I think I would have been happy with the Accord LX 4 cyl. and could have saved much $$$$$$, but I ended up with the EX-L (4 cyl.) which has more on it than I wanted--well, the leather interior in black with silver was just too nice to ignore. Anyway, it does make sense to get the EX because side head-protection, curtain airbags are available on 2004 EX Accords (standard on the EX-L). Go to this site and you'll think seriously about head-protection air bags:
If you think a 90 accord was a sled in snow-either you had really crappy tires or a fwd car is not for you in snow. The stock accord Michelin energy tires are awful in snow and worse on wet-several good tires out there-check out tirerack. You may want to consider buying a set of winter tires mounted on steel rims.
I drive a lot in winter and love seeing the 4wd/suv crowd spun out or on their tops cause they think 4wd means they have better control in snow/ice. It is more about tires and driving ability-particularly when comparing 4wd vs fwd in snow/ice.
Just for the record the standard Michelin tires on the Accord scored very well in the recent consumer reports tire test; in both wet and dry categories.
Robr2 - Thanks for the info. By the time shipping gets added, tirerack.com ends up being just a couple of dollars less. It's interesting that all of the tire places here end up being within a $5 range, and the dealer being $50 more. No, I'm not claiming that it's rigged! <vbg> Thanks for the wheel covers tip, too. Looks like aftermarket all "snap" on - the "real" Honda ones don't - they need to be bolted on?
Doctord33 - I live in VT. Bought the '03 EX V6 at the end of August, so can't comment from experience, but there are so many Accords here that if it didn't do well in the snow, they'd all be off the road. I always put snow tires on my cars, but I'm not worried about the Accord in snow. As for the stock Michelins in the rain - we've had horrific downpours, and I've been driving on "distressed" (what a lovely way to say - "we're fixing the roads, and will get back to them some day") roads, without any problems. Sure, I drive for the conditions, but I don't exactly crawl.
I need some advice on tires rims and tire sizes. I have a 2004 Accord EX-L which have 205/60-R16 on them but I noticed that the 2004 Accord LX model uses 205/65 R15 tires instead of the 16 inch like on my Accord EX model.
I traded in a 1997 Odyssey which had 205/65-R15 tires on them but still have the snow tires. My question is will these 15" snow tires and rims fit on my new Accord which currently have 16 inch rims ? They both have 5 holes, so logically then should fit. Am I missing something ?? Will the ground clearance be lower ?? Why did Honda put 15 inch wheels on the LX but 16 inch wheels on the EX when they have the same engine.
It is my understanding that Honda change the distance between the 5 holes in 2003. I also believe that the wheel offset (how fare in/out the mounting surface is to the center of the wheel) is greater on the 2003s.
serendip - ahh VT. That explains the high cost of steel rims - half the state is trying to buy them. The Honda wheel covers are held on by bolts with a captive retaining washer.
ragtop - the only way to see if they'll fit is to experiment. The outcome of using those rims/tires can be calculated here:
The wheel size difference (15"-17" on the accord) is compensated for in the profile of the tire. They all end up with a wheel that is 25 inches in diameter.
I was VERY unhappy with the Michelin Energy MXV4's that came on my LX 4-cyl, so I upgraded to some 17" wheels (the same size that comes standard on the V6 coupe MT) and have been much happier with both wet and dry traction.
In other words, you can choose wheels in sizes 15 all the way to 18 (maybe 19) on the 2003+ accord, and your speedometer and wheel clearance will be the same, because the tires you choose for those rims should be the same overall wheel diameter of 25".
Hope this helps.
BTW-I kept my original 15" steel wheels for winter, which can also be a challenge in the midwest.
I looked at the web site and based on the calculator, the difference between the 205/60-R16 and 205/65-R15 would be about .1 inch in ground clearence. (radius: 12.8 inch vs 12.7 inch). and the speedometer will be off by 1/2 mile (60 mph vs 59.5 mph on 15 inch tires). I can live with that. Now let's hope the holes line up. :-)
Honda has announced that it will be adding key safety features to all of its cars, even its least expensive ones. The features include ABS, side curtain air bags and stability control. The latter 2 features in particular have been available only on high end models/brands from most manufacturers.
They didn't state a specific timeframe on this, just saying that many of these features are more easily incorporated at redesign time. Clearly they should be able to add side curtain airbags to all Accords without a redesign, since they're already available on some models. And ABS is already standard. Don't know what it would take to add stability control, but it is standard on the Acura TL, which shares the Accord's basic platform, so it does't seem like it would be much of a stretch to add stability control to the Accord.
