Forum: Honda Accord General Discussion |
Honda Accord General Discussion | |||||||||
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A/C compressor kicks in there is some harshnessApril 8, 2008 It's worth running one large bottle (treats 20 gallons) of Chevron Techrolene through it for a little injector cleaning.
Andy is correct about the idle characteristics and to some it's a little unnerving. Since mine is a stick shift I have never felt a rough idle because it's in neutral & clutch out at a stop light. When the A/C compressor kicks in there is some harshness and a little accompanying noise. Is your A/C or defroster on when you hear the noise? Does it change (at idle in gear) when the A/C compressor is turned off & on? |
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sounds too much like "something is up"April 8, 2008 That's the thing: it depends on how you describe a "small rumble." Coming from a silky smooth V8 it sure seems like more than a small rumble to me but maybe it is normal:- it only happens at idle- the steering wheel has a noticable vibration, you can almost see it moving and when you touch it is like using one of those small hand massager's- there is a clearly audible sound, sort of a low, continuous grumble similar to the small engine diesels I've been it . . . bgggg-ggg-ggg-ggg-gggg-gggg-ggg.It would shock me if the car came off the lot like this in 2003 because nobody would buy it -- it sounds too much like "something is up" even if it isn't. Hence my concern. Other than the rumble at idle, the car drives like an absolute dream at all speeds and feels/looks like it just came off the new car lot.I can live with it if it isn't the symptom of some larger problem, or a sign of bad things to come . . .ETA: In retrospect I should have drive more 4 cyl Hondas to compare . . . in reality I'm a busy father of two young girls who was at a dealer 40 miles from home with a check burning a hole in my pocket and a dead Ford Exploder at home. |
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'05 LX has done it since newApril 8, 2008 The long and short of it? Don't worry, be happy.
Seriously, though - if the vibration you're describing is just the small rumble you get at idle, that tends to worsen while in D or R, and a bit more noticible with the A/C on, then it's something we've discussed here before, and it doesn't pose any issues long-term. My '05 LX has done it since new - and it's the same now at 29k miles as it was on day 1. After a while, you'll notice it less and less. |
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Engine Vibration (Do I need to worry?)April 8, 2008 Howdy:
A few days ago we bought a one-owner 2003 EX with 51K. During my test drive I noticed a vibration in the steering wheel/floor whenever I was at idle. When I wasn't paying attention to the other doo-dads in the car it was very noticeable even as the passenger. The small, independent dealer assured me that all 4 cylinder engines vibrate at idle, and Hondas more than most. Totally normal, he said. My last car was a V8 and our other car is a V6 Sienna and I haven't driven a 4 cyl in 15 years so I had nothing to compare it to and I chose (perhaps unwisely given the amount of Accords to choose from) to believe him. So, I ended up here in my subsequent research and basically what I learned on these forums and elsewhere: 1. Yes, there is likely to be some level of vibration in most 4 cyls, and especially Hondas. 2. Yes, some cars seem to have this problem much worse than others. Mine is one of em'. 3. You can try a variety of things to fix: new engine mounts, idle adjustments, etc. Some people blame transmission problems or other more exotic and expensive computer-related problems. Gulp. 4. Officially, there was a TSB from Honda that recommends replacing the front engine mounts due to insufficient engine dampening. 5. This does not always fix the problem -- many people report getting them replaced to no avail. Alas, the one question I have not found an answer to and the reason for this lengthy post: Is this engine vibration something that has or will cause long-term damage that NEEDS to be fixed, or is it merely an annoyance? I don't want my otherwise sweet car sounding like a diesel engine at idle. But if it's not hurting anything I will wait until warmer weather (currently in the 0-20 range around here) to see if it is as bad. The car came with a 3/36mo warranty from a third-party warranty company, but my experience with the auto industry is that they will tell me to go jump in a lake if I tell them that my car is "vibrating" lol and I want them to replace the engine mounts. Thanks for any advice . . . great forum. |
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Handsfree Link - PhonesApril 7, 2008 I know honda has a list of phones on their website but i'm not sure if they have "every" phone that has bluetooth so they can test.
