Older Honda Accords

hmurphy · September 2003

I know what you're talking about. I came from a Camry, which in retrospect was quite insulating. On even slightly uneven roads, the EX-V6 does have a "washboard" feel. I don't have any alignment problems. I think it's just a much stiffer suspension than I'm used to, and probably more stiff than in previous Accords. I still love driving it, but I do grit my teeth sometimes on side streets.

justin · September 2003

Accords that are built in July of 03 - Safe bets? Or are the 04's going to have the bigger brake rotors, and people should wait? EX-V6 potential buyer here....

Thanks.

03lxv6 · September 2003

rob,

They did nothing else beyond the oil change. Though an item gasket is listed under parts section, which costs about $1. I haven't heard before that oil change has something to do with gasket.

I expect the car washed after the oil change with such a steep price but it was not. This dealer is the dealer where I bought the car.

By the way, it looked like everything is san francisco bay area is much pricier than somewhere else.

mwu · September 2003

Hello all:

I have a 99 Honda Accord LX. A few days ago the warning brake light would come in in the morning and keep on about 30 min before it goes disappear. I know that I am not driving with the hand brake on. Everything about the engine seems fine. Now the same thing happens in every morning's half hour. Hopefully its nothing to bad. .I was wondering if any other owners are having the same problem.

justin · September 2003

check your brake fluid reservoir under the hood. if it is not at the full mark, fill it with Honda brake fluid. you would be surprised at what that might do to fix the warning light.

winbro · September 2003

for pulling to the left. alignment was in spec so they say, but in reality, the pulling only happens on certain stretches of road (just happens to be the road I take to work). but other roads the car rides with no pull.

and #2 for moonroof rattle. their answer for that was to lube some of the working parts & seals. was slightly better.

winbro · September 2003

I know this is off topic here, but I can find any other fit for my question. anyone with any experience with honda snow blowers?

after last winter in the NE I am looking. they seem kind of pricey when compared to other brands.

anyone with experience with Ariens? or Troy-bilt?

e-mail me if you do not want to take up space here

tinoman1@yahoo.com

venus537 · September 2003

i don't know the answer to your questions but i thought i would give you this link for changes for the 04 model year. would you be interested in a XM Satellite Radio?

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=133745

dindak · September 2003

I have a Craftsman 9 hp snow blower and it's been excellent for 4 years now. Don't buy anything much less than 9 hp or you won't have enough power to get through the tuff stuff.

tblazer503 · September 2003

gotta agree w/ justin... probably after about 1/2 hour of driving, your brake fluid warms up enough to push the float up... probably right on the borderline of being low... btw... you should not be losing brake fluid if this is the case.. I would have it checked out.

tblazer503 · September 2003

gotta agree w/ justin... probably after about 1/2 hour of driving, your brake fluid warms up enough to push the float up... probably right on the borderline of being low... btw... you should not be losing brake fluid if this is the case.. I would have it checked out.

inkie · September 2003

The gasket is a washer that goes onto the oil plug to prevent leaks. Its usually changed every time you remove the oil plug.

indydriver · September 2003

I test drove the V-6 back-to-back with the 4 and found the 4 to be much more compliant due to the lighter front end. It seemed to me that both cars must have the same shocks and suspension settings because I really noticed the difference with the extra 150 lbs on the nose of the six. It felt just like having a passenger when you're used to an empty car. Some of the suspension was already compressed giving a less compliant ride. I wouldn't call it "nervous". If you have to have a six, there's a lot you can do with tires and tire pressures to influence handling, ride, and noise. Make sure you buy the right car, you can always fix the tires.

justin · September 2003

I really don't think I want to have to have XM radio. Doesn't that mean you are forced to take an aftermarket looking head unit. and what happens if after 3 months you don't renew the subscription?

i am not liking that Honda is teaming up with others mfgrs that way. just like OnStar...who wants a blue button in their Acura, standard?

mwu · September 2003

Thanks a lot. Do I need to have the all brake fluid replacement now or just adding some? It is a 4 yeas old car...

mwu · September 2003

Thanks a lot. Do I need to have the all brake fluid replacement now or just adding some? It is a 4 yeas old car...

