth due to better comfort in really hot or cold weather, but am disappointed that it's not offered in this car.
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,385
    According to www.honda.ca the choices are:

    Nighthawk Black Pearl/black
    Satin Silver Metallic/black
    Desert Mist Metallic/ivory
    Graphite Pearl/black
    Redondo Red Pearl/ivory
    Eternal Blue Pearl/black

    I think the blue exterior would look great with the ivory leather, but it's not offered. And you can't get a blue EX-L anyway. Since the red is exclusive to that model I would go for it.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    On the board.
  • ray_h71ray_h71 Member Posts: 212
    Forgive the intrusion from a non-Honda owner, but, ~NOTHING~ feels as sumptuous as finely tanned, supple, leather. Having said that, keep in mind:

    Modern synthetic fabrics can outlast the car if treated reasonably, and can be resurrected fairly well from even what used to be considered "impossible" stains. Fabrics are natural breathers, though, so is leather to a surprising degree. Leather is, in the end, cow skin - complete with pores. Vinyl, of course, is the ultimate bad boy for hot and cold weather seating comfort. Vinyl will eventually crack from heat and air pollution despite slathering Armorall or similar products on it for the simple reason that, except for several microns, vinyl is not absorbant. Leather, while not extroaordinarly difficult to maintain, does require formal care several times a year to prevent loss of resiliency and cracking. There are some excellent leather care products from Lexol and Zymol. However, one of the biggest leather suppliers worldwide, Eagle Ottawa*, in Wisconsin, has a very reasonably priced line of leather care products: "Tanner's Preserve Leather Conditioning Cream" and "Tanner's Preserve Leather Cleaner". Both are available at WalMart for $4.88 U.S., each. The cleaner will effectively remove ink stains (normally a bear on leather). The conditioning cream restores leather's yummy suppleness and imparts a natural leather aroma. This isn't too surprising since Eagle Ottawa states that their conditioning cream uses some of the same emollients they use during the tanning process. My car came with fabric - and a very comfortable one at that. However, my dealer offered to have an upholsterer he contracts with do a complete leather install, mimicking the factory stitching and pattern, door panel inserts, and front and rear headrests for $1,120.00 U.S. including taxes. This upholsterer even went to the trouble to prepare the front seat back covers to "give" appropriately in the event the seat-mounted side air bags ever deploy in an accident. From a practical standpoint, there's NO way I could justify this indulgence. Fortunately, in rare instances I'm not practical... I haven't regretted the decision. I made it a point to apply the conditioning cream as soon as I got the car home after installation. It left no slick or sticky residue, and the surface texture is noticeably more supple than prior to the application. By the way, I don't work for WalMart or Eagle Ottawa.

    *As an aside, Eagle Ottawa does not list the automakers to whom they supply hides, but they did indicate on their website that they received an award in 2002 from Toyota for quality consistency. Though based in Wisconsin, they have facilities in about a half dozen countries. That disclosure seems to indicate that Toyota is one of their customers for at least some of their car divisions.
  • motormannmotormann Member Posts: 20
    I am in the market for new wheels and like the new Accord....does anyone have XM Radio with their '03 Accord? I have read that it is a dealer-installed option but my local dealer knows nothing about it. I'd be interested to know in particular if it uses the existing head unit and if the option can be used with the NAV system / screen. Thanks!
  • s852s852 Member Posts: 1,051
    I don't even see XM listed on the website, but it has been talked about, so if the dealer "knows nothing" about it, they are pretty clueless. Maybe they have not been given a release date, but they should have at least heard that it is coming sometime.
    Maybe it will not be available until later this year or they may have decided to just wait until the 2004 models, when XM will be installed at the factory instead of at the dealership.
  • krillinkrillin Member Posts: 27
    No... My commute to work is about 23 miles each way. Did the service reps tell you why the exhaust tips have the orangish brown color?
  • mab31230mab31230 Member Posts: 1
    seems to be an aggravating wind noise coming somewhere from drivers side
    door/window. hard to localize. silicon lubed door seals, window track,
    etc. no real help. anyone else noticing this? any thoughts?
    i only hear the noise at speeds above 40. it is very hard to localize
    because if i move my head 6inches or so away from normal driving
    position (in any direction) it is difficult to hear. also the tone and
    strength of the wind noise can fluctuate if i am in varying degrees of
    crosswind relative to the car's motion.
  • atlantabennyatlantabenny Member Posts: 735
    Have you tried cracking the window just enough without letting wind in ? I did this to isolate the cause of my driver's window creak (not wind noise like yours). Noise went away doing this, confirming that the problem area was at the glass' top edge which was probably rubbing against its groove.

    After a long trip, noise is gone, suggesting that the glass likely smoothened out its mating surfaces. Lubricating the glass' top edge should have the same effect.
  • jud95accordjud95accord Member Posts: 58
    The service rep didn't say why they would be turning orange-brown except that it was okay. I'll be taking my husband's 02 V6 coupe in for an oil change soon and I'll ask them again about the color. My husband's car does not have that color on his tips - he drives about 45 miles to work one way.

    Judy
  • jmessjmess Member Posts: 677
    I drove a 4cyl EX Automatic yesterday and noticed that when stopped on any sort of incline the steering wheel would vibrate while the car idled in drive. On a level surface/road it didn't seem to be as noticeable.