Let's post here to make a list of phones compatible. I'm using the Cingular 2125 (HTC) and works great! i'm thinking of getting the Pantec Duo next week but don't see it on the supported phone list, has anyone tried this phone? Thanks! |
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first imported Honda bikeApril 7, 2008 Have a care ! I can remember seeing the first imported Honda bike [Benly, I think] in my local bike shop. Us bikers laughed like a drain and got back on our Triumphs and Nortons. Bye bye British MC industry.
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"Wow, your Tata is smokin'!"April 7, 2008 Great!
Cause I was gonna say if yours are causing a pain in the butt...well, that sounds like a call for a new bra. If two Tata's are parked next to each other, is the space in between called cleavage? When these are released in India, it will be interesting to see if when you come back to your Tata, you find groups of men nearby aimlessly staring at it unable to look you in the eye. Would it be redundant to call a driver of a Tata a "big boob"? Will it be offensive to tell someone their Tata is too small? "Wow, your Tata is smokin'!" will turn from a complement to a cause for immediate concern and call to a shop. Will it become illegal to reveal the front center badge in public? (If someone owning one puts a tassel on the middle front, I will simply die from laughter.) Okay...I'm already well into the realm of lame comments. I'll quit...for now. |
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Tata For Now - Cheapest Car, but will it stack up to the accord?April 7, 2008 India's Tata Motors on Thursday unveiled the world's cheapest car, bringing new mobility within the reach of tens of millions of people and nightmares to environmentalists, traffic engineers and safety advocates.Company Chairman Ratan Tata, introducing the Nano price tag $2,500 during India's main auto show, drove onto a stage in a white version of the tiny four-door subcompact, his head nearly scraping the roof.With a snub nose and a sloping roof, it can fit five people if they squeeze. And the basic version is spare: there's no radio, no passenger-side mirror and only one windshield wiper. If you want air conditioning to cope with India's brutal summers, you need to get the deluxe version.But it's cheap. The Nano's closest competitor here is the Maruti 800, a four-door that sells for nearly twice as much.Tata, however, is targeting people moving up from the lower ends of India's transportation spectrum, where two-wheeled scooters selling for as little as $900 are often crammed with entire families.While the price has created a buzz, critics say the Nano could lead to possibly millions more automobiles hitting already clogged Indian roads, adding to mounting air and noise pollution problems. Others have said Tata will have to sacrifice quality and safety standards to meet the target price.The chairman, though, insists the car will meet safety standards and pollute even less than motorcycles, passing domestic and European emission standards and averaging about 50 miles per gallon. Girish Wagh, who headed the design team, said it had an oxidation catalytic convertor and it emitted 120 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer.Chief U.N. climate scientist Rajendra Pachauri, who shared last year's Nobel Peace Prize, said last month that "I am having nightmares" about the prospect of the low-cost car."Dr. Pachauri need not have nightmares," Ratan Tata said at the unveiling. "For us it's a milestone and I hope we can make a contribution to the country."The basic model will sell for 100,000 rupees, but analysts estimate that customers could pay 20 percent to 30 percent more than that to cover taxes, delivery and other charges.Tata has long promised that he'd create a 100,000-rupee car, a vow that was much-derided in the global industry but created a frenzy in India. On Thursday, nearly every media outlet in India focused on the live unveiling."A promise is a promise," Tata told the crowd.The car has seat belts, but no air bags. The Nano is about 10 feet long, 5 feet wide. The 2-cylinder petrol engine delivers 33 horsepower and a top speed of just over 60 mph.Ford's Model T, which debuted in 1909 for $825, had a 4-cylinder, 20 horsepower engine with a top speed of 45 mph. The Model T had fuel economy between 13 to 21 miles per gallon.Tata has said they expect the car to revolutionize the auto industry, and analysts believe the Nano may force other manufacturers to lower their own pricing. French auto maker Renault SA and its Japanese partner, Nissan Motor Co., are trying to determine if they can sell a compact car for less than $3,000.For now, the car will be sold only in India, but Tata eventually hopes to export it. The Nano could become the basis for other similar super-cheap models in developing markets around the world.As rising middle class incomes drive demand for cars in India, automakers expect the ranks of car owners in the country to expand dramatically in coming years.But for some, a huge influx of cars is a terrifying prospect of traffic jams at midnight, hours-long commutes and increasing pollution. "If you're talking about urban environment, it will cause serious problems," said Jamie Leather, a transport specialist with the Asian Development Bank. "It's a major concern." In 2005, Indian vehicles released 219 million tons of carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas blamed for global warming. By 2035, that number is projected to increase to 1,467 million tons, due largely to the expanding middle-class and the expected rise of low-cost cars, according to the Asian Development Bank. "The cheaper and cheaper vehicles become, the quicker those pollution levels will increase," Leather said. |
