Sad to say I feel a bit disappointed by the 2008 Honda Accord. I had high hopes for it but am feeling a bit let down by preliminary information. Don't get me wrong; I think this car will be a sales success for Honda, and that's a good thing. But overall I guess I was expecting too much from it.

Exterior Styling: Nice -- especially the front 3/4 view, but the back end is a bit bland
Interior Styling: Dash is too busy, steering wheel too funky and nav housing looks to be a poor imitation of BMW 3-series
Engine: 268/248 hp/tq V6 is powerful but not class leader as Honda stated earlier
Weight: EX-L V6 approaching 3600 pounds hinders performance
Drivetrain: FWD & open differential is not optimum for performance
Speed: 0-60 of 7.1/9.3 for V6/I4 is okay but not what I'd hoped for
Price: Over $30k for loaded EX-L Navi is expensive, especially without a discount the first year

Keep in mind Honda has not publicly confirmed the above stats, so they might be inaccurate. Also, these are my personal feelings and others will feel differently about it.

[QUOTE=Fireball;164359]Sad to say....these are my personal feelings.....



............and that's why forums exist (personal views, et al......


.......you've covered a lot of ground here....


taking just one of your items (0-60); I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

....ez...

taking just one of your items (0-60); I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I hope so! Talked with my Honda salesman today and he said no discount off MSRP this year on '08s (didn't sit well with me) and October is earliest he can deliver an EX-L V6 coupe if I order this month. We'll see how the car is in person... :dunno:

Speed: 0-60 of 7.1/9.3 for V6/I4 is okay but not what I'd hoped for

How is that rating even near accurate?

My 11yr old Accord (4cyl) is...
1996 Honda Accord LX AT 8.9 sec

And the newer models are...
7.8 I4MT 2006 Honda Accord LX
8.5 I4AT 2006 Honda Accord LX
6.2 V6AT 2006 Honda Accord EX-L
5.9 V6MT 2006 Honda Accord EX-L

How is that rating even near accurate?

My 11yr old Accord (4cyl) is...
1996 Honda Accord LX AT 8.9 sec

And the newer models are...
7.8 I4MT 2006 Honda Accord LX
8.5 I4AT 2006 Honda Accord LX
6.2 V6AT 2006 Honda Accord EX-L
5.9 V6MT 2006 Honda Accord EX-L

I think that's the manufacturer's rating and thus tends to be conservative. Also the 2008 is much heavier than the 1996 models.

I hope so! Talked with my Honda salesman today and he said no discount off MSRP this year on '08s (didn't sit well with me) and October is earliest he can deliver an EX-L V6 coupe if I order this month. We'll see how the car is in person... :dunno:

I seriously doubt that they'll stick to msrp for a whole year especially considering how high msrp supposedly will be on the 08's. Maybe for like the month after they come out or untill the 07's are off the lot (MAYBE), but not a year, or even close. Your sales guy is trying to sell you a car for msrp since he knows your interested prior to their release. These aren't civic SI's or little trendy racers that can indeed sell for msrp due to high demand relative to supply. Many of the buyers will be happy enough with a Camry (myself included if I were looking at 8th gens) so they cannot afford to lose those sales unless they want to shoot themselves in the feet. As soon as sales stagnate while they are selling at msrp (relative to past accord sales) it'll be business as usual.


I rarely see manufacturers listing 0-60 times. When I've seen this it's been sort of a preview of approx. what to expect from the car (generally a sports car). I've NEVER seen honda list a 0-60 time. Usually these numbers come from car and driver or some other magazine posting a review of the car AFTER it has been released. God, if the new accords are indeed 3600lbs, I'll be EXTRA EXTRA glad I got a 7th gen.

I think that's the manufacturer's rating and thus tends to be conservative. Also the 2008 is much heavier than the 1996 models.

When you compare 130HP to 180-200HP it makes a huge difference though. The weight is not drastically higher.

Although I will admit that they are in two different weight classes for sure.:yes:

I'm doubtful that Honda would build a slower Accord, but like you said, the ratings are probably conservative.

God, if the new accords are indeed 3600lbs, I'll be EXTRA EXTRA glad I got a 7th gen.

If the Accord weighs more, so will the TL no doubt.

Add SH-AWD to the mix with the new TL then you have a real heavyweight.:paranoid:

Maybe the next generation Civic can be like the new Accord for those of you who enjoy modding Accords. Bigger isn't always better! :(

Does a second or two on 0-60 really matter? I personaly put that a long way down my list of things I like - want- need from a car.. :dunno:

The Accord is a very reliable family car. If that's what you want, then get one. :yes:

But if you want a sporty car, then the Accord is not the ideal choice.. :dunno:

But.... I have no idea what's available on the US market, so maybe it is?..:dunno:
.