Anyway, one of the first Honda redesigns that might see these additions is the all new 2005 Odyssey. The Acura RL is also being redesigned, but these features would be expected on that high-end model anyway.
Honda took a lot of flak in 2003 for the limited availability of side curtain airbags on the redesigned Accord, which were initially available only on the EX V6. Competitors like Camry offered them as standard on some and optional on all models. Even with expanded availability of curtains on the 2004 Accord, you still can't get them on the most popular Accord, the LX 4. Hopefully it won't be too long before this new policy rectifies this situation.
We probably get a skewed view of the demand for these things from Edmunds. I think it's safe to say that Edmunds members tend to be more involved with their cars than the average car buyer, and more aware of the advantages of such safety features. As a result, it seems that most Edmunds members want them. You obviously are better situated to gauge the demands of the average customer, which apparently differ from the demands of Edmunds members.
It's probably just like when GM offered standard ABS on such models as the Cavalier. This added to their costs, of course, and it elicited a collective yawn from their customers who didn't appreciate the feature. Since it didn't serve as a sales incentive, GM dropped the feature on entry level cars.
I'm a safety freak, and bought the Accord in large part because of its safety rating and plethora of airbags.
However, most of my passengers have never heard of IIHS, NHTSA, or side curtain airbags. They're more excited about the smooth engine, the variety of cup holders, and the comfy seats.
I saw that Dateline episode a few months ago that tested side impacts for small SUVs. The sight of the dummy's head going through the side window and hitting the hood of the impacting vehicle is enough to make me want side airbags.
It is time to replace the plugs on my V-6. It is not yet 100k miles, but I rarely wait until Honda's recommended replacement for plugs, oil, antifreeze, etc. to bite the bullet. It comes with NGK plugs which cost $10 apiece. Might another platinum plug with a lower price do the trick? What have you found available?
Is a welcome industry first, IMO. And even more interesting given the fact that you currently have to spend $17,000 on a Civic to get ABS, and can't get curtains on the volume selling Accord LX. Seems to be a trend starting among Japanese manufacturers- Toyota recently introduced Vehicle Skid Control as standard on all its SUVs from RAV4 to Lex LX470.
They don't stop you from crashing your head through the window, but they do stop your body from hitting the door. What you need to protect your head is side air curtains, which is why I didn't buy the 03 EX-L.
I purchased a 2003 Honda Accord EX sedan in September. I have about 1800 miles on the car so far and do mostly freeway driving to and from work (about 30 miles each way). I love this car but there are a few annoying issues that I would like to share. I've seen other people posting about these too and would be curious to know if anyone has been able to get them resolved.
1. The driver side door has a rattle in it somewhere. I tried pushing on things, opening and closing the window, etc. Finally, I pushed around on the door handle/window control console and got it to quiet down. It comes back once in a while though. Very annoying in an otherwise quiet car.
2. The center console squeaks/creaks. Once again, I started pushing around to see if I could locate the source of the noise. I found that pushing on the driver side of the console, right next to the shift lever made the sound go away. Again, it comes back once in a while, so I apply my "fix". Again, very annoying.
3. I have noticed that the car smells like sulphur (rotten eggs) occasionally. Ususally at stop signs/lights. The smell clears up when I start moving again, but I never had a car that did this before.
4. I have noticed a whining sound when the car is idling. It goes away when I start moving again, but along with that sulphur smell it makes me wonder what is going on with this engine design.
5. The engine vibrates noticably at times when I am at a stop sign or if I'm creeping forward on a freeway onramp.
Anyone who has had any or all of these problems, have you found any solutions or gotten any satisfaction from Honda regarding them? I think this will be the last Honda I ever buy, since it seems to me that their business philosophy has drastically changed in recent years. I don't think they are as concerned about quality as they once were.
Some automakers do offer head protection for front seat occupants without using the curtain system. All Hyundai side airbags are head and chest protecting seat mounted units, for example. Nissan also comes to mind, though many of their newer models do indeed feature curtains.
