Older Honda Accords

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Comments

  • ktnrktnr Member Posts: 255
    "they did not completely paint the areas that are somewhat hidden from view. In addition, I found overspray on one of the windows and numerous places on the rubber trim.

     

    Whoa - you car has been to a body shop. Industry standard has virtually no paint masking done at the factory nor is any needed - parts are painted before they are assembled.

     

    A large local body that I've used several times always has a few brand new, unsold cars on hand getting minor paint work done - mostly nicks and scratches in black luxury cars from a dealership.

     

    I'd speculate that your car was in an accident, perhaps during a test drive. If the body shop got paint overspray on glass and rubber trim pieces, then it's obvious that the shop wasn't very good. Your selling dealer is also highly suspect for not disclosing this (you think is was a coincidence that they gave you this particular vehicle in the rain?).

     

    If it were me, my first thought would be - "How can I prove that -I- didn't wreck and repair the car?" Then I'd be contacting Honda with my story. Good luck with your "new" car and it's clumsy body repairs.

     

    Do us all a favor and post the name of your selling dealer so that Edmund's readers in your area can stay away from his "specials".
  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    I agree with the other poster that you 'new' car has had at least paint work done by the dealer. Possibly also body (new panels?) work done.

     

    It is a federal law that any damage over a certain amount ($1,000 - I'm not sure about this) has to be disclosed via a 'window sticker' addition on a new car.

      

    I would be taking this thing to a body shop, one that will give a written opinion about any previous repairs made, and if it comes up with a lot of repair, I think I would get a lawyer.

     

    If it is just a replaced hood, with no supports or other front end replacements, it might be acceptable. But if it had new bumper, fenders, radiator support, etc, I wouldn't be driving this 'new' car.

     

    This dealer could be in a lot of trouble.
  • inkieinkie Member Posts: 281
    ktnr and bolivar beat me to it! Your car has been to a body shop. Check the rules of dsclosure in your state. Than contact attorney general and Honda. Don't contact this crooked dealer to warn him.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    It is a federal law that any damage over a certain amount ($1,000 - I'm not sure about this) has to be disclosed via a 'window sticker' addition on a new car.

     

    AFAIK - there is no federal law in this regard. Each state has it's own limitations regarding damage disclosure.
  • mikec99mikec99 Member Posts: 5
    quote: "If it were me, my first thought would be - "How can I prove that -I- didn't wreck and repair the car?" "

     

    I don't think I would be able to prove that since I got the car last May.

     

    quote: "Do us all a favor and post the name of your selling dealer so that Edmund's readers in your area can stay away from his "specials". "

     

    I don't think Edmunds allows us to print the names of dealers in the forum, but it was in Orlando, FL if that helps anybody out.

     

    If anybody has a 2004 and can check, I looked underneath the front bumper on the very bottom and saw two rectangular places where it looks like something had held onto the piece while it was being painted because there is no paint whatsoever there. Can someone check and see if their car has this also? As far as overspray goes, what I saw was a small bit on one side front window and I also saw on the rubber trim around the top of the door where it looked like the door had been shut before the paint had completely dried and a little bit stuck to the trim. It has almost worn off by now, but not quite. One last question - do Hondas come with clearcoat?
  • ktnrktnr Member Posts: 255
    Edmunds "Rules of the Road" (see link at top of page):

     

    6. Posts about dealers

     When posting about your experience with a dealership, you may post ONLY the dealership name, city, and state. You may not post a salesperson's name, phone numbers, email addresses, links to dealer web sites, etc.
  • mikec99mikec99 Member Posts: 5
    quote:

    "6. Posts about dealers

     When posting about your experience with a dealership, you may post ONLY the dealership name, city, and state. You may not post a salesperson's name, phone numbers, email addresses, links to dealer web sites, etc."

     

    I do not want to accuse the dealer of something if I do not know for a fact that they did it. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but from what you guys are saying it sure *looks* suspicious. However, repainting aside, if someone were just curious and asked me where I bought my car, I would tell them Holler Honda.
  • canddmeyercanddmeyer Member Posts: 410
    Is your car white? There were some posts awhile back on this site of someone who could see the primer in patterns underneath the white hood. They got a replacement car from Honda per their post.
  • mikec99mikec99 Member Posts: 5
    As a matter of fact, it is white, but I do not see any patterns under the paint. Thanks for that info though.
  • ktnrktnr Member Posts: 255
    The 7th gen Accord has deflectors under the front bumper just ahead of the tires and offset to the inside. These "deflectors" are about an inch in height and perhaps five inches wide. Looking through magazines, I just noticed that many new cars have them.

     

    Does anybody know what the purpose of these is? If not, anyone care to speculate?

