Older Honda Accords

sobers · January 2002

& here you will be able to sell EX v6 with in 2 days!!! specialy the 2001+. Yesterday my friend bought a 2000 Accord EX V6 with 10000 miles for 19,000!! These vehicles are realy hot here!!

In Mid west you can get atleast $1000-1500 more on 98+ EX V6 than prob'ly the rest of the market.

Sadly we are not close enough!

stevem327 · January 2002

Jmincher: I would highly recommend CarMax. They offered me Kelly Blue Book on my 2001 Accord, which was $2,300 more that what a dealer offered me. Just to be safe, you might want to call them before you make the trip. But I would think a loaded EX will be very easy for them to sell, so I'm virtually certain they'll give you a good price for it.

CarMax is owned by Circuit City, and a location in a large city usually sells 600-700 cars a month. They do tremendous volume and can usually offer top dollar on trade-ins.

Good luck!

spartanman2 · January 2002

I was offered $3500 MORE from CarMax than what the Honda dealer was willing to give . CarMax qouted Kelly Blue Book plus some....I was impressed.

spartanman2 · January 2002

I can't believe it. Honda dealers are currently getting MSRP on Odysseys and CRV's. Acura is 6 months behind demand on their MDX's and getting top $$. Soon Honda will be getting MSRP plus on their new Pilot SUV and, of course, next year on the re-designed 2003 Accords.

Anybody holding stock in this company?. If so, don't sell!.

jrct9454 · January 2002

...since Honda sells to its dealers, not to consumers, they've been a money machine pretty much from the get-go 25 years ago. But if your point is that it is always nice to have hot products, well sure...

As for retail pricing, none of the products you mention, with the exception of the MDX/Pilot, will continue to move at MSRP for much longer. Production is finally starting to catch up with demand on the Odyssey - six months from now, you may actually find vans on dealer lots and offers to sell at discount. As for the new Accord, as usual, the people who have to have one during the first six weeks will pay for the privilege; anyone who can wait a couple of months will get the usual deals. Our '98 Accord LX sedan was a $500-over-invoice deal less than 4 months after the car was introduced.

As the new Alabama plant gets seriously rolling, supply and demand should get more in balance even for the hottest items in the line. That process could take up to a year or more, though, for the new SUVs [MDX/Pilot], which are such bulls-eyes for the North American market.

storyteller · January 2002

Anyone who builds as fine a product as Honda does and then prices it as fairly as they do and backs it up as well as they do (could be better) has won the right to laugh, cry or sing as they go to the bank. My 2 cents! :-}

nofeer · January 2002

Just bought for my 16y/o son a 96 accord 25th anniversary edition with 29k miles from a little ol' lady that wanted to stop her insurance and save the money--made a sweet deal. anyway, at 30k miles the manual suggests changing brake fluid, trans fluid, and coolant. what do you think, the oil has been changed 3k miles (i have another 2k to go) what do you suggest? i am also considering an aftermarket cruise control from jc whitney and have my mechanic install it. what do you think, have any of you done this. honda doensn't sell the kits to retrofit them. I almost want tokeep it for my self as a winter car and get my son something else but the price was below my son's budget so....

thanks

mgr2 · January 2002

Are you near OKC. We have 92 accord and ready to upgrade, looking at 02 white V6 but might be intierested in yours

pat · January 2002

I really hate to be a wet blanket here, but I need to remind you that your Membership Agreement forbids using the Town Hall for personal gain of any kind.

We have found that our members really appreciate the fact that we do not allow car salesfolks to push their products on our members. By that same token, we can't allow our members to use us for selling things to each other, either.

I appreciate your understanding.

Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board

robr2 · January 2002

You really should do it. Fluids break down and can't do their job. I've mainainted my Accords by the book and have had great luck with them. My 91 had 141K on it when it was totaled.

The 30K will probably run close to $300 but you just sank maybe $7-8K to buy it. Might as well maintain it right. With luck and proper maintenance, it'll last him right through college if that's the plan.