I almost didn't buy a Honda Accord because Honda didn't offer side, head curtain air bags except on EX V6 Accords in 2003 and I wanted a 4 cylinder car. Fortunately, the 2004 Accord offers side curtain air bags on ALL EX models and they're standard on the EX-L (with leather) Accords. I ended up buying the '04 EX-L 4 cyl. to get the curtain air bags after determining that the Honda Accord was a better driving car than the Toyota Camry or the Mazda 6i--both nice cars, but not as good as the Accord. So, Honda was successful in forcing me to spend more than I would have--an LX with head curtain air bags for less money would have been my first choice. But I really like the leather interior, etc. now, so I'm happy with the car. Go to the web site below and see if you really want to buy ANY new car without side, head curtain airbags:
Side curtain airbags continue to be unavailable on any Accords in Canada (much to my anguish). I don't know what kind of safety 'strategy' Honda is thinking in Canada -- making side airbags standard on all but DX, and making side curtains unavailable on all. If a customer doesn't care much about safety, he won't want to be forced to pay for the side airbags (like isellhondas' example); if one cares about safety he'd want both (and willing to pay for both). Other competitors (Nissan, Mazda, Toyota) link the 2 items together; Honda is pleasing neither kind of customers. Dumb.
Does anyone care to share their experiences with their 2003 Accord sedan, now that the model is a year old? I am considering purchasing an '04, and wondering what people's long term opinions and experiences are. The good, the bad, and everything else...
By the way, it seems Edmunds is the only website that's written a long-term review of the 2003 Accord--anyone seen another one?
I was one of the first owners of an '03 Accord, having bought one in September of'02. I currently have just over 20,000 miles on my EX-L. Overall, it is a great car and I would probably purchase another. I like the way it rides and drives, the seats fit my body, my gas mileage is great and all of the goodies that come with an EX-L have spoiled me. I had both a '97 & '00 Accord - my '03 is significantly better. However, there are some issues that tick me off. The window rattles are infamous. Mine came from the driver's door. The dealer fixed it last fall by replacing the chrome molding on the outside, but it perodically returns and then disappears. The same thing happens with the front passenger door. I had a graon from the steering column that the dealer fixed. Finally, the leather on the driver's seat back bolster has cracked completely through. The dealer is going to have the seat redone, but suggested that I wait closer to 36,000 miles. Keep in mind that usually when people post (it has been over six months since I have) that we usually complain. Despite the problems, I can't think of another car in this price range that I would buy instead.
1. The driver side door has a rattle in it somewhere.
2. The center console squeaks/creaks.
>>Did the dealer help with these issues yet? Take the service rep on a test drive to make sure he hears the sounds.
3. I have noticed that the car smells like sulphur
4. I have noticed a whining sound when the car is idling.
>>Some people say this issue is related to the type of gasoline but I think it is from condensation in the passages of the cooling system. I had a Pathfinder that had the same smell. I had to spray Lysol in the air intake periodically and that seemed to solve the problem for a while. The whining....is your A/C on? It is probably your A/C pump/compressor runing
5. The engine vibrates noticably at times when I am at a stop sign
>>Probably your A/C again. This is normal if you have a 4cyl but not so normal in the V6.
the whining could also be attributed to the timing chain. Honda changed to this for the K24 engine(Accord I4).
Sulfur smell is coming from your catalytic converter. Fairly common especially if you do a lot of city driving(IMO) and mine usually will go away with a "spirited" drive.. =o). This is what happens when manufacturers design engines for EPA regulations on gas that were supposed to be in effect ~2004(??) and some darn lobbyist gets them to push it out to ~2007(?) because of "cost" etc. I can't remember if it was the petroleum(gas) lobbyists, or some of the Big 3 lobbyists... there are some stories on it... it has to do with sulfur content in the gas(sulfur smells like rotten eggs)
I drove my mom's EX-L for over half a year while I was in school and back home. It's a very quite car with a nice leather and metallic interior. The engine is very powerful for a 4-cylinder and the transmission works flawlessly. We took a 5000-mile road trip and got over 30mpg on each tank. The stereo sounds very good for a stock system. Handling is predictable, but the MXV4 tires have really low roadholding power and squeals everytime I push the car. After a while I noticed rattle and windnoise coming from the driver side window, and was never fixed by the dealer.
I got a Mazda6 instead because it suits me as a better driver's car, plus side curtains and Bose as a bounus. Not to mention the slick design. It does have it share of rattles and sqeaks as well. The turning radius is huge, but the car overall offers more driving involvement whereas Honda offers more isolation.
They are both good cars and depending on your driving style, one will suit you better than the other.
I think the initial bugs that you have will be fixed, but that doesn't help you. What does your dealer's service dept. say? Are they unable to fix or unwilling?
