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Older Honda Accords

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Comments

  • baller23baller23 Member Posts: 2
    Hello. My dad just bought a Honda Accord 4 cyl. EX, no leather, auto, and Black. It is truly a great car. I drive his car more than he drives it. I am starting to suspect a few problems with the car.. It only has about 500 miles on it.. But everytime i drive it, it hear creaks coming from inside the cabin, i think it might be the sunroof, because everytime i close the sliding door(the one you have to do it manually) , the noise doesn't come anymore. Anyone else having the same problem?? Also, i think the dash might be rattling a bit over rough pavement. Also, our car doesn't start right at the twist of the key. It makes like 3 or 4 *coughs* before starting. Is this normal, or is it just our car?? Also, when stepping on the gas from a dead stop, there is a slight vibration in the car, i have even felt it when i sat in the back seat, this happens everytime, but happens only for a second..Thanks!
  • indydriverindydriver Member Posts: 620
    Thanks for your comments. What has been the recent experience of buyers on this board as far as "coming off MSRP"?
  • mitchfloridamitchflorida Member Posts: 420
    If you don't take delivery, you can refuse the car for basically any reason.
     Just refuse to sign paperwork.

    If you have taken delivery, the car is yours. Good luck
  • aggie1995aggie1995 Member Posts: 318
    "coming off MSRP"

    Check out the Honda Accord "How much did you pay?" Thread on Edmunds.

    But generally Accords are selling for +/- $200 from invoice. I bought mine for exactly incoice cost (which was about $2000 less than MSRP). Some dealers are willing to dip into their holdback to make a sale and therefore the below invoice pricing.

    The only exception is the EX-V6 Coupe 6 Speed. These seem to be selling near MSRP if not above in some parts of the country.

    If you try to get an 04 right as they come out don't expect to get it at invoice. $500-$800 over invoice is probably realistic until around Nov. when the 03's are all gone.

    Bang for the buck, I don't think ANYmidsize sedan can beat the Accord in terms of features for the price. The fact that Accords have such great reliability and resale values is just icing on the cake.
  • tony258tony258 Member Posts: 5
    I know it's gonna come out for the '03 Coupe. But is there anything as far as for a sedan? Can some of the bodykits for the coupe fit the sedan? I'm interested in the look of the FP Coupe but I have a sedan.
  • briansbluetoybriansbluetoy Member Posts: 50
    I have posted about a REALLY annoying rattle at the drivers ear level. Particularly when when hitting those lane marker reflectors on the road.

    In searching yesterday, I found a poster that commented his chrom trim on the exterior drivers side door did not have enough adhesive. A simple tap on the outside revealed a loose section about 6 inches long. I merely lifted the trim enough to get a strip of electrical tape shoved in there. It worked.

    Of course, the poster noted that the dealer fix was to remove the trim and reapply the dble sided adhesive which I will do next time I go to the dealer.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    You can have a compass installed on any Accord for about $300. It's a dealer accessory. Have it on my Accord coupe.

    For 04, the Accord will have standard curtain airbags on all Accord V6 and EX w/ leather models.

    I still don't consider any of these items "key" features. Edmunds should clarify if they are going to list it as a con of the Accord.
  • moolmanmoolman Member Posts: 129
    anonymousposts, you should clarify that the compass comes with the auto dimming rear view mirror, which I think is a great option to add anyway. Got mine for $180 online and paid $34 for install at the dealer.

    Alex
  • kennyg5kennyg5 Member Posts: 360
    I think spending $300 on a compass is not quite worth the investment. I have been looking for an electronic auto compass (a poor man's GPS nav), and the one I saw on the internet is made by PNI (model V6000) for $130. I called PNI and was told that a similar unit (V6000c) is sold by Costco at $60. I tried a few Costco stores but no luck. The unit, as I understand it, has compass directions, inside and outside temperatures, altimeter, barometer, and even a weather forecaster. Has anyone seen or purchased the unit?
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I love it...

    For crying out loud, it's a HONDA !

    It's amazing what some people just have to have on their cars these days!

    Honda can add all of those features and more but do we really want a 35,000 Accord?
  • ivan_99ivan_99 Member Posts: 1,681
    Honda Dealers

    I had my wife call the dealer to make an appointment for our 03 Accord.

