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Now, if you were comparing the Accord coupe's blind spot with the Altima or G6 coupe's, that would be a different matter.
Today, that is not the case, most of the disadvantages of chains are gone, so we see more and more engines with chains instead of belts.
When I bought the Contour, within 2 days I was totally sure I made the right choice. I loved that car. '96 SE V6 with a stick and loaded...man that car was so fun, and the seats were incredibly comfortable. Anyway, that car got replaced by a '05 Legacy wagon 2.5i stick for my family. Again, within a couple of days, I knew I had made the right choice. It does everything I could possibly ask of it, returns good fuel economy, and has been flawless since we got it. Mileage is strong (real world mileage has been comparable to its FWD counterparts), it has a wagon body style that has proven very useful, it tows a small trailer with no issues, visibility is very good and the seat height adjusts which is important because my wife is so short. I even like the headlamp cut off pattern.
The only things I don't like are the way the infant seat fits in the middle spot and the lack of space left over for other booties in the back seat. I also wish I had gone up 1 model to the 2.5i Limited for the heated seats/mirrors and sunroof.
** edit ** I forgot to mention, the car is fantastic in foul weather, even with the below par RE-92s
The Accord has had 3 water-pumps, each replaced at the timing belt service.
Total bill for Ford Contour $580 + 12 towing ("repairs"), total bill for Honda Accord $1800 ("maintenance").
They aren't my pictures so I don't control the size - I only link to them.
On my 14" laptop the pictures are only 7.5" wide and they fit just fine on my 12" wide screen.
Maybe you need to adjust your settings.
I concur, the NVH characteristics are very different than the '07 Accord EX. I like the way the Subie kicks a little when you turn it on, since the engine is longitudinally mounted, and the flat-4 growls a little more. Its definitely a more connected, tactile driving experience.
The Accord, with the exception of wind and tire noise, is pretty darn quiet. I actually like the noise it makes when you turn it on, because that is pretty much the only indication there is an engine in the vehicle.
van
I agree that 1k is a lot to be no repairs, unless its a total dollar amount spent. Even $500 adds up if its a monthly expense. That is what happened with the old vehicle, is the average monthly repair/maintenance cost got too close to the car payment of something new.
van
I've looked at them with two computers - on one the page was fine and on the other the page was skewed.
Here's a tip for anyone having to scroll left to right in a situation similar to this. If you click on the message number following the pictures, the page will redisplay starting with that message which gets the pictures off your page. At least you can then more easily read the messages that follow.
I didn't mention it because of possible blind spots (that's what side mirrors are for) but because, if they have the plastic filler piece, they cheaped out on this in the new sedan model. It's not a big deal, but how much would it cost to just have glass there? Or if you don't want the cost of the odd shaped glass, then don't design the c pillar like that.
It's still not clear to me whether it's plastic or glass...if glass, it is kind of wierd to have two little pieces back there.
There is the value of the SUV and Minivan, as mass people movers, they fill the gap left from the largest of cars in width leaving the market.
I personally, as in IMHO, see most cars, even the new Impala as better if they keep width and length under control, and leave the 5 to 7 passenger capacity to say the minivan. This is not to say a mid-sized or large car or today can not carry five, or possibly six people, but are they in great comfort, or feel more like a hostage? I have a mid-sized car, and it could carry five across town, but I would not want to go cross country. There is no way I am wanting this car though to be larger, and I here it grew an inch taller and three inches longer. To me that is alright, if you want a large car. It is no longer a mid-sized. Let the SUV/Minivan/Crossdresser vehicles carry the massive loads, IMHO.
One more thing on size. Not sure the Epsilon GM cars need an extra inch in with as much as possibly narrowing that central area of the console so the knee doesn't hit there or rests easier there, when the foot is on gas. This could be a case where adding an inch is needed, unless it can be done on the inside only. Maybe both, an inch overall car width and eke out an extra inch inside in addition for add a couple. Just a thought. I find the Aura to be pretty comforatable, but a little change wouldn't hurt, especially in this super-sized world of cars and people. :shades:
We were primarily shopping the Legacy against the Accord, and the 23/30 vs 26/34 was okay with us. Now that we have one of each, the mileage seems pretty much the same in real world driving. We also liked the wagon body style.
I also thought the ride was a little harsher (and noisier) than I'd like, considering all the bad roads I have to drive on every day.
I agree, the ride is firmer than the Accord, and it is definitely a more active driving experience. This was one of the things we really liked about it...one man's pain is another man's pleasure?
