Older Honda Accords

dindak · October 2003

I think the Accord looks great EXCEPT for the tail of the car which I think looks a bit droopy. If Honda does a revision for 05, this is where it should be!

venus537 · October 2003

i agree with you. those people who don't agree with us are WRONG! seriously, all that matters is how the car looks to you. regardless of how one thinks of the accord's appearance, it's hard to deny the high quality that oozes from the car.

where as most (what the heck, lets make it ALL) domestic competitors of the accord just look downright CHEAP.

vcjumper · October 2003

It does look tightly put together, its the increase in problems people seem to be having vs the previous gen that is questionable. Hopefully mostly gone for the 04 model year.

jebinc1 · October 2003

I had an 03 made in July and now an 04 make in late September. The 03 have many rattles (both doors, center tray, seats and dash). Some of them pretty annoying. So far the 04 has two faint and only occasional rattles. I fixed one (rear headliner where it meets the side rear pillar (behind the rear window panel) and a minor one in the passengers door. BIG difference from the 03; particularly the doors.

jebinc1 · October 2003

I had an 03 and an 04 and the wipers (or inserts) would squeak, chatter and leave rubber on the windshield. This happened on both cars. Is this a common issue? I'm thinking the rubber in the blades is too soft. Didn't have the 03 long enough to fix but on the 04 I performed the following:

1. Wiped the windows clean with Lacquer thinner to remove clear coat residue and deposited wiper rubber
2. Cleaned glass with Bi-mami (sp?)
3. Washed car
4. Installed New (non Honda "exact-fit") blades from NAPA
5. Three coats of Rain-X

Now, I'm waiting for the Seattle rains to arrive.

I'd like to hear if others have had this problem, and if so, what was your fix (and did it work)?

s852 · October 2003

If styling is revised, you can bet it won't be dramatic enough to fix the drooping rear end. Expect little more than new head and tail lights and some other very minor exterior styling updates.

ragtop · October 2003

Billy, You will have to unscrew the existing screws and reuse them to attach the splash guards. All holes are pre-drilled. You can look at the instructions on-line at www.handa-accessories.com This is where I purchased the splash guards.

For those who think the new Accord's exterior is not the best. My wife tends to agree 100 percent with you but we bought the car anyway. We did buy the small truck deck lid and it makes the car look much much better. Now to find something to make the front look better. Any suggestions, anybody !!!

jebinc1 · October 2003

I put a smoked bug guard on the front. Makes the front look a lot better IMO. It also will save your paint from rock chips.

aggie1995 · October 2003

you could do the front spoiler that is offered on the new Honda Performance Packages...

bug guard....not my style

bra....maybe but I hear there are paint issues if you leave it on when wet and the temp extremes we get where I live would destroy the leather or vinyl in about 2 years.

Fog lights....very nice and functional too.

billyperks · October 2003

I installed the Half Nose Mask- I think it makes the car look awesome.
Next I am going to install the fog lights on the first oil change.

Spoilers/Body Kit I am not into- I think those accessories make any car look like a neighborhood racer boy car.

Ragtop- I will attempt the installation this weekend.

lichtronimo · October 2003

may fix the rear end as the cause of the problem is the lower edge of the tail lights and the upper edge of the bumper. Bumper design can be changed relatively easy and inexpensively. Honda made a more radical change to the rear of the 5th generation car with new trunk lid, tail light design and rear bumper. Could be the same today. That said, I'm even starting to like the rear end in certain colors.

billyperks · October 2003

I am taken aback Honda does not offer this- I took it for granted that they did and did not bother to ask before buying.

After all Mazda does- had it with my 1999 Millennia.

This is really bad.

robr2 · October 2003

Why is it really bad? If customers demanded it, they would offer it. Or if they needed the feature to sell the vehicles, they would offer it.

justin · October 2003

i am one of the people that would never have considered buying an Accord until 03, because of the looks. they used to look so boring - now it has style. i like it a lot.

billyperks · October 2003

I meant bad for my wife- she travels between New York and Connecticut 5 days per week so you never know what might happen.Having the Roadside Assistance adds a little security.

I guess I am spoilt- had it for three years on the Millenia and now I have it for four years on the Acura.

