2008 Honda Accord Coupe and Sedan

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Comments

  • tayl0rdtayl0rd Member Posts: 1,926
    ...the topography can affect things a lot...

    You nailed it! I was gonna mention that Florida's highways are quite flat, so that will definitely improve average mileage. And for the most part, I95 is basically flat until you get into/past Virginia.
  • personatechpersonatech Member Posts: 105
    This makes sense. I had heard from a car salesperson that MPG in eastern NC is usually a bit higher than the EPA ratings for that very reason, but I shrugged it off as sales-speak. I suppose the reverse is true - someone living in West Virginia or Colorado, for instance, might never see the mileage the EPA suggests is attainable!
  • ljgbjgljgbjg Member Posts: 374
    We lived in VA and traveled to the NC beaches often - Eastern NC is VERY flat- why they had such bad flooding some years ago. I 95 runs right through there - and the same with SC and GA too. Eastern parts of the state are part of the Appalachian Plain - flat to the ocean. So, yeah, the topography of where you live, and altitude too I am sure, are all factors beside speed that will affect MPG +/-. Imagin the MPG you would get in Iowa! Ever been there?? Man, flat as a pancake and corn as far as you can see!
  • sunnfunsunnfun Member Posts: 168
    Anyone else find that the windshield glass seems to be very soft on the new Accord? While driving on the highway, I had a rock hit the glass and made a huge crack. And whatever hit it hit so hard that I had small pieces of glass on the dashboard. And before I could even get it to the shop for replacement, another rock hit the glass and made a small mark/crack which over time would have gotten bigger. Never had any problems on the 2001. Just wondering if they have done something different with the glass or has anyone else had problems?
  • tayl0rdtayl0rd Member Posts: 1,926
    Those weren't rocks. You were really being shot at. What part of town were you in?
  • ezshift5ezshift5 Member Posts: 858
    ...good one!!

    ..ez....
  • sunnfunsunnfun Member Posts: 168
    Are you admitting to something???? :) Give me your info so I know where to send the bill......This was all highway driving so I know rocks will happen from time to time but this glass seems to be really soft. Anything that touches it leaves a mark-the 2001 V6 never had any issues.
  • hokie2hokie2 Member Posts: 6
    Yes...we were on flat roadways during our trip to Florida and mostly on cruise control. We live in southwest Virginia which is in the mountains and around town I get between 23 and 24 mpg. Haven't checked it awhile though. Taking a trip to DC this weekend so I will try and check it again.
  • tayl0rdtayl0rd Member Posts: 1,926
    Make sure to average it out between both trips since you will be going downhill one way and uphill the other. Your mileage going to DC will probably be fantastic!
  • coupeman2coupeman2 Member Posts: 2
    I bought a 2008 EX Coupe 4Cyl and financed with Bank Of America for 72 Months with a loan amount of 26,400. I pay 423 a month, and my Beacon score is a 780.

    Did I get royally screwed?
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Is this a manual or automatic? EX (cloth) or EX-L (leather)? What was the actual price of the car + tax + dealer fees and add-ons? I'd answer these questions, but not here; I think the host would tell us this isn't really the place for this.

    You might try the Accord Prices Paid forum for more responses by clicking here. In this forum people list their prices paid, and offers received for cars.
  • stephen987stephen987 Member Posts: 1,994
    Coupeman2, are you sure that's the correct loan amount? It depends on equipment (automatic vs. manual, leather vs. cloth), but unless you traded in something with a ton of negative equity, you paid too much.
  • coupeman2coupeman2 Member Posts: 2
    its cloth.

