Older Honda Accords

storyteller · November 2001

The loyalty and respect of Accord owners on this board speaks well of Honda, but are you all so sure the next Accord will be an improvement? A lot of folks think the new Civic is a less exciting car than its predecessor, although the car appeals to the average driver. Early reviews of the SI suggest it is less sporty than it looks and could surely use more power. It's my sense that the CRV redo disappointed quite a few Honda fans (not enough power, cheap interior and now a recall). With all due respect, is everyone here so sure the new Accord will be more of a driver's machine than it is, or might not Honda produce a car that pays more attention to interior room and cost?

canadiancl · November 2001

that in the C & D comparo, the Accord actually edged out the Camry in interior sound levels (except for idle). That to me was the biggest surprise since Camry's trump card has always been quietness whereas Accords have never been touted as particularly quiet. Did Honda slip them a ringer?

sam775 · November 2001

Here are some advertized numbers in todays paper from a dealer.

DX-10,975
VP-12,820
LX-13,993
SE-15,940
EX-16,860

All are 02 sedans. All prices have "2 @ this price"

01 V6-17,977

I'm shopping for an Accord so I'll let you know how close they really come to these prices.

diploid · November 2001

I remember when I was car shopping, they advertised an Accord LX at a very competitive price. I got there in the afternoon, showed them the flyer, and they said it was sold a few minutes after the dealership opened.

And of course he tried to coax into another similarly equipped Accord...

re: demo

Someone said never to buy a demo. We bought a demo Accord (had around 800 miles on it), and the only problem we had was the accelerator pedal being hard as a rock (you couldn't press it down for a few seconds) after starting up the car. Other than that, no problems.

claywaterfill · November 2001

Those prices were great--where do you live? I hope those prices make their way to Atlanta as I would definitely buy an Accord a those prices. The best I've seen around here so far is a 2002 LX with automatic for $17,188. I'm sure they'll come down in a few months as the 2003 models near introduction.

sam775 · November 2001

I'm in the DC area. They have serious prices advertized for Civics as well. I'll keep everyone posted as I'm going tonight or tomorrow. My financing is already done so all I have to do is talk price :-)

claywaterfill · November 2001

You know how some dealers get "cute" and say that they'll beat any advertised price in the US? I may have to go to Borders and get a copy of the Post!

fxashun · November 2001

She said that because you don't know how it was treated. I once test drove a brand new Celica slam shifting at redline. The sales guy told me too. We test drove a new Benz C-Coupe sales guy just floored it from cold start. No way I'm buying a demo.

heisnstein · November 2001

Those prices look awfully similar to those recently advertised by a DC dealer. I called on those prices, and the salesmam was very upfront. He pointed me to the fine print on the ad which noted that dealer accessories were not included. The salesman said that the dealer accessories on the 2 EX models advertised at $16.8K ran over $4800, for a total of over $21K. When I said "wow," he said, "well, we've got to make money someway."

Bottom line, forget advertised prices that are way below invoice.

tiger8 · November 2001

Don't believe any price in any car ad that says, "2 at this price."

You know that when you call they will say that both of those have just been sold, but we have some others...yada, yada, yada.

In other words, the old bait and switch.

bottgers · November 2001

I just made a trip in my '84 Accord to Michigan and back. I live in Cheyenne, WY which has an elevation of about 6000 ft. I noticed when I got to Mich, the car felt more powerful. I assumed this was because I was at sea level. On my way back to Cheyenne, I was about 45 minutes from Cheyenne when I noticed the car was slowing down, even though I had the cruise control set. The car wouldn't go more than 80 MPH, and when I downshifted into 4th gear, the engine wouldn't rev past about 3500 RPM. It was as if the engine was being starved of fuel. Is it possible the computer needs some time to readjust to the change in altitude? If so, how long will it take?

reblack_jr · November 2001

Any suggestions/comments on tires P185-70R 14s for 94 Accord Sedan. Pirellis, Bridgestones, Michelins comments? Thanks!

truckdude1 · November 2001

IS the Honda Accord VP engine and the LX engine almost the same power wise, are they both reliable and do they pick up speed quick? How much is the average price you would pay for the LX automatic and the VP automatic?? and are both of these trims avaiable to an easy 100,000 Miles???

claywaterfill · November 2001

No--the DXVP uses the same engine as the DX, non VTEC 135 HP. The LX uses the 150 HP VTEC engine. In Atlanta, DXVP Accords are advertised for about $15,500 (which come only in automatic) and LX Accords are advertised for as low as $16,988 with automatic.

diploid · November 2001

I don't think any of the Accord's engines are VTEC. Maybe they recently changed, but I know my 1998 LX Accord does not have 150hp.

bcloutier · November 2001

I know that on the LX and above that the 4 cyl. is a VTEC and it puts out 150 HP as opposed to the DX and VP which only put out the 135. I just picked up my 02' Accord SE last Saturday with the VTEC (it really goes) and a few goodies that you get without the EX Price. It was around 60 degrees today (Massachusetts) had the moonroof open and had a wonderful drive. I have not had the priviledge of testing the 135 hp version so really don't know if there is much of a difference?

