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Comments
As for me, an 8.5 hour drive with only 3 brief stops was as comfortable as I've experienced in any car. No squirming nor readjustment needed at all.
There are people who bought the Accord because of its seat comfort......Richard
Subaru has reputation in AWD, but now it seems that they are going upscale. I saw some advertisements are comparing legacy with BMW 3-series. Come on, Subie!
Three day ago I bought my first car, a 4 cylinder '03 Accord EX with 25K miles...It's beautiful and I love it.
When I bought it it only came with one key fob and none of the papers indicating the key fob serial number or audio system code for anti-theft. The dealer, who is an authorized honda dealer, wasn't able to provide me with the name of the original dealer, hence I'm not sure how to go about getting another key fob or the audio system codes. Can anyone give me any suggestions about how to get these.
Also, I would love to have an external temperature gauge on the car. I've read the two posts about installing the aftermarket gauge. I'm not very adept, mechanically speaking. Can anyone add anything else to these posts that might give me a little more info, either yea or nea.
One last thing, has anyone installed the elctochromic rearview mirror with compass? Does it work well? Is it diffict to install?
I realize this is a lot of info I'm asking for, but I just want everything on this car to be nice...man is it an awesome car.
thanks,
khissam
First off, $23,000 for a base EX? I hope you have extremely high state sales tax rates wherever you are from because you got burned imho. Second, if you owned an 04 EX-L w/ NAVI, I would be willing to take it off your hands sight unseen because of your terrible seats. Of course you are going to get burned again on the sale of said Accord but you are obviously displeased enough to give someone else a great deal, right? I cannot wait to here the end of this story
I don’t know how comfortable the 7th gen Accord seats are on a long trip but on 3 short test drives I have had in one, I thought both the drivers and passenger seats were superb.
Good Luck
Wayne R. Gerdes
Just wish the headrests could tilt.
You had included Impala in an earlier post for your list of choices for car replacement... this time it's gone.
I figured out long ago 1-2 mpg makes little difference in total cost of driving on a trip and that's especially true when you hit 24 or so mpg.
If you're interested in spending money the most enjoyable way, you should pick the car that you feel most comfortable driving. The 4-cyl may be able to sip gasoline slightly more slowly, but I found the difference between a 4-cyl and efficient 6-cyl was a small cost during a year of our driving. My wife gets 22.5-24 mpg in her suburban 1-2 mile average trips. She is not careful about using the engine to move. I get better locally on a 3800 (an Impala weighs less so should do better in stop-n-go). The car gets 33-35 on interstate/open highway driving.
I'll pay the extra cost for the comfort level and openess in the car I chose for me. My brother passed away not having enjoyed much around him by having been very frugal. I'm enjoying the things that matter to me. BTW: my car seats are VERY comfortable bench seats with armrest and lots of room. I hate leather, but that's the only choice for the car I picked.
Just my opinion.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Accusing someone of being a troll because they have a different experience than you do is not respectful and will not be tolerated.
Everyone is welcome here. No poster here has the right to tell someone else not to post here, nor should we be insisting that someone replace his vehicle because he has a problem with it.
Your not having the problem and also not having a suggestion for alleviating his problem (other than ditching the whole car which you KNOW would be extremely expensive) is cause for you to just keep quiet, not cause to be rude.
If anyone wants to discuss these things, email me - do not do it here.
If you have had a post removed in the last 12 hours or so, I am talking to you.
Thank you.
If you make a model of a large rock in the shape of a Honda seat, you could do the same thing.
Remember the inspirational words of President John Kennedy, "Don't get mad. Get even." One of those caring, touchy-feely Democrats, right?
I recall that in the Pilot or Pilot Problems and Solutions discussions there's talk about problems with uncomfortable seats also. You might go search in those.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I have owned 3 of this generation Accord. I initially bought a coupe but when my wife got pregnant I couldn't add two more doors to it so I had to trade it in for an automatic sedan.
I couldn't stand the way the automatic hunted going up hills with no option to lock it in fifth. Instead of complaining to Honda about this tendency that they wouldn't/couldn't change anyway, I just got rid of the automatic for a manual tranny Accord. It would have done no good to complain on Edmunds incessantly about something that is a "personal issue" I had with the car. The only real option is to take care of the issue myself and get another car.
That was why some of us mentioned that that poster should probably get another car. I know it is expensive, but there is no way I would drive a car that I can't stand to sit in. There are several places that sell aftermarket seats though.
http://www.racingseats.biz/ or
http://www.recaro-seats.co.uk/
Probably the cheapest way to go.
