What did you find out from the Honda engineer concerning the flickering? I'm on the verge of buying the 08 Accord EX 4cyl this week and am wondering if it is a deal killer? I personally like the Malibu 2lt better but there aren't enough of them around here to get a good look at all the colors and features etc.. The local Honda dealer has over 15 Accord EX's and 17 LX-P's and is willing to sell me an EX for invoice plus doc fee and TTL!. However.....Its been alarming how many little issues there are with this new model. Overall a good car? Equal to Malibu?
The tweak, yes, but you would need an inline device sold online. I saw it a few months ago when researching for my Pilot. I am sure they have it for the Accord as well. It attaches to the DVD unit and I am not sure what it does but they say it works. Of course not recommended for safety reasons. I did not buy one, I was just curious. Unlike the Navi itself, I don't mind the DVD player to be a portable one! As for the CD/MP3, others have responded with the same info that I had and actually I am using the same formay=t and workaround that was suggested to name the CDs. When you name the folders as the singer and fill them with the songs the screen works great. It is also fun to listen to the voice response trying to call out the song names! I have not tried it yet but The manual says that it also shows complete info from the original CDs that have text/data info embeded.
I am very surprized at Accord sedan front seats. The back part of the front seat push so much against my lower back that I am not sure I can take this stupid design. If the seat back cushion can not be cut back, soften, I have to sell this Accord with 900 miles on it. We should have stayed with Sonata.
I was able to cut the foam in my 94 Accord. This one has airbag sensors, and is a little more complicated.
"Its been alarming how many little issues there are with this new model. Overall a good car?"
I've had absolutely no issues with my 2008 Accord EX-L I4 since November, other than the time it took for me to program the unlocking of the doors from the several choices available.
Honda engineering was suppose to look at the car this AM but they had to cancel because he is running behind in his schedule...From other research I have done new Accord sales are down from jan 07 compared to jan 08 by 6.8%...some dealers are giving them away. The place I bought mine from will sell one today for exactly 23888 EXL 4 cyl..they are saying everyone wants the 07 model because the new body style is terrible. If you read other posts on other sites this car is NOT a home run..more like a double running for a triple. if I knew what I know now when I was buying this car, I would not buy this car. Remember this is my 5th Honda car and I have two honda motorcycles in the garage..also look at their stock HMC .. is falling very rapidly. Stock was 40.82 on 2/14/2007..closed yesterday at 29.67 a 28% loss.
I recall having had a similar problem with one of our previous Hondas - a V6 BTW. We have not had a 4 cylinder Honda since 1983, other than the S2000. Sorry to hear about your problems and disappointed with Honda that they have not been more responsive for you.
Having owned Hondas/Acura since 1981, I have to say our 2008 EXL V6 Sedan - in my opinion - is the most poorly engineered and designed. The VCM is driving us nuts, as is the grade logic transmission, with their constant involvement in the driving of the car - downshifting the transmission when I don't want it, going into and out of 6-4-3 and back often, with attendant surging and vibrations, 30 times over a 12 mile trip this past weekend - and every time noticeable. The reviewer for the WSJ said: "... the Accord was fitted with a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 with what Honda calls Variable Cylinder Management. This technology is designed to boost fuel economy by allowing the six-cylinder engine to run on just three or four cylinders when full power isn't needed. It works almost seamlessly, but in this case, "almost" isn't good enough. During highway driving with the cruise control on I could feel a slight vibration when the engine switched from three- to four- to six-cylinder mode, which it does often, a downright maddening behavior. That the Accord managed only 22 miles per gallon during my testing...only made this all the more annoying." And I read here that the fuel economy with the I4 is very disappointing as well - with many owners getting less than 20 in all around driving. From a 4?
The design? Drive it in the snow and the driver's side wiper will eventually have a large build up of snow and ice on the driver's side that you have to remove by hand. Why? Look carefully at the windshield and front pillar - there is about 3/4" difference in their meeting - a "wall" if you will against which the snow builds up. Why isn't the windshield flush with the pillar as in previous Hondas/Acuras I have owned? Not only would it eliminate this build up, but wouldn't wind noise be decreased?