justin · September 2003

for now, just add some. see if that helps. i don't know the maintenance schedule for your car. not sure if brake fluid has to ever be flushed out or not....

s852 · September 2003

Just cancel the subscription or don't signup for the free 3 months in the first place. It still has an AM/FM radio and CD player built in. It isn't as if you can't use the radio at all if you don't subscribe to XM.

justin · September 2003

does it look different from the 03 unit on the outside?

does anyone know, the EX-V6 radio, how nice is it? how many watts or whatever? decent speakers?

pj23 · September 2003

They don't look any different than the '03s from the outside, except for the addition of one (I think) button. It doesn't look aftermarket at all. Pictures are on the Honda website.

jfaircloth · September 2003

Just bought a 2004; the XM is integrated into the radio unit and if you don't subscribe, you just get a "preview" version of about 8 stations. The radio looks the same except for the wording on 1 or 2 buttons. Regular AM/FM radio is still there. The satellite receiver on the exterior of the car is well designed and is painted the same color as the rest of the car, so it blends in pretty well.

ken972 · September 2003

On the topic of the v6's ride compared to the 4cyl model. Is the suspension of both cars the same? Does honda just drop a 4cyl or v6 in a particular car without beefing up the suspension or making up for the extra weigh some how? Just seems weird. Is that a common thing to do? I imagine they figured it wasnt needed..but does effect the ride. As indydriver says..I imagine a different set of tires would do the trick.

Another question I had is the appearance of fog lights on the car. I havent seen them in person. Do they look like an add on or like they came from the factory? I would be cool to have a switch for them as well. So you could turn them on/off when needed not just anytime the headligts are on.

And finally I understand Canadian Accords come with heated side mirrors. Anyway to add them to a U.S. Accord? I notice on EXV6 models there is a space left open next to the traction control and sunroof switches. Is it as easy as a switch, wire and new mirrors? I havent heard of anyone trying that mod.

vtec2 · September 2003

Are the tires that come on the car Energy MXV4 S8's?

My friend's mother has this car and burst a tire on a curb. The local tire shops say it's $230 per tire.

I found it at the Tire Rack for $129. I want to make sure that this is the right tire for this car though.

serendip · September 2003

I was told the space near the TCS and sunroof buttons is where the switch for the fog lights would go. You do turn them off or on, and they work with low beams.

I haven't seen fog lights on the car, either. This is my first car without them, and I hope I don't need them - $500 installed at dealer. I'm waiting until I've driven in fog - I'm hoping these headlights are better enough than my former cars (Dodge, Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler) that I won't need them.

According to the manual, the switch for the heated mirrors is to the left of the switch for the mirrors.

dindak · September 2003

Don't you get 12 months free with the car?

lichtronimo · September 2003

I tried On-Star on a Cadillac we rented on a recent vacation. I thought the concerie service was awesome. We used it to call ahead to an always busy restuarant so that our table was waiting when we pulled to the curb. We also used it for more mundane tasks such as finding a Target store in an unfamilar City.

I don't know if I'd pay for the service in my home State/City, but it was very cool to use on vacation.

rueshan · September 2003

Honda has done an excellent job of integrating the XM radio into the navigation screen on my 2004 Accord. You can even use the voice command to access any of the 171 stations available without even looking at the radio display. The nav screen displays the channel name, the name of the artist and the name of the song for every song on every channel. I also was skeptical about having to pay for music in my car, but after one road trip with this marvelous system, I will not complain about the monthly fee. Just a few words from a very satisfied customer.

jdexter23 · September 2003

I've read that a strut tower brace is probably the best bang for your buck bolt on performace part. Does anybody have any information on these kinds of mods for a 2003 accord? I am looking to make this car corner a little better without having to replace the tires just yet.

Thanks

jfaircloth · September 2003

You get 3 months for free (at least with the EX 4-cyl.) The dealer has to activate it somehow; my dealer hasn't done that yet so I'm taking it in today to get it taken care of. This is new to the dealers so they seem to be a little clueless (or at least my dealer does).

jmess · September 2003

A strut brace is probably the least bang for your buck in terms of handling. The most bang is a set stiffer sway bars. I would add sway bars, shocks, and springs first. Unless I was going to track the car or autox I would probably pass on the strut bars altogether; they don't provide any real noticeable improvement in the handling of the car and are more for show on a street car.

