Older Honda Accords

cduong · July 2003

I am looking for a used car for my college kids. Can you give me some ideas your input on Auto vs Standard transmission in term of reliability. There is a '92 Accord with Standard transmission, not sure about the asking price yet, it's from my friend's 2nd car. Thanks

seaf · July 2003

just stating my opinion based on my own personal analysis. Take it for what it is.

berbel · July 2003

tblazer503:

Thanks for the input re syn oil and filter. Questions: Did you happen to ask your service dept.
about substituting 0-20 weight for 5-20 weight. I
understand Mobil suggests that 0-20 is appropriate
but excuse my cynicism....they're out to sell oil.
Also, the Purolator filter you're using..........
is that a "premium" filter or just their "oem re-
placement" standard filter?

ppnff: You mentioned that you think the EX V-6 is
comparable in acceleration to the G35. I've driven
a G35 and it will "put you back in the seat with
gusto." I haven't really "pushed" my V-6 yet.....
still taking it easy with the new ride but so far,
I kinda think the G35 would smoke it. Apparently.
you have had a contrary experience??

berbel

aggie1995 · July 2003

probably off the line but over the 1/4 mile or 1/2 mile the Accord would come on strong. But I agree from a seat of the pants approach, the G35 feels much faster. But the Accord V6 seems so willing from 50+ MPH that I could see how someone would say that it feels as fast as the G35

robr2 · July 2003

Until I owned a Ford (GM's, Honda's, Chryslers), I never had a car in which the front doors would open from the inside without unlocking. I thought that was the dumbest idea. I could only imagine back in the old days when little kids rode up front and they're always playing with something...

As for auto locking doors - I wouldn't want those either. Why should the doors lock when I'm moving the car to the end of the driveway so my kids can play?

I guess it's all about preference.

fryingbologna · July 2003

Automatic transmission btw, if you were wondering.

No complaints on the side airbags making any weird noises, and the locks not unlocking when opening the door from the inside has been a pain, but I have always thought that a locked door can help save you in an accident. Better to be locked than unlocked most of the time (that's how I justify it, anyway).

The 96 Sentra runs like a little top, 127,000 KM (about 70K miles) and I have had it serviced regularly. Cheap to run, but a little too small and underpowered for my 6'1" frame (I had a 4 cyl Ford Ranger before that, so its my turn for some HP!). I just hope resale is OK on it; I bought it partly because I thought it would be reliable and would hold some value.

Replacement? Right now, the SUVs I am looking at are the Subaru Forester, Honda Element and Nissan Murano. The CRV is too small in the driver's seat for me, and the RAV4 has brutal crash test ratings. For fun, test drive a Highlander and roll down ONLY the rear two windows! HOO-AHH, it feels like your ear drums will rupture!! I might just end up with another sedan, as I said, because the value for your buck is just so good with the Accord/Camry type of vehicle. Oh, woe, where is that wicked Accord Wagon the Brits have?

ppnff · July 2003

Berbel: I am in the same situation as you are in terms of new Honda Accord EX V6 and taking it easy on the acceleration. Given how quick the V6 accelerates currently while I "baby" it, my initial impression is that if I pushed it like the way I pushed the G35 loaner, it would likely be similar. Note that the G35 was a loaner and I had loads of fun with its loud engine and super aggressive acceleration. In a few months, I should have a better sense on a true comparison. In the meantime, I save on regular gas, lower monthly payments, nicer interior, and lower insurance.

jdexter23 · July 2003

My side curtain airbags don't make any noise at all. I'd definatley bring that to the dealer's attention. Not only is it an annoyance, it could pose a safety hazard.

Whats the actual 0-60 time on the 03 EXv6? I've read reviews that range from 6.6 sec - 8.0 sec...Anyone have a reliable source for this information?

Thanks

alpha01 · July 2003

I consider Car and Driver very reliable, and the EX V6 sedan they tested in the October 02 issue ran 7 flat to 60.

