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Comments
Is it possible that the transmission of 4 cylinders Accord also affected by the recall?
After all, shouldn't leather be protected with something? I have seen older cars with leather that is cracked or dried up like a prune! I have heard that "Lexol" products are most recommended, and I considered buying and applying them myself, but then I wondered if it would be easier and worthwhile to pay a professional to do it. And, by the way, if some of you recommend doing this, how much should I pay for this kind of "detailing"?
Also, make sure to pick up/vacuum any dirt or dust that can grind into the leather while you're sitting on it. Damp cloth is probably best to maintain. Never use harsh detergents, etc.--if in doubt about a product, don't use it.
Most of the newest fabrics used in autos are VERY durable and often a better choice than leather. But leather is classy-looking and feels/smells sooooooo good.......Richard
'00-24,332 miles for $16,991 (Only thing I don't like about this one is the white pinstripe but the low mileage is appealing)
'01-43,492 miles for $16,793 (This one has a spoiler and one of those things on the moonroof to deflect wind noise)
'02-38,548 miles for $18,992 ('02 newer of course has audio control on steering and ??)
We are going tomorrow to make a decision assuming all 3 are still there. I've only driven the '01 so far. Thanks for any recommendations!
If you decide to go with a used car, I would spend another $15 bucks to get a car fax report.
Second, the '00 and '01 models were subject to transmission issues. The good news about this is that the warranty on the transmission was extended to 7 years or 100,000 miles as a result of these issues. If this concerns you, you may want to ask the dealer to retrieve the service records for those units to see if any transmission issues had been reported or if the transmission had been replaced. As I understand it, only a small percentage of Accords actually needed a replacement.
I had an '00 EX V6 and aside from the fact that the transmission had to be replaced, it was a great car. I had no further transmission issues once the replacement was complete.
Finally, starting with the '01 model year, the Accord V6 models featured traction control. This prior generation of Accord had what they usually call "low speed" traction control... it utilizes the antilock brakes to control wheelspin and works at speeds under 25 mph. The speed limitation is due to the fact that if you use your brakes to control traction at higher speeds than ~25 mph, you could fry your brakes in short order. The '03 and later V6 Accords went to a different "all speed" traction control that depends much less on the brakes.
So, I had a very good experience with my '00, and I agree that the low mileage is attractive. And it does have the extended transmission warranty. Based on the price and the mileage, that would probably be my first choice if it were me.
The '01 also has the extended transmission warranty and adds the traction control. Its price to mileage quotient isn't quite as attractive as the '00, though. If I interpret your location correctly from your name, you probably have little problem with snow, so the traction control is probably a minor consideration, although it can also help to a degree in rain. This would be my second choice.
I'd probably pick the '02 last... since there was a history of transmission issues with this generation of Accord, even though the '02s aren't supposed to be affected, I'd feel a bit more secure with the extended warranty, which the '02 doesn't have. Other than that, it's pretty much a wash with the '01.
Hope this helps...
He and his shop foreman kept the car for several days, to drive it and try to pinpoint the problem. He told me about a high-tech listening device he used, and also said he had driven a number of other 04 LX 4 cylinders, including his wife's, and was not hearing the whine. He finally concluded that his original hunch was right -- the whine is coming from the transmission.
He doesn't see a link between my situation and the recall, which involves second gear. There is that article on the Honda tech site I mentioned earlier on the subject of automatic transmission whine, but it doesn't name a cause -- just says to be sure it's not coming from another source before putting in a new transmission. So maybe this whine is a completely different problem from the recall defect. My service manager didn't say exactly what in the transmission was causing my whine, and maybe that's not even reasonable to expect to be able to pinpoint that when there are so many gears and shafts involved.
I give my service manager a lot of credit for persistence and not accepting the original technician's judgement that it was a normal noise. It's definitely not. At the same time, a new car warranty obligates Honda to fix defects, so I'm getting my legal due. The fact that I'm getting it without a long, drawn out hassle is certainly a welcome development, provided, of course, that this solves the problem.
Now comes Act Two -- will the new transmission be free of this defect, will it perform as flawlessly (save for the whine) as the original, will it last, and will it restore my confidence and enjoyment in driving the car that I experienced for the first four months of ownership? I hate the idea of taking my brand new car and replacing such a major component, but if that's what it takes, so be it.
They'll be doing the job next Monday or Tuesday, so I'll let you all know my evaluation of the new transmission. Hoping for the best.
And I wouldn't worry much about remanufactured vs. new, since the remanufactured transmission only reuses the case anyway... all of the guts are brand new. Refurbished, on the other hand, is more of a concern, since they only replace what they think needs replacing. Fortunately, Honda uses only new or remanufactured... no refurbished.
And welcome!!
I've had my EX for a little over 3 months now and I really like the car. I've been reading these posts for a while and the info has been very helpful. Now for my question...
Does anyone know where one can get a cover for the back seat so it can be protected from my dog? I'd like to keep vacuming to a minimum. I've checked the online pet stores, etc. and have not been successful. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
put on and take off. I rarely had my dog in the front, but when I did I just used towels.
i remember back to when i was kid and it was the "norm" to hear gear whine. just ride in any chrysler with a torqueflite 727 or a ford with the c6 tranny!