    automatic

    and i didnt trade anything in

    in fact, i put 3000 down including dealer fees, so i dont even know how much they actually put torward the loan

    i feel shafted...
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    If you'll take this to the other thread I linked, I'd like to reply to you.
  • pdxmeyerpdxmeyer Member Posts: 1
    I have a concern with the new ’08 Accord. While driving back from Seattle this past weekend, I guess gravel hit the lenses on BOTH Fog Lights and cracked/broke BOTH of them. I thought that they were more impact resistant and it seems like a flaw in the material.
    Has anyone else had this issue? I only have 3600 miles on it and now have to replace both lights. Honda wants to charge $300+ because it is only sold as a kit, and the front bumper has to be removed to replace it!?! Who’s to say that after it’s fixed that it won’t happen again…
    Not Happy!
  • personatechpersonatech Member Posts: 105
    That is either one heck of a coincidence or there is definitely a design flaw in those lights. It's too bad about having to replace the bumper to replace a foglight but it could be worse: when replacing a foglight in my '99 Beetle they had to remove the ENTIRE front clip: front bumper and both fender assemblies (after removing headlight assemblies)!!

    Thank God for insurance, right?
  • personatechpersonatech Member Posts: 105
    I finally got around to driving a couple of '08 Accord sedans today, an EX I4 and an EX-L V6, and I must say I'm impressed. We drove the I4 first, it had been sitting "cold" on the lot. After the I4 test, we had to wait on the V6 to return from another test drive. I have a couple of observations for which I'd like to solicit comments:

    1) The I4 was sufficient but the V6 was impressive, especially during acceleration.
    2) Strangely enough, the road noise was less noticeable in the I4 than the V6. As previously mentioned, I'd driven the I4 first and, as we were cruising on the interstate in the V6, I turned to the salesguy and said, "Is it me, or is the road noise louder in this car compared to the 4 cyl.?" With a perplexed look, he agreed. He noted that he'd think the V6 would be quieter as the tires had had enough time to warm up and soften a bit. He said the tires were the same, but I didn't think to confirm upon our return.
    3) I think I noticed some of the VCM issue but it was subtle enough that I kind of shrugged it off as not being used to the car's drivetrain. I'll have to take a long test drive again to check this again but the car seemed pretty smooth for the most part.
    4) After returning the car, the salesman had me leave my seat in its position and climb into the back seat. I stand 6'1" but sitting immediately behind the driver's seat there was a good 2" between my knees and the back of the front seat. Impressive.
    5) The trunk is equally impressive. I play bass and had fashioned a cardboard box with dimensions similar to my 2x10 cab. It easily fit and the lift height seemed easy to manage.
    Needless to say I'm very impressed. I still intend to test a couple of other makes (Camry Hybrid, Malibu, maybe others...) but the Accord is the benchmark they'll have to beat.
  • personatechpersonatech Member Posts: 105
    I've come across an inventory listing at an area dealer that shows a White Diamond Pearl EX-L I4 - NOT a V6 - with an MSRP of 26,495. I suspect this is a typo and that the car is actually Taffeta White but some manufacturers are known to introduce new color selections, slight feature modifications, etc. at the end of their model year. As I am only now considering my first Honda, I wonder if it is possible that Honda does this as well?

    I may have an opportunity tomorrow to check the car out (it's not local but about 1.5 hrs. drive away). If I do, I'll report back.
  • ljgbjgljgbjg Member Posts: 374
    What you are hearing as road noise in the V6 is actually the ANC - "white" noise to counteract the noises from the engine going through its 6-4-3 cycles. In 3 cylinder mode the car makes some very odd engine sounds - try listening to it with the windows open on a city street. To quote Honda -

    "the audio system’s Active Noise Cancellation™ (ANC) function generates out-of-phase sound waves to cancel out any undesirable noise that may be due to the harmonics of 3-cylinder operation."

