Honda Accord Future Models

jfergus

>I'd still wait for the official word from Honda before believing any of those features.

True, the gov't does make mistakes. But I'm hopeful, because these features have already been mentioned here before as possible '06 additions, and Hyundai and Toyota both offer stability control already (as option with Toyota on the Camry, standard with Hyundai on the Sonata). Not exactly good for competition if Honda doesn't offer it on at least some versions of the Accord, esp. with the new style Accords as '08 models roughly 2 years away.

>Who gets a discount for DRLs?

USAA members. Per their online quoting system: "(DRL) A device which automatically illuminates any pair of lights on the front of a vehicle when the ignition is turned on and is deactivated when the vehicle is turned off. This device will not work when the headlights are turned on. NOTE: Manually turning on the headlights, parking lights, or fog lamps does not qualify as having daytime running lights."

By using a very recent 2005 Accord EX 4 cyl quote I had saved, and adding only the DRL credit to it, my 6 month premium would go down by $9.72 due to the DRLs.

biker4

Thanks for the DRL tip - I have USAA.

VSC will probably be standard on EX and up models for now and they'll add it to all models later. The usual incermental roll out.

blane

I find it very distracting to be driving during daylight and having to look at oncoming vehicles with their lights on.

tds1

Does anyone know what the official announcement date is?

evilj

But at least you see the oncoming vehicles. I have never had a car with DRL's, but turn my headlights on anytime I'm driving. I've been in one car accident in my life - my own fault, mind you - that I would surely have been able to avoid if the other car had DRL's.

With the 2005 clearance sale the local Honda dealer is almost out of Accords, making me wonder how much longer the supply will last. They are down to maybe 12 Accords, all silver or gold for some reason.

alpha01

I would guess because silver is the most popular color these days, they keep many many of those on hand. And I'd guess gold because that color is HIDEOUS on the Accord, so nobody wants 'em



~alpha

oldjoe

It is interesting to note that there was a mention of a Hyundai Sonata in the same paragraph as a Honda Accord.....great joke...hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Sorry, I do not see what the Hyundai Sonata and the Toyota Camry/Honda Accord have in common. As the little bird sitting on the Sonata said...cheap...cheap...cheap!

Kirstie_H

We'd really prefer to stick to conversation about the future Accord rather than veering off into comparisons. Can't compare the future Accord to anything at the moment since it's not available.

maxamillion1

But the embargo for all 06 Honda Lineup Information ends @ 12:00AM Sept. 1st.

So we have a month to go before we find out any new Offical info on the Accord, Fit, Civic, Pilot, etc. etc.

But new Info on the Acura lineup has already been released...

Go figure...

Honda has something serious to hide from us...

tds1

Acura released today the changes on their 2006 models. Hopefully Honda's 2006 announcement of the Accord changes is not far away!

blane

evilj,

Only 12 Accords? Where do you live? As of yesterday, the Honda dealer near me must have had at least 150 new 2005 Accords on the lot and in their reserve lot. They move a lot of cars too.

nowakj66

September 1 is the likely date for 2006 Honda Info.

maxamillion1

and drop the caps please

dampfnudel

I just saw a scanned picture of the back of a 2006 Odyssey brochure showing the back of a 2006 Accord Hybrid with two (left & right) cleared out areas with amber turn-signal bulbs. Another picture shows a regular 2006 Accord with red turn-signal lights. Could this be a way to differentiate the two ? I would prefer amber turn-signal lights but don't want the hybrid.

blane

You could always replace the tail lamp lenses... for a price. I rarely look at my tail lamps, so it would be a non-issue here.

jchan2

Honda has something serious to hide from us...

I agree. They just put out all that Acura information, and they didn't even mention the Honda brand at all...

Honda has some surprises for us, I'm sure.

miamirocks

http://www.hondapreview.com/accord/

There is now a link from that website to a list of updates. The list seems to reflect what we have been reading for the last few weeks. Of course, we will have to wait until Sept 1 to know for sure. :confuse:

bartalk3

Only major changes that I can see: stability control and 17" wheels. Plus availability of manual transmission on the sedan.

evilj

Hey all, I got an e-mail from a salesman friend at my local dealership - he has the 2006 Accord brochures, they are stashed still but he's got one waiting for me to pick up tomorrow. It will be nice to see an official Honda description of the '06...

miamibound

Hi all -- I just spoke to my friendly local dealer here in NJ. I'm looking to buy an Accord VP, but unsure whether to get one of the few remaining 2005s (now $15,300 inc. destination), or wait for the 2006, pay a bit more money, but have the choice btw. manual or automatic, plus keyless entry, power door locks, and a bit more horsepower, etc. (He confirmed all the details that were posted on this forum and on hondapreview.com.) The dealer didn't know, however, when the 2006 VPs would be arriving. He said they can already order the 2006 LX and EX. In 2005 the VP didn't arrive till Feb. But now the DX is gone, I guess. Does anybody know when the 2006 VP might come? Thanks!