Does a second or two on 0-60 really matter? I personaly put that a long way down my list of things I like - want- need from a car.. :dunno:

The Accord is a very reliable family car. If that's what you want, then get one. :yes:

But if you want a sporty car, then the Accord is not the ideal choice.. :dunno:

But.... I have no idea what's available on the US market, so maybe it is?..:dunno:
.

exactly. the accord is targeted as a family car. NOT a race car. not a high performance sports sedan, that's the tsx/tl. reliable family car with enough performance to outdo the camry for people that enjoy driving vs. just getting around. and in my opinion the accord has always accomplished this very well and it has worked for selling cars. most people in the market for an accord aren't interested in paying a penney more because there is a limited slip diff or anything like that. most consumers looking for a family sedan don't give a rip about that. they make the civic si for punks that think they are getting a cheap race car.

james.... the people posting these desires are not in target market group in america.

Where the hell are you getting the 0-60 numbers?? I havent seen anything printed in any of the auto rags yet...

If it indeed has the 3.5, it should easily pull low 6's...

Where the hell are you getting the 0-60 numbers?? I havent seen anything printed in any of the auto rags yet...

If it indeed has the 3.5, it should easily pull low 6's...
Keep in mind Honda has not publicly confirmed the above stats, so they might be inaccurate. Also, these are my personal feelings and others will feel differently about it.

Does this answer your question? ^^^

I could see the MT pulling high 5's and the AT pulling mid 6's since they'll probably get taller gearing due to the extra low end torque.

If the Accord weighs more, so will the TL no doubt.

Add SH-AWD to the mix with the new TL then you have a real heavyweight.:paranoid:

Maybe the next generation Civic can be like the new Accord for those of you who enjoy modding Accords. Bigger isn't always better! :(

If the new TL weighs that much and will have SH-AWD, might as well just rebadge the current RL as the next gen TL. Kind of lame imo, especially if they lack the stick shift like the RL.

Does this answer your question? ^^^

I could see the MT pulling high 5's and the AT pulling mid 6's since they'll probably get taller gearing due to the extra low end torque.

No, it dosent, because this:

Speed: 0-60 of 7.1/9.3 for V6/I4 is okay but not what I'd hoped for

Dosen't reflect someone's "personal feelings"

Where the hell are you getting the 0-60 numbers?? I havent seen anything printed in any of the auto rags yet...

If it indeed has the 3.5, it should easily pull low 6's...

The 0-60 times are from a Honda Ride & Drive event. No doubt auto mags will get a lower time than 7.1 seconds from 0-60, but remember that they abuse the car, usually have race car drivers run them and often adjust times lower to compensate for environmental conditions. Hence manufacturers' times probably are more reproducible for ordinary drivers.

The curb weight of the EX-L V6 is 3583 pounds, apparently due to an increase in size, features and safety items. Sounds porky to me!

No DOHC for V6, which is a disappointment. Am wondering if variable valve timing is only on intake valves.

I don't see how who is driving the car has that much of an impact on 0-60 times or how not compensating for environmental factors can account for that slow of a 0-60. At 5000+ feet I could (actually) get a better 0-60 on my stock 6mt than that, let alone at any lower altitude. Pretty much, as long as you are a capable driver, you should be able to reach something at least close to the 0-60 as a much better driver can. Accelerating is not very complicated sorry to say. 7.1 seconds is pretty slow for a 3500ish lb car that supposedly has close to 270 hp. I smell BS coming from somewhere like usual during any conversation about the 8th gens where people choose to use fabricated info. The power, weight, 0-60 times and estimated economy do not add up right. And if the specs and numbers that people have been posting are indeed the correct ones (which they obviously aren't), then the 08 accord will be the most disappointing honda to date (drive-wise) unless honda REALLY improves the handling characteristics/build quality with this MY accord (and I mean a freaking lot). This is why I hate people making up numbers/specs.

I must say that I like the new accord. I have a 02 accord now but its time to get a new one. Im looking to buy in Dec. I like the way the new accord looks. It looks a bit more upscale now. The car reminds me of the lexus es. I like the accord for the way it drives and rides. I have a 5 speed now and no longer need to shift all the time so im looking for auto. To make up for the fun of a 5 speed im going to get the v6.

I must say I cant wait for the car. I like everything about it.

I did not like the 7th gen untill I drove a 4cy auto as a rental from the honda dealer. That car could move.

I just wish honda would put all the same option on the 4cy exl as they do on the v6 exl

The current base TL is faster than 7.1 despite having less power, a smaller engine, and more weight (3636#), so I think Honda is probably doing a little sandbagging with the new Accord.

I must say that I like the new accord. I have a 02 accord now but its time to get a new one. Im looking to buy in Dec. I like the way the new accord looks. It looks a bit more upscale now. The car reminds me of the lexus es. I like the accord for the way it drives and rides. I have a 5 speed now and no longer need to shift all the time so im looking for auto. To make up for the fun of a 5 speed im going to get the v6.

I must say I cant wait for the car. I like everything about it.

I did not like the 7th gen untill I drove a 4cy auto as a rental from the honda dealer. That car could move.

I just wish honda would put all the same option on the 4cy exl as they do on the v6 exl

That you, Ed Grimly?