     

    I can't fathom whether they're for rain or wind and whether they're for the tires, the brakes, or what.
  • zitchzitch Member Posts: 55
    They might a some type of curb feeler, because I have no idea what else they would be for, and they feel fairly flexible. I do not see what use of deflecting wind or debris away from the wheel well would serve.

     

    Might be useful when you pull forward into a parking spot or something. I've never used them that way though.
  • xcelxcel Member Posts: 1,025
    Hi All:

     

    ___Those small plastic plates are air dams. They do indeed help improve the airflow toward the lower portion of the wheel which is traveling ever closer to your actual speed and direction as the air comes closer to the pavement.

     

    Insight Encyclopedia @ http://www.insightcentral.net/encyclopedia/enaero.html

     

    image

     

    The air dams are used in front of both front and rear wheels to improve aerodynamic characteristics. Since these spoilers extend lower than the rest of the body, when parking in front of concrete curb stops, you should be careful not to drive forward too far.

     

    ___Good Luck

     

    ___Wayne R. Gerdes
  • ktnrktnr Member Posts: 255
    And a wind tunnel photo with smoke-trail to illustrate! Thanks, Wayne.
  • whitecloud1whitecloud1 Member Posts: 268
    DAMN! I'm impressed. Thanks to both of you for the question and the answer.
  • zitchzitch Member Posts: 55
    Thanks Wayne! And now I know! :)
  • christopher jchristopher j Member Posts: 4
    The 2005 V6 accord has a higher compression ratio than the I4 which could explain the engine braking. This 'slowdown feel' is common amongst manual transmission cars that run strictly on premium gas where the driver uses the engine to help slow the car down.

    You may also notice that the gears are also shifting to lower gears to help slow the car down (eg. 5th to 4th around 60 km/hr and from 4th to 3rd at round 40 km/hr). In my opinion, this is normal.
  • jbb2jbb2 Member Posts: 4
    am trying to locate the VSS on a 98 Accord 5 speed. I understand it is on the transaxle but I cannot see it from above or below. Any help would be appreciated.
  • gregoryc1gregoryc1 Member Posts: 764
    Thanks for the "come back" on this issue, but you have totally missed the point! Each vehicle comes with mirrors that are designed for that vehicle. In the case of the 2003 Accord, the mirrors that are on the vehicle, are not properly designed for the vehicle, and they are not properly place on the body. They are placed in the wrong area, and the housing is at the wrong angle. I have been driving all kinds of vehicles since 1960, and this body style has a VERY dangerous blind spot.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    But many of them have wings and engine in the way. Not all cars have mirrors "designed" for them. I have no problem with the mirrors in the Accord. But then again I drive either so fast I don't have to worry about cars in my "blind spot" or I turn around and look. I mean it IS a four door vehicle. There is no blind spot when you turn your head and actually look.

     

    LOL Ktnr. In both forums I've seen that post.
  • stacey_burkestacey_burke Member Posts: 88
    I don’t what to give you a bad time, however, any vehicle has a blind spot. The large truck has a blind spot right behind it and just before it gets to the drivers door – that is why they keep telling people to stay out of the no zone. I have taught Drivers Ed for about 25 years and we have ALWAYS taught students to look over your shoulder to the blind spot before changing lanes….
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    gregoryc1:

     

    Please explain for all of us , specifically what professional qualifications you've earned or have been awarded in order to make such outrageous claims about Honda's mirror design, placement and safety. Nonsense!
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,700
    >what professional qualifications

     

    Probably the same as all the rest of us. Each is entitled to his own opinion. Can we move on and just have a polite discussion without the angst, please.

     

    I too thought the blockage was at exactly the wrong position for cross streets in my area. That angle varied with how far back the seat has to be for leg length. Mine was bad (short legs).

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    The seats do adjust to MANY positions. Maybe some people don't fit the "average" that Honda designed the mirrors for. Goes back to the "you can't please everyone" rule.
  • ncviperncviper Member Posts: 10
    I have a problem with my power seats that the dealers AND Honda say is normal. I would like to know how many of you have this same problem. Here goes......My front seats have forward movement anytime you apply the brakes, I talking about a 1/2" on the drivers side and about 1/4" on the passenger side. Dealer has replaced seat rails on drivers side once. This fixed the problem for about two weeks. It is steadily getting worse. Honda says that some forward movement is normal?! A $30,000.00 car and this is normal! Please! Thanks in advance for any feedback.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Worked for the California DMV for many years and he gave a lot of driver's tests. a quick way to flunk your test was to change lanes without LOOKING BACK!

     

    You can't depend on using mirrors only!
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    No, of course it is not "normal" for any seat movement under braking. Among other things, this can be a safety issue.

     

    -Find another dealer.

