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2008 Honda Accord Coupe and Sedan

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Comments

  • rsquarevrsquarev Member Posts: 3
    No, its 4cyl.
  • colloquorcolloquor Member Posts: 482
    Quite a few brands of cars are doing away with the trunk lid liner, even the higher line ones. When you extrapolate the cost savings over thousands of vehicles, it's pretty substantial for manufacturers. And all manufacturers, of any product, are looking at ways of pulling costs out of a product without affecting its overall value or function. In fact, most manufacturing companies, especially those in electronics, actually have separate engineering departments for this. It's appropriately named the Value Engineering Department.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    Using inflation calculator may not be the best way to go, but it does help gain a perspective and why there is a need to look at value while also being forced to add features. In 1997, my Accord EX-L came with $23K as the MSRP. In 2006, inflation calculator computes the price to $28K. But, the new LX-P in 2007 has a lot more features (except leather and moon roof), and costs $22K. So, automakers are forced to find ways to keep prices in check.

    And sometimes leaving a thing or two out also makes higher trims more desirable even though the thing might just be something as trivial as a trunk lid liner. And then there is the desire for dealerships to make more money. Honda already makes their life more difficult (and consumers’, easier) by equipping and pricing cars by trim. When I go to buy Accord EX-L, I know the exact specifications, features and price. It leaves less room for dealerships to fiddle with options and packages. They are only left with accessories.
  • vietviet Member Posts: 847
    Agreed 101% with Accord/ Acura King Robertsmx. Honda pricing has not been increased much for years while its cars are getting better and more technologically advanced.
  • jaxs1jaxs1 Member Posts: 2,697
    Other cars too. I think you could option up a 90's Camry V6 (the rounded body style that had a coupe version) to around $30K. A new 2008 Camry XLE V6 with all the options including the nav system has a MSRP under $32K.
    Actually cheaper similarly equipped.
  • rich123rich123 Member Posts: 31
    When I turn on my lights, there is a blue light between the sunroof switch and the courtesy light switch that lights up. What is it for?
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    It lights up the center console/cupholder area I believe, just like in my 2006 cloth EX Accord.
  • sam112233sam112233 Member Posts: 31
    This might be a strange question but When I park my 08 EX-L Accord at night I can see two red lights blinking. The one in center has anti-theft written and there is another one near odometer.....what you call that?
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    One is passive (the stereo one). The one in the instrument cluster goes with the actual alarm system.
  • sam112233sam112233 Member Posts: 31
    Thanks....I appreciate it....Well I know you are very active in this forum....So I would like to have your view on this particular one....

    In my Lexus I couldn't hear any wind noise while driving on freeways, But in Accord I can hear it much...Is that normal with all accord models? I wont care if it is normal coz I know i bought One of the Best car in the World.
  • bvdj84bvdj84 Member Posts: 1,724
    Yes, it is normal to have some wind noise in the accord, though Honda had an opportunity to remedy that when making the new 08, but it might be a bit better. It is not bad at all, but you still hear it though. My 06 is quiet, but could be quieter. I guess it keeps you in touch with the world outside.
    I have never thought it was even a problem at all. It is normal.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I am glad you prefaced your question with "In my Lexus...". Lexus automobiles are among the quietest in the industry; they strive to be the ultimate in refinement and isolation.

    Honda vehicles are very rarely the quietest in their class (And often times are close to having the most noise in class). I know my Accord (2006 4-cyl) is louder than a competing Camry. Hondas are more about the driving experience and less about creating a cocoon of isolation that Toyota vehicles do so well, as evidenced by the much tauter suspension and quicker steering of the Honda equivalent to Toyota vehicles (Civic v. Corolla, etc).

    The short version - I'd assume your noise level is normal. It just seems louder coming from a Lexus.

    If you'd like, I bet a dealer would oblige you for a short drive in another 2008 model to compare yours to, and see if yours in fact has an abnormality. My guess is that it does not, though.

    Hope that helps! :(

    -TheGrad
  • bvdj84bvdj84 Member Posts: 1,724
    -TheGrad,

    I heard you lease your car, when are you going to trade in your car? I lease my car too, and have 1 more year left, but atleast, (in miles) 4mths or so over my lease. let me know, I'd be curious on when you going to do it or if you are.
    Right now, I would walk away from it, breaking even.

