Test Drive Honda Accord 2.4 MT: And a question

thefreak · 3rd October 2007, 17:01

Could not find a thread on the same so thought about starting this one!

Date of TD: 29th Sept 2007

First Impression: It is huge!

Exteriors: I liked the looks of the car! The rear LED's look real cool and the car oozes class. Looks are anyway very individualistic and hence will not dwell on it here.

Interiors: Classy is the word for it. It is not as jazzy as the Civic but the part wooden steering wheel looks stunning and the central console too is much more beautiful (IMHO) as comopared to the Civic. The seats are comfortable and the driver side electric seat adjustment was something I was new to and liked.

Some points:

Rear seat folds down to provide amazing amounts of seat space.
Lock button on the boot. If you lock the boot from inside it cannot be opened from the outside.
The rear center armrest opens into the boot. Great thing to have if you dont want to leave your items (say laptop) exposed in the car. Quietly shift it into the boot via the rear center armrest.
Rear seats are wide but would not be very comfortable for 3 people because the seat is humped and not flat as in the case of the Civic.
Dual Climate AC Sounds good but could not really find out about the effectiveness of the same
No WMA/MP3 support in the audio system.
Key has a button to open all four windows while at a distance so as to let the hot air out before you get in.
If you step out of the car only to remember later that you have left the window open just turn the key in the driver side mirror and hold. The windows will up themselves.
The machine that I got was uneasy at the start. Took a couple of cranks. Might not happen with the delivery vehicle (test drive cars are misued like crazy aren't they?)
It is quite a rev happy machine. Hit almost 60 in first gear and was really thundering down the road.
Suspension is stiffer than the Civic and when passing over a series of breakers the jitters come through to you (over the same breakers I had driven the Civic less than half an hour back and the jitters did not come through).
Handles admirably for a car its size. Is quite nimble into corners and maintains poise. A ninety degree turn at 60ish or 70ish was easily negotiated (lots of space though and could not push it any harder as the car was a bit too big to be experimenting with such stuff)

Now for my query:- I loved the car. It is however slated to be replaced next year (rumors say in March - from a source in this forum). I dont like the looks of the new Accord (2008). I will keep whichever car I buy for 3 years max and hence resale is an important factor for me. How much depreciation can be expected on a car which is going to be a model old (in two to three years time frame)?

Given the importance of resale for me should I go for the Accord or should I go for the Civic? I loved driving the Accord around more because of the sheer opulence and also because it has been a dream forever. Heart says Accord, every grey cell in the brain shouts for Civic. Help!!

anandpadhye · 3rd October 2007, 17:06

Resale point of view it has to Civic (of the 2).
BTW (and don't shout at me) why not Skoda Laura? it has all the features you mentioned above and being an extremely frugal diesel, it will hold it's value highest among the 3 cars mentioned.

thefreak · 3rd October 2007, 17:19

@anand: I agree Laura is a good choice but my point is that if I do spend that kinda cash I should get the Accord (which in my humble opinion is one class up on Laura in terms of size). Laura has abysmal rear legroom which is an important consdieration for me and also lacks power for a car that size (105 bhp). For me it is between the Accord and the Civic and had it not been for the constraints on resale I would have gladly gone for the Accord..

GTO · 3rd October 2007, 17:45

No point buying an Accord right now...I suggest waiting for a handful of months.

Nice review though. Nicely detailed list of the "small yet significant" things.

unknown · 3rd October 2007, 18:23

If you don't like the shape of upcoming accord then why wait ? just buy the current one & enjoy .

vnabhi · 3rd October 2007, 18:48

The current Accord is my favourite among luxury cars. I envy everyone who owns one. Civic, of course, is good, but Accord looks much better to me.
If you like it, why don't you buy the Accord now? The new shape looks like a Sonata Embera, which is not a bad looker too.

iraghava · 3rd October 2007, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefreak

@anand: I agree Laura is a good choice but my point is that if I do spend that kinda cash I should get the Accord (which in my humble opinion is one class up on Laura in terms of size). Laura has abysmal rear legroom which is an important consdieration for me and also lacks power for a car that size (105 bhp). For me it is between the Accord and the Civic and had it not been for the constraints on resale I would have gladly gone for the Accord..

That is one of the reasons I would never recommend a Laura over the Accord.

Nice review & yes the Accord is really roomy! That is something I really like about it! You know what wait for the new one to be launched & reconsider, if you still don't like it then, pick up the current-gen version for a killer price!

thefreak · 4th October 2007, 09:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by iraghava

That is one of the reasons I would never recommend a Laura over the Accord.

Nice review & yes the Accord is really roomy! That is something I really like about it! You know what wait for the new one to be launched & reconsider, if you still don't like it then, pick up the current-gen version for a killer price!

That is an option! Another thing that worries me about the new Accord is that one can really not say the price point at which Honda is going to launch it. The competition (read Camry/Passat/Teena) sells at a higher price point and if they decide to increase the price it may become just unaffordable (as it stands now it is unaffordable for me but I simply love it

)

GTO · 4th October 2007, 09:28

The new Accord is not going to be a CBU (like the Camry); hence the price will never reach 25 lakhs (like the Camry again).

thefreak · 4th October 2007, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

The new Accord is not going to be a CBU (like the Camry); hence the price will never reach 25 lakhs (like the Camry again).

Agreed! But given the propensity to increase prices they could easily increase the price of the stock 2.4 MT from 14.9 odd lakhs in Delhi to 16.5 lakhs.. Anyways.. that is speculation! Time will tell...

kumar2007 · 4th October 2007, 14:08

Any idea when the new Accord will be launched

thefreak · 4th October 2007, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by kumar2007

Any idea when the new Accord will be launched

No one would know for sure except the Honda management but speculation is rife that the vehicle should hit India sometime March 2008, though I have been to a number of websites which state the date to be closer to end 2008.

Akshay1234 · 4th October 2007, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by kumar2007

Any idea when the new Accord will be launched

it should be launched sometime next year.

unknown · 8th October 2007, 18:42

According to Autocar new accord is expected in april 2008 at an estimated price tag of 19.5 lakh , & also honda has adden an new system calledVCM (Variable cylinder management) which shuts off two or even three cylinders,when not needed, for better fuel economy .

kumar2007 · 8th October 2007, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by unknown

According to Autocar new accord is expected in april 2008 at an estimated price tag of 19.5 lakh , & also honda has adden an new system calledVCM (Variable cylinder management) which shuts off two or even three cylinders,when not needed, for better fuel economy .

How well will VCM work? Even with two cylinders not firing I presume the pistons will still be connected to the crankshaft. Wont that create a drag on the remaining cylinders? Maybe the valves will remain open so they wont have to be driven against pressure?

I really am not technically sound WRT this but I wonder how variable cylinders would work.

3rd October 2007, 17:01	#1
thefreak BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 361 Thanked: 7 Times	Test Drive Honda Accord 2.4 MT: And a question Could not find a thread on the same so thought about starting this one! Date of TD: 29th Sept 2007 First Impression: It is huge! Exteriors: I liked the looks of the car! The rear LED's look real cool and the car oozes class. Looks are anyway very individualistic and hence will not dwell on it here. Interiors: Classy is the word for it. It is not as jazzy as the Civic but the part wooden steering wheel looks stunning and the central console too is much more beautiful (IMHO) as comopared to the Civic. The seats are comfortable and the driver side electric seat adjustment was something I was new to and liked. Some points: Rear seat folds down to provide amazing amounts of seat space. Lock button on the boot. If you lock the boot from inside it cannot be opened from the outside. The rear center armrest opens into the boot. Great thing to have if you dont want to leave your items (say laptop) exposed in the car. Quietly shift it into the boot via the rear center armrest. Rear seats are wide but would not be very comfortable for 3 people because the seat is humped and not flat as in the case of the Civic. Dual Climate AC Sounds good but could not really find out about the effectiveness of the same No WMA/MP3 support in the audio system. Key has a button to open all four windows while at a distance so as to let the hot air out before you get in. If you step out of the car only to remember later that you have left the window open just turn the key in the driver side mirror and hold. The windows will up themselves. The machine that I got was uneasy at the start. Took a couple of cranks. Might not happen with the delivery vehicle (test drive cars are misued like crazy aren't they?) It is quite a rev happy machine. Hit almost 60 in first gear and was really thundering down the road. Suspension is stiffer than the Civic and when passing over a series of breakers the jitters come through to you (over the same breakers I had driven the Civic less than half an hour back and the jitters did not come through). Handles admirably for a car its size. Is quite nimble into corners and maintains poise. A ninety degree turn at 60ish or 70ish was easily negotiated (lots of space though and could not push it any harder as the car was a bit too big to be experimenting with such stuff) Now for my query:- I loved the car. It is however slated to be replaced next year (rumors say in March - from a source in this forum). I dont like the looks of the new Accord (2008). I will keep whichever car I buy for 3 years max and hence resale is an important factor for me. How much depreciation can be expected on a car which is going to be a model old (in two to three years time frame)? Given the importance of resale for me should I go for the Accord or should I go for the Civic? I loved driving the Accord around more because of the sheer opulence and also because it has been a dream forever. Heart says Accord, every grey cell in the brain shouts for Civic. Help!!
	() Thanks

3rd October 2007, 17:06	#2
anandpadhye Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 3,062 Thanked: 3,354 Times	Resale point of view it has to Civic (of the 2). BTW (and don't shout at me) why not Skoda Laura? it has all the features you mentioned above and being an extremely frugal diesel, it will hold it's value highest among the 3 cars mentioned.
	() Thanks

3rd October 2007, 17:19	#3
thefreak BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 361 Thanked: 7 Times	@anand: I agree Laura is a good choice but my point is that if I do spend that kinda cash I should get the Accord (which in my humble opinion is one class up on Laura in terms of size). Laura has abysmal rear legroom which is an important consdieration for me and also lacks power for a car that size (105 bhp). For me it is between the Accord and the Civic and had it not been for the constraints on resale I would have gladly gone for the Accord..
	() Thanks

3rd October 2007, 17:45	#4
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,846 Thanked: 322,893 Times View My Garage	No point buying an Accord right now...I suggest waiting for a handful of months. Nice review though. Nicely detailed list of the "small yet significant" things.
	() Thanks

3rd October 2007, 18:23	#5
unknown BANNED Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 439 Thanked: 23 Times	If you don't like the shape of upcoming accord then why wait ? just buy the current one & enjoy .
	() Thanks

3rd October 2007, 18:48	#6
vnabhi Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: DC -> DC Posts: 5,999 Thanked: 2,429 Times View My Garage	The current Accord is my favourite among luxury cars. I envy everyone who owns one. Civic, of course, is good, but Accord looks much better to me. If you like it, why don't you buy the Accord now? The new shape looks like a Sonata Embera, which is not a bad looker too.
	() Thanks

4th October 2007, 09:28	#9
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,846 Thanked: 322,893 Times View My Garage	The new Accord is not going to be a CBU (like the Camry); hence the price will never reach 25 lakhs (like the Camry again).
	() Thanks

4th October 2007, 14:08	#11
kumar2007 BANNED Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 213 Thanked: 34 Times	Any idea when the new Accord will be launched
	() Thanks

8th October 2007, 18:42	#14
unknown BANNED Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 439 Thanked: 23 Times	According to Autocar new accord is expected in april 2008 at an estimated price tag of 19.5 lakh , & also honda has adden an new system calledVCM (Variable cylinder management) which shuts off two or even three cylinders,when not needed, for better fuel economy .
	() Thanks