Got a new ride...

[jpeyton]

It's a bit square, but so am I.

2009 Honda Accord EX-L Sedan I-4 AT (Polished Metal Metallic)

$22800 + TTL

Japanese VIN (no offense to all you Ohioans out there)

This is my third Honda Accord. I took both my previous ones to 220k before I got rid of them.

I never liked the look of the 7th generation Accords, but I think the 8th generation looks awesome (a lot of BMW 3- and 5- series design influences in it).

I'll get pictures up once I get it washed/waxed, but so far it's completely stock with a 35% tint all the way around. The only upgrade I might do down the road is a set of wheels (maybe some Ron Jons if I find a local dealer).

 

[zoiks]

Congrats. Not my cup of tea but its a good everyday machine.

 

[Arkaign]

'Grats! It's a much bigger Accord, no? Should be a really nice runabout workhorse. How's the motor noise from the i4?

 

[BassBomb]

blasphemy! 7.5G was the best!

I do like the new interior though, aside from the controls in the middle of the dash..

I have your the exact car but 2007

 

[jpeyton]

Congrats. Not my cup of tea but its a good everyday machine.

That's why I'm on my third one. They are great people movers. Not the most exciting drive; the handling is a step up from a Camry, but step down from a Mazda6. Excellent reliability, maintenance costs, and resale.

'Grats! It's a much bigger Accord, no? Should be a really nice runabout workhorse. How's the motor noise from the i4?

It's cavernous inside. The extra room is really noticeable in the rear seats, and the width of the cabin. It seems all the manufacturers are super-sizing their USDM family sedans. The new Subaru Legacy and Mazda6 look enormous compared to their svelte predecessors.

The motor noise is a subdued whirring. Good for the target market.

blasphemy! 7.5G was the best!

I do like the new interior though, aside from the controls in the middle of the dash..

I have your the exact car but 2007

My have a few friends with 7.5Gs. The sharp angles of that car never grew on me. I'm a guy who likes direct-access buttons, so I'm not bothered with the console. I do dislike the fact that Honda doesn't include a trip-computer. It's 2009; every car should have a MPG and DTE readout, especially one costing $20k+.

 

[thomsbrain]

A Scangauge will fix your trip-computer blues.

Anyway, I'm on my second Accord and while they may not make you fall in love, they earn your respect as unfailingly competent no matter what you throw at them. People lump the Camry and Accord together, but there are plenty of things the Accord does well at which the Camry is a complete and total disaster (basically anything having to do with being behind the wheel).

 

[Fenixgoon]

i'm really starting to like the look of the new accords. nice pick. my only concern would be having enough power to move such a big car (since it's much bigger now). how's the 4banger drive?

 

[SandEagle]

congrats. i really like the new Accords. How did you get one with a japanese VIN? I assume its not built here in the US?

 

[jpeyton]

i'm really starting to like the look of the new accords. nice pick. my only concern would be having enough power to move such a big car (since it's much bigger now). how's the 4banger drive?

It definitely has enough power for me, but I don't drive fast by any means. My driving habits changed quite a bit after the last oil crisis; I've put 1000 miles on the clock so far and I don't think I've taken the tach over 3500RPM once. The EX-L has a 190HP I-4, which I imagine would have enough power for passing and brisk acceleration if you mashed the throttle.

The Accord V6 has cylinder shutoff, so it gets roughly the same mileage as the I-4, while having 270HP on tap if you want something with a lot more power. I test drove one and it was more power than I needed (and about $2000 more expensive). That and the fact that Honda makes bulletproof 4-cylinder engines, but I'm not sure the new V6 has been vetted thoroughly.

congrats. i really like the new Accords. How did you get one with a japanese VIN? I assume its not built here in the US?

About 80% of Accords for USDM are made here in Ohio; the other 20% are imported. If it's built in Ohio, the VIN starts with the number "1". If it's built in Japan, it starts with the letter "J". Most dealerships don't treat one different from another, so the price won't be different; they are just harder to track down.

 

[foghorn67]

It's a bit square, but so am I.

2009 Honda Accord EX-L Sedan I-4 AT (Polished Metal Metallic)

$22800 + TTL

Japanese VIN (no offense to all you Ohioans out there)

This is my third Honda Accord. I took both my previous ones to 220k before I got rid of them.

I never liked the look of the 7th generation Accords, but I think the 8th generation looks awesome (a lot of BMW 3- and 5- series design influences in it).

I'll get pictures up once I get it washed/waxed, but so far it's completely stock with a 35% tint all the way around. The only upgrade I might do down the road is a set of wheels (maybe some Ron Jons if I find a local dealer).

Good buy. I'm glad you skipped the prev. gen accord. I only liked the coupe from that run. Now it's the opposite. Love the sedan, coupe is weird.
Wind and road noise seem a bit high, but the powertrain is so isolated save some nice valvetrain songs when ringing it out.

I love how easy the doors are at opening and closing. They just seem to glide.
My favorite Accord since the NA market 4th gen.