I bought this car without a test drive - on faith and based on loyalty - and feel I have been deceived. VCM is NOT seamless. The drivetrain operation is infuriating. I am not surprised Honda sales are down - this 8th generation could be a real boondoggle for Honda - years of goodwill can be flushed down the toilet with one bad model.
Good luck with your dimming lights issue my friend, and to all of us who have bought this '08 model, trading on our Honda ownership and loyalty, for what may be a real lemon of a model .
Some of the complaints I've been seeing are not an issue if you go for the 6 cyl. coupe with MT. No VCM, no grade logic, etc. I like the new coupe a lot. Any impressions from 08 coupe owners out there refute/confirm this impression?
Oh yeah - you are so right. BIG MISTAKE on my part. Bought '97 V6 Accord w/o test drive, 2000 V6, no test drive, 2004 V6 Coupe no test drive - they were HONDAS! And I have had many of them - I figured each one was as good as if not better than the last one! And they were. NOT THE 2008 - my loyalty and blind faith were rewarded with a car that simply has a miserable maddening drive train. Is the V6 powerful and smooth? YES - and the car is great when you are accelerating all the time. But back off and let it start going into and out of VCM? :sick:
Like I said elsewhere - Fool me once shame on you, Fool me twice shame on me. Honda lost my loyalty and my being a faithful fan recommending them to everyone I know. Not any more. And my next car? While I may consider Honda, I will look elsewhere first.
You are correct about a test drive....but who test drives a car at night with the A/C on in the northern parts of the country in the wintertime..as a matter of fact I dont know too many people who test drive a car at night..therefore how would you know about the headlights flickering. As far as people complaining about VCM do you think they would feel the effect of that on a test drive around the neighborhood...test drives today are really useless except to feel the acceleration and the braking effects and how the tranny shifts and how loud the radio is, and how comfortable the seats are. There are many people who get caught up in the hype of cars and later regret buying one. Honda's reputation has been built on quality cars and other products including lawn mowers..these new accords leave a lot to be desired.
I test drove a V6 sedan with VCM, but didn't notice anything peculiar (highways, etc). Then again, I only drove it 15-20 minutes.
The only trouble with the V6 manual is learning to shift smoothly. Went from a I4 5spd to a 6spd and this model wants to GO, so I'm still learning to shift smoothly in the lower gears. She just growls and goes. Sometimes when accelerating 'briskly' I find myself skipping 5th gear all together and going into 6th from 4th. She's already at highway speed and it seems like 5th is sort of unnecessary at those times. Any tips from those used to 6 speeds?
VCM is new to Honda. Hopefully it actually delivers the extra MPG I expected to lose with the manual.
The 6 speed manual V^does not have VCM - only the automatic.
Right. Test drove the V6 sedan with VCM ... noticed nothing unusual about it. Decided instead to buy a V6 MT without VCM expecting to have slightly lower MPG than the automatics with VCM.
56 days and 5 refills later, my V6 MT without VCM is only averaging about 19.7 MPG in mixed driving. Wondering what the V6 automatics are getting.
You may want to share the specifics in the "Prices Paid" forum. A lot of people are in the market for the 08 Accord and would be very gratefull to you as they are all looking very hard for great deals.
Sorry - I was confused by your previous post. I have gotten about 23 all around with V6 sedan - 27 on the road. It may very well be that the VCM does give better mileage (at the expense of driveability IMHO)- although according to CR, worse than the 2007 models. I don't get it that everyone raves about the POWER of the V6 sedan - I have driven my son's 244 HP 2007 and, seat of the pants, it feels quicker and more imediately responsive than my '08. Edmunds got 0-60 in 7.1 with the '08 V6. Car and Drvier 8.2 with the 190 HP I4. 7.1 is not that quick with 268 HP - the Camry V6 doing it in 6.3. I suspect with more moderate driving (which the 6 speed would not necessarily encourage! that your mileage will improve. Good luck and enjoy!