~alpha

berbel · July 2003

Aggie:

I would think you're right just based on the dif-
ference in horsepower ratings alone and the fact
that the VQ 6 is such a free revving engine. Frank-
ly though, in spite of the fact that I have not
really "pushed" the new EX V-6, it just "feels"
like the "potential" is there and waiting to be
exploited. Bear in mind also that
the torque rating on the new Accord V-6 is a little
on the weak side compared to the Nissan V-6 where
its torque is much closer in numbers to its horse-
power rating.

ppnff:

You make good points re the gas, insurance costs
and interior amenities. I added the additional
birdseye maple trim...over and above what was
standard and IMHO the Accord interior is much
classier (is that a word?) and refined than the
G35 which retails for several thousand more than
my Accord! It's also much better looking than the new Maxima.

berbel

mjw24 · July 2003

I've made my decison to purchase a 2004 Accord
EX-L. I'm waiting so I can get the side curtain airbags that are not available on the 2003 EX-L. My question is this: We have a 16 month old and will probably be having another in the next few years. How do the side impact airbags and curtain air bags effect children this small? I've heard horror stories about front impact airbags and children.

midsize · July 2003

I checked with a dealer in my area, for my 1996 Accord Lx Sedan. It is in very good condition, low mileage (56400), 5speed stick shift, rear spoiler. The quote I got was $4500. From edmunds, the trade-in value is above $6000. How can I get a fair trade-in? Or do I have to sell it to private party to get the true value out of it?

s852 · July 2003

They are too small and too high near the roof/windows to touch a baby in a car seat.

robr2 · July 2003

Go over to the real world trade in values and post the info including color, specific location, and specific flaws (ie scratches, dings, tire condition, previous accidents). You may be suprised at the difference of opinion this is for the words "good condition".

The stick is what is killing the value I'll say.

pat · July 2003

midsize, here is the link to the discussion robr2 suggests: Real-World Trade-In Values.

(And yeah, while many of us who hang out here would prefer the manual, it seems that the "real world" wants nothing but automatics. What a bite, eh?)

talon95 · July 2003

The side airbags are only for the driver and front passenger. Since a car seat is NOT supposed to be put in the front, you should have no problems with the side impact bags.

Only the side curtain airbags are provided for both front and rear.

johnnyb11 · July 2003

I recently put a deposit on a 2003 Accord EX Auto 5AT, and I specifically sought out the "J" in the vin due to past discussions that seemed to suggest that more Japanese content and assembly equals more dependability. Any anecdotal evidence out there that this is true of the new Accords, or worse, is there any chance that the "J" cars may be less dependable. I have not taken delivery yet, so can change.

winbro · July 2003

I believe the majority of accords are built in marysville, ohio. (there's an "A" toward the end of the vin#). My window sticker said 65% built in America & 25% from japan. did not say about the other 10%. I read somewhere that the transmissions were built in japan and some of the V-6 motors.

berbel · July 2003

Hey Pat......

Your comment about a lot of folks really preferring
a M/T to an A/T is right on. Unfortunately, "the
company" chooses to "enhance the driving experi-
ence" only with its COUPE. Those of us who prefer
the much roomier sedan are relegated to a A/T only.
Another example of "the company's" shortsighted-
ness, a subject which I have commented on here before!

berbel

seaf · July 2003

A lot of us here do not represent a real-world sample of honda buyers. And to have MT in the sedan probably requires different manufacturing lines, different test facilities, marketing...etc. Honda probably analyzed the gain from the few who would buy such a car is not worth the investment. When you think about it, a sedan is not really supposed to be sporty, it's goal is to transport people comfortably, efficiently, and safely, if sportiness is what you want, honda thinks you'd go after a roadster, convertible, or coupe. I don't think it's shortsightedness by Honda or any other manufacturer, just plain business based on market research.

magbarn · July 2003

I just bought a 03 Accord V6-EX sedan. Besides the town-hall any other good forums for my car?

pat · July 2003

Hi magbarn - congrats on your car and welcome to our Accord discussion.

