2008 Honda Accord (merged threads)
#31
#32
Lexus Champion
Well I just got back from a test drive of a 2008 EX-L V6 without nav (the only thing it didn't have.
I have to say it's a big improvement over the last car overall however I'm just not blown away.
The interior is certainly improved, but there were a couple of glaring build quality issues with this one and I wasn't even looking for them - a seem where two dash panels should have been flush that stuck out a good centimeter or so. And excessive wind noise from the back left door.
It reminds me why I prefer leasing - because when I lease cars, these things don't bother me. If I owned that Accord I'd want those things fixed and since Honda doesn't give out loaners, I'd be wasting lots of time waiting around the dealer service area.
Overall the car was powerful but far from exciting. It's probably quicker than my Audi but it definitely didn't feel like it, and feeling fast is half the fun. It felt pretty heavy too - the sales guy drove it before I did and he was doing some boy racer type maneuvers with it and looking at me like I should be impressed with the 'awesome honda handling' but I just wasn't.
It definitely did ride smoothly though. Road and wind noise were good from 0-40 or so but after that they started to creep up to semi-unacceptable levels. A good measure for me is if the people up front can face forward and talk to the people in the back without raising their voice or having to repeat themselves and there were several times we were having to repeat ourselves (my friend that went with me road in the back most of the way).
This friend of mine has an 05 TL and we both agreed that the TL feels just as quick or quicker, handles considerably better, and is a bit quieter on the highway.
The Accord, IMO, is also sorely missing available push-button start, xenon headlights, and if you don't have navi you don't get much of a worthwhile readout like fuel economy or range... just temperature and compass.
The stereo (7 speaker with an 8 inch sub) wasn't bad but I think I was hoping for more. It got distressed early on in the volume range. Definitely not as strong or clear as my Audi A4's base level stereo (it doesn't have the optional bose) and I'm not even 'that' impressed by my Audi's stereo either.
There's a green light on the gauges that shows when it has switched to 3 or 4 cylinder mode (down from 6) and that didn't come on very often - only when I was coasting in the city or cruising on a flat surface under 75 on the highway do I remember it coming on, though I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to it.
The leather was typical Honda stuff, too - in the pics I thought it looked like it might be more plush than previous Honda vehicles but to me it seemed about the same.
Anyhow - the guy said he'd work up some numbers for me but I'm pretty sure whatever he comes back with is going to be based on MSRP and is probably going to cost as much as a 328i lease if not a 335i lease and if I'm given the choice between a 335i and a V6 Accord lease for the same price, well - you better know which one I'd take. The 335i was about 10x more fun to drive and has all sorts of extra features over the Accord. But anyhow... I'll still give him a chance to prove me wrong with the numbers.
I have to say it's a big improvement over the last car overall however I'm just not blown away.
The interior is certainly improved, but there were a couple of glaring build quality issues with this one and I wasn't even looking for them - a seem where two dash panels should have been flush that stuck out a good centimeter or so. And excessive wind noise from the back left door.
It reminds me why I prefer leasing - because when I lease cars, these things don't bother me. If I owned that Accord I'd want those things fixed and since Honda doesn't give out loaners, I'd be wasting lots of time waiting around the dealer service area.
Overall the car was powerful but far from exciting. It's probably quicker than my Audi but it definitely didn't feel like it, and feeling fast is half the fun. It felt pretty heavy too - the sales guy drove it before I did and he was doing some boy racer type maneuvers with it and looking at me like I should be impressed with the 'awesome honda handling' but I just wasn't.
It definitely did ride smoothly though. Road and wind noise were good from 0-40 or so but after that they started to creep up to semi-unacceptable levels. A good measure for me is if the people up front can face forward and talk to the people in the back without raising their voice or having to repeat themselves and there were several times we were having to repeat ourselves (my friend that went with me road in the back most of the way).
This friend of mine has an 05 TL and we both agreed that the TL feels just as quick or quicker, handles considerably better, and is a bit quieter on the highway.
The Accord, IMO, is also sorely missing available push-button start, xenon headlights, and if you don't have navi you don't get much of a worthwhile readout like fuel economy or range... just temperature and compass.
The stereo (7 speaker with an 8 inch sub) wasn't bad but I think I was hoping for more. It got distressed early on in the volume range. Definitely not as strong or clear as my Audi A4's base level stereo (it doesn't have the optional bose) and I'm not even 'that' impressed by my Audi's stereo either.
There's a green light on the gauges that shows when it has switched to 3 or 4 cylinder mode (down from 6) and that didn't come on very often - only when I was coasting in the city or cruising on a flat surface under 75 on the highway do I remember it coming on, though I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to it.
The leather was typical Honda stuff, too - in the pics I thought it looked like it might be more plush than previous Honda vehicles but to me it seemed about the same.
Anyhow - the guy said he'd work up some numbers for me but I'm pretty sure whatever he comes back with is going to be based on MSRP and is probably going to cost as much as a 328i lease if not a 335i lease and if I'm given the choice between a 335i and a V6 Accord lease for the same price, well - you better know which one I'd take. The 335i was about 10x more fun to drive and has all sorts of extra features over the Accord. But anyhow... I'll still give him a chance to prove me wrong with the numbers.
#33
Overall the car was powerful but far from exciting. It's probably quicker than my Audi but it definitely didn't feel like it, and feeling fast is half the fun. It felt pretty heavy too - the sales guy drove it before I did and he was doing some boy racer type maneuvers with it and looking at me like I should be impressed with the 'awesome honda handling' but I just wasn't.
They ended up with a Corolla instead lol.
#35
Lexus Connoisseur
I think this would be a good discussion for the Car Chat.
#36
B4 he moves this, I went to the website. It looks like a $30k car. I can tell my GS looks way better. Heck, Honda have yet to stick in HID lights into the accord. My Sienna van has that.
#37
I saw a couple of truck loads of these new Accords while driving across the country today. Really haven't gotten a chance to look inside of one yet, but from the exterior, definately made me slow down and take a second look at it. Totally new exterior styling, and it was rather decent looking; unlike their last body style which i really didnt care for.
#38
Lexus Champion
#39
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
It's going to be very interesting. The new Malibu and new Accord both start at 20K, while the Camry starts at 18K. What needs to be kept in mind is that for 18K the Camry comes well equipped, so it's not just a stripper model. On the other hand, the Accord does have a better interior than the Camry.
It will be certainly an interesting competition.
It will be certainly an interesting competition.
#44
Super Moderator
iTrader: (1)
You have a point with the gated shifter, although many don't like gated shifters. As for the HIDs. I think Honda will put HID's in the Accord when their biggest competitor the Toyota Camry gets HIDs. Either way, when one gets it the other car will surely follow. Its just a matter of who thinks they need it first.
#45
Lexus Fanatic
For me if a want a affordable family sedan I will skip the leather, NAV, HID, powerful engine, and get the most affordable model with the features that I need instead of think are cool. If I want those luxury features I will get a luxury car. By loading up an Accord with all these features it comes closer in price to a TL and why not just get a TL instead. There is still a big difference in price between a "nicely" equipted Accord especially when you get the 4 cyl and a TL but not so much once you get a loaded v-6 in which I would just get a TL as it is no longer a affordable family sedan once you get it loaded with all those options.