Older Honda Accords

pat · June 2005

go over and Ask Connor at the Tire Rack, which is a discussion on our Aftermarket & Accessories board.

lf05tl · June 2005

Thanks for replys. Very helpfull.

venus537 · June 2005

Major changes for the mid-cycle update:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000080&sid=a5E74A0eS330&refer=asia

carbuyer25 · June 2005

I am considering purchase of a new Accord Sedan, but have heard a lot about them having such a high theft rate. I am wondering, do they really get stolen that much more often than similar cars? Or, is it just that, since there are so many of them, the number of reported thefts is higher than others?

Has anyone had good experience with any theft prevention method for this car?
A friend suggested that if I by one, I should have a "kill switch" put in. But, I wonder if this would void the car's warranty? Does anyone know?

Thanks

robr2 · June 2005

Accords do have high theft rates as a percentage of vehicles sold. But that typically applies to older models - they are stolen for parts.

Here in MA, insurance companies provide you with a list of high theft vehicles every year. IIRC, the current gen Accord isn't on the list - yet.

As for theft prevention, do some simple things. Make sure the vechicle is locked. Check with you local police to see if the offer VIN etching - that makes the parts worthless to a thief. Alarms and kill switches are may deter amateurs but they are easily defeated by professionals. If they want your car that badly, they will get it.

Good Luck.

venus537 · June 2005

looks like the rear is getting a major makeover!

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=362191

carbuyer25 · June 2005

Thanks for the theft prevention ideas for this car.

Does anyone know -- if I did put in a "kill switch," would this void the warranty?

srobak · June 2005

That is not a major makeover. That is transplanted from the current Acura and modded to LEDs. No big deal. Wish they would take the headlights from the Acura.

robr2 · June 2005

A kill switch shouldn't void the warranty. The onus is on the dealer to prove that any modification made to the vehicle caused whatever problem you may be trying to have repaired under warranty.

IMHO, I'd skip the kill switch. You already have the immolizer chip in the key that prevents the computer from allowing the vehicle to start if it isn't present.

kjnorman · June 2005

Perhaps I am just weird or it is something you need to see in the metal, but I actually prefer the look of the current model over the "new and improved" 06.

To me the new back end just makes the car look more sedan like - just like any other.

indyfan · June 2005

I just bought a new Accord. This thing is so incredibly pleasant to drive I don't care what the back end looks like and I, too, don't think it's that bad either. I have seen many cars that look "as bad" or worse. Funny thing, when these new Accords first came out I hardly noticed the back at all. Then I discovered this forum a couple years later and a lot of people are complaining about it. Oh well.....

03lxv6 · June 2005

I don't think Accord sales fall is due to its rear end. Nobody praises the rear end of Camry either. I don't think my 03 Accord is good looking in the rear, but I look at the other people's rear when I drive:-)

First, sedans are all losing market to SUVs.

Second, Honda does not provide much price relief via rebate like Toyota does, with the quality pretty about the same, why not Camry instead of Accord?

As a company, Honda should focus more on profit. If SUVs sells, make more. Fewer Accord sales won't matter that much if Honda makes more money overall.

tomh54 · June 2005

The V rated Michelins on my 2004 LX V6 (10,000 mi) have been a major disappointment. There are far more options in the H rated tires. I am considering Goodyear TripleTreads.
Has anyone experienced issues from Honda when downgrading from V to H tires?

Thanks
Tom

venus537 · June 2005

for mid-cycle design changes from a honda this is indeed a major makeover. sure looks an acknowledgment from honda that they messed up with the car's current rear end to me.

from John Mendel, honda's U.S. sales chief: "We're planning some fairly major refreshes coming this year".

other than the increased boost in horsepower, one can only speculate what other changes are in the works. stability control being available seems to be a very strong possibility. of course there'll be new alloy wheels, but that's a given with mid-cycle changes.

srobak · June 2005

transplanting the rear end from the acura and making it LEDs isn't major at all. Probably took them less than a day to change the tooling in factory.

venus537 · June 2005

there not simply transplanting a rear bumper from the acura (TL) onto the 06 accord. but there's probably not a lot of cost to re-molding a plastic bumper either. but changing the sheet metal where it meets the new tail lights is another story.

srobak · June 2005

I wasn't referring to just the bumper. Take the picture and go find a current Acura... it's the same. They just took the entire rear end off of it.

bimmer4me · June 2005

Are you referring to the TL? I did compare the two, there is a resemblance, but hardly and exact copy. The tail lights, bumper and trunk lid are very different on the TL, make no mistake. If anything, it reminds me of the 94-95 Accord sedans rear end...kinda, sorta.

venus537 · June 2005

thanks for stating the obvious!

regardless of the cost involved and the resemblance to the TL, the 06 accord's rear end looks quite different from the current model. there has never been such a drastic change to an accord visually unless it was being redesigned.

walzo · June 2005

my hybrid accord engine vibrates at 1750 rpm (and very briefly at 900 rpm as it slows)... dealer does not know what is wroing... any ideas?

zaksdad3 · June 2005

I just had my 05 EX's windows tinted with Llumar film. My AM reception has been depleted and I can't be certain but I think the FM is down slightly also. I live in a rural area where Houston stations are not always strong but the AM has been reduced for sure.

I do not want to remove the tint off the back glass so was going to look for an external antenna. Does anyone have any solutions to this problem?

Larry

mrbill1957 · June 2005

What about an automotive antenna booster?

As an example:

http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/20amfmauansi.html

mrbill

bluehonda1 · June 2005

Just made the plunge and bought a new Accord EX V6 Navi in blue with gray leather interior. I test drove a Maxima, Altima, Passat, Mazda6, TSX, Camry, G6, Chrysler 300, Acura TL, Subaru Legacy, and Audi A4. In the end I felt the Accord V6 was the best value. I love the interior and the acceleration. I have never been a big off the line acceleration guy, but appreciate a car with good rolling acceleration. It seemed to me that the Accord was the fastest once you were moving, such as in a passing situation.
I had heard the handling was sub par, but did not find that to be the case at all. I felt that only the Mazda6 really handled better. I had to get an automatic because the car will be driven by both me and my wife and she cannot drive a manual. The Honda's auto seemed to be the smoothest.
And of course, It takes regular gas, a big plus.
What kind of mileage are others getting with this car once it is broken in?

John

fredvh · June 2005

Congratulations on your new Accord. I am anxious to know how the TSX and the Camry compared to the Accord since these 2 are on my short list.

bluehonda1 · June 2005

I thought the TSX was very nice, more agile than the Accord, not quite as fast, beautiful interior, takes premium vs, regular gas for the Accord. The TSX has exceptional safety ratings as does the Accord. The TSX comes with Vehicle Stability Control which is nice. Overall it was my second choice, and would have been first if it was cheaper and took regular gas. The Acura dealer would barely budge from MSRP where the Honda dealer dropped off a lot lower than dealer invoice as a matter of fact.
The Acura TSX has a very beautiful smooth 4 cylinder that is very strong. The stereo is in a class of its own compared to all the vehicles I test drove under 30K.
I found the Camry to be a bit frumpy, at least for me, drab styling and interior, mushy handling, even on the "sport" edition. They also charged for everything, when you equipted teh Camry equivalently to the Accord, it was much more dough. I know some people love the feel of the Camry, that kind of anesthisized Buicky feel, but it was just not for me. One that is really a gas to drive is teh Mazda6 S with the manual. It was very cool, and Mazda was dropping a bunch off of the price. But, as I said, I had to get an automatic, and it was not that hot with the auto tranny.
I felt the Passat was over priced, but nice. If I was going to spend the money for the Passat I would more consider either the Infiniti G35 or Acura TL. I drove both of these as a reference point, even though they were out of the range I wanted to pay. Both were awesome cars.

bluehonda1 · June 2005

Accords were actually a lot cheaper where I live compared to Camrys when they were comparably equipted. like, almost 2000 dollars cheaper. Maybe this is not the case in other parts of the country. I live in New England. Camrys were only slightly below MSRP as compared to Accords being lower than invoice.

dylan01986 · June 2005

I have a radar detector that I want to hard wire into a hot accessory lead on my 05 Accord EX. (Auto)

Is there a convenient place to do this ??? Is there instructions on removing the center console anywhere on this site. I assume there s/b a wire I can tap into somewhere in the console ????

Thanks Tom

srobak · June 2005

Just run it into the fuse block in the kick panel on the driver's side - right above the hood release. Save yourself a lot of trouble.

blane · June 2005

I'd consider a short path to the overhead lamps, since mounting the detector as high as feasible on the windshield will give you greater detection distance. I've done that on a couple of previous vehicles and was very pleased.

A bonus is barely noticeable wiring.

chucko3 · June 2005

Did that for my 89. I connect one wire to the headlight fuse. The other wire to the metal pipe. Using cordless detector on my 03.

blane · June 2005

srobak:

Watch out with your cordless detector. They have a MUCH shorter range than wired units because they go into a sleep mode to conserve battery power. It takes a few extra milliseconds to react and wake them up to signal an alert. I became suspicious about short range alerts with my Escort Solo 5 a few years ago.

I did the research, and read about the sleep problem. I then purchased my Valentine One. That was one of the best decisions I've ever made. You can't beat the combination of superior sensitivity, range, and those great directional arrows. The Valentine One has saved me from numerous moving and stationary speed traps.

I'd never again risk getting a speeding ticket for cordless convenience.

chucko3 · June 2005

I run cordless mode where it's illegal (i.e. CT state). Mounted above the rear view
mirror and use it as a support in addition to two suction cups.
Mine doesn't go into sleep mode. It just turns itself off in 10 minutes if the car is not moving.

blane · June 2005

chucko3:

Radar detection has NOT been illegal in Connecticut for about the last eight or ten years. Their old law was overturned.

Perhaps I should have clarified that the problem with cordless detectors is not a "sleep" mode, rather, it is a low-power mode. Here's what Valentine One says about cordless units:

http://www.valentine1.com/cordless/

Here's what http://www.radarbusters.com/support/choosing-detector/4.asp says about them:

"If you don't have to go cordless DON'T! Typically cordless detectors offer 30 to 40% less range then models that are designed to be plugged into a 12 volt power source."

Here's what http://www.bestradardetectors.net/Radar_Detector_FAQ_a/112.htm says about them:

"In our opinion we feel that a corded radar detector will offer you the best protection. One of the biggest problems with a cordless radar detector is that in order to conserve battery power these units power on and off constantly. Because of this cordless radar detectors have less range...."

bklynguy · June 2005

What is ambient console lighting ? We took a test-drive in a EX V6 once, but it was during the day so we didn't get to see this feature. What else is lit up besides the dash controls / LCD ?

edit- I just found out. All it is a very soft lighting of the beverage holders and console storage compartments.

clevelandred · June 2005

I am also trying to decide between the V6 and the 4 in the 2005 Accord LX. I have a very short entrance ramp on the nearest highway to my house and it is often crowded, so acceleration is a meaningful safety consideration (besides fun). However, a 160 hp four seems like it should do the trick. I have been trying to find acceleration figures for these engines without success. Anyone seen 0-60 or 30-60 figures for the 4 banger?

pj23 · June 2005

Congrats on your new Accord. I am picking up my silver EX-V6 tomorrow. It's replacing my '04 Mazda 6 wagon (manual). I have to agree with you that the 6 is fun to drive. But, after having mine a year and putting 26,000 miles on it, I have to say, it gets old after a while, both in terms of durability and appeal. In all of those miles, I have yet to really get the hang of the manual transmission. I can't get a smooth shift out of it to save my life and it's gotten a bit tiring. As for durability, just last week the rear lift gate stopped opening. Took it in to be fixed, and apparently it didn't break, but the pieces just sort of fell apart inside and needed to be reassembled. Generally, I notice quality and durability isn't up there with the Hondas.

tom98037 · June 2005

Glad to hear I'm not the only one weighing this choice. I've all but decided for the V6, but the scarcity of V6 LX's has slowed me down. I'm picky on the color, and the available colors in my state (WA) are not what I'm shooting for. But, as the year progresses and the selling price keeps dropping, I may get less picky. I too am interested in the 0-60 and 30-60 numbers on the V6 vs. I4. One observation I've made in test drives -- accelerating in a V6 is quieter than than the 4.

