Our Sienna has one of those J shaped shift tracks (which I did not like at first). It allows the driver to drop down a gear or two very easily as the shifter changes direction as you go down the gears. IE to drop into 4th going up a long hill just tap the lever to the left, and to drop down to third tap it down (after it is in 4th). Certainly not a "manumatic" but much of the functionality (as many automatics have to some degree).
One neat feature is that you can tap down to 4th (and back to 5th) without interupting cruise control - handy in the mountains.
Just another route Honda could go.
One thing I like about manuals that I did not mention is the ability to shift out of sequence. An automatic must go one gear at a time. If I accelerate hard in 1st and 2nd, and have reached a decent cruising speed, I can then just pop it directly into 5th. Or going around a turn I can drop right from 5th to 3rd etc.
You couldn't pry my manual away from me - that was the only thing I would not compromise on when looking for a new car (I can honestly say I prefer my stick shift Accord to my Brothers automatic 530i - just not as involving), and I am very glad Honda has them readily available on Accords. I hope they continue this in the new model and beyond.
The examples where the automatic beats the manual (Civic) are because of gearing. The manual Civic is about 2,600 rpm at 60 mph while the automatic is at about 2,100. The manual beats the automatic handily in the city test. The Fit is one of the worst offenders. Manual is at 2900 rpm while the automatic is at 2150.
One nice thing about the current Accord (that I hope continues for 2008 - staying on topic) is that the gearing is not too different. 2350 vs about 2100. I guess we are pretty power hungry now. I used to have a VW Quantum that had 74 hp and pulled 2100 rpm at 60 - very tall gearing. It redlined in third at 96 mph and both 4th and 5th were overdrive gears. 1983 when gas was even more than today - accounting for inflation.
I would love a manual. Manuals hardly ever fail and they cost less. Tendonitis in my right elbow from too many bass fishing hooksets caused me to get an automatic last time. I really miss the more direct feel of the manual.
Lately, manuals actually have caught up with ATs as far as problems (actually, ATs have improved). I've seen a number of cases of clutches wearing out, VWs especially, and they're not cheap, fwd and all.
The examples where the automatic beats the manual (Civic) are because of gearing.
The reason does not matter. It's not like you can choose to get different gearing in the manual, you are stuck with what the manufacturer chooses. It used to be I got one or two extra gears from a manual and engine ran at lower RPM than the automatics in top gear and mpg difference was as much as 5 (EPA's numbers).
The higher rpms in many cars also means a noisier engine with the manual. Sounds like this is not much of an issue for Accord, though.
I think $4000 rebuilt auto trans # from the dealer scared me. I'm at 80k and want to avoid this expenditure if possible. I wonder what % of auto trans. last 150k w/no rebuild?
i was on my way back to my office from lunch when two white cars passed the intersection. didnt recognize them at first and after looking at them a little bit, i realized they were the new accord. taken with my camera phone so they're not the greatest pics. here are some pics:
since traffic was moving, apart from at the stop light, the most i could compare was the back and the only difference i could see was that the V6 had dual exhaust while the I4 had single. the front looked pretty similar but i only got a short glimpse of the V6's front. didnt look at the rims at all on the I4.
Good catch wizard, and thanks so much for sharing! These are the first real pics of the car (other than the concept) that I have seen on the internet, period. Nice job.
I dont know what% but let me tell you one thing that i have a 1989 honda accord automatic with 370000 miles on it with same tranny and motor and iam going for 500k before i might sell it.knowing these Accords they go for ever.check it out at www.hondabeat.com and click on high milage club.
Thanks,I feel a little better re my auto trans. Maybe I will chase your 370K. Quite an accomplishment. You should be proud. The fewer cars you have in your lifetime,the more $ you will have.
I so far have 116,000 miles on my Civic, with the original 4 speed automatic. It has the D4, D3, and 2, but does not have 1st gear on the shifter. Both my Odyssey and I35 do though...
That is one sharp coupe
I'm looking forward to the sedan; and either way, this Labor Day will be a great time to get an Accord... (either a screaming deal on the 07s, or one of the first 08s)
I'm dying to see the new interior! I finally saw the interior of the 2007 camry in person and i got o say, I didn't like it. It was soo dull. Also the 4cyl had a cheap sounding exhaust note.
The accords all have great interior(especially the EX's) and the exhaust note is almost PERFECT sounding!!
