LX or LX-P?

[atomiclightbulb]

I will probably buy an Accord sometime in the future, and I'm debating whether the LX-P's features will be useful to me.

Honda's website says:

The Accord LX Premium Sedan adds to or replaces LX features with: 16" alloy wheels, a security system, a chrome exhaust finisher, auto-up/down driver's and front passenger's windows, illuminated window switches and 8-way power adjustment for the driver's seat.

Alloy Wheels - I've read that alloy wheels are lighter than steel and better for performance and handling. I'm not a performance oriented driver though. Are there any other advantages to Alloy wheels?

Security System - good for peace of mind.

Chrome exhaust finisher - does this do anything besides look nice?

auto-up/down driver's and front passenger's windows, illuminated window switches and 8-way power adjustment for the driver's seat - Nice features, but I don't think they are necessary. Oddly, I've never liked power seats.

Thoughts?

[2006AS]

Depending on how much more the Premium package adds to the price. I agree with you that none of those items included are essential.

* The alloy wheels will just look nicer, not necessarily perform better.
* As for the security system I am sure an aftermarket system is better.
* Chrome exhaust finisher is just for looks
* Of these the only feature that I really like is the auto up/down windows. Once you get used to it you wont want to do without it.

[atomiclightbulb]

* Of these the only feature that I really like is the auto up/down windows. Once you get used to it you wont want to do without it.

This is true. I find it quite handy on my current vehicle. I downloaded the '08 Accord driver's manual, and the LX does have a auto up/down on the driver side. The Honda website doesn't make this clear.

[Accordlover]

* As for the security system I am sure an aftermarket system is better.

Probably so, but he'll have to use the Honda key/remote combo (the LX does have keyless entry, and the remote is no different than the LX-P & EX models) even after he installs an aftermarket unit. It's pictured below.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/ly/images/03accord_4.jpg

If you're as anal as me, having a remote, and a bulky key/remote combo, I'd go mad.

The LX-P is a better value in my opinion; I had steel wheels on my Accord LX, and I ended up having to replace 3 of them because they bent. ($99.00 each from Honda) - I ultimately ended up with a set of alloys, they're more durable in terms of strength than steel.

I think the alloy's, security system, and the auto-up/down are worth it to me.

Ultimately, you'll just have to decide what means more. A few bucks less a month, or a few more features.

[flcma99]

The M.S.R.P. difference is $1,000.

The security system alone is probably 1/4 of that.
The wheels are probably easily the other 3/4.

Then you also get the other niceties on top of that!

I know I always added the Honda Alarm (becuase I am anal about extra remotes and such) to DX models back before the immobilizer and the addition of security on the EX models. It is a nice deterrent and saves on car insurance; nothing will stop a real professional that targets your car.

[atomiclightbulb]

Hmm... I am leaning towards the LX-P then. Well, I will probably be looking at a new Accord one or two years from now. I might go higher than an LX-P, depending on how much $ I can save.

Thanks for all your perspectives!

[Accordlover]

Hmm... I am leaning towards the LX-P then. Well, I will probably be looking at a new Accord one or two years from now. I might go higher than an LX-P, depending on how much $ I can save.

Thanks for all your perspectives!

No need to even think about trims now then.

Honda switches them up quite a bit every two years it seems.

[flcma99]

No need to even think about trims now then.

Honda switches them up quite a bit every two years it seems.

Yeah, we might have the highly anticipated Accord SI by then .... :dunno:




..... j/k!!! A little wishful thinking!!! :thmsup: And, an opprotunity that couldn't be passed up!

I agree there are always "gives" and "takes" in the trim package alignments, especially as the MMC approaches in the fall of 2010 (2011 model year).

[flcma99]

I just saw the wheel covers on the "LX" trim package. Let's hope they don't wait for the MMC to update those things. UGL-L-L-L-Y!! :puke:

Get the LX-P or plan on buying aftermarket wheels and tires if you get an LX. Heck, I think Wal-Mart wheel covers would look better.

[mwmcginn]

If the alloys were the only thing, you could ebay a set, but you are probably looking at 400-500 anyway, so I'd go up the next level.

[goose7589]

I decided on the LX-P, as you can see my '96 was an LX.

My decision came down to the alloy wheels and security system. I don't really care about power seats. I tend to position the seat in a comfortable position and leave it there forever anyway.