This is my first Accord so I don't have a history that I can compare my 08 V6 to. Motor Trend has a comparison of the Accord-Altima-Camry-Malibu which places the Accord in 3rd but they did get 6.5 sec to 60, which is the best I've seen for the sedan to date. IMO that's fantastic for a family sedan which returns fuel economy in the low to high 20's. Here's the link.
My '68 Camaro 396/350 HP Automatic would do 0-60 in about 6.5 - and got 12 MPG city/19 HWY on premium fuel. You are right - the performance and economy that family sedans can deliver today is unbelievable. How far technology has brought us.
I would, however be wary of magazine 0-60 numbers. They do things to the test cars you would never DREAM of doing to your own. My S2000 - magazines said it would do 0-60 in 5.5. How? Rev it to 7000 RPM and dump the clutch! :sick: How do you do that with your own car??? If you revved it too low and dumped the clutch and did not break the rear wheels loose, you would have too much traction and burn out the clutch. Car and Driver ruined the $13,000 clutch on a Lamborghini Murcielago a couple of years ago with their 0-60 tests. Some of these numbers may be achievable - once!
My guess with these cars?(the Camry was 6.3 secs.) They hold the brake pedal down while revving up the engine in drive to the stall speed of the torque converter and then release the brake. I suspect Edmunds's numbers to be more "real world".
Having grown up in Syracuse(Camillus) I know what you are taking about. Years ago you could tell when Spring came - not by the flowers, but by the Corvettes, Porsches, Jags hitting the streets and the winter rats disappearing !
I suspect Edmunds's numbers to be more "real world".
Indeed, but comparing an Edmunds-tested Accord to a C&D-tested Camry isn't quite fair. Launched similarly, the difference was not 7.1 and 6.3 seconds, it was 6.5 and 6.2 I think. Using different sources is always good, but for comparison purposes I try to always compare vehicles using the same source for comparison of test numbers.
Man, I haven't thought about that in years. I grew up near Peekskill. I've been living in Texas for so long I've forgotten the concept of the winter beatermobile. I run summer performance tires all year long
I can only imagine how quick the '08 V6 6 speed coupe must be. I had the 1994 Acura Legend Type II 230 HP V6 6 speed. What a blast to drive. It was governed at 155 - and Car and Driver did an observed 155 in one. And you have 268HP?
I confess - I once had my 2004 S2000 up to 152 - ONCE - at night, radar detector, no cars on the interstate. the fastest I have ever ridden in a car? A friend had a Lamborghini Countach - we were going past 165 when he backed off.
I share many of your feelings as regard Honda making an a** out of themselves!! The cars they are making today are just horrible!!! They refuse to acknowledge any issues much less fix them. I did much research before buying an 07 Accord SE I-4 auto. It was just a matter of which car would likely get better gas mileage and hopefully less defects. I researched Mazda3, Honda Civic and Accord, Toyota Camry and Hyundai Elantra. All had problems and most dealers deal with the customers complaints the same way saying," Its normal" or "You don't know how to drive a stickshift... I'm just fed up with all the malarky!!!! :sick: :sick: :sick:
I'm not saying you don't have a point. I research most major puchases to death, and cars even more. The web is one of my primary tools. It's also a medium heavily biased toward unhappy customers. Happy customers may write up a positive review or two. Unhappy customers will air their complaints in as many places as they can. It's human nature. I've been working on computer networks and hardware for over 20 years. I've seen every popular brand of equipment broken. Does that mean they all suck? Not really, it's just that nobody ever calls me to say that things are running great. I only hear about the problems.
I just took our Accord to Honda dealer and told them about front seats back cushions. The manager said no one has ever complianed about the seat back. I am sure if they did, he won't be telling me that!! He will probably talk to Honda, and they will say... The seats are as good as they are going to get, and there is nothing they can do about it.
If that is their answer, We will have a 2008 Accord EX auto with 1050 miles for sale. It is a great looking and handling car, but if the seats could not be fixed, the car is not worth suffereing through back pains. I think it is a shame if the seat back cushion could not be softened up some.
Well, that is the way honda makes their seating, they are firm. They won't fix anything that isn't wrong. That is the way the seats are. Sorry to hear it won't work well with you. good luck.