corvette

Only the V6 models get VSA. There is a large portion of the market that wants advanced safety features, but doesn't want to be forced into the top-line model.

alpha01

Are you absolutely set on the VP? I would seriously urge you to consider the LX, which will have better resale prospects, but more importantly, better handling. The VP models lack rear stabilizer bars, which, in my experience, transform Honda's signature sharp handling responses to barely acceptable in evasive manuvers. (I dont have extensive experience with the current Accord, but did drive a Civic DX for several years).

food for thought

~alpha

biker4

Scans of the 06 Accord brochure are up in the news section of acurazine.com:

jchan2

Did someone scan the rest of the brochure? I'd like to see the rest but can't find it.

As to the question about the VP vs. LX, if I could afford it, I'd go for the LX. Not having Power Windows and Mirrors can be annoying sometimes in my Honda Civic Value Package.

Otherwise, if you're completely set on getting a Honda Accord VP, I'd probably get one on closeout. You could save some money.

biker4

You can find the rest of the scans in the news section of Acurazine.com.

thegraduate

I went to Acurazine.com, and had trouble finding the Accord links you spoke of. Would you mind providing a direct link to this? It would be helpful to many of us. Thank you very much for your help.

I couldn't find a link to the "news" section you talked about.

:shades:

mitchflorida

Are foglights standard on the new Accord? ?

biker4

Sorry direct links are not allowed. Look in the OFF TOPIC section, then Automotive News and then the Accord thread.

biker4

From the brochure pictures it seems like it depends on the model - some do, some don't.

maxamillion1

I got mine last Sat. at a small dealership in Easley, SC

As far as fog lights, they are not standard on any models for 06. Bascially the design of the optional fog lights stay the same, but now go in the slots because of the new front end bumper design. It has a "chin" look to it.

The Hybrid does get mirror turn signals.

The interior is basically the same except the center part of the audio system is now a "silver" painted color instead of black.

The EXV6 models get the old 2002-03 Acura TL Type-S rims.

All V6s come with 17s and VSC.

biker4

I have a feeling the cars themselves will be on the lots before Honda gets around to releasing official info on the 1st. It wouldn't be the first time that people post scans of window stickers to show the price before the official price list is released by the maker.

bartalk3

Oh, no. Did you notice? The '06 V-6 Accords will have 17" wheels (for no reason but fad), and that has increased the turning circle 3 addtional feet. That will make tight turns in small places impossible, and make the car less agile and maneuverable. A wide turning circle is something CR also comments on negatively and is one of the reasons I didn't buy the new Maxima or the Acura TL.

This is dreadful. Honda has always made sensible cars. Going to 17" wheels has no purpose other than following fashion, and makes for faster tire wear and decreased maneuverability. Why, why, why?

slybarman

What happened to the tire pressure monitoring system? I didn't see that mentioned anywhere in the '06 brochure.

mitchflorida

I think the 2005 Accord will go down as the ugliest Accord in history. The back looks like an old Buick. The new one is worth waiting for, and will have better resale value.

Still would want an electronic compass and standard fog lights, but I can add those later I suppose.

ctalk

The new one is worth waiting for, and will have better resale value.

What makes you think it will?
Any evidence, sources saying it will?
The reason why Accord has a very high resale value is because theres a lot of demand for it in the used car market. There are other reasons why its high to- Honda doesn't offer a lot of discounts on their cars.

mitchflorida

Used car buyers almost always prefer the newer style to the older style. In this case, the 2005 is an ugly duckling , that is why accord sales are down 6 per cent this year.

ctalk

Yes but can you prove there will be more demand for the Accord in the Used car market?
There is a lot of demand for the Accord in the used car market already.
You're just assuming it will be higher.

zhelder

Just saw the '06 Brochure pictures. Not big changes, but there are some nice updates to the interior. I was just wondering, is the floor shifter design in the '06 updated at all over the '03-'05 models? The shifter in the '03-'05 Accord seems to be the most dated looking part of what is otherwise an outstanding interior. I like the shifters that have the different locations for the different gears (not sure what the exact name is, not exactly a manumatic, but kind of looks like one). New dashboard font also looks nice, like the TL series, but the '03-'05 font looks just as nice, just a bit different. Finally, I notice that the navigation system and GUI has gotten a graphical update, and it looks a lot nicer. Any chance we can get a graphical update for the '03-'05 cars through an add on card? Thanks.

blane

zhelder,

You are referring to a gated shifter design. My wife's Subaru Legacy has one and, even though it is intended to preclude someone from entering the wrong gear at the wrong time, I dislike having to look down to change a gear and would be much happier without the unnecessary inconvenience.

