2008 Honda Accord Coupe and Sedan

f0rl0rn

I agree. Honda took a nose dive on the model change. When I bought my wifes 07 she thought she wanted to wait for the 08. No way. I have not researched any of the technical upgrades that must exist but from a purely aesthetic point of view it doesn't look good. I live in San Diego and the only ones I have seen are on billboards and dealerlots. The only good thing about it is that when they do another Full Model Change is they will do it right an go up the scale instead of down. Kind of how Mazda and, OMG, dare I say Hyundai, have gone up over the years and making a push.

If you looking for a bland car with no class and don't mind being looked at as someone with out any taste in cars than buy the 08. Otherwise save your money, hopefully you can get a deal on an '07 still, although I doubt since more people want the '07 than the '08.

And to each his own so if anyone feels bad about this comment sorry. You got yours and I got mine.

carlsondds

I love the new model for 2008. Seems like many others do as well. The guy above me on the message board sounds like he has a sour taste on owning the '07 now that the 2008 has arrived.

He sure has made a lot of big statements on the bland nature of the car and all the "idiots" who it appeals to.

Honda makes a great car, and they did in 2007, too. Don't get so wound up on the 2008...your '07 is a fine car as well.

One of my favorite changes is the new front end. Much better than the previous model.

"The new Accord has a great new sporty and strong look. They did away with the 2007 sloping front end that made the Accord look like a grown-up economy car. It is replaced by a tall, proud nose that makes the car look more upscale. A new six-pointed grille is surrounded by thick chrome trim as if to advertise its new prominence."

luv_my_job

Some only have taste in their mouth....that said you are entitled to your opinion.....but why do you bother posting here....do you sell Camrys or Snota Hondas??

jamese777

Ha! I live in San Diego too, in Bay Park near Clairemont and I work downtown at City College. I've seen 5 Sedans and 1 Coupe thus far. When I stopped by Pacfic Honda last sunday they only had 3 Sedans and 1 black Coupe on the lot, so time will have to tell.
I intend to order the Coupe EX-L after Christmas. Honda's sale projections are for selling 360,000 '08 Accords. We'll all just have to wait and see how close they come!

ls6454

I really like the coupe styling alot, it is a really aggresive looking car.
The sedan is a lot more conservative looking, but still looks great, the only thing on the sedan I don't like are the taillights

gotoyota

I never said they COULD AFFORD them. I just said they drive them :shades:

gotoyota

"Interesting that you actually see thug(s) that can afford the very same car you do living side by side with you."

Easy nighthawk, I never said they live side by side with me. And I'm also not one to spend everything I own on a car, unlike said "thugs."

gotoyota

Why does it seem that no one is pointing out the obvious resemblance between the 08 Accord sedan and the current BMW 5 series in the side profile? That was the first thing I thought when I saw one. Whenever I have pointed this out to someone then it's like, "oh yeah, it really does." But I have not seen anyone talk about it in the forums??? It's definately not a bad thing to resemble a BMW, but to me it looks so close, I'm surprised they got away with it.

jaxs1

It's already been mentioned in the past by others.

gotoyota

Wow, that was fast. Thanks for the sanity check :shades:

bimmer4me

not only has it been mentioned numerous times on these forums, but also in the automobile magazines...time for an expresso buddy!

maximafan

While the jury is still out for me on whether I like or dislike the '08 Honda Accord, I too
noticed the resemblance to the BMW 5 Series from the side profile.

misocar

A question for those with EX-L models with XM radio : Is it possible to change which data appears on the display so that you can simultaneously see the Artist and Song Title rather than having to hit the "Title" button to toggle between them? It's amazing to me that the XM display on a $25-30K car is inferior to my $80 portable Audiovox radio - how can this be?

Also, do long artist / song titles scroll across the screen or do they get cut off?

elroy5

It's amazing to me that the XM display on a $25-30K car is inferior to my $80 portable Audiovox radio - how can this be?

It's simple really. Honda designed the Accord to be a car, first and far most, and not a stereo system.

jeffxp

If you looking for a bland car with no class and don't mind being looked at as someone with out any taste in cars than buy the 08. Otherwise save your money, hopefully you can get a deal on an '07 still, although I doubt since more people want the '07 than the '08.

Honda for years has appealed to the masses with a middle of the road design. But I guess you already know that and if you didn't you probably just turned 18.

Now don't get mad, it's just my 2 cents

jet10000

Is it possible to change which data appears on the display so that you can simultaneously see the Artist and Song Title rather than having to hit the "Title" button to toggle between them?

