the 2003 accords

[hondaguy2582]

I would like to hear from the owners of the new accords as my parents are looking to buy one very soon in the next month. However, they are debating between the 4 and 6 cylinder engine, and my mom wants leather interior and navigation; which leaves it with the ex model. What engine is good enough for everyday driving and what is the best price I can get on one?

Thanks,



Aaron

[tkr128]

I am considering an Accord right now, an EX V6 model. I think the step up to the 6-cylinder model is well worth it considering you get a few extra features and 80 more horsepower. But, I hear most 4-cylinder owners are pretty happy with the power. It's all up to which one you like better.

I was quoted the following prices:
EX-V6 sedan without navigation: $23,474
EX-V6 sedan with navigation: $25,372

Prices might be a little different in Michigan than here in California, so you might want to get a few quotes from local dealers.

I can't comment too much on the car since I don't have one, but my neighbor has a 4-cylinder model and is happy with it and my sister has a 2002 V6 that has been pretty good as well.

I hope this helps you out a bit and good luck!

[Scottwax]

Go with the V6. Better resale value and the mileage is decent for how quick the car is (low 15's at around 93-94 mph).

Personally, I'd love the coupe with a V6 and manual. Nothing like mid 14's at almost 100 mph in a car as dependible as a Honda.

[bet993]

A Honda 4 vs. 6 is really a preference vs. cost issue. If $$ is not concerned then the 6 is produces more usable power and torque and is noticeably more robust than the 4 cylinder. However, since you inquired about price I assume price is important. Therefore, have your parents should drive both and decide (drive the 4 first). Honda makes on of the best 4 cylinder engines. My parents have the last generation Accord EX with the four cylinder. They drove both and decided the extra cost was not worth the additional power. They have about 135k miles on the car and are very happy with it and plan on buying the current generation Accord with a four cylinder early next year when they get rid of a Toyota Camry (4 also).

My impressions from the limited driving I have done in it (and my dad confirms these thoughts) is that the car is a great in town car, with plenty of pep and torque down low for most drivers (even with the AC on). On the highway the car moves fine and does not feel underpowered, but if you decide to pass someone going 65 and want shoot around them the engine has to work at it. The six would probably offer more grunt in these situations. However, my dad says he doesn’t really notice this as much. I don’t think your parents can go wrong with either choice, but the only way to decide is to drive both.

[pwalk]

I currently own a 2001 Accord Ex, V6. It is my fourth Accord. I love them, my wife loves them. The most reliable car in the world. I strongly considered the 4 cyl. b4 getting the V6. The 6 obviously costs more, and resale alone does not justify the additional cost. Gas mileage on the 6 is less (duh!), power and pickup is better, but not as much as I thought it would be......
One of the biggest things I like about the 6 is the twin exhausts, it looks very cool
Bottom line, I like the 6. Drive them both, let your 'gut' be your guide....

[chpsk8]

I've got a 2003 Accord EX 4 cl. I would have to say that the 4 is a great motor, plenty of power, and great gas mileage. you do need to keep the revs up when maxing this car through the twisties for maximum effect. But it will quickly regain power if you do come up short on a turn and want to power out. The dissapointing thing with the new 4 is that it is not the butter smooth Honda that my 99 was. It is a little rougher, but more powerfull than the 99. It also has an inherent vibration at low temps (30 and below) until it warms up. They know about it, but can't figure out how to smooth it out. Only does it at idle, dead cold.
Other than the vibration, the 4 is a great motor. I did drive the 6 and yes it also is a fine machine, but the money did not outweigh the benefits.

[Jngrbrdman]

Why aren't they considering an Acura TSX? You can get the 4 cylider motor with nearly the HP of the V6. I know its equal to the older Accord V6 in power. 200 hp out of a 4 banger ain't bad. A TSX is about the same as a V6 is anyway. I'd have to actually pull up some comparision sheets to say that for sure though. I seem to remember them being similar in price. Plus, its an Acura.

[hondaguy2582]

jngr, believe me, if I had more of a say in the car they get, it would be the accord ex coupe 6 spd, but my rents just want a nice 4 door car for driving around in. Money is kinda an issue, because my parents do not want to spend more than 25000 for a car. An acura tsx also starts around 27000, im sure its a nice car, but its not what my rents want. Acuras great though, Honda's luxury division, nothing wrong with them at all; heck, I wouldn't mind an integra gsr 4 door like yours or an acura rsx type s.

[ryeh2o]

I own a 98 ex-v6 and i love it. No problems! I have three friends that are dealer mechanics (Honda). They all agree that the 2001 model and back are what they call "bullet proof".
They all also agree the new generation Honda's are not as high quality across the board. The civic is the worst, with them coming in for warranty work on an unheard of rate. The Accord is not far behind.

They say that Honda is using cheaper parts to keep profits up.

This is a very large and busy dealership, and these guys see 5 to 10 cars everyday or more, and they are really pissed at the amount of new vehicles coming in with a variety of different defects that they would never have seen in years past.

The day i was in getting my brakes serviced, a 03 civic came in the bay beside me with 27,000km and the alternator was burnt out. These guys never saw things like that in the past.

Even reading this thread, i noticed that chpsk8 had commented that the new Accord that he had bought is not as smooth as his 99, and that it had annoying vibrations until it had warmed up. He's been in for warranty work.

Obviously it is not every car that is bad, but the 03 model year has not been a stellar one for Honda engineers.

All the Mechanics recommend that when i'm ready to sell the 98, only buy a low mileage 99-2001 accord, and i will continue to drive trouble free.

Have your parents do a little reliability check on the model year they want to buy before leaping in.

Cheers!

[Nikon]

Originally posted by ryeh2o
They say that Honda is using cheaper parts to keep profits up.

Maybe that's why the CEO was sacked this spring. The new CEO has said that he won't sacrafice quality for profit.

"Honda Motor is going to focus on creating quality cars rather than pursuing quick growth in sales, the new president of Japan's second largest maker said on Thursday, according to Associated Press (AP)."

We'll see! For more, check out the temple of vtec website. They also have a driving impressions article on the V6 Accord.

[hondaguy2582]

Ok guys, sorry to bring up this thread again, but i can get the accord for just under 25000 out the door. My next quesiton is, would my parents be better off leasing the car for the next few years then buy it, or will they lose more money on the lease rather than buying it up front?

[BW]

$25,000 for an LX V6? EX V6? Unless it is a really special deal, I wouldn't spend money on a lease. Accord resale values are quite good.