Honda Car Forum

Hi,

I too am a new Honda owner. Bought a 2003 Accord LX approx. two weeks
back...700 miles on it so far, and absolutely loving it.

I have to agree with the others about the lighting on the steering controls.
The cruise controls are sort of hard to find at night...but maybe I'll get
used to it. My car has a 5-spd manual, and as suggested by the manual, I
have been trying hard not to accelarate too quickly or stress the engine so
that it has a chance to break in. I guess I'm waiting for the 1k mile mark
to really start using the engine's accelaration.

I love the console controls, and actually like the sliding armrest as well.
I find I can rest my arm perfectly on it. Others have complained about it
sliding back and forth, but I really haven't faced that problem.

My previous car was a 94 Mazda with everything manual...so all the power
features in the Honda are very nice for me.

Filled gas twice, and got an average of 30mpg (mostly highway), and 26mpg
(mostly city).

My car is black with the ivory (or tan) interior. Any suggestions on how to
clean the cloth interior (for my future reference). Also, how often would
you'll recommend washing / waxing the car? Its my first NEW car...and I'm
glad I picked Honda.

-Hiren


"Jerry Belluomini" <gabellu@sandia.gov> wrote in message
news:bjpplc$dtr$1@sass2141.sandia.gov...
> I purchased my 03 Accord last September and after dealing with a few
> problems I am very happy with the car. I drive it almost every day to
work,
> about 125 miles round trip, and have over 21K miles with an average fuel
> mileage of 29.0. I just recently installed an Eibach Pro kit and a front
> strut tower support from Neuspeed. These two items improved the handling
> considerably. The ride is a little stiffer, but it is a ride I prefer. I
> plan on installing front and rear sway bars and a set of wheels and
> performance tires soon. The addition of these items should make my ride
to
> and from work a little more enjoyable. This is my 6th Honda and I think
it
> is the best one yet.
> "Duran" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:bjo1ev$r7b@dispatch.concentric.net...
> > 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.
> >
> > PRO's:
> >
> > - I love the drive, handling and overall feel of this car.
> > - 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.
> > - 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!
> > - The 4cyl. is a great engine with more than enough power for most
normal
> > driving needs.
> > - 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.
> > - (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.
> > - This is minor: I wish the doors locked themselves after taking the
car
> > out of park or something.
> > - 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.
> >
> > 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.
> >
> >
>
>

On 10 Sep 2003 20:27:11 GMT, "Duran" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote:

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

Eww. I hate that. If I want the doors locked I'll lock them myself,
thank you.

On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 01:19:18 GMT, dizzy <dizzy@nospan.com> wrote:

>On 10 Sep 2003 20:27:11 GMT, "Duran" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>- This is minor: I wish the doors locked themselves after taking the car
>>out of park or something.
>
>Eww. I hate that. If I want the doors locked I'll lock them myself,
>thank you.

Most cars that do that can be programmed either way. My Passat locks
the doors at about 10 mph, but it can be programmed otherwise.

If you're like me, you'll quickly adjust to knowing where those
buttons are located. I thought I'd want the lights too, but I've found
it pretty easy. When you think about it, the point of the steering
wheel controls is that you don't have to look away or take your hands
off the wheel. At least so it seems to me.

