By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Gross Cap. Cost: $25,289.25 (includes $550 acquisition fee, first payment of $330 and $65 registration fee);
Cap cost reduction: $0;
Term - 36 months;
Mileage - 12k/yr;
Residual - $17,069;
Up front $ - $1,000 (includes $950 - 8% NYS sales tax, $20 doc fee, $30 registration fee);
Monthly payment: $330.00
Today I called American Honda (800-999-1009)to ask about the problem with the 5-speed auto transmissions. I asked if the Honda engineers had discovered the problem and redesigned the transmission (as the Acura spokesperson said in the L.A. Times article), and if that meant that my new Accord would have one of those redesigned, therefore safe, transmissions.
He said, and I quote: "All updates and improvements as necessary have been made, and the '03 vehicle shouldn't be affected by this matter."
Today I mailed a copy of the L.A. Times article to my salesperson and asked him to tell me what he knows about this issue. I should have a response in a day or two.
Of course, I certainly wouldn't want to experience what the people in the article went through. I'm hoping that Honda is being honest and forthcoming when they say they have fixed the problem. It's a very real concern with me, but I'm trying to keep it in perspective.
I would be very interested in anyone else's knowledge on this matter.
Thanks,
Jim
.
And the tilt/telescope wheel is one lever. The Altima uses two. So everytime you get in and lower (like I do) the wheel, you don't have to set both. And it isn't spring loaded like the Altima's. And it doesn't tilt very much either. They need to go back to the drawing board on that.
.
Goose neck hinges on the trunk, small trunk at that.
.
Only prop rod on the 4cyl.
.
And where did the rear end of the car go? It looks chopped off at the rear.
.
And the center console cover seems lifted from 1980.
.
And now it looks like these transmission problems are going to cause this new introduction to have a poor reliability rating just like the Civic and Odyssey.
.
Definately a big YUK.
Second, why do you insist on misrepresenting the reliability data? I remember when you last spun this to reflect your personal opinions. The Civic and Odyssey DO NOT have poor reliability ratings. Both vehicles are ranked by CU as average... and I remember that it was CU that you referenced last time. Not the best score that a Honda has ever had, but how do you get "poor" out of that?
The Civic was right in the middle of its class, and the Odyssey was the third highest rated out of 15, ranked higher than the Nissans and every single American brand.
And by the way, the previous generation of V-6 Accords did have a limited number of vehicles with transmission problems. However, rather than giving the Accord a "poor" rating, CU's ratings shows the Accord as the second highest rated family car, with a "much better than average" rating. So I wouldn't bet the ranch on your prediction about reliability of the new Accord...
You can like or not like Hondas as much as you please... that's your perogative. But if you're going to reference reliability data, at least do so honestly and accurately.
How many times do you plan on adjusting the steering wheel? Just set it and leave it. And if you are after the easiest to use tilt/telescopic wheel then buy a car with memory positioning like a CL/TL/Lexus/Millenia etc.
If the trunk is too small then buy another car. It only went down .1 cubic feet from the previous model and the 99 and 01 Accords I owned had more than enough room for me, my stuff, and at times 3 other people and their stuff. If space is your main concern then buy an Impala, Odyssey, CR-V, etc.
Prop rod? Geez are Americans getting that lazy?
Looks are subjective and your impression of the Accord's styling is an opinion.
Center console covers? Try an Altimas. Feels like something out of a 1980's Hyundai. And again, that is your opinion. I had no problem with the
Problems with Accord trannys were limited to V6 models with the 4-speed auto. Both the 4 cylinder Accords and the new 03 5-speed V6 trannys should be trouble-free.
Just curious as to what kind of car you drive vmaturo....
good:
1. styling is growing on me except i'm still not fond of the rear taillamps. and i do agree from a side view that the rearend looks stubby.
2. interior is very nicely done...especially the back lit gauges. those are very kewl! not sure about the LCD displays for the climate control/radio. they look like they could easily wash out in direct sunlight.
3. seats were firm but seemed comfy.
4. a/c actually seemed to work good.
5. ride was typical honda which imo is good and firm...although i was a bit surprised at the amount of road rumble that sneeked into the cabin on textured roads. also some wind noise but not too bad.
6. autobox shifted nice and smooth...much better than the '02 v6 coupe i test drove a couple years ago.
not so good:
1. center armrest/console seems kinda contrived...not sure about it's usefulness.
2. 4 banger just didn't provide any thrill when stomped - wish they'd had a v6 to test.
3. gooseneck trunk hinges gotta go...what is honda thinking??!
4. sunroof controls on the dash left of the steering wheel is also a dumb idea. and especially so low on the dash. i can't for the life of me figure out why they put them there?
overall, not a bad ride and honda is propping up lease end values making monthly payments pretty doable.
Is it a "one touch" operation? (ie. Auto open/close function)
bodydouble : You are likely dreaming if you think the Accord will out perform a Maxima. I doubt it will even out perform an Altima. Great engine/ quality in the Accord, I just don't think the handling dynamics are there though. That said, I have not tested an 03 Accord so I may be wrong. I doubt it from what I have read so far though.
