Older Honda Accords

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Comments

  • egretegret Member Posts: 10
    Thanks for all the valuable feedback!
  • joeg2joeg2 Member Posts: 1
    Could you name the OUTSTANDING Dealer in NJ you dealt with. I live in central NJ and found most of the HONDA dealer are less than pleasant to deal with. Thanks.
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    Paragraphs Gregory, paragraphs.
  • gregoryc1gregoryc1 Member Posts: 764
    Thank you for your opinion! I didn't know this was English 101! I thought that we were just exchanging some basic ideas. You know, like a "conversation".
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    I think the point is that if you want people to be able to follow what you are saying, you probably want to make it easy for them to read your post. No paragraph breaks in a relatively lengthy message makes a message hard to read. Many readers just skip a message when it takes a lot of effort to understand it.

    You might notice this for yourself when you see a message in all caps? It's a similar thing.

    I'm sure no offense was intended and that it was meant to be a helpful suggestion.
  • smpearsmpear Member Posts: 11
    Yeah, that's not good news. Wonder if it was the side curtain or front airbag that failed? Since it was a side crash test i would assume it is the curtain that failed. That does not make it any better though.
  • jrock65jrock65 Member Posts: 1,371
    I'm kinda confused myself. It was definitely a side crash test.
  • 4runnering4runnering Member Posts: 10
    Recently purchased a 2004 accord ex sedan and interested in adding paint protection and undercoating. The paint protection is in the form of an adhesive sheet by 3M for the front hood, headlights and fender area. I live in the Seattle area and there's talk of adding salt in place of chemicals, so undercoating becomes a consideration. Also thinking about having dynamat installed. Anybody have experience with these items, good or bad? Previous posts rarely discuss how things went after the installation.
    thanks in advance.
  • tlaurotlauro Member Posts: 504
    Congrats on the new car. I hope I can help with some Q's you have.

    One: The 3M film is priceless. I've had my last half dozen cars protected, including my current two. It's all about the installer, so get a good one. Mine has developed into a good friend and comes to his clients and covers all concerns, damage, etc....in full with no questions. Even now, I have to have a new nose put on due to some damage from a shopping cart I hit and he will cover it for me as a good customer. Expect $385 to $450 for what you have requested.

    Undercoating...I've never done it and never will. Thing of the past. Honestly, I've lived in Cleveland and never had a car rust. Just take good care of it as you probably will and you'll be fine. It can actually be more harmfull than helpful IMO.

    Dynamat...great idea. Costly stuff, but I've done all four doors, the entire roof and trunk (Sub in trunk). So much quieter inside. Makes the G35 I drove recently sound noisy...really. I did it as part of a sound system upgrade, but mainly as part of the squeak and popping noise fixes I had to do on my Accord. They don't build them like they used to. Especially the headliners. Good idea and again, both are priceless in the end. Let me know if you have more Q's.
  • 4runnering4runnering Member Posts: 10
    Thanks for the info. I guess if you dont need undercoating in Ohio, then we definitely dont need it in the Puget Sound area.
    I have some installers lined up for the 3M and Dynamat. I'll be asking them about some of things you mentioned.

    Thanks again.
  • bluedblued Member Posts: 7
    I'm not sure where in central NJ you are, but we just purchased our 2nd Honda, an EX-V6, from Clinton Honda. In both instances the buying process was pressure-free and painless. Although we haven't had the need to visit the service department outside of regular maintenance, they were friendly and easy to work with.
  • emaleemale Member Posts: 1,380
    anybody here gotten their tranny recall notice yet?? hasn't it been quite some time since they were supposed to begin mailings to accord owners?
  • bd21bd21 Member Posts: 437
    Here is the actual recall notice with contact numbers.

    Nature of Defect:
    1. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Recall Number: 04V176000
    Dates Manufactured: JUN 2002 to SEP 2003
    Number of Vehicles Affected: 1099796
    Date Owners Notified On: MAY 2004
     
    Vehicle: 2003 Honda Accord
    Defect Description:
    ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.
     
