Anyone install the reaa wing spoiler after they pick up their accord? I found a place online that sell the wing spoiler for $380 or so. I want to see what is the price to have it installed. Any good body shop in the S.F. Bay area?
Let me say, first of all, that the paint on your new Accord *should* be perfect.
No car, however, is perfect. If you are upset over a bubble the size of the head of a finishing nail, how will you react and feel when you get your first rock chip?
I guess some of our expectations have risen to the point where the slightest of "defects" is cause for alarm.
Life is short...
Then someone else comes here and tells us that the U.S. built Accords are inferior to the ones built in Japan and advises you to demand a new car!
***sigh***
Well, I have read this before in these forums and I've even heard it from customers. Japanese Accords are somehow "better" than U.S. built ones.
I have tried on numerous occassions to detect even the slightest difference in fit, finish, or quality. I don't mean to argue with those who feel this way but I can't tell any differences.
And this is after looking at, literally, thousands of new Accords on a daily basis for eight years now.
Thanks for the two cents. The small bubble is the only item I saw so far. We will go over the entire vehicle better this weekend. If this is all we find, then hey big deal. My brother purchased a 2000 Sentra, built in Japan and also came with the same slight defect. Also, the brakes from what I was told from Honda were changed for the 04 models and a software change was made for the transmission. Otherwise first feel and drive was execucted well.
My comment about under-designed brakes was regarding the rotors warping very soon, not stopping power. I have NEVER warped new rotors in 6k miles in any other car I have driven. I have 24k miles and the front rotors have been turned twice and the rear rotors once.
I do not tailgate, ride the brakes, or slam on the brakes unless I have to. I drive the same route to work--at the same time of day--and in the same manner--as I did my last car. The last set of brakes I put on my previous Accord were still as smooth after 25k miles as they were when first installed.
There may be something wrong with MY brakes rather than Accords in general, but the service manager at my dealership said that a lot of '03 Accord owners were having brake problems. He told me that Honda was looking at different pad/rotor materials to correct the rotor warping problem. One post (msg #13122) stated that the brakes were changed for '04, so perhaps this corrects the problem.
I have no problems with the MXV4 tires. Whether the road is dry, wet, or snowy, the traction is no worse than other tires I have owned. If it is raining, snowing, or otherwise slippery, I slow down. Amazing idea, I know, but some people don't seem to get it.
Regarding quality, a new car should be perfect, but complex products that are mass-produced will have defects. A couple little problems that can be fixed with a couple trips to the dealership are fine--I wouldn't have given it a second thought. But when problems start appearing every couple weeks and nobody can fix them after several attempts (one problem has been looked at 7 times and still has not been fixed), that is what is frustrating.
I would have to agree with atlantabenny. This is my fourth new accord and I never had to take any of the previous three generations in for warranty work. One year later and not all of the issues, although minor, have been resolved. As for the paint, this has got to be the worst in history. The pait chips easily and my rear bumper is a different shade of white than the rest of the car. And I'am not alone, practically everyone I see has a different shade bumper. I'am supprised that more people haven't complained about it. In my opinion, that is just plain unacceptable for an accord. Making 400K+ is no excuse. Poor quality control, inferior parts/products, whatever, really needs to be addressed by Honda. I guess they set the bar to high with the previous gens and that spoiled many of us.
I'm as patriotic as the next guy, but the fact remains after owning 2, and examining over 20 Accords, Japanese ones are better built than the US ones. (2003 and 2004)
I wish it was different, but it's not.
Aggie1995, Honda cars go for a premimum due to thier quality reputation. That is what I meant.
A nail head could be 1/4". Yes, if the car is a couple days old, yes, replacement is fair.
re: inspection, yes I agree the customer should. But also, for LARGE, OBVIOUS problems, like the paint issues I have seen, the dealer should, as a good business, catch them. But they don't, becuase they only care about pushing cars and not the customers.
(Please, car sellers, don't flame; it's a fact that car dealers/salespeople car about one thing - get the signature on the line that is dotted. On the other hand, I know many SERVICE shops at dealers that are EXCELLENT - please don't confuse the two.)
Again my issue is not with dealers - it's with American Honda, which has fairly bad customer care, and hides problems. (like the hard starting/long cranking issue with 2003 Accords)
I have never seen a car with plastic bumpers whose color exactly matches the color of the rest of the car. It is particularly noticeable on some cars (like the previous-generation Taurus), but I even see it on MBs, BMWs, Audis, etc.
All 2003 Accord owners who have doubts about their brake quality need to know this:
If you have had problems with your brakes, be aware that your service department NOW HAS a fix. Hond DID finally procure a new brake pad with a better material. From what I've heard, the new ones don't produce as much heat and are less prone to warp and scale/grind.