    Also - has Honda changed its website? It now says the VCM is NEARLY seamless. Didn't it used to say it was seamless without qualification?
  • dpmeersmandpmeersman Member Posts: 275
    They most definitely changed the text as you pointed out but if you watch and listen to the audio/visual representation, it still claims that the VCM activity is completely unnoticeable to driver and passengers. While mine has improved, I would have to disagree with that statement.
    I'm still not totally sold on Honda's grade logic control. Every morning I stop for a cup of coffee and leaving I have to pass my towns police station. It's on a pretty steep downhill grade and they feel strongly about enforcing the 35 MPH speed limit. With my previous car I would pull out of the parking lot and let gravity get me past the station at the acceptable speed limit. With the new Accord it wants to stay in 3rd gear revving around 2,500 RPM going down the hill barely reaching 35 by the time I arrive at the bottom. I'd rather use the brakes and have the transmission go thru the gears and see the tach around 1,200-1,300 rpm like I used to knowing that the lower the engine tachs less fuel is being consumed. When it's holding a gear like that what is required of the driver to force it to shift up? I've tried giving the accelerator a little stab, but that hasn't worked. Any suggestions?
  • sunnfunsunnfun Member Posts: 168
    Sorry about your fog lights. I took my car to have the windshield replaced the other day. They ordered the wrong one so I have to go back today to get it replaced. Good thing, because as I said previously, the next morning another rock flew up and put a second crack in the windshield. I have never seen such soft/weak glass. I would think this is a safety issue if the glass is that soft. I have never had this issue with my previous accords. I know the car sits low so it will have things hit the windshield, but unless it's something pretty big, it should not leave a mark. After all of this, I decided to get the front mask for my car. It does not cover the fog lights, etc.. but hopefully will protect the front of the car from this kind of stuff.
  • personatechpersonatech Member Posts: 105
    I hadn't considered it might be the ACM and, apparently, neither did the salesperson. It's beginning to look like the I4 generally offers a more pleasant driving experience.
  • tayl0rdtayl0rd Member Posts: 1,926
    I'd try an EX-L 4-cylinder before casting that final judgement (if you can get L in the 4-cylinder.) Leather interiors are louder than cloth ones.
  • personatechpersonatech Member Posts: 105
    I hadn't considered that - I did drive an EX I4 because I wanted to evaluate the cloth interior and was comparing it to an EX-L V6. In fact, I had already kind of decided that I'd prefer leather so I'll certainly test an EX-L I4. Thanks for the tip!
  • ljgbjgljgbjg Member Posts: 374
    Grade logic transmission at work - sorry, no suggestions. Another of Honda's "engineering" advances that takes control of the car out of the hands of the driver. I would rather pay for new brake pads than a new transmission. I can only see more wear and tear on the tranny from this than before.
  • ljgbjgljgbjg Member Posts: 374
    Why I like buying a car through the internet sales team - so many sales people haven't a clue about their own product. I am only suggesting that if there is a difference between the two that that might be the reason. One real way to find out -test drive a 6 speed V6 coupe without ANC and and A/T coupe with it. If the AT V6 is noisier it is the drivetrain combo of VCM and ANC causing the increased noise level.
  • cstilescstiles Member Posts: 465
    The 6spd coupe has Active Noise Cancellation as standard equipment (even though it does not have VCM). In fact, I believe all of the coupes have ANC, although I'm not positive about that.

    Honda offers ANC with many of their models. Our 2005 RL has it, even though that car doesn't have VCM.
  • ljgbjgljgbjg Member Posts: 374
    Why would a Non-VCM equipped Accord have ANC when Honda's own web page cites the reason for it being -

    "the audio system’s Active Noise Cancellation™ (ANC) function generates out-of-phase sound waves to cancel out any undesirable noise that may be due to the harmonics of 3-cylinder operation."