If you scroll down to the middle of this article, you can see a picture of the display. There is only one line of the display devoted to music information which is why you have to press the title button to toggle. And for long song titles it doesn't look like it would hold the whole thing.

http://www.hondanews.com/categories/812/releases/4107

If you want a better display, get the nav system.

There's an interior picture here that shows how XM looks on the Nav system. All of the information is available on one display with no toggle.

http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-sedan/interior-photos.aspx

wenjenaz

I was wondering if anyone else out west was having the same problem as I've run into. I am SO ready to buy myself the 2008 Accord Coupe 5 speed in Belize Blue Pearl it isn't even funny. I drove out to 2 dealerships last night to see what was available. I live in the greater Phoenix metro area. The first dealership I went to in Mesa, AZ sat me down in front of their computers and looked up when the car with everything I wanted was going to be arriving. In the entire state of AZ there are only THREE being delivered within the next three weeks none of them in blue and :mad: none of them to the dealership I was sitting in. BIG disappointment since I'd test driven the only Coupe, an EX-L, that was sitting in their lot. Loved it, just wish it was a manual transmission. Ok, so maybe this guy's full of crap, I'm thinking. I had a little time so I scooted over to another dealership in Tempe, AZ. He was skeptical when I told him what the other dealership told me. He had me wait in the waiting area while he went to his boss "to see what he could do for me." When he came back he sheepishly admitted that I was right how very few cars were being delivered in the next few weeks. He tried to get me to "order" the car and said that it would take 90 days. HE'S the one that's full of crap! These cars don't GET ordered. All he was doing was trying to get me to put a deposit down so that I wouldn't go to any other dealers. Then he'd have that 90 days for my so-called "order" to come in. It isn't like Honda is going to stop the manufacturing process so that I can get MY specific car. (Shows an ignorance on the part of the salesman how production lines work).

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else out there had any experiences like this. 5 years ago I bought an Acura RSX and it was a brand new body style like the Accord is now. I don't remember having trouble finding the car I wanted. In fact, I went in, found the car and drove it off the lot the same day. And they certainly didn't do this with the Sedan. Why is Honda doing it this way? They are hurting their dealerships. I wonder how many people will abandon the Accord in favor of the competition.

maxamillion1

I have to totally disagree on that point.

Accord has never really been known for styling, but I do think the 08s look drastically better and look more like "Accords" then the 7th generation does. The 08 Accord, while bigger doesn't look nearly as bloated looking as the 03-05 and especially the 06-07.

maxamillion1

First of all, which trim level are you seeking (I didn't see that posted)

The problem with what you want is simple....the coupe is a relatively low production vehicle (in comparison with the sedan) and the fact that you want a manual transmission is going to make it that much harder along with the fact that you only seem interested in one color (Belize)

The coupe was originally supposed to hit dealers a week after the sedans hit lots but for some reason they've had a long process of trickling into the dealerships. As time passes on production should increase and variety will be better, but it's going to be tough finding any Honda with a manual transmission, even the coupe.

Hopefully you aren't looking for navigation and or leather as it will take that much longer.

Also, why not give it some time anyway that way you'd probably get better deals later on. I'd say look around in other areas or even travel if you have to, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to get the particular car you are looking for because it will take a while to hit the lots.

keitha3

From the pictures I've seen, the Belize blue is gorgeous. If I were to get the Accord, that's the color I'd want as well. Unfortunately, I'd be getting a sedan and I think that particular color only comes in the coupe.

jaxs1

It still doesn't look like it would display a long song title even with the nav system.

lmacmil

"If you looking for a bland car with no class...Now don't get mad..."

After you insult someone's taste, it's too late to ask them not to get mad.

Styling is totally subjective. No one should comment negatively on someone else's opinion because, by definition, an opinion can't be wrong.

stuartfl

I really like this car. Have had it on the highway and around town driving. Very comfortable and stable on the road even in a South Florida thunder storm on I95. Got 30mpg mostly highway which I think is great for a car this size. Haven't seen many others on the road down here but I am sure that will change shortly. Mine is silver and it really is beautiful. Very happy with it. I would have bought the leather but in South Florida, it gets hot and the cloth doesn't. Like the feature that opens all of the windows and the roof when you hold down the unlock button on the remote. It cools off before you get in.

