Older Honda Accords

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Comments

  • nowakj66nowakj66 Member Posts: 709
    My local dealer in Columbus had a half dozen new Accords in stock this evening. I checked them out.

    Exterior styling tweak impressions:

    - The all red tail lights do not look better to my eye. The white bar in 03s and 04s added some sophistication. I did notice that the Acura TL and 2005 RSX have gone all red in the tail lights too.

    The all red lights left a "Buick Regal" impression that was not one I cared for.

    - The new EX V6 wheels look better in person than on the web. Like the wheels on the EX 4 cylinder cars, they have smooth spokes and rough areas in the edges of the spokes which add a 3d look.
  • gregoryc1gregoryc1 Member Posts: 764
    City driving is going to consume fuel. Question: ---Why would anyone purchase a vehicle with A/C, and then not use it to save fuel? ------Remember, you only go through this life once. This is not a "dress-rehearsal" for the real thing. So,---- enjoy the creature comforts along the way.------ Sometimes my wife and I go down to the river, and enjoy a cup of flavored coffee while sitting in a nice air conditioned vehicle looking at the river traffic. Enjoy you vehicle and the hell with the fuel mileage. It "is" what it "is"!
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    Today's cars don't use that much more gas when the A/C is running. Even more important is that if you don't use the air conditioner for long periods, the seals will dry out and you'll need a seal replacement and recharge of refrigerant.

    It's a good idea to run the A/C for about 10 minutes every few weeks whether you need it or not. During the winter the defroster turns on the A/C in most systems to clear condensation from the inside of the windows--that also keeps the seals from drying......Richard
  • machaanmachaan Member Posts: 30
    Accord with spoilers...looks like a pig with lipstick.
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    I didn't tell him/her not to use the A/C so the car can have a better milage. What I said was don't use the A/C and see if the car has the milage it's supposed to have. If not, then there must be something wrong.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    i think a tasteful and small spoiler on the trunk is fine. it is the ground effects that can kind of cheapen the look of a nice car. took me awhile to find my used Miata LS without the body work.

    just my opinion. Edmunds just posted a review of the upgraded 05 RSX. the pics are worse. they added some ground effects! Honda is strange. they added some strange stuff on the bottom of the 04 Civics too, especially the bottom of the rear bumper. it all looks too aftermarket to me. but then they go and make the TSX virtually the same as an old base Civic sedan. no verve at all. i guess the ground effects will come for 2006 on that car....
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    Just my opinion, but spoiler is a good name for that dumb wing thing stuck on the trunk of ANY car--it spoils the design of the car and does nothing else.

    I read somewhere that you'd have to be driving at least 125 MPH for one of those wings to facilitate air flow over the car and even at that speed, there's likely to be no benefit at all.

    Maybe one advantage could be that some spoiler designs might help in parking the car if it sticks up enough to show where the trunk ends, but not so much as to block rear visibility.

    The new Accord is a smooth, modern design which in my opinion is best left alone.......Richard
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    Your opinion has been noted and immediately disregarded. Thank you for participating though.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,700
    >Re: Is this better? Accord with spoilers...looks >like a pig with lipstick.

    The shape of the vehicle just doesn't have the balance to have a spoiler added. It especially fights with the Buick Regal taillights.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    I like the spoiler. Good thing you guys aren't the one paying for my car, huh?
  • hmurphyhmurphy Member Posts: 278
    I like the spoiler too. I think it's fun. You only live once, right?

    What really impresses me, though, is the fact that someone is obviously quite diligent about mowing that huge lawn. Ours is only mowed when the grass reaches somewhat embarassing heights.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    We have an acre of land to contend with and a limited amount of time to care for it. We usually spend our only day off together mowing the lawn unless we get lucky and it rains :)
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,700
    if YOU like it on there...
    BTW the tree in the background in the one shot doesn't have grass under it. Why not.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • lmacmillmacmil Member Posts: 1,758
    Since styling is totally subjective, it's not surprising that we have a variety of opinions on spoilers. I happen to think that the rear end of the Accord sedan detracts from its overall appearance and that the spoiler kind of smooths out the lines. I doubt that anyone expects any aerodynamic benefit from it.
  • veasnalongveasnalong Member Posts: 21
    Any one know about ( Grade Logic Control )
    is this feature for 2005 only or it start with 2003 accord ? I went to Honda Website check Demo
    Grade Logic Control avoids gear hunting on hills and descents, and downshifts for added engine braking
    If anyone know could you post the answer

    http://www.hondacars.com/models/engineering_overview.asp?ModelNam- e=Accord+Sedan

    Thx,
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    That's the neighbor's lawn.
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    Old feature. My 89 Accord has it.
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    Sorry, my mistake. Read the manual again, it wasn't in 89 Accord. Couldn't remember where I read it from.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    Like I said before, neither one of us are really huge fans of the rear wing spoiler. We both prefer the decklid spoiler. However, it looks decent with the red and since we decided at the dealer we wanted a red one, and there were no more Redondo Red EX-L manual transmissions around anywhere, we bought it. Had it been silver with the spoiler we wouldn't have bought it.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    thats an old Honda automatic feature. on every automatic car Honda has made for probably the past decade or so. even Civics. it can take awhile to get used to. can be going down a hill, and literally just "show" the bottom of your shoe to the brake pedal, and BAM!, next lower gear! you get used to it.
  • bobstbobst Member Posts: 1,776
    A 'wing' is designed to give the car more downforce. To be effective, it should be a distance away from the car where it is out of the slipstream.

