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2008 Honda Accord Coupe and Sedan

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  • amiramir Member Posts: 115
    i have noticed in some interior pics of the non leather accord on (Motortrend.com) that the door panels do not have the cloth inserts just like the 06+ civic which has hard plastic.has anybody else noticed that? it will be a deal breaker for many if its true i think. all altima camry and some other in competition have cloth inserts
  • jet10000jet10000 Member Posts: 656
    i have noticed in some interior pics of the non leather accord on (Motortrend.com) that the door panels do not have the cloth inserts

    I couldn't find pictures of a cloth interior car on Motortrend.com.

    I found these two interior pictures of cloth interior Accord, and is it possible the panel above the door handle is cloth? It's on the far side of the picture, but perhaps someone with an eagle eye can tell...

    http://vtec.net/articles/article-image?image=702301/08accord_pr-116.jpg

    http://vtec.net/articles/article-image?image=702301/08accord_pr-004.jpg
  • amiramir Member Posts: 115
    the panel above the door handle is a high quality soft plastic. but below the handle part i am concerned might be hard plastic,which i hope its not.
  • bristol2bristol2 Member Posts: 736
    There are 2 reasons for LEDs.
    1. Instant lighting, no 'delay' compared to incandescent. I think this is a negligible advantage, seriously does .5 of a second really make any difference?
    2. LEDs never need replacing. This is the real benefit. They do not 'burn out' because there is nothing to burn out.

    I ma not sure that any manufacturers choose them for fashion, I think it is purely a dependability thing. Isn't it good to know that your brake lights will never be burned out?
  • bristol2bristol2 Member Posts: 736
    Actually Albook is 100% correct that Ford had a 'top place' result for initial quality :surprise: .

    What he doesn't mention is that it was limited to a single factory that was producing Crown Vics (you would think with 20 years of the same model you would get it right eventually) and that Ford has already shuttered that factory! :cry:
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    Welcome to the future. Do you really think that bulbs will continue to dominate in 4-5 years down the road? I doubt it. It was a good move by Honda to put LEDs in 2006-2007 Accord. Very few cars have them right now, but will become a norm in a few years. Even the headlamps will start getting LEDs (some already have it).
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    It will be hard plastic around the switches. Padding will be found where you place your elbow, however.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    But from day one I would have gotten the 08 Malibu over the 08 Accord. They will be equal competitors, and when that happens, you go on looks.

    I'm trying to figure out whats so great about Malibu's styling. It is as conservative as safe as it can be. Its (rear end) look-alike, Buick Lucerne, has far more interesting cues. The Malibu is as bland as it gets, with a nose transplanted from Chevrolet trucks.

    And no, many of us don't go solely by looks. We go by previous experience, driving experience and quality (materials used, assembly, drive train... you name it).

    Now I'm curious, why GM pulled back on offering Camry and Accord for a comparison test drive against Malibu at Chevrolet dealerships. ;)

    Perhaps GM wasn't aware of Accord getting a redesign. :D
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    it will be a deal breaker for many if its true i think.

    Cloth seat inserts a deal breaker for many? Wow... I thought I was picky.

    I have no doubt that someone, somewhere will say they nixed a car they loved because of no cloth inserts in the door. I cannot fathom that very many people will fall into this category. :confuse:
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    1. Instant lighting, no 'delay' compared to incandescent. I think this is a negligible advantage, seriously does .5 of a second really make any difference?
    At 75MPH on the interstate in bumper-to-bumper traffic, I'll take every advantage I can get. The light being instantaneous would also be more noticeable, so people would be even quicker to notice you stopping. But the "no-replacement" thing is important to note as well!
  • tleetlee Member Posts: 44
    I caught the tail-end of MotorWeek on TV yesterday. The host said that they are going to review 2008 Accord next week:

    http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/upcomingshows.shtml

    In the short preview, the new Accord looks sharper than what I've seen in photos. You can locate your local channel and show date/time here:

    http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/stationlist.shtml
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Usually we come back with the usual comments...

    " Yeah, they are pretty nice"

    " They should sell well"

    " They made some nice improvements"

    Not this time....

    The 2008 Accord is going to be a SMASHING HIT!!