    -If you can't, insist the service manager [not the service writer] ride with you in your car. Then switch to any new car on the lot, and if necessary, repeat until you find ONE car with a seat that moves. There won't be one.

    -Then start thinking about hiring a lawyer, if you have indeed actually exhausted all of the appeal processes up through Honda of America.

     

    The problem is likely not in the rail itself, but in the seat mounting mechanism that attaches the seat to the rail. This is assuming, of course, that the seat rail was properly torqued to the floor when the reinstallation occurred - the fact that the problem went away for awhile makes me wonder. Those bolts require a lot of torque and it needs to be applied precisely. If the dealer has a body shop, you might ask the manager there to have a look, as well.
  • ncviperncviper Member Posts: 10
    Thanks for your input. A few things to add. This is the second dealer I have dealt with. I have talked to the district service rep, (who by the way told them to replace the seat rails again, they didn't do it because the "HONDA Engineers say this is normal.")I have gone though the complaint process as far I can go I suppose. Customer service (Princess is her name... If you happen get her as your rep RUN!)will not a forward me to anyone higher up the chain. As a matter for fact so far "Princess" has been VERY rude. I am at wits end. This is just not what I expected for Honda. I'm not sure where to go from here.

    Thanks again.
  • snakehairsnakehair Member Posts: 120
    I had seat movement in my 2003 EX V6. Had to ride with tech to demonstrate. Dealer replaced the complete seat frame. Problem has not returned in the last 14K miles. Tech told me there are three separate issues with the seat movement. Fix is according to which movement and when. Try another dealer. Keep pushing back. Seat travel while braking is NOT normal.
  • gregoryc1gregoryc1 Member Posts: 764
    Blane, I would like to take this opportunity to respond to your inquiry about "professional qualifications" to make a judgement about Honda vehicles. Let's take the broad view on this subject, because it tends to affect everyone that drives and / or operates a vehicle. Many of us work hard for our money, and when we make a large purchase, such as a vehicle, we expect comfort, quality, dependability, safety and ease of handling. Since we have expended our hard earned dollars, we have the right and the duty to evaluate the quality of the product, and to discuss that quality in an open forum. As consumers, we do not need official credentials in the field of design and / or engineering to make these judgements, but rather, these judgements can be made solely on the basis of whether or not the product fits our needs and / or sphere of comfort. Credentials do not make an opinion valid or not, but rather, they are just opinions, based on the use of the product by individuals who own, lease or rent the vehicle. There are many things that I dislike about the 2003 Honda Accord, (mirrors, lack of a lock cylinder on the front passenger door, & A pillars that are too large, ---etc), but, that does not translate into other people sharing my opinion, or discounting my opinion as irrelevant. It simply means that this product has not met my personal standards, and since my wife and I are paying for this over a three (3) year period, we have the right to share that opinion with other owners and / or future buyers. So, that's my story, and I am sticking to it!
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    Lock cylinders on front passenger doors are disappearing from most cars with keyless entry. Expect this cost-cutting trend to increase.....Richard
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    In the past 2+ years that I have spent with a 03 Coupe and 2-2004 sedans I have failed to see the value in a lock cylinder on the passenger door. That's what keyless is for.
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    I've been driving since 1954 and never needed the passenger side door lock.

     

    Oh, yes, one time I locked myself out of my used, 1947 Studebaker "business coup" with no back seat and a trunk that went through to the passenger compartment.

     

    The trunk latch was unlocked, so I just crawled into the car through the trunk.

     

    Really, any complaint about the lack of a passenger side door lock is a non issue, indeed......Richard
  • bdymentbdyment Member Posts: 573
    Lack of a lock cylinder on the passenger door is a perfect example of cost cutting by manufacturers.

     

    It can be a very valuable asset to have. The battery in the remote is dead or the remote just doesn't work, the driver's lock is frozen shut, or a car is parked so close to the driver's side you can't get in the car. With a lock on the passenger's side, you still have an option.

     

    What does it cost a large manufacturer to install an extra lock? Not much. This is a stupid decision by the auto industry.
  • gregoryc1gregoryc1 Member Posts: 764
    Thank you for your support on this subject. There has always been two locks on the front doors of vehicles. A friend has a Chevrolet SUV and the battery went dead. There was no lock cylinder in the tail gate door assembly to open the rear area. The two dogs were locked in the rear area of the vehicle between the security fence and the rear doors. He had to remove the fence to get the dogs out of the vehicle. Smart engineering??????
  • ramidaramida Member Posts: 67
    Gregoryc, I'm with you 100%!