    I really like the EX-L 4cyl, navi
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    No lease here - outright purchase. No plans to get rid of this in the next few years.

    06 EX Cloth, 25,750 miles.
  • bug4bug4 Member Posts: 370
    I just saw an 08 Nissan Altima COUPE-- what an incredible design . . .then I saw it from the front and thought .. "ehhhh." Of course, design is subjective, but I think the tail of those coupes is incredible!

    I could say the same of my 08 Accord sedan. In my opinion, it looks much better from the back then from the front. The front looks somewhat sterile (Although the slight air-dam that is provided on the bottom of the 08 Accord V6 front bumper significantly, if not subtly, helps!! -- I'm a bit mad at Honda for not putting the same bumper cladding on my 4cyl EX-L.)

    I think this is true of many different makes and models. The back of the cars look much better than the front-ends. Is this a safety-related issue, or am I missing the boat on front-end style?
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 10,700
    Is this a safety-related issue

    Yes, the EU is requiring crumple zones for pedestrians, so hood are all higher now. The Camry/ES350 do a particularly poor job of dealing with this, but they're all affected. The Accord front is OK, much improved (IMHO), but I do wonder on the Coupe why they had to add that extra seam that's missing on the sedan.
  • gotoyotagotoyota Member Posts: 280
    Yes, the EU is requiring crumple zones for pedestrians, so hood are all higher now. The Camry/ES350 do a particularly poor job of dealing with this, but they're all affected. The Accord front is OK, much improved (IMHO), but I do wonder on the Coupe why they had to add that extra seam that's missing on the sedan.

    Funny, I actually think the more substantial "nose" looks better ;) I don't like the low, thin snouts that were popular on previous Accords, although I know it helps outward visibility. I just think the new front looks more voluptuous. IMHO :shades:
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 10,700
    I may not have been clear - I think the new Accord is great, much better than the old one.
  • oarsdadoarsdad Member Posts: 64
    Not that it surprises me given the source.

    Detroit Free Press review - 2008 Honda Accord EX

    To those who own one, is the part about the gap disparities correct?
  • gotoyotagotoyota Member Posts: 280
    I may not have been clear - I think the new Accord is great, much better than the old one.

    No, your comment was clear (you said you thought it was an improvement) - mine wasn't. Sorry! I was referring more to the general design theme of having a larger "nose," or more bulging hood, i.e. Camry, ES350, et all... To me it signifies more engine or more power lurking beneath. :shades: It's just my take, I'm sure to others it looks goofy, but I've always liked it.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    We can thank two things for messing up styling of the front end. One applies more to us than others, SUVs. The other would be pedestrian safety which is not considered in North America but it affects platform design.

    In case of Accord, ACE body structure has been implemented. Besides helping reduce pedestrian injury, it does two other things.
    - It makes the front end more compatible with vehicles that are higher off the ground (in other words, SUVs and trucks). In case of a collision, it reduces the chance of being “run over” by the higher vehicle (or going under them). This is to protect the occupants of the car.
    - It also makes the front end more compatible with lower vehicles. In case of a collision, it will engage the bumper or structure of the lower car instead of running over them. This is to protect the occupants of the other vehicle.

    I had also heard of EU requiring automakers to design cars with some room between the hood and the engine. This was supposed to be a part of pedestrian safety design initiative.

    Honda didn’t do it, but some automakers have managed to make the front look even stubbier in the name of style (or to reduce length) by eliminating the front bumper. Take a look at Camry or 300C, and there is no front bumper. The grill is the bumper.

    In case of coupe, Honda did make it a little stubbier than the sedan, and unlike the sedan where the grill actually tapers backwards, the grill is more upright. This may be an explanation to the question on the seam. Other than extending the hood all the way to the grill (perhaps making it longer in the coupe than in the sedan), it can’t be taken away.

    Another good example of the same. Check out the seam on Lexus LF-A here.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I'd like some clarification on something from someone (not necessarily you oars, I know you didn't write it!).

