Bought myself a new car. Honda Accord Sport.

ThatsABigOne

Diamond Member
Nov 8, 2010
4,422
23
81
Hello there.

My 1998 Acura 3.5RL was due for a replacement since I hydroplaned and hit a semi truck about 4 weeks ago. It still drivable, but the damage is much more than the car is worth. I actively looked at used cars around Utah and surrounding states. I was mainly looking at Lexus ES330s or Acura RLs, but there were no good deals around since the used car market is NUTS! I made an excuse to buy myself a new car.

I wanted a manual Honda Accord Sport, but both dealerships in the area were booked regarding orders on such model, and the soonest I could get one would be in mid June. I needed a car now, as I would start my summer semester next week. And they would refuse to negotiate. I told them that I wanted to take a test drive in their CVT automatic. I wanted to hate the CVT, really did, but left very impressed. The car was not in stock at the dealership(Ken Garff) that I wanted to do business with, so they did a dealer trade with another dealer(Larry H Miller), which also did not have the car, even if their website shows that they have these cars in stock! The color that I wanted was, literally, a quick factory order.

I added some tint at $350, but with my negotiating skills, I got them to do it for 240 dollars. I also got a 99 dollar deal for 3 oil changes, 3 hand car washes, 3 free tire rotations/balancing. Also, I purchased some factory warranty 100k miles/7 years.

TOD price was 25k. I payed 12k in cash, and the rest was taken as a loan to build up my credit history. 24 months for .9%. It will be payed off in 7 months!

Here are some pics. I will take more as time will permit. :)
http://imgur.com/a/FltKr

Re-opened at OP's request

Perknose
Forum Director
 
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ThatsABigOne

Diamond Member
Nov 8, 2010
4,422
23
81
Looks good. Too bad no 6MT :( But, glad to hear the automatic doesn't suck ;)

Yes, the automatic does not have the rubber band feel. The paddleshifters make it really easy to just pop that car into a 'gear' and quickly set off.

Gorgeous car.. I am a huge fan of the 2013 Accord sedan. Looks fantastic.

Thank you for your compliments! When Honda unveiled the production model of this Accord, I knew that this is the car for me, even without the test drive!:biggrin:
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,053
571
126
Had I waited a couple years I probably would be driving this instead of the CR-Z. But I'm sad the 6MT Sport is only available in two colors. I guess its just a sign of the times as far as demand.
 

dbk

Lifer
Apr 23, 2004
17,685
10
81
Nice purchase! Love that color combo...I'm really considering the Accord especially the Sport trim (so much value)! Also looking at the soon-to-come Mazda6 diesel..
 

Dr. Detroit

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2004
8,257
713
126
Love the color! Been a huge fan of dark red cars my whole life - Hada Chili Red Metallic and Toreador Red metallic prior to my current Silver Graphite color!

Not a fan of Hondas but its looks great! The 2013 restyling did wonders for the old bloated Accord.
 

Zor Prime

Golden Member
Nov 7, 1999
1,023
588
136
Yes, the automatic does not have the rubber band feel. The paddleshifters make it really easy to just pop that car into a 'gear' and quickly set off.

Seems like Honda has gone a long way in getting the programming for their CVT's better.

I have a 2011 Insight and there's occasionally a rubber band-like sensation if you press on the gas pedal too quickly after the engine stops. But there has since been CVT software updates that nearly eliminates it.

What's funny is it's not even a mechanical problem considering it's solvable via software.

NICE color, BTW.
 

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,408
10
0
Congrats

Did you have a chance to check out Mazda 6? New one is pretty awesome from price/performance standpoint.

I can't say I like the styling of it (its ok) but it's still ways ahead of new Accord (in my book).

I think Road and Track just did a compare too and Mazda slaughtered it.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
48,704
5,456
136
Congrats and great color! You will enjoy the nice gas mileage, great safety features, and a car that will run forever! :thumbsup:
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
My main gripe about the Sport and Regular EX model is the radio - no XM as an option, and you get a nesty looking interface (I would much rather have the touch screen radio that's available on higher end models)
 

ThatsABigOne

Diamond Member
Nov 8, 2010
4,422
23
81
NutBucket:
Yes, I was not too happy with color choices. If I were to pick, it would have been black, but it is a pain to keep clean...

dbk: Yes, I did consider Mazdas, but I was a little weary of their rust issues. Utah is part of the rust belt. I was also excited for their diesel, but I got too tired for waiting, so I left that boat a while ago. I needed my car NOW. How can I resist the itch!!!

Fmr12B: Yes, that is why I bought one! :biggrin: Color looks very rich, and with the tint, in the back, it feels like sitting in a limo with a lot of rear seat room!

Zor Prime: Yes. I would not be surprised that there will be future updates. I still feel a little lag when getting off the line.

Vdubchaos: Look at my response to dbk. :) I know that mazda is about 2k cheaper, but being a honda owner for my whole life, I feel that 'owner loyalty' made a big influence on my choice.

JulesMaximus: 4 cylinder. My car has 130 miles on it right now, and I am averaging about 30mpg so far. 50/50 City/Highway.

Kaido: That is my plan! Keep it for 15 years, at least!

Ryan: Yeah, but I never listen to radio! :biggrin:

HardcoreRobot: Me too!
 

dbk

Lifer
Apr 23, 2004
17,685
10
81
I just came back from the dealership with an Accord Sport 6MT in the metallic gray! Sold my Honda Fit two days ago and I couldn't stand driving the family's Camry. Today was the day! $23k otd. Somehow i managed to not shit my pants and make it home (been 6 or 7yrs since my last manual car). :)

Clutch is very light but i was having trouble finding 5th gear (lol) and not 100% used to the clutch location (need to move my foot to the right by an inch)
 
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Centauri

Golden Member
Dec 10, 2002
1,628
54
91
Probably the last-standing Japanese sedan that's still praise worthy. Enjoy. :)
 

ThatsABigOne

Diamond Member
Nov 8, 2010
4,422
23
81
I just came back from the dealership with an Accord Sport 6MT in the metallic gray! Sold my Honda Fit two days ago and I couldn't stand driving the family's Camry. Today was the day! $23k otd. Somehow i managed to not shit my pants and make it home (been 6 or 7yrs since my last manual car). :)

Clutch is very light but i was having trouble finding 5th gear (lol) and not 100% used to the clutch location (need to move my foot to the right by an inch)

Great! I would advice you head over to DriveAccord forums for some advice if you are into some minor modding that is reversible to stock.

Word of caution, like any car owner forums, there will be snobs.

I have done several things:
1) Upgraded to HID set of lightbulbs. (clear cut off)
2) Changed the strip light to LED. (the strip looks like DLR on some new lexus, except it is not bright enough when it is very bright out)
3) Replaced the rear 14mm hollow twig sway bar for 23mm solid Progress bar.
4) To remove the tendency of gradual oversteer, I upgraded the front sway bar with a V6 bar. Sway bar upgrade is pure awesome, drives like a go-kart.
5) Replaced interior dome light and licence lights with LEDs.

I am currently working on a total make over of the sound deadening. The project is on hold as I will be leaving country very soon. :'(

Here is my channel with some progress. : http://www.youtube.com/user/TheAngryDuckman/videos
 
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dbk

Lifer
Apr 23, 2004
17,685
10
81
Great! I would advice you head over to DriveAccord forums for some advice if you are into some minor modding that is reversible to stock.

Word of caution, like any car owner forums, there will be snobs.

I have done several things:
1) Upgraded to HID set of lightbulbs. (clear cut off)
2) Changed the strip light to LED. (the strip looks like DLR on some new lexus, except it is not bright enough when it is very bright out)
3) Replaced the rear 14mm hollow twig sway bar for 23mm solid Progress bar.
4) To remove the tendency of gradual oversteer, I upgraded the front sway bar with a V6 bar. Sway bar upgrade is pure awesome, drives like a go-kart.
5) Replaced interior dome light and licence lights with LEDs.

I am currently working on a total make over of the sound deadening. The project is on hold as I will be leaving country very soon. :'(

Here is my channel with some progress. : http://www.youtube.com/user/TheAngryDuckman/videos

I already ordered Weathertech floormats and a trunk liner. That's about it for now.. maybe tint and interior LEDs later. I'll keep those things you mentioned in mind though. Thanks!
 

ThatsABigOne

Diamond Member
Nov 8, 2010
4,422
23
81
I already ordered Weathertech floormats and a trunk liner. That's about it for now.. maybe tint and interior LEDs later. I'll keep those things you mentioned in mind though. Thanks!

Tint is a must, glad you are getting that.

I keep reading about the mats on the forums and people really like them! Maybe I should invest in them when I come back.

What color did you pick for your car? :) You got a great price, mine was 24.5 OTD. They would not budge price on the manual...