    Consequence of Defect:
    GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
     
    Corrective Action:
    ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 12, 2004. OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THE ACCORD AND ACURA MODELS WILL BEGIN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
  • emaleemale Member Posts: 1,380
    thanks for the info...but isn't honda supposed to contact us directly?
  • talon95talon95 Member Posts: 1,110
    They will... my understanding is that, with the number of vehicles affected, they're staggering the mailings so that the dealerships can better handle the volume.
  • whitecloud1whitecloud1 Member Posts: 268
    You don't have to wait. Call the number given in 15489 by bd21. Have your VIN with you and they will tell you what to do. My '03 only has 8200 miles and I was told to make an appointment with a dealer and told I didn't need to wait for a letter. On the other hand if I do wait I might get a new transmission out of the deal. It boils down to how much time I want to spend with the car in the shop and is the oil jet kit good enough. In my case I also have the extended warrenty.
  • festusfestus Member Posts: 1
    My Accord had these symptoms. Below about 40 mph the headlight would alternately get brighter and dimmer. Let off the throttle and the headlights get brighter as RPM fell below about 1250. Press on the pedal and raise the RPM and the lights dim...very much and as if a switch was flipped. The amount of change was enough that oncoming traffic thought I was flashing my high beams as did traffic I was following. Honda said "normal". NO IT'S NOT. After much testing and hassle the regional customer service rep agreed to replace the ELD (electonic load detector). Problem solved.
  • greglawsongreglawson Member Posts: 20
    Hey everyone

    I'm just wondering if people who bought accord sedans recently, and have later build dates are still having rattling problems. I went to a dealer, and played around with an accord ex-v6 with a build date of 7/04, and it seemed pretty solid.

    Has honda addressed some of the accord's problems with rattles later on in the '04 life cycle? I'm also curious to know if anyone has bought a recently built (within Feb and July) '04 that still has a transmission whine
  • 4runnering4runnering Member Posts: 10
    Greg,
    I purchased an 04 ex sedan I4, 5MT with a build date in July. So far the only noise is an occasional buzz from the sunglass holder when driving over rough pavement. Of course the car only has 600 miles so there is lots of time to develop noises, hopefully not!
    The only nit is tape residue on the drivers side fwd end of the sunroof shade which came from trim tape on top of the ceiling liner at the sunroof opening.
  • zitchzitch Member Posts: 55
    Well, I've passed the 1 year of ownership mark on my 2003 Accord LX on August 8, 2004. It had the 2.4L 4-cylinder. I had put close to 30,000 miles. I'll give my impressions on the car.

    My daily drive is about 27 miles one way to work and back. I tend to get between 24-30 miles per gallon, depending how heavy my foot was for that tank... ;). The drive is a full access highway (55-65 speed limits with a few stoplights). Traffic is normally light.

    I had taken it for a drive from Louisiana to Florida (about 650 miles or so from Baton Rouge to Orlando) a couple weeks ago. It took 2 tankfulls on the drive to Orlando and averaged 34 miles per gallon. I was maintaining 70 MPH when I could, but traffic got heavy in a few spots. Right in line with the EPA estimates. I used up one tankful for the week I was in and around Orlando and that tanks averaged 22 miles per gallon (damn that heavy foot again...).

    I was amazed on the return trip though. Traffic was much lighter coming back, so I was maintaining the speed limit much better. Again, it took 2 tankfulls. The first tank averaged 38.4 MPG. The second tank averaged 35.3 MPG.

    This entire trip was with the AC on, 2 adults, 1 child, and some luggage and stuff in the trunk. I'm curious as what the numbers would be with the AC off. I was using 87 octane gas the entire trip.

    On rattles, I did have one in the headliner near the sunglass holder that seemed to have disappeared. Might be temperature related. There are also some very minor rattles in the A and B pillars, but they come and go, and I usually have the music drowning those out. No new ones seemed to have developed in the first year of use.

    I got the I4, not because I wouldn't use the power of the V6, but BECAUSE I WOULD use the power of the V6. It's hard enough not getting in trouble with the I4 as it is... :). I do wish I could get a manual, but I got a pretty good deal at a well located dealer that I couldn't pass up. The 5-speed automatic isn't a slouch anyways. It does a good job shifting. I like how it'll double-gear shift though (cruise in 5th gear, floor the petal and the auto goes down to 3rd gear immediately. From there, it'll downshift to 2nd gear if needed). It's a nice touch.

    Only option I got was an MP3-CD player. The sound system is very good. Could use a little more "omph" in the deep bass region, but still surpasses acceptable. I know some people that have worse (much worse) sounding home systems... :). Also would be nice if the sound system can show the name of the track, artist info, etc, and that it could randomly play from all songs on the CD (instead of what's in the current folder), but I see that the MP3-CD system was designed to act exactly the same way as the 6-disc changer (Each folder is treated as a separate disc and each file is a track on the "disc").