I had my rotors resurfaced at 4K, and at 9,500 when I sensed the issue creeping back up again (even though very slightly) my service department knew the fix, had the new pads, and even replaced my rotors for free just to clear my mind about the problem of loosing too much rotor thickness with another resurfacing.
If you've experienced any similiar problem PLEASE have this done. My brakes are WORLDS better now, though they never had any problems stopping before. They are smooth as silk now and even the pedal feels easier to modulate.
...hopefully visits and heeds comments in this forum.
For Honda to fall into the mindset of "tolerable defect level" will be lamentable, because as consumers being rejecting their products (word will spread more over time about warped rotors/rattles/past transmission failures), they will also be rejecting Honda's strengths of independent thinking and innovation.
Way I see it, asking and expecting Honda to pursue Zero Defect helps, not harms, it. They've done it before, and competition is not resting. Personally, the thought of driving in 2007 a better-quality Tiburon in fear of another high-defect Accord will be ironic. Or maybe it will make more sense...
Thanks for the brake postings. At approximately 7k mi on the '03 Accord, I've got warped rotors too. A far cry from the 70k mi before warped rotors on my '95 Ranger.
I have white paint, and have found it is very porous, retaining stains from bugs on the front bumper and mirrors. I keep a good coat of wax on it and remove bird crap and bugs as soon as practical. Over time I know that the exterior will show signs of wear, but after 8 mos and 7k mi, I don't expect it.
With that said, does anyone know how to remove the advertising sticker that some dealers put on the trunk lid? There must be a way since Carmax takes off the original sticker and puts their sticker on.
I would have to disagree. Yes, some makes have the same problem, but most do not. I have not noticed any discolored bumpers on the camry, altima, solara or for that matter the previous gen accord.
That was an unnecessary cheap shot at Isell a few posts back. In my opinion, the things he writes make a lot of sense.
I own a 2002 Accord that was built in Ohio that I bought new in a year and a half ago. Not a single problem so far after 15,000 miles with this great car. I get 23-26 mpg in town, and 29-35 mpg on the highway (5 speed manual transmission). The handling is excellent, and it's a fun car to drive. I've put a few chips in the paint myself, mostly in my own garage (which has some furniture stored there), but I'm not sweating it.
My guess, and it is only that, is that Honda is having some trouble working out the quality bugs in the new Accord design. I've heard that engineers, when they think about it, try never to buy the first year of an all new product. Of course that isn't much comfort for people who bought the 2003s, but I assume that nearly all of the problems will be fixed under warranty. In the past, it seems like Honda has avoided glitches even in the first year, but even they aren't perfect. My guess is that the Honda engineers and factory workers have worked hard and have most of the bugs out by now. That's a lot better than you can say about Ford, which rarely ever gets its cars debugged as far as I can tell, even in their last year. That's why they keep changing the names of their cars. Granada, Fairmont, Tempo, and Contour have all come and gone to the ashheap of automotive history while Honda has stuck with the Accord and made it better and better. But even Honda, when they make so many cars, is probably going to have a few that aren't up to their own standards.
When my other car, a 1988 Olds, finally wears out, I will probably buy another Honda to join my 2002.
After Honda fixed my loud windshield, I thought yeah, this is much better. Finally I could enjoy my '04 Accord EX in blissful quiet. I know many have posted here about rattles being "minor" or that "all cars have 'em" but I tell ya, when you drive a 20K+ car off the lot and hear a disturbingly loud rattle, it is not minor & it DOES make you think about the overall quality of the thing. Especially when your 6 year old base DX Accord never rattled & had a smoother ride. (but worse handling) It's not that the Accord is a bad car but I am disappointed by it. The sharp jolts that assault the driver over rough pavement are livable giving the decent handling but it's the noisy window seals that get on my nerves. Honestly, my fiance's '03 CR-V EX has a much better ride over rough pavement. I've been thinking about getting a CR-V LX for myself in the future. I thought I would trade the Accord in on a CR-V of my own but the looks/handling keep me in it. Well now its only the handling 'cause the other day some &($%^ idiot put 14 inch key "pinstripe" in the rear quarter panel of my 6 week old car.
I had a 2" long scratch on the trunk of my 3 week old LX. I'm not sure how it got there. The touchup paint really did do wonders to it. It is hard to notice where it is unless you look very hard. I know touchup paint is nothing new, but I've never had it work so well.