diploid · November 2001

Rest assure, bcloutier, that the lower HP engine is no slouch, as well. It won't blow the doors off of a 2002 V-6 Altima, but you won't be at the mercy of 18-wheelers when trying to merge into highway traffic, either.

jrct9454 · November 2001

Your 1998 LX [and mine] has the VTEC engine...all LX and EX cars since the new-gen was introduced for the '98 model year are VTEC-designs. In CA, the '98 LX makes / made 148 hp...close enough to 150 not to have an argument about it...

sam775 · November 2001

Hello all. Picked up my new 2002 Accord VP Saturday night. Price was 15,775. I knew I wasn't going to get those ad prices, but I was ready to haggle price to the fullest. To make a long story short, I got it at that price and because I kept haggling over price/payment, the sales lady threw in 2 years worth of free oil changes :-) They had offered me a LX for 500 under invoice (with some "dealer installed options"), but the LX was out of our price range

Overall impressions-

135 hp engine - I was surprised at how well this car picks up speed. My last car was a V6 so I wasn't expecting much. I figure the transmission must be very good because it didn't feel under powered at all. I haven't floored it yet though so once I break-in the engine I'll see how it goes.

Ride & handling - very very nice ride. Nice handling as well. I took it on one of my favorite curves (the Douglas Bridge heading towards the Capitol if you're in the DC area) doing 65 with no problem.

Other likes-quiet interior, good heat, defrost, etc. Car warms up quick. Maintenance schedule. Huge trunk.

Minor dislikes- I really miss the heated mirrors in my last car

. I have to remember to wipe them down before I take off.

Stock stereo- I like that I got a cassette & CD player, but the sound coming from the speakers could be better.

Will keep everyone posted on how the ownership experience goes. This is my first import car so I hope I get the bullet proof reliability Hondas are known for.

ek01 · November 2001

Has anyone read or heard when the next generation of the Accord is coming out.

robertsmx · November 2001

reblack_jr:
Michelins are usually more expensive, but I like the brand. I have heard good things about Pirellis too. Try www.tirerack.com to get opinion and reviews.

ek01:
My guess on next Accord's launch will be sometime in september 2002, as the current iteration completes its five year cycle.

diploid · November 2001

LOL, all this time I thought my (well technically not mine, but I get to use it) car engine was quite powerful for only 130 or so hp.

black01coupev6 · November 2001

how can you be on Edmunds this long and not know how many HP your Accord has diploid?

diploid · November 2001

I've only been here for almost a year.

Nope, wasn't my car purchase, so I had no role in looking up the specs beforehand. I was told that the engine was a carryover when the 98 models came out, so I assumed it had 130hp from the last generation LX. What I didn't realize was that they switched the last generation EX model's 145hp 4-banger and made it the LX model's standard engine.

thel · November 2001

Bagged my first deer of the season a few days ago. Unfortunately my weapon of choice was my 3 month old 2002 Accord EX. Luckily, the deer ran out in front of me in a 60 mph zone and the ABS brakes saved my car from to much damage. The bumper was completely undamaged as well as the headlights. The hood got dented a bit and will be replaced. My drivers-side fender has a small "pimple" on it and can be repaired. All-in-all $915 for a deer collision doesn't seem too bad.

jfavour · November 2001

When I was in High School (in Wisconsin), my parents hit a cow with their 84 Buick Century. It rolled up on to the hood and did some serious damage to the front of the car. It had apparently gotten loose through a broken fence from a farm field and just happened to be walking on a two-lane highway at the crest of a hill. To my knowledge the cow was ok, but my parents were pretty shook up. After that all of my friends called the car "the cow catcher." So, a deer doesn't seem too bad in comparison.

thel · November 2001

I think that the relative "scott-free" nature of my run in is due in large part to the braking system of my Accord (and my reflexes). I smacked into a deer in a 70 zone with an '82 Mazda 626 and the car was essentially totalled. Kudos to Honda and their brakes.

robertsmx · November 2001

Thats something I wowed upon about three years ago somewhere in this board. Imagine going from 60-0 on a crowded freeway, just because a Crown Victoria is stopped (no brake lights or blinkers on) in the middle lane and everybody is jumping on brakes to avoid hitting them (chaos on all three lanes, and few did collide). The only place I had was to steer between the stalled car and a braking Volvo on consecutive lanes. Not even a scratch! Excellent steering and body control under exceptionally hard braking.

thel · November 2001

When I hit the brakes, there was NO fishtailing, swerving or any other loss of control during the hard braking of my Accord. Now if only I could get a decent hood.

The body shop I took my car to has gotten 3 hoods and all have been damaged in shipping. The 1-2 week delay is bad enough but I also have 3 days of rental car bills for naught:(

minikin · November 2001

I think what happened is that your car just decided to develop a problem 45 min outside of Cheyenne. I live in Denver and run my car(s) down to about sea level and back on trips a couple of times a year. What you're experiencing isn't "normal"; but it does smack of a clogged fuel filter. I've done that to my self on trips twice in my life and it can come on pretty sudden. Your car being an '84 I would suppose it has a few miles on it. When was the last time you changed the (fuel) filter?
-- Don

minikin · November 2001

could be is a plugged up exhaust. Used to be some tail pipes could collapse internally, usually due to thermal shock and usually GM. These days that kind of problem is normally a plugged catalytic converter. But that doesn't usually come on real sudden like. Whatever your problem turns out to be, please post the solution; I'm curious.
-- Don

smithmd · November 2001

Did the '84 have fuel injection or was it carburated? If it was carburated, that would make sense.

carguy62 · November 2001

I know the '86-'89 had both carburated and fuel injected (LX-i) versions. Not sure about '84 (I can't even picture that model for some reason).

hgirl · November 2001

hi all! i am about to buy the '02 accord coupe v6ex, auto, cdchanger, leather.. .walkout at 25500. no other options... is this a bad price?

robertsmx · November 2001

Walkout price means tax, title etc. included, right? You could probably squeeze in a couple of hundred dollars for yourself, and may be some good financing. Other than that, the price looks okay to me.

jjpcat · November 2001

I believe all 1984 Accord were carburated. The first fuel injected Accord showed up in 1985 in the SE line. You can easily find out the truth by looking under the hood.

minikin · November 2001

Carb or not, it shouldn't make any difference. If the car was running ok when it left Cheyenne it should still have still been running ok when it got back.
-- Don

gatt · November 2001

Hi,

Just bought a 2002 Accord and as soon as I drove it off the dealer's lot, I noticed that the car pulled to one side while the steering wheel was straight.

I brought it back to the dealer and they re-aligned the car. It's straight now, but I can't help but wonder what else is in store for it.

Is this normal on a new car? The dealer told me that these things happen but I wonder, do they? Or did it just happen to me?

I'm curious to know if anyone else out there has experienced anything similiar.

Thanks,

Johnny

minikin · November 2001

I wouldn't worry about it; especially if it was truly just an off center steering wheel.
-- Don

canadiancl · November 2001

The problem wasn't an off-centered steering wheel though, was it? The car was actually pulling to one side. So it did need a re-alignment. However, I still wouldn't worry about it. I think alignment problems on a new car is not uncommon.

tcpip1 · November 2001

It seems to be a quality control issue. I would think that all new Accords must go through a list of checks (including wheel alignment checks) before they are shipped to the dealers.

canadiancl · November 2001

If you knew how the cars are transported, then you wouldn't be surprised at the odd one with alignment problem. I read somewhere once that there is a very high % of new cars that have to be repainted and/or repaired BEFORE they get to the dealers due to damage sustained during transport. It's just that there is no law that says a dealer has to disclose such repairs to the buyer.

claywaterfill · November 2001

There's probably nothing wrong with your Accord. When the lot guy was moving it from one part of the lot to the other, he probably hit a curb and knocked it out of alignment.

black01coupev6 · November 2001

canadiancl: The dealer DOES have to disclose the damage if it costs more than $500 to repair. Problem is, dealers might be able to fudge the numbers and make it look like it didn't cost $500.

I would attribute the alignment problem to the transporter. If an adjustment fixed the problem then I wouldn't worry about it.

xjx · November 2001

EX, 4Dr, 5-speed, cloth

MSRP: 22933 = 21500 + 993 dealer installed option + 440 destination charge.
Before tax & registration: 20898 = 20600 + 298 document fee.

Is it a good deal? I am especially wondering how much the dealer installed options really worth, including: mud guards, floor mats, pin stripe, wheel well molding, and interior/external protective coating.

canadiancl · November 2001

You can get an idea of how much profit they are making on the accessories by looking at the online prices at a site such as www.handa-accessories.com

niceguy · November 2001

I have a 2000 EX Accord that has only 6k miles. The maint. required light just came up few days ago. I'd like to know if there's any way I can turn it off or do I have to take it to the dealer for services.

TIA.
Happy Holidays To All!

canadiancl · November 2001

You can reset the light yourself (see owner's manual), but at 6k miles, I think you're due for the first service which is little more than an oil and filter change.

The light is supposed to blink for 10 seconds everytime you start the engine between 6000 - 7500 miles. After that it will light up continuously (until you or the service guy resets it).

niceguy · November 2001

Thanks canadiancl for a quick respond. While going through all the messages, I've found my answer. It was a respond by auburn63 (#1781 Oct 21,2001). I've followed the instruction and was able to reset the light (thanks auburn63). Of course, I'll have the 7,500 miles service done

Below is the message from auburn63 in case someone else has the same question like I did earlier:
"...If your car is an 98 or higher you can push and hold the trip button down with key off, then turn the key to the run position as you are still holding the button until the light goes out.Usally takes about 15 secounds afterwards release the trip button and the light should stay out...".

whitesoxfan · November 2001

We just bought the '02EX-6 for $21988 + $423 destination/dealer charges. My advice, watch for the "teaser" cars in the Sunday paper ads and be there before the dealer opens.

Older Honda Accords

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