    While I see it listed as standard equipment on the Coupe V6, when explained what it does it references the 3 cylinder operation mode.
  • cstilescstiles Member Posts: 465
    Active Noise Cancellation has been available in Hondas prior to VCM, and it can help counteract against sounds created by tires, road noise, wind, or drivetrain (regardless of VCM). It happens to be a feature that works in concert with VCM, but it's availability has not been exclusive to cars with VCM. The RL has featured it for 4 years.
  • ljgbjgljgbjg Member Posts: 374
    Well I guess my idea of comparing the 6MT V6 coupe with an AT Coupe wouldn't work. Oh well - it was an idea.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I'm still not totally sold on Honda's grade logic control. Every morning I stop for a cup of coffee and leaving I have to pass my towns police station. It's on a pretty steep downhill grade and they feel strongly about enforcing the 35 MPH speed limit. With my previous car I would pull out of the parking lot and let gravity get me past the station at the acceptable speed limit. With the new Accord it wants to stay in 3rd gear revving around 2,500 RPM going down the hill barely reaching 35 by the time I arrive at the bottom. I'd rather use the brakes and have the transmission go thru the gears and see the tach around 1,200-1,300 rpm like I used to knowing that the lower the engine tachs less fuel is being consumed. When it's holding a gear like that what is required of the driver to force it to shift up? I've tried giving the accelerator a little stab, but that hasn't worked. Any suggestions?

    Honda has had this type of transmission since the mid-90s. My 1996 Accord does the same thing; it keeps you from coasting too fast; it also holds third when climbing hills as opposed to hunting between third and fourth.

    If my 1996 Accord and my 2006 Accord are any window into the GLC transmission, there's not much you can do to get it to shift up except reach level ground.

    If you get your car into 4th gear before the hill starts, it shouldn't downshift back to third unless you hit the brakes. Otherwise, I've got nothing to offer ya, buddy. I'm sorry; hope my post at least lets you know its normal. :blush:
  • ljgbjgljgbjg Member Posts: 374
    I have had a 1997 Accord V6, 2000 Accord V6 and 2004 Accord Coupe V6 and NONE of their GLC transmissions behaved the way the 2008's does. It is harsh and excessive and will even downshift on the highway at 60 MPH to maintain a steady speed when on cruise control. Believe us, it is WAY more active than what you have.
  • bug4bug4 Member Posts: 370
    I have actually had a different experience with grade logic. It constantly engages on a ramp I have to go down on the way to work. It is a gradual and long ramp. I HAVE been able to get the grade logic to shift back up by letting off the brake and tapping the gas. I'm not sure why that hasn't worked for some others. Again, my situation involves a fairly gradual incline - so maybe a steeper incline does more to lock in the grade logic.

    Also, there was some mention above about preferring to replace brake pads, rather than putting more wear on the transmission. This is undoubtedly true. However, I can relay my experience with my old 98 I4 Accord with manual transmission. I had over 140,000 miles on that car when I sold it - and it had the ORIGINAL brake pads. The reason: I used the hell out of the transmission to brake my speed. I never abused it, but I absolutely used it more than the brakes to help control my speed. With all that work and all those miles, the transmission was bomb-proof and never had a single problem.

    Have I mentioned how much I liked that 98 Accord :sick: I miss it and my new 08 is a lot fancier - but not nearly as flawless!
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    my situation involves a fairly gradual incline - so maybe a steeper incline does more to lock in the grade logic.

    That may have a lot to do with it; mine works similarly to what you describe. I should've been more thorough in my description.

    However, I can rely my experience with my old 98 I4 Accord with manual transmission. I had over 140,000 miles on that car when I sold it - and it had the ORIGINAL brake pads. The reason: I used the hell out of the transmission to brake my speed.

    My 1996 got 131k out of the front pads, and still has the original shoes on the rear. That was a lot of highway driving obviously, but great nonetheless. I now have over 50,000 miles on the new pads (182k on the car) and have that many miles on the shoes.

    I used the hell out of the transmission to brake my speed. I never abused it, but I absolutely used it more than the brakes to help control my speed.

    Could you elaborate? I often use D3 in my 1996 (my 06 Accord is more willing to downshift when braking) to help slow me down, but rarely above 45 mph, and almost never into "2", unless the hill is awfully steep and I don't want my brakes to completely fade if I'm stopping from 70+ mph (such as a steep off-ramp leading to a red light). 98% of stops I just leave it in D4 and let the car do its thing, and always in the '06.