    Is this a standard feature of this car? My Lexus idles so smoothly that I found the vibration in the EX's steering wheel to be a little annoying. I drove a Mazda 6 4cyl Auto and it didn't do this.
  • bowke28bowke28 Member Posts: 2,185
    you should consider an '03 dx. we have them advertised w/air and auto for $16966. most dealers should be able to do this. the new dx includes more than the previous vp did.

    cd player
    5-sp. auto
    2.4l i-vtec
    power windows
    tilt/telescope
    abs

    you lose:
    cruise
    keyless entry

    add to that you can choose whatever color you want, and not take a chance on someone else's lack of maintenance.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    $16,900 seems high. Local dealers here in Atlanta have LX Accords advertised for $17,500-$18,500. Going off of the carsdirect.com price you are paying $2000 just to get AC if you pay $16,996. The carsdirect price for a LX with automatic is $18,100. So for an extra $1100 on top of your advertised price you are getting cruise, keyless, etc.
  • revgslickrevgslick Member Posts: 5
    an '03 EX-L Accord Auto. Very smooth car. Two questions to current owners:

    How many kms/tank are you getting? Highway/City ratio?

    Also, has anyone in BC been able to negotiate a discount? I was offered $1000 off sticker. Good deal? Thanks in advance

      Kevin
  • bowke28bowke28 Member Posts: 2,185
    the ad at 16966 was for an lx-5 sp.

    dx was there last week at 15199 for 5-sp, and 15999 for auto (air included)
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    You should always try to get b/w 3%-5% off MSRP. Anything lower than 3% is not a good deal IMO. So for an Accord that starts at $24.000 CAD, a $1000 discount does NOT meet my 3%-5% range, hence I think you can do much better. I'm not sure how much the EXs go for though, but just figure out what 94% of MSRP is (to give yourself a little room to get to 3%-5%), and start from there.

    Also, depending where you live dictates the type of deal you will get. For example, in Toronto there are 10+ dealers from every manufacturer, so you can always set a day aside and go talk price with 5 dealers of so. You will find that just by going in different showrooms you will save yourself $1000 off MSRP.

    Now in certain parts of Toronto where the population only buys Honda/Toyota (and Acura/Lexus, BMW and MB), you will NOT get a good deal b/c they have plenty of other people willing to pay MSRP just b/c of demand in that particular area. Go 25kms west and things change dramatically...

    Mileage should be ok - i's not like you're buying a gas pig (aka: truck).

    And now the usual comments from a Mazda fan: You should also check out the Mazda6 if you value a fun to drive car.

    Dinu
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    But the 160hp engine with auto transmission offers no where near the same driving experience as the 160hp engine in the Accord. I've driven both, and you cant really get a strong start off the line in the Mazda unless you dig with the go-pedal. Needs at least 4000 RPM before the upshift to feel strong. The Accord's 4, however feels strong in all ranges. For those seeking a sporty car and needing the automatic, either spring for the Mazda 6 with a V6, or go Accord. For most families, the Accord is a better compromise. IMO.
    ~alpha
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    I think part of the fun-to-drive equation is revving the engine. Fun in an Integra, not in an Accord.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    It's a four speed. That'll explain the he sluggish nature. Considering the bulk of Accords are 4 cylinder LX's that doesn't bode well for sales of a "family sedan" that can't get that combination right.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    yea, I dont think that has anything to do with it. There are plenty of 4 speed autos out that that provide decent off the line strength. Case in point- the previous Accord, the current Camry 4cyl, etc. Conversely, plenty of 5sp autos offer sluggish kickdown response. Your point is well taken, though I still think the 6's issue has more to do with its power and torque curves. For example, Car and Driver openly stated that even with the 6's MANUAL transmission, "there's little grunt to be had below 3500 RPM, and you cant even hook the car on the clutch to move off until about 3000 RPM". Clearly, the issue is with the engine's revvy nature- great in sporty cars, perhaps not the best match for a family sedan.

    ~alpha
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    have any competition WITH a 5 speed 4 cylinder combo. The Camry also made do with a 135hp engine. It's in a totally different world of family sedandom.

    The Mazda6 automatics work totally against everything Mazda is trying to promote. Even in 6 cylinder auto form it's a disappointment when viewed in context with its handling.

    We are in agreement about the 6's lack of low end though. But it wouldn't be as bad if it had the extra cog to help multiply the torque from the standstill.
  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    I agree the auto does go against what Mazda is trying to promote. Still I would pick the 6 if I were car shopping right now though. I don't like the Accord's exterior styling at all. The 6 looks nice and auto tranny doesn't bother me but to the real enthusiast it does. I hope with next generation Accord Honda gets more youthful looking with the Accord like they did with the 1996-1997 Accord styling.
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    January:
    Accord: 27,449
    Mazda6: 2,254

    Customers in this segment want the whole package. That is where the Accord excels. Besides, looks are highly subjective.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    The Camry WAS in a totally different world with that engine, I completely agree. However, the current Camry 4 competes well, IMO. (And dont forget the DX and VP models of the last gen Accord used 135hp engines as well).

    carguy- I wish I could consider myself a hardened enthusiast, but alas, I drive autos myself, and you are right-most are fine. However, I'm just not a champion of 5sp autos vs. 4 speed boxes. I thought Honda's 4sp was great, and I think the 5sp is great. Cross shopping vehicles in this class, the 5sp is not a selling point for me. Toyota and Nissan both make very responsive 4 speeds and Toyota's 2.4L 4/auto 4 gets only 1 mpg less city/hwy. To me, not a big deal.

    My point with the 6 concerned its engine especially the 4cylinder, which I feel is a bad match for any auto. I dont think a 5sp auto box would make much difference off the line, which is where I felt the 6 to be weakest.

    ~alpha

    this midatlantic blizzard has me a bit stir crazy, sorry for ranting!
    :)
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