A strut brace is easy to install and you can open your hood and show it to your friends but sway bars will provide real world improvement in handling the you will immediately feel.

melman872 · September 2003

Hello, I have a question. Do Hondas have a leveling system? I hope this doesn't sound like a stupid question. I ask this because there are times, while my car is sitting in the garage, I hear a whining sound (not very loud) coming from the back of the car. I have a 1998 Honda Accord EX V6 with 106,000 miles on it. This whining sound lasts about 3 seconds, and it usually does this about every 2 or 3 minutes or so. Sometimes I don't hear it at all. What's the deal? Is this normal? Has anyone else experience this? Other than that, I've had very few problems with my car - still gotta get the fuel gauge sending unit replaced though because of the inaccurate fuel gauge reading.

gbriank · September 2003

Honda is offering this as a dealer installed option. How does it fare?

davegod75 · September 2003

My 03 ex-v6 has dealer installed fog lights.

link to pics

http://photos8.msn.com/viewing/album.aspx?m7A!X9U3q6bynoZEhFj0Uyb- THFo4kB2AYzg5CXunqWz1O80QS111meX1YzIojsY6eRO0GuEDSX3j0zF41GrLlhb4- NQj2ZNiOgJ9YuZHWdqbMgeADjrFoqw$$

lichtronimo · September 2003

Nice pics, nice car. How do you like the Graphite color?

For anyone else with a silver car, how hot does that interior get (particuarly with leather) during the summer?

ken972 · September 2003

Hi dave, thanks for the pics! Looks like we both have good taste..you have the exact model and color that im interested in. have you thought of installing a deckild spoiler?

serendip · September 2003

Dave - thanks for the photos! They don't look "added on" at all. (Beautiful car - but I suppose most of us think so!)

Have you had a need to use the fog lights yet? If so, do they add a great deal of light? In my last two cars (89 Sundance and 99 Cirrus) the headlights weren't terrific, so between fog and lack of street lights, I used the fog lights often.

ken972 · September 2003

hey..is that a pin stripe on the side of your car? I was curious about the look that created.

emale · September 2003

melman,

you are prolly just hearing the fuel pump. if you turn the key to accessory, but not start, can you hear the whine for a few seconds??

davegod75 · September 2003

I love the graphite color. I thought it was the one with the most "class".

The interior doesn't get too bad although I would recommend a sun shade. It cools down quickly with the gray leather.

I'm not a fan of spoilers usually. It was just too much extra to justify on something cosmetic, although the fog lights are almost just cosmetic. however they do add quite a bit of light 4-7 feet right in front of the car. It's Big difference when I press the button on and off. I pretty much just leave them on all the time.

I like the factory fog lights mainly for what serendip mentioned. They don't look "added on"

Yes it is a pin strip. The dealer I went to has stripes, mud flaps, and wheel locks on every single one of their cars. I really didn't want it but I don't mind the look.

jdexter23 · September 2003

My Silver 03EX isn't as bad in the sun as I thought it would be. I usually use the remote window lowering feature as I walk toward the car to help the heat disapate. But also, I live in Massachusetts, so I don't know how the same car would fair in Texas...

aggie1995 · September 2003

The silver is actually pretty good in the heat. It doesn't build up heat the way a black car would regardless of the interior color. The Black leather that the Silver comes with does get hot, but not so bad that the AC system can't cool it off in a few minutes. The remote-roll-down-window feature is very nice and I take advantage of it often. I only wanted the black leather interior so that's how I ended up with a silver car. If I had a choice I would have gotten graphite also. The grey interior just doesn't do it for me.

If you guys ever have a chance to look the grey leather in the coupe is darker and richer than the grey leather in the sedan. If that was available I would have chosen the grey interior.

lichtronimo · September 2003

I wish they had the black leather with more exterior colors like black or blue. It definately the highest quality looking interior.

BTW, I must be a true Hondaphile as last night I followed a 7th Generation almost all the way home and decided that even the back end of the car is pretty good looking...

aggie1995 · September 2003

Hondaphile!!

