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http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=58887
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=58887
It could easily be titled, "Accord strikes a chord." Still haven't figured out why Honda enlarged the dimensions to the point where it's no longer a mid-size sedan.
backy, "Midsize Sedans 2.0" #4191, 21 Aug 2007 7:23 pm!keywords=allin%3Amsgtext%20limit%3A.f12d514%20FirstDrives
Maybe more people will read it now that you've posted it.
So far the only negatives I've seen mentioned in reviews are lower quality interior materials on the "base" model (whatever that is--LX?) and some carping on size. Looks like another winner for Honda. It will be interesting to see how sales do at first with no incentives--that will make the '08 Accords much more OTD than the '07s and $5000+ more than some competitors. But there's probably a lot of Honda fans who've been waiting to grab a next-gen Accord.
It may be "nit-picking" to you, but when it involves over $20K of MY hard-earned cash to purchase a vehicle, it's not "nit-picking" to me, or anyone else that values handling.
OK if a Mazda 6 is the only thing that will satisfy your perhaps overinflated need for being "one with the road" then have at it but don't presume to call everything else a "land yacht"..it isn't the only thing that won't fall on its side in a corner.
If you think that my needs are "overinflated" (which is obviously YOUR opinion), then why can't I call the others in this class "land yachts", which is clearly MY opinion?
With a V6? Used.
But Honda is smart, and it's all probably part of their plan to make the next Fit compact-class, and the next Civic mid-sized class. Then they can introduce a car under the Fit.
No doubt about it.
Truth be told, I'm one of those who wants all the size I can afford (how American of me, right?) I'm 6'4" and have never found a car other than a TRUCK that had enough legroom for me (I have LONG legs and short torso). My Accord is a 2006, and my knees are never able to straighten out as much as I'd physically want, but that was true for any car, not just Accord. I couldn't afford 15 MPG of a pickup or large SUV, so the midsize MPG was the best compromise I could find. Since the Accord has added power, has same/better MPG, and larger interior/exterior, I wouldn't have a problem swapping mine for a new one. I think my Accord's interior is classier looking though.
So, leg room isn't necessarily a function of vehicle size. Another example is the Versa. The 5-door is only 169" long, or over two feet shorter than the 2008 Accord. But I found it has more stretch-out rear leg room (including lots of toe space) than the two-classes-bigger Altima, when I had the driver's seats adjusted for comfort. It felt like a limosine in back! Definitely one of those "try before you buy" things.
My whole point was to say that not everyone feels that more room is bad, just like not everyone feels like a bigger car is good. To each their own. In my case, more room = better.
Does the 2008 Accord add 2 inches of leg room?
Have you tried the '07 Altima? I'm 6'-3", and I can't put the seat all the way back in my wifes Altima. I can tip-toe the pedals, but thats it.
According to the Spec sheets for each, front leg room for the 07 and the 08 Accord are:
07: 42.6
08: 42.5
I am not uncomfortable in my current vehicles, a 1996 Accord (compact) and a 2006 Accord (midsize). Would I welcome more legroom? Whole heartedly. Am I cramped or uncomfortable though? Nah. I like the idea of having stretch out space, but I have never had a problem traveling in my Accord, driving for long periods of time (10 hours at a time, only stopping for lunch/gas/pee breaks).
Second of all, I would welcome larger exterior size if it bought me more legroom (I don't have a need for a wider or taller car, as I have plenty of hip, head, and shoulder room in my sunroof-equipped Accord as it is. The only thing that would make a good thing better in my case is legroom (I have enough to be comfortable, but more spread-out/stretch-out room never hurts at 6'4", ya know? I didn't know the actual specs on legroom, I was doing more "wishful thinking" than anything.
I know I'm rambling, but car companies should put more front-seat travel in their seat tracks. I sit with the seat all the way back, and anyone under 6' has plenty of room behind me. I could go an extra inch or two and have a typical 5'4" person comfortable. I'm regularly driving my friends around (it happens when you've got a roomy car), and extra travel would be appreciated for my guy friends (my three best guy friends are 6'4" 190, 6'4" 320, and 6'3" 250) in the front seat!
