Older Honda Accords

diploid · August 2002

Side molding is not an add on - unless the dealer replaced the black horizontal strip with a body colored one to match the car, although I'm pretty sure LX Accords have matching color side molding as standard equipment.

I don't think 16.5K is a good deal on the LX (I'm assuming it's a 4-cylinder, right?) - especially when the current model is getting replaced and the dealers are just trying to clear the lots. Normally it would be - but not right now IMO. You have Toyota offering very generous interest rates on the Camry, as well as the domestic automakers offering even more generous rebates and incentives.

But if you're just adamant that you want an Accord, then 16.5K is good. I would seriously try to knock off that additional $500, though. And if it's a manual LX - I would go even lower.

bowke · August 2002

16500 is a fair price for an LX auto. seeing as how its over $1000 under invoice, i dont think it would get much better. jump on it.

diploid....you again must realize what you are getting in the honda over the domestics...RESALE VALUE and TROUBLE-FREE LONGEVITY. even if he pays less for a taurus(which is damn near impossible), the first 6 months of ownership will even it out with depreciation. i have a certified '99 accord LX auto with 28k miles on my lot right now at a price of $16995.

jfigueroa1: that is a HELL of a deal, my friend...most of my customers pay between $17300 and $18500 for the same car, depending on their perception of what a "good deal" is.

i can tell you honestly that there is probably about $200-$300 left for the dealer in your deal. do you think the dealer has earned a couple hundred in net profit? has the salesperson worked hard? is he/she worth a couple hundred to ensure good service in the future?

there are many more things that go into establishing a good business relationship than price alone.

before i sold cars, i always asked myself 3 questions when shopping for my next car:

1. is this the right car?

2. is the price affordable?

3. is this the type of place/people i'd like to do business?

when i could answer these questions with all yes's, i bought the car. if there was a 'no' in there somewhere, i didnt buy it. that simple.

jump on the car, as it wont be there long, and then the price wont matter at all will it? lol.

good luck to you.

diploid · August 2002

bowke - Indeed, those are 2 traits that are associated with Honda cars. Is it a guarantee? Nope - Honda, just like any other automaker, produces a lemon once in a while. There is absolutely no guarantee that that LX Accord will be more trouble free than a comparable Ford Taurus. The chances that it will be more trouble free, I admit, is higher - but definitely not guaranteed. As for resale value - if he's initially paying less for the Accord, the resale value will also be less. I don't see how you can offer that as a selling strength.

The dealer makes less than $200 on the sale? Too bad - it's a capitalist market. I don't see the dealers feeling sorry for me when I tell them I would like to take an additional $200 off the sticker price because I can't afford it. Likewise, I'm sure he'll make up for it with the fat profits he rakes in from the Odyssey and Pilot.

jfigueroa1 · August 2002

i was referring not to the molding but to the edge dressing thing; well yes, there are many car with rebate but will they have the same value at the end or when you drive off the lot? i really like it, it is the pale green it is between that or mazda p5. and by the way went to three different toyo dealer down here in south FL. and I will not go there again even if they give their car for $1.oo dollar first if you do not talk English they do not talk to you, second i think there are a lot of silly people paying what ever the dealer feel like charging.
thanks "bowke"
Greeting from sunny Miami

inkie · August 2002

I am looking at an ad for a 02 LX Accord 4 door, auto. and other standard features. None of the extras you list. You can buy it for 16,684 so you seem to be getting a good deal. The ad is from an honest dealer in new jersey.

Greetings from dry hot New Jersey!

qgu · August 2002

To me, a 2002 LX is already one year old regardless how many miles on the car. It should depreciate more than the $1000. Remember dealers always say it is a fair, or most likely great, price, but when you sell the car a few years late, the extra year will cost you more.

I would rather wait and pay a little more for 03 LX, especially there is a significant makeover between 02 and 03 models. It is very likely that you can get a 03 LX for less than $18000 by the end of this year.

inky · August 2002

I was amazed to see all Accord LX auto or 5 speed for $15,500 at a dealer in Dallas. That is good.
Been that way for 4 weeks. Ad in Dallas morning news and can be seen online.
Too cheap! Could sell in two years for $13-14K
INKY

bowke · August 2002

diploid...as i deal with cars as a profession, there is one thing that the average 'Joe' doesnt realize. the comparable taurus, intrepid, impala, etc... has giant cash rebates...depreciation starts, invariably, at the msrp minus cash incentives...a taurus with a $3000 rebate starts depreciating at that price. honda has never had a customer cash incentive, nor do they now, so the depreciation on that accord 4dr lx auto starts at $20,170...MSRP.

