It does feel bigger, but if anything

IT FEELS CHEAP!

The dash, the console, the armrest bin, the silver plastic on the steering wheel

- i had smoother plastic on my lego blocks in 1985!

Between the smell of the pleather and the texture of the plastics, I felt only one thing in the drivers seat:


HYUNDAI.

:thumbsdown:

Are you serious? I highly doubt the plastic of the lego blocks in 1985 would be smoother than that in the 08 Accord. I could be wrong though

I thought that the plastic is supposed to have the "textured" look. If it were smooth, the plastic would likely be more shiny and produce a lot of glare during the day.

So to an extent, this is a point I was trying to make in my earlier post of my experience while sitting in an '08. What I've found with Honda products is that, over the years, they've taken an approach with their interior plastic that's moving from smooth to rough, and in some cases even non-padded when it used to be. If you sit in our former '04 Civic EX - which maps the final years of the previous generation of the Civic, and compare the interior plastics to the '08 Accord - there's a definite lack of "finish" with the new model. When someone says the plastic is "rough", what I interpret that to mean is that the surface has gone from semi-gloss to very rough matte - almost to the point that if you dragged a tissue across it, the roughness would grab the fibres from the tissue and leave them behind. I noticed this with my 7th gen Accord, in that some of the dash panels really loved to hang onto the fibres in the paper towel after cleaning (especially the black middle section on the top of the dash). The 8th gen accord has much more of this style of plastic, and in places that typically had padded plastic panels before. So while the design of the dash is very likeable, the materials used are very strange. Does it have something to do with the plastic "emissions" they speak of with new cars, and trying to reduce them? Is it an anti-glare approach? Or are the plastics easier to manufacture with that finish? Not sure - but the difference is there, and it's been an evolving one over the past several gens of Honda products.

andy

It does feel bigger, but if anything

IT FEELS CHEAP!

The dash, the console, the armrest bin, the silver plastic on the steering wheel

- i had smoother plastic on my lego blocks in 1985!

Between the smell of the pleather and the texture of the plastics, I felt only one thing in the drivers seat:


HYUNDAI.

:thumbsdown:

:thmsup:LOL. That's a heck of an opinion you've got there:lmao:. All I can say is the new accord does not feel cheap IMO and you're entitled to yours but I'd like to see some info to back that up...what specifically feels cheap about the car? The console is a great feature with the ipod hookup and extra 12v power source. The armrest bin has good quality leather and has a nice sliding feature. and the trim...

I thought that the plastic is supposed to have the "textured" look. If it were smooth, the plastic would likely be more shiny and produce a lot of glare during the day.

Exactly, the plastic is supposed to be textured so that it doesn't shine too much and doesn't look like lego blocks...apparently it's good for the trim to look like legos? Anyways, very few cars have trim that's not made of plastic and it usually looks good as is the case with the 08s interior. The silver plastic trim looks way better than the alternative "plood" IMO. The plood is the only reason I didn't like the tan interior in an 08 but both interiors look good.

So to an extent, this is a point I was trying to make in my earlier post of my experience while sitting in an '08. What I've found with Honda products is that, over the years, they've taken an approach with their interior plastic that's moving from smooth to rough, and in some cases even non-padded when it used to be. If you sit in our former '04 Civic EX - which maps the final years of the previous generation of the Civic, and compare the interior plastics to the '08 Accord - there's a definite lack of "finish" with the new model. When someone says the plastic is "rough", what I interpret that to mean is that the surface has gone from semi-gloss to very rough matte - almost to the point that if you dragged a tissue across it, the roughness would grab the fibres from the tissue and leave them behind. I noticed this with my 7th gen Accord, in that some of the dash panels really loved to hang onto the fibres in the paper towel after cleaning (especially the black middle section on the top of the dash). The 8th gen accord has much more of this style of plastic, and in places that typically had padded plastic panels before. So while the design of the dash is very likeable, the materials used are very strange. Does it have something to do with the plastic "emissions" they speak of with new cars, and trying to reduce them? Is it an anti-glare approach? Or are the plastics easier to manufacture with that finish? Not sure - but the difference is there, and it's been an evolving one over the past several gens of Honda products.

