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Comments
Have you done the math on this trade? The difference between 18mpg (pessimistic overall est for the Highlander) and 28mpg (optimistic overall est for the Accord) is about $400/year assuming 10,000 miles & $2/gal. You're going to be "losing" thousands via this trade due to the depreciation hit.
If you really want a sedan instead of an SUV, that's one thing but trading just to improve your mileage isn't a cost effective move. Check with your insurance company to see what, if any, savings you may get.
A friend did tell me that R-12 systems are expensive to refill/ repair/replace.
If you can, ask a local mechanic to see how much it would cost, and go from there.
Good luck.
Nowakj66: My Graphite color is holding up nicely, it looks as good as when I picked up the car from the dealer. However, I am a Zaino nut, so I guess I'm a little more careful with the finish on my car!
Just thinking about getting an EX V6 auto for spouse access to vehicle (EX MT) and thinking of changing color. Just a day dream.
Wife is dyed in the wool Sierra club type so she'd probably go for the hybrid even though it is more money.
That said, if the V6 was never created, one could be perfectly happy with the 4-cyl for the instant - and later on, unconscious - connection it establishes with the driver. It makes a big difference at the end of a hard day when you just want the car to almost drive itself. It's that easy to drive.
The V6 OTOH is somewhat ponderous and more involving (it's heavier by almost 200 lbs) to drive as tradeoffs for its power.
If you make road trips on a regular basis, I'd recommend the V6 to ably carry a full load on the interstate. If it's 95% city driving, the 4's just fine.
But there are other reasons I want the Honda. I do want a sedan rather than an SUV. I like having a trunk. (I have never the SUV's that don't have a rear window that opens independent from the gate - I have to open the garage door to get things in and out of the Toy.) Also, I will be getting more amenities with the Honda, such as dual climate control, moonroof, leather seats, a 6 CD player and side curtain airbags.
I don't usually have more than one other person in the car with me, and I don't take road trips that fill the car to capacity so I don't have much use for an SUV. Don't ask me why I bought it in the first place.
I know it may not make sense if you boil it down to simple math, but there is more to it.
Thanks for your input though. This forum has been very helpful to me, just like it was when I bought the Highlander.
The gen 7's 5-speed auto is different, however, in that the shift points are more fuel economy - driven. First and 2nd gear are brief and come in very quick succession, and 3rd to 5th are held out longer.
The real-world effect of this shift program is that if caught in 2nd (like creeping at a yield intersection or when "kicking down" to pass/merge at high speed), the car labors - painfully - to accelerate. Planning to pass is mandatory with this car.
Looking back at occasions I experienced this (and thankful there was no speeding vehicle / semi involved), I'm convinced that the gen 7's automatic shift program has a safety-related deficiency, especially with an inexperienced and/or inattentive driver at the wheel.
For this reason I recommend the gen 7 V6 to folks who might be driving often in similar settings.
I had a 04 EX-L automatic and never experienced this. Even with 4 people in the car with the AC on it accelerated just fine around town and on the highway. It was fine with 2 people, a baby, and a trunk full of stuff as well. There was never a time when I asked the Accord to accelerate and it failed to comply. I put my foot in it, it downshifted, and the engine went right up to redline.
Anyone who can't safely manage traffic in the Accord doesn't need to be driving period.
I have to disagree. I have a '03 4-cyl EX AT with 42k miles and have no problem accelerating or passing. I went on a road trip this past weekend and drove 80+ mph (with the A/C on) up and down the hills in Alabama & Tennessee with ease. Maybe it is my frame of reference ('89 Accord DX - 2.0L carb. 4-cyl AT, 98hp), but this car has plenty of power.
I will agree with you that if the car has just upshifted to 2nd and you floor it, it hesitates a second before it takes off--but I have only had this happen to me once. Otherwise it has been more than adequate.
Rather than get a faster car, I prefer to drive more conservatively and save gas along with my life. I believe that if I or anyone else drove a current model 4 cyl. Accord for very long at its maximum capacity it would be dangerous.........Richard
Thoughts?
smosh.