Setting Outside Mirrors to the Correct Angle
actually that is engineering, not design. I dont care if my car last 20 years since I'm not keeping it that long. Dont act like most imports stay on the road that long either. No need for the hyperbole to hype up the durability of imports.
BTW, my car has a hood that is visable from the driver's seat. Dont think that is exclusive to the Accord.
And if I do need to see the side of my car, such as backing around something I can do so by leaning my head over.
Another advantage of this mirror setting is you don't get headlight glare, via the side mirror, from cars that are directly behind you.
In the illustration for vehicle one, it seems that the total of all mirrors views end up directly almost within the same lane directly behind the vehicle.
This could be something that seems to work for me and maybe I've been lucky to avoid any accidents involving not seeing a vehicle when changing lanes or similar maneuvers.
I really doubt that. Although there is some resemblance to the Sonata's tailights, there's very little resemblance overall. Even if there were, it would be coincidental. It's clear to me that Honda wanted to make the new Accord look more upscale, more like an Acura (side character line) and BMW (rear greenhouse) while meeting new regs for pedestrian safety (front end), while keeping the overall look inoffensive to most buyers (i.e., bland, because bland sells in this market).
Firm ride is great on smooth, curvy roads... like those the auto mag testers frequent. Or racetracks. On the imperfect highways and byways of much of America, a too-firm ride can indeed be one man's pain.
Edmunds TMV is 23,121, which is a few hundred over invoice AND destination. But in the real world does not the dealer ADD destination charge to the sales price before subtracting the incentice? I ask because if that's the case, would not a fair sales price be few hundered over the "invoice." Thoughts?
The Malibu has a traditional 2 part grill chevy front end which looks like an bloated Cobalt. The side profile was lifted directly from TL with the rear end resembles the Mitsu Diamante. Original design? I don't think so.
The Honda Accord in every way resembles the 5-series (except the front, which looks Saturn to me), also not an original design.
Both cars at best can only be considered as good design that's easy on eyes.
The '08 Accord looks nothing like the Sonata.
Honda designers already admitted that they were heavily influenced by the 5-series both inside and out.
Motorcycles are always going to be harder to see, no matter what you do with your mirrors. As a former rider, I was always well aware of this and spent as little time as possible next to any vehicle in a spot where I could only be seen if the person were to turn his head or look in a mirror.
I do still take a look before changing lanes, I just have more confidence that I know what is around me when I can see everything at all times, without the need to turn and look.
So anyway, "blind spots" in midsize sedans are not an issue for me .
Now, the trend toward toward super-high (and super short) trunk lids...that is one I don't like. I don't want to have to slide things in the trunk horizontally and the visibility when backing up is better if the trunk lid is not so high.
He only had it at 113-115 MPH for a split second, and got it back down to where it wasn't feeling unsafe and unstable.
A link will be fine if that's what you want to do, but posting on your page would take care of it as well and you could still have the picture appear in the discussion.
Anyway, I guess we can compromise and say virtually no repairs is anything under $600, and furthermore does not occur with any regular frequency (less than biannually).
Michigan, actually
Firm ride is great on smooth, curvy roads... like those the auto mag testers frequent. Or racetracks. On the imperfect highways and byways of much of America, a too-firm ride can indeed be one man's pain.
Yeah, you know I live in the same town as Car & Driver's headquarters and can't seem to find the beautiful roads they have in the pictures :confuse: Also, the tiny windy mountain roads on California's central coast (or, as another local, Bob Seager would say, miles and miles of those twisty turny roads)where I would "exercise" sporting vehicles in my youth were far from smooth and flat.
Some weblogue of the roads of my youth
L
Loren
Looks like Honda is the most unreliable car on the planet, based on my long-term experience.
Now perhaps we could dispense with this stuff on "virtual" repairs and talk more about "concrete" things, like the cars?
They have made some interesting looking cars over the past decades, but it may soon be over. I owned a Dodge Stealth, alias Mitsubishi 3000. Seemed to me that part prices were pretty high, but perhaps it was just that new model. The car was not the same reliability as other Japan makes, at least in my case. Yes, a small sample of one. Now the car was not too expensive, really cool looking and got the most positive comments and looks from people of any car I have ever owned. It seemed pretty sturdy over all, but just short of trouble free in its life with me. A Galant, IMHO, is an interesting looking car, as it has some extra style to it. But if sales are lacking, I fear for the dealerships in America, and thus I am out where it comes to any consideration of the products.
They have brought some interesting products to America over the years -- hope they can survive as a provider of cars to North American Sales.
L