    We have a number of problems such as the check engine light is on, the speedometer doesn't work, the air conditioner kicks off because the car is idling low (500 rpm or so); this may all be the same problem, the brakes pulsate when stopping from highway speeds, the radio reception is very poor, and creaks that the dealer cannot reproduce on their super-smooth roads. We also have water stains in the headliner that the dealer previously said they would repair when we bring the car in the next time (they need it for the whole day).

    My last service I told the dealer to put in synthetic oil, but they only charged me and wrote down regular, so I assume I got the regular.

    Anyway...my wife called another dealer and asked to make an appointment. The person on the other end told her that it was first come first serve. She attempted to tell them that we needed the car back that day because its our only car, but he interrupted her and said it was first come first serve. She then attempted to tell him what we needed fixed and he told her it was first come first serve and then hung up on her. She called the other close Honda dealer and it was pretty much the same; so I'll attempt to drive to the dealer and see if I get in; if not, I guess I have to drive there again and re-attempt.

    Our previous cars, Infiniti and Audi had much better customer service, they didn't always get it right (that'd be my mechanic rampage) but they always were courteous and scheduled time to look at the car.
  • mikek37mikek37 Member Posts: 411
    I wasnt aware of a synthetic 5W-20 oil?

    As for the Audi and Infiniti service.. well its probably because it was an AUDI and INFINITI and not a Honda.
  • ian2ian2 Member Posts: 168
    I paid $170 for my Garmin Legend GPS. It functions as a compass, trip computer and did I mention GPS? :)
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    keep in mind that you can get the LX model with the v6 engine. what's added besides the v6 to the "regular" LX you ask. 4 wheel disk brakes, traction control, 16" wheels, 6 disk cd changer, power driver seat, side air bags, audio controls on the steering wheel and i can't think of anything else right now. what's still missing from the ex v6 you ask. leather seats, automatic climate control, alloys, home link, side curtain air bags, fake (but it looks good) wood/titanium trim, moon roof, power passenger seat and i can't think of anything else right now.

    it's mandatory for me to have the alloys so if i were to get the lx v6, i would have to pay extra for that. so i said the hell with it and got the ex v6 for not that much more.

    if you want a little more vibration and noise you can always get nissan's v6 engine. the smoothness from the accord 5 speed auto/v6 is amazing.
  • indydriverindydriver Member Posts: 620
    I'm zeroing in on the Ex (got to have leather). I haven't driven them yet but I will test drive the 4 cyl stick and the auto V6 (got to have a four door, so the manual V6 is out). I currently drive a 250hp V6 with autostick so I don't know if I can go back to a 4 or not. However, I do have high regards for Honda 4 cyl technology based on my motorcycle days. I still have an '83 Interceptor in the barn-a V4(!) and one of the first street engines to produce 100hp/l.

    For those of you with 4 cyl manuals, I would be interested in hearing your evaluations of the clutch and shifting action, rev-ability, likes, dislikes, concerns, problems etc.
  • ivan_99ivan_99 Member Posts: 1,681
    I'm not sure what the viscosity range was. It may have been 5w50. Since I usually go to the limit before oil changes I thought I would get what every synthetic they offered\recommended.

    <As for the Audi and Infiniti service.. well its probably because it was an AUDI and INFINITI and not a Honda. >

    heh...you're not suggesting it's Honda policy to hangup on people? The Honda dealers I've had experience with don't seem to be very professional. I don't have a good feeling leaving my car with them (or most mechanics for that matter)
  • moolmanmoolman Member Posts: 129
    ivan_99, there's bad and there's good, unfortunately in your are, they are bad. My local honda dealers, Lodi and Stockton Honda are very good for the most part. Of course it's not Lexus like service but always courteous and good service. I always feel bad cause I didn't buy the car from them and they had to fix my warranty repairs.

    The compass for the Accord comes with the auto dimming rear view mirror, hence the $300 with install. It's not just a compass, who the heck would pay $300 for a compass unless you were retarded, just get a $2 compass at Wal-Mart.

    Also, there is a 5W20 blend out, not sure about full synthetic. Mobil 1 has the 0W20 syn that you use instead of the 5W20. But just save your money, just change your oil every 5K with any correct weight oil and your engine will out last the rest of the car.

    Alex
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    I don't have one, but during my test drive I thought the clutch felt fine (as good as my Integra). It was also plenty quick (significantly faster than my Integra), and I would say as quick as most v-6 automatics out there (or in the same leage anyway). Hard to ignore the 34 mpg highway. Not too many years ago that is what a Corolla with the 1.6 liter engine (and manual tranny) was rated at (I had one).