Seats are the sort of thing extended stays in the interior of the car you are buying help ya find. I'm not really surprised Honda won't do anything since there is no physical flaw with the vehicle.
Honda's seats are firm - my 2006 Accord, my grandmother's 2002 Accord, my dad's 2007 Civic, and even my aunt's 2005 Odyssey minivan all have firm, supportive seats. Seats that are too cushy typically offer less support and do little to make for good back posture (ever spent time in a 90s GM midsize/full-size sedan?).
hey wanna have some fun...go down the road about 70 mph and just open both back windows at the same time with the front windows closed..you will swear the roof is goin to blow off..try it
Most people are missing the point here about the 2008 Honda seats. There is a big difference between "firm" and "uncomfortable". The 2008 seats are "uncomfortable". My wife has a1998 Accord. The seat are firm but very comfortable. The problem in the 2008 EX Accord, which I own, is the interactive headrests. They are designed to move forward in case of a rear end collision. This movement is caused as your body is push back into the seat. The mechanism that drives this is causing the seat to feel as if there is a lump in your back. To prove this, reach back with both hands while seated and gently pull the headrest toward you. You will feel the "lump" disappear and the seat will be comfortable. The problem is that there is no way to make the stay in this position once you let go of the headrest. This is a bad design in an otherwise fantastic car.
Of course it is federal requirement to protect driver front passenger's necks & heads in case of an accident. But the law does not dictate that seats must be uncomfortable in doing so. You missed the point entirely and have probably not driven the 2008 Accord!
You're fighing a losing battle jp. There are some here on these forums who think the 2008 is perfect in every way and argue with anyone expressing a contrary opinion, even in the face of facts supporting your position. You are wasting your time and energy responding to them. I wish you luck in dealing with your problem - perhaps an upholsterer can take the seat apart and address your discomfort with added padding of some kind? Wishing you success!
Sorry about your prooblem - sometimes even a test drive won't identify certain issues. After our '83 Accord, bought an '86 BMW 524TD (turbo diesel) - 42 MPG on the highway - BUT a mechanical disaster of a car otherwise. GREAT SEATS - drove from Florida to VA without stops except for diesel fuel and was VERY confortable. After the whole front end had to be rebuilt (19000 miles) we sold it and bought '88 Legend. One trip from VA to Syracuse NY proved the seats to be VERY uncomfortable - I have never had back problems, but did for a day after that trip. I had to put a pillow behind my lower back whenever I drove that car long distances. No road test would ever have tipped me off to that seat being a problem over long distances. Perhaps a pillow will help? Sorry - no other ideas and I am NOT dismissing your problem.
You are right about not every seat fitting every body size and shape. And yes, I did test drive the car, but no one settles into the seating on a test drive. The 2008 Accord problem is not a body size or shape issue. It is an engineering issue caused by the interactive headrests. I am 5'8" and fit very well in the car.
You may indeed have a defect with your particular driver's seat. All new Accords have the interactive headrests, and my car is fine. Somehow the arms or pivot mechanism that connect with your seat's head rest may be defective?
Did you check to see if the passenger seat is also uncomfortable for you? I can't imagine both front seats would be defective, so if you haven't yet tested sitting in the passenger seat, give that a try.
This is my 12th Honda and I have to say I like the way my driver's seat feels. The seats are quite firm, but so far I am liking them, and not feeling any intrusion as you describe. Note that the design of the driver and passenger seats are slightly different--only the driver's seat has the seat warmer element in the backrest as well as the seat. The passenger seat only has the warming element in the seat, since having one in the backrest would prevent the airbag cutoff from activating. I wonder if there is some problem in the construction of the back of your driver's seat? Good luck and I hope you are successful in getting this resolved.
As I understand it, the purpose of the active head-restraint is to move forward in the event of an accident. If this is true, and if the hard spot in your back goes away when the restrain is slightly moved forward, then you might consider fixing the problem by simply blocking the head restrain into a slightly forward position. Of course, the dealership won't touch this type of fix. But, it might not be hard to fabricate a simple block that would relieve the tension.