I agree about the window sills being a bit on the noisy side. I've been considering trying out some sound insulation (secondskinaudio.com), but I'm not sure how well it will work since a lot of the noise seems to come from the window and not the door itself. They also sell a product called RattlePad which stops rattles (if you can install it where the rattle occurs). It is basically dense foam with an adhesive. This stuff is mainly for people with very loud audio systems, but reviews I have read have been positive as far as decreasing road noise and internal rattles. To do all 4 doors with sound deadening and rattle pad would cost $120 (you can get 40% off MSRP by mentioning certain websites). I might try it if I ever feel the need to 'blow' $120.
I have read a few comments on a popping noise on V-6 2003 Accords.Mine only does it when I start off and brake when I stop. Sounds like it is coming from under my foot or around the driver side wheel. Thanks for any suggestions........
Dealers hold some responsibility in customer satisfaction. For example, my sales experience was poor at my dealer and my telephonic post purchase survey reflected that. When I took my Accord in to have the windshield rattle repaired they initially told me no loan vehicle would be provided. A few hours later I received a call from the dealer stating that they want to make things "right" due to my poor sales experience. At least they cared enough to recognize my displeasure. A free loaner was provided to me while they repaired my car. Made me feel better about things. Interestingly, I also received a call from the salesman I dealt with and he was very sarcastic and angry with me saying his job is on the line now due to my poor survey & that he has a wife and kid to feed. Before I could inquire about a manly face to face discussion he hung up on me. What an idiot!! Those that sell Honda's for a living might think I'm somehow at fault in this situation but dealers have got to realize that the customer needs to be cared for. That means if a customer wants to inspect their perspective new car on a lift prior to purchase, let them do it for god sakes. Also, while I'm ranting, I'm tired of salespeople pushing me toward used cars when I clearly ask for a new model. I've always heard about salespeople steering people toward products based on sex, race, age etc. but I really noticed it during my recent car shopping. (read the piece on this site about the reporter that went under cover as a car saleman) When the Accord gets the boot, my deal will done via internet.
My satin silver 03 coupe has it. "Light bronze satin silver" would be a closer description of the rear bumper color.
Given the car's overall appeal, I've just come to accept the car's minor flaws. One didn't have to compromise this way with a Honda previously - and that I believe is the crux of Honda's quality issues.
"Granada, Fairmont, Tempo, and Contour have all come and gone"
The cars you mention are from another era. Hondas are good cars but to compare you 02 to these cars really isn't fair. Thats like saying my P4 computer is better than your TRS-80.
I agree with all the people who have been dissappointed, but at the same time keep it in perspective. I have to think that we expect more today than we did, even 5 years ago.
If you want to hear about some people with more-serious and more-widespread problems, visit the Mazda6 discussion on rust or the Toyota Camry/Solara with pulling/steering/alignment problems.
I'd trade my squaky window seal for those guys' heartaches anyday.
"If you want to hear about some people with more-serious and more-widespread problems, visit the Mazda6 discussion on rust or the Toyota Camry/Solara with pulling/steering/alignment problems."
Although I haven't experienced it, it appears that the latter has been an issue with a fair number of Accord owners as well... :-(
All first year cars have "glitches". You have to look at the big picture and consider that Honda/Toyota/etc are designing something that has thousands upon thousands of moving parts. And they have to design them in an era when people want more, more, more but want to pay less, less, less. In 98 the Accord didn't have heated seats, side airbags, LED gauges, EBD, side curtain airbags, telescopic wheel, cd changer, etc. All of this was added for 03 with a minimal increase in price. But no matter how much you spend there is a chance with ANY car that you will get one with a few minor, or major, defects. Chances are that with the Accord once you get past those it will motor happily along for years.
No flames from me, and I don't think you aren't patriotic. I do, however, think it's a placebo effect when you think a Japan Accord is better in some way than a U.S. produced one. At least five years ago, in these forums, someone else felt that way. I made a good effort of trying to detect even the slighest diffeence between the two models and I was unable to. This still applies today. Not that I'll change your mind, but I do live with these cars.
As for the paint problem, I'm no carpenter but I've never seen a "finishing" nail with a quarter inch head. If this is the case, it can be easily repaired. You don't replace an entire car because of a hangnail of a problem.
As for the "hard starting" on 2003 Accords. I don't disagree this may be some kind of a problem but I've started, literally, hundreds of these and have yet to experience this.
But...all of this makes me feel pretty good, really. The Accords are such a great car that the most minor of things becomes amplified into a major "problem". Probably not a bad thing and hopefully this will keep Honda on their toes!
ANyone own a 2004 accord lx or a new camry? I've driven both cars and cannot decide which one to buy. It seems the body on the camry is better? Does anyone agree with that? And the steering on the camry seems easier and is not as sporty as the honda. And what I am reading about the paint on the 2003's honda's is very concerning. I have a 91 accord lx and it has a rust spot by the gas cap. But the radio doesn't work all the time and things are starting to go. I have driven some 2003's at the dealers and agree that they don't turn over right away. There is also a lot of road noise. More so than on my 91. I wonder if the camry has the same problems. Any suggestions? Also I hear a lot of talk about the hondas having a timing chain which is better than a timing belt. Can anyone comment on that?
If you read these forums enough you'll get so scared you will forget buying a car!
You'll just take the bus instead to avoid having any problems.
You must remember that it's the nature of people to complain and others are quick to join in.
I have yet to see a paint problem on a new Accord. When I do a delivery, the buyer and I carefully inspect the car for lot damage. I can think of maybe one minor paint flaw once years ago on a Passport. It was so minor the buyer didn't even care about it.
I don't know where you live but your 13 year old Accord is liable to have a rust spot after all those years loke any car.
I'm on the west coast and don't know what rust is.
If you want to hear about some people with more-serious and more-widespread problems, visit the Mazda6 discussion on rust or the Toyota Camry/Solara with pulling/steering/alignment problems."
"Although I haven't experienced it, it appears that the latter has been an issue with a fair number of Accord owners as well... :-( "
I regularly lurk in most of the Honda Accord forums and have only seen one post about a pulling/steering problem and either that guy was completely full of it or his service manager isn't even qualified to work on lawn mowers!
As a 3 time Honda owner (91 Accord, 99 Prelude, 99 Accord) I have been shopping for a good deal on a 04 Accord coupe. Impressed by the vehicle, but it seems way more luxurious than sporty. Have not been able to find a TSX 6-speed to drive, no dealers in San Diego seem to have them.
Never really considered the Mazda 6 due to Ford parts and the lower quality ratings and image that Mazda has. Drove the V6 5-speed today, very impressed. The interior is not as tight and uses slightly lower quality materials than Honda or Toyota, but it wasnt by much. The handling and steering was amazing, pretty similar to my Prelude. The ride was as good if not better than my Accords' and pretty similar to the 04 Accord. The shifter and clutch were almost as good as the Honda's. It was quiet, smooth, powerful, had a great engine sound, and was lots of fun to throw around. I can see why all the magazines and reviews love this car. The dealer also informed me that Mazda offers roadside assistance and a 4 year/50000 warranty, which is better than most of the midsize class.
I want to try the TSX because what I am looking for is a 4-door Prelude---slightly better mileage and long distance driving ability than the Prelude, but better handling and a sportier feel than the Accord. But even as a Honda fan, I was impressed by the Mazda 6.
"I regularly lurk in most of the Honda Accord forums and have only seen one post about a pulling/steering problem and either that guy was completely full of it or his service manager isn't even qualified to work on lawn mowers!"
Sorry, but several people reported this problem in the Quality Control Issues forum over the past year. And the reports seem to be genuine to me.
If you've spent much time in these forums, you're probably aware of the fact that I'm a big Accord fan. I've gotten myself in big trouble with the moderators over the years with some "overly enthusiastic" support of the Accord. But there's no denying that these reports do exist, and I was just stating that fact. And being a fan doesn't blind me to the issues that others have encountered.
And as I stated before, I haven't experienced this issue with my 2003.
Sometimes when I read your posts I hope I dont come across as being THAT blinded by my Hondalove. I do love my Hondas but I can't say that I haven't seen ANY bad ones. More than once when Anony and I were walking a Honda lot, we noticed a LOT of the coupes had an issue right at that egde where the bumper and quarter panel meet. There a lot of different ways that edge can end up. It seems Honda didn't place as much attention to that area meeting as they should. And I'm sure there are other not so perfect areas.
That being said, comparing the 93 Accord to the 03 is kinda silly. For example, I own a 1994 Lexus LS400. Our 04 has nearly EVERY option that my LS has except the big honkin V8. Not to mention doubles the economy and is just as safe. That car cost $53k new. Even if you discount the more expensive materials, size, and engine, I still don't think you can come up with as much content with $22k today dollars. The perfect Accord that 90-95% of us get today is a steal. The 90-93 EX is almost like an LX with a roof compared to the new one featurewise. It's a strippo.
As far as the alignment problems. I too have seem a few of those posts. But they seem few and far between. The don't seem to be a big problem. I know both ours tracked like lasers.
If you've test driven all of the cars you're interested in, the only thing left to do is establish a price range (which you didn't include) and a priority system of must haves and can live withouts and drive them all again and you'll probably be much closer to a decision.
The Mazda 6 wins if you want a value priced, fun to drive car that handles well, but won't be as refined, powerful or offer as many luxeries as honda/acura. Honda/acura wins if you want good handling, refinement, power and luxeries unavailable on the mazda 6. The honda/acura is fun to drive, especially with a stick or a v6. If you want a navi system, xm radio and a long distance cruiser (and are willing to pay a bit more) honda/acura leaves the mazda 6 in the dust, especially the v6 accord and tl. Even the 4 banger honda/acura is so good that the only compelling reason for choosing a mazda 6 over it is slightly better handling and a cheaper price.
All of these are fine cars, so enjoy whichever you choose.
I have an 03 EX Coupe 6 cyl. - Black with Black interior. When it was new and for a few months after that, there were lots of new squeeks, groans, grunts, wierd stuff, etc., then after 20,000 miles all has settled in. The car is powerful, gives great service, is warm in the winter, and cool in the summer, quiet, handles well,...what more can you ask? A friend got an Audi A6 about the same time I got mine - his is always in the shop..I just go for oil changes.
i am STILL amazed everyday at how nice my EX-V6 is. i did take it in to have new front brake pads put on. i must say, they weren't doing anything bad, but my dealer knows how i am with brakes (is that good or bad?), so i had them done. i don't really notice much of a difference. it is hard to tell, because this Honda is so much stiffer/sportier than my other cars, so you feel the road a lot more. so, when you brake, it is so hard to tell if you are feeling the road, or the brakes. either way, i am mental about brakes, and they seem just fine.
the 240 HP is just plain awesome. i SWEAR it is more than that, considering, going UPHILL, a poor little WRX had trouble passing me in all fairness, i don't think he had his turbo on boil and not sure he was a good shifter, but anyway, i just pressed the gas, and was gone. that is soooooo addicting!
i also like how the car heats up really fast, engine temp-wise, so i can have the heat on almost right away. happy holidays.
Has anyone had any experiences with using drive-thru car wash with rolling soft brushes and their affect (if any) on the roof-mounted XM antenna?
I added XM and roof-mounted magnetic Terk antenna on my previous car on an after-market basis, and the installer (Circuit City) advised against using this type of car wash.
The factory installed antenna on the Accord is lower profile and seems to be more permanently installed. I'm inclined to think it should be OK but thought I'd run it past this astute board for any insight.
It's been a couple weeks since I last visited this board and it has gotten a pretty negative vibe lately. I just wanted to take a minute to praise my 03 EX V6. This car has an awesome traction control system! I was thinking that it would be a nightmare in the snow with so-so tires and 240hp, but I was pleasently surprised. My V6 Pontiac Grand Am would either jolt or bog down in those situations. The seats in this car are one of the main reasons I got it. They are so comfortable on long drives. No more back pain! CD changer...great! Heated seats...great! Yea, I have some rattles that annoy me, but I am learning to ignore them. It rattles more when its cold, but they go away in 5-10 minutes...
Prespective buyers, don't let the negativity sway you...drive the car, you'll love it.
I'm sure most owners are aware of this, but I think it is pretty cool that the designers even were able to make the wipers overlap at the bottom so there is no "little triangle" in the bottom middle of the windshield! maybe the last generation had this, but it's new to me.
My Accord w/v6 is a goat in the snow. Handles as well, if not better, than my Integra with dedicated snow tires. The traction control does a great job of controlling spin. I took it down unplowed back roads just to test it out. Very confident.
I also feel that 240 hp for the V6 is a conservative rating. I put premium fuel in mine and it really scoots. I honestly think that premium fuel makes a difference with this car.
Rattles and squeeks. Mine has some, but they never seem to be persistent. The headliner rattled for about a week and went away. Center console squeeked for a day or two then quit and comes back periodically. Anoying because I can't count on the rattle being evident when I show up at the service desk.
I too love that there is no triange at the bottom of the windshield. In fact, my husband used to buy windshield wipers a bit longer so he wouldn't have to see the triangle.
I love my EX-L to death. 30+ MPG, warms up quickly in the mornings, love the XM, love the interior, love the looks ... I could go on and on. I can't wait to see it after we install the front chin spoiler.
I am so happy to finally see some posts like this. As I have mentioned, I have a new 2004 Accord EX V6 with Nav and I love this car. I sometimes get a bit angry when I see some of the negative posts about this car but I guess that is what a public forum is all about.
Everytime my wife and I take a trip in this car we smile from ear to ear. Great job Honda!!!
do any of you wish honda would allow you to choose 4th gear in automatic tranny equipped accords? just this weekend i was driving through some hilly country and the car kept shifting in and out of 5th gear. i put the car in 3rd gear but that is too low a gear when going 60 mph and causes the engine to race up to around 3500 rpm. sure would have been nice to be able to lock into 4th gear...