maxamillion1

Yea, Belize is only available on the Coupe..and that's too bad. They did offer a bright blue on the 06 EX-L V6 models for 2006 (Sapphire Blue??) but it didn't sell so I'm guessing they decided not to offer it with the Belize Blue for 08

06nighthawkv6

wait till the non-VCM Accord 6MT starts patrolling the highways...you can be sure that pocket rocket will be masquerading as a fuel sipper when it pounces on highways for some long-term linear driving.

doug4321

There is a Belize Blue Coupe,I4/Auto Trans at Western Honda in Hobbs,NM.I don't like the dealership,maybe you will.

doug4321

I have an 05 EXL Coupe V6 with XM Radio and the song title and artist pops up as soon as the song begins to play.I do not have to toggle or anything else to get this info.

luv_my_job

I'm trying to secure a 08 Coupe EX-L AT/4 San Marino Red with Ivory Int...none in Texas as of Saturday but remember every day Marysville cranks these babys out like sausages and this too shall pass... as expected most DFW stores only have a couple in stock but appears sedans are now plentiful and 07 inventories much lower than 3 weeks ago

ls6454

I must say car quality has improved greatly since I started driving in 1980. I mean, when your biggest complaint of the 2008 Accord is the XM radio display is unsatisfactory, it must be a great car.
Just my opinion

thomasr1950

I've seen several posts where people are saying they can't get their dealer to order an Accord w/features & colors that they want. I went to my local Honda Dealer on Sept 15. They did not have the car i wanted naturally. So he said he would ORDER what i wanted, it might be Nov. before it comes in, or he could see if another dealer had the car ORDERED like i wanted. He called a week later & was able to swap w/another dealer. So the posts on ordering a car like people want & being told they don't build to order is BS. Mine is due in this week, it'b built shipped. If you can't get your dealer to order what you want, go to another dealer :mad:

thomasr1950

My dealer told me 2 months if i ordered it. So that is about right. He swapped w/another dealer to get mine sooner. It still is taking just over a month.

stickguy

Doesn't always mean they instruct the factory to build one just for you. There are build plans in advance, and sometimes dealers can just reserve one that is already in the works, although it maight take a while for that one's turn to come up.

I think different manufacturers work this differently. I'm pretty sure Toyota wouldn't build something to your specs, if they weren't already planning to, if you were the Pope.

But, if you think it through, what's the big deal for Honda? Someone has to plan out the model mix to build, and program the computers to make it happen, so why not just put one like you want into the pipeline, and tag it to your dealer?

austinman7

My experience buying my last two cars -- my current Accord and prior Camry -- was that my dealer had computer access to the factory allocations over the next few months of a lot of dealers, and he simply scanned through those and found what I wanted. He then worked an allocation exchange with that dealer, the factory changed its records before the car was built, and the car came directly from the factory to my dealer as if it were allocated to him from the start.

Another way, of course, is a dealer-to-dealer swap of cars they already have on the ground, which I'm not crazy about.

I did place a special order for a car once, but that was way back in the '70s and probably wouldn't apply to current practices.

bvdj84

So is the Belize blue not offered on the Sedan, because I saw it on the Honda website advertisement on the top of the page. That color is not the blue pearl, it is the belize. I love that color. I also wished they the offer the sporty red color that is on the coupe for the sedan, that would be amazing.

keitha3

I hope you're right, but, in the catalog for the new Accord, it's just listed for the coupe. This is, unless I'm reading things incorrectly, also the way it is at their online site.

I really, really want that color and so does my family, but a coupe is out. I just shuttle about too many people and dogs.

We have too long of a run of white and silver cars and we need to go a different direction colorwise this time.

texases

I also wished they the offer the sporty red color that is on the coupe for the sedan, that would be amazing.

Same here, my wife loves red cars, not the metallic burgundy most cars get now. I saw the red coupe, looked at the sedan, :mad: Oh, well...

bvdj84

I totally agree, I have a silver 06 SE accord, and love it, but this time, I want to go all out on the color. I am actually thinking of getting the Coupe this time, but thinking maybe I'll kick myself for getting it later, when I want to take people along. But I would say 90% of the time it is just me. So getting the coupe would be more practical. but four doors is nice.

accordguy0325

"""If you looking for a bland car with no class and don't mind being looked at as someone with out any taste in cars than buy the 08"""

Im sure you could have said this with a bit more tact- there is no reason to be insulting to other members. Everyone will have a different opinion yes- but to put down others for liking the 2008 versus the 2007 using childish name calling is unacceptable.

