Older Honda Accords

zakiman · March 2003

Hi all,
I just spent $100 on the 7500 mile maint & just to day I spent $200 on the 15000 mile maintenance.
Are they necessary to be done, or can I do without them (i.e. just do regular oil change) ?
For example, when the car reaches 30k, the maintenance done will cost $ 400!
I just think that the dealer may be putting a lot of $$$ in his pocket...am I wrong ?? please help because I don't feel like spending all this money on a leased car!

any comments are highly appreciated...

anonymousposts · March 2003

03Honda: I recently purchased Mcguiers? leather cleaner/conditioner and used it on our GS300 and our Accord. Seemed to make a huge difference in the Lexus (it's a 95) and even seemed to make the Accord's seats feel softer to the touch.

atlantabenny · March 2003

If you're not the DIY type, you can save a lot of money by 1) having the oil changes/tire rotations done by a reliable tire chain ($25 deals on oil & filter change plus rotation), 2) since the car is already up on the lift, you can ask them to check the CV boots (they'll want to do this due to the job potential), and 3) if they'll charge for checking fluid levels, try doing this simple 5-minute job yourself.

Come 30k or so, buy a $15 air filter from Pep Boys and replace it yourself. Ask a mechanically inclined friend to show you how if it's your first time.

The A/C pollen filter is more complicated - the dealer can do this for $30, part & labor.

All told, you'd be able to spend much less without compromising warranty requirements. I've owned 2 of the same generation Accords and maintained it myself, and it was very little work because Accords are really plain reliable. More so that you have an almost risk-free manual transmission.

bburton1 · March 2003

I do all my own maintenance including rotating tires, oil/filter, valve adj, spark plug change, brake pad/shoe replacement and tranny ATF change. I save time as well as money. If the dealer were only a couple of miles away-would still do it myself. None of these tasks takes over 1 hour even if I am feeling lazy. IMHO you only need to replace the air filters every 100K or so unless u are on very dirty roads. Plugs maybe every 50K, pads depending upon how u drive-25 to 100K plus and shoes-maybe 50 to 200K. Drain and add atf every 30K, oil change every 4K makes sense for me-hwy only miles.

Have heard too many horror storys about those quick change oil places. Never ever use anything but Honda atf in your AT.

Dealers love people who use them for all their maintenance-you can check a whole list of stuff in seconds-the profit has got to be significant for these jobs.

mikek37 · March 2003

Your post was right on the money. Honda dealers must enjoy extremely high profit margins.

s852 · March 2003

Some Honda dealers have coupons that make the prices much more competitive.
The Honda dealers I went to sent these coupons in the mail to the people on their mailing list. I would go in for the $19.99 Express Lube special.
Might as well have the dealer do it for that price.
You can also specify that they only what the maintenance schedule requires and not do extras (like fuel injector cleaning on near new cars and over-aggressive parts and fluids replacements, 60K mile timing belt changes on cars where the timing belt change is recommended at 90-105K miles, changing oil and filter every 3K miles on some new Hondas where changes should be at up to 10K miles or no more often than every 5K miles even under severe driving conditions etc.).

jmess · March 2003

I decided to remove the "Accord" and "EX" emblems from the trunk of our Silver 03. I think it looks better with just the big "H" on the trunk. The emblems are easy to remove, just use a some good quality dental floss to saw through the glue. If the temp is below 60 degrees, a hair dryer can be used to warm them up, which softens up the glue.

03honda · March 2003

vegoen · March 2003

OK GUYS WHICH CAR IS BEST TO GET FOR VALUE/PERFORMANCE??? MAZDA6s, 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX V6, OR 2003 IMPREZA WRX ????????? THESE ARE IN THE TOP 10 LIST OF BEST CARS IN 2003

lvboy1980 · March 2003

I need help!....Last night I was driving my 03' Accord EX-V6 and I went over a bump, no damage just a regular bump in the road and the side curtain airbag popped and tore out of the roof completely destroying it and the seat airbag tore out of the seat completely destroying that too!! My whole car is now trashed, my ears are killing me because of the loud bang! Is this under warranty or do I have to go through the insurance???? PLEASE HELP WITH ADVICE!! Thanks!

emale · March 2003

guys,

after a fast 1600 miles in the last week on my new '03 accord ex v6 coupe, i'd say i'm still enjoying the ride. but, i do have a few questions to ask. have any of you noticed any strange noises coming from your dash...almost like snapping plastic noise? mine has started making this noise on occasion and it seems to be located directly in front of me up by the lower windshield area. it doesn't always do it, but seems to be gradually becoming more pervasive. i also have a rattle coming from the rear of the car, but i can't figure out from where. it sounds like it's in the rear shelf area. i checked the speakers and they are tight. thinking maybe the rods for the rear seat locks are making the noise but not sure. btw, what is in the little black plastic box next to the passenger side rear speaker (viewed while looking in the trunk)??

one last question....my window sticker mentions that i should have extensions on my sun visors...but i don't. something is flubbed up there.

vinyljunkie · March 2003

Here is a service bulletin that might help you with your rear rattle problem...

http://www.illusion-lighting.com/misc/Honda_Headliner_TSB.pdf

ivan_99 · March 2003

I would think if there is no other damage to your car it would be covered by the dealer; aka a faulty part.

It would be the same as if you hit a bump and your windshield broke (which it should not).

If the bump was large and damanged other components then it would be an insurance claim...such as you driving into a ditch.

If this is the case, then I guess it's up to the insurance adjuster to assign fault to the accident (if you could have avoided it etc).

Probably better if it is a warranty fix...no deductible.

emale · March 2003

vinynljunkie,

my headliner doesn't appear to sag. the car is out at the dealership right now having a rear wing installed. i mentioned the rear rattle and they are gonna look at it...

nfjimc · March 2003

According to my EX manual, the anti-theft indicator flashes when setting and lights once set. Mine never lights steady, but always flashes. Is this normal or should it light steady once set?

jonesok1 · March 2003

Search under "popping" and you'll find a thread about popping/creaking sounds when starting/stopping/turning in 03 EXV6's. If it makes a definite popping/creaking sound when the body flexes when starting/stopping/turning, you could have the A-Pillar problem. It is a definite "pop" or back to back "pop". Sometimes it would do it at startup from a dead stop. Other times, when turning. From the description in your post of the general area itis coming from (lower left front of the driver's side), it sounds like that's what it may be. The actual location is actually about 3" in front of the left upper door hinge, inside the fender. You cannot access this area without removing the bumper/fender/and inside panels. Mine started popping at 1000 miles, Gotribe's I think about 3400. Once it starts, it won't ever go away, altough it did seem to get more consistent the longer it went.

For your sake,I hope that's not the problem.

emale · March 2003

jones,

my "popping" seems to only occur over bumps. i've never noticed it while starting/stopping or turning. it sounds to me like plastic rubbing against plastic or perhaps plastic rubbing against the front window. it's not real loud but kinda annoying...and it seems to go away when the sun is shining and prolly heating up the plastic.

btw, my car was built in february...for whatever that's worth?

dan165 · March 2003

The back seats on the 04 Grand Prix were a little tight but they fold totally flat as does the front passenger seat which is pretty cool. The front seats are also real nice. I will test a V6 Accord sedan at some point. I think the new Mazda 6 is a bit smaller than these cars and I don't really want that.

jonesok1 · March 2003

It did it sometimes over large bumps (like speed bumps), but mostly it didn't.

The popping is clear and distinct. Almost a 'snap'. Sounds very much like a bad strut,if you ever hear one.

Hopefully, yours is just a dash rattle. Those can be fixed.

emale · March 2003

jones,

mine is prolly just a dash rattle. i know what worn shocks/struts sound like, and it doesn't sound like that...at least not yet!! thanks for the input...

talon95 · March 2003

The security system indicator flashes once set... it never lights steady.

vinyljunkie · March 2003

Thank god, I got the EX-L 4 cylinder and not the 6.

nfjimc · March 2003

Thanks for the info. I didn't think it would light steady but the manual does intimate that.

sobers · March 2003

After long time, good to see a lot of posts here!!

emale · March 2003

good news,

just got the coupe back from the dealership with new wing installed. i really like the looks of the wing!!!

btw, the dash rattle really does seem to be temp dependent. it isn't doing it at all right now. so, hopefully it isn't related to the weld issue some have been talking about.

also, the rattle i was hearing from the rear of the car was a loose rear shelf insulator or something like that. apparently it was hitting the back window when i went over bumps.

once again the car feels like she is made of granite...hopefully it'll stay that way!!!

vegoen · March 2003

OK GUYS WHICH CAR IS BEST TO GET FOR VALUE/PERFORMANCE??? MAZDA6s, 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX V6, OR 2003 IMPREZA WRX ????????? THESE ARE IN THE TOP 10 LIST OF BEST CARS IN 2003

chikoo · March 2003

Define Value & Performance.

AFAIK, it varies from person to person.

03honda · March 2003

dindak · March 2003

Performance nod would go to the Impreza I think but it's much smaller than the others. Pretty wide open question, depends on your priorities.

bribaby · March 2003

I think I had the same rattle in the front as you. It's an intermittent popping noise from the centre of the dash where it meets the windsheild. I first thought it was the little sun sensor there and then I thought it was in the vents where the defroster blows air up on the windshield. It was neither of those. I got rid of it by folding a sock in two and stuffing it between the dash and the windsheild with a screwdriver right at the center. I used a black sock, can't even see it and never heard a pop since.

bribaby · March 2003

I don't know about you guys but all these rattles and pops are getting very annoying. I've got a sock (windsheild)and sponges (around the front tweeter and back window shelf area). You shouldn't have this in a new car, especially one with a reputation like Honda The dealer makes a minimal attempt to fix them but I think for the most part you're on your own. I'm going back to buying used cars, if you have a rattle at least you know you paid less than the guy who owned it before you

aming · March 2003

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/dai/2003/march/200303- 28_dai_windows.xml

pat · March 2003

akal50 · March 2003

Part of me thinks you guys are nitpicking. But then the other part of me thinks you're right to complain. After all, this is a Honda product, not a Chevy. You should have high standards. I'm debating between the Accord, TL, TSX, or Passat. The TL has transmission issues, the Passat has all sorts of reliability issues and the service is supposed to be terrible, and the Accord has all these rattles and pops. Compared to the TL and Passat owners, it seems like the Accord people are lucky. And then I think about how you're not supposed to buy a car the first year it's out. I was leaning towards an Accord but after reading this board, I don't know what to do. This is the downside of the internet. Everyone gets to complain and pretty soon that's all you remember.

vinyljunkie · March 2003

I wonder who will be the first person to see one...Ouch that'll learn him or her.

emale · March 2003

in reference to creaks and rattles...i have to wonder if the japanese are a bit off their game lately. the latest camry has gotton stung with some quality glitches...and it appears the accord might be headed in the same direction. if honda jumps on these problems quickly, there shouldn't be much backlash. but if they don't, they might lose some loyal customers...!

vinyljunkie · March 2003

True, but you have to look at things on a larger basis. Although, we have a large amount of people posting here, what or how does that compare to how many vehicles have been purchased and NOT complained about. let us jsut assume, there are 5000 users posting here. How many Accords have been bought?

vegoen · March 2003

Hey akal, if your debating about what to buy. Those cars you named only Accord is in the top 10 of 2003. Plus anything made by honda is a good investment.

imidazol97 · March 2003

Probably the demographics of the people posting here is that they are in an age range
younger than the typical buyer: imagine how many people have problems and aren't
computer types who have a way to post and communicate. People over a
certain age tend not to use computers because they haven't become familiar
with them.

The people posting here are savvy and care about and are loyal to their cars and the brand.

What is the mean age for an Accord buyer now? Does anyone have data about the
age ranges for buyers?

dindak · March 2003

My father in law drives a Chevy Impala. Rock solid, no rattles at all. May not be the best car in the world, but it's well built.

martylaw · March 2003

I had a creaking noise coming from the front of the dash on delivery of the car (EX v6 Coupe). The dealer took the dash apart, but that did not solve the problem. Finally, they felt that the contact between the front left corner of the hood and a bushing was causing the noise, which was transmitted back to the cabin. They put some silicon grease or something on it and it stopped the sound. It really disappeared. It was gone for a couple of months, and has now returned on a sporadic (infrequent) basis - it seems cold weather sensitive. They will give me the type of lubricant they used next time I can get over there.

gee35coupe · March 2003

And my old 94 and 95 Lexi. Guess we should all run out and buy Accords, Lexi, and Impalas. Guess which one is NOT on the long term reliability top ten.

outrun · April 2003

Hey akal, if your debating about what to buy. Those cars you named only Accord is in the top 10 of 2003.

Huh? Which "top 10" are you referring to? Please refer to this link:
http://edmunds.com/reviews/mostwanted/2003/

Even with all these so-called reliability issues and so-called service problems, the Passat STILL ranks above the new and improved Accord for 2003 as the best sedan under $25k. Imagine how the redesigned 2004/5 Passat is going to compare to the Accord.

Hey, if you're going to have squeaks and rattles anyways, might as well drive something fun. The only rattle in my Passat is during the winter when the vents are on hot for 10 minutes, and then turned to medium, and I keep them at face level. Changing it to foot level solves the issue. And even then, we all know what the rattle is from - a loose bracket screw on the passenger side air bag. Other than that, solid.

-Craig

imidazol97 · April 2003

Long term reliability index is based on _past_
performance. The current models will each develop their own record, but as the problems with Accord in this posting area show, a new year brings new problems. The Impalas, Accuras, Lexuses will each bring their own _new_ record to this model year. If you don't believe this, ask all those who bought MCI and ENRON common stock because of _past_ records. Cars are only as good as the company/plant that built them, the dealer that sells and services, and the people at corporate backing up the dealer on the major problems.

I weigh long term reliability against high cost of servicing and required 30K checkups and look at the total cost of owning the thing for 150K or more.