Good Luck.

nofeer · January 2002

THis is my first accord with auto trans. it shifts a bit harsh, quick, maybe i'm used to a different type of auto tran. is this usual, i know it's an electronically controlled auto, maybe that's the difference. but maybe with your experience you can attest to the "feel" i drive a lexus ls430 (very smooth) just trying to see if there is a problem. I'll say this with our hills in eastern KY, the auto is more drivable than my 5sp accord (95) that i had (2dr coupe) i was always downshifting to move up the hills, this one adjusts really well. doing my shakedown so my son won't have problems. thanks

fxashun · January 2002

And even though I am a slacker by nature I have to admit that I love the basic premise of the company. There are aspects of the place that really suck but they are a pretty fairly run facility from the consumer point of view.
When was in sales, people used to ask me about the prices and I would tell them that even if you think it's too high you won't have to worry about the next guy coming in and getting a better deal than you since we don't haggle. If you feel you are getting ripped off there are probably several other cars in the system that are priced at the same point so no one is getting any better or worse deal than you are.
But of course you can't please everyone.

robr2 · January 2002

My 91 was a 5 speed. Now have a 98 Accord with auto and 00 Ody with auto. I think they shift smoothly but others have commented that Honda autos tend to be a little harsh compared to GM and Toyota autos. Nothing wrong with them, just the nature of the Honda automatic.

To be truthful, I don't drive many other automatics so I really can't compare. Auburn who posts here is a Honda tech and might be able to assist you. Then again, maybe changing the tranny fluid will help as per the 30K service. :-)

auburn63 · January 2002

Without an actual test drive it is tough to say but my guess would be that it is fine. Honda automatics have always had transmission quality shift concerns from first timers and change of models customers. They do tend to shift on the harsh side but also for the most part they last a long time due to this. The more positive a transmission shifts (as apposed to slipping into gear)the longer the internal parts last and the performance is better from the motor.Changing transmission fluid and using the Honda automatic trans(instead of the regular) fluid will help with overall trans performance. Also the transmission has adjustments that can be made to make it shift sooner(softer) or harder(more positive) if needed or prefered. Good luck

sobers · January 2002

I think pre 98 Accord & pre 96 Civic transmission hard-shifts was a normal behaviour or they were designed to shift that way. So it is not a problem just a pattern with Honda automatics. Fromm MY98 Accord smooths almost as smooth as other transmissions but you can still tell a gear shift specially the 2nd & 3rd.

In my opinion these harsh/hard & fast shifts were typical Honda efficiency/effectiveness efforts which Honda was adamnet about untill 98 Accord. They made it smoother due to popular public demand & to increase their sales to possible smooth shift seekers. Accord/Civic suspensions have also got smoother by every generation in order to make the product appealing to more customer base.

Within a month or two you will get used to these hard shifts in pre 98 Accords. It is just that when you shift to Honda you feel it more.

jmincher · January 2002

My intentions were really to get ideas on selling a car. I never thought people would be interested in buying it.

Anyways, thanks for the Carmax idea and others.

If anyone has any additional selling info just drop me an email.

Sorry if I caused a problem.

ghomaz · January 2002

Hi everybody,

I bought a new Accord LXV6 last year and am pretty happy with the car so far.

Last night, when going through my owner's manual, I noticed that it said if the battery power gets disconnected, the audio system will not play until a 5 digit code is punched in. Apparently I should have been given an information card which gave me this code, along with the serial number of the audio unit, when I took delivery of the car.

However, since I was not given this code, I am wondering whether anybody else had this problem. The manual advises that to get the code from the dealer I need the serial number of the unit. Can anybody tell me where to look for this number? I hope I do not have to dismantle the unit to get this number.

Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

S. Ghosh

kalabaw222 · January 2002

Ok, I've been through this before on my older accord, but just thought I'ld get some of your opinions. My 99 Accord (Manual trans) is having a harder time shifting into 1st gear when the car is still warming up. You almost have to be at a complete stop to put it into first. Once the car is warmed up however, there isn't that much of a problem getting it into first.

To me this says that my tranmission fluid is up for a change. However, I just had my 30,000 service done and supposedly they changed the tranmission fluid. My guess is that the dealership skipped on this, and didn't actually change it. Anyone have any suggestions on a quick way to verify if they really did change it? Also, I'm assuming there is a filter they needed to replace? Thanks in advance...

robertsmx · January 2002

Dealer should have provided you a plastic card with the code with the brochure. Since they didn't, you can still get the code from them. To get the serial number, just open the glove box, and you may see one stuck in there.

dtownfb · January 2002

Here's an idea jmincher that I used when I sold my 94 Accord LX back in 97. Take a look inthe Sunday papers and see what the dealers are selling your exact car for. then price it $1000 less. People who buy from a private owner expect to pay about $1000-$1500 less then what the dealer offeres. If you want to sell it in a hurry, buy an extended warranty for the vehicle and advertise that with the car.