But on a serious note- I think this would be a good thing for Honda to do.

fjm1 · October 2003

Roadside Assistance = AAA

jebinc: Glad to hear NAPA has wiper blades in our size (HUGE). How much did those buggers cost?

I'm still not sure if I like the styling of my Accord. Tires stink. I definitely love that smooth yet potent V6. Freeway onramps are a hoot.

Had car since mid summer 2003 problem-free.

chikoo · October 2003

styling: I don't know if somebody is joking or is serious about their views on the 04 Accord style.

billyperks · October 2003

AAA= Payments

Raodside= 0

Stlying- I did not like initailly but it grew on me.

gee35coupe · October 2003

regardless. It would have been included in the price of the car. At least the way Honda did it those that want it can go out and get it elsewhere or buy Hondacare. Just like the other "accessories". There are several sources for roadside. Some of them very inexpensive. I think the www.tires.com credit card has free roadside if you buy tires from them.

I'm buying the front spoiler for our Accord. It's not boy racer at all. In fact if you didn't know what to look for, you wouldn't even notice it.
http://handa-accessories.com/accord/acc034drfrnt.jpg

safetyred · October 2003

I'm glad people are talking about the styling of the Accord.....I currently have a 2000 Accord EX-V6 Coupe. I leased it, and the lease is up next month. I have had 4 great years with this car. I LOVE the body style of the 2000 coupe. I've only had one problem with the car, (it was an alternator problem), but it was quickly fixed. I thought for sure that I would buy another Accord. But was I in for a shock with the redesign for this year!! I thought the Accord could only get better...boy was I wrong. The altenator problem just happened 2 weeks ago, so while I was at the dealer, I test drove an Accord. I thought I could live with the body redesign, since I'm in the car most of the time, not on the outside staring at it! But the inside is just as bad as the outside!! They did upgrade a few features that I didn't have on the 2000, like automatic/dual climate control, traction control, and the 40 more horsepower. I can honestly say that the only thing I did like about it was that it was fast. I was so disappointed when I left the dealer that night. I'm not knocking anyone for liking the new design, because it's all just a matter of personal taste anyways.....but Honda just lost one customer, and I'm sure there will be more.

richards38 · October 2003

I don't understand the appeal of those tacked-on wing things or "spoilers"--good name because they spoil the looks of the car. Truth is, according to an auto magazine test, that stability is not enhanced at speeds under 125 mph--useful for driving in the city, of course! I can't think of any car that looks better with one of those things slapped onto it. Maybe the new Accord isn't the best looking car available, but it's still a handsome car in my opinion--especially if it's left as is......Richard

tblazer503 · October 2003

just kidding... i personally don't mind the styling, but then again, styling doesn't usually "make or break" a car in my opinion. I usually look for the price range, then seek out the quality, engine, tranny, reliability, safety, etc. Then as a need to, looks come into play.

safetyred
Sorry that you don't like the looks of the coupe. If you will notice, many people are complaining about the rear end looks of the sedan, and many people also wish that the sedan had the rear of the coupe. As for the interior, I think that many of the posters liked the interor of the both. Personally, I didn't like the orangish/red tinting of all the lights in the coupe. IMO, the sedan looked much better.

If you have the money, the TL is very sharp, in a manual version, you get LSD, and brembo brakes, amongst a few performande upgrades.

lichtronimo · October 2003

but I agree that the 6th generation coupe is better looking than the new model.

chiggaraccord4 · October 2003

how much did it cost?
why didn't u installed urself?

thanks

jebinc1 · October 2003

I just purchased the "exact fit" inserts. No need to buy the whole wiper. A 26" and a 20" set of inserts set me back $9.53, incl. tax!

anonymousposts · October 2003

I'm not a fan of high basket-handle spoilers but like the way the decklid spoiler looks on my sedan. Had the rear spoiler on the 03 coupe as well. Didn't put one on our 01 coupe or 99 sedan because Honda was then using the basket-handle type spoiler.

s852 · October 2003

There are roadside assistance programs you can get that are cheaper than AAA. All they do is roadside assistance, no maps, travel agencies, special discounts programs etc.. Some auto insurance companies offer it too.
I had AAA already and I use most of the added perks they offer so I could care less about roadside assistance programs offered by automakers.

samshem · October 2003

I probably get an 04. I was considering the 03 because of the 2.9% financing and the 2k of the sticker. Also, the dealers around here don't seem to want to deal on this car. The one that I want is proving hard to find, I want the V6 6 speed coupe with navi...very hard to find. Also, I asked a dealer about the upgrade and they told me it is not possible.

dindak · October 2003

The 2002 Accord was more conservative, but no one could say it was ugly. The 03 rear is ugly IMO but I don't think it would take much to fix it up. Move the tail lights up and cut a couple of inches off the bottom rear bumper. Get rid of the sag and the car would look much better and sportier.

