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does anyone know why canadian accords have the low washer fluid light & US ones dont? and why with all the other bells & whistles the doors don't auto lock when you start to move? my jeep doors lock at 15mph
I wish they had the low washer fluid light and the heated side view mirrors... I guess somehow Honda doesn't think that US customers encounter winter conditions.
Some people like auto lock, some don't. I've driven cars with both, and I prefer to control my own locks.
You might be right about the reasons the company
doesn't make a MT available in the sedan. HOWEVER,
I also think that a lot of the reasons you cited
for the company not doing so are assumptions regarding the company's philosophy.
"Sedans are not meant to be "sporty." As was noted
in a post right after yours, "tell BMW that." You
might also tell the folks who have bought a 540i
or an M5..or those who drive a G35 MT or an Acura
TL Type S (MADE BY HONDA) or a Lexus IS 300. I'm
also reasonably sure that there are some Ford Con-
tour SVT's as well as Taurus SHO's floating around
out there with MT's. Your assertion that "sedans
are not meant to be sporty" doesn't hold water,
my friend. Oh, oh....forget one...how about the
265 hp Nissan Maxima SE that Nissan characterizes
as the "sporty Maxima?" Have a nice day!
Incidentally, when Ford brought out the Contour SVT,
it was NOT available with an AT. It was promoted as
a sports sedan and "driver's car." The SVT's thinking
was that a "driver's car" REQUIRES a manual tranny!
berbel
Just because its fast doesnt make it sporty.
For example, the top of the line MB s500 is quicker then the Accord, Maxima and Camry, it has similiar slalom numbers, and has decent handling, but does that make it a sports sedan, NO.
Sedan's arent meant to be sporty, they arent.Its rare to find a company that is able to accomplish this. BMW and Mercedes are ones that come to mind, the M5 yes, the M3 definitely, the Clk series definitely.
Its a tough question, but when Honda and Nissan start dropping the word sporty into their cars, you know something is up.
Just because Honda says the New Accord is more sporty, or that Nissan adds an SE to their car, doesnt make it sporty. The dodge neon has a sport edition, does that make it a sports sedan. The old Taurus, SHO, was defined as sprty by Ford, but we all know it isnt.
I guess it just seems if you're going to have a mid size car, why not have all of the power equipment, and AC...seems crazy to me to have power windows, but no power locks, or mirrors.
Again, only my opinion. I apologize if I offended you.
Ooooh! How about Caravan Sport?
spend a few hours at the Real World Trade In Values board and you'll quickly see that if you own a manual in anything less sporty than a Porche 911 Carerra it is a huge liability come trade in time. This is less of a problem if you lease but, the residuals will be less with a MT there also. That might be part of the reason many sporty sedans, coupes, etc still don't offer a MT no matter how good the engine.
My opinion still holds, a 4 door passenger car is designed to carry people comfortably and efficiently, thus 4 doors. Anything that claims to be sporty is a compromise. Consider a Formula 1 race car, that is designed purely for speed and handling, and then compare it to a 'sport sedan', and realize how wide the gap is between such a concept and what we term 'sport sedan' today.
A lot of the term 'sport' today is mostly marketing-speak, as someone also pointed out, Dodge Neons have the sport edition, SUV's have sport trims... Everyone feels better when they think they drive a car that's sporty...whether it's true or not.
This all brings us back to MT in the Accord sedan, because most people buy the 4 door version to carry people in mind, not to race or drive like a maniac, it's perfectly reasonable for Honda to pass on the MT trim. If someone values sporty driving over convenience in carrying people, then the coupe version is available.
Some may think, "why not have it as an option for those who want it? And the majority who don't, don't have to get it." Well everything has a cost, and I prefer Honda keep its business efficient so we get more value for our money instead of subsidizing every variation in options and packaging. It's the concept behind DX, LX, and EX trim levels, and why Honda is the most profitable mass car manufacturer in the world today. I don't work for Honda or have a stake in their business (in fact I'm most likely getting a Mazda6 as my next car). I'm just interested in this discussion.
That apparently is going to change (and in some regard, has changed). TSX is a sport sedan (apparently sportier than Accord Coupe V6/6-speed), and the new TL will be (supposedly) available with 6-speed and performance package (no all-season tires this time as a disclaimer will warn the buyers about its reduced winter/wet handling abilities and faster wear).
I have an 03 Accord LX. I have the Ivory interior and would really like to add the birdseye trim to the door switches and the center pocket/shifter area. I can't seem to find the birdseye door switch trim anywhere to order, but I've seen SEVERAL pictures of it. Any ideas?
Thanks...
Also, I just ordered an ex accord (03) with a "j" vin number. Any evidence out there that these "j" cars are any more reliable, fewer rattles, etc..??
Honda Factory Performance is expanding its lineup with the addition of an all-new, dealer-installed performance package for the 2003 Honda Accord V-6 Coupe to dealerships nationwide. The package features a high-performance, sport-tuned suspension with recalibrated shocks and springs, new wheels and tires, and an aerodynamic rear spoiler and lower body kit.
Accord Coupe FP:
High-performance pre-assembled springs that reduce the ride height by one-inch and lower the Accord's roll center
High-performance shock absorbers tuned for enhanced road handling characteristics
17-inch 215/50VR-17 Yokohama tires (AT models only; standard on MT models)
Full aerodynamic under-body kit (front, sides and rear)
Rear wing spoiler
Factory Performance interior and exterior badging.
The Accord FP package can be installed on any new 2003 Accord V-6 Coupe (manual or automatic transmissions) and must be installed by a Honda dealership. Suggested retail pricing for the Accord Factory Performance package, not including installation costs, starts at $4,204 for AT versions and $3,492 for MT versions.
The Honda FP package carries the same 3-year/36,000 mile warranty as all Honda Accessory equipment and does not affect the factory warranty. An additional benefit is the ability to include the cost of the FP package in new vehicle financing arrangements.
Wandered about inclusion of lighted steering wheel buttons (EX-V6) and split folding rear seatback would be nice, plus some build quality improvements (body fit and finish).
It is not as if they are a bunch of closely-spaced identically sized and shaped buttons that you need to look at to use.
I don't see any owners saying they can't find the cruise control or audio buttons in the dark.
I hear this quite often..." You would think they would...."
Or..." It would be nice if..."
Then I'll never hear that complaint ever again from anyone else.
It never ceases to amaze me how the salesmen always excuse what is missing from their car as "not important to most people" or some similar phrase. "Most people really don't care." My car has it and it is nice driving at night to be able to tell where the temp, radio scan, cruise buttons are!!!
I guess it's like having a glovebox light that turns on without having to turn on headlights because it has its own switch. I can't understand the 20Cent switch being left out on the accord.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Maybe I missed something in your post, but.......
did you try just ordering the birdseye trim package
through your local dealer's parts dept?
seaf et al: robertsmx & I are willing to compromise
and say that we will simply agree to disagree with you.
I mentioned the Acura TL having full knowledge that
the company is strongly considering making a mt
available when they offer the car with more horse-
power and a more sports tuned suspension, facts I
will keep in mind while checking out a Lexus GS 430
Sports Sedan. A colleague of mine is going to drive
me to the Lexus dealer in his Audi RS6 which he
bought after driving his neighbor's S4.
berbel
I've admired Honda's ergonomics since I purchased my first Honda (Fall 1997), slowly discovering a few things that I never cared about before. And now, I simply hate most cars for the layouts they offer, lighted or not.
To quote an example, the radio controls in my Accord are laid out in perfect symmetry, with anything to do with "forward" on the right side and backwards on the left. Of the six preset buttons, laid out in two rows, the top middle button (preset '2') has a notch (like the "J" & "F" key on your computer keyboard, the idea is the same). This button can help you guide through the rest (you still have to learn the symmetry, but as you get used to it you know where everything is). Simple and cleverly laid out.
Likewise, the cruise control buttons on the steering wheels can be felt and laid out logically ('cancel' divides the Accel on top and Decel at the bottom). Lighted or not, I don't have to look at the buttons to use them and that is always a good thing.
It might defeat the purpose of you still have to look at the buttons at the steering wheel. Once you familiarize yourself with the buttons, you don’t have to look at them when using (which is the purpose in the first place), much more the need for a lighted one.
We have our own opinions about cars and I do respect other peoples comments even if they do not agree with mine – or else there is not much to come back here in the forums if one will just dominate the conversations!
Although I agree, it is neat to have a sutle lighted button.
I currently drive a 1999 Accord EX-L 5-speed. Great car but ready to move to something else. Test drove the 2003 Coupe EX-L 5M and really liked it. Can anyone who owned the 1998-2002 generation compare the 2.3L Vtec engine to the new 2.4L iVtec engine in terms of overall satisfaction and performance. It felt faster and i know it gets better mileage, but I was interested in real world driving observations between the two.
Also, while i was shopping for the new accord coupe, this dealer happen to have a black 6-speed with navi that he said he would give to me for list price, which was 27,900 plus 460. The window sticker said $5,000 dealer markup. I thought the 27,900 with 3.9 financing was a pretty good deal for that car. Any ideas....
Someone may say why don't I use the voice control. You need to remember the voice control's "Grammar" and you have to press a button anyway so why not just press the correct function button. Pressing a button is faster then saying the command. Also, if you use an improper "Grammar" the voice control may do something unexpected. I do use the voice control for some things like "Radio Auto Select" when I travel on the highway.
I also do highway driving mostly after dark so I can't get use to where the cruse control buttons are when I only need them in the dark!
Edmunds cracks me up while also giving you insight into what car designers go through. On one hand we have the "professional" drivers who don't need any electronic aids to help them drive. On the other hand there are those that have to have EVERYTHING. I think Honda has done a pretty even balance. Some cars have NO buttons on the steering wheel. What about Lexus/Toyota's unlighted cruise control knob on the bottom right side of the wheel. Easy to learn that unlit control. Honda did just fine. And I drive 4 different cars.
carsdirect.com shows MSRP of $28,360 in my area as a target price, but I dont know how great I'd feel about buying a volume selling (think nearly 400K per year) vehicle thats been on the market nearly a year at sticker. My guess is that this will definitely come down when the new Solara hits showrooms, (though that will not be available with V6/stick combo).
~alpha
The new Solara is fugly IMO. Nice interior and I'm sure it drives nice but it looks like a Hyundai Tiburon mated with a SC430 and produced one funny looking child. Besides, there will be no manual transmission V6 Solara, at least for the time being.
Good for you.
Honda can only conclude that they should remove the function names printed on the buttons because they are not needed, night or day.
I don't understand why the power windows are lit. Now those are intuitive. The location and up and down action of the buttons make lighting unneccessary.
Isn't it true that the buttons are put on the wheel to make the more frequently used functions easier to access? If they are lit, you'll want to look at them, and thus take your eyes off the road...which is a very bad idea, because if you can see the light, it's probably dark out and you should be watching the road anyway.
just my couple of cents on the illuminated button idea :-)
Honda even gave the engaged light for those that can't figure out when the cruise is operating.
If not we all have the map/cruise control light in the upper console for the odd refresher course for those with poor short term memory.
The biggest safety issue I can think of is the driver that gets confused by operating 2 or three button when there are so many other stimuli to deal with while driving.
the buttons are nice, but with the excellent design of the movable center rest and ergonomic placement of the controls, I find that it is just as easy to use the radio itself, of course I have an ExV6 w/out navi so maybe that is different for those with navi.
as far as the buttons lighting up, I agree it is probably overkill. after all the dash is so bright anyway and there is that little overhead courtesy light and like some of the others have said, takes a few minutes to learn them, even if you have other cars with steering controls as well.
Good point.
I also use the radio buttons, maybe because they have lights. :-)
Where I REALLY need lit buttons is on those stinkin Homelink controls; I cannot (a) find the buttons in the dark (b) see the buttons if the interior dome light is on, glaring in my eyes, and (c) press the button juuussstttt right so that it actually fires and opens the garage door.
I don't have the V6 so I don't have HomeLink but I also dislike the front dome lights coming on when I turn off the car. I set the switch to off so they only light when I press them. I have the back light set to come on when the door is opened and when I turn off the car.
Email me if you are..
Cheers...
Thanks in advance.