i, personally, would wait for an '03, as i know all of the improvements, but if you really want an '02, dont waste time, because there wont be anymore to buy new in a few weeks. at that point, the price doesnt matter anymore, because there is no car!

i am a dealer, but i have no incentive to tell you its a good deal or not, because you are not buying from me...lol.

that is a great deal if you want an '02.

ickes_mobile · August 2002

It really depends on your local market (unless you want to drive to Dallas from Miami). To check their price, call or visit another dealer and see if you can get a similar offer on a simialr car. If its that much below invoice, I'd say you got a pretty good deal. Its kind of a balancing game, do you wait to see if it goes lower? Of course, they could sell the car while you're deciding. I wouldn't focus so much on whether others percieve it as a good deal. If you want the car and the price is reasonable and within your range, then go for it and don't look back.

sobers · August 2002

Comparing Taurus with Accord ? FOR A MOMENT assume that you get it for the same price & relibility & resale is also the same, EVEN THEN why you want an inferior UNREFINED RENTAL car ????

BTW, Taurus is worth less than 50% of the buying price THE NEXT DAY !!! A $18K Taurus is worth $8K within 2 months !!! BEWARE !! (& it is worth $8K *if* you get a buyer for it!!)

Diploid its a pity that you are trying to give "Honda produces lemon in once a while" as an excuse to buy a Tuarus ??? Thats GREAT.

sobers · August 2002

Can somebody go lower...it is possible. The invoice for LX Auto is around 18200. Minus 1250 Dealer incentive you are around 16800-17000. So you are already payting 500 below the dealer incentive which is VERY good to me atleast.

Also, I have seen 3 year old Accords with 36K miles go for 12500-13000K So figure the depreciation !! It is WAY too less than the domestics. (& you DO get a buyer for your Accord even after 8 years!!)

bowke · August 2002

good points everyone...

and sobers, if you go to a honda dealer and find a 3 year old accord with 36000 miles that has been certified, you will see prices closer to the $16000 and $17000 range. with average discounts, these cars usually sell around the $15000-$15500 range. this is from personal experience in my deals only, so other markets may be different...or i might just be a hell of a salesman...lol.

jrct9454 · August 2002

...a low-mileage 3 year-old LX 4 cyl automatic would wholesale around $13k, and sell as a Certified car in the low $15s. Asking prices for Certified cars start higher, natch, but real-world transactions are in the range the Bowke indicates. It makes a new one seem like a pretty good deal to me, especially at the prices that prevail around here most of the time.

josel1138 · August 2002

If anyone can help, I'm searching for a good dealer to work with in the Dallas / Fort Worth area......I'm looking for a 2002 Honda Accord LX, as long as they're available.......Thanks

inky · August 2002

Hey go to the one with the 15500 lx check out the dallas mornging news . take ad with you and buy the automatic LX for that price. Let us know. that is a deal.
INKY

toyotaboyesl1 · August 2002

Well, i was saying wouldn't it be a good idea if Honda started making a convertable Accord to match Toyota's Camry Solora convertable? I think that would be cool. It would be a good idea for Honda becaue that new Accord would make a great convertable, don't you think?

jfigueroa1 · August 2002

Thanks to all of you with your comment regarding the 2002 accord lx a/t. went to the dealer today and on the news paper they had a add for the civic lx very decent $$, so , i went over to talk to the guy there, well i took wifey with me "happy wife happy live" we looked at the civic and for the price,comfort,look,size,ride,and deal couldn't go wrong. i bought the civic lx 2 doors a/t side air bags,cd player and spoiler 10yrs/100,000 miles out of the door for 16400. worth mention this is my third honda in a 1 1/2 years wife drive a 2002 cr-v so i did not need it the extra space and the civic give me ten extra mpg.
i really want to say thanks to all of you that reply to me post. no, i will not be moving to the civic board i think i will hang on both to give good advice to all of you good people out there. almost forgot i think that if you want or need a good topless mobil go with saab/volvo.
Greetins from sunny miami.
Juan Figueroa
intel specialist

bodydouble · August 2002

I don't think it would be a good idea for Honda to make a topless Accord because I don't even think it was a good idea for a topless Solara. I honestly can't say I've seen even one topless Solara in these parts. You may argue it's because of the colder, wetter climate but there are tons of Boxsters, BMW 3-series, Golf, SLK, S2000, etc. convertibles running around. Hell, I've seen more 2003 SL500's this year than Solara convertibles in all the years. People who buy Accords and Camry (Solara is just a 2-door Camry) are conservative folks. They got no use for a convertible.

bowke · August 2002

the $15500 number will invariably be a 5-speed, as invoice minus holdback minus dealer cash = $15421 on the 5-speed...about $800 more for the auto. the dealer will have a model # that indicates the 5-speed...maybe in small print or large, depending on the type of dealer.

as far as a convertible accord? honda already has a 240hp 6-speed manual convertible...dropping the top on an accord coupe would take the price awfully close to the s2000 as well....
so then they have 2 similar vehicles in the same general price range....not too smart.

parker19 · August 2002

To quote an ealrier comment made: "People who buy Accords and Camry (Solara is just a 2-door Camry) are conservative folks. They got no use for a convertible."

Someone needs to explain this to me. I always read this comment. What are the wild people driving who have 20 grand to spend on a car?

jfigueroa1 · August 2002

Q.What are the wild people driving who have 20 grand to spend on a car?
A.Mazda miata,or a lease boxter.
Greetings from sunny Miami.

toyotaboyesl1 · August 2002

Yeah I guess the Accord convertable wouldn't be a good idea because I had forgot about the S2000. That wouldn't be good to have 2 cars in the same price range. I live on the north Florida coast and I must say that I hardly ever see too many Solara convertables around (the few that I do see have the top up so what is the point?!). I do see a crap load of Boxters, Miatas, Mercedes, and S2000s driving around.

bartalk2 · August 2002

For those in the market for a remaining '02 Accord, Newsweek reports that Honda is giving dealers a $1,250 rebate on Accords. Subtract that from dealer invoice.

cds12 · August 2002

Is that article from a June issue of Newsweek?

bowke · August 2002

the $1250 is the sum of 2 different things...$1000 dealer incentive, and $250 additional if the dealer sells more than 10% over its monthly average, which most dealers will not, since there is a limited supply of '02s across the board. the $1000 is there, but dont expect the other $250 without a knock-down, drag out fight...as the dealer may not be reimbursed thet money.

ickes_mobile · August 2002

would be aimed at two totally different market segments. The S2000 is a bit hardcore for the average joe and doesn't make a really good second car. However, an Accord convertable would be useable for more than just two people, have some luggage space (golf clubs), be better drive in the winter, etc. Think Sebring and Solara not Boxster and MR2. There was a rurmored Accord convertable from this last generation, but it never materialized. Its another hole in the Honda family that they may get around to filling someday...

bartalk2 · August 2002

Do you know if the '03 Accords are going to have side curtains? What about traction & stability control?

Any new colors?

crv16 · August 2002

No '03 Accords will have stability control, the V6 models will have traction control, and the EX-V6 will have side curtain air bags.

bartalk2 · August 2002

Thanks. I guess the cars should be arriving in the next 2 weeks or so.

inky4 · August 2002

Not ever likely... there has to be some reason for Acura to exist!
INKY

marylandpeter · August 2002

I just purchased an '02 Accord LX rated as an ULEV (ultra low emissions vehicle). What exactly makes this car an ULEV as opposed to just LEV from an engineering design perspective? The specs on the engine (2.3L) and the performance (mileage, hp) appear the same. However, I noted the engine is clearly labelled ULEV? Is the engine design actually different or is the difference just in the exhaust system? Will the maintenance and maintenability of this car be the same as the LEV?

bowke · August 2002

if honda adds TOO MUCH to its vehicles, then Acura is just a redundancy. ie: pilot doesnt have heated seats, memory driver seat, etc...

the accord adds: side curtain bags in exv6, tilt & telescoping wheel, traction control in v6 models, abs on all models, voice-activated navi w/climate & stereo controls, standard am/fm/cd player at 115 watts & 4 speakers...changer & 6 speakers on ex models, 5-speed auto/5-speed manual on all models, 6-speed manual on exv6 coupe, v6 rises to 240 hp, 4-cyl from cr-v in goes to 160 hp, 15" wheels on 4-cyl models, 16" wheels on v6 models, 17" wheels on exv6 coupe.

hope this shed a little light on it.

clykens · August 2002

Some Honda dealers have $1500. Honda is now at $1250 + $250 if they hit the Accord sell down numbers. Not alot of dealers doing that though.

bowke · August 2002

no difference in performance, maintenance, or reliability...ulev just means thet it meets the government's ulev standard for what comes out of your tailpipe. in other words, it burns cleaner than the lev car. the next level is sulev (super ultra low emissions vehicle) this is how every car in california has to be...you caould almost breathe from the tailpipe in those...lol.

jguo · August 2002

ULEV Accords are sold in California. Same engine as the LEV but with a more restrictive emission control system. I believe the ULEV engine is rated 148HP vs. 150HP for the LEV version. I don't think you will need to do any special maintenance for the engine, especially if you are in California.

hduggal · August 2002

Hi!