    The exterior has grown on me. It's not super flashy, but it's not exactly mundane. It doesn't look too tall, or too long. I didn't get the car for it's looks anyways (which is one reason why I'm saving up for a Mazda RX-8 anyways... ;) )

    I do love the "bumpy" ride as a driver. It seems to have smoothed out over 30k miles, but some people say it's still "harsh" going over bumps. I don't think it's bumpy at all, but it's not floaty and bouncy. It feels just right.

    Visibility is a minor issue. The A-pillars can block your view while turning, and I am still not used to figuring out how much space I have when backing up. Blind spots aren't a problem with proper mirror adjustments though.

    I love the passenger room you have in all of the seats. Even when transporting 5 people, the 3 in the back aren't crammed in there. The trunk is on the smallish side, but the opening is pretty big. And the center console pass-through is a nice touch to make up for the lack of a split rear seat. And I like all of the little storage areas that are available all around the passenger cabin.

    In summary, I really like the car. I can easily see it being a faithful and reliable car for many years to come, much like my 94 Accord LX was that I traded in for this one. And I didn't even mention the stuff like the feel of the seats and steering wheel, the dashboard layout, the feel you get when the tachometer surpasses 3000 rpms... :)
  • jxu1jxu1 Member Posts: 4
    Will someone help to explain how to change Accord LX 2004 air filter. Thanks.
  • maxamillion1maxamillion1 Member Posts: 1,467
    New 05 Accord has new taillights and different rims on EXV6 models...LX and LXV6 get new hubcaps as well.
  • slrommelslrommel Member Posts: 4
    My wife and I just purchased a 2004 Accord EX with leather. We are considering purchasing an extended warranty ("Honda Care") through the dealership. We were offered a 7 year/ 100 K mile warranty for $1050 plus tax. The deductible is $50, and if we were to never use the warranty within the warranty period, we would receive the $1050 back (minus the sales tax).

    Has anyone had experience with a Honda Care extended warranty? If so, how does this price compare to what you were offered? Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
  • johnny420johnny420 Member Posts: 473
    4runnering,

    If you don't mind my asking, where in the Seattle area are you having the Dynamat installed and how much will it cost?

    I have a TSX, similarly sized to the Accord, and would be interested in having the Dynamat installed to quiet things down a bit.

    Thanks,

    Johnny
  • stacey_burkestacey_burke Member Posts: 88
    I am looking into this also. I have looked at this web site. It is a honda dealer.
    http://www.curryhondacare.com/pricing.cfm

    I have never heard about getting back the entire price if you do not use it....
  • zhelderzhelder Member Posts: 42
    I purchased a 7 yr./100K mile/$0 deductible warranty on my '04 Accord EX in late December for $765 from Pohanka Honda in Maryland. I think prices have been raised a bit on the extended warranty since I purchased it, but you may be able to do better than $1050. $1050 sounds like about an average price. You can purchase an extended warranty from any Honda dealer in the country (I'm in NJ) so shop around! The Odyssey Club forums (www.odyclub.com) have some good information on dealers offering extended warranties for good prices, although obviously the focus is on extended warranties for Odysseys. However, I used information from this site to contact Pohanka Honda and purchase the warranty for my Accord.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    If you use the Search This Discussion feature on the page bar to look for "Honda Care", you'll turn up previous conversation here.

    Be sure to use the quotes to look for the exact phrase.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    i logged into my Honda Ownerlink. saw the photos of the new EX-V6 models. am i missing something? the rear lights look the same except now they look more "american" by having all red lights. it doesn't appear that the shape changed. did the shape change? and are those new EX-V6 wheels standard? they are kinda shiny...

    never thought i'd say this, but glad i have the 03/04 look over the 05 :)
  • maxamillion1maxamillion1 Member Posts: 1,467
    I personally liked the 03-04 EXV6 rims in the first place...I liked the EXV6 rims better than the current EX rims too. I KNOW I am in the minority on that ;)

    However, I agree with you Justin, the new taillights haven't changed any and they don't really look any better either.

    Those taillights are the same as the ones found on the Accord Hybrid. I knew when we saw pics of the Accord hybrid that the other Accords would soon get the same taillights.

