By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
i was one of those who had appeal for the passat but couldn't see myself paying the same amount for a GLS 1.8t or $3k plus more for a GLS V6 than an accord EX V6 with its superior engine.
now you have to get the top model (GLX) to have the V6. I do hope they bring back the GLS V6 models for both the jetta and passat when the new ones come out next year.
alpha01: i could of swear the accord received a refreshing in its 3rd model year the last time. but i was in VW land in those years. with the intense, furious competition and a hybrid accord model coming this fall it seems feasible that the accord will have some changes.
did you notice i did this in one post!
and again, what i am saying is, even if the Nissan was better than the Accord, American's wouldn't buy it. its an image thing. while some say the Accord is ugly, it certainly doesn't sell that way. the Altima is the type of car that would sell well in Cali or South Florida and some southwest states, but overall, it is TOO styled, too complicated, too many "looks" on one car. i mean, if Honda sales are slumping because the Accord is ugly, then why isn't the Altima catching up?
i am not dogging the Taurus - good car for the money. and the interior is fine. i am saying that the Altima interior isn't any better, for all the fuss, it still comes out wrong, to me. just like Mazda, they insist on using that painted silver plastic, and on the Edmunds long term car, it peeled off in less than a year! style should never replace quality!
alpha
Anonymousposts - I am guessing you have your eyes set on the 2005 Honda Odyssey, right ?
The top contender right now is the 2005/2006 Chevy Equinox. We have a couple of issues with it such as the outdated 3.4L engine and questions about GM quality. Probably won't buy one just because of the possibility GM will include a better engine (possibly the 3.5L Honda engine they use in the VUE) in the near future.
Our other option is to buy a cheap $2000 beater truck and keep the Accord. We love the Accord so this will probably the route we choose. While a small SUV would be more convenient when it comes to carrying lawn supplies and baby gear there is no SUV/van on the market right now that we are completely satisfied with every aspect of.
CamCord does not sell 10 times more vehicles than the Altima and Mazda 6. If you combine Accord and Camry sales, that comes to about 800,000 cars. The Altima alone will sell in the vicinity of 200,000 cars this year. The MZ6 will do somewhere between 60 to 80 thousand.
There is nothing second tier about Nissan. The company has done a complete turnaround over the past five years, although I will grant its interior packages do not meet the standards of Honda. Accords and Camrys will continue to lead the midsize sales figures for many years to come, as you stated in a previous post, because they garner most of the non-enthusiast sales.
a well designed and high quality car eventually gets recognized. the perceptions of these cars are well earned. i do omit there's a lag time when it comes to perceptions both going positive and negative.
the galant is going one direction (down) and the altima and mazda6 are going the other direction (up).
Nissan has made HUGE strides, and its V6s are awesome, consitently on Wards Ten Best engines list... but the mainstay 4s could use finishing school, IMO.
alpha
In our area gas prices for a gallon of regular unleaded is about $1.76 and premium is $1.97. There are no signs that the price will fall significantly any time soon. Since both Camry and Accord have hybrid versions coming out in the near future and Nissan doesn't have any plans for a hybrid Altima I am guessing Toyota and Honda could take away some potential Altima customers in a year or two. The Nissan 3.5L is probably the best V6 engine out there but the problem is it doesn't like regular unleaded gas and probably be considered a gus guzzler compared to the hybrid Accord and Camry.
i'll dispute that. in terms of torque it may be tops, but overall no way.
And I had a 1987 Civic wagon that never rattles. Does that mean I should buy a .....Honda. Oh yeah I did.
Just kidding.
As to the Altima issue: I like it, but there is only one Nissan dealer within a hundred miles now and his service dept has one 'nasty' reputation. A few years ago the same management had the Honda, Mazda & Nissan dealership. I had a 96 200SX, SE-R. Loved that car & made a big mistake trading it in. My local dealer gave up the Nissan franchise in hopes of picking up the Acura line or Honda trucks. Otherwise, I would have looked seriously at the Altima. I still love my Accord Coupe though, as it is nearly perfect. Only flaw - it is too easy to drive outside the rules!!
An Altima 2.5S with Convenience Plus Pkg. and some accessories. Smoke with Charcoal Cloth.