You owe everyone an apology.

maxamillion1

I have a similar situation...first I wanted the sedan but after seeing the coupe in person I'm leaning more toward the coupe. I'm single, no kids so the coupe would be fine for me but I feel like the 10 percent of the time I do actually have folks in my car it will be a problem.

I'm not trading in my 05 Altima so if I need the extra space we can always hop in my Altima.

I'm definitely going for the coupe..and it's definitely going to be a manual transmission model. Ex, Exl or ExV6

dpmeersman

It's been suggested that Honda's specifying 87 octane fuel for their engines is being done to help spur sales as most people looking for a family sedan aren't inclined to purchase one that requires premium fuel. I've read that a rough rule of thumb is an engine with a compression ratio below 10:1 will run fine on 87 octane but ratios higher then 10:1 will benefit from 91 or higher octane. The 3.5 i-vtec in the 08 have a compression ratio of 10.5:1 in fact I believe the 4 cylinder engines in the 08 line up have this high compression ratio as well.
I'm planning on keeping this car for quite a while and was wondering about members thoughts on Top Tier gas. For years I've used Cumberland Farms (Gulf) gas in Ford and Mazda automobiles and don't know of any sludging problems. Should I use Shell of Exxon etc, which are considered Top Tier fuel(higher detergent levels then bargain fuel)? Any thoughts on these fuel related questions would be appreciated.

elroy5

Sludging is from oil, not gas. I use top tier gas to prevent future problems with the fuel system. High detergent gas hopefully will eliminate the need for injector cleaning in the future.

iwantone

I have read in other sites that Honda has always experienced transmission problems with the V6. I would love the V6 but I am a little leery. The reason for my looking at Honda is for the solid reputation. Would it be better to go with 4 cyclinder? Can anyone give some opinions? I am driving a 4 cyclinder 2001 Honda now and it just doesn't have the pep I need for interstate driving.

texases

The transmission problem was hopefully solved, one can never know for sure but Honda knows its reputation is on the line. And it was not just a v6 problem, my SIL had her 2002 SE i4 tranny go out at very low miles but outside of warranty period, they replaced it no charge.

texases

The computer modeling, design, and engine management now used makes these 'rules of thumb' out of date. Cadillac is doing the same thing with their high-compression v6. There should be no concern over using regular in the Honda. Might there be some slight power/mileage gain with premium? Possibly, it depends on how the engine management is set up. But that's a different matter.

thegraduate

Drive the 4-cyl Accord and see if it is quick enough for you. I know my 2006 Accord is noticeably quicker than my grandmother's 2002. The 5-speed auto vs. 4-speed auto and extra horses really show when you go to pass or merge.

I say try one out. If it doesn't have enough pep, the V6 should be fine for you. The transmission problems were early in the run of the last generation (2003, some 2004s).

carguy58

"Accord has never really been known for styling,

Yeah but the Accords of the 1990's look better to me than the 03-07 or the 08 does.

"but I do think the 08s look drastically better and look more like "Accords" then the 7th generation does."

I'll agree there though with your sentence above though.

"The 08 Accord, while bigger doesn't look nearly as bloated looking as the 03-05 and especially the 06-07."

You think the 06-07 looks more bloated looking than the 03-05? I think the opposite that the 03-05 looks more bloated than the 06-07 does.

06nighthawkv6

Get a 2007 I4 Accord. Your problem with pep will be solved. I got the 2006 V6 and I owned the I4 for a week and it's gonna be a big upgrade for you.

06nighthawkv6

2007 Accord sedans look better(esp. with LEDs) then the 2008 sedans.

2007 Accord coupes look better(or equal minus huge vertical tailights) then the 2008 coupes
=
2008 Accord not a resounding and revolutionary enough of a change, both looks and powertrain (2008 speed is EQUAL to 2007s roughly)

robertsmx

There was a glitch with a batch of transmissions, but I would assume to be history. Besides, the transmission design itself was revised to make it more sturdy. It is now a 4-shaft design.

That said, personally, I don't feel the need for a V6. I-4 has been plenty quick in the past generations (I have not driven the latest Accords yet). V6 is more about occasional power, which I think is rarely used (my other car is a TL, so I know). There might be a bit of refinement and sound aspects with V6, if you care for it. The best bet... try them both. You might end up saving $2K and drive home a comparably equipped I-4.

texases

You're welcome to your opinions. However, the previous gen Accord was, IMO, one of the least attractive sedans in the segment, while the '08 is now at the top of the list.