Older Honda Accords

gregoryc1 · February 2004

QUESTIONS: ----What is your life, and the life of your family and friends worth in dollars? ----- Why would anyone want to trust a product with a known failure rate? ---- People have been injured with poorly constructed tires. Ask some Ford Explorer owners about their experiences. I have survived two rear wheel blow-outs at 60 MPH, (one in a full-size rear wheel drive car, and one in a Jeep Grand Cherokee. (Both were caused by a defect in the tire construction). It was not a GREAT experience. Tires are cheap. Hospital / Medical bills and human pain are expensive.

gee35coupe · February 2004

We have come to depend on the lower than average failure rate of our cars. Why put crappy "known failure prone" tires on our cars?

jrock65 · February 2004

The answer to #3 would depend on location, but I wouldn't pay more than $300 over invoice ($24,244 for 2004 EX-V6.) I think you can get it right at invoice if you're persistent enough. If you're really lucky, it is remotely possible to get it at few hundred bucks below invoice.

Watch out for any dealer fees. These are almost pure profit for the dealer and should be added to the final price.

Don't get overcharged for accessories/add-ons/warranties, either.

Hope this helps.

bd21 · February 2004

One of my Michelins on my 2001 Accord blow out last year with only 33,000 miles on it. I check for proper tire inflation weekly and I rotate the tires regularly. I didn't hit anything and there was no tread damage, the tire side wall just totally disintegrated while I was doing 80MPH. Any tire can go bad, even Michelins's Best. Bridgestone is a very good tire and I have used them for years. They are fine on my 04 Civic and I will probably put them on my Accord next. I have a wife and two kids and they are worth a lot to me. That's why I don't drive an SUV that is prone to roll over if you have a tire failure.

4ztc524 · February 2004

Gregoryc1: Since you brought it up, what is the "known failure rate" of Bridgestone Turanza LS-H vs the Michelin Energy in failures per miles driven?. You should have this data since you made the claim.

pj23 · February 2004

Every product designed and built by man will have a failure rate. By your logic, we shouldn't use any of them.

We each have to decide what is acceptable to ourselves, of course. And if you decide that all Bridgestone and Firestone tires are unacceptable to you based on one specific model range of tire on one car (or SUV, as the case is here), then that is your prerogative. However, you statement condemning the entire company is unfounded, especially considering how many millions of Bridgestone and Firestone tires have been and are in use on millions of non-Explorers around the world, without significant issue.

berbel · February 2004

Greg:

I follow this board pretty closely and have read
most of your previous posts. I agree with a lot
you have said but I'm not sure I understand your
comment about the Turanza LS.

I took off the oem Michelins when they had only
3000 miles on them because I didn't like the way
they handled. I replaced with the Turanza LS-V's
and have felt a world of positive difference with
these tires. I was certainly unaware of any "known
failure rate" with this particular tire.

Please expound with the data as I'm now very
concerned about this!

berbel

clint98v6at · February 2004

"QUESTIONS: ----What is your life, and the life of your family and friends worth in dollars? ----- Why would anyone want to trust a product with a known failure rate?"

Greg, you must be brain washed by Michelin's "baby in the tire" advertising. Michelins are good tires, but they are also susceptible to failure as is ANY tire. The Firestone/Bridgestone problem was identified by a specific tire and a specific vehicle combination. But if you want to cast off the entire company, that's your prerogative.

Your logic reminds me of Rain Man, who would only fly Quantus Airlines because they were the only company that did not have a history of plane failures. To each his own, I guess.

isellhondas · February 2004

For crying out loud...

Firestone and Ford blamed each other over the Explorer problem and therefore ended a relationship that began between Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone many years ago.

Ford said the tires were bad and Firestone said Ford reccomended too low of air pressure for a softer ride.

As I recall, all of the tire failures happened on very hot days with Explorers that were loaded down with passengers and other cargo.

Who really knows?

I never had a bit of trouble with my Michelins on my 99 Accord V-6 coupe. I replace them at 50,000 and they still had half their tread. The Bridgestone Turanzas are much quieter and perform better in the rain.

bburton3 · February 2004

Hey ISH-glad you like your Turanzas-should have bought them myself instead of the X-One's-cheaper and quieter.

Nobody talks about the real Ford/Firestone story-Ford saved something like $10 a vehicle by going with Firestone instead of the tires GM put on their UAV's AKA Urban Assault Vehicles.

It is amazing how many under inflated tires I see on the road-on occasion they are on my vehicle-DUMB.

c182skylane · February 2004

Hi. Do you know how I can "locate" new Hondas myself online without asking a salesperson to do a search on their computer? I got my 2003 Pathfinder by using the Nissan web site to located the model with the exact color, trim, and options that I wanted.