    Overall, I still would take the Accord over my no count Altima anyday now... :)
  • jmaxejmaxe Member Posts: 198
    I haven't actually tried but the service manual shows 4 screws that should be removed to open the top cover of the housing.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    did the majority not like the 03/04 EX-V6 rims? i had never heard that. i knew the EX rims were kind of flashy, but i figured that worked for the 4 cylinder models, and they are probably gonna be bought by people that want 5 speed manuals to get the most power, and i think in general, manual cars are meant for sport. like my Miata.

    i definitely like my EX-V6 rims better than the 05's. and the all red tail-lights is not good look on a foreign car. why is Honda doing that? i notice Audi did too. years ago, all red was the sign of a Big Three car, and amber signals meant higher dollar foreign it seemed....
  • 4runnering4runnering Member Posts: 10
    Johnny,

    I checked into some of the car stereo shops, including Magnolia Hifi and Car Toys. I talked with Magnolia and they claim to have good experience doing this kind of installation. I suspect that most car stereo shops and after market auto accessory shops would have some experience with this type of install. Before jumping into this though, I want customer references with their feedback to see how the process worked.

    I did not get very specific about price but a figure between 400 and 700 comes to mind, it depends on how much area to cover and how extensive.

    From what I have read, one of the main culprits for road noise, comes from the doors and requires dynamat on the inside surface of the outer sheet metal and on the inner sheetmetal (with all the cutouts).

    Hope this helps!
    4runnering
  • 4runnering4runnering Member Posts: 10
    A question to any body with a similar problem or has paint experience. My Accord has the eternal blue color and tends to show everything like a dark color would.

    Anyway I Washed it yesterday only to find a small bump (not a dent) in the hood about one third back on drivers side. You have to get the right reflection to notice and cannot feel it with a finger.

    I took it into the dealer for resolution and their response was, if a dent restore doesn't work, they would have the hood redone by their bodyshop and repainted.

    Question I have, is a repainted hood going to match the rest of the body?

    The other concern, I planned on installing a 3M plastic shield on the fwd part of the hood to protect against rock chips. Is there a minimum length of time with this new paint before the 3M product can be adherred it.

    If the paint has to wait to cure completely, I'll probably let it go, since protecting against road debris and rock chips rates higher.

    Any thoughts, Thanks in advance
  • jebinc1jebinc1 Member Posts: 198
    I would live with it and avoid a "hood repainting" at all cost. MTFWTAW.
  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    Regarding the '100% back if you don't use the warranty'.

    From other postings, you better get this in writing, signed by a manager. There have been several stories about this being something the salesman/FI person says, without anything in writing, and no money ever coming back....
  • jjx456jjx456 Member Posts: 41
    I agree with jebinc1. Live with it. Repainting would probably cause more grief. Maybe try to get some monetary compensation or free service instead.
  • blackexv6blackexv6 Member Posts: 503
    I just typed in my VIN number on the Honda Ownerlink website. My car is recalled but did not recieve the notification yet. We have 30k on an '03 V6 and it is due for a tranny fluid change.

    Does anyone know if the fluid will be drained as part of the recall?

    I'm having tranny nightmares again...my last car (Ford Contour) died at 80k. Ugh...Honda what's going on?
  • talon95talon95 Member Posts: 1,110
    I just read through the TSB that covers the installation of the oil jet kit, and it doesn't require changing the transmission fluid, only topping it off when complete.

    For the record, the maintenance schedule doesn't call for a transmission fluid change until 60000 miles, even under the severe schedule. Of course, if you want to do it more often, that's certainly your prerogative...

    If you decide to change it early, I'd suggest waiting until they performed the warranty mod, and then have them change it afterward. Since you'd be changing it early anyway, a few miles over the 30000 mark shouldn't be an issue.
  • rhsrhs Member Posts: 10
    I have a '96 Accord 4 cylinder with 126,000 miles and the CEL just recently illuminated. My friendly Autozone dealer checked it and said that it was the rear O2 sensor that was the culprit. I had heard that there was an extended emissions warranty for some of the models. Does anyone know if the '96 model is entitled to this warranty? If not, how much should I expect to pay for a rear O2 sensor (it screws into the cat. converter).
    Thanks.....
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Yes the 96 has an emmisions warrenty up to 150k. You get a free tuneup with plugs, wires, cap and rotor along with an oil change any time after 75k. They will then test your emissions system and replace anything that is not working. I just did it last month on my '96 Odyssey (same engine)
  • rhsrhs Member Posts: 10
    Does the warranty also cover the O2 sensors?
  • faddah1faddah1 Member Posts: 2
    I am considering new tires for my '01 LX-V6 which just turned 60k. Looking for suggestions as to good quality, ride and quieter tires. I have 3 originals and 1 "newer" (A nail got one on Christmas Eve 2002.
  • auntieshoesauntieshoes Member Posts: 14
    I am ready to buy an 04 Accord. I will probably get the EX with Leather. I am deciding between the 4 or 6 cylinder.