Another option: since you need to replace the car, take it to the Honda dealer and see if you can trade it for another car. Of course oyu will have another loan but who knows. many dealers will be willing to work with you.

Just a thought.

ghomaz · January 2002

Thanks Robertsmx for your reply. I will check my glove compartment in the evening for the serial number. Also for your info, I spoke to the dealer's service dept. and they said that they have to pull out the audio unit to get the serial number and for that they will charge me $82.00!!

I guess I have to take up this issue with the sales manager or with Honda's customer relations dept. I hope I find the number in the glove compartment, though!

postoak · January 2002

I'll be wanting to buy this weekend and was curious about what actual deals were being done.

robertsmx · January 2002

No problem.

I remember some additional 'stickers' containing the serial number supplied as well. Check the owner's manual or the envelope you got the booklets in.

Good luck.

bolivar · January 2002

My salesman wrote it on the sales agreement.

Look for a 5 digit number.

They didn't have to take the radio out to write it down for me, so this means the dealership has the number. At least, they have it at the time of sale. Don't do a $82 ripoff payment.

rtfmdude · January 2002

Robertsmx. Isn't that amazing.

Either my dealer didn't know or forgot to take the sticker out of the glove box.

I was giving a plastic card with the 5 digits code for my stereo when I bought my 2001 Accord. While I was poking around in my new car (like all new owners does) I found a second sticker with the same code stuck to the wall of the glove box.

So much for anti-theft.

had_enuff_ford · January 2002

Yes, I got an `02 EX V6 4 door for $100 under invoice from Lute Riley Honda here in Dallas. That was on saturday 12/29/01, so I don't know if the same deals are still going on after the year end push.

Traded a `93 Maxima GXE on the Accord, and am beginning to miss the max! The shift quality didn't seem too bad on the test drive, but after living with it for a week and a half, I'm beginning to be a little annoyed by the accord's shift programming. It holds a gear too long when you're not intending too, and the shift quality still leaves a little to be desired IMHO. It seems like full and low throttle acceleration is handled very well, but "medium" throttle settings aren't. The accord tranny is more willing to downshift and be responsive than the maxima, but it does this many times when I wouldn't expect or want it to. I'm hoping it's something I just get used to...

Anyway, overall I do like the accord, and believe it will be more reliable over the long haul than the Maxima (though the maxima was no slouch).

good luck postoak!

talon95 · January 2002

My 2000 Accord EX was in an accident last year

, and the work was done at an independent body shop recommended by my dealership.

To make a long story short, the radio needed a code when I got the car back. I went to my dealership and found out that there was a sticker with the code on it on one of my trunk hinges.

So I guess that was the dealer, and not a Honda "standard"?

postoak · January 2002

So how does a dealer sell under invoice? There wasn't any special on Accords (AFAIK) in December in Texas. Is it because of the 3% dealer holdback that is added into the invoice?

ghomaz · January 2002

Thanks to everyone who responded to my query. Unfortunately, there was no sticker in the glove compartment, though I now have to look on the trunk hinges as suggested by "talon95". I found a small sticker in the inside cover of the owner's manual with a combination of five numbers & letters (Letter, number, number, - letter, number). Could this be the code? Or does the code consist of only numbers?

Regards.

robr2 · January 2002

Try the five numbers and see if it works.

If that doesn't, taking out the radio yourself isn't too bad. Give it a try.

had_enuff_ford · January 2002

They can sell under invoice because the invoice is not the "True" cost of the car. The dealer receives a "Holdback" amount equal to about 3% of sticker price as a kickback from the manufacturer. In addition, most dealers will get kickbacks from the manufacturer that depend on the number and type of vehicles that they sell.

So the moral is Invoice does not equal Cost, so they still have plenty of room to make money, even selling below invoice.

You can find this info out in other areas of Edmunds website : www.edmunds.com/advice/incentives/holdback/index.html

I was surprised at how easy it was to get them to cave to sell under invoice - made me think I might have gotten a better deal if I pushed even harder. However, Honda lacks any of the rebate or financing tools that the domestics have right now, so they can only compete by lowering their price (and relying on an outstanding reliability reputation).

The invoice on our Accord was $23,205. We paid 23,105.