I've heard about the Recaro after-factory seats, but I'd be taking a chance there, too... how do I know that one of those $1k seats would show improvement?
In regards to the hard seats issue - I prefer a firm seat, as long as it comforms to my shape (6'3", 190). I think Honda design engineers are trying, by providing a multi-adjustable power seat and tilting/telescoping steering wheel, but there is room for improvement.
http://www.hondapartsdeals.com/index.php?ref=1&cPath=104
Obviously gregoryc1 has not driven one of the newer offerings by Hyundai. The Sonata has been rated as the most trouble-free car after initial sale by J.D.Powers & Assoc. recently, up there with the formidable Lexus.
Wait till you try the 2006 Sonata, which I've driven extensively while in Seoul. I currently own an 03 Accord at my home in Lansing, MI, and I can tell you from experience that the 06 Sonata will be as good, if not better, in almost every aspect as the current Accord. The quality of workmanship, panel gaps, sound-proofing, engine performance, etc. were as good as any Camry or Accord, and definitely better than the offerings by GM. And yes, the seats in the Sonata felt quite comfy and accomodating to boot.
I've been a loyal Honda fan (I owned 2 CRX's, 2 Civics, 2 Accords since the late 80s) but after the Seoul experience, I think I will take off the Honda blinders and try other makers including the Korean brands.
That statement is priceless. Great insight.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
They still haven't gotten their photoshop program to integrate all the different aspects of the cars they copy, but it still looks to be quite a package for those that don't want to spend the money for a "premium" family sedan such aa an Accord or Camry.
http://www.hyundainews.com/presskit2005/Sonata_06Gallery.html
Also , should I be driving my car on Interstates to tune the engine up ?
Ash
I've not read the 2005 one, but your Owner's Manual probably specifies that you should vary your speeds during the first 600 to 1,000 mile break-in period. That would imply that using cruise control before the break-in period is complete would not be advisable.
There is no type of driving that "tunes the engine up". Just drive you new car at moderate speeds, both local and highway.
I checked the manual and it says these during the break-in period (first 600 miles)
Avoid full throttle starts and rapid acceleration
donot change the oil until the scheduled maintainence time
avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles
donot tow a trailer
In general , I was NOT planning to take my car when I go out of town .I would prefer to use a rental car.
Thanks!!
XM is std. on both the EX-L (I4) and the EX V6 irregardless if you order NAVI with either but to get NAVI on the I4, you have to have an EX-L. Clear as mud, right ;-)
Good Luck
Wayne R. Gerdes
No, but the roadside service that Hyundai provides for free (unlike Honda) will be there, along with the 10 year warranty.
"Because J.D. Powers & Assoc makes a statement, doesn't make it TRUE!"
What is your definition of "true"? J.D.Powers & Assoc use objective figures to assess the quality of automobiles in their first three months of operation.
In the case of the Sonata, I believe they found only 2 flaws per 100 vehicles, which was better than the Accord.
I simply wanted to make the statement that the gap between Honda (or toyota) and other makers, especially Hyundai, has closed to the point that a potential buyer should keep an open mind rather than buying a Honda year after year just for the sake of brand loyalty. I love my Accord, but I won't feel like I'm cheating when I shop for another brand.
Thanks!
I must say that I find this to be a very strange approach to automobile ownership and usage.....
I hope you noticed that several people have agreed with you, although it sounds as though your problem is probably the severest reported here.
I do think you've made your point, though. If there isn't anything we can do for you, we wish you the best. But there isn't any reason to keep repeating the same things. That's where folks begin to think your purpose is to cause trouble.
Best of luck to you.
Sorry your seats are uncomfortable. The Honda seats are firm and do not have a lot of thigh support. BMW seats (98 M3 sedan) are even firmer and tend to be uncomforttable on long trips even with an extendable thigh support. Lexus (IS300 and ES300) are not as firm and more comfortable on long trips because the seat platform is longer, i.e. more thigh support. The Toyota Avalon, seeems to be the most comfortable of the cars I have. It seems to have longer thigh supprot and wider seats.
You mentioned you have more comfortable cars, what other cars do you drive?
Is you seat comfort (or discomfort due to) (1) firmness, (2)seat width, (3) side bolsters, (4) shortness of thigh platform (5) height of legs in realtionship to floor pan or (6) other.