    People that I have spoken to, in general, have not driven the cars so their opinions are of very little value. The knee-jerk reaction is simply to say "get the 6 - you'll like the power." But a lot of info I have read says the 4 has sufficient power.

    I am going to be trading in my 03 Highlander with the V6. One of the main reasons is that I am not happy with the MPG. It gets 18-20 city and maybe 22-23 hiway. That is not inconsistent with the numbers on the sticker. I just have decided I want more MPG and hope to save $$ on my insurance as well.

    I live in town and do most of my driving stop and go, but the roads here are rarely jammed up to the point of being worthy of a "traffic jam."

    Any input would be greatly appreciated.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    I had a 4 cylinder automatic and the power was more than adequate for our driving conditions. We both have lead foots and the Accord never felt gutless even when passing on the highway. Gas mileage was a consistent 31 MPG with a blend of highway and city driving. Drive both and see which you prefer. If you find the 4 cylinder to have adequate power save yourself a couple thousand dollars and buy it. It has most convenience features from the V6 with the exception of TC, power passenger seat, and homelink. Another option might be the V6 Hybrid which is the best of both worlds but I assume the deals won't be too great for a while.
  • auntieshoesauntieshoes Member Posts: 14
    I think I was hoping some of you out there would tell me it is OK to buy the 4 cyl. I would be happier with better MPGs. And saving a few thousand on the front end would be great.

    What is TC?
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    sorry, tc is traction control.

    The Accord had plenty of oomph when I needed it. I probably would've loved the V6 but so would our local law enforcement officers due to all of the additional revenue they would have generated.
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    You must test drive both the 4 and V6 Accords to know if you'd be missing anything by choosing the 4. I should tell you that the Accord's 4 cyl. engine feels and sounds more like a typical V6--it's THAT smooth and quick and will eliminate any prior belief that fours are noisy and sluggish. The Accord's 4 will amaze you!

    One test of your current vehicle, the Toyota Highlander V6 AWD, rated its 0 to 60 mph time at about 8.5 seconds. "Consumer Reports" rated the 4 cyl. Honda Accord at 9.0 seconds 0 to 60 with AT.

    The Accord is therefore likely to feel very close to the Highlander in acceleration. The V6 Accord went from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds which is very fast and most people don't need a car that moves THAT quickly.

    The 4 cyl. Accord has a slightly better service record, gets about 10% better gas mileage--22.6 MPG in the city and 33.2 on the highway when I last tested mileage when the car had fewer than 2000 miles on it.

    The 4 cyl. Accord might handle a bit better because there's a more favorable weight balance--front wheel drive cars are already nose-heavy, so adding a larger engine adds even more pounds to the front end.

    I have no experience driving a V6 Accord because I wanted a 4 cylinder car. I think my '04 EX-L 4 cyl. AT sedan has more than adequate acceleration and I'd recommend it......Richard
  • auntieshoesauntieshoes Member Posts: 14
    Thanks for the info.

    I drove both of them, but to be honest it is so hard to tell when you have the dealer sitting there and you are checking out the whole car experience. I guess that means I didn't think the 4 was lacking in any way.

    I will give both of them a try when I get to the dealer for what I hope is my final trip.
  • nowakj66nowakj66 Member Posts: 709
    How are these colors for maintenance and showing flaws? I have a Satin Silver Metallic now and the paint is very forgiving.
  • nowakj66nowakj66 Member Posts: 709
    My thought has always been - with a manual transmission, a 4 is fine. With an automatic, a 6 helps make up for some of the oomph lost by the transmission and torque converter.

    I have a 2003 EX-L 4 cylinder with manual transmission and it has plenty of oomph. If you enjoy a manual, go for the 4 -- in fact in the sedan, the 4 cylinder is the only way to get the manual.

    If a 6 and a manual had been available in the sedan, I would have gone for that! (I know it is available in TL but lots more $$)
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