I must say that I have ALWAYS been a fan of Hondas. As a matter of fact, the Accord was my second and at times first choice.
The Accord is the best sedan in this class, it has one of the best interiors in this class, and it has refinement galore, but it AIN'T perfect. NOPE. It ain't.
For one, it is a bit too small for my taste. I am a big guy and I need room. The Altima and Camry were roomier.
I just couldn't get over some of ths styling elements. The front is nice and the back is okay but together, the car just didn't look right.
Also, though it does have a nice interior, some of its materials are cheap AND hard plastics. The gear shifter comes to mind, as well as all the trim pieces on the dashboard that are NOT soft touch. To me, the design is what catches peoples eyes, NOT the materials. I seen a view reviews that state the interior's style is nice, and that materials are still below the VWs.
The car has an excellent ride, and it has some nice features. The price is right on the money and it is a leader in the class.
However, for me it came down to the Altima. For 2005, the materials have changed significantly. The dashboard has new soft touch materials and has chrome rings around the gauges. The door panels, which were the cheapest element of the interior has changed and has the "Honda-Look" as my salemen stated. The cloth material is VASTLY improved over the 02-04 and IMO the cloth looks better than the cloth in the Accord. The headliner has been improved and the car has a more solid feel than it once had. Trust me, if the car had not improved, I would have never bought one.
As stated, somebody or something has been taking sales away from the Accord.
But in the Accord's favor, they don't offer customer rebates like Nissan and Toyota have been doing. However, I have seen APR deals on the Accord since the end of 2002.
Altima sales are up and that car has improved, if only from the interior perspective. It isn't perfect either and I feel, as an Altima owner, that it isn't as good a car as the Accord, however, it is getting closer and I expect the redesign to get even closer.
I sure hope folks don't think the Accord is the best thing in the world, because Honda made a mistake back in 2001 when they redesigned the Civic. They thought the car would never get the competition that it has, and now the car is a second rate compact sedan. The Mazda3, Focus and VW have given the Civic a run for its money.
I am sure Honda will address that issue with the Civic when it is redesigned.
Whoever said that the Altima and Mazda6 are second best needs to wake up. This is NOT the mid 1990s when Nissan had the lackluster 2nd gen Altima and Mazda had the bland 626.
The Mazda6 and Altima definately aren't second best. As a matter of fact, I can recall the Mazda6 at least being only SLIGHTLY behind the Accord in many comparisons. As a matter of fact, I think one of the comparisons that the Honda won was skewed and that after review the article, the Mazda6 was supposed to have won.
No, I am not trying to pick with anyone here. Because the Accord is a GREAT car. But the competition is tough....REAL tough.
After my Altima is paid off in two years, I may get another one OR I may get another Accord.
I still have my old Honda...and even today the new Hondas aren't built as well as that car was.
I LOVE my NEW Nissan Altima though.
(You stated your .02, and Ive stated mine).
I think most would agree that in terms of interior fabrics, Accord, Camry....... then Altima.
alpha
I am wondering if there are any engine mods that would make a difference in MPG's on a 02 Accord EX 6. Like filter's or something relatively inexpensive.
I would like this car much better if it got better mileage. Only getting 24-26 with 55-65 mph 80% highway
Thanks, Ponyrider2
to me a midsize sedan in this price range is somewhat of a compromise. we would all rather have the A6, E Class, or old design 5 series, but they are out of my range for now. the Accord was the car made me feel less "poor" than the others, haha.
The 6s engines are hardly gutless, as well, and the 6 will outcorner Camcords, Altimas, Galants etc... all day long.
alpha
The Accord, Camry, and Altima are all pretty close in interior measurements with each having a slight advantage in certain categories.
"Also, though it does have a nice interior, some of its materials are cheap AND hard plastics. The gear shifter comes to mind, as well as all the trim pieces on the dashboard that are NOT soft touch. To me, the design is what catches peoples eyes, NOT the materials. I seen a view reviews that state the interior's style is nice, and that materials are still below the VWs."
You say Honda plastic is cheap and hard yet you bought a base Altima? Although it has been said the Accord is slightly behind the Passat it is pretty much unanimous that the Accord is near the top of the class followed by the Camry.
"As stated, somebody or something has been taking sales away from the Accord."