    They say that fuel economy is merely midpack with 21/31. Besides the Altima and its CVT, and Hybrid vehicles, what car has better fuel economy in this class?
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    One would hope we wouldn't need this one for a while ;), but it's here and ready for business whenever the need should arise! Honda Accord 2008 Maintenance and Repair.

    Thanks grad! ;)
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    You bet!

    I realized it was early, but I have seen countless new owners ask about break-in procedures and when to get the first oil change done. That would be the place to do it!

    Happy Hondaing!

    TheGrad
  • blackexv6blackexv6 Member Posts: 503
    If you care about noise proofing, skip the liner and get Dynomat installed instead.

    How about both? The liner to cover the dynamat. I'm embarrassed to say my '08 EXL is only 3 weeks old & I'm looking for ways to make it quieter.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 10,700
    I was wondering about that - usually Dynamat is concealed by carpeting, etc, so the liner would serve that purpose. Only question - would the weight interfere with keeping it open?
  • bug4bug4 Member Posts: 370
    Just a thought . . is it worth doing all that work to insulate the trunk lid when the majority of sound entering the passenger compartment from the rear is coming from the fender wells / suspension / wheels. I imagine any noise in the trunk enters the passenger compartment through the rear speaker decking and through the seat? I'm not sure insulating the trunk lid will do anything other than provide some acoustic deadening? I think the trunk liner is mostly a fit-and-finish issue -- it just looks a little better. I wonder if sealing up the speaker decking and deadening that space might not make a significant difference. For the truly acoustically sensitive, it might be very effective to apply Dynamat to the trunk's floor and fender wells, underneath the carpet. If that doesn't work, I think a Mercedes might be the logical next step. . . . :P

    BTW -- I'm interested to hear the discontent with the road noise in the 08 Accord --that is not a complaint I would have with mine. It seems very quiet!! It is particularly disconcerting given the fact that Honda double-sealed all the doors to try to minimize road noise and seal out rain. Further, Honda clearly is concerned about having a quiet interior when they add the engine noise-cancelling technology to all the EX models.
  • oarsdadoarsdad Member Posts: 64
    I guess Honda performed the test, but the IIHS accepts the results. I wonder if their representative is present for the test? I apologize if this has been posted previously.

    2008 Honda Accord Frontal Offset Test Evaluation from IIHS
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,492
    I find my '05 EXL to be fairly quiet most of the time. No noticable wind noise usually, and very well insulated (you don't hear other cars or outside sound for instance).

    The only noise issue is tire noise, but that really depends on the road surface. On some concrete the tires whine, but on normal apshalt, again pretty quiet.

    If I have the windows up and roof closed, on a smooth highway, it is very serene. Maybe not as tomblike as a Lexus, but you can converse easily, and there isn't enough ambient noise to bother me, cause fatique, etc.

    Of course, in my case, usually the radio is cranking a bit and the roof is open whenever possible, so I don't often go for max quiet!

    Oh, and the 4 cyl just buzzes along without intruding at all. Best part of the car.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • jaxs1jaxs1 Member Posts: 2,697
    Tire and road roar is a common complaint win Hondas compared to Toyotas. I don't think engine noise is an issue on the highway.
  • mcpdjohnmcpdjohn Member Posts: 44
    I have an 08 EX-L V6 and the gap of about 1/4" between the dashboard and door is identical on both sides. It looks like a normal sized gap, not something to complain about. Also, all of the interior is perfect. There are no loose pieces of anything that I can find where the headliner meets the edge trim. In summary, the interior is just as perfect as the rest of the car.
  • vietviet Member Posts: 847
    My '02, '03 and '05 Accord hybrid (all V6) are much quiet on highway too. The oldie Accord EX '95 with 250K miles runs strong with wind/ road noise like a little tank. Expecting the '08 Accord is much more quiet. Honda's long time weakness is road noise. As to HP and torque no other cars in same class can beat except Nissan.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    Toyota seems to use softer compound tires. Sometimes so soft that they can't take a pothole, an experience of mine from a few months ago in a rental Sienna. I took a turn, hit a break on the road and there was a loud hissing noise from left rear tire. The tire was a waste. I've noticed that the tire compound in my GF's Rav4 is soft too.

