1SICKREVIEW Honda Accord EX Sedan (Part one of III Japenese Big 3)
#16
Lexus Fanatic
Thanks, Mike. Nice write-up. (you and I are starting to use some of the same phrases )
If the steering seemed light to you on the EX sedan, I think you would find it more to your liking on the EX-L V6 coupe (which I reviewed last January). It was definitely firm and BMW-like, though, of course, FWD and missing some of the fine BMW tactile sensitivity.
I agree with you that the early 90's Accord, for overall build quality, was the best one ever done....up to 1994-95, though the steering, back then, was overly-feathery and the automatic transmission, like other Hondas, somewhat rough-shifting. Subsequent models, like the rival Camry after 1996, got into cost-cutting and lightening up on some of the materials; also, IMO, geekier styling.
Still, it's hard to beat an Accord today, in the mid-sized family-sedan class, for overall build qualty....especially the hardware and how smoothly buttons, controls, etc....work and the quality of the paint job (only the Camry still equals it in paint quality). But the Camry now falls well below the Accord in interior quality.
Since you may be getting ready to look at a Passat, I have to clue you in beforehand..........though its road manners are nice, I don't think you will like the new interior, especially the dash. The plastic trim, especially, is loose, somewhat flimsy, and not well-attached, and there are other strong signs of cost-cutting....you'll see. But on the road, it is still a nice-performing VW.
If the steering seemed light to you on the EX sedan, I think you would find it more to your liking on the EX-L V6 coupe (which I reviewed last January). It was definitely firm and BMW-like, though, of course, FWD and missing some of the fine BMW tactile sensitivity.
I agree with you that the early 90's Accord, for overall build quality, was the best one ever done....up to 1994-95, though the steering, back then, was overly-feathery and the automatic transmission, like other Hondas, somewhat rough-shifting. Subsequent models, like the rival Camry after 1996, got into cost-cutting and lightening up on some of the materials; also, IMO, geekier styling.
Still, it's hard to beat an Accord today, in the mid-sized family-sedan class, for overall build qualty....especially the hardware and how smoothly buttons, controls, etc....work and the quality of the paint job (only the Camry still equals it in paint quality). But the Camry now falls well below the Accord in interior quality.
Since you may be getting ready to look at a Passat, I have to clue you in beforehand..........though its road manners are nice, I don't think you will like the new interior, especially the dash. The plastic trim, especially, is loose, somewhat flimsy, and not well-attached, and there are other strong signs of cost-cutting....you'll see. But on the road, it is still a nice-performing VW.
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-16-08 at 08:23 AM.
#17
Great write up 1Sick, Thanks for sharing
Sounds like the Accord is still a solid car, and that's a good thing for sure. Hopefully the next generation will offer SH-AWD but I'm not holding my breathe.
As for Honda loyalty my mom was one of them. She had a 1980 Accord, then a 1996 Accord that she just sold. She was looking for a new one, when she came across an '02 LS. Funny thing is it still took her over a week to make up her mind Yes she got the LS
Sounds like the Accord is still a solid car, and that's a good thing for sure. Hopefully the next generation will offer SH-AWD but I'm not holding my breathe.
As for Honda loyalty my mom was one of them. She had a 1980 Accord, then a 1996 Accord that she just sold. She was looking for a new one, when she came across an '02 LS. Funny thing is it still took her over a week to make up her mind Yes she got the LS
#19
Lexus Test Driver
It was a very good review.
To me, a little exterior design glitch (subjectively) will stop me from buying a car. The 4-door Accord is simply not my soup but the 2-door is much better. Same to the last gen Accord before the mid-term butt redesign. However, it does not change the fact that Accord is an excellent car since I bought it for my mom.
To me, a little exterior design glitch (subjectively) will stop me from buying a car. The 4-door Accord is simply not my soup but the 2-door is much better. Same to the last gen Accord before the mid-term butt redesign. However, it does not change the fact that Accord is an excellent car since I bought it for my mom.
#20
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Still, it's hard to beat an Accord today, in the mid-sized family-sedan class, for overall build qualty....especially the hardware and how smoothly buttons, controls, etc....work and the quality of the paint job (only the Camry still equals it in paint quality). But the Camry now falls well below the Accord in interior quality.
Since you may be getting ready to look at a Passat, I have to clue you in beforehand..........though its road manners are nice, I don't think you will like the new interior, especially the dash. The plastic trim, especially, is loose, somewhat flimsy, and not well-attached, and there are other strong signs of cost-cutting....you'll see. But on the road, it is still a nice-performing VW.
Last edited by FKL; 12-16-08 at 05:03 PM.
#21
Lexus Test Driver
Mike, thanks for that review! There is one area where the Acura still comes out on top, and that is Navigation. My buddy and I went and drove a new Accord, and then a 2 year old TL Type-S. Now being a "previous generation" model, the TL's Nav stood out to us as being much better than the 2008 Accord's. I imagine the new TL, in all of its butt-ugliness, continues to have the superb Acura nav. In my opinion, Acura has the best Nav in the industry.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
scdroptop
SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)
15
03-16-10 09:01 PM