If you take the estimated 10-14% fleet sales away from the Camry it is only a few thousand units ahead of the Accord. Not too bad considering there have been rebates and special financing galore on the Camry where the Accord has only had 2.9% financing for up to 60 months. Also, the new Solara was introduced this year so you would expect the Camry to be up slightly since the last Solara was selling like a dog towards the end of it's model run.
"I sure hope folks don't think the Accord is the best thing in the world, because Honda made a mistake back in 2001 when they redesigned the Civic. They thought the car would never get the competition that it has, and now the car is a second rate compact sedan."
What does the Civic redesign have to do with the Accord? And why shouldn't an Accord owner feel that the Accord is the best thing in the world? I know I want to feel pretty darn good about something I spent $23,000 for. As a note, the "second rate" Civic won Edmunds recent comparison of economy sedans. Not bad for a car that is nearing the end of it's life cycle.
"Whoever said that the Altima and Mazda6 are second best needs to wake up."
Edmunds, Car & Driver, Road & Track, and Motor Trend have all said that the Altima and Mazda6 are second best so we don't have to.
"I think one of the comparisons that the Honda won was skewed and that after review the article, the Mazda6 was supposed to have won."
The error would have resulted in a tie, not a Mazda6 victory. And again, the fact that the more "pedestrian" Accord beat the 6 in the eye's of self-proclaimed driving enthusiast magazines says alot for the overall balance of the Accord.
alpha: The 6 engines are gutless compared to the competition. The automatic 6s can barely outaccelerate the 4 cylinder automatic Accord. The 6s auto has been tested at 8.1 seconds to 60 where the Accord 4 cylinder LX auto was tested at 8.5 seconds. Pretty disappointing for the Mazda 6 considering it has .6L more displacement and 60 more HP.
Although I don’t take Ward’s “10 Best” engine listing seriously, but it might take a while before Mazda/Ford V6 displaces either the Nissan or Honda V6 off it.
Out-cornering is not the sole point of selling family sedans. Accord's strength has always been balancing sport and comfort/ride quality. I wouldn't get Camry because it focuses on one side of the scale, and Mazda 6s or Altima 3.5SE because they focus on the other side of the scale. Accord, in its regular trims, has always taken the middle ground. And that works best for me.
I would like this car much better if it got better mileage. Only getting 24-26 with 55-65 mph 80% highway"
First thing I would try is to increase tire pressure some. At that speed you should be getting mid thirties for strictly highway. Once you bring city into the equation though it is hard to compare apples to apples.
so, is it a wide ranging view that the Accord sales are floundering, are some "haters" making that up? is it because it is ugly? i just don't see it as ugly. i see it as the first Honda Accord worth buying....especially from the side.
"If superiority in the mid-size family-sedan market is about sweeping excellence — and we think it is — then the Accord has come through once again. This is a vehicle that can reconcile conflicting requirements — seamlessly...
...What else can we say? If car design is a compromise, Honda has achieved a nearly perfect compromise with this Accord."
And on the engine...
"The Honda's i-VTEC four puts out the same power as the Mazda's engine, but it feels much more flexible at low revs, with immediate throttle response."
The only change I would like to see in the Accord is a more conservative tail lamp (just cover up the sagging shape, Honda). Other than that, I don't see any point in putting down Accord in terms of styling either!
Style beside I wanted to comment on the lower Accord sales. I do not believe that the number reflect market problems other that the Acura division has released 2 exceptional models in the same segment (in fact,I for one would have been one of those buyers considering the TL or the TSX, would have they been available in October 2002 when I got my Accord). Doing the math (hondabeat.com/ sales stats) one finds that the Accord sale decline (slightly above 9,000 units in the first 3 month 2004) is more than offset by the increase in TL, TSX sales. I am sure final year sales will not be far off the traditional 400K Accords sold each year!
And as for the TL :::drool::: if it were out when we bought our EX-L I would have gladly soaked up the difference to roast my buns in those heated seats.
Honda sales as a whole are doing fine. So a few less Accord are sold this year compared to last. It's all good in Hondaland.
Maxamillion is right I think people think its 1996 which it is not in terms of competition. As far as sellng with rebates its not like Accord sales are going through the roof. You can get one easily now.