Let me get this straight...did you buy your mirror from a Honda dealership and put it in yourself or did you buy it aftermarket and install it yourself? I still haven't heard from the dealership since my last post. They said they are working on it and in the meantime since I HAVE ALREADY PAID for the mirror if I can get some other accessories from my car like you IN ADDITION to the mirror...that would make it all worthwhile. The mirror was the ONLY accessory that was really important to me so I'm pretty miffed. If you wouldn't mind telling me the details of your purchase/installation and how you worked out such a great deal...I'd appreciate it! THANKS!
I know you arent asking me..but the 03 auto day/night mirror is not compatible with the 04. Apparently it causes the air bag light to come on as jebinc1 described. The parts department at your dealer should be able to say there isnt a mirror for the 04 model. Honda sent a message out to the dealers about it. I called another local honda dealer and was told the same thing. When i requested one for my 04 that is what they told me. I almost bought the mirror with the fog lights at the time I purchased the car but wasnt sure I wanted it at that point. Both my salesman and manager assumed that the 03 would go in the 04 as well so I was almost in your predicament. Im sure they could remimburse you for what you paid since it is not available.
hi everyone...recently purchased an '03 EX-V6. so far i love it, smooth ride, very good gas mileage, etc... i was wondering if someone could recommend the best time to get your first oil change, and what mileage to change it at thereafter. i mostly have highway miles on the car. also, is it recommended to use a synthetic oil?? finally, having leather seating, would it be a wise idea to add tinted windows to protect the black leather in the hot summer sun? thanks in advance for any assistance.
lkl - Both. I originally bought the Honda mirror and installed in into my 03 myself. It worked just fine. That car was bought back by the dealership because they screwed up the whole car by replacing a perfectly good transmission. Details on this are posted. They gave me an 04 and tried to move the mirror from the '03 that they took back and re install in in the 04. While the mirror worked, it caused the air bag system light to go on. Short answer: there is no day/night mirror that will work in the '04 yet.
On the great deal part, I had the leverage of telling them up front that the '03 won't work and that I'd be pissed if they didn't do their HW before ripping apart my '04. Well, they didn't listen and ate crow as I was given a car with a working mirror AND a working air bag light! That's how I got a "great deal", if you consider that hassle a "great deal". I would have been happer with a mirror that worked and no extra goodies.
I'd recommend changing it at 3750 miles. I know there are many opinions on this and I know you will get a lot responses to that question. At the end of the day, you'll have to decide what makes you feel the best.
1) The owner's manual recommends the first oil change at 7500/3750 miles for normal/severe driving and the same intervals thereafter.
Because modern engines (especially Honda's) burn better - unburned fuel is a major reason to change oil often - I tend to trust Honda on this matter.
But habits, both consumers' and oil-change shops', are hard to change. Currently I'm changing both oil and filter at the 6000 mile mark. But the days of the 3000 mile drain are practically over as they're really unnecessary.
2) Some studies suggest that synthetic oil is superior to mineral or natural oil in various aspects like volatility (mineral oil is more volatile, causing more carbon deposits), molecular consistency (synth oil flows better, especially during cold-weather starting - a major cause of engine wear), and others. Ultimately, synthetic oil lengthens engine life, a significant consideration if the car is a keeper.
Quick economics: Over 200k miles, one would spend $800 in oil changes using mineral oil, and roughly $3200 using synthetic oil. Is the $2400 differential worth the extended engine life ?
Maybe so, if one keeps the car for 200k miles. If the car is sold at 75k miles, I'd probably just go mineral oil, with conscientious oil changes.
My first oil change for my 89 Accord was at 1500. Thereafter, I had it changed between 3k-6k with regular oil. The car now has 194k and still runs great except for filling 1/4 of a quart every month. No oil burning. Just small leak around the engine cover. And yes, don't forget to flush the radiator at 36k and every 2 years thereafter. That also helps the engine and the radiator last longer.
I thought I'd post my version of a long term report of my "J" VIN 2003 Accord LX sedan, bought in April of this year. The car currently has 7300 miles on the clock.
The car exhibits a very smooth, quiet ride that imparts a sense of security. The seats are very comfortable, and my rear seat passengers really enjoy the space back there. Fuel economy (28 MPG, city and highway driving combined) is commendable for a car of this size. Overall, this is a rewarding car to drive.
However, probably due to the fact that this car is in its first year of production, there are some flaws that I have found irksome and annoying.