    I tried those tires in my Accord, and it made a big difference. It also improved handling and may have improved braking too (but who really measures it). The downside, the first set didn't last long. The second set acquired under (limited) warranty on first didn't either. And it was puncture prone. I didn't go back to OEM set (Michelin Energy MXV4) but primarily for cost reasons. Now have Bridgestone Turanza which is pretty good. Tires do make a big difference.

    But, under identical tires, a Honda is still going to be a bit noisier than a Toyota. Part of this comes from Toyota's obsession to isolate inside from the out. It works well in some cases and for many people, but it also takes away some aspects of driving experience that many others want. Firmer suspension has a tendency to transmit more noise to begin with. Then, whatever noise can make thru the steering wheel might be isolatable via technique in the steering wheel but likely at the expense of steering feel.

    The whole thing is like the feel of a manual transmission that uses direct manual linkage versus, say, a wire system. The former provides greater feel but also will let you know of everything happening under the stick.

    PS. There is another thread to discuss tires.
  • gotoyotagotoyota Member Posts: 280
    As to HP and torque no other cars in same class can beat except Nissan.

    Huh? No offense intended here, but torque and Honda don't even belong in the same sentence! That is my long time grievance against Honda - the fact that their engines don't even feel alive until somewhere north of 4k on the tach. Beyond that, yeah - they're strong, but definately biased for high RPM horse power, not torque. Toyota's 3.5L feels way more powerful than Honda's 3.5 - I currently own both (2004 Odyssey that I'm trying to sell, and 2007 Sienna XLE Ltd.) and there is no comparison. Even the old Sienna 3.3L had a stronger bottom end than the Honda 3.5L.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    No it didn't. Feel and reality aren't quite the same thing. You could say that for the new Accord V6, which isn't really tuned for 3.5-liter performance in the low-mid range (below 3500 rpm) but that is due to implementation of VCM. Honda could have gotten that output from 3.2/V6 without VCM but thats another story.

    As a matter of fact, the 3.3-liter V6 that powered Sienna, also powered Camry, and guess what, in mid range acceleration tests, even Accord I-4 (w/automatic transmission) could matched it. The key is gearing. And in case of Sienna versus Odyssey, it could also be the weight.

    The perception that Honda engines don't have torque is outdated and seriously flawed.
  • oarsdadoarsdad Member Posts: 64
    robertsmx,

    You mentioned you have Bridgestone Turanza's on your Accord.
    Are these the new Turanza Serenity? From what I've read these are quieter than most. Are your Turanza's noticeably quieter than the Michelin OEM's? How about wet/dry traction?

    Thanks
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    I've Turanza LS-H. In terms of wet traction, I would rate is slightly better than the OEM MXV4 Plus that came with the car but it has been a long time and 140K miles since I last experienced those.
  • jamese777jamese777 Member Posts: 18
    If anyone hasn't yet checked out early Edmunds' consumer/owner reviews of the 2008 Accord, here's a link:
    http://www.edmunds.com/honda/accord/2008/consumerreview.1...5670063.html
  • gotoyotagotoyota Member Posts: 280
    No it didn't. Feel and reality aren't quite the same thing. You could say that for the new Accord V6, which isn't really tuned for 3.5-liter performance in the low-mid range (below 3500 rpm) but that is due to implementation of VCM. Honda could have gotten that output from 3.2/V6 without VCM but thats another story.

    Not so fast... I don't mean to get us off topic, but I've driven both back to back - my wifes friend has on 06 Sienna 3.3L. It outguns our '04 Ody off the line and the shorter gearing makes it easier to use the power. It feels stronger because it puts more power down earlier than the Ody and unlike the Honda 3.5L which doesn't wake up until about 4300 RPM, the Toyota 3.3L has a broad, flat torque curve - the power feels the same from idle to redline. It's not as exciting as the surge you get with the Honda engine, but the power is always there. It depends on what you like - I just like the flat torque curve.

    As a matter of fact, the 3.3-liter V6 that powered Sienna, also powered Camry, and guess what, in mid range acceleration tests, even Accord I-4 (w/automatic transmission) could matched it. The key is gearing. And in case of Sienna versus Odyssey, it could also be the weight.