Moral: The 07 camry needs work and the accords from 2001 and up into the current model are all great and can only get better (fingers crossed) -Cj
Does anyone notice any similarities in the s2000 and the accord in the 1st picture? Mostly in the headlights and hood shape.
Since this is the next accord, I think i'm right. The accord looks great every other generation cycle! The looks of the 2001/2002 coupes looks better than the 03-05 coupes IMO. It goes from curvy(94-97&03-07) and wide to boxy and streamlined(90-93&98-02).
Same goes for having fewer children, pets, dinners at restaurants (or meals, period), trips, and other forms of entertainment.
However, there is a balance to be reached.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
Agree with your assessment there, but the 2007 Mazda6 is better looking than either Accord or Camry :P .
I thought the 2008 Accord looked a lot better in the earlier concept renderings than it does in the recently posted real world photos. I had thought that it might be up there with the 6, but to me it's not based those photos. I'm not a fan of white cars, so that may have had some impact on my impression.
Of course, we have not seen the sedan yet. In any case, the 2008 seems pretty likely to be better looking than the 2006 and 2007 models...not that that is saying much.
The 2007 Camry looks better than the 2007 Accord, but the new 2008 Accord seems like it will be better-looking than this Camry.
It is a toss-up which of the 2006 models were best looking. They where both ugly in their own way.
Exactly. The 07 Accord "design" is wheezing. But what's under the sheet metal is a testament to Honda engineering, arguably the best in the business.
Accord sales are down. They're treading water until the 08s arrive. I'm predicting a blockbuster debut for the Accord, which isn't really going out on a limb.
Will the A-VTEC engine be on both the I4 and V6? I also wonder if the A-VTEC will be made available on the entire Honda line, 2.4L - 3.5L, meaning Accord, CR-V, Ody and Pilot, for the 08 model year. It's been stated changing from the VTEC, I-VTEC to A-VTEC is fairly simple and Honda, why not change it on the entire line at one time. Especially if it's a 17% improvement in performance and mpg!
It's been stated changing from the VTEC, I-VTEC to A-VTEC is fairly simple and Honda, why not change it on the entire line at one time. Especially if it's a 17% improvement in performance and mpg!
Because it is more cost-effective to implement changes on a vehicle at the same time you are changing other things (like in a redesign or mid-model change).
Sales are up this year on the Accord by more than 17% - but Honda is offering incentives/better deals than last year. I actually think the Mazda 6 is unattractive and its interior looks like junk.
Also they have a picture showing how this coupe will not have a center head restraint. Possibly, the accord coupe with be a 2+2 or they just dont have a center restraint.
Finally, in typical acura fashion, the buttons that hang from the left side of the steering wheel are usually for bluetooth and nav voice. THE COUPE HAS THEM!! Bluetooth may just be available on this coupe.
IMO, thats TOOO aggressive for a "Family Sedan" but I do like the headlights.... Hint, the left side of the car(right of screen) shows circles so expect Circular Fog lamps.
I just noticed something (or thought of it anyway). The Honda speedometers have been climbing in top-speed for years, at 10MPH per model. 1986-1989? 120 MPH. 1990-1993? 130 MPH. 1994-1997: 140 MPH. 98-02: 150 MPH. 03-07: 160 MPH.
Just mildly interesting. Will the 2008 Accord have a 170 MPH speedo?
I think the trend to putting these ridiculous speedometers in cars is just annoying. All it does is make it harder to read at speeds the car is really going to be driven at.
IMO, this accord could make for a KILLER SELLER CONVERTIBLE!! Especially with this being the solara's last year but the new sebrings/eos/g6's 1st and 2nd and they all have metal roofs...
I am considering getting the 2008 Accord with the Navigation system. Does anyone know how big of a risk the system is to theft? Are Honda Nav's easy to steal and are the theives able to get some good money when they re-sell them.
There should not be much market for factory installed nav systems that only fit one model of car. It should be even less on an all new model where there is little need for replacement parts. All they can really take is the screen and outside controls anyway. Most of the system is embedded too deep into the car to snatch and grab quickly.
Comments
One neat feature is that you can tap down to 4th (and back to 5th) without interupting cruise control - handy in the mountains.
Just another route Honda could go.
One thing I like about manuals that I did not mention is the ability to shift out of sequence. An automatic must go one gear at a time. If I accelerate hard in 1st and 2nd, and have reached a decent cruising speed, I can then just pop it directly into 5th. Or going around a turn I can drop right from 5th to 3rd etc.
