I enjoyed my time here, but it is time to go. I wanted to love my 2016 Accord EX 6MT with a fancy touchscreen unit, but I just had too many problems with it since I started my audio upgrades. I decided to just end it and go another route.
Another issue that drove me nutz was hesitation during acceleration. This is the only manual transmission car I ever drove that had hiccups while accelerating! I went to three dealers in my area and no one found anything wrong with it. Since there is no check engine light, "car operates in acceptable conditions". I called Honda corporate and all they did was assign my case to some case manager, who told me to go get it checked at a local dealership (*sigh*).
My main reason to get a new Accord was to save money on gas, enjoy driving a manual and get a cheaper car compared to my previous 2014 Acura RDX. As much as I love Accord handling, cornering and refined ride, I was upset about plastic steering wheel in EX, cheap dashboard materials and jerky acceleration. It all went downhill when I started upgrading my stock stereo, at that point I realized I have to invest another $1,500 (I already invested around $2,300) and possibly get stuck with a glitchy Metra adapter or save the money and get another car that would have a better audio system and/or an audio system that is easy to upgrade.
I researched and looked at other cars, since I've been a Honda/Acura fan for so long. I drove only brand new cars:
2016 VW: Golf GTI, Jetta, Passat, Tiguan
2016: Mazda: CX-5 auto, Mazda 6 auto, Mazda 3 auto
2016 Nissan: Maxima, Rogue, Pathfinder, Murano
2016 Ford: Edge, Escape, Focus, C-MAX
2016 Fiat: 500X 6MT
2016 Jeep: Renegade 6MT
2016 Toyota: Corolla 5MT, Camry Hybrid, Avalon Hybrid Limited, RAV4 Hybrid Limited, Prius, Prius V
2016 Scion: tC 6MT, iM CVT and 6MT
I could write a review about every brand I had tested. I absolutely loved Volkswagen! Amazing interior refinement, Golf GTI drives like a Porsche. VW offers up to $10k off on Passat models right now. But VW seats are made for school kids! I don't know how a tall guy like me can fit into any of their cars.
Mazda - the same problem. Seats are too narrow. CX-5 is a wonderful CUV, amazing value and drives super fun.
Nissan - Rogue is surprisingly good, but a bit cheap inside and I just can't get used to CVT. Maxima is way too snug inside. Pathfinder is an overkill for me, but interior quality is a step up from Rogue. Murano looks hot, but seating position is too snug and too deep, way too overpriced for what it is. Upper trim Murano costs like Acura RDX, which is way more comfortable and upscale.
Ford - SYNC 3 system is superb! The best multimedia system I have seen so far. When I tested Sync 3 with Sony audio system, I fell in love. I would get Ford Edge if it was wider in the knee area. It is surprisingly tight for a mid-size crossover. Ford also surprised me with a better quality interior plastic, they improved a lot compared to just two years ago when Ford interior was just garbage. C-MAX is a great value, I just need something wider in the knee area.
Fiat - eh, seats lack in cushion and ergonomics. 1.4 turbo engine is underpowered and turbo lag is too heavy to handle, VW Jetta with 1.4 turbo is way better.
Jeep - just heavy and slow, same Fiat seat problem (since Renegade and 500X is essentially the same car)
Toyota - Camry is uncomfortable (I can't believe I am saying this, but new generation is just "Korean" cheap inside), Corolla is great and more comfortable than Camry(so I got a Corolla hatchback - Scion iM). RAV4 is very decent, but it has narrow seats. Avalon is also surprisingly unrefined and cheap inside, but yes it rides great.
Scion - tC provides amazing value, but is loud (especially in the back) and cheap inside, seat belt is mounted way too high and rubs my neck. But then I drove Scion iM and I knew it was on....
What I love about Scion iM: standard dual-zone climate control, awesome seats, good leather steering wheel, decent 2-din Pioneer stock touchscreen stereo, LED daytime running lights, LED rear lights, reclined rear seats create huge room in the trunk area. Manual transmission is wonderful, very smooth, gears are direct and sharp, it is not a short-throw by any means, but it feels sporty and acceleration is much more smooth compared to my previous Accord EX 6MT, since there is no hesitation during acceleration. Yes, iM has a weak 1.8 140 hp engine, but it is enough for me to get around and manual transmission makes it enjoyable. iM handling is great, smooth and refined, there is a double-wishbone rear suspension (which Honda used to have), so it probably helps. Fuel economy is great: 27 city/36 highway/ 31 combined.
I will be upgrading my Pioneer stock radio to something aftermarket. But for now I am very happy with it. Sound quality is night and day compared to my previous Accord. I can easily fit any 2-din aftermarket headunit into my new Scion, no need for expensive glitchy Metra adapters.
Where iM lacks: CVT is useless, I would not get it. Rear legroom isn't exactly spacious, but much better than many other compacts. There is no push-button start, the only thing I will really miss. No power seats.
I got my iM for $4,000 below the MSRP, which is amazing considering the value. I also got 0% financing. I traded in my near-perfect 2016 Accord EX 6MT with 6,000 miles for $20,000. If you are looking for a new 2016-2017 Accord EX 6MT, you may want to check out mine, since it is just like new, no pets, no kids, non-smoker. Message me for dealer info.
As Scion brand goes away this year, they are giving out amazing discounts. I will be glad to drive a part of the history. Scion iA, iM and FR-S will stay for 2017 and will be called Toyota Yaris iA, Toyota Corolla iM and Toyota 86.
Thank you guys, it was fun to be here.
Another issue that drove me nutz was hesitation during acceleration. This is the only manual transmission car I ever drove that had hiccups while accelerating! I went to three dealers in my area and no one found anything wrong with it. Since there is no check engine light, "car operates in acceptable conditions". I called Honda corporate and all they did was assign my case to some case manager, who told me to go get it checked at a local dealership (*sigh*).
My main reason to get a new Accord was to save money on gas, enjoy driving a manual and get a cheaper car compared to my previous 2014 Acura RDX. As much as I love Accord handling, cornering and refined ride, I was upset about plastic steering wheel in EX, cheap dashboard materials and jerky acceleration. It all went downhill when I started upgrading my stock stereo, at that point I realized I have to invest another $1,500 (I already invested around $2,300) and possibly get stuck with a glitchy Metra adapter or save the money and get another car that would have a better audio system and/or an audio system that is easy to upgrade.
I researched and looked at other cars, since I've been a Honda/Acura fan for so long. I drove only brand new cars:
2016 VW: Golf GTI, Jetta, Passat, Tiguan
2016: Mazda: CX-5 auto, Mazda 6 auto, Mazda 3 auto
2016 Nissan: Maxima, Rogue, Pathfinder, Murano
2016 Ford: Edge, Escape, Focus, C-MAX
2016 Fiat: 500X 6MT
2016 Jeep: Renegade 6MT
2016 Toyota: Corolla 5MT, Camry Hybrid, Avalon Hybrid Limited, RAV4 Hybrid Limited, Prius, Prius V
2016 Scion: tC 6MT, iM CVT and 6MT
I could write a review about every brand I had tested. I absolutely loved Volkswagen! Amazing interior refinement, Golf GTI drives like a Porsche. VW offers up to $10k off on Passat models right now. But VW seats are made for school kids! I don't know how a tall guy like me can fit into any of their cars.
Mazda - the same problem. Seats are too narrow. CX-5 is a wonderful CUV, amazing value and drives super fun.
Nissan - Rogue is surprisingly good, but a bit cheap inside and I just can't get used to CVT. Maxima is way too snug inside. Pathfinder is an overkill for me, but interior quality is a step up from Rogue. Murano looks hot, but seating position is too snug and too deep, way too overpriced for what it is. Upper trim Murano costs like Acura RDX, which is way more comfortable and upscale.
Ford - SYNC 3 system is superb! The best multimedia system I have seen so far. When I tested Sync 3 with Sony audio system, I fell in love. I would get Ford Edge if it was wider in the knee area. It is surprisingly tight for a mid-size crossover. Ford also surprised me with a better quality interior plastic, they improved a lot compared to just two years ago when Ford interior was just garbage. C-MAX is a great value, I just need something wider in the knee area.
Fiat - eh, seats lack in cushion and ergonomics. 1.4 turbo engine is underpowered and turbo lag is too heavy to handle, VW Jetta with 1.4 turbo is way better.
Jeep - just heavy and slow, same Fiat seat problem (since Renegade and 500X is essentially the same car)
Toyota - Camry is uncomfortable (I can't believe I am saying this, but new generation is just "Korean" cheap inside), Corolla is great and more comfortable than Camry(so I got a Corolla hatchback - Scion iM). RAV4 is very decent, but it has narrow seats. Avalon is also surprisingly unrefined and cheap inside, but yes it rides great.
Scion - tC provides amazing value, but is loud (especially in the back) and cheap inside, seat belt is mounted way too high and rubs my neck. But then I drove Scion iM and I knew it was on....
What I love about Scion iM: standard dual-zone climate control, awesome seats, good leather steering wheel, decent 2-din Pioneer stock touchscreen stereo, LED daytime running lights, LED rear lights, reclined rear seats create huge room in the trunk area. Manual transmission is wonderful, very smooth, gears are direct and sharp, it is not a short-throw by any means, but it feels sporty and acceleration is much more smooth compared to my previous Accord EX 6MT, since there is no hesitation during acceleration. Yes, iM has a weak 1.8 140 hp engine, but it is enough for me to get around and manual transmission makes it enjoyable. iM handling is great, smooth and refined, there is a double-wishbone rear suspension (which Honda used to have), so it probably helps. Fuel economy is great: 27 city/36 highway/ 31 combined.
I will be upgrading my Pioneer stock radio to something aftermarket. But for now I am very happy with it. Sound quality is night and day compared to my previous Accord. I can easily fit any 2-din aftermarket headunit into my new Scion, no need for expensive glitchy Metra adapters.
Where iM lacks: CVT is useless, I would not get it. Rear legroom isn't exactly spacious, but much better than many other compacts. There is no push-button start, the only thing I will really miss. No power seats.
I got my iM for $4,000 below the MSRP, which is amazing considering the value. I also got 0% financing. I traded in my near-perfect 2016 Accord EX 6MT with 6,000 miles for $20,000. If you are looking for a new 2016-2017 Accord EX 6MT, you may want to check out mine, since it is just like new, no pets, no kids, non-smoker. Message me for dealer info.
As Scion brand goes away this year, they are giving out amazing discounts. I will be glad to drive a part of the history. Scion iA, iM and FR-S will stay for 2017 and will be called Toyota Yaris iA, Toyota Corolla iM and Toyota 86.
Thank you guys, it was fun to be here.