The idea of the D position is to keep the car out of overdrive. Since both 4th and 5th gears are overdrive, 3rd gear is the maximum gear that's not overdrive.
Obviously that didn't serve your purposes, but that's the nature of the design.
Anyway, the D position serves the same purpose as the CRV's "on/off" switch.
Comments
No car, however, is perfect. If you are upset over a bubble the size of the head of a finishing nail, how will you react and feel when you get your first rock chip?
I guess some of our expectations have risen to the point where the slightest of "defects" is cause for alarm.
Life is short...
Then someone else comes here and tells us that the U.S. built Accords are inferior to the ones built in Japan and advises you to demand a new car!
***sigh***
Well, I have read this before in these forums and I've even heard it from customers. Japanese Accords are somehow "better" than U.S. built ones.
I have tried on numerous occassions to detect even the slightest difference in fit, finish, or quality. I don't mean to argue with those who feel this way but I can't tell any differences.
And this is after looking at, literally, thousands of new Accords on a daily basis for eight years now.
Just my two cents worth.
Thanks for the two cents. The small bubble is the only item I saw so far. We will go over the entire vehicle better this weekend. If this is all we find, then hey big deal. My brother purchased a 2000 Sentra, built in Japan and also came with the same slight defect. Also, the brakes from what I was told from Honda were changed for the 04 models and a software change was made for the transmission. Otherwise first feel and drive was execucted well.
I'm not trying to trivlize the paint bubble but, in the vast realm of things, it indeed,is "small stuff".
I would be saying the same thing no matter what make. If closly examined, any new car will have *some* specks in the paint somewhere.
Enjoy your car!
I do not tailgate, ride the brakes, or slam on the brakes unless I have to. I drive the same route to work--at the same time of day--and in the same manner--as I did my last car. The last set of brakes I put on my previous Accord were still as smooth after 25k miles as they were when first installed.
There may be something wrong with MY brakes rather than Accords in general, but the service manager at my dealership said that a lot of '03 Accord owners were having brake problems. He told me that Honda was looking at different pad/rotor materials to correct the rotor warping problem. One post (msg #13122) stated that the brakes were changed for '04, so perhaps this corrects the problem.
I have no problems with the MXV4 tires. Whether the road is dry, wet, or snowy, the traction is no worse than other tires I have owned. If it is raining, snowing, or otherwise slippery, I slow down. Amazing idea, I know, but some people don't seem to get it.
Regarding quality, a new car should be perfect, but complex products that are mass-produced will have defects. A couple little problems that can be fixed with a couple trips to the dealership are fine--I wouldn't have given it a second thought. But when problems start appearing every couple weeks and nobody can fix them after several attempts (one problem has been looked at 7 times and still has not been fixed), that is what is frustrating.
I'm as patriotic as the next guy, but the fact remains after owning 2, and examining over 20 Accords, Japanese ones are better built than the US ones. (2003 and 2004)
I wish it was different, but it's not.
Aggie1995,
Honda cars go for a premimum due to thier quality reputation. That is what I meant.
A nail head could be 1/4". Yes, if the car is a couple days old, yes, replacement is fair.
re: inspection, yes I agree the customer should. But also, for LARGE, OBVIOUS problems, like the paint issues I have seen, the dealer should, as a good business, catch them. But they don't, becuase they only care about pushing cars and not the customers.
(Please, car sellers, don't flame; it's a fact that car dealers/salespeople car about one thing - get the signature on the line that is dotted. On the other hand, I know many SERVICE shops at dealers that are EXCELLENT - please don't confuse the two.)
Again my issue is not with dealers - it's with American Honda, which has fairly bad customer care, and hides problems. (like the hard starting/long cranking issue with 2003 Accords)
If you have had problems with your brakes, be aware that your service department NOW HAS a fix. Hond DID finally procure a new brake pad with a better material. From what I've heard, the new ones don't produce as much heat and are less prone to warp and scale/grind.
I had my rotors resurfaced at 4K, and at 9,500 when I sensed the issue creeping back up again (even though very slightly) my service department knew the fix, had the new pads, and even replaced my rotors for free just to clear my mind about the problem of loosing too much rotor thickness with another resurfacing.
If you've experienced any similiar problem PLEASE have this done. My brakes are WORLDS better now, though they never had any problems stopping before. They are smooth as silk now and even the pedal feels easier to modulate.
For Honda to fall into the mindset of "tolerable defect level" will be lamentable, because as consumers being rejecting their products (word will spread more over time about warped rotors/rattles/past transmission failures), they will also be rejecting Honda's strengths of independent thinking and innovation.
Way I see it, asking and expecting Honda to pursue Zero Defect helps, not harms, it. They've done it before, and competition is not resting. Personally, the thought of driving in 2007 a better-quality Tiburon in fear of another high-defect Accord will be ironic. Or maybe it will make more sense...
I have white paint, and have found it is very porous, retaining stains from bugs on the front bumper and mirrors. I keep a good coat of wax on it and remove bird crap and bugs as soon as practical. Over time I know that the exterior will show signs of wear, but after 8 mos and 7k mi, I don't expect it.
With that said, does anyone know how to remove the advertising sticker that some dealers put on the trunk lid? There must be a way since Carmax takes off the original sticker and puts their sticker on.
I own a 2002 Accord that was built in Ohio that I bought new in a year and a half ago. Not a single problem so far after 15,000 miles with this great car. I get 23-26 mpg in town, and 29-35 mpg on the highway (5 speed manual transmission). The handling is excellent, and it's a fun car to drive. I've put a few chips in the paint myself, mostly in my own garage (which has some furniture stored there), but I'm not sweating it.
My guess, and it is only that, is that Honda is having some trouble working out the quality bugs in the new Accord design. I've heard that engineers, when they think about it, try never to buy the first year of an all new product. Of course that isn't much comfort for people who bought the 2003s, but I assume that nearly all of the problems will be fixed under warranty. In the past, it seems like Honda has avoided glitches even in the first year, but even they aren't perfect. My guess is that the Honda engineers and factory workers have worked hard and have most of the bugs out by now. That's a lot better than you can say about Ford, which rarely ever gets its cars debugged as far as I can tell, even in their last year. That's why they keep changing the names of their cars. Granada, Fairmont, Tempo, and Contour have all come and gone to the ashheap of automotive history while Honda has stuck with the Accord and made it better and better. But even Honda, when they make so many cars, is probably going to have a few that aren't up to their own standards.
When my other car, a 1988 Olds, finally wears out, I will probably buy another Honda to join my 2002.
The touchup paint really did do wonders to it. It is hard to notice where it is unless you look very hard.
I know touchup paint is nothing new, but I've never had it work so well.
I agree about the window sills being a bit on the noisy side. I've been considering trying out some sound insulation (secondskinaudio.com), but I'm not sure how well it will work since a lot of the noise seems to come from the window and not the door itself.
They also sell a product called RattlePad which stops rattles (if you can install it where the rattle occurs). It is basically dense foam with an adhesive. This stuff is mainly for people with very loud audio systems, but reviews I have read have been positive as far as decreasing road noise and internal rattles. To do all 4 doors with sound deadening and rattle pad would cost $120 (you can get 40% off MSRP by mentioning certain websites). I might try it if I ever feel the need to 'blow' $120.
Given the car's overall appeal, I've just come to accept the car's minor flaws. One didn't have to compromise this way with a Honda previously - and that I believe is the crux of Honda's quality issues.
The cars you mention are from another era. Hondas are good cars but to compare you 02 to these cars really isn't fair. Thats like saying my P4 computer is better than your TRS-80.
If you want to hear about some people with more-serious and more-widespread problems, visit the Mazda6 discussion on rust or the Toyota Camry/Solara with pulling/steering/alignment problems.
I'd trade my squaky window seal for those guys' heartaches anyday.
Although I haven't experienced it, it appears that the latter has been an issue with a fair number of Accord owners as well... :-(
As for the paint problem, I'm no carpenter but I've never seen a "finishing" nail with a quarter inch head. If this is the case, it can be easily repaired. You don't replace an entire car because of a hangnail of a problem.
As for the "hard starting" on 2003 Accords. I don't disagree this may be some kind of a problem but I've started, literally, hundreds of these and have yet to experience this.
But...all of this makes me feel pretty good, really. The Accords are such a great car that the most minor of things becomes amplified into a major "problem". Probably not a bad thing and hopefully this will keep Honda on their toes!
Honda Accord: Problems and Solutions discussion
and the
Honda Accord Quality Control Issues
discussion groups.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
You'll just take the bus instead to avoid having any problems.
You must remember that it's the nature of people to complain and others are quick to join in.
I have yet to see a paint problem on a new Accord. When I do a delivery, the buyer and I carefully inspect the car for lot damage. I can think of maybe one minor paint flaw once years ago on a Passport. It was so minor the buyer didn't even care about it.
I don't know where you live but your 13 year old Accord is liable to have a rust spot after all those years loke any car.
I'm on the west coast and don't know what rust is.
Good Luck!
"Although I haven't experienced it, it appears that the latter has been an issue with a fair number of Accord owners as well... :-( "
I regularly lurk in most of the Honda Accord forums and have only seen one post about a pulling/steering problem and either that guy was completely full of it or his service manager isn't even qualified to work on lawn mowers!