I would expect that any Navigation System graphics changes would be available to '03-'05 owners on the annually-released DVD for $185.00 plus shipping here:

https://iweb.alpine-usa.com/pls/admn/ha.header?p_make=Honda

maxamillion1

the turning radius increase on V6 models with the 17 inch alloy wheels.

And I also noticed that gas mileage has went from 21/30 on automatics to 20/29 on automatic versions.

The V6 Altima actually gets better mileage than the Accord does...

ctalk

not good. With gas prices at an all-time high, it should get better mileage then that. It shouldn't have gone down.

maxamillion1

realistically, in the real-world, the Accord will probably still get better mileage though.

jchan2

both can easily exceed MPG estimates.

My Infiniti, on the other hand, most of the time can barely reach the EPA numbers.

midnightcowboy

You are right I think Honda should have stuck with the 12" tires on their orginal CVCC. No one will ever go over 50 mph max and no one needs better traction or handling. The they went to 13 inch, then to 14 inch , then to 15 inch, then to 16 inch and now to 17 inch. Will it ever end?

An what are those SUV makers thinking offering up to 22 inch wheels?

I think everyone including 18 wheelers ( maybe they would have to change to 24 wheelers) should standardize on just one size tire, what about a 15 inch tire standard?

YTRMV (Your turning radius may vary),

MidCow

pj23

To each his own. After I saw the spy photos of the '06 backend, I decided to buy the '05. To me, the look adds too much bulk to the car and I don't think the LEDs are that big of a benefit. But that's just me, and I've never had a problem with the rear of the current generation car. And I've never understood the comparison to a Buick. The car doesn't drive like a Buick. So what if it resembles a Buick in looks, and then only from one view? Since when are Buicks bad-looking cars anyway?

Anyway, with the minimal changes to the '06, I'm more than happy with my '05 until the next generation comes out in '07 as an '08MY. Power is up 4, tourque is down 1 in the V6; no big change. I can take or leave the VSA. The only thing I might miss are the heated mirrors. Those will be nice to have in the Northeast; it's about time Honda got on that one.

bartalk3

Hey, cowboy, Sarcasm is out of place here. The fact is tires larger than 16' on passenger cars give no discernable improvement in ride, handling, traction or anything else desirable. Manufacturers are increasing tire size to 17, 18, and even 19 (Infiniti M) solely because it's a fad (everybody's doing it so we gotta do it, too). The disadvantages are faster tire wear, more expensive tires, road noise, and, yes, wider turning circles (which apparently will bother only those people who turn around).

fastball

Oh take it easy.

The people who will buy the EX V6 (I plan on getting the 6 Speed manual coupe early next year) expect 17" wheels in today's market. Right now I drive a 2000 Prelude that I bought new. It has 16" wheels. I drove the same car with 17", and it makes a big difference. If you think about it, Honda has made the EX V6 line of Accords one step below an Acura TL. And the TL (along with the former CL) has had 17" wheels standard since 1999. But I digress. For 2006, the Accord EXV6 now comes with a power passenger seat, maintainance and oil monitor system, and LED tail lamps. Features which people are begining to expect on a car in the upper 20k price range which were inconceiveable 5 years ago (for an Accord at least). What Honda is doing is consistantly raising the bar. The Accord is their main source of income, and it has to be the best every year.

All of this adds up to one heck of a car, and makes you want to go out and buy one tomorrow.

bartalk3

fastball. You're right that Honda is constantly raising the bar with the Accord. That kind of thing has been true for decades, ever since Chevy added equipment that Cadillac had and Ford narrowed the gap with Lincoln. That's an old tradition in the auto industry.

A few corrections, however. Honda has not added a power passenger seat and maintenance minders for the '06 EX. These have been standard on the EX since '03. You're throwing us a curveball.

One thing I find missing from the '06 brochure, however, is a listing of "Progressive Self-Illuminating Gauges." In its place they list "Gray Backlit Gauges." Has there been a change?

Probably the most important change for the '06 V-6 is vehicle stability, a definite plus, evening the field with Camry, and an increase in the powertrain warranty, from 3/36 to 5/60.

maxamillion1

A power passenger's seat has been standard on the EXV6 SEDAN since the mid model change over of the previous gen Accord in MY2001. The Coupe, even in EXV6 form, STILL doesn't have a power passenger's seat.

And ONLY TL Type-S And CL Type-S models had 17 inch wheels, the basic TL and CL models came with 16inchers.

But I look forward to test driving the EXV6 6spd sedan.

Really wish the same car had been availalbe when I purchased my Altima back in March of 2004.

puncher

Great Post. Thanks for the bit of fun!!!