whitecloud1 · June 2005

I don't know the accell. numbers but a site like Car&Driver might have them if only for the older model. I had the '98 4 banger with manual trans. It was not for quick off the line, but at higher speeds and expressway passing it was suprising. The newer 4 with more HP probably does not get quicker numbers than before, but probably benefits at highway speeds. From my experience, even though you have to use a firm press of the pedal, the V6 is much quicker, even with auto. trans. which is what I have with my '03 V6.

richards38 · June 2005

When Consumer Reports tested the 2003 Accord EX 4 cyl. with A/T which has the same engine, etc. as the 2005 car, CR's (probably conservative) acceleration times were:

0 to 60 in 9.0 seconds;

45 to 65 (for passing) in 5.5 seconds;

Quarter mile in 17 seconds.

I have the '04 EX-L (top of the line 4 cyl.) and it's plenty fast.

Unless you're carrying heavy loads the 4 should be more than adequate

...................Richard

bluehonda1 · June 2005

Congrats! I am sure you will love it. you are not the first person to tell me they had a lot of little build quality stuff just not hold up on the Mazda6. Years ago I bought a prelude and a friend of mine bought the mazda MX6, which at the time was getting better reviews than my prelude vtec, well as the years rolled by his mazda fell apart while my prelude went on beautifully. Also, years later, the used car ratings of these cars reversed the intial ratings.
I have about 600 miles on my EX V6 and love the car and have had nothing but compliments on it. A friend of mine with a lexus es300 drove it and told me he wished he had bought the accord v6 EX instead.

Good Luck!

tye1 · June 2005

A friend of mine said anytime you go over 55 mph it costs you and extra 10 cents per gallon and someone else said it is anytime you go over 65 mph. Does anyone know which it is?

Thanks

gee35coupe · June 2005

Some cars get better MPG at higher speeds. Up to a point. It's all in the rpm's where the engine is the most efficient. It's not always the lower rpms.

pj23 · June 2005

I do love it. All the way home from the dealer last night, I kept thinking how nice it is to be in a Honda again. Not that the Mazda is a terrible car - not the greatest either - but it's just not a Honda. I took a bath on the trade unfortunately, but I'm trying to stay focused on the positives, one of which is actually having a car that will be worth something in a couple of years.

canddmeyer · June 2005

We've got a 4-banger, but if we could have afforded a V6 we would have purchased the V6. The 4-cyl does a great job, but I still prefer the larger engine. Get what you want, especially if you can afford it. Resale isn't an issue - either can be sold in a day.

isellhondas · June 2005

Nothing wrong with LX V-6 Accords. They are great cars that are very poor sellers compared to the others. I'm in WA too and I can tell you, they are VERY far and few between. If this is what you have to have I wouldn't wait around. A lot of the smaller dealers don't even order any of these.

amitnalla · July 2005

All,

I just picked up my new Accord LX last night. On my drive home I realized the power door lock (on the driver door) and stereo controls (like scan, tune, etc) are not illuminated. Is this standard or do I need to take it back to the dealership.

Thank you very much.

anonymousposts · July 2005

the stereo controls light up on my 04 EX-L. The power door lock to the best of my recollection has a light as well. I will pay attention tomorrow to see if my memory is serving me correctly.

ctalk · July 2005

The Stereo controls definitely should illuminate. And i believe the Power door lock switches should to. I have an EX V6 and i remember reading, only the EX and EX V6 have illuminated power window switches, so i assume that the power door locks should light up (cause they said nothing about them, and mine light up). I think you should check with the dealer because i can guarantee you that the stereo controls should light up, but not the door locks.

pj23 · July 2005

Did you have the headlights on? The electroluminescent gauge cluster and radio display will always be lit up, so it's possible that you didn't actually have the lights turned on if the secondary controls were not lit up..

pat · July 2005

This was posted last week: Spy Shots: 2007 Honda Accord

Older Honda Accords

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