Some of the limitiations can be overcome, others cannot.
While, you are right, the posters is not a statistcally correct sample, I think you will find both sides, those that like the car, those that don't.
Your opinions are welcome! And again, sorry you are experiencing discomfort.
If you had it all to do over again, what would you buy instead of an Accord? Do you think seat comfort shout be added to car testing and car reviews ?
YCMV, (Your Comfort May Vary)
MidCow
Suppose the solution for "you" makes the seat unusable for "me", or the majority? Are they supposed to offer 5 different seat designs? The seat already has a myriad number of adjustments, and the wheel tilts and telescopes.
I too am empathetic, but a] these seats seem perfectly fine to me and b] I don't see how Honda the corporation is supposed to respond. If they make the seat softer, I can tell you I would be unhappy - maybe make the electric seat available across the board, which has the most adjustability, but realistically, it's hard to see the economics in that.
As I said, I would dump the car and move on. I've had to do exactly that in my 40+ years of buying new cars - sometimes you make a mistake, and the only solution is to swallow hard and get on with it. I was very unhappy with the automatic transmission in our '76 MB 300D [probably the worst of the 50+ cars I've owned], but it was working as designed, and I didn't expect MB to redesign it to suit my tastes. This is the part about the seat complaint that leaves me scratching my head...
I put quite a few miles on my car as I drive for work. The reason I would prefer to use rental car is that on long trips is that , I donot have to put more miles on my own car. Moreover, I would like to use cruise control on long drives as it is more convenient and donot want to do the same to my car.
Some would say if you love car driving so much , why dont u use your car for going on long trips. I just think different ..
All of our other 4 vehicles are American cars and trucks with good to outstanding seats. Even my beater '88 S10 Blazer has better seats than the Accord. That's really sad, and this is partly why we are so dissapointed with the Honda. At the onset, we had very high expectations of a Japanese car, and Honda in particular. But, even my 28 year old LeSabre has seats we can ride all day in without fatigue.
The seat comfort problem, on our Accord, is due to the seat platform hardness and TOTAL lack of support at the extreme lower backrest. I think others here could remedy their lack of thigh support complaints by raising the front of the seat 2 inches using a 1/4 inch thick aluminum or steel plate drilled to accept the seat mount screws in the floorpan, and with some grade 8 bolts and nuts through holes 2 inches above that, to support the seat at the metal brackets formerly attached to the floor. You may need a simple weldment to this plate with 1 inch square tube to keep the bracket from rotating in the event of a collision. Honda, I am sure, would not approve of that, but I think it would relieve a lot of thigh stress complaints. My wife and I are not having that problem, or maybe we're just not recognizing it because we have other more serious (to us) seat issues.
What would we get instead of the Accord if we could start over? I don't know, but I think we'll be finding out sooner rather than later. For sure, there won't be an "H" on the grill.
Could you please clarify why you "do not want to do the same to my car? Are you concerned that your "more convenient" cruise control (or your car) may somehow become damaged if you use it?
You have finally made clear why you consider your seats too firm. Since all of your other vehicles are "American cars", I now understand your comments. You are used to a much more "cushy" ride.
Personally, I've never enjoyed the "feel" of larger domestic vehicles' handling (too "wallowy" or "mushy"). That was always accentuated (to me) by the big three manufacturers' propensity to make their seats more like living room furniture. That's a major reason that I, and apparently many other buyers, have chosen better handling and perhaps firmer, seats and suspensions only available in "imports" over the past two decades. Clearly that has been to the detriment of the "domestics". But different strokes for different folks still holds true.
I am concerned that using cruise control for a long period of time ( i mean long time at a stretch) during long trips , would affect the engine performance. I kind of feel that if I put the cruise control for a long time , the engine would be running with the same RPM and might damage it or not good for it
You should not have those concerns about the use and funtion of cruise control once you have passed the 600 mile break-in period. As your vehicle moves up and down hills, or when you brake and accelerate, your RPMs will vary accordingly. There is no possible way that an engine, even running at constant RPM, could become damaged unless it was defective, or overheated due to lack of coolant or lubrication. Both highly unlikely with today's modern engines.
Millions of cars use cruise control, and the rural areas of America with long streches of Interstate highway are not littered with broken down cars resulting from cruise control use.
I still don't understand your auto usage. Renting a car has to be significantly more expensive than using your personal car. It not, then noone would own a car, we would all rent.