    A 'spoiler' is designed to make the air flow smoother over the car. If the air flow is turbulent, a slight vacuum is created in back of the car, reducing the fuel economy. An effective spoiler is attached to the car where it can have the most effect on the air flow.

    So I don't see how any attachment can be both a wing and a spoiler.
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    "So I don't see how any attachment can be both a wing and a spoiler."

    But both can be ugly ;-)
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Is obviously in the eye of the beholder. Since many people have come here to say the car as a whole is "ugly", adding an "ugly" spoiler to the back shouldn't make a difference. Don't like the spoiler or the air dam, don't buy it. Thank god for options huh?
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    You're correct--it's just that I cringe when silly plastic pieces are hung on a beautiful work of art.......Richard
  • jrock80jrock80 Member Posts: 66
    I thought my car was the only one to do this, I checked out another EX V6 and when you put it in reverse they all thump and make a clicking sound. Mine is a little louder than the other car I drove but I guess each car is differant. Everything else works great and shifts solid.
  • alan_salan_s Member Posts: 362
    About 9 months ago I put Bridgestone Turanza LSH's on my Toyota Avalon and 3 months ago on my wife's Sienna. They made a HUGE improvement in smooth ride quality and are EXTREMELY quiet running, improving what are already very quiet vehicles. Bridgestone is offering a 4 for the price of 3 deal. I highly recommend these tires, even over Michelins. Avoid Continentals.
  • emaleemale Member Posts: 1,380
    well, whether the accord is a "work of art" is debateable...anyway my wing is mounted and not hung on the trunk!! lol!
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    Both of the spoilers on our Accord are OEM. They are both items designed by Honda to improve or change the look. I like the chin spoiler and I like the rear spoiler with the red color. Everyone's personal taste may be different. I guess that's why they build different colors and trim levels ..... to each his own.
  • snarkssnarks Member Posts: 207
    Hi All,

    I drove the perfect car for my family recently and was wondering if anyone knew if this would ever make it to the US? In France for two days we rented a Honda Accord Wagon (It looked like a Acura TSX on frontend and in dimensions). The cars driving dynamics in my opinion were superior to the Accord Sedan here. It was a pure pleasure to drive. The choices are a little better for affordable wagons now with the recent 05 Legacy/Mazda 6. I just love loved this car, will it ever make it over here?
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    snarks:

    Your visual observations are correct. The new Acura TSX IS based upon the European (and Japanese domestic market) Honda Accord. Among other things, that Accord is somewhat smaller than the North American Accord.

    Honda/Acura has not publicly expressed any plans to build a station wagon version of either vehicle for the North American market.
  • bluedblued Member Posts: 7
    I have an 04 EX-V6 and was considering getting the exhaust trim to get it to stand out a bit and jazz it up. Unfortunately I don't think I've seen a single Accord with the exhaust trim so I was wondering if anyone had that installed on theirs and what they thought. If anyone has picture to share that'd be great as well.

    Also, I am not the handiest person, but this seems to be fairly easy install. Yes/No?
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    i can't recall where, but i saw some pics of the Sedan with the optional tailpipes. since the bumper doesn't match the bumper on the Accord coupe, it looked kind of aftermarket. not so smooth....

    i think Edmunds supports H&A Accessories.com. there is a link up top- you might try there.
  • snakehairsnakehair Member Posts: 120
    The only drawback to grade logic is when the ground is wet. Sometimes the sudden engine braking added to a somewhat forceful stop (according to conditions) cause the car to momentarily lose traction (or at least feels like it). I find grade logic annoying and counterproductive to smooth stopping, but it has been around for a while. My wife's 86 Civic had it and it was even more pronounced in the smaller car with a 4 speed AT.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    It's a Honda accessory.
  • emaleemale Member Posts: 1,380
    you bring up an interesting point...what about when there is ice on the road and the car downshifts agressively while braking. that sounds like a recipe for disaster!
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    The grade logic in my '04 Accord EX-L 4 cyl. is very subtle--automatic downshifts when descending a steep hill aren't abrupt enough to cause a skid in my opinion. I'm sure Honda must have tested this. Had there been any winter weather crashes caused by grade logic, there would have been considerable news coverage of the problem by now......Richard
  • emaleemale Member Posts: 1,380
    well, i guess with the anti locks you probably wouldn't go into a sideways skid when the tranny downshifts. however, there is a particular instance in my daily drive where i really notice the downshift. it happens when i pass over an elevated bridge and then descend toward a stop sign. as soon as i hit the brake pedal i get a downshift right away...and it actually jerks the car!
  • lawdawgfllawdawgfl Member Posts: 75
    Saturday night I went to a single car rollover accident. When I arrived I found the car to be a 2004 Accord 4 door. There were 6 people in the car (college students) none of them were hurt badly, one did go to the hospital by ambulance but she was released later that night. One went to the hospital by her father who came to the scene she also was released. One went to jail for DUI, and the other three went back to the dorms. Even thought the Accord was totaled, it gave its life for the safety of the students. I’m glad I have an Accord
  • snakehairsnakehair Member Posts: 120
    I agree. There are certain locations where the grade logic is more obtrusive than others. Seems a combination of down hill and coming to a stop from a speed going thru 40 MPH seems to activate the grade logic downshift in a more than "subtle" manner. My wife's Civic was a '96, not '86 as I posted and I do remember losing traction momentarily in that car (circumstances sometimes cause you to stop quicker than anticipated...red light runners for one). Haven't had heartfailure in the Accord yet, possibly becuause I am more aware of the effect of the grade logic shift. Still don't like it or see need for it.
  • sockpuppet1969sockpuppet1969 Member Posts: 308
    It is amazing to see how many people walk away with only a few scratches after rolling their vehicles. Sometimes it seems like the more at fault you are the more likely you are to be fine. I always ask what type of car the person was driving and I have not noticed a correlation between vehicle type or age and severity of injuries. There are so many variables at play.

    Of course, given the same circumstances, I'd rather be driving the Accord. I'm sure it had a lot to do with protecting these kids in this instance. That's why I drive one.

    Which of the air bags deployed? Do you know how fast the vehicle was going? Was there any intrusion into the passenger compartment?
  • maxamillion1maxamillion1 Member Posts: 1,467
    but the driver DOES NOT deserve to drive anymore.

    Driving privelages should be CANCELED for LIFE for the kid.

    It is because of stupid kids like the driver that young, responsible drivers like me have HIGH insurance...
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    6 people in an Accord? Needless to say they probably weren't wearing seatbelts. Since the Accord only has 5 belts at the least that's one person without a belt.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    i agree, that driver should be thrown in jail for almost killing at least 5 people (in his car), not to mention whoever else was on the road.
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    That's why I went for the EX-L Accord last year--side curtain airbags are standard on that car and I wasn't going to buy ANY new car without them. All 2005 Accords are equipped with side curtains, I think. Smart move by Honda and those who buy new Accords.

    I don't know if the wrecked Accord had side curtains, but they're known to be very protective. The dope who was driving and endangering other motorists/pedestrians shouldn't be allowed to drive--it is good to hear that there were no serious injuries because the car proved to be safe.......Richard
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    kinda makes you wonder, does Volvo/Saab really have the "safe car" award in the bag anymore?

    since 99 VW's have been full of bags and strong bodies. and starting in 01 with the Civic and 03 with the Accord, Honda seems to be doing quite well.

    would a loaded up Accord EX-V6 really be any worse than a Volvo S80 anymore?
  • oheyideoheyide Member Posts: 1
    i just got the first oil change on my 2004 Accord done at the local Honda dealer. they used Castrol GTX.5W20. is this brand of oil ok or should they be using Honda oil?
  • talon95talon95 Member Posts: 1,110
    Castrol is a very high quality brand of oil, and is very well suited for your Accord. Nothing at all to worry about.
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    First oil change for me, too. San Francisco Honda has an "Express Lube" service that's open Sundays. Very convenient and same price as Jiffy Lube.

    S.F. Honda's web site describes the service saying they use 10-30 oil, but when I brought my '04 Accord in, they immediately said the car took 5-20 which I wanted, of course.

    Don't know what type of 5-20 they used, but it really shouldn't matter. They also replaced the filter and the drain plug washer which is a special type that crushes to form a tight seal when the drain plug is replaced. That way, there are no leaks and no reason to overtighten the drain plug.

    You never know what the mechanics are doing unless you follow them under the car, but the person doing the work seemed quite competent.

    I was happy with the service and S.F. Honda has a free coffee machine that dispenses surprisingly good cappuccino--a nice touch.....Richard
  • hmurphyhmurphy Member Posts: 278
    While both the Accord and S80 have great crash test results, the S80 is a bigger, heavier car, and so would be a tad more protective in an accident.

    It's not that the Accord is "worse," but that the S80 is simply extraordinarily safe. The S60, on the other hand, didn't do as well as the S80 or even the Accord.
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    Anyone,
    Does your service invoice indicate what type of oil was used in the oil change? Mine does not
    specify anything.
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