FWIW, my EX-L (4 cyl) was built in Japan. I've had none of the
problems cited, though I should point out that I've only had the car
for about 3 months and haven't driven it all that much (like a couple
of thousand miles). No squeaks from the dask or rattles in the
pillars. The seats are solid (and I believe my power leather driver's
seat is the same as the one in the V6). The passenger is not powered;
it is in the V6.

My main complaints are

1) a lot of tire noise which I'm told by several friends who own /
have owned Hondas is a trait of Hondas going back many years - might
even be better in the new ones than the previous model according to
one friend who has ridden in my car,

2) harsh suspension. I like the firm feel versus the mush of the newer
Camrys, but I think there's more in between. I don't have to feel
every tar strip. My Passat handles very well and rides more
comfortably.

3) Sunroof noise when I use the tilt. I like to use the tilt to add
ventilation but in my Accord I get a constant whistling noise. Again,
my Passat does not do this. The service department is looking at it
this week to see if there is any adjustment possible.

Overall, it's a great car. I had some doubts shortly after purchasing
it, but I'm pretty happy now. I actually think the sound system is
great and several people have commented on how good it sounds. Go
figure.

Easy and fun to drive. Took a trip with four adults in the car and
luggage. Plenty of zip and power with the 4 cyl. The V6 must be
amazing.



On 10 Aug 2003 17:24:43 -0700, jebinc@gte.net (John) wrote:

>I too just purchased an Ohio build EX V6 w/Navi in Graphite pearl for
>$26200. I added a rear wing to improve the look of the rear end.
>Overall, no major problems. I had two rattles/buzzes that occur on
>concrete road surfaces. The first is in the piller between the
>drivers front and rear door. Sounds like sheet metal vibrating. The
>second is more of a rattle need the console storage door (just under
>the radio/nav display). Does anyone have a fix for these or know
>what's buzzing and rattling?
>
>The navigation systems works fine but putting a DVD dated 2001 seem
>pretty lame. I'd expect that from a Ford or GM manufacturer.......
>
>
>M No spam <M_no_spam_@nowhere.net> wrote in message news:<c5dZa.32785$5f.31547@lakeread05>...
>> I have a new Accord V6 without NAV made in Ohio. The driver's seat is
>> flawless. No rattles on the dashboard or otherwise. The paint is fine.
>> The CD player is as you describe but I don't care. The speakers are an
>> improvement over my previous Accord EX. I find an improved midrange. I
>> don't think the stock sound system will let you boom bass and play
>> extremely loud while you are doing 80 MPH, but I don't want that. I find
>> the car is quiet enough to play sound at a reasable volume level at
>> ordinary speeds and have it sound very good. What speakers did you put
>> in and how are they better?
>>
>> As for the NAV, you asked for it. It's the first year out. I wouldn't
>> even trust Honda with that. Voice recognition and GPS are things that
>> will depend on your voice and the reception of GPS signals which depends
>> on the topography of the areas you drive in. Even the best system might
>> be unreliable for you. On the other hand, maybe the NAV system isn't
>> fully ready yet. We all know how reliable software can be.
>>
>> Maybe you got a bad apple.
>>
>> I hear these horror stories about the Accord V6 and wonder how folks are
>> driving their cars. I doubt your minivan can accelerate, corner, or stop
>> like an Accord V6. Any chance you punish the Accord V6 much more than
>> the minivan? I find the car so quiet during hard acceleration that I
>> don't even know when I am whipping the engine. The car just moves out. I
>> see other cars get small quickly in the rear view mirror and hear the
>> muffled whoosh of air moving around the car.
>>
>> Oldsmobile is better? <LOL> That's gotta be a fluke otherwise GM would
>> not be killing the brand. The Accord isn't one of the best selling
>> vehicles in the US because it's a horrible value.
>>
>> JD Power did report overall new car quality for Honda took a slight hit
>> this year but it is still far above average. It seems someone has to
>> get the bad apple.
>>
>> Good luck.
>>
>> John Horner wrote:
>>
>> >About one month ago I purchased a 2003 Accord V6 with navigation, which
>> >means with every factory installed option available. So far I have not been
>> >impressed by the supposedly amazing level of quality Honda is reputed to
>> >provide.
>> >
>> >Problem 1: The driver's seat rocks back and worth when stationary. After
>> >the dealer had the car for three days to "fix" this problem they told me
>> >that Honda USA would be sending them some special bushings to fix it and
>> >that they would call me when these special parts arrived. That was three
>> >weeks ago, and no call.
>> >
>> >Problem 2: The dash board has multiple annoying squeaks, thumps and rattle
>> >which come and go depending on how much sunlight is beating down on the
>> >dash. Dealer was not able to do anything about this.
>> >
>> >Problem 3: Both front door inner panels also have random squeaks, buzzes
>> >and rattles. Again, dealer unable to do anything about it.
>> >
>> >Problem 4: Paint has a large particle of foreign matter in it which clearly
>> >happened at the factory. Dealer agrees it should not be there and "will
>> >advise" what to do about it.
>> >
>> >Problem 5: The navigation system's lookup function is so badly designed as
>> >to be almost unusable. Tell it to find the nearest "Wells Fargo Bank" and
>> >it is more likely to lead you to one 1500 miles away than it is to the one 2
>> >miles away. The software is lacking sorely in real ease of use
>> >sophistication.
>> >
>> >Problem 6: The built in CD player does not offer a fast forward or reverse
>> >function. You can only go ahead one full track or back one full track.
>> >Considering that the interface is a touch panel LCD, offering the normal
>> >expected range of controls is a simple thing to do which Honda left out.
>> >
>> >Problem 7: The factory speakers were some of the cheapest, most horrible
>> >sounding things I have run across in a long time. Considering that this is
>> >the top of the range Accord, Honda should have done better. I fixed this
>> >problem with good aftermarket speakers.
>> >
>> >Problem 8: The handbrake control has sharp edges at the mold lines of the
>> >plastic. This is the kind of thing auto magazine reviewers always pillory
>> >GM for, but here it is on that supposed paragon of excellent, the Honda
>> >Accord. The transmission shift lever is likewise a very cheap feeling bit
>> >of plastic.
>> >
>> >If I had bought a Hyundai I would expect to find these kinds of problems.
>> >Now I'm wondering if Honda's cost reduction engineers have taken their jobs
>> >too far. Maybe the Ohio plant where my car was built doesn't really have
>> >their act together on the new generation Accord. In the past I have always
>> >followed the policy of not buying the first model year of any design. This
>> >time I thought that Honda would not have such problems, but I was wrong.
>> >Yes, my expectations when spending $27,000 for a new car are high. So far I
>> >regret having bought a Honda. Our two year old, much maligned Olds
>> >Silhouette minivan has delivered a much better initial owner experience (30k
>> >miles so far) than has the much vaunted Honda.
>> >
>> >John
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >