Older Honda Accords

fedlawman

I'm sure it is an EX...I bought it new in 1993 for about $16,000. It's Seattle Silver, 4-door, automatic, with moonroof, alloys, ABS, and power everything.

You could be right about the hp specs. I always thought it had 145 peak hp but I cannot remember how or where I obtained that number.

As for it being V-TEC, I don't think it is, but I have nothing to back that up either, so I'll take your word for it.

Either way, to my mind, the Accord has not really changed too much over the last ten years, and my 10 year old Accord is still nicer than any new car that costs appreciably less than $20,000.

th83

All '93 Accords share the same 2.2L engine but only the EX and SE have a variable induction system that adds 15HP and 5ft.lbs. of torque for a total of 140 and 142, respectively.

subzero206

16k for a new EX sounds like a good deal. we had a 90 LX bought new and paid a little over 17k. no discounts cuz it was new model back then.

fxashun

Accords got it in 1994 for the first time.

fedlawman

Wow, you all know your stuff!

I got my '93 at the end of the model run (Spring '93) so I got a pretty good deal. In retrospect, I'm glad I got it when I did because I don't care for the '94-'97 models.

marvelous1

When will the 2003 Accord reach the dealers?

hiflyer

Although the recent MT article was mentioned for other reasons in post #3487, do many here agree with MT's assessment of the 2003 Accord styling? Slap a "VW" or four rings badge on the thing and few would initially know the difference. (Some here may retort that it would be the first reliable VW.)

Now that includes the new Altima, the upcoming Ford 500...:)

carguy62

What a fun issue for Honda fans. I liked the whole mid-size story of how the Japanese came to dominate that segment. I particularly liked how they mentioned the 3G Accord ('86-'89) as really putting Honda on the map, as I had an '89 LX-i. If I was a Ford or GM exec I think I'd hang my head in shame. And of course the Accord finishing near the top against newer models (loved it when they said (paraphrasing) does Honda even need to bring out a new model?) was great. Second major car mag to come to that conclusion.

As for their '03 sketch. Not so sure what I think, I can see some VW as someone else pointed out. However it turns out I'm sure it will still have that Honda family look. I liked the comments about previous significant changes, again because they mentioned the '86-'89. Fun reading.

subzero206

i dont like what i read about the v6. carryover? come on honda. i like the design its been around the net for a couple months now. i like the fact that they keep a somewhat conservative design makes it easier to "supe" up to your liking.

strager

Just looked at MT today, and I see a styling similarity between the rear end of the 03 Accord and the Civic. Since Honda tries to have the same styling cues in their sedans, the sketch probably is close enough. But where's the Accord wagon or hatchback? I don't really want another Honda sedan.

raychuang00

From what I've heard, the 2003 Accord is going to ditch the conservative styling of the last two generations of Accords for something a bit more radical. This way, it stands out more compared to the 2002 Camry and 2002 Altima.

Think of a four-door sedan version of the Acura RSX "writ large" and that is probably the shape of the US market 2003 Accord. I think it's likely it will have a 165-170 bhp i-VTEC 2.3-liter engine (derived from the engine used on the CR-V), and possibly a reworked version of the 3.0-liter V6 (with i-VTEC and around 220 bhp).

hawks1

Very much like what I see of the 03 Accord sketches. I do hope they increase the horsepower of the I4 to the 160-170 range. Recently test drove the 4-cylinder '02 Altima & '02 Camry. Although the Altima's styling is more appealing, the Camry, in my opinion, is a much better car. The Camry I4 (157 HP) was a real jewel - great acceleration for a 4-cylinder, and very, very quiet at 70+ on the interstate. Toyota's got a winner with this engine. The Altima's 175 HP engine was also very responsive, but quite noisy in the cabin at highway speeds. Also, Altima laid a big egg with its cheap interior. Planning on waiting for the '03 Accord in August before making a decision between it and the Camry.

thompsam

Has anyone ever installed a USA SPEC brand single CD player? They claim they are fully compatible with the factory Honda AM/FM Cassette deck and can easily be installed in the open space underneath the current radio in the dash of the Honda Accord.

Crutchfields and a couple other internet dealers seem to sell them. I'd be interested in knowing if anyone has got one of these and if they are happy with how it installed and with the quality of the audio. I'm nervous about it because they are a brand I've never heard of, they seem to have very limited distribution channels, and it seems odd that they are the only company that makes a CD player that is compatible with the Honda original equipment radio.

blane

robertsmx:

Your post #3503 is very informative. Thanks.