BTW, my ID was created in `99 when I was rather po'd about the `96 windstar. I was actually considering a Taurus against the Accord because it was such a good deal. Could have gotten it for $900 under invoice because there's a $1000 rebate right now ($100 over invoice minus the rebate). Equipped the same as the Accord EX-V6, it was $2500 cheaper. I figure I'll save that much in repairs before 100k miles easy since I bought the Honda...

Plus, it's just built better!

Doug

ghomaz · January 2002

Does anybody know what a reasonable price for a 7 year / 100,000 miles HONDA CARE extended warranty is in the New York City area?

I have been quoted prices ranging from $1000 to $1800.

Thanks.

diploid · January 2002

I hear that the next generation Accord prototype might make a stop at one of the auto shows.

robertsmx · January 2002

That would be the serial number you need to get the pass-code (all numeric).

robertsmx · January 2002

I know what you're talking about. There are a few things I can tell you from my own experience.
* Honda transmissions are programmed to shift more often than Toyota, GM or Nissan transmissions.
* 1-2 (and sometimes, 2-3) may be a little more pronounced when the car has few miles, plus it would do so after cold starts (user manual mentions that).
* The transmission will be much smoother as you add miles to the car. Mine was noticeably smoother after about 7500 miles (the first scheduled maintenance). Now, with 64K miles, and warmed up, it is buttery smooth.

I switched from Toyota Camry to Honda Accord, so it was a change for me too. And incidently, I'm also driving a friend's Camry that he has left with me while he is gone for a long vacation. That transmission shifts too early (~2000 rpm) to second during normal driving, compared to my Accord which happens to hold the first gear to 3000 rpm during normal driving. Sometimes, that also causes the feel of a stiffer shift compared to if it had shifted at a very low speed.

postoak · January 2002

Thanks for taking the time to answer my question. Your answer was pretty much what I had expected. Unfortunately dealers don't want to hear about holdback -- in fact Edmunds recommends against bringing it up. But, in the case of the LX V6 I'm shopping for, it is 3% of net MSRP = $687. That's the gross profit they make if they sell at invoice. Notice I said gross profit. Still, since dealers always try to negotiate the price upwards, not downwards, I'm tempted to use as my opening offer invoice minus $687 + Dest. I'm sure they'll all be insulted!!

jrct9454 · January 2002

This simple answer to this is to go to the dealer, tell him to pull up the original sales transaction off the computer, and get the radio code from the original documentation. This is not rocket science, and they don't secretly scatter the codes all over the car...just get the dealer to do what he should have done in the first place. In my case, the code was right on the original sales order, as well as documented separately. Under no circumstances should you pull the radio to obtain this info, and in the ridiculous case where the dealer claims not to be able to tell you from the original sales docs, then he can by-god find out without charging you one cent to pull the radio.

Get on the phone and talk to the sales manager of the dealer who sold you the car...

stevem327 · January 2002

I just bought a 2001 Accord last November and paid $1,290 for the Honda Care 7 year/100K mile extended warranty. I've heard that the dealer cost on this is maybe $700-$800 but they weren't willing to budge on the price at all. Actually, they wanted $1,400 for it but they got it down to $1,290 and refused to go any lower. I feel like they could've gone lower, but I got such a good deal on the car anyway that I don't feel too bad about it (it was a 2001 close out that they just wanted to get rid of).

timadams · January 2002

had enuff ford: I have to admit that I like the Honda automatic transmission and the way that it shifts/holds gears. I usually find it downshifting and upshifting about when I would do it myself (on hills, for example). Yes, the shifts are more noticeable than on Toyotas, Fords and GM's, but they are also crisper and quicker. The only time I find them a little too rough is when the car is cold in cold weather, but it smooths out when the engine and tranny warm up. Live with it for a while and I bet you will like it.

had_enuff_ford · January 2002

For the encouragement about the transmission. I'm thinking that I will get used to it, plus we don't get a whole lot of cold weather here in Dallas to make the shifts worse in the morning. I plan to use only the Honda ATF as well so hopefully that will minimize any shift quality issues.

My dad had an `88 LX-i automatic that shifted very harshly, and I was a bit surprised that after 14 years I could still notice less smooth shifts in the Honda versus my Nissan.

Oh yeah, and what's up with Honda's cruise control? May dad's `88 sucked, and my `02 isn't a whole lot better. The thing slows down way too much on the hills for my taste.