IMO that is pretty poor that in a 194" car, Honda has managed to increase rear legroom by only 4/10 of an inch while decreasing front leg room and making the trunk only 14 cubic feet. In comparison, the 177" Elantra has more front leg room and about the same trunk space. I thought Honda was good on intelligent packaging. Maybe the Accord engineering team should take some pointers from the Fit team.
I'm not making an excuse, but it may be why some reviewers may have mentioned more front-seat room - it may well seem that way.
Who knows what will be available 6 years from now?
If I am happy with my current car I'll be more than likely to consider the same brand again over any others.
It's human nature, stick with what works.
Of course I'll look at other makes each time, but I'm starting with a well-earned Honda bias.
Because they were not satisfied owning GM, Ford, or Chrysler cars. Honda owners are usually satisfied with what they have, and will buy another one when the time comes. Only problem for Honda is, I keep my cars a long time, so they have to wait a while for this repeat customer.
I guess I am a dis-loyal car buyer. I buy whatever fits my needs best at the time, for the lowest price. If that's a Honda, I'll gladly buy a Honda such as the Accord. But I'm not going to give Honda or any other manufacturer brownie points because one or more of their cars worked for me in the past. I don't see Honda offering me any financial incentive to be loyal to them--a loyalty rebate, for example. So let the best car, at the best price, win my business.
The car performs 100% on the road for handling and comfort. The gas mileage is good. Will I buy another one, not sure. The noise thing gives me a little pause. Will see how the car rates over time.
Feature wise, I like everything except auto-express down and up windows, which drive me crazy. Oh add the re-locking of doors after you hit the open in about 30 seconds - kinda crazy thing. Now the auto opening of windows before entry is pretty neat idea to cool the car down and is a real plus. Being a person which has owned lots of different cars, some being Japanese, I am kinda tough on rating my car, so at the present time, I am giving it an 85 to 90% due to engine and fender noises. I did have an independent repairman say he thought the engine sounded OK, but then again, he may have listened to lots of rock n' roll over the years, at volume = full.
Loren
I know in 92 the interior seat and trim fabric was different from LX to EX. It was the same color, but not the same quality material. I think the floor mats were stronger in the EX also.
Oh what do I know, when I had a Miata, I also had "my bigger car", the Corolla.
L
I can get a vibe about a car pretty early on (how the doors close, how it handles, how the controls feel).
L
What's up with fake silver aluminum, which looks like a cheap China radio boom box?
I here you. The Harmon Kardon receiver and cassette deck I had back in 84 was that color. It's been out of style for a while now, I think.
L
I am sure the new Accord is a fantastic family sedan, maybe the best in the class right now. But having something that others consider "best in class" ceased to be important to me a long time ago, if I have to pay a lot extra to have it.
I can barely hear anything without the hood open. When it's open injectors, are the dominant sound. Even the clicking seems to quiet down after a few minutes.
I completely disagreed; it was too soft, too numb, and too dull for me to consider it for very long.
You and I likely have a very different idea of best in class; basically, I agree with you though. Buying because others feel a car is "best-in-class" is like buying pants because they fit on someone else. Different people have different standards (some prefer big, some prefer small; some prefer soft, some prefer firm; etc...)
In that sense, we compeltely agree backy.
Whoulda thunk it? The slant H guy and the straight H guy can get along! :shades:
Anyway, the Honda prices are low -- find the right dealership.
If a person like the CVT, the Altima looks kinda interesting. I dislike the stange foot brake location though and the CVT.
L
OK back to mid-sized cars. I guess something positive can be said for most all of these cars in this class. They all have something for someone. I may be what is the most important elements to an individual nowadays, more so than the old this is good car, and that one is a bad car, which did make life more simple
Huh? Resale is very important to the guy that likes a new car every 3 years or less - like me. I like to buy cars somewhat under my wearwithall but dump 'em every 2-3 years, so resale value keeps me from having to pony up much money when I sign for the next one. I rarely lease.
After 6+ years or so resale values become moot (except for maybe trucks and some boutique type cars)
L
Seems to me you are loosing a lot of $$$ on depreciation (on any car) in the first 3 years, and getting a car that hasn't really improved that much over the 3 year old model.