[BenzAccord]

1. (Other than for looks) Not 100% sure of this, but don't alloy wheels allow more air to reach the brake discs? If that is the case, cooler brakes = faster stopping

2. As for power seats, this is the reason for considering them: You get so many settings on the manual ones for how far forward/back you put the seat. The power seats have infinite settings. If one setting on the manual seats is too far forward, and the other is too far back, you want power seats - again, not too big a deal for most of us.

3. The security system: I was going to buy that for my 2007 (my trim level didn't come with it), but the salesman talked me out of it. His argument was that the key already has the chip it in, and that is a good theft deterrent by itself. The alarm part really doesn't get you much, nobody cares when they hear a car alarm go off.

4. 2007 has auto up/down power window on drivers side only. I sure wish I had it on both sides.

[messfeeder]

3. The security system: I was going to buy that for my 2007 (my trim level didn't come with it), but the salesman talked me out of it. His argument was that the key already has the chip it in, and that is a good theft deterrent by itself. The alarm part really doesn't get you much, nobody cares when they hear a car alarm go off.


I care when I get a discount on insurance!:naughty: But I agree that nobody comes running to save a car from being stolen when the alarm goes off. It's more of a nuisance than anything.

[HondaPOD]

I would get the LX-P. It's only 1,000 dollars more and weel worth it. The alloys are the major part of this.

[Mel]

When I bought my accord, there was the LX and an LXP to choose from. There is a big difference if you see them side-by-side. The LX is a base model and it LOOKS like a base model (meaning bland and plain). The hub caps look awful, no chrome trim, it pretty much looks like it belongs in a rental lot.

Trust me, if you get the LX, you'll find yourself wishing that you got the LXP or EX a couple months later.

[Heckler]

IMHO, buying a car with hub caps is prob the worst decision anyone could ever make. No disrespect intended. Nothing kills me worse than seeing a good looking car destroyed by hubcaps. They look absolutely terrible. I hate them. I don't see how anyone could buy a car with them.

Point is, unless you plan on adding wheels later (sounds like you don't) I would get the premium package just for the alloys. :thmsup:

just my $0.02

[BenjiBoy650]

IMHO, buying a car with hub caps is prob the worst decision anyone could ever make. No disrespect intended.

So if I had no use for any of the other features, I should still spend the extra $1000 to get the alloy wheels when I know that down the line, someone is going to be throwing away a perfectly good set of EX alloys that I could buy for $400 and save the rest for a real good set of tires? :dunno: They would look better than the LX-P alloys too :thumbsup:

I've always HATED power seats...never get comfortable in them. The security system is pretty useless, as long as it has keyless entry that'd be enough for me. Auto up/down windows I don't know...never had them and don't really need them now that we use FasTrak on all the toll bridges, no need to roll down the window. And if you're financing, that $1000 makes a difference, not to mention on tax too.

But hey, that's just me. I think another factor that may contribute to the decision is how dealers are willing to bargain on it. You might find that due to supply and demand, maybe the LX and LX-P out the door prices may be only a couple hundred apart, or they could be more than $1000 apart...or maybe you might only find the color you want on an LX at the time you want to buy.

[HondaPOD]

So if I had no use for any of the other features, I should still spend the extra $1000 to get the alloy wheels when I know that down the line, someone is going to be throwing away a perfectly good set of EX alloys that I could buy for $400 and save the rest for a real good set of tires? :dunno: They would look better than the LX-P alloys too :thumbsup:

I've always HATED power seats...never get comfortable in them. The security system is pretty useless, as long as it has keyless entry that'd be enough for me. Auto up/down windows I don't know...never had them and don't really need them now that we use FasTrak on all the toll bridges, no need to roll down the window. And if you're financing, that $1000 makes a difference, not to mention on tax too.

But hey, that's just me. I think another factor that may contribute to the decision is how dealers are willing to bargain on it. You might find that due to supply and demand, maybe the LX and LX-P out the door prices may be only a couple hundred apart, or they could be more than $1000 apart...or maybe you might only find the color you want on an LX at the time you want to buy.

Good point on the color thing. I really wouldn't care about getting an LX/ a car with hubcaps, that doesn't bother me at all. I, personally like having a sunroof [VERY MUCH USED] and the different cloth/leather though.