 

[yh125d]

i'm really starting to like the look of the new accords. nice pick. my only concern would be having enough power to move such a big car (since it's much bigger now). how's the 4banger drive?

Yeah that'd be my concern too. With that motor power peak at a whopping 7k (190hp) and torque peak at 4400 (and only 162 then) it could be a tall order for that 2.4 to get things moving

 

[foghorn67]

Yeah that'd be my concern too. With that motor power peak at a whopping 7k (190hp) and torque peak at 4400 (and only 162 then) it could be a tall order for that 2.4 to get things moving

It's not as bad as it sounds on paper.

 

[SSSnail]

I think we should mandate that any "New car..." thread should include pics. With the new forums, it'll be that much better.

 

[thecritic]

Congrats on the new car, but I hope you are aware of the brake system issues with these cars.

There have been many brake noise complaints with the factory pads, but have been easily remedied by switching to a premium aftermarket ceramic pads. Also, due to the heavy rear brake bias, the rear brake pads last between 15-25k for most drivers.

 

[brblx]

i'm not a fan but it's a good car.

 

[PricklyPete]

Congrats on the new car...I'm sure you'll be very happy with it.

 

[SearchMaster]

My neighbor is looking to replace her old Town Car, and indicated the Accord as a potential replacement (reliability is #1 for her right now). We're going to look at it, plus maybe the Avalon.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Congrats on the new car, but I hope you are aware of the brake system issues with these cars.

There have been many brake noise complaints with the factory pads, but have been easily remedied by switching to a premium aftermarket ceramic pads. Also, due to the heavy rear brake bias, the rear brake pads last between 15-25k for most drivers.

My Maxima was like that when new. I had my first rear brake job around 15k miles. Next one at around 40k. I have 80k on it now and haven't done brakes in a couple years.

Changing pads every 20-25,000 miles isn't that big a deal.

BTW-My 2003 Maxima was the last of the Japan built models. It's one of the reasons I bought it.

 

[luv2liv]

are Hondas cheaper than Toyotas?
im looking at a Camry LE now with no leather, no moonroof, not much except power seats. dealer in philly wanted 20k for it, excluding tax n tags. i said i will think about it.

 

[darom]

Congrats on your purchase. I bought a used 2004 EX I4 5MT with 75k miles and am enjoying it (sedan, 24/31 mpg, leather heated seats). Driving 70 mph over the Grapevine here in CA in 4th gear is effortless. The car doesn't feel slow, but I do miss my previous car's (98 z28 Camaro) acceleration merging on the freeway .

Does the 2010 have the same huge blind spots on each side?

 

[jpeyton]

are Hondas cheaper than Toyotas?
im looking at a Camry LE now with no leather, no moonroof, not much except power seats. dealer in philly wanted 20k for it, excluding tax n tags. i said i will think about it.

Yes; an '09 Camry with the same options as my Accord would have been ~$26,900.

The styling between the two are quite different as well. The Gen8 Accord has a lot of European flavor to it; the Camry is decidedly more reserved, but it looks quite sporty if you get the SE trim (with the body side molding, which I think is the only version of the Camry I would buy).

 

[NutBucket]

Funny, here in Socal comparable Camrys tend to be cheaper than Accords, at least on the low end. Not sure about the higher end models.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

great choice of car, its no wonder honda has such a great reputation for quality, just look at this OP's past? 2 of his 2 Hondas went 220k+ miles.

great choice OP, check out www.vtec.net and http://www.hondaaccordforum.com for some tech tips on stuff you may want for the car.

To give you some ideas, i got these "upgrades" for my 2005 accord v6 (purchased new)
-built in navi
-rubber floor mats & Trunk tray
-window visors to get ventilation in rain
-wheel locks
-PIAA Fog lights
-AnzoUSA Projectors
-Lightwerkz HID
-Curt Trailer Hitch
-whistler Pro-78 Radar Detector

thats all i can think of for now but i'll keep you posted. be sure to check out those other forums to get some great tips on stuff you didn't know your car can do.

 

[postmortemIA]

Yes; an '09 Camry with the same options as my Accord would have been ~$26,900.

The styling between the two are quite different as well. The Gen8 Accord has a lot of European flavor to it; the Camry is decidedly more reserved, but it looks quite sporty if you get the SE trim (with the body side molding, which I think is the only version of the Camry I would buy).

I thought that Camry was always heavier discounted: that is you could find base with AT for $17K new, when time is right, which is now.

Also, Accord is being made in Mexico, but in very small volumes, about 1% of Accords sold in USA.

Congrats on new car; I also have 2009, but EX V6. I made tradeoff by not taking leather version and all cool things that come on EX-L trim for V6 engine. It is obviously personal choice.

I wouldn't say that I4 version needs more power, Accord has more HP than any other I4 in range - at high rpms however.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

The 4banger is perfectly fine for what it is. I've driven it from OC to Sacramento at 75-80mph and it felt perfectly composed. Rode like a couch, but thats a good thing for this class of car.

I would even go so far as saying the 4cyl is better than the 6ixer, both in handling and fuel economy. Theres no need for an accord to be a rocket.