Also, I imagine you aren't seriously considering selling your new car because of the seat. On the other hand, if you can't sit in it . . . . Before doing something drastic, consider aftermarket seats. They're not as expensive as you might think and they can be considerably nicer and more comfortable than the manufacturer's seats. I would think the cost of installing custom seats would be no more (and probably MUCH less) than the loss incurred when dumping a brand new "used" car. Plus, a new Accord with fancy custom seats might just be one great machine!!!!
5k miles on my LX and I'm very happy with the seats, while there is certainly a lumbar "bump" I find it very comfortable and not at all intrusive. I think these seats are very similar to the seats in my past Hondas.
Just because not everyone is having the same problems you are having doesn't meant they are all blind Honda worshiping sheep. Even more so with subjective issues like seat comfort.
I know we are in minority when it comes to being unhappy with the seats. Honda Accord front seats have that bump. I fixed it in my 94 Accord. If I can not fix it in this one, we are selling it and this is last time I will ever consider an Accord. It is a wonderful, great looking, well put together car. I own a 2001 MB E430 with 92K miles. That car has spoiled me so much that nothing that I test drive in $20-30K comes even close in feel, smoothness, and tightness. It is built like a tank and with a light touch. At 3700 pounds, it feels much lighter.
I hate to sell the Accord but I will, if there is no fix to the seats.
As has been suggested to others who object to the 08 seats, replace them with aftermarket Reccaro or the like. You're left with all that you found appealing about the car and you won't take the hit in the sale. I realize that there are other considerations, heated seats, airbag sensors and the like, so it isn't just pop out the old and pop in the new, but it might be worth considering.
Mercedes and BMWs are like bank vaults on wheels. I have never driven ANY Japanese car, including Lexus, that comes remotely close to that feel, regardless of how well made. And despite being firm riding, good handling cars, their suspensions are supple and soak up the bumps with little intrusion into the passenger cabin. All that said, you pay the piper for the privilege - owning one is like owning a thoroughbred race horse -when they run well, nothing beats them. From what I understand from friends, it is keeping them running well that is the headache.
My EX-L has adjustable lumbar support (in and out -- not up and down). I always leave it at the lowest adjustment. Even at that, there is a noticeable "lump" in the seat. I'm lucky, because that lump happens to fit my tall frame. I can understand how it may not fit all body-types. . . . .
It does, but the problem some are having with the seats appears to be higher in the seat back. Only on long trips have I felt the need to use the lumbar support, which works fine for me.
does anyone have leather interior...cause i have tha 08 EX-L and i have a 2 y/o and really am lookin for a good and safe carseat protector so the leather wont get ruined....i was goin to purchase the lionsgate or something liek that but i read a review and someone said that it does not fit the honda accord 08 please let me kno!
I bought 08 accord ex 4cyl sedan. I am very disappointed because of the wind noise and road noise. Ok, I can bear the road noise because I got used to it in my old accord 2003. However, this buzz wind noise on the driver's door, I dont know how to fix this problem. If I could I would return this car and get a refund. The engine/acceleration make lots lots of noise but I can control and ignore them. But wind noise, can this annoying noise go away by replacing the weatherstrip? And why does this car start way too slowly? It's even slower than my 03 accord LX 4cyl (170hp). It totally bugs me off..! It makes very loud sputtering vroom-vroom noise..
I thought my car is the only that irritates because I got it through a broker so it might be a defective one. But after visiting this forum, I found there are a lot more people with same problems!
Please tell me how to have the mechanics repair this wind noise issue. Thanks
I got the lionheart seat protectors and they don't fit in the 08 Accord. The seats are too contoured and the lionheart protectors are too wide and stiff for the contours.
Comments
The local Honda dealer has over 15 Accord EX's and 17 LX-P's and is willing to sell me an EX for invoice plus doc fee and TTL!. However.....Its been alarming how many little issues there are with this new model. Overall a good car? Equal to Malibu?
As for the CD/MP3, others have responded with the same info that I had and actually I am using the same formay=t and workaround that was suggested to name the CDs. When you name the folders as the singer and fill them with the songs the screen works great. It is also fun to listen to the voice response trying to call out the song names! I have not tried it yet but The manual says that it also shows complete info from the original CDs that have text/data info embeded.