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Motorcraft engine oilApril 7, 2008 Say what you want, but Motorcraft engine oil is refined at Citgo Petroleum Group, Lake Charles LA, which is owned 100% by Chavez.
Also he is clear in his support of organizations that want to harm the U.S. Government. Have you not heard of any of this? Why did 7-Eleven drop its contract with Citgo? http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/...8KDC0500.shtml I am not so sure I would go as far as you and slander Ford is a company that hates America, only that Chavez does. Good grief. Look, I am only saying that as consumers we are ignorant as to where the products we consume come from. We hate that the economy is sagging, jobs are leaving the country, and we are dependent on foreign oil, etc. Yet we drive to the discount store in search of the cheapest products from Mexico and China while burning gas from Iran. Just continue to be happy not knowing. I try to support American companies that pump oil from U.S. soil and companies that make products here. Sorry for high jacking the thread. |
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Why did seals have to be replaced at 40kApril 7, 2008 Can you explained why you had to have the seals replaced at 40k miles? I have had cars with close to 200k miles and NEVER had to replace any seals (J30T, G20 and numerous Accords.) I would be interested to know why. Thanks |
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over-stressing the oil and add packs.April 7, 2008 Gosh, that's the $64K question. It depends on your driving conditions, environment, style, etc. For me I ran the MC on the V6 out to about 5000-5500 miles...that's as far as I was willing to take it. The first and only UOA I did came back great. (Now using PP.)As a very general rule, 5000 miles is a good OCI. It's longer than the typically wasteful 3K change, but it's not so long that you have much chance of over-stressing the oil and add packs.Now if you are flogging the hell out of it with lots of WOT, high-rpms, racing, high-heat operations, dirty/dusty environment, towing and hauling a lot, etc., then I'd change it sooner.The best way to know for sure is to do a few UOAs and see how it measures and trends. |
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Purolator oil filterApril 7, 2008 I run the Motorcraft 5W-20 with a Motorcraft filter in my daughters 2000 Focus ZX3 Z-TEC 5-speed manual with 5000 mile change intervals.On a side note, I performed some maintenance on my son's 1999 DOHC Neon 5-speed manual last month.I replaced the spark plugs, wires, A/F, 5W-30 Maxlife (120,000 miles) with a Purolator oil filter. I also had to replace the coolant temperature sensor because it was throwing a code and replaced the valve cover gasket and the leaking sparkplug tube o-rings since the spark plug tubes were full of oil! Anyway, the top end of the little Neon motor was perfect! No sludge anywhere to be seen; it looked new! And the compression test showed between 170-180Psi. |
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Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5W20April 7, 2008 So to reopen this thread, and get some input from Ben and others - is that Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5W20 really decent stuff? I went to get a couple of filters at WalMart today for the '07 Freestyle (motorcraft ones for under 4 bucks - not bad), and started putting 6 quarts of Castrol syn blend in my cart, and noticed the Motorcraft syn blend in both a 5-quart bottle and 1 quart bottle. What struck me was the cost. Most syn blends are like $3.60-ish per quart. The motorcraft blend was $2.49 per quart, and only $10.50 for a 5 quart bottle. Yikes!!! For that price, if it's decent, I'll start running that in the Hondas as well!!! (my OCI's are about 3000-3500 miles)
Comments? |
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HM oils usually have more detergentsApril 7, 2008 If your engine doesn't leak or consume lots of oil between oil changes, you could stay with the grade of oil that got you to this point. If you have to keep topping up between intervals, you could try a thicker oil or the high-mileage oils. In addition to having a seal conditioner, the HM oils usually have more detergents and additives and are usually a little thicker than the same weight conventional oils.