1. Both the driver's and passenger's side front doors have rattles sounding akin to creaking wooden furniture.
2. A vibrating sound emanates from the center console during high speed driving.
3. The transmission makes a worrisome "ca-click" sound when it is engaged into drive after being driven in reverse.
4. The driver's side door was misaligned. The door stuck out a little. The dealer was not able to make the door completely flush, plus now the door requires a little more effort to close.
5. The car had a recall for a defective air breather clamp and a "no-reverse" condition when the transmission is repeatedly engaged into forward and reverse.
Is it just me or does anyone feel the nav graphics quality is a bit outdated, or pixelated, like, say, a late 1980's or early 1990's computer screen? I don't own one, but I have seen many "screenshots", and that's the impression I get. I have heard how impressed people are with the features, but no one seems to comment on what to me is an obvious negative. How can a 2004, state-of-the-art, $2,000 navigation system be displayed by graphics that appear 15 years behind the times in terms of quality?
I will probably end up buying a new accord with one, simply for the features. But I am sure I will be longing for a high resolution display/graphics.
you need to use premium fuel to get the 10 extra horsepower and torque. this according to a couple of honda officials when the car first came out. probably not worth the extra cost on something you'll probably not notice until very high rpms.
Is it just me or does anyone feel the nav graphics quality is a bit outdated, or pixelated, like, say, a late 1980's or early 1990's computer screen? I don't own one, but I have seen many "screenshots", and that's the impression I get. I have heard how impressed people are with the features, but no one seems to comment on what to me is an obvious negative. How can a 2004, state-of-the-art, $2,000 navigation system be displayed by graphics that appear 15 years behind the times in terms of quality?
I will probably end up buying a new accord with one, simply for the features. But I am sure I will be longing for a high resolution display/graphics.
I have an '03 EXV6. I am very pleased with the performance, feature set, and first year production of this car.
This is my 6th Honda in 10 yrs. I have had a concerns;
1-rattles (center console fixed with adhesive padding on the center console door), drivers door at ear level--just went away) a high pitch whine at 45mph (just went away)
2-Long crank time when starting (does not matter how long since last start). This is the most annoying thing for me since the last 10 yrs worth of cars have started quickly and this one is just a little longer. there is a TSB for this but so far its not worth taking it into the dealer.
3-drivers seat feels like grinding metal when I move it back and forth. (again, not enough to take it in)
4-Peeling look on the center piller plastic parts. I will get this in to the dealer one of these days.
Otherwise its classic honda ergonomics, quality and reliability (and unfortuntely looks). I am happy.
I really dont think I could get more performance and feature set for the money. (about $100/horsepower).
First one was a 2003 Accord EX-L 5-speed manual coupe. Owned it 9 months and 16,000 miles. Car was flawless. Had to take it in to have the plastic trim on the outside of the door replaced due to rippling and right before I traded it we took it in to have the service bulletins (breather pipe, key control unit, and something else). Not a rattle or a squeak. Ran like clockwork. Averaged 31 MPG with a mixture of driving and a somewhat lead foot.
Due to an upcoming addition to our family I traded the 03 coupe for my 04 EX-L sedan automatic. Have had it 6 weeks and 3100 miles. So far it's been flawless as well. No rattles or squeaks. Love the XM radio. The 5-speed automatic in the Accord eased the transition from my manual tranny preference to an automatic. Never woulda bought a previous generation Accord 4 cylinder automatic.
Differences: None really. I did notice the power seat in my 03 coupe didn't seem to move back and forth and smooth as the seat in my 04. But otherwise it's the same great 2.4 i-Vtec engine, Honda quality, and sporty-without-being-extreme personality. Says alot for the car that I owned one for 9 months then test drove everything under the sun before I decided to buy another one to fit my changing needs.
Overall, I can't think of a car I would rather have in the Accord's price range. Next closest thing to me would be a TL or TSX. But neither one of those can be had for the $22800 I paid for my Accord.
Hi, I'm new here but haven't immediately found comments about whether the 4-cylinder is adequate. I considered the 4-cylinder perfectly adequate for the 2003 Toyota Camry and simply wonder if the Accord 4-cylinder is at least comparable. I hope there's no need to step up to the cost (both initially and maintenance-wise) of the Honda 6. Is it necessary? Thanks.
Comments
4cyl
Manual Transmission
5th gear
40 mph = 1550 RPM
50 mph = 1950 RPM
60 mph = 2300 RPM
70 mph = 2700 RPM
80 mph = 3050 RPM
90 mph = 3500 RPM
The RPMs are approximate
http://www.hwysafety.org/news_releases/2003/pr082603.htm
enjoy your ride.
