Honda Car Forum

My two cents worth... I have a '03 Accord EX that has been flawless thus far.
I do, often times, hear a slight rattle near the passenger visor, but that
rattle is not constant nor pronounced when it occurs and, despite this minor
observation, it nonetheless does not detract me from the "flawless" rating I
give this car. Whenever I make it to the dealer next they assured me that the
rattle problem will be rectified. I paid $20K for this car (new) ...and
honestly, it is mind boggling when you consider the ride and reliability
evident in this car. Also, I have yet to drive a four cyclinder car that is
not turbo-charged or modified that responds as well as the Accord (it is more
responsive that most V6's I've driven). The best car I've ever owned - past
cars including so called "high end" european and American makes.

>"Joshua J. Belsky" wrote:
>>
>> 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?
>>
>> Thank you for your opinions.
>>
>> -Joshua
>> --
>> -Joshua Belsky
>> jjbelsky@yahoo.com
>> http://belsky.net
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Me too, loaded '03 V6 - Great!!

RR
ghofnospam@aol.com

On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 06:39:42 GMT, Gus <GusPod@optOFFline.XXXX.net>
wrote:

>Joshua J. Belsky wrote:
>
>> 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.
>
>I haven't seen the reviews of the 04's, but I can tell you my experience
>with the '03 Accord EX sedan w/AT. It's been flawless and a joy to
>drive. Only trip to the dealer was for its first oil change, which was
>no charge. Car has approx. 6,900 miles on it now. Best mileage I've seen
>to date is 29 mpg and it's averaging 24.6 overall. I don't think it's
>fully broken in yet, either. My last car was an '88 Acura Integra LS,
>which I loved; but the new EX is a noticeably superior car. My most
>frequent passengers own a VW Jetta & one of the smaller SUVs - they rave
>about my Accord every time we go somewhere.
>
>YMMV, of course.

I went with a friend who was car shopping early this year. We both
thought she would end up buying another Camry but the Accord drove so
much better that she paid the extra money to buy a 4cyl AT EX Accord.
As far as I know, her only complaint was the sulfur exhaust (which I
have also heard of Camry owners complaining and I think this is mostly
a function of the sulfur content of the fuel and a very efficient
emissions control system.) Dealer replaced the cat which may have
helped a little.

Consumer Reports has the most useful reliability survey available to
the public. They indicate that the '03 Accord has excellent
reliability. (The latest model year results for all cars are suspect
since the average owner had only driven the car three months when the
survey was taken.) It is worth noting that the '02 Camry was
noticeably worse in its initial year than '03 Accord was in its
initial year. Generally, the second year of production for a Japanese
design will be more reliable than the first.

Both Camry and Accord are at the top of the class in reliability.
Can't guarantee that you won't have problems, but you have minimized
the risk when you choose either of them.

The Accord is one of the better quality vehicles in its
price range. Quality is s function of management, I doubt
one assembled in Japan would be significantly better than
one assembled in the US. Not every vehicle built by every
manufacture can be completely problem free every time, that
is why they all offer a warranty, not to worry. If I were
purchasing an Accord, I would spend the extra bucks and buy
a V6 over the 4.


mike hunt



Hubbub wrote:
>
> I was looking at Accords over the weekend, and the ones I saw were all made
> in Maryville, OH. I wonder if they have a different track record than
> Accords made in Japan.
>
> Where are these negative reviews and articles? I could not find the review
> on Edmunds that Joshua referred to about trips back to the dealer within the
> first 90 days. In fact, of the 900 or so consumer reviews of the '03 Accord,
> the average score is around a 9.2 which seem to be very good. I spent about
> half an hour and could not find anything about reliability issues. If more
> details could be provided where all of these negative reviews are, I would
> like to read them.
>
> Thanks
>
> "A-MAN" <admin@a-man.org> wrote in message
> news:bst7fc$c7i@dispatch.concentric.net...
> >
> > "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.
> >
> >

<BenDover@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:3FF32CDC.430F4BC@mailcity.com...
> The Accord is one of the better quality vehicles in its
> price range.

It is the best in its class.

> Quality is s function of management, I doubt
> one assembled in Japan would be significantly better than
> one assembled in the US. Not every vehicle built by every
> manufacture can be completely problem free every time, that
> is why they all offer a warranty, not to worry.