    If you are old like me you remember Corvettes and Mustangs that were no faster than this 4-cyl Accord (with the manual anyway).
  • tgozdalski1tgozdalski1 Member Posts: 34
    Few days ago I took a test drive of 2003 lx Accord manual transmission. Right now we own 2000 lx 5 speed with 108,000 miles. After test drive I was a little disappointed, after reading so many reviews on new Accord I expected more of the improvement. The car seemed, at least to me, so similar to our 2000 Accord that I did not feel the need to upgrade to a new model. One thing I noticed after a short, 20 minutes drive. The front seat seems to be more comfortable then in our car, much better lumbar support for a short 5.7 person like me. The new Accord is a very fine car, it just does not seem to be so much better then previous model.
    Tom
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Where do you live? I'm gonna make sure I don't call THOSE dealerships.
  • moolmanmoolman Member Posts: 129
    tgozdalski1, hard to improve upon perfection... haha.. but seriously, from a 2000 to a 2003, since it is the same make and model, even though there was a redesign, I wouldn't expect something revolutionary. Slight improvements in look, power, safety, etc. Enough to get the Accord line going.

    Alex
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    i've noticed more than slight slight improvements from my 98 accord to my 2003 accord. i don't know how you can miss them, but if you can't then no point in getting one.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Appreciate your support of Hondas...BUT...

    Don't try to drag race an old Corvette with your fourbanger Accord.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Some of them were over 7 seconds to 60 car in the 80's. Emmissions killed the sports cars.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    A 1979 Corvette could barely go 125 mph, a 4 cyl Accord will go 135. They are both a little under 8 seconds to 60. I think I was pretty clear about not meaning any old Corvette, obviously they were faster in the 60's, and from the mid 80's till now.

    BTW it is not Honda I support, it is just the modern 4-cyl engine. Passat and Altima are in the same boat in this regard. The V-6 is superflous.

    I can't tell you how many people say things like "I just need a V-6 because I am used to the power" and it turns out they are driving a Taurus with a 140 hp V-6 that is significantly slower than a 4-cyl Accord (or Passat, or Camry, or Altima).
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I don't count the sorry early eighties Corvettes.

    That was a sad time in automotive history.

    Just don't take on a mid sixties Vette. Even a 327 automatic would clean your clock!
  • bburton3bburton3 Member Posts: 185
    Have owned nothing but I4's but the additional torque and HP of the V6 would be good in the 30 to 60 mph acceleration range. Have a couple of entrance ramps that have short merge areas and are uphill-more torque/hp would help. On the road when accelerating from 60 to 85 the I4 is more than ample. Guess I could really wind out the I4 on those acceleration ramps but do not like to hear any engine howl-particularly mine.

    Also did someone post some info about the new I4's having a chain timing belt in place of the "rubber" belt on current models. I assume the life of the chain driven would be for the life of the engine-if so that is one less trip to the dealer-or maybe 2 if you keep your vehicles for over 200K like I do.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    We have just over 13,000 miles on our 03 5-speed manual coupe and here are my observations:

    Pros:
    1. Clutch and shifter are Honda-precise
    2. Engine is smooth and has power no matter where you are in the rev range or the speedometer.
    3. I am getting 32MPG on average.
    4. Car feels just as fast as my 2001 EX V6.

    Cons:
    1. Darn thing has an aversion to going the speed limit
    2. I know there is a 240HP/6-speed out there somewhere.

    I also had a 99 EX 5-speed and the 2.4L is much improved when it comes to quietness and power. The 2.3L was no slouch and it was very smooth but you can really feel the extra torque of the 2.4L though. Shift action is slightly improved in the 03 but all the Hondas I have owned shift great. If I had a choice between my 99 and the 03 I would take the 03.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    I should preface my remarks a little. I have never driven the new Accord with an automatic, so I don't know how that drives. One of my biggest problems with automatics is in situations like on ramps where you have to floor the car to get it to down shift to get some power (suppose you could do it manually though). In a manual you can drop it down a gear or two to just where you need it and take off smoothly with the power you need, at the revs you want.
  • s852s852 Member Posts: 1,051
    It's nice to have, but not needed. I like the V6 power for extra smoothness and quietness and "extra" power for the entertainment value of feeling acceleration G's.
    It's funny to hear people justify getting the V6 because "in their area," the freeway onramps are short, so 4 cylinder cars like 160-180HP Altimas and Accords have inadequate power to merge into the slow lane of traffic.
    However hundreds of people manage with "inadequately powered" 4 cylinder cars, motorhomes, cars and pickups pulling trailers and even with 3 cylinder Geo Metro automatics and Toyota gas/electric hybrids without endangering their families lives due to the double digit 0-60 times.
  • talon95talon95 Member Posts: 1,110
    "However hundreds of people manage with "inadequately powered" 4 cylinder cars, motorhomes, cars and pickups pulling trailers and even with 3 cylinder Geo Metro automatics and Toyota gas/electric hybrids without endangering their families lives due to the double digit 0-60 times."