Not exactly apples to apples but an interesting comparison nonetheless.
I drive a lot in winter and love seeing the 4wd/suv crowd spun out or on their tops cause they think 4wd means they have better control in snow/ice. It is more about tires and driving ability-particularly when comparing 4wd vs fwd in snow/ice.
Doctord33 - I live in VT. Bought the '03 EX V6 at the end of August, so can't comment from experience, but there are so many Accords here that if it didn't do well in the snow, they'd all be off the road. I always put snow tires on my cars, but I'm not worried about the Accord in snow. As for the stock Michelins in the rain - we've had horrific downpours, and I've been driving on "distressed" (what a lovely way to say - "we're fixing the roads, and will get back to them some day") roads, without any problems. Sure, I drive for the conditions, but I don't exactly crawl.
I have a 2004 Accord EX-L which have 205/60-R16 on them but I noticed that the 2004 Accord LX model uses 205/65 R15 tires instead of the 16 inch like on my Accord EX model.
I traded in a 1997 Odyssey which had 205/65-R15 tires on them but still have the snow tires. My question is will these 15" snow tires and rims fit on my new Accord which currently have 16 inch rims ? They both have 5 holes, so logically then should fit. Am I missing something ?? Will the ground clearance be lower ?? Why did Honda put 15 inch wheels on the LX but 16 inch wheels on the EX when they have the same engine.
Advice please.
ragtop - the only way to see if they'll fit is to experiment. The outcome of using those rims/tires can be calculated here:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
The reason for 16 vs 15 on the EX and LX is differentiation. Bigger tires and wheels are perceived as an upgrade.
I was VERY unhappy with the Michelin Energy MXV4's that came on my LX 4-cyl, so I upgraded to some 17" wheels (the same size that comes standard on the V6 coupe MT) and have been much happier with both wet and dry traction.
In other words, you can choose wheels in sizes 15 all the way to 18 (maybe 19) on the 2003+ accord, and your speedometer and wheel clearance will be the same, because the tires you choose for those rims should be the same overall wheel diameter of 25".
Hope this helps.
BTW-I kept my original 15" steel wheels for winter, which can also be a challenge in the midwest.
I guess the only real way I'll know is to put them on. I'll try it this weekend and report back.
I looked at the web site and based on the calculator, the difference between the 205/60-R16 and 205/65-R15 would be about .1 inch in ground clearence. (radius: 12.8 inch vs 12.7 inch). and the speedometer will be off by 1/2 mile (60 mph vs 59.5 mph on 15 inch tires). I can live with that. Now let's hope the holes line up. :-)
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-10-21-honda_x.htm
They didn't state a specific timeframe on this, just saying that many of these features are more easily incorporated at redesign time. Clearly they should be able to add side curtain airbags to all Accords without a redesign, since they're already available on some models. And ABS is already standard. Don't know what it would take to add stability control, but it is standard on the Acura TL, which shares the Accord's basic platform, so it does't seem like it would be much of a stretch to add stability control to the Accord.
Anyway, one of the first Honda redesigns that might see these additions is the all new 2005 Odyssey. The Acura RL is also being redesigned, but these features would be expected on that high-end model anyway.
Honda took a lot of flak in 2003 for the limited availability of side curtain airbags on the redesigned Accord, which were initially available only on the EX V6. Competitors like Camry offered them as standard on some and optional on all models. Even with expanded availability of curtains on the 2004 Accord, you still can't get them on the most popular Accord, the LX 4. Hopefully it won't be too long before this new policy rectifies this situation.
Case in point...LX Accords with side airbags are such a slow seller that some stores don't order any.
Last week, I lost a Civic sale. It had side airbags the customer wouldn't pay an extra 250.00 for.
For some customers, SAFETY is everything. It's like they feel they are risking their lives if the car doesn't have side bags, curtain bags etc.
Others could care less.
It's probably just like when GM offered standard ABS on such models as the Cavalier. This added to their costs, of course, and it elicited a collective yawn from their customers who didn't appreciate the feature. Since it didn't serve as a sales incentive, GM dropped the feature on entry level cars.
However, most of my passengers have never heard of IIHS, NHTSA, or side curtain airbags. They're more excited about the smooth engine, the variety of cup holders, and the comfy seats.
~alpha
http://world.honda.com/news/2000/c000327.html
I purchased a 2003 Honda Accord EX sedan in September. I have about 1800 miles on the car so far and do mostly freeway driving to and from work (about 30 miles each way). I love this car but there are a few annoying issues that I would like to share. I've seen other people posting about these too and would be curious to know if anyone has been able to get them resolved.