You couldn't pry my manual away from me - that was the only thing I would not compromise on when looking for a new car (I can honestly say I prefer my stick shift Accord to my Brothers automatic 530i - just not as involving), and I am very glad Honda has them readily available on Accords. I hope they continue this in the new model and beyond.
One nice thing about the current Accord (that I hope continues for 2008 - staying on topic) is that the gearing is not too different. 2350 vs about 2100. I guess we are pretty power hungry now. I used to have a VW Quantum that had 74 hp and pulled 2100 rpm at 60 - very tall gearing. It redlined in third at 96 mph and both 4th and 5th were overdrive gears. 1983 when gas was even more than today - accounting for inflation.
The reason does not matter. It's not like you can choose to get different gearing in the manual, you are stuck with what the manufacturer chooses. It used to be I got one or two extra gears from a manual and engine ran at lower RPM than the automatics in top gear and mpg difference was as much as 5 (EPA's numbers).
The higher rpms in many cars also means a noisier engine with the manual. Sounds like this is not much of an issue for Accord, though.
Also need to give props to Honda it appears there are 4-piston brakes at least on the concept car at the NYIAS for the coupe. That's very impressive.
-mike
Was there a difference betweent the 2 cars?
Now keep your eye out for a 4 door.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
The car looks great, but I want to see the sedan. Thats going to be awesome!! I can't wait!!
That is one sharp coupe
I'm looking forward to the sedan; and either way, this Labor Day will be a great time to get an Accord... (either a screaming deal on the 07s, or one of the first 08s)
The accords all have great interior(especially the EX's) and the exhaust note is almost PERFECT sounding!!
Moral: The 07 camry needs work and the accords from 2001 and up into the current model are all great and can only get better (fingers crossed)
-Cj
Since this is the next accord, I think i'm right. The accord looks great every other generation cycle! The looks of the 2001/2002 coupes looks better than the 03-05 coupes IMO. It goes from curvy(94-97&03-07) and wide to boxy and streamlined(90-93&98-02).
-Cj
... and the less fun you will have experiencing the excitement of a new car.
However, there is a balance to be reached.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
It is a toss-up which of the 2006 models were best looking.
They where both ugly in their own way.
I thought the 2008 Accord looked a lot better in the earlier concept renderings than it does in the recently posted real world photos. I had thought that it might be up there with the 6, but to me it's not based those photos. I'm not a fan of white cars, so that may have had some impact on my impression.
Of course, we have not seen the sedan yet. In any case, the 2008 seems pretty likely to be better looking than the 2006 and 2007 models...not that that is saying much.
It is a toss-up which of the 2006 models were best looking.
They where both ugly in their own way.
Exactly. The 07 Accord "design" is wheezing. But what's under the sheet metal is a testament to Honda engineering, arguably the best in the business.
Accord sales are down. They're treading water until the 08s arrive. I'm predicting a blockbuster debut for the Accord, which isn't really going out on a limb.
Because it is more cost-effective to implement changes on a vehicle at the same time you are changing other things (like in a redesign or mid-model change).
Also, add a 6 speed automatic!
Check here for the pictures.
Also they have a picture showing how this coupe will not have a center head restraint. Possibly, the accord coupe with be a 2+2 or they just dont have a center restraint.
Finally, in typical acura fashion, the buttons that hang from the left side of the steering wheel are usually for bluetooth and nav voice. THE COUPE HAS THEM!! Bluetooth may just be available on this coupe.
If you browse the website, someone did a chop of what the headlights may look like. I highly recommend you skip to the bottom of the page...
IMO, thats TOOO aggressive for a "Family Sedan" but I do like the headlights.... Hint, the left side of the car(right of screen) shows circles so expect Circular Fog lamps.
-Cj :surprise: :surprise: :surprise: :surprise: :surprise:
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Just mildly interesting. Will the 2008 Accord have a 170 MPH speedo?
-mike
IMO, this accord could make for a KILLER SELLER CONVERTIBLE!! Especially with this being the solara's last year but the new sebrings/eos/g6's 1st and 2nd and they all have metal roofs...
I hope that honda follows that trend...
-Cj
It should be even less on an all new model where there is little need for replacement parts.
All they can really take is the screen and outside controls anyway. Most of the system is embedded too deep into the car to snatch and grab quickly.