Some have had success stopping or slowing leaks with Castrol and Pennzoil HM oils, others haven't. I'm currently trying to stop a slow weep from the rear main seal of my daughters Protege with Valvoline Maxlife. If it doesn't work, I'm trying the Castrol HM next. I don't have to add any oil between 4K changes, but I'd sure like to stop it before it becomes worse. BTW, I'm still running 5w20 currently in my Accord. This is what Honda spec'd for my LX back in December of 2000. See Sig for mileage. |
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"High Mileage" oilsApril 7, 2008 Run 5W-20 Motorcraft, 145K miles and that's what I use and it burns about the same as 10W-40 Castrol GTX. And I am not a believer in the "High Mileage" oils |
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Motor OilApril 7, 2008 I have finally narrowed my oil choices to Castrol 5w20 regular oil or Motorcraft 5w20 synthetic blend, or possibly Mobil 1. Note my honda dealer said they use mobil 1 regular, not synthetic oil. But I couldn't find mobil 1 at any of my town's suppliers and I want to change in the next day or so.
PLEASE rate these three oils in order of preference for my honda accord v6. b Thanks and this will be my last motor oil question. |
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two vehicles need premiumApril 7, 2008 I looked at every car on the market, i was looking for a nice car, with good gas mileage, Navigation, and a manual transmission. This limited me to only a few choices, being the Mazda 6, Nissan Altima 3.5Se, the Accord. I also looked at the Audi A4 or BMW 328 but i didn't want to spend the money and these two vehicles need premium.
Keep in mind my current car was a 04 Infiniti FX35, so i was used to a "luxury car" and wanted something with great quality, fit and finish, and all the features. The Accord is great! and exceeds my expectations. The seats are more comfortable then my Infiniti, the car comes with bluetooth (which is unheard of for this price and a non-luxury car). and i'm getting 27MPG (and it has no where to go but up since i have less then 1k miles so it's not even broken in). I know you are looking at V6s but this I4 has plenty of power, especially when VTEC kicks in. Get an Accord, you'll be very happy |
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Acura offers a longer warrantyApril 7, 2008 The TSX and Accord V6 are currently very close in price. As you stated, the fuel economy for both cars are nearly identical (TSX gets +1 in the city, while the Accord gets +1 on the highway), despite the fact that the TSX only has a 2.4L I4 while the Accord has a 3.5L V6 and is bigger.Other differences:Acura offers a longer warranty (both basic and drivetrain) and free roadside assistance.The Accord is more powerful and quicker, but the TSX will handle better.The Accord is larger (interior and exterior).The TSX will have more standard features (e.g. HID, Bluetooth, Sportshift, seat memory)The TSX can be had with a 6-spd MT, while the Accord sedan only comes with an AT.If you do want to get a 2008 TSX, I'd recommend waiting until the fall to get the best pricing, as the 2009 TSX is a new design. |
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spend 500bux per tire eitherApril 7, 2008 I dont want to stir a giant debate....
Its extremely affordable to get decent all season tires, from a reputable automaker, with an average of a 60,000 warranty and decent traction and performance. You dont at all, have to trade traction, and or performance for longevity. Dont buy the cheapies, and dont spend 500bux per tire either. Its very easy to cross shop the major tire chains, Sears and or NTW, to find a decent tire. Cause when ya gonna need it is when you're in the rain slidin around... or in the snow and your front end is all over the place. |
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Some of your pros/cons aren't really that meaningful...April 7, 2008 Some of your pros/cons aren't really that meaningful...1. Tires. You can put whatever tires you want on any of the cars. You do not have to stick with the OEM tires. There are better and less expensive tires available. As long as you stick with a comparable tire (size and load index), you'll be fine.2. 0-60 times. Unless you're going to take the car to the dragstrip or are constantly racing for pink slips, all three vehicles will have comparable acceleration times (within .5 seconds) to not make a difference with normal, everyday driving.3. MPG. Since the Altima requires premium unleaded, your fuel costs will be higher than the other two cars, even if it still got better gas mileage. Also, gas mileage very much depends on your driving style. According to EPA estimates, the Accord has a better gas mileage rating (19/29) than either the Camry (19/28) or Altima (19/26). Regardless, all three are close enough that it shouldn't be a factor.I would recommend test driving all three (if you haven't done so already) and see which one you like better. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses and each person has different priorities and preferences. As an example, my mother owns a Camry. She test drove all three and liked the ride of the Camry better than the other two. Meanwhile, my sister has an Altima, which she liked better (felt it was sportier than the other two). I, on the other hand, bought an Accord. I liked the styling of the Accord better (both interior and exterior) than either the Camry or Altima.In addition, from an overall reliability standpoint, the rankings (for these three) have historically been:1. Toyota2. Honda3. NissanThe current Camry has had quite a few problems, which (to me) meant that the (2007) Accord was the more reliable of the three cars. I think the 2008 Accords are too new to determine if the reliability is better, worse or the same as previous Accords. |
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PersonallyApril 7, 2008 Hmmmm
I have to say this... cause I think its interesting. I have a love affair with these cars. I love the cornering and the take off. I also love the fact that the cars realy dont get "old" If ya dint follow every design change like the coming of the moon and I placed every generation in their best trim in a lot side by side.... ya wouldnt know their age. I personally love the lineage.. I love seeing all of the m.y's at a light. They are just great cars. There are a few thinga Honda could do... to add luster to the cars... make a hatch and or a wagon / import the stream for the U.S. And get the deisel as part of an opt. motor. I happen to like the Altima / Maxima and its VQ and the Mazda6 in hatch and wagon formation. But its not an Accord. And I cant imagine... driving something else. |
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"driver" as Accord9200April 7, 2008 Couldn't have said it any better. You came onto a car forum, so obviously you are a person who puts much consideration into their car. If you consider yourself a "driver" as Accord9200 put it, then you will not be disappointed in the Accord. There are times that I race around in my Accord and push it very hard, and then there are times that I baby it and try to get as much out of a tank of gas as I can. No matter how you drive it, it is a great car. I know someone who owns an older Accord. She does no maintenance at all on that car, not even oil changes. It has to be horrible for the car, and she will probably eventually break down some day, but the point is that the car still runs. And it runs well, too. These cars are very hardy. |
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Honda providing goodwillApril 7, 2008 PRO: Longest available factory extended warranty (8-yr/120k), good chance of Honda providing goodwill assistance once out-of-warranty, uses regular fuel, easy-to-service transmission, interior quality and design.
CON: Wind and road noise, expensive tire replacement (About $800/set for touring tires), timing belt replacement every 105k @ $600-$1000 (depending on the shop), higher 0-60 time compared to Altima and Camry, lack of manual mode for transmission, worst fuel economy @ 21 mpg (compared to Altima and Camry) according to Consumer Reports. No wind noise here. A little road noise, but I know it's coming from the crappy OEM tires. As many have said, you can get whatever tires you want on the Accord as long as they are the same size. The OEM tires on almost every single mass production car suck anyway. Timing belt.. eh I drive well under 10k a year, probably won't have the car by then.... The Accord is still quick. It's not the quickest in it's class, but how much do you really care about drag racing from stoplights? Highway acceleration is excellent (ie, 50 to 70). Consumer Reports is a joke. Even with a tremendous amount of idling (which does nothing but burn gas) and many quick accelerations, I got 23.5MPG on my FIRST tank of gas. The engine's not even broken in yet, so it will likely improve. Camry SE V6 PRO: Styling (subjective, I'll admit), good 0-60 time, manual mode for transmission, reasonable tire replacement costs for long-life touring tires, timing chain, uses regular fuel and obtains 23 mpg overall Styling is very subjective.. I think it's ugly. I've driven several cars with manumatics but for the most part they are just gimics. Have you seen that Mitsubishi commercial where they show the guy using the paddle shifter while he's stopped on his driveway? WTH are they trying to prove there? Altima 3.5SE V6 PRO: engine/transmission performance, 0-60 time, CVT transmission w/manual mode, interior quality is better than the Camry, timing chain, water pump job does not require engine removal The only good thing about this car is it's engine. The Altima tries to be the sportiest sedan in the class, but to me it was just uncomfortable and quite boring. Not as boring as the Camry, but still boring. Car has a HUGE turning circle, and even though it is smaller than the Accord, it feels like a boat. It doesn't require premium gas, though... I don't know where you got that idea from. |
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solid powerful carApril 7, 2008 Hmmm,
The one thing among many that I love about my Accords... EVERYTHING I can guarentee the car drives better, handles a bit better and does everything a touch better than one 10+yrs ago. Ive moved in these cars. Ive picked up and dumped xmas trees in the trunk. Ive never gotten stuck and always always have a lot of fun. LEADFOOT speaking! The engine is in the same direction as my 92. The fuel and trunk pulls are in the same place. The dash looks better, with more lights. The stalks are in the same place with more features. The lock for the trunk is still in the same place. Virtually everything about virtually every Accord stays in the same place and is upgraded, re-aligned and or made better. Now off of my.. soapbox.. I recommend the 7th Gen Accord.. because its going to be persoanlly hard for me to recommend the 8th.. due to the fuel economy. Ive had 4's in both of my cars, and they always did nicely. The Altima of last gen had some teething issues. Camry is for people who dont "drive". Accord.. is for as I believe "DRIVERS". I personally dont have children but I view the Accord Sedan as a perfect vehicle. Plenty of room for trips wherever. Plenty of leg room to stretch out, and a great seating position. No lack of power, cornering and or handling. Ya can drive like grandma, or like ya stole it. Its an Accord, a solid powerful car.. all the way around. |
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BMW 7 seriesApril 7, 2008 I came from an 06 to the my new one and I'm enjoying this one much better than my 06. I don't have any wind noise, tire noise, yes, but not more than my other accord.