Naaaa you are just sick! Get help quickly.

I think a Silver EX-L Manual would solve the problem

fjm1 · September 2003

Strut Tower Brace: I heard the Acura TL-S rear sway bar is a direct bolt in for 7th Gen Accord. Better performance and probably cheaper than a tower brace too.

I'm suprised noone said TIRES. By far the best bang for the buck handling mod.

Fog lights/Spoiler: I think both look great on Accords. The tail, to me, helps draw that droopy butt UP. The two cost about the same as a dealer option. OEM foglights are cheaper than the dealer quotes and easy to install. The rear wing price difference between dealer installed and DIY is much smaller.

tblazer503 · September 2003

sway bars(especially with the double wishbone suspension) will help to maintain a better contact patch on the ground as well as slightly balancing the weight ratio l/r. but then again, these energy blah blah michelins are junk anyway. =oP

shark13 · September 2003

does anyone know if honda is still offering this?? it is listed on edmunds until 9/30, but cannot find evidence of it on the honda site. thanks.

robertsmx · September 2003

Autosite Rebate Report is also a good source to find latest rebates around. Based on the data that currebtly exists, the rebate is on until 09/30.

bunk1968 · September 2003

I would like any opinions offered on the used car buying choices I have.
I am trying to decide between getting a 2000 Honda V6 Ex Accord (Coupe) 4-speed auto with 23000 on it for $15500, or Volkswagon Passat 2002 1.8T GLS 5- speed manual with 16581 on it for $16500, or a 2003 Subaru Legacy Special Addition Package 5-speed manual with 9600 miles for $15900??
I know these may be strange cars to compare, but this is what I am looking at. I like the Passat for it's individuality and somewhat sportiness, I like the Accord for it's reliability and looks, and I like the Subie for the fact that I don't see one every mile on the roads where I live. All wheel drive could come in handy where I live, but I would not want to sacrifice too much gas mileage to have it.
I am concerned about the reliability of both the VW and the Subie. I have heard that VW's are great cars, but they do not come close to the reliability of Japanese makers and I don't like having to use premium fuel. Subie's I know nothing about. Are their interiors quiet? Do they have good gas mileage? IS THEIR RELIABILITY GREAT, GOOD, FAIR, OR BAD? I have owned and enjoyed Honda's in the past, but in a way I would like to have something different. Any general or specific comments on these makes or particular models would be appreciated.

P.S. I guess if I wanted to I could get a brand new Civic Ex for the amount I am looking to spend?
Any ideas?

P.S.S. OH, AND PLEASE COMMENT ABOUT RESALE VALUE FOR THESE MODELS IF YOU CAN.

Thanks!!

anonymousposts · September 2003

bunk: I too am a long-time Honda owner. And I too have had moments where I "just wanted something different". Both times I branched out I ended up aching to get back in a Honda. Buy the one that you like most and fits your needs best.

VW's quality is average. You can get a good one but you also have a good chance of getting a bad one. Passat is a nice car, very nice car. But I couldn't bring myself to disregard the bad rep VW has unless I received a remarkable deal.

I've actually heard good things about Subaru and Consumer Reports backs this up. I recently considered a Subaru but didn't like the engine/clutch combination. Otherwise, I loved all of the cold-weather extras that the Subaru had.

The Accord is bullet-proof. I had two Accords from the 98-02 generation and both were flawless. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to buy another one.

Resale value will go the the Accord and Passat with the Subaru slightly behind depending on where you live. Probably not a big enough difference between the three to concern yourself with though.

bunk1968 · September 2003

Thank you very much.
I really have nothing bad to say about Honda. As far as the VW goes, I think it is pretty clear that most agree they have reliability issues, or at least some quality control issues and even though I LOVE some of the VW's, I don't think I want to take the chance.
I would really like to go with the Subie, but right now the biggest factor holding me back is that Edmunds rated the Legacies engine a 4 out of 10 and the trans a 6 out of 10 and that REALLY does not look good to me. I just wish I knew what exactly they were basing this on. I looked at some of their reviews and did not really see why this car would be rated so low in these catagories? If someone knows let me know.
Thanks.

Older Honda Accords

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy