Honda drivers....

[TechHead87]

I'm switching from American to Japanese. Are there any things about Honda cars I should know about?

Is it really true that parts are much more expensive than American because they "come from overseas"?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Dman877]

Unless you are buying something with high miles, you shouldn't have to worry about parts.

 

[dud]

The problem that I've found with that generation of Accords (I have rented them A LOT) is that they are VERY boring cars to drive ... but on the good side they are very reliable.

 

[TechHead87]

What do you mean by boring?

 

[SickBeast]

The one thing I had to get used to (and still hate to a degree) is the "maintenance minder" computer system in my 2006 Civic (I assume the Accord will have this also).

Basically it tells you when to fix the car, and you lose your warranty if you don't do it. You pretty much have to go to the Honda dealership to have service done to the car, even if it's just an oil change, otherwise you'll have an annoying wrench icon on your dashboard ad-nauseum.

You won't have anything go wrong with the car. In terms of maintenance, I typically have to spend say $400/year including all the oil changes and servicing (you typically have to do a $200 service once per year; they change a few things like the cabin air filter and stuff, rotate the tires; I always feel ripped off when they do this but whatever).

I'm most impressed by the engine, transmission, and handling of my car, especially for an economy car. It's very refined compared to anything domestic I've been in.

 

[Funyuns101]

SickBeast, any licensed mechanic can service your car - service doesn't HAVE to be done at the dealership.
I'm not sure if it's the same w/the new Civic, but you can give it a shot. It obviously just goes by a "maintenance interval" after the last time the light was turned off.
Obviously the dealership does overcharge for basic services like oil changes, etc.

In the 2003 Accord (same gen as the OP is looking at) - if you hold down the reset switch while turning on your car - it'll turn off the maintenance reminder light.

I think it's kind of handy that the car will tell you "A1 - do this" or "A2 - do that"

Parts for these cars shouldn't be THAT much more than something like a Ford Fusion or Chevy Malibu - they're pretty common.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: Funyuns101
SickBeast, any licensed mechanic can service your car - service doesn't HAVE to be done at the dealership.
I'm not sure if it's the same w/the new Civic, but you can give it a shot. It obviously just goes by a "maintenance interval" after the last time the light was turned off.
Obviously the dealership does overcharge for basic services like oil changes, etc.

In the 2003 Accord (same gen as the OP is looking at) - if you hold down the reset switch while turning on your car - it'll turn off the maintenance reminder light.

I think it's kind of handy that the car will tell you "A1 - do this" or "A2 - do that"

Parts for these cars shouldn't be THAT much more than something like a Ford Fusion or Chevy Malibu - they're pretty common.

I personally hate paperwork so I just let Honda do all the service (plus I worry about that annoying wrench light).

Parts are cheap for my Civic. My brakes have 2 years left on them and cost $200 to change; so that's $200 over 4 years in parts for me (hopefully).

Other things like the starter, alternator, and muffler are affordable and should cost no more than for a domestic.

There are certain parts on a car that you just have to replace every now and then. I don't see the Honda parts costing any more than my old Saturn. Everything else should be warrantied for 5 years / 100,000km (not sure what that is in miles).

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: dud
The problem that I've found with that generation of Accords (I have rented them A LOT) is that they are VERY boring cars to drive ... but on the good side they are very reliable.

Problem must be behind the steering wheel. It's a family sedan, not a Lotus, but the Accord has a dual personality that kicks in when you hit the backroads and let the superb V6 stretch its legs. As Car and Driver mentions in most of their Accord reviews, there is a synergy to the controls, drivetrain, and chassis that make it much more satisfying than you would expect based on city driving. There's not a whole lot of "personality," but they are predictable, communicative, capable, agile, and forgiving. That last sentence could easily describe any modern Porsche (though I don't pretend to compare them). They placed the regular previous-gen V6 sedan above the Mazdaspeed6 in their last sport sedan comparison.

OP, if you are looking at automatics, I would give you a caution. The V6 automatics from that generation (and the previous generation) were not really up to the task of handling the V6. Though they are clairvoyant, smooth, and quiet autos when they are working, my first failed after only 65,000 miles (replaced under warranty). The service internal for fluid changes is 120,000 miles, yet it barely lasted half that long. This problem extended to nearly every V6 car Honda made for a while, though things have improved with the latest cars due to a better design. Anyway, I'd really recommend the 6-speed manual if you're looking at 2006 V6 models. If I had to go back, that's what I would have bought instead of the auto. For the 4-cylinder, the auto will be just fine if that's what you want.

 

[bapace]

Originally posted by: dud
The problem that I've found with that generation of Accords (I have rented them A LOT) is that they are VERY boring cars to drive ... but on the good side they are very reliable.

There is nothing boring about the V6 Coupes. I've never seen an Accord Coupe for rent, let alone one of the V6 Accords, and I rent cars weekly. I own a 2003 Accord v6 Coupe with a 6 speed manual, very fun car to drive.

 

[evident]

techhead, you won't regret getting one.
i have an 07 coupe i4 and i wish i got the V6. it's a sleeper and it looks sexy. if you go to http://www.driveaccord.net and peak around you can see that there aren't many mechanical probs people have been experiencing with the 7th generation accords.

its also engineered and built here in the USA (no such thing as a JDM 7th gen accord coupe ) the parts for the accord are pretty cheap since it's a common car. whoever said that parts will be more expensive because they come from overseas is not completely accurate if not outright wrong. the more common the car, the cheaper the parts are. you can get accord parts for alot cheaper than you would say a g35 or lower volume car, and the coupe shares alot of maintenance parts with the accord sedan.

Originally posted by: SickBeast
The one thing I had to get used to (and still hate to a degree) is the "maintenance minder" computer system in my 2006 Civic (I assume the Accord will have this also).

Basically it tells you when to fix the car, and you lose your warranty if you don't do it. You pretty much have to go to the Honda dealership to have service done to the car, even if it's just an oil change, otherwise you'll have an annoying wrench icon on your dashboard ad-nauseum.

I'm most impressed by the engine, transmission, and handling of my car, especially for an economy car. It's very refined compared to anything domestic I've been in.

you can do the maintenances yourself. I perform all the maint myself and reset the minder when im done with it. see the manual on how to reset it.

heres obligatory reference to my
07 coupe ex-l i4


and to the guy who said its a boring car. what are you comparing it to? it's fun as hell for a daily driver that has a comfy ride and has great ameneties and fuel economy, even for the V6.

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain


OP, if you are looking at automatics, I would give you a caution. The V6 automatics from that generation (and the previous generation) were not really up to the task of handling the V6. Though they are clairvoyant, smooth, and quiet autos when they are working, my first failed after only 65,000 miles (replaced under warranty). The service internal for fluid changes is 120,000 miles, yet it barely lasted half that long. This problem extended to nearly every V6 car Honda made for a while, though things have improved with the latest cars due to a better design. Anyway, I'd really recommend the 6-speed manual if you're looking at 2006 V6 models. If I had to go back, that's what I would have bought instead of the auto. For the 4-cylinder, the auto will be just fine if that's what you want.

V6 AT from the 7th gen just need to follow the maintenance schedule religiously, and there won't be any problems.

 

[BassBomb]

similar to evident ive got the 2007 sedan ex-l with nav
its a great car, i would not call it boring unless you never drive spirited, its got a smoother ride than say a civic

as far as maintenance minder, they DO go away eventually even if you dont do the service, they'll go away if you do the service almost anywhere

 

[evident]

^ if you do your own maintanence you have to look at the instruction manual, it will show you step by step how to turn the wrench off. this is what your mechanic does, honda dealer or joe the mechanic. failing to do so will probably result in the minder going crazy and the internal schedule will be thrown off. follow the regularly scheduled maint. and you will be good!

 

[MustangSVT]

06 is a good year, the newer 08 and 09 have gone down in quality of material and fit and finish.

enjoy reliable good cars.