May I suggest that you just use google or other search engine to find other forums ... our Membership Agreement asks that other message boards not be promoted within the Town Hall.

Thanks!

uga91 · July 2003

"When you think about it, a sedan is not really supposed to be sporty,"

I guess someone forgot to tell the folks at BMW that. IMO, if Honda didn't want to sell someone a MT, then they would not list them as standard equipment. They would do like Mitsubishi did with the Galant and give it a standard automatic transmission.

tblazer503 · July 2003

the J VIN Honda's are assembled in Japan and shipped to a pacific port of entry.

from my car:
US/Canadian part content:65%
Major sources of foreign parts content: Japan 25%

Final Assembly Point: Sayama, Saitama, Japan
Engine: Japan
Transmission: Japan

the only difference may be in the engine origin.

I don't know about reliability issues between "1" and "J" cars...

Edit: my "J" honda is forming surface rust just below the roof runners(black trim running front/back on roof) it's not obvious, but if you look just under the trim, there is rust beginning to form. =o(

ssiu · July 2003

(My first post.) Can anyone confirm whether side curtain airbags will be available for 2004 Canadian models? My particular model of interest is LX-V6 Sedan. Thanks.

isellhondas · July 2003

No angry response from me at all...

I've often said that I firmly believe everyone should drive what they like.

Be a pretty boring road if we all drove Hondas!

quint1 · July 2003

I have a 2003 Accord Ex V6 Sedan, auto. Whenever I let off the gas and the car is coasting, there is a fairly loud humming sound that sounds like its coming from the engine or tranny. I never really noticed it until someone interested in buying my car drove it and stated "thats not normal". Anyone else notice anything like this??

mikek37 · July 2003

Was the AC on?

quint1 · July 2003

hmmm... that's a good point. I think that the AC was on. It was pretty hot here in Minneapolis today. Do you think that would be it? It really did sound like a tranny or engine thing...

ian2 · July 2003

It could be the engine braking. Depending on which gear you're in, does the noise get more pronouced when you downshift? The auto box does that by itself if you're going down a hill.

mikek37 · July 2003

My car experiences a very low hum when the AC is on. I think its a normal noise, most likely te compressor.

mikeysoft · July 2003

Got the same thing.
03 Accord EX, Leather, Navi, 4 cyl, 5 spd stick

quint1 · July 2003

Engine braking in the automatic?

eswanborg · July 2003

On a Honda it's called Grade Logic Control. It helps stop "gear hunting" when you're going up hills (steep ones mostly) and will downshift going downhill if you let off the gas. I'm sure it does more than that too, but off hand it's the easiest explanation I can think of.

quint1 · July 2003

So, that would be the Grade Logic control that is humming? Its some sort of hydraulic / electronic mechanism?

robertsmx · July 2003

Was the gear selection correct? The person could be driving in the third gear, instead of going into the overdrives.

tsxfan19 · July 2003

I think the grade logic is an electronically controlled system that provides 'engine braking' when going down hill.

I'm not sure if the humming sound is caused by the grade logic control system :-/

tsxfan19 · July 2003

does anyone know of any upgrades that Honda plans to introduce on the 04 Accords?

available curtain airbags would be nice across the entire model line up

does anyone ever see any DX model Accords?

tsxfan19 · July 2003

Here's an explanation of Grade Logic on the Honda News site...it talks about the grade logic control on the CRV, but I assume they all use the same concept.

Hope this is informative ;-)

http://hondanews.com/Forms/events/*ws4d-db-query-Show.ws4d?*ws4d-- - db-query-Show***000519***-wieck_media***-***events(directory)***.- - ws4d?events/results(r)_text.html

maxamillion1 · July 2003

I have seen a few DX models here in S. Carolina.

I saw a Desert Mist DX model about two weeks ago.

They are RARE!

tsxfan19 · July 2003

Here in NC, I see DX model 3rd, 4th, and 6th generation Accords.

I was reading somewhere that Nissan only made the 2.5 Altima just to have a low starting price for their Altima line up...for marketing purposes I suppose...maybe Honda is doing the same thing with the Accord.

IMO, I think Honda should stop producing the DX model Accords (just as Toyota did when they stopped producing the CE trim for the Camry).

Again, just my opinion :-)

anonymousposts · July 2003

While getting my oil changed today we saw 2 silver DX Accords. One was an automatic and one was a 5-speed. Nice basic transportation. Nothing fancy but it still looks and feels like a nice car.

winbro · July 2003

just picked up my new accord. A/C is good and certainly keeps cool, but the air does not feel as cold as other cars I've owned. is this because of the dual temperature thing? do others have cool but not icy cold air coming out? so far I seem to have to keep the fan in the middle setting, even after driving 15-20 minutes where in my jeep liberty after 10 minutes, I can turn to the low fan setting & still stay cool

lichtronimo · July 2003

are limited to a change in green colors and availability of side curtain airbags as standard equipment on the EX-L and LX-V6, and as an option on the EX. No side curtain airbags for the DX or LX. These changes were reported by College Hills Honda.

anonymousposts · July 2003

I have a black Accord with black interior and so far I haven't had to cut the temperature below 74. It gets plenty cool for my tastes. Are you manually adjusting the fan speed or are you using the automatic climate control?

northwest1 · July 2003

As an owner of an 03 DX, I am happy that Honda continues to make this trim level. Allows the buyer to get into a new Accord for $2-3K less then would otherwise be the case. I happen to live in an area where a/c is not necessary other than maybe one week a year, so paying $1100+ for that option (if I were forced to buy an LX) is not a great value to me. I agree that the DX line may be just as much a marketing tool to be able to advertise a low starting price...it took me a while to find mine. As for ease of future resale, I agree it will be "harder" than for an LX, but that's my choice to make. I think choice is a good thing. Hopefully we all are informed enough to make the right choice, whether DX/LX/EX/I4/V6.

anonymousposts · July 2003

I think the DX is a great choice if you want a reliable, mid-size sedan for a well-equipped economy car price. You are still getting ABS, power windows?, and the same engine and tranny from higher-priced Accords. Why not buy one if it offers everything you need at a price you want to afford?

aggie1995 · July 2003

Actually it seems to be a terrific bargain...considering dealers will negotiate alot on these models since they are hard to sell and resell. You can have AC Added for 700-800 if you shop around a bit. You can add in the alarm for around $100. Unless you have to have a sunroof or power locks I would tell anyone who is cash concious to pick the 5spd Accord DX over a smaller economy car like a Civic or Corolla. You get ABS, great engine, great gas mileage, tons of room.

w5kap · July 2003

I think I know what you're experiencing with the A/C. One of things the automatic system does is to slow down the fan speed as the air is cooled to at or near the desired level. If you're like me, you are used to putting the manual A/C on recirc and letting the fan blow at the highest level and controlling the temp more by fan speed. With the automatic system, it will do the same thing but once it gets to the desired temp, it slows the fan speed and may even go to outside air. It takes some getting used to for sure as I am used to having copius amounts of fan speed. Since I have the Nav system I can simply say "Fan Speed 5" and the system responds. It does, however, take it out of automatic dual A/C and put it in manual when I do this. Anyhow, just up the fan speed and it will feel like it used to.

isellhondas · July 2003

I live near Seattle too. I use my A/C 12 months out of the year. In the winter it is required in order to defog the windows. Yes, we are lucky to live in a cool climate but, in my opinion, there are a lot more than a few warm days. I know I don't want to sweat in a hot box of a car.

I can't remember when I last sold a DX Accord...I'll bet it's been five years! We try to keep one or two around but they are a HARD car to sell as new and almost impossible to resell as used.

Not bad cars at all...just unpopular.

Older Honda Accords

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