    WOW!! What a car!!!
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,109
    Isell-
    I am not (repeat, *not*) wanting to revive and old (and, hopefully, dead) thread, but I do have a question - is there any way to special order a V6 Accord w/o sunroof?
  • colloquorcolloquor Member Posts: 482
    Yes, but to correct an earlier posted, LEDs do indeed fail, as does their control circuitry. After all, an LED is simply a photoelectric diode - and, diodes fail. So, please don't think that they will last forever, because they won't.

    My basic point is when your LED control interface or the LEDs begin failing, it will cost you far more to replace either than a simple light bulb. Heck, I can't remember when the last time was that I replaced a lamp or bulb in my car - perhaps 5 or 6 years?
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    No, they only come with sunroofs.
  • bristol2bristol2 Member Posts: 736
    You are correct that LEDs do fail. However their life span is considerably longer than bulbs that depend on a filament.

    If you have never seen brake lights burnt out, you don't drive where I do!
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Out of the MANY, MANY cars I have owned, I think I MAY have replaced maybe two tailight bulbs in my life.

    Is this that big of a deal?
  • bristol2bristol2 Member Posts: 736
    Depends on whether you get pulled over for it.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,109
    Here are some other reasons makers may be going to LEDs: lower power - all the electronics in cars use lots of power, and they want to reduce that wherever possible; lighter weight, more flexible styling - they probably are lighter, without the need for large reflector, etc, and that gives more flexibility in styling, too; cheaper - a guess, but they might be cheaper; more compatible with electronic, computer controlled cars
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    I wouldn’t worry about interfaces. If I did, I would also have to worry about every electronic interface in a car, and that will be a lot to worry about.

    That said, IMO, the demand for LEDs or the choice to put them at this point is basically cosmetic. They do have some advantages over traditional bulbs, but they aren’t a priority at this time (or else I wouldn’t see an S-class with bulbs). For a long time, I didn’t realize TL had LEDs. And now I know that they have LEDs even in the side markers. And they do look better. Perhaps TSX could use it too (and will), although, again, I’m thinking cosmetic.
  • jet10000jet10000 Member Posts: 656
    You can locate your local channel and show date/time here:

    Thanks for the info!

    My city is not listed, but it looks like it's on the Speed Channel which I do get on Friday the 14th.
  • jet10000jet10000 Member Posts: 656
    American Honda Sets New All-time Record, August Sales Up 4.7 Percent:

    http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1097/releases/4133

    I'm sure it will be a short-lived victory with the Malibu stealing market share and Ford's customer satisfaction rankings up do high...
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Malibu stealing market share??

    You ARE kidding, right??

    The Malibu is a big seller allright, to the rental companies who buy them by the boat load and then dump them a year later at distressed prices at auction.

    JD Power ratings are for INITIAL quality. I would love for them to retest cars with 150,000 miles on them to see how they compare!
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    He's being sarcastic.

    With a dip in gas prices, I wasn't expecting great results, much less a record breaker. CR-V's sales continue to surprise me... 23K! But looks like, at an expense of Pilot's.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,109
    The CR-V's sales demonstrate Honda's amazing reputation. It sure can't be the looks...
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Looks are subjective. Most people really like the changes.

    Very few complaints but there will always be some who don't like it. Besides, it's a SUV. How good can it look?
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,109
    I'm a big Pilot fan, and think the new Accord's great. Just can't get with the CR-V nose.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    Hondas has never used looks as the sole selling point. That aspect generally attracts lifestyle buyers who can't be depended to form a foundation. Reputation, however, can go a long way, with repeat buyers, and those who would rather stick with the brand (on the flip side, it adds to the "age" factor).

    CR-V had the reputation of Honda before, but now it has become a runaway success story. It is a fantastic vehicle, now only if Honda considered tweaking that grill. It took Accord 12-13 years to become the best selling car in America, and CR-V is on its way to getting a similar accomplishment under its belt, in just ten years (it is leading light truck sales in the USA).

    Part of CR-V's success also stems from a lot of people realizing that they don't need big SUVs. This also happens to be Honda's target with the new Accord.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I have heard maybe six complaints about the CRV's looks and all of these have been on these forums.

    If they were to change the nose, there would no doubt be people who would ask why we took a good thing and screwed it up!
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    I think you will get more customers if Honda fixed that nose. I visited a Mazda dealership with a friend last week who simply refuses to even look at CR-V that I'm asking her to consider. In fact, Honda would do a lot better in terms of sales if they added styling to their repertoire. People buy Hondas for good reason. They could also use buyers who would see those good reasons only as a bonus.