    I just don't believe that the Accord 4cyl runs with the Camry 3.3L - show me the data. The Accord 4 cyl 5A runs 0-60 in 8 sec's, the Camry 3.3L 5A in a little under 7 sec's. The gap just gets wider as speed increases.

    The perception that Honda engines don't have torque is outdated and seriously flawed.

    Actually, Honda's pre-VTEC engines felt stronger in the low end. My buddies old 1990 Legend coupe 5 speed felt great off the line in its day. Every VTEC engined Honda or Acura I've driven (my '04 Ody, a 1998 Prelude SH, a 2002 Accord V6, 2006 RL) has had comparatively high specific output, but lacked low end grunt. It's just how they are tuned - it looks good on paper as the 0-100 and 1/4 mile times are usually better, but to my seat of the pants driving in the real world, the power isn't as usuable when you have to rev the engine harder to get it. Keep in mind my most recent experience involves carrying more than just myself in the car - with a wife and four kids and all their stuff, you really notice the high RPM bias and wish there was more grunt down low. Our 07 Sienna 3.5L feels like a rocket compared to our '04 Ody. I'm just being real - don't be offended :shades: I still think the TL is one of the hottest 4 doors around for the money and it certainly doesn't seem to suffer in terms of acceleration. I'm not as Toyota biased as my name suggests - only have one Toyota at the moment. Other car is a Maxima, and we still have our '04 Ody until it sells.
  • bug4bug4 Member Posts: 370
    I'm stuck on this front-end design thing . . . . Perhaps Honda America should have gone with the grill from the Honda Legend (available in Latin America) on the 08 Accord? Of course, that would not have made the Acura dealers very happy since it is just a slightly modified RL grill. But it looks good!!! The Legend front-end with the 08 Accord rear-end ---that would be a looker!!

    It's interesting how the RL has a great looking front end, but a bland looking rear, while the Accord, IMHO, suffers a bit from the opposite problem -- a bland front end with a rather sporty rear. Hmmmmmm -- I faced this same dilemma in equally brilliant girlfriends once.....

    (I love the design on the concept car (right). But, that might be a little racy given the intended audience!)

    <img src="http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/H/honda/legend/03-large/06-legend-f3q-a.jpg"

    <img src="http://hondaclub.ru/img8/accessories_rl_2.jpg"
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 10,700
    That would be an improvement. Until I saw one, I didn't realize how much the headlights protrude, not a good look on any car. It doesn't show up in many of the photographs.
  • deke3deke3 Member Posts: 4
    I bought a 2008 Accord. It didn't even have 300 miles on it when the auto display went bad on it.
  • mmm3m1mmm3m1 Member Posts: 1
    i just bought my accord v6 coupe white 2008 on the 22nd of october. this baby is HOT! check out my youtube on the vidoe of it. i'm still waiting on order of the add on spoilers ground affect to be install.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO-i65ffVd0
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 10,700
    Nice car/video - so here's a question: why did Honda get the headlights right (nice shape, flow with the body) on the coupe and wrong (sticking out) on the sedan?
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    Its not unusual to see that from Honda. Sometimes they try too hard, without having a good reason for it. They could have left grill/headlight design identical between coupe and sedan but used subtle elements to differentiate them instead of different designs on both.
  • jaxs1jaxs1 Member Posts: 2,697
    The coupe has an ugly gap in the front of the hood; so not everything is better than the sedan.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    That was my point as well. Why not just have one "complete" design using best of both worlds.
  • kmilkmil Member Posts: 6
    Based on the assumption that the new '09 Accord will weigh approximately the same as the '08 models, what would be your best guess as to probable city/highway mileage on the upcoming 2009 Honda Accord DIESEL models? Might it be perhaps 5 or 10 mpg "More" than the '08 gassers?

    Pls let me know at: kmil123@msn.com OR right here!
    Thanks for your time and attention!
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    My guess is that Accord diesel will be able to deliver mid-30s in mixed driving, be about 20% improvement over comparable gasoline model.
  • blufz1blufz1 Member Posts: 2,045
    32/47.
This discussion has been closed.

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