Since you mentioned "Acura TL/CL (due for redesign)", that's one of my interests. I'm shopping, and was wondering if anyone knows Honda's typical schedule for release of major Acura TL/CL redesigns. Is it X number of months after release of major Accord redesigns? Should we expect the new TL/CL within six months of the new Accord?

robertsmx

Six months is just a guess. The current TL was launched a year after current Accord, but Honda has made a decision to follow 5-year cycle on Accord (hence 2003 redesign). And seeing that Honda has been launching new vehicles/redesigns in Spring for Acura, it seems like TL/CL MAY get redesigned in Spring 2003 as well, launched as 2004 models. Or, they may launch new RL in Spring, and then launch one of both of TL/CL to use the RL platform in Fall 2003. Just something that is a possibility.

ickes_in_mn

Looks like we may get the best of both worlds. Temple of VTEC says that the JDM/European Accord will be brought here next spring as a new Acura slotted below the TL. That could be our high-performance car with a Type-S badge. TOV also has a 2004 replacement date for the TL.

http://beta.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=6158

As for the pics in MT on the '03 Accord, those sketches look like ones shown for the JDM/European market. Very Audi A4 like, especially those copy cat wheels. Anyway, a high performance Accord is not out of the question as Honda will also bring the European Civic Type-R here (Civic SiR?). The Civic Type-R is not as bare bones a performance car as the Integra Type-R was.

http://beta.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=5881

claywaterfill

Must be starting to get close. I saw an ad in the paper over the weekend letting the Accord LX with automatic go for $16,900. The SE and EX were marked down as well, but the LX price is the only one I remember. Last spring, the Camry with automatic started around $15,500 a few months before the new model came out. I guess Honda dealers are starting to do it now. It'll be interesting to see how low the price goes.

ssing

Does anyone there know the right price range for 2002 SE model?

j_walker

I installed the Honda single in-dash CD player in my wife's '98 Accord in a couple hours. The only problem I had after the installation was that the passenger side power windows and doors stopped working. I took it to Honda and they corrected the problem. Honda told me that the computer had to be reset. This apparently was the result of disconnecting the battery which I question because I did not have this problem when I replaced the AM/FM/Cassette player for a Sony in-dash CD player in my '94 Accord. Oh well...

subzero206

from Motor Trend

jjman

that isn't a hatchback, it's the rear view of the sedan.

ickes_in_mn

See TOV connections under post 3519...

claywaterfill

I don't know where you are, but one dealer here (in metro Atlanta) has an ad for the 2002 SE at $18,650 and another one has it for $18,383.

montmax

Look at what Toyota did, they really didnt do much to that cars Motor and its still selling from 92- Current 3 generations. You guys have the #1 selling car out their I think its going to sell regardless if the keep horsepower and torque the same or near the same.

montmax

I meant to mention the Camry motor.

alpha01

Thats true... but only to an extent. The 02 4clyinder is completely different. Honestly, I wouldnt be surprised to see a bump in the 03 Accord's hp, and then again, I wouldnt be surprised if the V6 is a carry over with only improvements for say, emissions. Either way, I'm sure it will be a great car, and if they offer a stick with the V6, carry over or otherwise, it'll be even better.
~alpha

diploid

That are sold, they're sold with the 4-cylinder engine, anyway. If Honda can bump horsepower up to around 170hp, that'll do fine for the majority of buyers (along with that freshened exterior!).

bigzheng17

i just noticed the ground clearence of accord is a lot lower than camry, 3.9 or 4.3 inch compare to 5.4 or 5.8 inch. would that be high enough to pass some obstacles on road such a raised manhole cap, and maybe sometimes go offroad a little?

dudleyr

Depends on where you measure from. Sometimes it is the lowest spot under the car, and sometimes it is the lowest spot that is likely to hit something. 4" of clearance right at the air dam is much more likely to hit something than 4" between the front wheels. It really doesn't take much clearance to do light off roading - contrary to what many SUV owners may feel. I used to go all over the rutted gravel fire trails on mountains in Virginia in my Scirocco, and that did not have much clearance. My Integra does fine on the unimproved gravel roads in SD - sometimes I have to go 30-40 miles into the country on gravel roads because there are no paved roads, and my low ground clearance is never a problem. Stay on the high spots ; ^ )

Too make a long story short - I wouldn't worry about it too much.

bigzheng17

i just noticed the ground clearence of accord is a lot lower than camry, 3.9 or 4.3 inch compare to 5.4 or 5.8 inch. would that be high enough to pass some obstacles on road such a raised manhole cap, and maybe sometimes go offroad a little?

robertsmx

bigzheng17,
I thought Accord had about the same ground clearance as Camry (may be a fraction of an inch more). However, the real difference is in suspension. Camry is likely to bounce around due to it being softly sprung unlike Accord. From my personal experience, Camry bottoms out on bumps on same roads where Accord doesn't.

bigzheng17

robertsmx, actually i always thought the same thing, but according to carpoint, they don't.

here are the links to their specification
accord:
carpoint.msn.com/Vip/ Specifications/Honda/Accord/2002.asp
camry:
carpoint.msn.com/Vip/ Specifications/toyota/camry/2002.asp

Note to remove the space infront the word Specification, the forum dosen't let post word longer than 115 characters.

i think Edmunds.com vehicle comparison also has data about ground clearence.

canadiancl

Actually the official specs for Accord ground clearance is 6.2 inch, same as TL/CL I believe. That's quite a bit of clearance. A RAV4 wouldn't have much more than that.

mjb56

I just took my 2001 Accord Ex-v6 in to get the brakes repaired as they were pulsating quite a bit. They were repaired under warranty but I'm surprised this happened with only 11,000 mi. I've not had this happen to a vehicle before with so few miles. The mileage is mixed use with about 60% being highway. Is this normal for this vehicle???