    After writing all of this I realize it is a little off topic. I'm not sure where it needs to go, though!
  • ljgbjgljgbjg Member Posts: 374
    I would be a lot more concerned about using an AT as a braking component than a manual. Every time you shift gears in an AT you are using the pump to circulate fluids, and putting strain on the torque converter. Not so with a MT. Just my opinion.
  • bug4bug4 Member Posts: 370
    Good point. It does seem that the AT puts so many mechanical processes into the mix. I dearly miss the old days when I simply pushed in the clutch and picked which damn gear I wanted to drive in! I got to control everything from the engine speed to how fast I wanted the transmission to engage and I really was able to minimize wear and tear. I'm not a great driver - but I know I can do a better job than does the AT on my 08 Accord :cry:

    grad - to answer your question --- my 98 was a manual and so I drove it like an 18-wheeler :P If going above 70, I usually would let off the throttle until I got to 70, then shift into 4th. At about 55, I could shift down to 3rd and at something like 30-35 I would shift into 2nd to slow to about 20mph. Below 20mph or so, I would have to use my brakes since first gear was geared quite low.

    I still use my gears, at times, to slow my new Accord. But, as ljgbjg noted, it just seems to be a much more mechanically complicated process.
  • macno0bmacno0b Member Posts: 22
    The main difference is the Alloy wheels. The Plastic wheels of the LX look terrible. The costs are $1000 different. Is it better (more cost effective) if I get the LX and put in the alloy myself?

    Thanks
  • accordguy0325accordguy0325 Member Posts: 169
    Buying Honda manufactured alloys would prolly run you anywhere between 800 to 2000 dollars, in this regard you'd be better off going with the LXP b/c you'd also get the power drivers seat and a couple other little things...

    In terms of saving money however, I think your best bet is to buy the LX, and get after market alloys- a decent set can be had for prolly 300-600 depending on style/etc...
  • furrycutefurrycute Member Posts: 33
    I did a pretty comparison between the LX and the LX-P when I was shopping for my car. I finally ended up with the LX-P.

    Differences,

    1) Steel wheels vs. alloy wheels. The plastic wheel covers on the LX are horrible. Thin and can be easily dented/bent. I can't believe that Honda chose those horrible wheel covers for an Accord.

    2) Non powered vs. powered driver's seat. One caveat, the powered driver's seat on the LX-P does not come with lumbar support. The lumbar support is only found the EX and up trim levels.

    3) Engine immobilizer vs. engine immobilizer plus alarm.

    As far as I can tell, those are the only differences between the LX and the LX-P. Are these differences worth $1,000? Myself, I really hated those flimsy plastic wheel covers, so went with the LX-P.
  • cstilescstiles Member Posts: 465
    IMO, the basic questions are.....(1) Is $1,000 that much of a hit on your pocket book, and (2) do you like the look of the alloys? If the $1,000 isn't going to break you, and if you like the look of the wheels (regardless of whether you hate the plastic wheel covers on the LX), then the LX-P is a good value and smart decision. At resale time, you'll get a portion of that $1,000 back, and the LX-P is going to be more desirable than a plain jane LX to someone looking to buy your used car.

    If you were to add alloys and an alarm system on an after market basis, you're likely going to spend $1,000. Plus you get the power driver's seat with the LX-P. An alarm system and power seat are desirable features for most buyers.

    As long as you don't dislike the look of the OEM alloys, the LX-P is a smart purchase, in my opinion.
  • jodar96jodar96 Member Posts: 400
    You did well by going with LX-P. We got an EX for my wife. If it was my car, I would have gone with LX-P. It is worth $1000 not to look at cheap wheel covers for 5-7 years. Honda must take a look at how GM is desiging their wheel covers. With larger steel wheel opening slots copying alloy wheel look, they have made wheels covers that cover the steel wheels, and from a distance look just like alloy wheels. I am impressed. I totally agree with you; Accord LX wheel covers remind me of Dodge Stratus wheel covers; CHEAP.

