Can Honda get its mojo back?

hpmctorque · January 2013

Your 2000 TL is in the majority of transmissions that didn't fail, but a significant minority of failures gave the '00s-'03s, especially, a bad reputation. Sorry to tell you, but your '05 Odyssey's transmission was probably okay. As for the timing belt, I believe it's good for 105K.

Did you change the fluid in your TL's transmission, and, if so, at what intervals?

stickguy · January 2013

Timing belt is a years or miles deal, and it was up on years.

I changed the fluid in the TL a year or so ago to be safe. not sure when or if it was changed prior to that. Most likely at around 105K, since my sister always did what the dealer said was due. So if it was on the maintenance schedule, probably when it was done!

fintail · January 2013

I suspect the V6 put out more torque than the unit could handle, or the applications where it was used were too heavy - or maybe there was just a bad batch of a certain component. I've met more than one person who experienced a failure, esp in Odysseys.

hpmctorque · January 2013

Could be any of those things. As far as I know Honda never came clean on the problem. Regardless, the problem went away by the '04 or '05 model year, and, as you know, now they have new CVT and 6-speed automatics.

My take and experience with Honda/Acura, of which our family has owned several, is that they're not the most exciting choices, but they're solid, reliable and relatively low maintenance. I'd consider another TL if they sort out the styling, but I don't have any particular brand loyalty.

sandman_6472 · January 2013

Yep...solid, reliable and low maintenance is exactly what my Civic is but just a tad on the boring side. Had a free coupon for a battery check, was there at 6:45 this morning and they plugged it in and the reading came back as "good"...bought in 4/10 so it's still good to go though I did have a starting issue last week. I have an Interstate model and it's pro-rated if it fails before 48 months I believe. But yes, this car doesn't ask for much to keep it going though I've already done the tranny fluid change, brake fluid change, and do oil changes once a year since I rarely drive more than 4k/year now, if that much. It's 6.5 years old now and probably due for the coolant to be changed but with only 35.4 on the clock, I was planning to wait another year or two.

But I am getting a bit itchy for a new car actually. Seems silly really but that itch won't seem to go away. I'm trying to be strong here...but for how long I'm not sure!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

anythngbutgm · January 2013

http://wardsauto.com/vehicles-amp-technology/honda-35l-sohc-v-6

http://wardsauto.com/site-files/wardsauto.com/files/imagecache/large_img/uploads- /2012/12/web-honda-35l-v6-10-be-specs.jpg

"For delivering exemplary fuel economy and simultaneously pulling like a freight train at hard throttle, Hondas improved 3.5L V-6 earns its fourth Wards 10 Best Engines trophy since 2005.

Weve always cherished this 60-degree titan as an unsung hero whose power easily surpasses the numbers on the spec sheet."

anythngbutgm · February 2013

All-new 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Earns Highest Safety Ratings in Midsize Class

The 2013 Accord Coupe is the only vehicle in its class to earn a NHTSA 5-star Overall Vehicle Score and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating with GOOD ratings in all test modes.

Not surprising, Accord has been a top safety pick for generations. :shades:

stickguy · February 2013

I assume that is the 3.5l V6 in my 2013 RDX? If so, it really is a sweet engine.

anythngbutgm · February 2013

Pretty much. The J-series has been around since the late 90's IIRC so the one in your RDX should be a derivative of it. I had one in my 03' MDX and it was perfect for the application, a V8 was not necessary. :shades:

BTW, those RDX's are becoming quite popular here in New England. I see them quite frequently and have spotted the full color pallette. Basque Red is my fave so far.

anythngbutgm · March 2013

2013 Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe First Small Cars to Achieve TOP SAFETY PICK+ Rating in IIHS Safety

stever · March 2013

Sorry, couldn't resist. :blush:

Honda Odyssey: The minivan with its own vacuum (adn.com)

Can't really see this driving many sales though.

sandman_6472 · March 2013

Pulled up next to a new Accord in burgandy at a stop light today and it was beautiful, absolutely stunning! It's the right size vehicle for a family and from what I've read, pretty fuel efficient to boot. My buddy's wife just bought a Sport version in this color and she just loves it, who wouldn't! They paid around $24k he said which seems to be a lot of value for the $. Just wish the wife would go that route but I know it's way to big. But Honda has really hit a home run here and I predict they're gonna sell a bunch of these puppies and maybe even surpass the Camry as the best selling mid sized vehicle in the U S. Will have to test drive one eventually to see how really good it is. Just wish the Civic was a 2/3 Accord as I'd push the wife hard to get one but right now, the Civic isn't as good. The Lexus IS is more what I'd consider a smaller Accord like vehicle.

Kudos to Honda for doing a spectacular job with this new Accord as I didn't like the last generation too much even though it was popular. This new model just has "it" and I know it will sell briskly!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

anythngbutgm · March 2013

Some of the other boards that I've visited have been applauding this. The only disappointments I've read is you have to buy the top trim level to get it and many would have liked to see the "Lane Watch" system like the new Accord has.

I think it will bump sales a few points myself.

stever · March 2013

I'm seeing a lot of positive vibes too, like this tweet from an Edmunds editor at the show: "vacuum = no brainer. Can't believe this awesome feature didn't hit the minivan market earlier. @kellytoepke".

Personally, I think I'd rather just have a power port back there (probably has a couple already). A 120v one would be nice. That said, I've often used a whisk broom on camping trips to keep the detritus in the rear on my van down under an inch deep so a built in Shop Vac could work. :-)

Just can't see it being a deal breaker for someone comparing it to a Sienna.