jrct9454

...that an Accord has MORE useful ground clearance than a Camry. I have a very challenging ramp for an entrance to our garage, and the Accord never had a problem but our Camrys always did.

diploid

The only time that I've actually scraped the underside of the front bumper or hear scraping noises was when 1) I run over a curb, and 2) when I run over some of the newer speed bumps (which are too high).

canadiancl

your situation with the garage ramp may have more to do with approach and departure angles than with actual ground clearance.

canadiancl

Don't buy a used car from that man!

diploid

I don't really run over the curbs. Ever pulled into a parking space and think that there is a few extra inches between your bumper and the curb, only to hear the sound of metal scraping to inform you that you were off? Yeah, I do that all the time. And run over trash cans...

subzero206

the accord has a lower stance plus the Camry's exhaust piping goes under the suspension making it easier to scrape

reeses

The "Maintenance Required" light comes on every time I start my accord. The service people at the dealership said that it does that to tell you that your car needs a tune-up which includes oil change,brake check, etc. when your car hits a certain number of miles(7500mi, 15000mi). Is this true? Is this standard for all 2002 accords? I just wanted to double check what they said. Thanks.

inkie

when the maint. required light goes on it reminds you to take it for service. It does not necessarily mean all of the items your dealer told you about should be done at that time. Read your manual for required service intervals. If you do your own oil changes and other maint. and keep a record of it you may not need the light to remind you just follow the instructions in your owners manual on how to reset the light.Yes! it is set to go on at various milage intervals.

bruck

I have a 1998 Accord EX with over 90,000 miles on it.

Since around 36,000 miles (go figure, just as the warrantee runs out!) the Check Engine light has been on. I have brought it into the dealers who put in on the "computer" to read the codes....It always comes up with something about the O2 sensors.

I've replaced them (both). The light went off, but eventually back on.

I have a mechanic that I trust and I have him scratching his head. At one point, he replaced the "map sensor," which did not work. He was honest with me and told me to go to a dealer because they might know.

The dealer was "absolutely positive" that it was a combination of two things and replaced the "canister" and something else (I don't remember now, possibly some valve). On the way home from that $250 "repair," the light came back on. They looked at it again and were again "absolutely positive" that it is the catalytic converter (hey, only $1500 this time!). I chose against going down that road until I am sure.

I've tried Techron, and a catalytic converter cleaner which actually made the light go off for a few weeks once, but doesn't do the trick anymore. We've reset the computer dozens of times to monitor what is setting it off.

He says that the code set in the 1998 is not as descriptive as it is now (1998 was the first year they used this code set????) so he still cannot be sure.

The strangest thing is this: the car runs fine for a 4 1/2 year old car with almost 100,000 miles on it. It idles a little rough but has not shown decreased power or gas mileage. It does not stall. It runs well. I've been told that the rough idling is the computer trying to compensate for the problem it thinks its having.

I am very confused by this. And I am angry that that little light will cost me all sorts of money when I want to sell/trade-in the car.

Sorry for the long history. Any help would be appreciated.

mikefm58

I would complain to Honda regional. They're very good in situations like this. You've been more than patient with the dealer, who I believe doesn't know what he's doing based on what you've already had him do.

pvilla

Hello everyone,has anybody gotten a hold of any pics for the 2003? Or any website that has any inside scoop on it ? My 87 Legend finally died after 232k hard driven miles(what a car!)
and i was thinking of getting a Accord LX 5spd. I did want to see or at least get an idea of what the 2003 will look like before I buy....thankss

ickes_in_mn

See all the current pics outthere about the '03 Accord at Temple of Vetc in their news section. Motor Trend also has a sketch in their news section this month.

http://beta.vtec.net

There is a number of pics around but no one can be certain if they are of the North American car or the Japanese Domestic Market/European Accord. Looking at the pics or drawings, I think most are of the JDM/Euro Accord because the size looks smaller. TOV's latest news artical says that the JDM/Euro Accord will likely be sold here in Spring '03 as an Acura sedan slotted below the TL. On this basis, I think its right to expect at least one performance sedan from the mix.

robertsmx

If Acura does bring another car under TL, it could mean that performance aspects of Accord goes to that car, and TL goes to a new platform? Could we see an all new RWD TL sharing platform with all new RWD RL in a year? That would be an interesting move from Honda, in a long time.

canadiancl

I think Acura will be the designated performance "division" for Honda highlighted by the Type-S models in much the same way GM has tapped Pontiac to be their performance division. It does make sense. Otherwise there would be too much product overlap between Honda and Acura.

diploid

Next TL being based on the next RL platform, as opposed to sharing platform with the Accord.

But that's good news...maybe now Acura will finally have an IS300 competitor.

jfunk

Does that mean the new performance model Acura will be priced below the TL/CL? Perhaps in the $27G range? And would this be considered the answer to the four door Integra/RSX or a different model entirely? Lastly if the performance model goes to Acura then the rumors of the Prelude successor being the Accord coupe would be moot then I guess, no Accord R,S,Si?