On Thu, 11 Sep 2003 19:59:46 -0400, "HdT" <hdt@ece.gatech.edu> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I too am a new Honda owner. Bought a 2003 Accord LX approx. two weeks
>back...700 miles on it so far, and absolutely loving it.
>
>I have to agree with the others about the lighting on the steering controls.
>The cruise controls are sort of hard to find at night...but maybe I'll get
>used to it. My car has a 5-spd manual, and as suggested by the manual, I
>have been trying hard not to accelarate too quickly or stress the engine so
>that it has a chance to break in. I guess I'm waiting for the 1k mile mark
>to really start using the engine's accelaration.
>
>I love the console controls, and actually like the sliding armrest as well.
>I find I can rest my arm perfectly on it. Others have complained about it
>sliding back and forth, but I really haven't faced that problem.
>
>My previous car was a 94 Mazda with everything manual...so all the power
>features in the Honda are very nice for me.
>
>Filled gas twice, and got an average of 30mpg (mostly highway), and 26mpg
>(mostly city).
>
>My car is black with the ivory (or tan) interior. Any suggestions on how to
>clean the cloth interior (for my future reference). Also, how often would
>you'll recommend washing / waxing the car? Its my first NEW car...and I'm
>glad I picked Honda.
>
>-Hiren
>
>
>"Jerry Belluomini" <gabellu@sandia.gov> wrote in message
>news:bjpplc$dtr$1@sass2141.sandia.gov...
>> I purchased my 03 Accord last September and after dealing with a few
>> problems I am very happy with the car. I drive it almost every day to
>work,
>> about 125 miles round trip, and have over 21K miles with an average fuel
>> mileage of 29.0. I just recently installed an Eibach Pro kit and a front
>> strut tower support from Neuspeed. These two items improved the handling
>> considerably. The ride is a little stiffer, but it is a ride I prefer. I
>> plan on installing front and rear sway bars and a set of wheels and
>> performance tires soon. The addition of these items should make my ride
>to
>> and from work a little more enjoyable. This is my 6th Honda and I think
>it
>> is the best one yet.
>> "Duran" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:bjo1ev$r7b@dispatch.concentric.net...
>> > 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.
>> >
>> > PRO's:
>> >
>> > - I love the drive, handling and overall feel of this car.
>> > - 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.
>> > - 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!
>> > - The 4cyl. is a great engine with more than enough power for most
>normal
>> > driving needs.
>> > - 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.
>> > - (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.
>> > - This is minor: I wish the doors locked themselves after taking the
>car
>> > out of park or something.
>> > - 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.
>> >
>> > 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 just posted, but now I reread LX rather than EX. I thought the
steering wheel controls were only on the EX.

On Thu, 11 Sep 2003 19:59:46 -0400, "HdT" <hdt@ece.gatech.edu> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I too am a new Honda owner. Bought a 2003 Accord LX approx. two weeks
>back...700 miles on it so far, and absolutely loving it.
>
>I have to agree with the others about the lighting on the steering controls.
>The cruise controls are sort of hard to find at night...but maybe I'll get
>used to it. My car has a 5-spd manual, and as suggested by the manual, I
>have been trying hard not to accelarate too quickly or stress the engine so
>that it has a chance to break in. I guess I'm waiting for the 1k mile mark
>to really start using the engine's accelaration.
>
>I love the console controls, and actually like the sliding armrest as well.
>I find I can rest my arm perfectly on it. Others have complained about it
>sliding back and forth, but I really haven't faced that problem.
>
>My previous car was a 94 Mazda with everything manual...so all the power
>features in the Honda are very nice for me.
>
>Filled gas twice, and got an average of 30mpg (mostly highway), and 26mpg
>(mostly city).
>
>My car is black with the ivory (or tan) interior. Any suggestions on how to
>clean the cloth interior (for my future reference). Also, how often would
>you'll recommend washing / waxing the car? Its my first NEW car...and I'm
>glad I picked Honda.
>
>-Hiren
>
>
>"Jerry Belluomini" <gabellu@sandia.gov> wrote in message
>news:bjpplc$dtr$1@sass2141.sandia.gov...
>> I purchased my 03 Accord last September and after dealing with a few
>> problems I am very happy with the car. I drive it almost every day to
>work,
>> about 125 miles round trip, and have over 21K miles with an average fuel
>> mileage of 29.0. I just recently installed an Eibach Pro kit and a front
>> strut tower support from Neuspeed. These two items improved the handling
>> considerably. The ride is a little stiffer, but it is a ride I prefer. I
>> plan on installing front and rear sway bars and a set of wheels and
>> performance tires soon. The addition of these items should make my ride
>to
>> and from work a little more enjoyable. This is my 6th Honda and I think
>it
>> is the best one yet.
>> "Duran" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:bjo1ev$r7b@dispatch.concentric.net...
>> > 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.
>> >
>> > PRO's:
>> >
>> > - I love the drive, handling and overall feel of this car.
>> > - 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.
>> > - 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!
>> > - The 4cyl. is a great engine with more than enough power for most
>normal
>> > driving needs.
>> > - 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.
>> > - (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.
>> > - This is minor: I wish the doors locked themselves after taking the
>car
>> > out of park or something.
>> > - 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.
>> >
>> > 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 just posted, but now I reread LX rather than EX. I thought the
> steering wheel controls were only on the EX.