I was able to cut the foam in my 94 Accord. This one has airbag sensors, and is a little more complicated.
Joe
I've had absolutely no issues with my 2008 Accord EX-L I4 since November, other than the time it took for me to program the unlocking of the doors from the several choices available.
We have not had a 4 cylinder Honda since 1983, other than the S2000. Sorry to hear about your problems and disappointed with Honda that they have not been more responsive for you.
Having owned Hondas/Acura since 1981, I have to say our 2008 EXL V6 Sedan - in my opinion - is the most poorly engineered and designed. The VCM is driving us nuts, as is the grade logic transmission, with their constant involvement in the driving of the car - downshifting the transmission when I don't want it, going into and out of 6-4-3 and back often, with attendant surging and vibrations, 30 times over a 12 mile trip this past weekend - and every time noticeable. The reviewer for the WSJ said: "... the Accord was fitted with a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 with what Honda calls Variable Cylinder Management. This technology is designed to boost fuel economy by allowing the six-cylinder engine to run on just three or four cylinders when full power isn't needed. It works almost seamlessly, but in this case, "almost" isn't good enough. During highway driving with the cruise control on I could feel a slight vibration when the engine switched from three- to four- to six-cylinder mode, which it does often, a downright maddening behavior. That the Accord managed only 22 miles per gallon during my testing...only made this all the more annoying." And I read here that the fuel economy with the I4 is very disappointing as well - with many owners getting less than 20 in all around driving. From a 4?
The design? Drive it in the snow and the driver's side wiper will eventually have a large build up of snow and ice on the driver's side that you have to remove by hand. Why? Look carefully at the windshield and front pillar - there is about 3/4" difference in their meeting - a "wall" if you will against which the snow builds up. Why isn't the windshield flush with the pillar as in previous Hondas/Acuras I have owned? Not only would it eliminate this build up, but wouldn't wind noise be decreased?
I bought this car without a test drive - on faith and based on loyalty - and feel I have been deceived. VCM is NOT seamless. The drivetrain operation is infuriating. I am not surprised Honda sales are down - this 8th generation could be a real boondoggle for Honda - years of goodwill can be flushed down the toilet with one bad model.
Good luck with your dimming lights issue my friend, and to all of us who have bought this '08 model, trading on our Honda ownership and loyalty, for what may be a real lemon of a model
Like I said elsewhere - Fool me once shame on you, Fool me twice shame on me.
Honda lost my loyalty and my being a faithful fan recommending them to everyone I know. Not any more. And my next car? While I may consider Honda, I will look elsewhere first.
The only trouble with the V6 manual is learning to shift smoothly. Went from a I4 5spd to a 6spd and this model wants to GO, so I'm still learning to shift smoothly in the lower gears. She just growls and goes. Sometimes when accelerating 'briskly' I find myself skipping 5th gear all together and going into 6th from 4th. She's already at highway speed and it seems like 5th is sort of unnecessary at those times. Any tips from those used to 6 speeds?
VCM is new to Honda. Hopefully it actually delivers the extra MPG I expected to lose with the manual.
Right. Test drove the V6 sedan with VCM ... noticed nothing unusual about it.
Decided instead to buy a V6 MT without VCM expecting to have slightly lower MPG than the automatics with VCM.
56 days and 5 refills later, my V6 MT without VCM is only averaging about 19.7 MPG in mixed driving. Wondering what the V6 automatics are getting.
You may want to share the specifics in the "Prices Paid" forum. A lot of people are in the market for the 08 Accord and would be very gratefull to you as they are all looking very hard for great deals.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0802_midsize_sedan_comparison
I would, however be wary of magazine 0-60 numbers. They do things to the test cars you would never DREAM of doing to your own. My S2000 - magazines said it would do 0-60 in 5.5. How? Rev it to 7000 RPM and dump the clutch! :sick: How do you do that with your own car??? If you revved it too low and dumped the clutch and did not break the rear wheels loose, you would have too much traction and burn out the clutch. Car and Driver ruined the $13,000 clutch on a Lamborghini Murcielago a couple of years ago with their 0-60 tests. Some of these numbers may be achievable - once!