As for the Maxima, when MT tested the V-6 Accord and Camry vs. the Maxima in 2000, they ranked the Accord higher for handling than the Maxima.
And it's not just the magazines. You claim to know that the Maxima handles very well. Well, I know the same thing about the Accord.
Yes, I agree that the Accord is not a true sports sedan, but neither is the Maxima. First, FWD keeps both cars from true sports sedan status. And with the Maxima, when they stuffed a beam axle in the last generation, they lost any credibility in sports sedan circles. It's a very fine car, but a sports sedan? No way...
But this digresses from the initial debate as to whether the new Accord is a good value. And I stand by my opinion that it is still one helluva bargain compared to its competition.
Accord feels planted on the road, 80 mph or going around a 15 mph ramp at 40 mph, over the bumps or around the turns. The tires will give up, not the chassis. Yes, there is more body roll than a stiffly sprung car should have, but control is never lost. Try stomping on the gas pedal in a Maxima or Altima going around a corner. Repeat the same in an Accord. You'd know the difference. The geometry that the front double wishbones provide also take care of torque steer quite a bit.
OTOH, get a non-SE Altima/Maxima, versus any Accord. Go over bumps, and watch the rear end of the Nissan bounce up and down for a while. OTOH, Accord's suspension settles almost immediately.
This combination of ride and handling in single suspension setup makes an Accord rank very high in my books. And without a doubt, the best value in its class too.
thanks!
I am amazed by all of the gizmos that car makers have come up with that become must have items on a car. Most fun car I ever had was a 1980 Scirocco that had about every option available, yet it did not even have power locks, power steering, power windows, cruise control etc. etc. , and it was much slower than the slowest Accord (4-cyl automatic).
I am amazed by all of the gizmos that car makers have come up with that become must have items on a car. Most fun car I ever had was a 1980 Scirocco that had about every option available, yet it did not even have power locks, power steering, power windows, cruise control etc. etc. , and it was much slower than the slowest Accord (4-cyl automatic).
I'm well behind in this discussion and a very, very part-time contributor...but have to share this for what it's worth.
I was one of those that was really negative/disappointed by the styling of the Accord when the initial pictures and reviews came out a few weeks back. I compared it to the ovoid Taurus of the mid-90's as being one of the more jarring redesigns of a popular mid-size car in recent history.
Finally got out to a dealer lot yesterday to scan a 2003 in the flesh...I have to say it looks much better in person than it comes across in photos (particularly on-line photos). It doesn't immediately knock your socks off, but if you look at it from all angles, it sort of gells as you study it and you can see what the designer was intending. The rear end is still my least favorite aspect...I think they could have done so much better with a different tail-light design...something that compliments the sharp, angular headlights. But it's not nearly as frumpy as it appeared at first, in pictures.
At any rate, I'm excited that this car will be on my list next summer when I'm in the market. A 5 speed, 4-cylinder EX with leather might be just the ticket...an awful lot of content for what will probably be about a $22K purchase price (by next summer at least). And 34 MPG highway for a mid-size car.
So many great choices these days...and lots more to be revealed in the coming months too.
I found this fact quite interesting: "But by leveraging that power advantage across five gear ratios instead of Nissan's four, the new Accord outperforms the Nissan by 0.3 second to 60 mph (7.0 seconds) and 0.1 in the quarter (15.5 seconds at 92 mph). The advantage over the previous Accord is more than a second from 50 mph onward, even though the new car outweighs its predecessor and the Altima each by about 100 pounds. And here's the kicker: It even gets better gas mileage than either of the above — 21 city and 30 highway versus 20 and 28 for the '02 Accord, 19 and 26 for the Altima."
Here's the article: http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/roadtests/2002/october/0210_roadtest_accord.xml
enjoy.
I think the Accord may be on the shopping list next sedan, but I am not sure that it will win my money. Who knows, I have surprised myself before.
It is amazhing to see people buying accords with 130K+ mileage for close to 3000 !!
I just sold my 94 Accord EX 5-speed with 129,000 miles for $4300. It wouldn't fit in the garage anymore.., a 2003 Accord EX V6 is in there!
BTW, I loved that 94 Accord. Best car I ever had.
Now for the offer:
$1995 out of pocket (tax, 1st pay.,bank fee, mv fees)
$315 monthly payment (39 month/12k miles)
Dealer "Throw-ins": Extend Warranty for 3 months (39 total months), Moon Roof Wind Deflector, 2 free services/oil changes, 4 free car washes
This is one of the better offers I've found here in New York so far. I'm seeing another dealer tommorow who promised similar numbers, but for 36 months (no "throw-ins" yet).
Any other lease deals out there? Let me know.
Hey I know the domestics are better value. That's why I have an Intrigue right now. That said, the domestic offerings now that Olds is gone are pretty scarce in the sport sedan market so I look at a V6 Accord which to me seems pricey. I have zero interest in the Camry (ugly) or the Passat (over priced).
No big deal.. I am not in the market at this time, just trying to keep up with what's new. By the time I buy they will likely have some special edition value packages.