1.
The driver side door has a rattle in it somewhere. I tried pushing on things, opening and closing the window, etc. Finally, I pushed around on the door handle/window control console and got it to quiet down. It comes back once in a while though. Very annoying in an otherwise quiet car.
2.
The center console squeaks/creaks. Once again, I started pushing around to see if I could locate the source of the noise. I found that pushing on the driver side of the console, right next to the shift lever made the sound go away. Again, it comes back once in a while, so I apply my "fix". Again, very annoying.
3.
I have noticed that the car smells like sulphur (rotten eggs) occasionally. Ususally at stop signs/lights. The smell clears up when I start moving again, but I never had a car that did this before.
4.
I have noticed a whining sound when the car is idling. It goes away when I start moving again, but along with that sulphur smell it makes me wonder what is going on with this engine design.
5.
The engine vibrates noticably at times when I am at a stop sign or if I'm creeping forward on a freeway onramp.
Anyone who has had any or all of these problems, have you found any solutions or gotten any satisfaction from Honda regarding them? I think this will be the last Honda I ever buy, since it seems to me that their business philosophy has drastically changed in recent years. I don't think they are as concerned about quality as they once were.
Nissan also comes to mind, though many of their newer models do indeed feature curtains.
~alpha
http://www.hwysafety.org/news_releases/2003/pr082603.htm
Richard
By the way, it seems Edmunds is the only website that's written a long-term review of the 2003 Accord--anyone seen another one?
The driver side door has a rattle in it somewhere.
2.
The center console squeaks/creaks.
>>Did the dealer help with these issues yet? Take the service rep on a test drive to make sure he hears the sounds.
3.
I have noticed that the car smells like sulphur
4.
I have noticed a whining sound when the car is idling.
>>Some people say this issue is related to the type of gasoline but I think it is from condensation in the passages of the cooling system. I had a Pathfinder that had the same smell. I had to spray Lysol in the air intake periodically and that seemed to solve the problem for a while. The whining....is your A/C on? It is probably your A/C pump/compressor runing
5.
The engine vibrates noticably at times when I am at a stop sign
>>Probably your A/C again. This is normal if you have a 4cyl but not so normal in the V6.
Sulfur smell is coming from your catalytic converter. Fairly common especially if you do a lot of city driving(IMO) and mine usually will go away with a "spirited" drive.. =o). This is what happens when manufacturers design engines for EPA regulations on gas that were supposed to be in effect ~2004(??) and some darn lobbyist gets them to push it out to ~2007(?) because of "cost" etc. I can't remember if it was the petroleum(gas) lobbyists, or some of the Big 3 lobbyists... there are some stories on it... it has to do with sulfur content in the gas(sulfur smells like rotten eggs)
I got a Mazda6 instead because it suits me as a better driver's car, plus side curtains and Bose as a bounus. Not to mention the slick design. It does have it share of rattles and sqeaks as well. The turning radius is huge, but the car overall offers more driving involvement whereas Honda offers more isolation.
They are both good cars and depending on your driving style, one will suit you better than the other.
I think the initial bugs that you have will be fixed, but that doesn't help you. What does your dealer's service dept. say? Are they unable to fix or unwilling?
In high school and college, I went everywhere in my old VW bug. It had seat belts in front but nothing else. Ten gallons of gas in my lap etc.
Then I had the MG.
Somehow, I really think life was more fun back then without all the fear I see and hear today.
Lucky I never got hit!
finally, having leather seating, would it be a wise idea to add tinted windows to protect the black leather in the hot summer sun?
thanks in advance for any assistance.
ronzo
lkl - Both. I originally bought the Honda mirror and installed in into my 03 myself. It worked just fine. That car was bought back by the dealership because they screwed up the whole car by replacing a perfectly good transmission. Details on this are posted. They gave me an 04 and tried to move the mirror from the '03 that they took back and re install in in the 04. While the mirror worked, it caused the air bag system light to go on. Short answer: there is no day/night mirror that will work in the '04 yet.
On the great deal part, I had the leverage of telling them up front that the '03 won't work and that I'd be pissed if they didn't do their HW before ripping apart my '04. Well, they didn't listen and ate crow as I was given a car with a working mirror AND a working air bag light! That's how I got a "great deal", if you consider that hassle a "great deal". I would have been happer with a mirror that worked and no extra goodies.