Could anyone point me to any pics of an Accord in the new Graphite Pearl color? Is the graphite pearl really a Black variant, a grey variant or something else. Also, is it a metallic lustre color such as the one on Nissan Maxima or something different.

Are the coupe pics at this link black or the "graphite pearl"? http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=26225

Thanks a lot.

P.S: I have cross-posted this in the 2003 Redesign Forum also.

bowke · August 2002

...the graphite pearl is a dark grey metallic color...find the sagebrush color on the pilot, take out the green tint, and there you go.

hduggal · August 2002

I think I have some feel for the color now. Just a couple of small requests. One, do you know if this color is offered in the Honda/Acura line under some other name so that I can look up the actual color.

Second, if you are familiar with the Gray Lustre color on the Nissan Maxima, how does the Graphite Pearl compare to the color on the Maxima.

Once again, thanks for your help.

lenscap · August 2002

Graphite Pearl is offered on the Acura TL (and CL). For 2002 it was offered just on the base TL, but for 2003 it was added to the TL-S (remember this car came out in the spring).

bodydouble · August 2002

What's the technical difference between metallic and pearl? They both have that sparkly appearance, do they not?

markz2k · August 2002

I think this is a picture of the Graphite Pearl.

http://www.johnholtz.com/photo_gallery.asp?gal=22&pg=2

Looks good! I want to see it next to my Signet Silver, though. (That was a 2000 only color)

fca · August 2002

I got a 02 lx automatic for 15899
from Larry Hopkins Honda Sunnyvale.

silverk21 · August 2002

markz2k - thanks for the link with great pics of the new Accord. Really shows detail of the new Navi system and some rear end pics of the sedan that I have never seen. Very sharp looking IMO. Where did they come from? Any pics of the coupe? Specifically the interior - ie. front doors - I think they may have redesigned them slightly. Maybe not since production may not have begun, but just in case you do or may in the future it would be greatly appreciated. Also, I was wondering what the new key would look like - like the new design. THANKS AGAIN.

bodydouble · August 2002

Pic #7: What is that extra strip of readout/instrumentation on top of the vents? Which version of the Accord has that?

And does anyone know where the flashing LED for the security system is located on the '03?

shado4 · August 2002

>> Pic #7: What is that extra strip of readout/instrumentation on top of the vents? Which version of the Accord has that? <<

That comes in all Accords with the optional DVD Navi system. The extra strip always shows driver and passenger side temperature settings, clock, and sound system settings (in this case, radio tuned to 101.3 FM). It's a neat redundant feature that makes sense when you are using the Navi functions on the touch screen.

ickes_mobile · August 2002

KDWB

diploid · August 2002

Pic #12 - I like how that one shows the concave design on the sides. It also shows the jeweled headlamps on the lower 2/3 of the lens, while the top portion looks like it uses the frosted lens look. Still doesn't look like a Civic, IMO.

fca- Thank you for confirming that 16.5K is not a fair deal.

robertsmx · August 2002

As far as the current emissions standards go, ULEV is cleaner than LEV. In fact, LEV could be as much as 50% cleaner than the minimum required. There is no difference in power/maintenance of LEV versus ULEV Accords.

However, Honda also sells SULEV Accords (cleaner than ULEV, and approaching zero emissions) in California. That version is rated at 148 HP/148 lb.-ft.

robertsmx · August 2002

Going back to an earlier debate, I thought it was clear that Accord V6 sedan with 6-speed was not to be expected. Not enough market demand, perhaps, especially since Honda's production line for Accord have been busy enough to require import from Japan.

I was expecting manumatic, but having driven a rental Sonata for about 5000 miles recently(including plenty of miles over mountain passes), I thought it was better to leave it in auto mode. It was terrible to use for quick overtaking. It won't allow to get down to 2nd gear in manual mode, but in auto mode, it would! It didn't work well for engine braking as well. At times, I couldn't get it to D1 when I needed it. Just too much override in the Hyundai.

I do think that the Honda 'SportShift' is better though. As far as CVT with preset ratios are concerned, Honda has already introduced it in Britain. Honda Jazz comes with CVT-7 (seven speed) controlled via buttons on the steering wheel. Here is a picture and the story.

talon95 · August 2002

I think it definitely shows how handsome and upscale the new front styling is. Kia Rio? Not even close.

Older Honda Accords

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