But the LX comes standard with cruise control - at least according to my
2003 Accord sedan brochure that I just double checked. I haven't actually
seen it though but I would figure it would make sense to place the cruise
controls in the same place on both the LX and EX since they both come with
it standard. Maybe the LX only has controls on the right side of the
steering wheel? (I don't think the LX has volume controls, etc on the
wheel).

> I was referring to the poor visibility out of the rear window itself.
> As you mentioned, there is no portion of the car visible out of the rear
> window, so it takes some practice learning to mentally note where the
> rear bumper is when parking, especially when parking tail-first into
> a spot.

Yes, I'm still not used to backing up my 03 Accord. I was somewhat shocked
that I couldn't see the hood out of the front window either, but this was
much easier to get used to. I was actually considering a rear wing on my
sedan to help with backing up but figured it was a way over-priced backing
up aid. I personally don't like the way the accord sedan looks with a rear
wing, it takes away from the "smoothness" of the cars design.

> I have purchased the Honda day/night mirror and I find it genuinely
> useful at night. The mirror turns either greenish or bluish (it dims)
> when the sensors detect excessive light from headlights behind you!
> There is no need to adjust the mirror at all -- I simply think that
> it was the most useful Honda accessory I've had installed in the car.

I was looking for comments on this accessory. I was considering purchasing
it myself. Since I just got my windows tinted I don't think I will need it
anymore but I was seriously considering it beforehand. The only accessory I
have purchased so far from Honda is the $99 trunk tray. I think this one
will be money well spent over time. I have also purchased aftermarket
all-season thick rubber floor mats.

> I totally agree with you about angling the side mirrors so that no part
> of the car is visible through them.

hmmm, interesting. Everyone else that notices my side mirrors "sticking out
too much" thinks I'm crazy - but the fact is I consider it much safer.

dizzy wrote:

> Eww. I hate that. If I want the doors locked I'll lock them myself,
> thank you.

I sold my '00 Accord two months ago when I bought an '02 F-150
SuperCrew, which has the automatic locking doors. It took me a few days
to get used to it, but I really like it now. I like the security with
my little man in the back seat.

If I ever change my mind, it's defeatable.
--
Bo Williams - williams@hiwaay.net
http://hiwaay.net/~williams/

"Duran" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bjo1ev$r7b@dispatch.concentric.net...
> 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.
>
> PRO's:
>
> - I love the drive, handling and overall feel of this car.
> - 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.
> - 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!
> - The 4cyl. is a great engine with more than enough power for most normal
> driving needs.
> - 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.
> - (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.
> - This is minor: I wish the doors locked themselves after taking the car
> out of park or something.
> - 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.
>
> 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.
>
>
No surprise here. Hondas just drive nicely. I feel the same about my
Prelude.

The only thing I have found that I don't like about my dx sedan is that the
drivers door will not open from the inside if it is locked..

"Duran" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bjo1ev$r7b@dispatch.concentric.net...
> 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.
>
> PRO's:
>
> - I love the drive, handling and overall feel of this car.
> - 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.
> - 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!
> - The 4cyl. is a great engine with more than enough power for most normal
> driving needs.
> - 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.
> - (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.
> - This is minor: I wish the doors locked themselves after taking the car
> out of park or something.
> - 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.
>
> 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.
>
>