Lists of reliability or popularity are different depending on who's generating them and what their motive is. I picked up auto mags at the doctor's office a few weeks ago and their cars weren't anything I'd be interested in (Road-Track, Car & Driver, may have been the names). They seemed to be in a different world from those driving on the interstates around here in my world. I don't have much need for the vehicles they were describing.

mikek37 · April 2003

Why do you constantly post links that seems to only justify your "PASSAT is the BEST" case.

I belive akal was referring to the Top Ten list.

And if he/she was going for reliability and value, you would have to shoot for the Honda.

Volks, come on, you and I both know they are plagued with faulty igniton coils and what not.THey have the reliability of a pinto!

One more thing, edmund's states they love the V6 passat and that is one they would love to have in their garage. Yet on the same note, there is no way you could ever get the V6/loaded passat for under 25K.

And if I recall, didnt the Honda Win best sedan of the year (Car and Driver and Consumer Reports)

talon95 · April 2003

The Accord won top honors with CR for 4-cyl family sedans. The Passat won for 6-cyl family sedans.

In the Car and Driver test, due to lack of availability of Passat sticks they tested a Passat auto vs. the manuals in the other cars. May or may not have made a difference, but the Accord won the comparison.

In addition, the Accord made C&D's 10 Best Cars list again... no Passat on that list.

Another excellent "apples to apples" comparison was Road and Track, in which they tested top of the line V6 automatics. The Accord beat the Passat rather soundly in that test. And regarding this quote:

"Hey, if you're going to have squeaks and rattles anyways, might as well drive something fun."

The Accord beat the Passat in driving excitement, engine, steering, brakes and handling. So if you're looking to drive something fun and you ask R&T for their recommendation, between the Accord and the Passat, the Accord is the car you should get, not the Passat.

nfjimc · April 2003

Well it's been 3 weeks and 2000+ miles on my Accord EX. So far I love it! Feels great on the road, nice firm driving experience with a smooth ride. Have received many compliments on it, but the best was parking it in a Dodge/Chrysler dealership while looking for a new car for my son. In a matter of minutes half of the sales force were out checking out the Accord and all were impressed with it. About the only negative I have so far is the fact that Honda elected not to backlight the radio and cruise control buttons on the steering wheel. Not a big deal but considering all the detail and ergonomics they did pay attention to, this seems like a big oversight.

vinyljunkie · April 2003

Yeah, that's true, but all the things this vehicle does have, kind of makes you forget that. And besides, the buttons are designed so you can operate by feel and do not have to take your eyes off of the road. So far I have not had a problem operating those buttons at night.

I also love my EX-L. The car is solid, quiet and smooth on the road. It is my first new car and I want to make love to it.

emale · April 2003

OKAY!!!

I LIKE MY CAR BUT I DON'T LOVVVEEE MY CAR!!

anyway, the only things i'd like to change about my ex coupe are these:

1. wish honda would figure out a way to program their auto tranny so that it doesn't lunge into the next gear upon slow acceleration. it is nice and smooth at medium throttle as well as full tilt boogy.

2. fog lights should be standard on ex v6 coupe!

3. not a biggie but would like full automatic headlights.

4. passenger seat should have electric controls.

5. would like a slightly firmer brake pedal feel.

that's it!

outrun · April 2003

That Edmunds still picked the Passat as the sedan under $25k even though it has the "reliability of a pinto". Doesn't say much for the Accord now, does it?

Any Passat comparison done against the new Accord is comparing apples to oranges. The current Passat came out in '98, the same year the previous Accord debuted. And we all know what every car magazine chose in THAT comparison.

Also, Edmunds prefers the 4cyl turbo over the V6:

"Whether you're interested in a base GL model with the excellent turbo four (our favorite)..."

and

"In any case, so sprightly is this powerplant that we questioned the need for a six-cylinder engine."

and check out the long term test of a '99 Passat with the "old" 1.8T. They preferred even THAT to the V6.

I just noticed this list on residual values:
http://edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/71962/article.html

I'm not saying the Passat is the best car out there, because it definitely isn't. The coil pack issue lost VW a bunch of customers. But it's something that a "driver" is willing to put up with to get more involved with "driving" instead of "riding".

When the coil pack issue first started back in the late Fall, I strongly considered trading it in for an Accord EX-L 4 cyl w/Navi. But the lack of side air bags, side mirror defrosters, and other key features turned me off. Plus all this talk about rattles, squeaks, and pops doesn't give much confidence in the once all-mighty Honda.

Which is why I come back to "If you're going to deal with squeaks and rattles, might as well drive something more fun." To me, fun is being more involved, better road feel, tight and responsive chassis, etc. It isn't all about numbers of 0-60, g's, etc. If that was the case, everyone would be buying just one car in each price segment.

-Craig

Older Honda Accords

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