    Yeah, they just endanger my life when I get stuck behind them on an onramp... ;)

    I got the V6 for the entertainment value, definitely.
  • moolmanmoolman Member Posts: 129
    Got my V6 because of the side curtain air bags, peace of mind.

    Alex
  • pmaricpmaric Member Posts: 4
    In Canada, Honda does not have side curtain air-bags option on any Accord model. Is that going to change for 2004?
  • indydriverindydriver Member Posts: 620
    I am enjoying the give and take on this subject. As one who plans to buy but has yet to test drive, I will be very interested on the "fun-to-drive" quotient of the 4 cyl manual v. 6 cyl auto. I am not really considering the coupe so don't have the choice of getting the EX-L with the 6 and a stick. Going back and reading the mag reviews on the introduction of this generation Accord, one reviewer even stated that the 4 cyl/stick 4 door was his favorite drive for entertainment value. Do you folks think it is possible to buy one now for invoice?
  • mikek37mikek37 Member Posts: 411
    You sure can.. it all depends on your market location
  • ian2ian2 Member Posts: 168
    I have a Civic with 106HP and I don't have problem getting on highways and nor do I redline the engine to keep up with traffic. Getting to highway speed is a piece of cake when you can whip around the on-ramp at 50mph. The 4-cyl Accord is just fine (actually much more powerful) for getting up to highway speed in a blink of an eye. It's those people who go around the on-ramp at the speed limit that are creating safty hazards! 240HP is a lovely thing to have as I've witnessed my friend blasting up a very steep hill at 100mph, but for me, the economy of the 4 suits me better.
  • aggie1995aggie1995 Member Posts: 318
    If you are in the DFW area e-mail me off list and I'll give you the name of my salesman who sold me my Accord at invoice 1 month ago.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Check http://www.honda.ca

    They have all the specs for CDN cars there.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    The V6 woulda been nice but I love getting 30+ MPG and good performance out of a mid-size car.
  • talon95talon95 Member Posts: 1,110
    And I love getting almost 30 mpg on the highway and really kick-[non-permissible content removed] acceleration with the V6. It's not so much that I use it all the time, but I love to know it's there when I want it or need it.

    Each of us has his or her priorities, that's why cars are available in so many different configurations.
  • maxpower02maxpower02 Member Posts: 103
    but, recently it was also very entertaining. An 03'EX pulls along side me at a stop light. We were the first cars in each lane. Four young "women" want to drag race the old guy in his gray sedan. The EX takes off, starts to pull away, I just kicked it down to the passing gear and well, lets just say I was waiting for them at the next light. Didn't want to race anymore, felt pretty good until my wife starts calling me an old fool.
  • indydriverindydriver Member Posts: 620
    I drove the EX-L first with the 4 cyl manual, then the V6 auto. First of all, both were lovely automobiles. I am 6'-4", 250 lbs and I don't fit in a lot of cars. I found the seating in this car to be just about perfect. With the power seat adjusted all the way back and down, I had plenty of leg, knee and head room. I was very pleasantly surprised by the telescoping steering wheel, which I pulled all the way out. This provided a very comfortable reach with both elbows on armrests. The feel of the leather seats and steering wheel was very nice-better quality than in my 300M. The clutch/shifter action was as good as Honda's reputation--smooth and just about perfect. I found the 4 cyl manual to be plenty peppy, even with the a/c on (although it noticably robs power). It requires a downshift to pass but hey, that's what its all about right? The all-important "fun-to-drive" quotient was very satisfying. The suspension in this combination is just about perfect. It is tightly damped, with good wheel travel, well controlled. The only negative (easily fixable) was the low grip Michelins. It was very easy to make them squeal and slide.