Why Honda didn't bring the Euro look Accord here is a mystery to me.

vcjumper · October 2003

Is here. Its the TSX. No euro Malibu though (Vectra).

gee35coupe · October 2003

Considering it's beating itself from last year.
http://www.autosite.com/editoria/asmr/svsedan.asp

With no incentives other than interest rate cuts. Of course they "lose some customers" with the redesign but they know they won't have 100% retention no matter what they do.

trek2002 · October 2003

Pay the yearly dues, get all the extras.
Also available is the VISA credit card that
offers 5% cash back credit on gasoline purchases
up to $60 a day.
Been averaging $8 a month credit = $96 a year.
Covers the membership fee.

dardson1 · October 2003

my daughter who just bought an EXV6 looooves how it looks. Fashion has changed over the last decade. The goal not long ago was to make a car look long and low. They used many visual tricks including painting the bottom 4-5 inches black (making it sorta disappear), lowering the belt line with big windows, and raising the wheel wells as high as possible. We've moved 180 degrees. The new Honda (and every other car I see) is painted same/same top to bottom, the belt-line is tall and the windows are smaller. Net result is a car that looks less like a trim greyhound and more like a well-fed bulldog.
I prefer the long and low greyhound. My daughter thinks her slightly over-fed bulldog is way cool. Her Accord is about the best thing for the $ I've ever driven, but IMHO these cars look like they need to go on a diet.

jhl4 · October 2003

Please don't bash me for asking, but Cadillac CTS vs. Accord Sedan EX-L V6. Other than price difference what are pros / cons?

lelandhendrix · October 2003

I, for one, really liked the 6th generation Accord a lot when it was introduced. And really didn't notice what I considered unsubstantial updates when they were implemented in 00 (maybe 01). However that car never stirred me like the new 7th gen.

The butt does droop a bit, which is a shame because that's the side of my car that most people see.

Regarding mileage, I just got back from a 2000 mile trip and my best was 37 mpg while cruising in the 75-80mph range. The worst was 26, and I am convinced because on a whim I used 89 octane gasoline. I say this because only the octane was different between the ratings--all was done during purely highway driving.

I added 17" wheels and performance tires to mine to make the car a little more unique from the zillion LX sedans that are out there, and got a quieter ride with better handling and better braking in the process. I strongly recommend it.

And the splash guards are a function touch that truly do take only a afew minutes to install. H&A accessories really is a great place to shop for do-it-yourself accessories.

lelandhendrix · October 2003

Here's the part I forgot to comment on:

Are there squeaks in my 03 LX Sedan built in 8/02? YES. However they are few and far between and do NOT change how much I truly love this car. They would not sway my buying decision, and have been remedied by my dealer. My other car (92 civic) had a much louder ride due to engine and road noise, and since this car is leaps and bounds quieter I think I a creak stands out much more.

The only one I have had linger is the drivers and driver's-rear window area as described in previous posts. They are nearly gone and I think that's partly due to the break in.

Oh, and 4-cyl has LOTS more zing than you'd expect. One professional reviewer said the response on first impression feels like a Camry V6.

dindak · October 2003

vcjumper : Yes but the TSX cost many thousands more. A Euro Accord would have been MUCH preferable. I think Honda knows this and is pushing people to spend more and buy Acura (just my little conspiracy theory).

jhl4 : CTS vs Accord isn't really fair since the CTS is a luxury mark and costs more. That said, if you can swing it get a CTS. Much more fun to drive and quality / reliability has been excellent.

vcjumper · October 2003

The Euro Accord would be just as expensive with the TSX equipment. A minority want something that rides as sporty as the TSX. Only the Mazda 6 comes close in the segment.

