"Joshua J. Belsky" <belsky@brionne.cyberverse.com> wrote in message
news:vv3jn8jv5d3i93@corp.supernews.com...
> I test drove a Honda Accord EX with the I4 this past weekend and I loved
it.
> Although it doesn't have the refinement of the Acura TSX, (which I am also
> interested in) the features are all there and the price is far lower.
After
> my test drive, I had really been won over, and I left the dealership
having
> about 95% decided on getting an '04 Accord.
>
> Then I started reading online consumer reviews, and my mind started to
change.
> There are *so many* negative reviews of that car. It seems that people
have
> been having lots of mechanical and quality problems with their 2003
Accords.
> On the other hand, the negative reviews of the TSX just complain about
> performance and styling, not quality. But even the positive reviews of
> the Accord mention rattles and engine trouble.
>
> Now, I know that people who are upset about their car are more likely to
> post a review than people who are happy with it. People who have lemons
need
> to blow off steam. But compared to other models of car on the road, the
> 2003 Accord had *way* more negative reviews, and a much higher percentage
of
> the reviews were negative. (This, by the way, was true on every consumer
> review site that I checked.)
>
> So, I read the Edmunds.com three-month road test. They loved the car. But
in
> those three months, they had to take the car back to the dealer twice.
> The first time was the gas-cap/engine-light issue, which I know has been
> visited time and again on Usenet. But the second was a loose clamp on a
hose
> that caused the engine light to come on. I know that this is minor, and
> free to repair, but it is still a warning sign. As far as I'm concerned,
> if a car has to go to the dealer even once in the first three months,
that's
> too many times. The fact that even in a glowingly positive review, there
> was a mechanical problem with the engine, worries me.
>
> So my question is this: Has Honda lost its way? Are they resting on their
> laurels? Is the quality still there? Also, all of the reviews I read were
> of the '03 model. Were the quality issues with the '03 addressed in the
'04
> update?
>
> I know that Honda can make quality cars. The TSX seems to be really well
built.
> But that thing is made in Japan, and the Accord is made in the USA. Is
that
> what the problem is?

In all the negative posts you see, you also have to keep in mind that the
Honda Accord is one of the best selling cars in America. By sheer numbers
alone, they are bound to issue cars with more quality problems, but I would
be willing to bet the percentage is still amoung the lowest of all
manufacturers (in fact, numerous magazines make just such a reference).

I am extremely happy and have had no trouble with my '03 EX with 7,000
miles.
The Accords are made in Japan as well. Mine was built there.