    But then, Honda does have a clue. I like what I see in the new Accord. They just need to be more consistent and worry less about hurting the more expensive siblings (Acuras) if they went all out with Hondas.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I have never, once had a customer complain about the CRV's nose. Only in these forums. They may not tell me what they think but they usually don't hold back either.

    It is SO subjective..Here is what I hear all of the time...

    " Oh, what a pretty color"

    " Yuck! What a horrible color"...same color.

    " I love the tailights"

    " You would THINK Honda cold have picked better tailights!"

    " I love the changes to the new model"

    " Oh, WHY did Honda screw up a good thing!"

    Frankly, I tune all of this out. A CRV is a CAR for crying out loud and a SUV to boot!

    It's not an art object!

    Besides, you can't see the nose whan you're driving it! :P
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,109
    I'm not your ideal customer. I keep cars 10-12 years each, so, while I won't buy a car just because of its looks, I also won't buy one in spite of its looks (IMHO, of course). The CR-V would be on a very short list for me, otherwise.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    I think most CR-V buyers that visit your dealership have already looked at pictures and are out there for a closer look and feel. I'm talking about people who turned their heads away after the first step. Personally, I think it is their loss that they are settling for less (or worse), but at the same time, I think Honda is missing out on a few customers.

    But like I said, the new Accord will get quite a few new buyers to dealerships. Honda has done quite a job with this car (I actually like the sedan more than the coupe).
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Really? Yu would really pass on a great car because you don't like it's nose?

    Really?

    Don't you think you would get used to it?

    I guess we are all different. to me, looks is far down the list of importance to me.
  • blufz1blufz1 Member Posts: 2,045
    Forget the "nose". It's just a vehicle. You are buying driving experience, quality, and resale.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I agree with you. For others, the slightest thing can turn them off on a car.

    I don't understand but that's O.K. too...
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I'm a Toyota guy but I really like what Honda did with this CR-V. At first I thought the nose was not that pretty but it does grow on you. At least it doesn't look like every other mini ute on the market. It has some European flair to it.
    Now the new Accord is something else. :confuse: I think they will still sell a bunch of them but I'm not crazy about the styling. It looks too much like a big version of one of the Saturn models, and the interior is just too busy. Otherwise it's a fine car.
    :shades:
    Mack

    PS I don't think Honda is losing any customers because of the CRV's looks. If I recall sales are up on the CR-V.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Mack,

    The new Accord will be a smashing hit! I was at the Ride and Drive and it blew me away.

    I normally don't get that excited but they knocked the ball over the fence this time.

    And I LOVE the way they handle! WOW!!
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I've always liked the way Hondas handle overall. I don't know if I ever posted the story about the terrible experience I had back in 1991 when I was looking for a second vehicle and the Accord was tops on my list. If the experience would have been different I would probably be selling Hondas today.
    :)
    Mack
  • master_ryumaster_ryu Member Posts: 47
    CRV's nose is a lot better looking than the Camry's tumor of a snout. Toyota Beluga...lol
  • jet10000jet10000 Member Posts: 656
    Well Honda posted 2008 prices for the CR-V and the Ridgeline today at:

    http://www.hondanews.com/categories/963

    I'm assuming that it should be any day that we finally get Accord pricing.

    Does the Host know how soon after the MSRP is released that Edmunds posts the dealer invoice pricing?
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,109
    I won't buy a car I (and maybe I alone) consider ugly. Would you?
  • blufz1blufz1 Member Posts: 2,045
    It's not them! It's you! :) CRV is the best selling suv.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,109
    Like I said, I alone. Don't really care who likes it if I don't.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Even when they do post invoice pricing, it won't matter. These will be bring all of the money for quite awhile.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Like I said, the looks of a car is of little concern to me unless it is horrible looking like an Aztek.

    You are in the minority here but, hey, you should buy what YOU like!
  • ahsanman99ahsanman99 Member Posts: 28
    i agree with you.we are all honda hard core fans.dont be wasting your time on this website,go and by your crappy american junkard malibu or what ever chevy,ford crap.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    Like I said, I alone. Don't really care who likes it if I don't.

    If they made the CRV to your liking, would they sell more than 1? The "look" Honda went with, seems to be working out, so I doubt they are regretting the chosen design right now.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    That's not very funny.
    Mackabee
  • blufz1blufz1 Member Posts: 2,045
    I'm sure it was intended for those of us with an intact sense of humor. :)
This discussion has been closed.