Twice now, I've been told over the phone that a dealer has the color, trim, etc. and I go there and find out that they "made a mistake" (i.e. EX vs. EXV6) BUT that they can happily locate the exact car I want.

Thanks.

kareshi · February 2004

anyone knows how to install the emblem for 03 Accord? Mine got stolen and I bought it from dealer.. but wonder if I can install it on my own, I tried but my hands can't reach the back of it..

c182skylane · February 2004

Anyone know how to decode the model portion of a Honda VIN so that I can determine if a car has the 6-speed manual transmission? This would help answer my previous question on how to locate the exact car I want. Many dealers post their new car inventory online, but they don't give details on automatic vs. stick on the EXV6 coupes. thx

jmaxe · February 2004

Look at new car inventory for Lute Riley Honda and you can readily see the model numbers for various configurations.

http://www.luterileyhonda.com/

gregoryc1 · February 2004

If you feel comfortable using Firestone or Bridgestone tires, that is "ok".---- With their past record with the Ford Explorer, I would not have a set of these tires on our vehicles. According to: "Car-Accidents.com" ---"The failure of Firestone and Bridgestone tires and the tendency of the Ford Explorer to roll over have been well documented. ----There have been 148 reported deaths and over 500 serious injuries".---- With all the products on the market today, why would anyone want to gamble their life on a product with a past history of failure?---- Tires are a "safety issue"! They are as important as brakes, and steering. Yes, any tire can fail, but I would like a product on my vehicle that has a past history of longevity.----- Firestone and Bridgestone are probably manufacturing great products today, but before I put my trust in them, they will have to earn that trust! I want to see a "low failure rate" on their products over a period of years.

isellhondas · February 2004

No one will convince you of anything nor will I try.

Believe me, when I managed a large auto center, I saw more than my share of failed Michelins too.

atlantabenny · February 2004

Put these on my wife's 99 Accord. Good for the first 15k. Got very noisy (thought wheel bearings were gone) at that point. Rotating the set for the last time (at about 30k), found bubbles on the inner sidewall. To think this German brand goes on the BMWs and M-Bs !

emale · February 2004

wonder if gregory asks the pilot what brand of tires are on the plane before he boards? lol...sorry greg couldn't resist!

gregoryc1 · February 2004

emale#13879, ----I don't care what tires are on any aircraft, because I do not fly! I haven't been on an aircraft, since I was on a National Airline Plane over Newark Airport that had a fire in the A/C system, and smoke was pouring into the cabin through the A/C ducts. ---------------isellhondas#13877, ---(This comment,"No one will convience you of anything nor will I try"-- was not "professional on your part"!)----I thought this forum was a open and free exchange of ideas based on the subject of Honda vehicles. Yes, any tire can fail due to construction problems, but when one brand of tire fails at a "higher rate than others", there must be a reason! I do not want to end up in a hospital because some company cut corners on their manufacturing process to make a few extra dollars on each unit, or because they did not watch their "quality control" and allowed defective units to be produced.---- Yes, ---a defective tire is "very personal".---- Since 1997 we have owned or leased 5 Honda vehicles with Michelin tires, and we never had a problem with this product. They wear well, and they give great service. If you prefer another brand of tire, I have no problem with that decision on your part. Everyone comes to their own conclusions based on the information at hand. Since you sell Honda Vehicles, if I came to you and wanted to purchase 10 Honda vehicles, but the deal hinged on changing the tires to Michelin, would you change the tires or would you walk away from the deal?---- Stay on the subject, don't attack me personally. I am just giving my opionion, based on my experiences with vehicles over a life time, and the information that I have collected on the "net". -----Have a nice day! -----Greg

pat · February 2004

Folks I think it is time to wrap up this line of conversation here.

Anyone who wants to continue should join us over in our Tires, Tires, Tires discussion.

And yes, things are getting too personal. Don't take those comments with you.

Thanks.

htt · February 2004

The '04 Accord brochure says standard equipment includes a lockable glove box compartment with light. My '04 EX V6 doesn't have light inside the glove box compartment. Does anyone have light in yours ?

nw1997 · February 2004

htt,

In the 04 EX V6, there is a light in the glove box. It may, however come on when the headlight/parklights are on. I am not sure of the LX or DX or 4cycl models.

lelandhendrix · February 2004

My LX has a lighted glove box, and it's true it only comes on when you have exterior lights on.

Something I thought was strange--the light never goes out. It stayes on even when the glovebox is closed. I only know because I can see a very faint glow through the area of the opening.

htt · February 2004

nw1997,

Thanks. I'll check that out tonight. However, I did use a flashlight and looked into the glove box. I didnot see any light bulb or anything that looked like a light bulb inside the glove box. May it be outside the glove box ?

nw1997 · February 2004

lelandhendrix,

The light is always on? Something doesn't seem correct. Ours turn off, when you close the box. Are you sure? Maybe the switch got hung up?

hmurphy · February 2004

I have an 03. If the lights are on, the glove box light stays on. You can see it through the small gap around the edge of the glove box.

nw1997 · February 2004

Does anybody have an 04, with which the light stays on all the time?

isellhondas · February 2004

Now I'm going to have to go check my glove box light! I never thought it stayed on all of the time the lights were on.

atlantabenny · February 2004

...is always on, which struck me as odd. Dealer confirmed it. But since Honda is a smart carmaker, I wonder what their reason could be other than plain cost-saving.

skiatl · February 2004

stays on too...until you push the button...never seen one that didnt turn off automatically.

grandlakegar · February 2004

I just checked my wifes 04 EX V6 and the light is on with the exterior/dash lights. Odd concept but it seems to do the job. Learn something new about our first non domestic (ignoring the new 64 VW Beetle as not a real car) everyday. Nice car. GAR

isellhondas · February 2004

If your rear defroster doesn't shut off after about ten minutes, something is wrong.

emale · February 2004

isellhondas...

you sure about that? my rear defroster DOES NOT turn off automatically either...

skiatl · February 2004

According to the owner's manual, it does not indicate that the r/w defroster will go off automatically, after any time frame...only goes off when the button is pushed, or ignition is off.

serendip · February 2004

Mine (03 EX V6) doesn't shut off either, unless I turn it off, or turn off the car.

htt · February 2004

The '03 Accord brochure says standard equipment includes rear window defroster with timer for all models. The '04 one indicates only rear window defroster. So that means the '03 will turn off automatically, the '04 won't. Is it supposed to be an enhancement ?!?!

emale · February 2004

'03 accord brochure is wrong...isn't the first time a brochure has been wrong!!

03honda · February 2004

Add me to the list of '03s with timer-less rear defrosters.

hbund216 · February 2004

Took a family member to look at a V6 Accord today. Love the feel of the car but one problem. The commute to work puts the sun on the side of the driver when going and coming back from work. Why did Honda decide to exclude the sun visor extension that the previous generation had!? Why!? This is actually pushing her into another car.

talon95 · February 2004

This was not cost cutting. They eliminated the extension because it somehow interferes with the side curtain airbags. They have modified the visor so that the whole thing can be extended backwards when you have it over the side windows. It actually works quite well.

jmaxe · February 2004

Don't despair. I thought the same thing when I was driving my new EX home from the dealer but then I discovered that the visor slides on it's rod to accomplish pretty much the same thing as the old extender. It seems to work well.

hbund216 · February 2004

Thank you for the quick response. That will work for us. Now to look at the Camry and see what happens. I remember some people complaining about the dark gray/charcoal paint and white spots and also window rattles. Are these still an issue? Anything else to consider when getting the EX-V6?

desmonsm · February 2004

Has anyone used a Dent Wizard location to repair the dent(s) to their vehicles? I've a small dent (barely noticeable, but the insurance adjusted noticed it) on the passenger side rear quarter panel of my silver 04 Accord.

Also, for anyone living in the Cincinnati/Northern KY area....have any of you used Superior Collision Repair to fix your vehicles? What were your impressions? I'm thinking about taking my veicle to them to paint the front and rear bumpers of my vehicle. What other collision repair places come recommended in the area? A coworker of mine recommended Randy Lane's Autobody up in Harrison. Thanks in advance for your responses.

bburton3 · February 2004

If the dent is barely noticeable and the repair requires repainting-don't do it. The vast majority of body shop paint jobs are much less durable than factory applied paint. It simply cost too much to buy and apply the higher performance paints. The repainted area will probably change appearance at a different rate than the factory applied paint and when you sell this vehicle in a few years time-this will be noticed.

atlantabenny · February 2004

I've used this service a number of times in Atlanta (Autodent and one other franchise whose name I forget, not Dent Wizard), with the following comment:

1) Bottom line: It's the best way to repair minor dents and dings. A good, veteran dent remover can achieve 98-99%, if not 100%, restoration. That no repaint is involved is key - no fading, mismatching, etc.

2) Interview/size up the actual dent remover before committing. By nature, most of these professionals are perfectionists but you can still meet the "it's just a job" individual whose standards are not as high.