Honda did a great a splendid job with the Acura TL(Thats one of best cars Honda has every styled and that car is like the total package) but with the Accord I think they messed up the exterior styling too much. The TL's exterior has grown on me big time over the last few months. I have to disagee with Maxamillion on the interior it may have some hard plastic but so do some other cars interior's. The interior in the Accord is only bettered by the Passat.
As far as the Camry is concerned I sat in one was not impressed. I just didn't see what was so good about the car. Last generation Camry was worth a look. The new one I can't say the same about it. Maybe if the put the Camry Solara interior into the Camry Sedan maybe the new Camry would be worth an actual look.
Like it or not the first thing that people look at when buying a car is the exterior. If people don't like an exterior of a particular they walk away from that car.
The next I buy a new car I will probably be looking at enties from both Honda and Mazda. I hope Honda comes out with something that appeals to me on the exterior.
The TL bases at $32k with no options other than transmission, NAV, and tires. The Accord EX-V6 sells for around $23k and lists for $26k. Durn right the TL is taking a few sales away. I know I'd be in the TL right now if it were available when I bought my Accord. At 2.9% interest, theres only $120 difference. You get a faster, larger car with more content and a Honda 6 speed with a Honda V6. You can't complain about the automatic tranny or anything there.
I like the TL but 34K thats a little much for my money. That cars is sweet looking as heck though.
Is the Accord still a good value? yeah.
I remember when the 96 Civic came out, I remember when the 98 Accord came out, and the 99 TL came out. I just don't think the way the designers styled the Accord was the right way about designing the 03-04 Accord. I am no designer but I think I know what works and what doesn't work from a "core buyer" standpoint.
Speaking from a Honda fan standpoint Honda needs to shock people with the next generation Accord. Nissan is coming at Honda very strongly now.
I even suspect that Honda has already factored in this changes. I say this because of the following considerations.
1) Honda/Acura aseembly line capacity may be at peak
2)Many component are shared and assembly of Acura models in place of Honda badged cars gives them higher returns
3) most models appear often on Forbes 10 fastest moving cars list
4) there are not large inventories that I know of (eventually just the opposite!).
So most likely the only moves we may see is that Honda/Acura, as conglomerate, move ahead to continue to capture higher market share in the US!
I have ZERO problem with people not liking the Camry. But it seems absurd to say "Last generation Camry was worth a look. The new one I can't say the same about it." given that you've indicated you havent driven the current, which is head and shoulders above the former.
anonymous- The acceleration numbers you post for the Mazda6 are from different mags, in different tests. For a real comparison, the mags should at least be the same (as testing procedures would be held constant, eliminating a variable), and ideally, it would be a comparison test (because test conditions would be reasonably static as well).
I've driven the current Mazda 6 4 clyinder and V6 both with autos. The V6 is a very good engine, though I will agree that the 4 needs more revs than the Camcords to feel peppy.
~alpha
The new Accord is not that great looking either, but it's decent (again IMHO).
I used to have a 2002 Accord EX 4 cyl, and really enjoyed it. Traded it for a big SUV, but I'll probably get another Accord to replace my aging Golf. My only gripe with the Accord was that it was missing a gear between 3rd and 4th when going uphill with family of 4 in it. My understanding is that the new engine/tranny takes care of that nicely, and that the overall ride is better than the old one (I like cars that handle well).
Good reputation for reliability, nice handling with the lowest price to boot (between Nissan, Toyota and VW) makes it a winner in my book.
That's one of the reasons why I bought the Accord 4 cyl--it feels much quicker and smoother than I would have expected. The engine and transmission in the Accord are very well matched.....Richard
I think the updated Camry will get the Solara interior.
1 Saturn Ion
2 Saturn L-series sedan (current model)
3 Saturn Vue
4 Chevrolet Avalanche
5 Pontiac Aztek
6 Nissan Maxima (current model)
7 Chevrolet Impala (talk about ugly rear ends!)
8 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (2000 to present)
9 Hummers
10 Cadillac CTS
My point: With all these stylistic mediocrities around, why beat up on the Accord? Just my opinion.
After driving this 5-speed EX-L I don't miss my 04 automatic at all. It was a nice car and all but the Accord has SO much more spunk with the stick. I am sure the V6 is a different story but I am comparing 4 cyl to 4 cyl.