justin · October 2003

aren't they all smaller? i like that my Accord was built for me here in North America. better suited to my needs now. if i want Euro, it would be another VW. they do "euro" better than anyone

someone help! when my car is on autoclimate control, set to 73, and the outside temp is 49, is my a/c coming on too? when i press the a/c button, i get a message that says "a/c off". i like that the Accord is a true auto climate control in that you don't do anything but set your temp, but i wonder if the a/c cycles on at all temps.

emale · October 2003

justin,

in auto mode the a/c compressor will cycle on/off when the ambient temp is above about 40 degrees F. this is normal. almost all cars are set up this way. btw, hitting the a/c button will keep the a/c from cycling but still keep everything else automatic...

justin · October 2003

that helps a lot.

ragtop · October 2003

richards38, I too can't stand the big wing type spoilers and I agree they are added solely for cosmetics but the decklid spoiler is small and helps smooth out the drooping tail. My wife is 40 something and the primary user of the car and she is the one who suggested getting the decklid. I think she made a good decision. Have you seen the decklid ? It was in the 2003 Accord brochure. Actually, the only part of the car that I thought was ugly was the front. The front grill looks too small, while the hood seem to dominate. The head lights look just right. It reminded me of the front of the Chevy metro. The side profile IMHO is the best looking part of the car.

#12517 by tblazer503 - Totally agree with you. Price/value was what we where looking for and the Accord met that. We've had 1982, 1989 and 1997 Accords and sold then all with about 150K+ miles on them. We looked at the 2004 TL but decided that it just didn't fit in as a commuter car. Beside, we didn't want a first year model even if it was made by Honda.

chiggaraccord4 - We purchased the decklid and splash guards from H&A. It took about 1 hr of real work to install the decklid. It took about 15 minutes to drill the 4 holes in the truck. The had to wait about 2 hrs for the paint in the holes to dry. Another 1/2 hr to install the decklid and springs. Get the spring remover if you are going to do it yourself. It was a big time saver. I only cost about $5.00

#12525 by gee35coupe - As you can see, we bought the Accord because of it's price/value and I only think the front is ugly. I really don't think they lose customers because of the redesign. I think they lose customers because customers are moving up to a higher class car like the Acura line. And those people will be replace by people who want a more reliable car. (people who use to own a big three car) I was one of those people. My family always bought Pontiacs and I was the first one to move to a Japanese car way back in 1982. Was not happy with the GM car I had back then.

aggie1995 · October 2003

My outside temp guage consistantly reads several degrees warmer than the actual temp. In the summer months it was often 8-10 degrees off. In the fall it is only off by about 2-3 degrees.

Is there any way to fix this? My dealer said that's just how the component is working due to the heat from the engine compartment that throws the readings off.

Any suggestions? Does yours work?

emale · October 2003

aggie,

mine doesn't work very well either! i've noticed that sometimes it's off by more than 10 degrees...and that's after the car has been moving for quite some time. i think there is a TSB out on the temp sensor...but i haven't had anything done about it yet...

ragtop · October 2003

I think I read there is a way a adjust the outside temp gauge. It was in my 04' owners manual which I don't have with me at the moment.

aggie1995 · October 2003

I think I remember seeing a TSB about it also but I don't know how involved the fix is. If it means taking more than a few screws out I don't know if I'm willing to take the risk of the dealer causing more problems (ie. creaks & rattles).

However, if there is a way to adjust it manually then I'm all for it.

Let me know what you find out.

emale · October 2003

here is the temp sensor TSB...but i'm not sure what it entails...?

Make : HONDA Model : ACCORD Year : 2003
Service Bulletin Num : 020103 Date of Bulletin: FEB 01, 2003
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Summary:
OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR LOGIC. *TT *JB

dindak · October 2003

Have not sat in a TL back to back with an Accord, but they seem to be the same size.

The TL just looks so much better. They could have decontented a bit for North America if the price was too high. It's like the MDX vs the Pilot, the MDX is just so much nicer to look at.

Plot!

;-)

justin · October 2003

did you mean to direct that post at me? i am confused....

but, FWIW, i agree, the 04 TL is a much nicer car than the 04 Accord.

chucko3 · October 2003

My 03EX-V6 ouside temp gauge is about 3-4 degrees warmer than actual, hot or cold.
Since the sensor is mounted in the front bumper, I would expect a few degrees off. No big deal.

Older Honda Accords

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