My wife's O3 EX-L sustained a headlight/front fender hit from a flying object on the interstate couple months back. Repair, repaint and new headlight were quoted by a bodyshop at $1,500.00. In the end spent $280; bought headlight myself (eBay) and had Autodent remove dent. Quality of finished repair exceeded what would have been a hammering/filler/repaint job.

Standard charge is $60/ding or something like $80 per panel with more than one dent/ding.

Highly recommend it.

desmonsm · February 2004

Thanks for the 2 quick responses. I had 2 seperate incidents involving my vehicle in the first 10 days of ownership. The first (6 inch scratch across front bumper) occured at the dealership where I purchased the vehicle from. I had gone back a week after purchasing the vehicle to pick up the wheel locks and all-weather mats that they couldn't deliver when I took posession of the vehicle. Before I left, the owner's son took my vehicle to fill up the gas tank. Next I saw, there was a scratch across the bumper. He said he accidentally struck another car in the lot! The second incident occured 3 days later when the elderly mother/mother in law of our neighbors across the street acidentally backed into my parked vehicle. It scratched and slightly dented (not really dented, but "pushed in") the passenger side of the rear bumper (just behind the wheel)and a barely noticeable bump in the rear quarter panel, right above where the scratch occured.

I'm planning on having the front and rear bumpers repainted at the same time. The dealership is paying for the front, and the elderly lady's insurance company is paying for the rear bumper and quarter panel. I wonder if they (the insurance company) would go for me taking it one place to be painted, and another to remove the slight dent? The estimate their adjusted provided indicated to repair and refinish the rear bumper cover (I'm no body shop expert, but I didn't know you could "repair" a dented plastic bumper cover. Plus, they're supposed to return it to pre-loss condition. Pre-loss, I had a 99.9% new bumper). I explained this, and the fact that in a previous life I worked in the auto insurance industry (for State Farm). His response was that he didn't think the dent in the bumper cover was enough to warrant the extra $400 for a new bumper. I guess we'll wait and see what the body shop says.
The estimate also indicates to repair and refinish the quarter panel (6 hours of total labor). I think it would save them money if Dent Wizard can fix this part; like atlantabenny said it would probably only cost around $60. Personally, I don't think it needs repainted anyways. Sure, the very bottom of the panel is scratched a little, but I think they should be able to clean that up no problem.
Again, thanks for the 2 quick responses. I'm interested in hearing what other people have experienced, as well as comments about Superior Collision or other body shops in the Cincinnati/Northern KY area.

chucko3 · February 2004

Add my 03 EX-V6 to the list.
Glove box light is still on after the comparment is closed.
Rear defogger does not automatically turn off after 30 minutes. My 89 Accord does in 25 minutes. Could this be a new design for the new Accord? I have to check the manual.

imidazol97 · February 2004

I still can't understand why you went 70 miles south to buy your Honda. There are several dealers around the metro area and north that should have been much closer. How did you decide to go to the dealer that gave so much grief to you?

lichtronimo · February 2004

stays on too. I can tell because one of the screws cam out of the latch, so the door doesn't close tight and you can see a line of light at night.

desmonsm · February 2004

I purchased the car from Honda of Frankfort for 2 reasons: 1. Their sales price was as low, if not lower, than anyone in the Cincinnati area, and 2. They gave me about $750 more for my trade than any other dealership I talked to. Everything about this dealership seemed fine upfront, and pretty much until I purchased the vehicle. Then it went downhill. That's when the lies on their part began. I've spoken to the owner of the dealership (which went nowhere...except for him using a regional slur against me and saying that nobody that works for his dealership has ever lied....laughable!), called Honda and filed a formal complaint, written a letter to Honda, filed a complaint with the Frankfort Better Business Bureau, and will soon be filing a complaint with the Kentucky Motor Vehicle Commission.
Basically, I'm saying that I want compensated for 1. the fact that they lied to me (and it can be proven) when the salesperson said it would be 60-90 days before they would get another Accord like mine from the factory....they had one in 3 weeks! 2. the diminished value my vehicle has suffered as a result of their employee damaging it. They've offered to repair it, but there's no way I'm taking my car all they way back down there again to let them mess it up more. I propose that I send them an estimate from a location of my choice and they pay the bill. 3. finally, I want compensated for my time. This has dragged on now for a month, and I imagine it'll be another month or two before it gets resolved, which it will.
My advice to everyone: find a dealership where the employees are HONEST and the owner PROFESSIONAL. The distance in this instance (75 miles) isn't a factor in my problems. I would advise though to purchase your Honda from a dealership closer than this.

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