     

    Here's my list of dislikes on this crappy 2003 Accord LX (in addition to the ones you already mentioned):

     

    o clutch release from 2nd gear;

     

    o jerky acceleration if you ease off the gas pedal completely, and then onto the gas again;

     

    o weak acceleration from 1st gear (engine is roaring at 3000 rpm and yet you don't feel any significant forward thrust, especially if whole family is riding)

     

    o poor interior workmanship;

     

    o the ugly butt;

     

    ramida
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Then there will be a big complaint huh?

     

    I think the fact there are so few people who find the missing key cylinder THAT important is why they are missing. There are very few vehicles that have passenger side key cylinders. Especially in this price range. If the deletion of the key cylinder is cost cutting. Then using that logic when they made side air bags, ABS, and all around 5 star crash rating standard , they were just giving stuff away. How much is that worth? I mean since the Accord is near the top in safety for the price, which is more important? A useless key cylinder or potentially useful safety equipment?

     

    Since batteries don't go dead every day, the deletion of the key cylinder on that ONE SUV doesn't seem too significant. That is unless your friend can't afford the basic maintenance to keep his SUV operating. I mean they don't include and exterior release for the hood in case the interior pull fails. That happens. And many cars don't have a back-up in case the fuel filler release fails. They probably happen right about as much as a well maintained car needs a battery.

     

    And if someone changes their oil three times as often as recommended, they should have no problem changing the batteries in the car and the keyless fob WELL before they die.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Well, I've been driving now for 40 years and I'm trying hard to remember if I've EVER ONCE had an ocassion to use a key in the passenger's door?

     

    Don't think I've ever had to do this. It's funny how something like this can be such a major issue to just a few people. Oh well, we are all different.

     

    As far as the A piller being thick...well, yes it is and it took me a (short)time to get used to it.

     

    Guess a car company can't win..." I want five star crash test results and rollover protection and side curtain airbags but don't you dare make the A pillars any thicker"!
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    And looked because I didn't remember.

     

    The Model A Ford doesn't have a driver's door lock either! Horrors!
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,700
    Now we've got the dirt on Isell. He has a Ford in his garage!!! The truth comes out!!!

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • bdymentbdyment Member Posts: 573
    Some people would have you believe the auto companies couldn't afford to have side air bags if they installed passenger door key locks or gas door emergency releases. What utter nonsense!

     

    Regards to battery maintenance. Batteries today just seem to die. They don't give any warning.

     

    The question remains. Why not have a passenger door key lock and for that matter why not have a gas door emergency door release?

     

    I am not just referring to Honda products here. Sometimes this is a matter of convenience, sometimes a matter of safety. The Chrysler 300 doesn't have a key hole for the trunk and the battery is in the trunk. Just think of what a mess this could be if the remote stops working or the car battery needs replacing.

     

    Just because an idea is new it doesn't automatically mean it is better.
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    It has just been announced that the National Highway Transportation Safety Board has issued a regulation requiring all automobile manufacturers, beginning with the 2007 model year, to install lock cylinders on all four doors of sedans sold in the United States.
  • xcelxcel Member Posts: 1,025
    Hi Blane:

     

    ___Do you have a link?

     

    ___Good Luck

     

    ___Wayne R. Gerdes
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Really? I wonder why not 2 doors too?

     

    Maybe the Model A will get recalled!
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I know I'm gonna regret asking this...but...

     

    ___Why do all of your sentences start with the line.

     

    ___Just curious.

     

    ___Craig aka isellhondas
  • xcelxcel Member Posts: 1,025
    Hi Isellhondas:

     

    ___Did you ever learn to indent? Since there is no way to place a gap at the beginning of a sentence, it works ok.

     

    ___Good Luck

     

    ___Wayne R. Gerdes
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,700
       Can't you just space

    over a few spaces

        and make the indentations?

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    But in the past twenty years or so I haven't seen many letters written that way.

     

    I guess the rules of proper grammer have changed?
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Automakers can afford to put anything they want in a car. But they have to balance that with what people want to pay for. MOST people would rather go for safety over a lock cylinder they would never use. So it's been deleted.

     

    Batteries don't die often enough to warrant someone to NEED lock cylinders in all doors. I mean higher end cars have motors that complete the closing of trunks and have windows that have to open a bit before the doors can open. Maybe we all ought to buy the batteries they use.

     

    The idea ain't new. The cylinders started disappearing long ago. But that Chrysler 300 battery in the trunk thing does sound a bit like trouble.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,700
    Isell,

     

    Some of us are stuck in the Model T days

    of grammar, myself included.

     

    When I did take some license with the King's

    English I was berated for having used "berated" and personified a car.

     

    Oh for the good old days.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • xcelxcel Member Posts: 1,025
    Hi Imidazol97:

     

          Hmmm. The Edmunds forums did not used to accept spaces at the beginning of a sentence and most forum SW elsewhere does not either? I will start as I hope you will too.

     

          Good Luck

     

          Wayne R. Gerdes
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