Broken record...broken record...broken record...broken record...broken
record...broken record...broken record...broken record...broken
record...broken record...broken record...broken record...broken
record...broken record...broken record...broken record...broken
record...broken record...broken record...broken record...broken
record...broken record...broken record...broken record...broken
record...broken record...broken record...broken record...broken
record...broken record...broken record...broken record...broken
record...broken record...broken record...broken record...broken
record...broken record...broken record...broken record...broken
record...broken record...broken record...broken record...broken
record...broken record...broken record...broken record...broken
record...broken record...broken record...broken record...broken
record...broken record...broken record...broken record...broken
record...broken record...broken record...

> If I were
> purchasing an Accord, I would spend the extra bucks and buy
> a V6 over the 4.

If you were purchasing an Accord, that would be an indication that you might
have some sort of intelligence. But since you have proven you don't have
any...stop trying to play with us...

>
>
> mike hunt, your village idiot.


--
'03 S2000
'94 Accord

It's just about going fast...that's all...

http://home.insight.rr.com/cgreen/

On Tue, 30 Dec 2003 19:15:52 -0000, "Joshua J. Belsky"
<belsky@brionne.cyberverse.com> wrote:

>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?
>
>Thank you for your opinions.
>
>-Joshua

My '03 EX V6/Nav spent about twelve days in the shop within it's first
four months getting a steering-fluid leak diagnosed and fixed. In
spite of that, I have been extremely happy with my car that's now
twelve months old with 9,400 miles on it. The repair was perfect, and
there have been NO other problems, not even a minor rattle or squeak.
I have zero buyer's remorse, and I recommend this automobile highly.
Ron

I have a 2004 Accord and it has absolutly no rattles. If others concure
with me, it could be assumed the rattles are fixed. I also have a 5M
Navi. The manual 5 speed makes it fun to drive and the Navi from what I
have heard is the best in the industry.

stevef wrote:
> I see your point and have noticed the same articles.
>
> I will look closely at Camry before buying another Honda Accord, although my
> 99 has been great.
>
> Not sure what happened to Honda quality.
> "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?
>
> Thank you for your opinions.
>
> -Joshua

Dick wrote:
> We have an '03 EX V-6 w/nav, and before that, a '99 EX V-6. Both cars
> were/have been flawless. I couldn't be more pleased with the '03.
> Probably the best car we have ever owned, which includes Mercedes.
> Certainly a far cry from the old days, when for example, we bought a
> new Pontiac LeMans in 1963. I had three, type-written pages of
> defects written up within a couple of days after picking it up at the
> dealer. We don't know how good we have it these days with regard to
> car quality.

Now THAT brings back memories. This is what made Detroit such a fat
target for the Japanese manufacturers in the 70's.

pars wrote:

> I've noticed, since Honda started to make their car's in N.A, it's been
> taking them at least 2 years to work out the bugs from their new model
> releases (however, in the past the 'bugs' used to be less severe).
>
> Compared to other manufacture, Honda seems to be more proactive at
> clean-up defects in their new release. So, there's a good chance that
> the 2004 or 2005 Accord will have the issues addressed, that are now
> effecting the 2003 model... However, if the 'defect' is a flaw in the
> design, there's not much you can do about it (e.g current Civic and it's
> primitive suspension).
>
> Personally, I'd go with the TSX for the piece of mind and the fact that
> it's a better tuned car. Also, the TSX's more aggressive look is not
> just show. Around here, the Honda's (or Acura) that are aggressive on
> the road, are the TSX and the punks driving the slammed Civic's (who
> me?). Occationaly, you might see an Accord take pole on the fast lane,
> which is still tame compared to what I've seen some of these guys
> attempt with their TSX's.

You've been driving about 6 months or so? (not a flame, BTW, just a much
younger guy's point of view)

"Hububer" <4570govt@cox.net> wrote in message
news:jjqIb.54427$hf1.12363@lakeread06...
> I was looking at Accords over the weekend, and the ones I saw were all
made
> in Maryville, OH. I wonder if they have a different track record than
> Accords made in Japan.
>
> Where are these negative reviews and articles? I could not find the
review
All the negativism I have seen has been on this NG. I find it hard to
believe that these are any more than isolated instances.

> on Edmunds that Joshua referred to about trips back to the dealer within
the
> first 90 days. In fact, of the 900 or so consumer reviews of the '03
Accord,
> the average score is around a 9.2 which seem to be very good. I spent
about
> half an hour and could not find anything about reliability issues. If
more
> details could be provided where all of these negative reviews are, I would
> like to read them.
>
> Thanks
>
> "A-MAN" <admin@a-man.org> wrote in message
> news:bst7fc$c7i@dispatch.concentric.net...
> >
> > "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.
> >
> >
>
>