One other thing that bugs me a bit is that radiator! Smallest thing I have ever seen! Looks like it belongs in a Geo Metro 3 cylinder, not a V6 Honda. Course, when it is chilly outside, the things still warms up very quickly!

Oh well, I guess the moral is all cars have little nit-picky things that bug us all, even such great cars as the Accord. I look forward to driving the wheels off of mine.

Doug

ghomaz · January 2002

Hey people,

I am now thoroughly confused! When I called HONDA customer service today, they told me that my Accord (2001 LXV6) most likely does not have a security code. It seems that nowadays only the EX and EXV6 models have this code.

Can any 2001/2002 LXV6 owners or Honda dealers (e.g. "isellhondas") amongst you confirm this for me please? I do not want to disconnect the battery and try the hard way!

Are there any other indications that show that an audio unit has a theft control code, like a flashing light on the unit, etc.?

Thanks again.

jrct9454 · January 2002

First, on the radio: yes, it is possible only the EX system has the anti-theft feature, and yes, it has a flashing red led that is on whenever the ignition is off.

Second, radiator size??? I can assure you that the car's cooling system works fine - we live in Sacramento, CA, where summer temps routinely hit 100-110F. The cooling system is more than up to the job, and is fine even with the AC running full blast for hours at a time. Relax...

silvercoupe1 · January 2002

My 2001 EXV6 has a flashing light on the head unit and I know I have a control code for it.

ghomaz · January 2002

I would like to thank everybody who responded to my questions on these two topics. I really appreciate your help and advice.

piceno · January 2002

Does anyone out there have this problem? I.E.,
from a stopped position upon accelerating, the
automatic tranny seems to occasionally "STUTTER" or "HESITATE" before it changes gears the FIRST
time. This does not happen every time, but about
1 out of every 5 times. I have considered taking it up with the dealer. Is it serious enough to
be able to have the tranny replaced? Under what
circumstances would a Honda dealer replace an
automatic tranny under warranty?
I would appreciate any input on this....

mbt1 · January 2002

When can the public expect to see actual pictures of the the 2003 Accord, either from spy shots or company-released pictures? Will the coupe be on the market at the same time as the sedan, or will there be a year later before it becomes available?

postoak · January 2002

I just pulled the trigger on a deal for an LX V6 4 door. I did an email broadcast to all the Honda dealers around and got responses from everyone of them in about 2 hours. I then just picked the best deal. Total time spent, about 2 hours, including the drive to the winning dealer to sign the papers and test drive the vehicle.

Just for the information of any who are shopping, the offers I received went from the winning bid of $184 below invoice to about $250 over it. However, I was careful not to discuss invoice in my emails -- I just asked for "total drive out price". Otherwise, you leave yourself open to someone coming in with a low bid and then cheating you with a big doc fee.

The total dealer charges were $20,594.63 and invoice according to Edmunds is $20,779.

The only additional fees were government charges:

Sales tax
Dealer Inventory tax (never heard of it -- hope it's legit)
State Inspection
License
Title registration

I confirmed that these last 2 figures were the actual amounts charged by the County Tax Assessor Collector.

Oh, I also took one final look at Edmunds to make sure there were no dealer incentives, rebates, etc.

dcwong1 · January 2002

What is the fascination of installing aftermarket blue headlights, clear rear lights, etc? For effects? For better lighting? I've seen so many of these modified Hondas/Acuras with the mods along with the typical huge wing plus decals. Do these blue headlights actually perform or outperform the OEM halogens or real HIDs found on the Acura TL/RLs?

mikefm58 · January 2002

Now that's a new one. I wouldn't have paid it. How much did they charge you?

stevem327 · January 2002

I'm not an expert mechanic, but it sounds like you definitely have something going on with your transmission. I have a 2001 Accord and the only time my auto transmission acts a little strange is when it's VERY COLD (under 10 degrees) first thing in the morning. I notice just a very slight hesitation when I come to the very first stop after driving for maybe 100 yards (it will hesitate just a little when downshifting into first gear). But after I drive for maybe 3-4 minutes and it gets a little warmer it's fine.

I'd recommend going to a Honda dealer to have them look at it. If you've kept up with all of your required maintenance, the tranny will still be under warranty. Hopefully you've saved all of your receipts, because they'll definitely want to see those if they do any warranty work for you.

Older Honda Accords

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