andy

I've only cleaned the interior of my car once so far since I bought it. There are no places on the dash or door panels that feel abnormally rough to me, and the quality of materials is good. To adress the silver trim specifically,it has a sort of matt finish but it is not rough, not even a little....not tissue would ever snag on it..period. While some may not like the leather for reasons stated, the leather is of good quality IMO, we own an 02 mercedes c320 with leather and all the options, this was over 40k when we bought it new in 2002, a comparable c class now runs around the mid 40s. The leather and interior in general of the accord feel similar and definitely comparable to the mercedes, that says a lot. We have several friends who own and have owned different models of BMWs and the interior of theire cars (5 series, 3 series, and x5) are not noticably better than the accords. I think people automatically assume the more expensive brands have better interiors, better leather etc and their projections of what the car should be like carry over into their opinions of the car without even failry comparing it to others. The fact is that the interior of the mb has a more quality feel because of all the extras that it has like the power controls galore for the drivers' seat, passenger seat, steering wheel and rear power sunshade etc. But the quality of the interior is no better, just has more "bells and whistles" if you will. The days of a smooth, shiny dash are dated and not just in relation to honda, the materials used on almost all cars have changed to rougher, toned down surfaces, no more spraying armor all on your dash to make it shinier than the exterior paint!:lmao:That always looked goofy to me LOL. I think the textured surfaces that have less of a shine to them tend to look more expensive and they are definitetly the trend in the auto world. It looks better, it feels better, it will sell better IMO

I totally agree that the interior plastic trim peices look cheap when compared to the 7th gen.. they lack that tactile appeal.. they don't say touch me I feel supple

i can semi-agree, BUT only on one piece of the interior do i get that feel-the door handles. (well, i imagine the silver trim on the steering wheel is the same though, but i don't forsee that being noticeable to anyone but the driver and even in that ase, it would be a rare occurance because you simply don't normally touch that area of the steering wheel. looks wise, the fake metal/silver looks fine. however, i REALLY like the brushed metal look in the 7th gens. i miss it in my tsx which has the matte look, but not a brushed look.

anyway, i didn't feel the interior looked or felt cheap beyond that. to each his own though........

as far as the 7th gen's go, i really liked the dash material. it had a slight cushion to it as well. it did grab fibers on the microfiber from time to time, but i don't feel that was at all due to cheap plastics or anything of the sort. i think it was a coincidence more than anything else.

ps~i remember a year and half or so ago when stevel brought a newer porsche home for the evening and i just could not get over how cheap the plastic in there felt...... :lmao:

I'm sorry but in my experience no Honda product has had quite the fit and finish of a BMW interior. Its not just the extra controls, things are more solid and you find very little hard plastic pieces. Most everything is padded and that is reflected in the quiet ride that you experience in the cabin. Comparing my dad's 5 series to my 7th gen. Accord leaves plenty to be desired in the Accord. For me I prefer the padded material that is used for some parts of the Accord dash, and I don't like the hard plastic around the speedometer and above the center stack. In the BMW, everything is covered in this padded material and I'm sure that this contributes to the quiet factor. I haven't actually been inside of the new Accord to compare, but if there is a lot of hard plastic, whether it be textured or not, I see that as a step down. Even my old '91 CRX and my fiance's '00 civic had/have dashes that are almost entirely padded material.

I honestly never looked at the interior of a 7th gen too much just because the car in general was soo bland before 08 that I wouldn't even sit in it, much less take it for a test drive. That's not to say that the previous accord was a bad car. To the contrary, I think that all accords are great cars but it just didn't have that visual appeal to me exterior wise. It's kind of like a house with no curb appeal, the inside may be great but good luck getting a pontential buyer in the front door of a house with a neglected exterior. From the pics I've seen on here, the interior was nice though. I like the design of it, but prefer the 08 design still. It seems to me that most of the 7th gen owners will not prefer the 08 accord and vice versa. I guess maybe the 08 accord is geared toward a different crowd than it's predecessor?:dunno:

I'm sorry but in my experience no Honda product has had quite the fit and finish of a BMW interior. Its not just the extra controls, things are more solid and you find very little hard plastic pieces. Most everything is padded and that is reflected in the quiet ride that you experience in the cabin. Comparing my dad's 5 series to my 7th gen. Accord leaves plenty to be desired in the Accord. For me I prefer the padded material that is used for some parts of the Accord dash, and I don't like the hard plastic around the speedometer and above the center stack. In the BMW, everything is covered in this padded material and I'm sure that this contributes to the quiet factor. I haven't actually been inside of the new Accord to compare, but if there is a lot of hard plastic, whether it be textured or not, I see that as a step down. Even my old '91 CRX and my fiance's '00 civic had/have dashes that are almost entirely padded material.

You think the padding has something to do with the quietness of the ride? I guess it could, I never thought that the padding may serve some purpose in that...But I really don't see the need for padding myself. If you are looking for a car with padding, this may not be the car for you as the only parts that are really padded are the seats. I don't plan to sit on the dash so I don't have a need for the dash padding lol. One of my friends bought a TSX about a year ago and it was a nice car in my opinion, he just bought a new 3 series last month so maybe he wasn't impressed by the honda interior either? I didn't ask his reason for purchasing the bmw.

I honestly never looked at the interior of a 7th gen too much just because the car in general was soo bland before 08 that I wouldn't even sit in it, much less take it for a test drive.

Different philosophy I suppose, I sit inside of the car and the interior is therefore the part of the vehicle that I am exposed to the most. As a result the interior of a vehicle is as important (if not more) than the exterior.