My snarky side wonders if it could vacuum up the kink on the side of the van. :shades:

2014 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite Cleans Up 2013 New York Auto Show

berri · March 2013

They should take that vacuum and suck out the side profile design. It's fugly, disjointed and needs a re-do sooner, not later.

xrunner2 · April 2013

Current odd styling on sides of Ody is less noticeable in dark colors. Burgundy/maroon helps to mask the weird lines.

hpmctorque · April 2013

The new RLX got a negative review in the Wall Street Journal. Among the comments, it said the RLX, Acura's flagship sedan, is little more than a larger, heavily contented Accord. While adapting Honda's FWD architecture to a car with E-Class and 5-Series fighting pretensions saved money, the result is a car that doesn't accomplish its mission, in the reviewer's opinion. Further, it's not even an effective competitor to the A-6 Quattro. Was Dan Neil, the WSJ reviewer, too hard on the RLX?

Incidentally, Consumers Reports rated the 2013 A-6 best-in-class; better than the E-Class or 5-Series.

Are you listening , Lincoln?

It should be mentioned that the RLX will be available with AWD later this year. The AWD version will also have more power. I hope the WSJ tests that model too, to see whether that will make the RLX more competitive with its German rivals. And, let's not forget Cadillac, which just introduced an all-new, larger CTS to take on the Germans.

benjaminh · April 2013

Just bought one of the new Accords, and we love it so far.

Very nice improvements over our 2008 EXL navi in most areas. I still love the 08 because it's a manual, which is what i prefer.

One of the biggest changes is that the Accord is now a quiet car on the road. Road noise has always been a weak spot for the Accord, and that's now gone.

I'd say Honda's mojo is definitely back.

anythngbutgm · April 2013

Congrats! Haven't seen too many in red.

anythngbutgm · April 2013

In the latest MT "Alphabet Soup" battle, the Acura comes out on top.

link title

Gives me hope for the new RLX.

anythngbutgm · May 2013

Civic Nabs Highest-Ever Safety Rating for a Small Car

Honda Vehicle Ratings by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

2013 Honda TOP SAFETY PICK+:
Honda Accord Coupe
Honda Accord Sedan
Honda Civic Coupe
Honda Civic Sedan

2013 Honda TOP SAFETY PICKS:
Honda Fit
Honda Crosstour
Honda Civic Sedan
Honda CR-Z
Honda CR-V
Honda Insight
Honda Pilot
Honda Odyssey
Honda Ridgeline

:shades:

benjaminh · August 2013

#s from tsx69 at vtec.net:

Civic 32,416
Cruze 25,447
Corolla 24,463
Elantra 23,958
Focus 16,764

CR-V 27,226
Escape 22,343
Rav4 19,538
Equinox 18,507
Rogue 16,992

Odyssey 13,261
Sienna 10,608
Caravan 8,583
Town & Country 8,060
Flex 2,689

Camry 34,780
Accord 31,507
Altima 29,534
Fusion 20,522
Sonata 18,903

anythngbutgm · August 2013

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/08/08/six-12-small-cars-do-well-in-front-cra- sh-tests/#ixzz2bNk5YdIr

anythngbutgm · November 2013

Honda Accord Hybrid and PHEV win 2014 Green Car of the Year

stever · January 2014

"Honda says it is the number one brand in its class for product longevity.

No other mainstream brand had a higher percentage of vehicles on the road from 1988-2012, the automaker said.

Honda is basing the claim on Polk vehicle registrations from 1988-2012."

Honda Vehicles Last Longest, Automaker Claims

stever · November 2014

"BrandIndex is a tool created by market research firm YouGov. Among its metrics is something it calls the "buzz score."

On Sept. 7, Honda's buzz score was 20. In the latest round of surveys, YouGov spokesman Drew Kerr said that reading slipped to 14.

"That is still above the average for the entire car sector, where the current buzz score is 8," Kerr said.

Edmunds.com also tracks the percentage of all visitors to its car-shopping web site who consider each brand. Over the past five months, Honda's consideration rate has ranged between 9.5% and 11.5%, although it has trended downward over the last month."

Air bag recalls have little impact on Honda sales (Detroit News)

hpmctorque · November 2014

One thing that Honda could do to recapture its popularity, especially among young buyers on a budget, is to increase the number of derivatives off of the Fit platform, in particular, and also the Civic's. The HR-V is a good first step, and I look for it to be a big seller, but how about a Fit spyder to compete with the MINI 'vert, for example? It could undercut the MINI in price and cost-to-own (regular vs. premium gas, conventional vs. run-flat tires), beat in in reliability, and match it in performance and driving dynamics.

I'm very happy with my Fiat 500 as a practical fun car, but would trade it for a Fit spyder. Hmm, it just occurred to me that if you remove the third letter in Fiat, you have a ~~fit~~, Fit. A restomod ala cheap. Imagine, a fix-it-Tony, done right the first time.

.

hpmctorque · October 2015

The 2016 Civic may be a good start for Honda to get its mojo back.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/2016-honda-civic-strives-to-be-premium-again

anythngbutgm · October 2015

hpmctorque said:
The 2016 Civic may be a good start for Honda to get its mojo back.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/2016-honda-civic-strives-to-be-premium-again

That profile is certainly unique, especially the tail. I'll be curious to see it in person, but I'm really looking forward to seeing these design elements on the Coupe!

Seems like a missed opportunity they don't offer a lift back with that sloping rear. Could grab a few RSX owners looking for an upgrade...

tlong · January 2016

I still find the current CR-V ugly. Perhaps its just me, but I liked the previous generation a lot better. Will probably get a Mazda CX-5 if I go the small ute route.

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Can Honda get its mojo back?

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