Hope this helps.
1) The owner's manual recommends the first oil change at 7500/3750 miles for normal/severe driving and the same intervals thereafter.
Because modern engines (especially Honda's) burn better - unburned fuel is a major reason to change oil often - I tend to trust Honda on this matter.
But habits, both consumers' and oil-change shops', are hard to change. Currently I'm changing both oil and filter at the 6000 mile mark. But the days of the 3000 mile drain are practically over as they're really unnecessary.
2) Some studies suggest that synthetic oil is superior to mineral or natural oil in various aspects like volatility (mineral oil is more volatile, causing more carbon deposits), molecular consistency (synth oil flows better, especially during cold-weather starting - a major cause of engine wear), and others. Ultimately, synthetic oil lengthens engine life, a significant consideration if the car is a keeper.
Quick economics: Over 200k miles, one would spend $800 in oil changes using mineral oil, and roughly $3200 using synthetic oil. Is the $2400 differential worth the extended engine life ?
Maybe so, if one keeps the car for 200k miles. If the car is sold at 75k miles, I'd probably just go mineral oil, with conscientious oil changes.
Reference link:
http://www2b.abc.net.au/science/k2/stn/archives/archive34/newpost- - s/228/topic228106.shtm
3) Since tinting slows warming of the car interior, I think it's a good thing.
Thereafter, I had it changed between 3k-6k with regular oil.
The car now has 194k and still runs great except for filling 1/4 of a quart every month.
No oil burning. Just small leak around the engine cover.
And yes, don't forget to flush the radiator at 36k and every 2 years thereafter. That also helps the engine and the radiator last longer.
The car exhibits a very smooth, quiet ride that imparts a sense of security. The seats are very comfortable, and my rear seat passengers really enjoy the space back there. Fuel economy (28 MPG, city and highway driving combined) is commendable for a car of this size. Overall, this is a rewarding car to drive.
However, probably due to the fact that this car is in its first year of production, there are some flaws that I have found irksome and annoying.
1. Both the driver's and passenger's side front doors have rattles sounding akin to creaking wooden furniture.
2. A vibrating sound emanates from the center console during high speed driving.
3. The transmission makes a worrisome "ca-click" sound when it is engaged into drive after being driven in reverse.
4. The driver's side door was misaligned. The door stuck out a little. The dealer was not able to make the door completely flush, plus now the door requires a little more effort to close.
5. The car had a recall for a defective air breather clamp and a "no-reverse" condition when the transmission is repeatedly engaged into forward and reverse.
I will probably end up buying a new accord with one, simply for the features. But I am sure I will be longing for a high resolution display/graphics.
http://www.highwaysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/summary_midi- nexp.htm
Richard
I will probably end up buying a new accord with one, simply for the features. But I am sure I will be longing for a high resolution display/graphics.
This is my 6th Honda in 10 yrs. I have had a concerns;
1-rattles (center console fixed with adhesive padding on the center console door), drivers door at ear level--just went away) a high pitch whine at 45mph (just went away)
2-Long crank time when starting (does not matter how long since last start). This is the most annoying thing for me since the last 10 yrs worth of cars have started quickly and this one is just a little longer. there is a TSB for this but so far its not worth taking it into the dealer.
3-drivers seat feels like grinding metal when I move it back and forth. (again, not enough to take it in)
4-Peeling look on the center piller plastic parts. I will get this in to the dealer one of these days.
Otherwise its classic honda ergonomics, quality and reliability (and unfortuntely looks). I am happy.
I really dont think I could get more performance and feature set for the money. (about $100/horsepower).
brian
Due to an upcoming addition to our family I traded the 03 coupe for my 04 EX-L sedan automatic. Have had it 6 weeks and 3100 miles. So far it's been flawless as well. No rattles or squeaks. Love the XM radio. The 5-speed automatic in the Accord eased the transition from my manual tranny preference to an automatic. Never woulda bought a previous generation Accord 4 cylinder automatic.
Differences: None really. I did notice the power seat in my 03 coupe didn't seem to move back and forth and smooth as the seat in my 04. But otherwise it's the same great 2.4 i-Vtec engine, Honda quality, and sporty-without-being-extreme personality. Says alot for the car that I owned one for 9 months then test drove everything under the sun before I decided to buy another one to fit my changing needs.
Overall, I can't think of a car I would rather have in the Accord's price range. Next closest thing to me would be a TL or TSX. But neither one of those can be had for the $22800 I paid for my Accord.