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Comments
For the record, the only Ford association in the new mazda6 is ford is using mazda's engineering talent for future ford vehicles because Ford purchased a controlling interest (> 30% shareholder rights) in Mazda. And the new mazda6's V6 is based on the ford duratec's engine block, but refined and improved by mazda engineering. The 4cylinder and the rest of the car is 100% Mazda's creation. Previous low quality mazda vehicles (such as the B series truck were rebadged Ford Rangers, not the other way around). So Mazda always had quality, it was Ford that tainted their reputation because Mazda needed financial help.
I was undecided between an accord 4cylinder and mazda6 4cylinder, and I'm probably going to buy a mazda6 next because I think the new accord has gotten a bit too big for my tastes. As for safety, the mazda6's structure is slightly better than the accord's structure based on Japanese safety tests. NHTSA test results here show the same, I'm willing to bet that IIHS crash tests will be even more proof once it's released. And you can get a mazda6 4cylinder with side curtain airbags right now instead of waiting for the 04 EX-L accord. Not to mention the savings on 0% for 60 months and close to invoice prices on Mazda6i versus > 3% financing and close to MSRP for 04 EX-L for a while.
As for interior room, it's very subjective. I think the most fair comparison is if you test drove one right after the other and see for yourself how much room is "enough" for you.
~alpha
Cars should be simple, and buying them should be as well....Mazda messed it up with the requirments you have to get to get certain options.
Hopefully, next year the car will get the optional pkgs. it needs and the sales will go up...I don't think it's too small, but it is small compared to the Altima and Camry...the Accord IS not much bigger actually.
But the 6 just looks small...and to me the Accord looks shorter than last year's model...To me the Accord feels more cramped than the Camry or Altima...I like them all though...too bad I cannot afford a new one anymore...but I will gladly take a 2000 Honda Accord EX...
Tongue in cheek of course. You can' say that kinda stuff in the Mazda6 room. They're kinda touchy.
Seriously the Mazda6 is a great car. I drove it and loved it. I really don't understand why people aren't buying more of them. But with all these discounts they are offering now, I feel justified in not buying mine when I drove one of the first ones off the truck.
Another thing, by now the lots should have tons of 6's siting around. I'm sure most purchases in this segment come from stock on hand. I really can't see the option packages creating that much of a problem. I mean with the haggle room the Mazda has now that should be a non issue. I mean you essentially CAN'T order an Accord or Camry but they have no problem dropping tons of them.
So far so good....
This project provides a company vehicle for my use on the job and to and from home. So my brand new Accord sits in my garage
Is that going to ruin my car for it to just sit so much of the time?
What kind of precautions should I take to ensure that in two years all the mechanical and moving parts are still up to snuff (ie. prevent rust, corrosion, oxidation, etc....)
If I had known about this project earlier I would have waited until 2005 to buy the Accord. Or save up a little and get the 2004 TSX!
Any other options?
If not, check ownerlink at honda.com. They may have some recomendations for you.
If the business miles were consistant I would come out ahead by getting mileage reimbursement.
But a vehicle allowance sounds reasonable. I'll suggest it to my boss and see what he says
Side airbags with the curtains will be standard on LXV6 models and EX with Leather models...they are optional on the regular EX model. NA on LX or DX models...
http://www.mag-x.com/index_ie_j.html
This Accord looks like the US Accord, but with a few changes. It looks better with hood lines and the grille makes it look more classy.
maxamillion1: i think noble green is a nice color too. unlike you though, i also like the front grille as is. i'm expecting to take delivery of an ex v6 accord in that color at the end of the month.
I really did like the Noble green color, much more than the Dark Emerald Pearl that it replaced, but I am eager to see the new green as well.
Again, congrats Venus
Ah...all WHAT problems?
Having to replace a timing belt at 90,000 miles?
Actually, it's 105,000 miles. Is this THAT much of a big deal? Do you consider that to be a "problem"? Just curious.
My 99 EX V-6 coupe has been flawless. Still, when I finally replace it, I'll probably go with a four next time. The V-6 really isn't needed and the fours have nearly the same power.
Kinda like requiring any V6 to have over 240 hp would do the same.
I wonder if forums in japan are complaining the Inspire is "only" the U.S. Accord?
So far in 12,000 miles we have no rattles. We bought the car in December and it is now reaching the mid-80's here so hopefully the car will remain rattle free.
Correction: Since 1982.
Accord Dash Design
I don't see how there can be fewer pieces than those that exist. Well, atleast one piece has been taken out (the passenger side front-airbag cover) in TSX and the Inspire.
http://www.mag-x.com/index_ie_j.html
Does anyone keep track of how many accords are brought in from J every year-the number should be declining I would think.
Skip the "treatment".
Are you crazy!! Yes it probably is too much of a first car for a 19 year old. But what's done is done. You would probably only see 19 or 20 on a trade in. You would lose 4-5k right off the bat. (at the least) If you want to save your parents some money why don't you chip in on the car payments, gas, insurance, maintenance, etc.. to help them out instead of trying to make trade. You have an awesome car, enjoy it! You;ll take a huge loss on a trade. You must be a good kid otherwise they wouldn't have bought you such a nice first car. Now if you really want to help them out get a part time job and help pay for some of it.
Warranty:
If you are interested in a Genuine Honda Warranty go to hondawarranty.com the price for a 7yr/100,000 mile warranty with $0 deductable is about $850 there. But I agree that it is probably a waste of $$ on a Honda. Why don't you wait till your 3/36 is almost over then if you have had a very problematic vehicle you can add the x-warranty then.
Yet, the rumor persists....
I was not attacking the V-6 Accord, I was looking for advice as this is a significant investment for me and my family.
Honda has been making Accords at their Ohio plant for 20 years now. More than enough time for any serious quality issues directly related to that plant to surface.
All new cars can have problems. There is not one single car that is built in significant numbers that can claim every unit has been 100% trouble-free. I recently found a very old magazine which had a long-term test of a 1992 Honda Accord EX wagon. Most people now consider that generation to be one of the most reliable cars on the road. But even then they had a couple of little issues. But obviously, since we now regularly see those Accords with upwards of 200,000 miles, that had no impact on long-term reliability.
When Lexus introduced the latest generation LS430 they had to reweld the rear suspension on some models. There were problems with the lastest generation ES300 transmission. Guess we should all count Lexus out now even though it's regularly tops quality surveys.
There are a few problems being reported on Edmunds. But consider this, they have already sold nearly 200,000 Accords. Even if 1% of those Accords have problems that's 2,000 Accords with some little rattle or squeak. Most manufacturers would kill for a 1% defect rate. Considering the number of Accords on the road, if there were a significant number of problems with it, this would be Edmunds/HondaProblems.com. Honda sells over 1 million cars a year with only 1.4% of those going to fleets. Thats a lotta cars.
The RL should be trouble-free. Honda has been building the RL since 1996. That's given them 7 years to get any teething problems taken care of and the RL is sold in very limited numbers compared to the 400,000 Accords that Honda has to build for the US market alone. Sure Honda tests it's models before beginning production but there is no way to emulate what happens when you begin production in those numbers.
As for the Accord transmission, the transmission was actually built in Japan. So that kind of kills that argument.
btw, imo, i think the sunroof equipped accords are the ones reporting the most problems. like my '03 coupe, it seems that the majority of creaks/popping noises are coming from the headliner/sunroof. as for the v6, the only problem directly related to that engine is the starting problem which honda has identified as a bad fuel pressure regulator.
and to proclaim that a 4 banger accord will be more reliable/durable in the long run vs a v6 accord is utterly stupid...they are the same car for cruds sake! differences are very minor...
IMO the best deal on new Accords is the
Accord LX V6 Coupe. You get the silky V6 and traction control for the price of an EX-L I4. You actually get the 8 way power seats and the steering wheel mounted controls. The olny thing you don't get is leather,heated seats, and auto climate control. $1250 can get you high quality aftermarket leather and heaters if it is that important to you. Dual Climate control is generally a pointless luxury if like 90% of the commuting traffic in my town, there is only one person in the car.
Good luck
The EX-L I4 also adds many other items not on the LX V6, such as:
1. Alloy wheels
2. Moonroof
3. Premium interior trim on the console and doors
4. Automatic climate control (in addition to dual zone)
5. Illuminated window switches
6. Ambient console lighting
7. Exterior temperature indicator
Both the EX-L I4 and LX V6 are great, it's just a question of what your priorities, needs and wants are.
Just messing with you.
Thank you for the correction. I just looked it up and noticed all the things you pointed out and noticed those others.
Kinda makes me feel better about getting the EX-L I4 rather than the LXV6, for my own personal tastes. They were about $100 apart in price and I thought about it briefly during the test drive but the Leather sold me.
Thanks for the input