Never really considered the Mazda 6 due to Ford parts and the lower quality ratings and image that Mazda has. Drove the V6 5-speed today, very impressed. The interior is not as tight and uses slightly lower quality materials than Honda or Toyota, but it wasnt by much. The handling and steering was amazing, pretty similar to my Prelude. The ride was as good if not better than my Accords' and pretty similar to the 04 Accord. The shifter and clutch were almost as good as the Honda's. It was quiet, smooth, powerful, had a great engine sound, and was lots of fun to throw around. I can see why all the magazines and reviews love this car. The dealer also informed me that Mazda offers roadside assistance and a 4 year/50000 warranty, which is better than most of the midsize class.
I want to try the TSX because what I am looking for is a 4-door Prelude---slightly better mileage and long distance driving ability than the Prelude, but better handling and a sportier feel than the Accord. But even as a Honda fan, I was impressed by the Mazda 6.
Sorry, but several people reported this problem in the Quality Control Issues forum over the past year. And the reports seem to be genuine to me.
If you've spent much time in these forums, you're probably aware of the fact that I'm a big Accord fan. I've gotten myself in big trouble with the moderators over the years with some "overly enthusiastic" support of the Accord. But there's no denying that these reports do exist, and I was just stating that fact. And being a fan doesn't blind me to the issues that others have encountered.
And as I stated before, I haven't experienced this issue with my 2003.
That being said, comparing the 93 Accord to the 03 is kinda silly. For example, I own a 1994 Lexus LS400. Our 04 has nearly EVERY option that my LS has except the big honkin V8. Not to mention doubles the economy and is just as safe. That car cost $53k new. Even if you discount the more expensive materials, size, and engine, I still don't think you can come up with as much content with $22k today dollars. The perfect Accord that 90-95% of us get today is a steal. The 90-93 EX is almost like an LX with a roof compared to the new one featurewise. It's a strippo.
As far as the alignment problems. I too have seem a few of those posts. But they seem few and far between. The don't seem to be a big problem. I know both ours tracked like lasers.
The Mazda 6 wins if you want a value priced, fun to drive car that handles well, but won't be as refined, powerful or offer as many luxeries as honda/acura. Honda/acura wins if you want good handling, refinement, power and luxeries unavailable on the mazda 6. The honda/acura is fun to drive, especially with a stick or a v6. If you want a navi system, xm radio and a long distance cruiser (and are willing to pay a bit more) honda/acura leaves the mazda 6 in the dust, especially the v6 accord and tl. Even the 4 banger honda/acura is so good that the only compelling reason for choosing a mazda 6 over it is slightly better handling and a cheaper price.
All of these are fine cars, so enjoy whichever you choose.
I am getting the vechile back into the dealership asap. Will keep you posted...
thanks again
altheaU
the 240 HP is just plain awesome. i SWEAR it is more than that, considering, going UPHILL, a poor little WRX had trouble passing me
i also like how the car heats up really fast, engine temp-wise, so i can have the heat on almost right away. happy holidays.
I added XM and roof-mounted magnetic Terk antenna on my previous car on an after-market basis, and the installer (Circuit City) advised against using this type of car wash.
The factory installed antenna on the Accord is lower profile and seems to be more permanently installed. I'm inclined to think it should be OK but thought I'd run it past this astute board for any insight.
Thanks!
Prespective buyers, don't let the negativity sway you...drive the car, you'll love it.
I'm sure most owners are aware of this, but I think it is pretty cool that the designers even were able to make the wipers overlap at the bottom so there is no "little triangle" in the bottom middle of the windshield! maybe the last generation had this, but it's new to me.
My Accord w/v6 is a goat in the snow. Handles as well, if not better, than my Integra with dedicated snow tires. The traction control does a great job of controlling spin. I took it down unplowed back roads just to test it out. Very confident.
I also feel that 240 hp for the V6 is a conservative rating. I put premium fuel in mine and it really scoots. I honestly think that premium fuel makes a difference with this car.
Rattles and squeeks. Mine has some, but they never seem to be persistent. The headliner rattled for about a week and went away. Center console squeeked for a day or two then quit and comes back periodically. Anoying because I can't count on the rattle being evident when I show up at the service desk.
I love my EX-L to death. 30+ MPG, warms up quickly in the mornings, love the XM, love the interior, love the looks ... I could go on and on. I can't wait to see it after we install the front chin spoiler.
Everytime my wife and I take a trip in this car we smile from ear to ear. Great job Honda!!!
Obviously that didn't serve your purposes, but that's the nature of the design.
Anyway, the D position serves the same purpose as the CRV's "on/off" switch.
-JD