"Duran" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Well, I have now owned and operated my 2003 Honda Accord 4cyl. EX for a week
> and a half and 1,000 miles (a lot of miles for under 2 weeks, I know...lol).
>
> Here are my impressions so far. I would love to hear what other '03 Accord
> 4cyl owners have to say as well.

***
Hey, congrats on your purchase of your 03 Accord!

I purchased my 03 Accord EX 4-cyl sedan in mid-February. Now have about
7,000 miles on the car and still smiling all the way!

> PRO's:
>
> - I love the drive, handling and overall feel of this car.

***
I agree with you totally! I love the steering feel -- it's just right
for me. While driving on a straight 4-lane highway with no traffic in
either direction (very early in the morning on a weekend), I take both
hands off the wheel and the Accord still shoots straight ahead like an
arrow focusing on the bulls-eye! The steering keeps the car fully
centered in its lane for about a distance of one mile before I need to
adjust the positioning slightly. Impressive, but perhaps this tells me
that the tires and alignment are perfectly set, and nothing more.

The power assist is just the right amount too.

> - I have filled up my gas tank twice with a MPG rating of 32.5 and 29
> respectively. I used the AC quite a bit more after the second fill-up due
> to the Oklahoma heat.

***
My car care software shows that I have filled up 23 times during the
course of 7 months of ownership, adding an average of 12 to 13 gallons
to the tank each time. My MPG has stayed constant around 30, with a
low value of about 20 when I was carrying two tires and wheels in my
trunk (added weight). I drive the car virtually every day though.

> - This is minor, but I love the fact that they keyless entry is built into
> the key itself. I HATE adding more things to my keychain. 1 car key and 1
> house key along with a tiny keychain holder is all I want...thanks Honda!

***
I agree wholeheartedly. This is actually my first car with keyless
entry, never had it before! I love the idea of pushing a button and
remotely unlocking the door, which is something I can appreciate after
years of using the actual key-in-the-lock process. Sort of reminds me,
if my memory serves me correctly, of the space-age features described
on the Buick Questor prototype featured in the September 1, 1982 television
episode of Motorweek.

> - The 4cyl. is a great engine with more than enough power for most normal
> driving needs.

***
Agreed. I did not want the V6 because I feel that using less gasoline
would help me contribute to a cleaner environment for the future.

> - The dash controls, in my opinion, are positioned perfectly. This is a BIG
> improvement over my old '92 LX accord where whenever I needed to adjust
> anything I had to physically lean forward, not comfortable at all for long
> trips.

***
I also love the just-right position of the automatic shifter, since my
right palm naturally comes to rest on the shifter itself. I love the
idea of the 5-speed automatic -- providing more power and better fuel
economy too.

How about admiring that gorgeous dash with the wood trim, and the
ideal audio and climate controls? It's certainly one of the most handsome
dashboards I've seen, day or night, and love the LEDs on the instrument
cluster in front of the driver.

The 2003 Accord dash makes the Camry's one look like it was designed
by a third grader in the 1960s.

> - (As noted below), I have only found 3 CON's with this car so far.
> - About a thousand other minor things that add up to make a truly amazing
> vehicle.
>
> CON's:
>
> - I wish the steering wheel controls would light up. Even though I now
> memorize where they all are, I have to feel them all on that one side to
> make sure that my thumb is on the correct one. Maybe I will get more used
> to hitting them right on as I drive the car more.

***
I can see your point. My wish, if they would remain unlit, is for
at least the Cruise On-off switch to be an "elevated" button with respect
to the steering wheel, so it can be operated by feel. Many times, I have
tried to find this on-off switch at night, but am frustrated because the
switch is flush with the steering wheel -- it's not "raised"!

> - This is minor: I wish the doors locked themselves after taking the car
> out of park or something.

***
At least the car greets you with a simple chime every time you unlock
and open the driver's door! Sort of the Accord saying hello to you.

> - The front center cupholders are awkward to use. Thank goodness I don't
> drink much in the car. The front center cup holder (as opposed to the rear
> one) is OK to access, but that rear one requires me (with my seat positioned
> the way I like it) to fold my arm around awkwardly to get the drink out.
> When using the front center REARmost cupholder while driving, I find it more
> comfortable to use my left arm to get the drink out.

***
I have a very strict rule in my car: no eating, no drinking, no smoking.
Leftovers being taken home from nearby restaurants must be placed in the
trunk cargo tray. My light-colored (tan cloth) interior mandates this!
I do wish that the cupholder area had a birds-eye wood cover to mask
the cupholders from view. Anyone know if the JDM Accord has this cover?

What about the relatively poor visibility to the rear? Anyone encounter
this problem? The side mirrors are definitely helpful, larger than those
in the 2003 Camry.

> GENERAL:
>
> Is it just me, or does there seem to be a "Love / Hate" thing going on with
> the look of the new Accords. Some people tell me they love it, some people
> tell me they hate it and think it's ugly. I - of course - love the look of
> the sedan as I purchased it.

***
I love the styling. Looks like I am piloting a NASA space shuttle!

Hint: my car is white!! My first Honda too.

Paul