 

[thecritic]

The 03-07 Accords were fairly reliable. Most of the transmission issues seem to be fixed by 05, as you rarely hear of the 05+ V6 models having problems.

Just be aware that the code "4" service on the Accord V6 runs about $1200, if not more. It involves spark plugs, valve adjustment, timing belt, water pump, timing belt hydraulic tensioner, drive belts and coolant. Labor is about eight hours and parts are several hundred.

 

[jeffrey]

I've had total engine failure on my 2007 Accord V6 with 44K miles and Honda will not replace the engine or provide a loaner car. The car is under powertrain warranty and has been nothing but a hassle.

 

[rh71]

One thing through the 4 Hondas (2 civics and 2 accords) we've owned... the muffler pipe always corrodes and/or drops... once while going 70 on the NJ Turnpike, once while prepared for it on the LIE, and 2 other times the noise (think muffler-less) through some hole was unbearable and eventually replaced. I don't know what it is about those cars, but they are horrible with the exhaust pipes.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: rh71
One thing through the 4 Hondas (2 civics and 2 accords) we've owned... the muffler pipe always corrodes and/or drops... once while going 70 on the NJ Turnpike, once while prepared for it on the LIE, and 2 other times the noise (think muffler-less) through some hole was unbearable and eventually replaced. I don't know what it is about those cars, but they are horrible with the exhaust pipes.

that's why every accord and civic you see has a fart can.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: evident

Originally posted by: thomsbrain


OP, if you are looking at automatics, I would give you a caution. The V6 automatics from that generation (and the previous generation) were not really up to the task of handling the V6. Though they are clairvoyant, smooth, and quiet autos when they are working, my first failed after only 65,000 miles (replaced under warranty). The service internal for fluid changes is 120,000 miles, yet it barely lasted half that long. This problem extended to nearly every V6 car Honda made for a while, though things have improved with the latest cars due to a better design. Anyway, I'd really recommend the 6-speed manual if you're looking at 2006 V6 models. If I had to go back, that's what I would have bought instead of the auto. For the 4-cylinder, the auto will be just fine if that's what you want.

V6 AT from the 7th gen just need to follow the maintenance schedule religiously, and there won't be any problems.

Um, what? The maintenance schedule for the auto under regular driving is a fluid flush at 120,000 miles. That's it. Even if you go to the "severe" schedule, the flush is recommended every 60,000 miles. Mine failed completely at 65,000 miles under regular driving (mostly freeway commuting). I never even reached the first scheduled maintenance for the part, so how could I possibly hope to follow it?

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: evident

Originally posted by: thomsbrain


OP, if you are looking at automatics, I would give you a caution. The V6 automatics from that generation (and the previous generation) were not really up to the task of handling the V6. Though they are clairvoyant, smooth, and quiet autos when they are working, my first failed after only 65,000 miles (replaced under warranty). The service internal for fluid changes is 120,000 miles, yet it barely lasted half that long. This problem extended to nearly every V6 car Honda made for a while, though things have improved with the latest cars due to a better design. Anyway, I'd really recommend the 6-speed manual if you're looking at 2006 V6 models. If I had to go back, that's what I would have bought instead of the auto. For the 4-cylinder, the auto will be just fine if that's what you want.

V6 AT from the 7th gen just need to follow the maintenance schedule religiously, and there won't be any problems.

Um, what? The maintenance schedule for the auto under regular driving is a fluid flush at 120,000 miles. That's it. Even if you go to the "severe" schedule, the flush is recommended every 60,000 miles. Mine failed completely at 65,000 miles under regular driving (mostly freeway commuting). I never even reached the first scheduled maintenance for the part, so how could I possibly hope to follow it?

the 03 - 04's still had lingering tranny problems from the previous generation, but by 06 and 07 those problems were mostly resolved. insightful read on honda tranny probs if you have time

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

That's kind of scary. Maybe I should have done a little more research before I bought my 03 Element. I'm going to assume that the trannies are the same as the Accord?