If it makes you feel better, try not to use the A/C and see if gas mileage improves.
The hesistation that some posters talk about is due to the drive by wire throttle. The Accord's 5 speed has been lauded by most for inproving acceleration times, in fact, CD tested both the Accord and the more powerful Altima and posted 8.5s to 60, and credited the 5 speed in the Accord for this.
also, i think the 4 cylinder would have been just fine for me, had i not tested the V6 first. the 4 didn't feel "slow", but it sure made the 4 cylinder sounds that make it seem like it works harder to get to highway speeds compared to the V6 that gets to high speeds effortlessly, in my opinion.
Thoughts?
smosh.
atlantabenny: We live in the Atlanta area and we are the car in the left lane going at least 80 MPH, often more if the flow of traffic allows. Still haven't had a problem with acceleration.
But if you trade before the car is more than 5 or 6 years old at which time the car is assumed to be in good condition, the model year will still be important.
Remember that you're buying a one year old car if you buy an '04 now. And if you plan to buy less than the top of the line '04 (EX-L or EX V6) you won't get the standard side curtain airbags that you'll have on ANY '05 Accord you buy.
Personally, I think it's crazy to buy any new car without side curtain airbags which are known to be very protective.....Richard
http://hondacars.com/models/specifications_descriptions.asp?Model- - Name=Accord+Sedan&Category=LX
http://hondacars.com/models/specifications_full_specs.asp?ModelNa- me=Accord+Sedan&Category=5
http://img64.exs.cx/img64/2504/Accprd2.bmp
http://img64.exs.cx/img64/8598/Accord3.bmp
http://img64.exs.cx/img64/6382/Accord4.bmp
unrelated .. but here's the Ody
http://img64.exs.cx/img64/8664/Ody.bmp
The Si can't sit still long enough to snap any pictures and the LS doesn't get out enough.
You should have your brakes checked. If one or more of your four brakes (plus your emergency brake) is not releasing when your foot is off the pedal, it is like driving with your foot perpetually on the brake. That's not too great for gas mileage.
Similarly, you should have your engine oil and transmission fluid levels checked. Low fluid could cause poor gas mileage.
Check your tire pressure. Lower than specified pressure can cause poor gas mileage.
I don't like the front spoiler though.
For certain, the Accord will stand the test of time style wise
The first time happened at noon, after I had lunch at a restaurant, I found all the four windows were half open, at the exact same height. At that time I suspected that somebody tried to break in. Then, in the evening of the same day, I found that all the windows were opened again. This time, all were opened by about one inch. Very weird.
Anybody met the same problem?
The idea is to make it easy and fast to lower all of the windows to exhaust the hot interior air when parked on a very hot day.
did you have to get gray leather, or did you stick with cloth?
glad you got in before the rear lights went Americana (all red) on us, haha.
I LOVE the styling and think it looks better than the Accord or Camry, but the little things are HUGE negatives to me. Like how my carpet is coming up from the floorboard when I vacuunm the seats and carpet.
Also, the armrest no longer is adjustable for 05, and the glove box is misaligned.
Plus, I have the HORRIBLE radio reception.
So next time when I am in the market, which is probably about 4 or 5 years, I am going to get an Accord more than likely because that IS the best car currently on the market.
Also, I am THROUGH buying new cars...I am going to buy them used from now on out.
I think the fog lights give the Accord a nice headlight "signature" at night. Hubby wanted the spoiler ... he thinks it makes it look lower and I must admit it's nice to have something that most other Accords do not have. The Accord will never be rare among cars but at least my Accord can be rare among Accords.
We love the red. We went with the intention of buying a graphite but when he got there it was being sold. There was a silver one at another dealer but been there, done that. So we bought the red one. We are normally not big fans of the rear wing type spoiler (my silver one had the decklid spoiler) but we agreed that the wing looks pretty nice in combination with the red.