Search for "seat protector"
The 6th gen's noise level was a major reason we traded it.
I just read a review (can't remember exactly where) where the reviewer stated that the '04 Accord was the quietest car from a non-luxury brand that he had ever driven. Other tests that I've seen have shown lower sound readings at 70 mph cruise than a comparable Camry.
My 04 LX 4cyl. was perfect for the first 4,000 miles or so, then the transmission developed a very noticable, very annoying whine at 45 mph, in top gear.
There are a lot of boulevards in my town with a 45 mph speed limit, so I was getting this a lot, every day. It didn't come and go -- it was always there. It would be exacerbated when you are very gently pushing down and letting up on the throttle to maintain a steady 45 on a relatively flat road. Especially when letting up on the pedal gently -- it would really ramp up. I didn't have to do "trick" driving to make it happen -- this was a whine occuring under normal driving situations, normal modulation of the pedal. I never got it under hard acceleration or when coasting to a stop.
Hope that helps.
Can't tell for sure if you're referring to snakehair's car or mine, or both. With mine, it's a moot point at the moment -- Honda has decided it's the transmission, and they're replacing it the first of next week.
But I'll save your post in case the whine continues, and bring it to the service manager's attention. Is that something that's happened to your car?
My question to the group is, whom should fix it (dealer or otherwise), and secondly what should I pay, or expect to pay? I know there are even home kits these days to fix dents, but do I really want to take a chance on a new car (that I might make it worse)? Please let me know--I am anxious to have it fixed, and will do whatever is necessary but don't want to get suckered into forking over way too much money! Thanks.
The "flawless" new cars at the car lot are the work of these amazing specialists with their tools to massage out the dents.
The DIY kit works with big dents to restore a surface up to 80% of original. They're not useful for small dings.
Ask your dealer for a referral. I strongly recommend the service - it's economical and the results are better than a bodyshop job's.
This generation the new brake design works better than the 3rd generation. Only one thing about the 4th generation, when you shift from P to D, the tranny does not shift smoothly.
You're welcome for the info.
A question -- Since you have a 6 cyl., do you know yet if your car is included in the general transmission recall program for 6 cyl. Accords? That could be a complicating factor, it seems to me. My service manager is insisting that the problem for which he is replacing my transmission has nothing to do with the second gear lubrication problem that the recall is all about. What if your transmission were to replaced, like mine, for the whine, yet still had the second gear problem? Would they then recall your replacement transmission for the second gear problem?
That's the question that would occur to me about my own replacement transmission if they decide to extend the recall to 4 cyl. Accords. I don't know that they're likely to do that, but who knows.
if that doesn't work, i am going back to VW.
My Grand Prix's, wifes alero, her now MPV, my Accord, the Sequoia....all garbage.
My advice, while you won't like it, go by some Brembo blanks at Tire Rack and have a good set of pads installed. Hawk makes some of the best. Install that combo and you'll not only stop shorter, but you'll have rotors that don't rust, look great and will last for many years.
I've had our van and Accord both in for the initial fix but once it happens outside the time that it will be covered, I'll upgrade to such an aftermarket combo.
i thought about Brembo's, but i just can't do it. i would rather dump the car and curse Honda at every opportunity, to anyone who will listen. i shouldn't have to buy aftermarket brakes for my brand new car. rattles are one thing, but brakes not working is a totally different thing. all my my recent new cars had perfect brakes. heck, even my 6 year old Miata has never had brake work done...
thanks for advice though! if i decide that the car is worth keeping (big MAYBE), i will look at the aftermarket parts you mentioned. i hear good things about Brembo too. i think the TL comes with Brembo. Honda clearly knows their brakes stink. all the car mags mention the Accord doesn't stop well too...compared to Camry and Mazda6.
the upgraded TL with Brembo's is hardly worth the money though....the Spec version can be had for a premium but again, one can do it themselves for far less. Similar to the Honda Peformance Package on the Accords....overpriced for what you get.
IMO, I'd still suggest you look at the brake upgrade. At $46 per rotor, the pricing is in line. Especially considering the time and energy you've spent dealing with the issues thus far. Even the well praised Camry has similar brake issues. Again, most newer cars skimp on brake parts and many OEM them from the same manufacturer at minimum standards.
Lot's of the problems are related to the harsher driving that many of us put on the newer higher performing cars. Not that this is what I'm suggesting, but I will use myself as an example...not many stock brakes hold up to my driving. However, then there's our Van that well...is driven by my slow-poke wife. In that case, it's my opinion that much like the Sequoia, the brakes are just too small and not built to handle the load.
very frustrating.
anyway, we'll see what they say this time....
the parts pricing on TireRack isn't bad, but the labor would be pricey here in my area - minimum $85 per hour. so it would be at least, at least $400 out of my pocket. not sure if that $400 would be better spent on tax for a new car
We have the following accessories:
rear wing spoiler, splash guards, fenderwell trim, front chin spoiler, and fog lights. At first I wanted graphite but now I am very glad I went with the RR.
The manual transmission in this car is absolutely flawless.
you folks spend soo much time trading hondas...do you spend anytime with the kid?? lol!!