    Next, I drove the V6 auto. 80 more hp is always a good thing. The 5 sp auto did everything fine. But, when you drive these two cars back-to-back, the extra 250 lbs on the nose of the car is very noticeable. In fairness, I was looking for this effect having read a mention of it in one of the auto mag reviews. The front suspension felt like it had an extra weight on it, as though some of the suspension travel was already used up. It definitely understeers more heavily and has a less "tossable" feel to the handling. On the highway, the suspension was slightly less compliant again, imparting a feeling of being a little used up by the extra weight.

    Next thing is color. My first choice is silver but I also liked the look of the graphite and would consider either. The dealer where I test drove claims to be the largest in the five state area (I'm in Indiana-sorry Aggie). They had 300 Accords on the lot. Of these, only one was EX-L with manual. They claim this is a very low volume configuration. Further, they claim Honda does not allow them to order a car from the factory! They get an allocation and would be receiving no cars with this configuration over the next two months! They claim to swap cars with another dealer is a mandated $500 charge by Honda. Is this BS or what?

    Since they correctly perceived that I am a serious buyer, we touched on price a little. The casual conversation was, "we can get you close to invoice". I think I'm going to visit another dealer lot or two.
  • aggie1995aggie1995 Member Posts: 318
    "They claim this is a very low volume configuration."

    It is...when I bought mine it was the only un-sold EX-L Manual in the Five State region of Texas, Ok, New Mex, La, & Arkansas.

    It is a low volume configuration making it very hard to buy and potentially hard to sell since the market for 5spd/4cyl/4 dr sedans is limited. Except on this board of course.

    "Further, they claim Honda does not allow them to order a car from the factory!"

    Same story i heard from my dealer

    "They get an allocation and would be receiving no cars with this configuration over the next two months!"

    Again same story

    "They claim to swap cars with another dealer is a mandated $500 charge by Honda. Is this BS or what?"

    This part might be BS since my dealer offered to get any car in that 5 state region to me for no additional cost. The dealer would rather sell what he has in inventory rather than get another one. Especially a 5spd and what happens if your financing fell through, he just doesn't want to be stuck with it.

    "Close to invoice..."

    You can get invoice. Go through the internet sales of all your local dealerships. Send them an e-mail saying that you want to get their best price on the exact car you want. You can even tell them someone offered you close to invoice on a 4dr Ex-L manual to give them a starting point.

    Good luck. I test drove both like you did and came away with the same conclusion that the 4cyl was perfect for my needs. and it was more fun to drive also. (IMHO)
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    We had to wait 3 months to find a EX-L 5-speed coupe. Even now, after a few months of browsing around Honda dealers looking for a 5-speed Element, we have yet to see another EX-L 5-speed. This is in Atlanta where there are several Honda dealers with a pretty large selection of Accords.
  • mae2mae2 Member Posts: 6
    I purchased a LX $500.00 below invoice in Indy
    before taxes, contact me if you want the name of the dealer. Patmk1@msn.com
  • moolmanmoolman Member Posts: 129
    Hi aggie1995,

    I would not buy from this dealer just from the lie about the $500 charge for a dealer trade. If they lie to you on that what else are they lieing about. Anyway, bottom line is doesn't matter what configuration, if it's rare or whatever, no honda accord is rare. A rare honda accord is a paradox. Rare=Accord does not compute..haha.. just imagine, if by some freak chance 5speed EX-L's were the hottest car around, honda can pump them out at the factory, the next day. So basically whatever BS they give you, just pay $200 over invoice at the most. Also, they make so little of that model because the demand is so low and hard to sell, thus the reason it is rare. You're doing them a favor by buying the car nobody else wants. ;)

    Good luck

    Alex
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    You can say the car is rare and still pay invoice. He as talking about the car being rare in reference to locating one. In that aspect a 5-speed EX-L Accord is rare. Is it rare enough to pay extra for? No. That's why we don't have a 5-speed Element yet.
  • pmaricpmaric Member Posts: 4
    Dindak,

    It doesn't have 2004 info.
  • aggie1995aggie1995 Member Posts: 318
    I didn't think I was going to get answers to questions I never asked.

    But I agree. Like I stated before I bought a 03 EX-L 5spd at invoice. I would not have paid more than that even if one was not available when I was looking.

    INDY: Keep checking out other dealers. Followup with mae2, to get the name of a dealer in your part of the world that is selling below invoice. $500 below is amazing.
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