    Joe
  • hlee0009hlee0009 Member Posts: 1
    I have 2008 ex-l w/ navi accord. Does anyone know how to install korean fonts on my audio player? when I burn a korean mp3 cd, I can't see any titles beacuse it's in korean, so i'd have to change titles of all 100 mp3's into english, it's pain in the butt. Can anyone tell me how to install korean fonts on my audio player so i dont have to change korean titles into english everytime i download new korean songs?
    it'd be wonderful if i'd be able to read song titles in korean. thanks
  • jodar96jodar96 Member Posts: 400
    We just took our 2008 Accord on a 1080 mile trip. I am the one that has been complaining about the seat back bulge. It is way too annoying to live with. With power seat adjustment, I found one spot that made it somehow tolarable.

    One flat roads, the Accord did fine. In hilly roads, the auto transmission had heck of time figuring out what it wanted to do. It down shifted a lot, and in downhill driving, it was holding in gear and not upshifting. The RPM was about 4K. I know it was doing something like hill descent holding. But this is not a big semi that needs engine braking. If I need to keep it in lower gear, LET ME SELECT D3. The way we were driving, the car should have kept the top gear and occasionally down shift.

    Our old 97 Dodge GC did a lot less down shifting in the same area several years ago than this Accord did. One the way back, I drove home a 2001 Jetta 2.0L 4 cyllinder 5 speed. I set the cruise at 70mph, and no point the engine labored. It easily kept up.

    Accord EX with its 17" wheel and 45 profile tires has a very bumpy ride over rough surfaces. The car shakes and jumps around too much for its large wheelbase. It does not know how to absorb bumps. Honda might have been better off to stay with 16" wheels and 55 profile tires for sedans. On smooth roads, it did fine.

    The mileage was a decent 33.8mpg. I still wish the EX cloth at $23,800 MSRP had a outside temp reading. Camry CE has it standard. IMO, Accord's both exterior and interior are the best in class.

    Joe
  • astro13astro13 Member Posts: 26
    Has anyone ordered the Accord sedan with a rear wing or lip spoiler? I am in the process of purchasing a EX-L w/ Silver exterior and was contemplating the rear spoiler. Unfortunately Honda doesn't show you any decent pictures of what they would look like and you don't see may on the street. Any help would be appreciated.
  • cstilescstiles Member Posts: 465
    Go to vtec.net and click on the sponsors link, and then go to College Hills Honda. Click on exterior accessories. There are photos there.

    Also, go to ebay, and search "2008 Honda Accord spoiler" and you will see many photos and a range of prices/options.

    Good luck.
  • parvizparviz Member Posts: 484
    I saw a white V6 this morning with the wing. It looked sharp. They had also disconnected the third brake light and only the 3rd light on the wing would come on when braking.
  • astro13astro13 Member Posts: 26
    Thanks for the help everyone. College Hill had some decent pics. Looks have I will have to decide in the next couple of days which one to go with.
  • denisempmp1denisempmp1 Member Posts: 14
    Hi All,
    I have a question? What do you think is the better purchase an LX-P or an EX? I haven't shopped around for lease prices yet. I am looking for 12K miles, $0 down. DO you think it is possible to lease an EX for 36 months for a total of $315 or do I have to look at the LX-P?

    Thanks for your help
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    If a moonroof isn't a deal-breaker, I'd go with the LX-P all the way. And, I have an EX, and love it (a 2006 model though; I just wanted a moonroof).
  • budhbudh Member Posts: 109
    I've checked out the new 2008 Accord and like a lot of what it has. But is it really "better" than the 2007? I'm looking to get a new 2008 or a slightly used 2007 and so far the 2008 has one advantage that with being 6' 3" and with a long torso, the headroom in the 2008 is better than the 2007.

    But, not counting headroom and legroom issues, which is the better vehicle? I'm getting this mainly for much better gas mileage than my 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS which gets only 20 mpg. I also prefer a softer ride (similar to Toyota, but the Camry just doesn't do it for me).

    Bud H
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