I don't care about 0-60, because its a FAMILY CAR, not a race car and I find that this V6 just moves fine and will get me out of any kind of problems. Could also get you into trouble. Tires are a none issue for me, could get any good brand without spending $800. Have to see people looking at my car at red lights, one person I know told his wife I got a BMW 7 series Time belt every 105,000, part of owning a car. This car is a great overall value, has everything you expect and just keeps on going with little problems. Wish you well on your search. |
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Camry SE V6April 7, 2008 I've driven the Altima SE 3.5 and the Camry SE V6, and a couple of small things stood out:
1. The manual mode on the Camry does not allow you to select and hold a gear, but rather simply specifies the maximum gear that the car will use. So moving it to "4" will not necessarily get you 4th gear if the car thinks you should be in 3rd gear, for example. I also found it annoying having to ratchet down to "1" from "4" at every stoplight, since it doesn't reset itself. 2. The leather seats on the Altima are extremely uncomfortable. They are VERY hard, and the leather also has this weird "puckery" look. YMMV on the comfort, though. It sounds like you've done a lot of homework. Have you had a chance to test drive all three? |
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Camry= huge interior panel gapsApril 7, 2008 First of all let me say, I hope u test drove all of them and are not listening to magazines. CR got low MPG for the Accord but other more credible publications have gotten higher. 24MPG etc. Here is what I found in comparing the 3: Altima= cheap interior and CVT noise is annoying, premium fuel is a killer for me. Camry= huge interior panel gaps, no fold down rear seat (XLE and SE models), floaty ride, transmission problems. Accord=fits in between these 2---> not to sporty and not to soft. Powerful v6 that can get excellent fuel economy if you use cruise control and drive 65-70 mph. 0-60 in the Accord is 6.5 seconds. (that is more than enough) Camry does it in 6.1 but transmission can't handle the power. Good luck with your choice: its all up to you so test drive them and make up your mind.I recommend the Accord obviously, 2nd for me would be the camry, and 3rd the Genesis. (Nissans are just not on par with Honda, Toyota and Hyundai which is even putting out better products than Nissan IMO)BTW, road noise is less in the 8th Generation than 7th gen accord. (which wasn't that noisy with good tires) C & D said Accord was quieter than Camry at full throttle and on the highway so I hope CR's blind "road noise comment" won't effect your decision. Again I strongly recommend a test drive. |
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OEM tiresApril 7, 2008 Why do you think you have to replace the OEM tires with identical models? You can do much. much better than OE (especially on the Honda). It is the simplest, cheapest way to improve the performance of your car. Period.
I went to Edmund's. 5 yr True Costs to Own are nearly the same - Camry is $0.62/mile and other two are $0.61. We have Accords in both 4 and 6 cyl varieties. My wife drives the '99 V-6 and the first time she test drove it she got this grin on her face like - well she got this BIG grin on her face. She said she wouldn't want anything other than the 6 - until she drove our '07 SE I4. She loves it and says she could easily live with it happily. If you're really concerned with Total Cost of Ownership, then you may want to revisit the fours. In the fours, I prefer the Accord to the Camry or Altima. Smooth, responsive power. Yes a 6 is slightly smoother, and definitely more powerful, but in the vast majority of cases you don't need it. I see the three this way. Camry is a refined car - so refined that they've taken the fun out of driving it. To me it's the Japanese expression of the "road hugging weight" design philosophy of the Big Three in the days of the Impala, Galaxie, and Impala. The Camry is an infinitely more responsive car than those three - but it's similarly numb. I haven't driven the new Altima, but in the past I've always found Nissans to be better on the spec sheet than on the road. The specs are all there, but the final product always had enough of a slightly rough feel to it that the whole is less than the sun of its parts. I've found the Accord to be the best expression of the refinement of the Camry and the edginess of the Altima with few, if any, of the compromises in execution that the other guys made. But all are good cars, all sell well, just as fours and sixes have their advocates. If your self-esteem is pretty much independent of your wheels, you may want to check out the new Chevy Malibu. Yeah, I know, and you may have proportionally more reliability issues, but the difference is much, much less than the chasm in quality between my '91 Taurus and my '94 Accord. My son and his twentysomething friends talk cars a lot, they're Accord and Corolla and Jetta guys, and they to a man say, "You know, the new Malibu. . . ." Car and Driver loves it, and they are not in general blind lovers of Detroit iron. I still think the Accord is better overall, though I am having more problems warming to this gen than any other. But if you know what's important to you, go for the one that gives you the most satisfaction. |
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model AltimasApril 7, 2008 If you weren't a regular, I'd say you were trollin'.
I recently bought my car used. I was considering the same three, but 3-5 years old. The late model Altimas seemed to have low owner satisfaction according to some sites I found. The new Camry made the used ones look dated. If I could have afforded a new car my decision would have been more difficult. Good luck car hunting. |
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17" size are performance tiresApril 7, 2008 Tire performance is really the least of my concerns; I need something that will last a long time. Most tires in the 17" size are performance tires that won't last me more than 30,000 miles. |
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