My guess with these cars?(the Camry was 6.3 secs.) They hold the brake pedal down while revving up the engine in drive to the stall speed of the torque converter and then release the brake. I suspect Edmunds's numbers to be more "real world".
Enjoy your new car!
Can't wait for spring and more dry pavement driving.
Years ago you could tell when Spring came - not by the flowers, but by the Corvettes, Porsches, Jags hitting the streets and the winter rats disappearing
Indeed, but comparing an Edmunds-tested Accord to a C&D-tested Camry isn't quite fair. Launched similarly, the difference was not 7.1 and 6.3 seconds, it was 6.5 and 6.2 I think. Using different sources is always good, but for comparison purposes I try to always compare vehicles using the same source for comparison of test numbers.
I had the 1994 Acura Legend Type II 230 HP V6 6 speed. What a blast to drive. It was governed at 155 - and Car and Driver did an observed 155 in one. And you have 268HP?
I confess - I once had my 2004 S2000 up to 152 - ONCE - at night, radar detector, no cars on the interstate. the fastest I have ever ridden in a car? A friend had a Lamborghini Countach - we were going past 165 when he backed off.
I've been working on computer networks and hardware for over 20 years. I've seen every popular brand of equipment broken. Does that mean they all suck? Not really, it's just that nobody ever calls me to say that things are running great. I only hear about the problems.
If that is their answer, We will have a 2008 Accord EX auto with 1050 miles for sale. It is a great looking and handling car, but if the seats could not be fixed, the car is not worth suffereing through back pains. I think it is a shame if the seat back cushion could not be softened up some.
Joe
Honda's seats are firm - my 2006 Accord, my grandmother's 2002 Accord, my dad's 2007 Civic, and even my aunt's 2005 Odyssey minivan all have firm, supportive seats. Seats that are too cushy typically offer less support and do little to make for good back posture (ever spent time in a 90s GM midsize/full-size sedan?).
Of course it is federal requirement to protect driver front passenger's necks & heads in case of an accident. But the law does not dictate that seats must be uncomfortable in doing so. You missed the point entirely and have probably not driven the 2008 Accord!
I understand your feeling, my now ex-girlfriend had a Corolla that nobody over 5'11" could be comfortable driving.
Did you check to see if the passenger seat is also uncomfortable for you? I can't imagine both front seats would be defective, so if you haven't yet tested sitting in the passenger seat, give that a try.
This is my 12th Honda and I have to say I like the way my driver's seat feels. The seats are quite firm, but so far I am liking them, and not feeling any intrusion as you describe. Note that the design of the driver and passenger seats are slightly different--only the driver's seat has the seat warmer element in the backrest as well as the seat. The passenger seat only has the warming element in the seat, since having one in the backrest would prevent the airbag cutoff from activating. I wonder if there is some problem in the construction of the back of your driver's seat? Good luck and I hope you are successful in getting this resolved.
Also, I imagine you aren't seriously considering selling your new car because of the seat. On the other hand, if you can't sit in it . . . . Before doing something drastic, consider aftermarket seats. They're not as expensive as you might think and they can be considerably nicer and more comfortable than the manufacturer's seats. I would think the cost of installing custom seats would be no more (and probably MUCH less) than the loss incurred when dumping a brand new "used" car. Plus, a new Accord with fancy custom seats might just be one great machine!!!!
Just because not everyone is having the same problems you are having doesn't meant they are all blind Honda worshiping sheep. Even more so with subjective issues like seat comfort.
I hate to sell the Accord but I will, if there is no fix to the seats.
Joe
Joe --- I actually drove a 2004 Mercedes E430 yesterday. WOW! So that's what ride quality is about. . . . .
I thought my car is the only that irritates because I got it through a broker so it might be a defective one. But after visiting this forum, I found there are a lot more people with same problems!
Please tell me how to have the mechanics repair this wind noise issue. Thanks