I will not comment of my personal perception of the exterior appearance of the 7th gen as it is purely subjective.


You think the padding has something to do with the quietness of the ride? I guess it could, I never thought that the padding may serve some purpose in that...

"padding" most definitely can serve as a method for sound deadening...

console is a great feature with the ipod hookup and extra 12v power source

FYI - 7th gen also had the extra 12v connection in the armrest and the armrest slid as well.

"padding" most definitely can serve as a method for sound deadning...

So, since it's been restated, I have to ask...How does a padded dash reduce noise exactly? I'm not questioning that it may reduce noise just wondering what noise it would reduce and how? Since the padded portion of the dash you were referring to is on top, the bottom and inards are still regular plastic. That means the padded parts are not in obstruction of anything that makes noise. Since they are not in front of firewall they wouldn't block any engine noise, since they are not over the floorboards they wouldn't block any road noise? There aren't any components in the dash itself that produce any significant amount of noise:dunno: What noise do they block specifically? It sounds possible that cushy surfaces could reduce some noise but I've never heard it positively stated that they do.

So, since it's been restated, I have to ask...How does a padded dash reduce noise exactly? I'm not questioning that it may reduce noise just wondering what noise it would reduce and how? Since the padded portion of the dash you were referring to is on top, the bottom and inards are still regular plastic. That means the padded parts are not in obstruction of anything that makes noise. Since they are not in front of firewall they wouldn't block any engine noise, since they are not over the floorboards they wouldn't block any road noise? There aren't any components in the dash itself that produce any significant amount of noise:dunno: What noise do they block specifically? It sounds possible that cushy surfaces could reduce some noise but I've never heard it positively stated that they do.

Sound can resonate through the vehicle given the right path.. We have had noises that seem to emanate from the front of a vehicle but have really originated from the rear and resonated through to the front.. Sound deadening materials CAN reduce such NVH.

I am not saying that the materials DID provide deadening, only saying that they can

EDIT: When I say we, I am refering to the company I work for which is a shock/strut/elastomer mfg for most of the OE's

I didnt mean to offend.

I suppose in the simplest of terms, I've been ruined by owning a car with superior dash materials in comparison. Believe it or not, the 1993 Mazda MX6 V6 had an almost plush feel on the dash, which not only covered the material on the passenger side and middle, but also was around the gauge cluster. One day in a near accident experience, I had a piece of computer equpiment in the backseat when i had to do a stand-on-brakes from 70mph to avoid a certain collission. The piece of computer equip came flying into the front and slammed the dash, just barely missing me. The sharp edge of the device literally CUT into the dash. It was nearly 3mm of padding! As is obvious, I loved this car and is ultimately a major factor in my choice of the Honda as its basically taken on the role of the MX6 in a bigger, more updated way. 205HP from a 2.5L and 2700lbs -> it was phenomenal for its time.

I currently own an 06 Coupe 6MT, enjoy it fine and dandy - it has its cheap, brittle, rough, pooey plastics in all the wrong places all on its own. I was simply thrown back by the AMOUNT of unpleasant materials present in these automobiles. If you own an LCD monitor for your computer, simply touch the trim around the edges and compare it to the plastic of the console or the "cup holder" do-hickey. If you can't tell a difference, then more power to ya. As for me, shelling out 30,000 dollars is a 10 year commitment that still makes me grit my teeth. On that level, I do expect the very best for my cash, and when I'm able to bend the plastic "bars" on the steering wheel with my tiny fingers or twist the storage bin with the touch of a hand -- I'm not feeling like I got 30,000 dollars worth of anything.

So, since it's been restated, I have to ask...How does a padded dash reduce noise exactly? I'm not questioning that it may reduce noise just wondering what noise it would reduce and how? Since the padded portion of the dash you were referring to is on top, the bottom and inards are still regular plastic. That means the padded parts are not in obstruction of anything that makes noise. Since they are not in front of firewall they wouldn't block any engine noise, since they are not over the floorboards they wouldn't block any road noise? There aren't any components in the dash itself that produce any significant amount of noise:dunno: What noise do they block specifically? It sounds possible that cushy surfaces could reduce some noise but I've never heard it positively stated that they do.

simply put, rub 2 pillows together. not very noisey, right? now scream into said pillow. muffles the sound, right?

now grab 2 tupperware containers. rub those together. alot more noise than the pillows rubbing together, right? now scream into the tupperware container. not very muffled at all, right?

kind of a drastic example, but i think it simplifies why the padded dash may help make things less noisey overall. :thmsup:

(you can also do this by putting the pillow over your head with loud music on in the room and then do the same with the tupperware container if ya choose...)

It seems to me that the quality of plastics used in the Accord has been getting cheaper from generation to generation. I guess you could call it cost cutting. I still can't get over the 08' not having rear AC vents.

simply put, rub 2 pillows together. not very noisey, right? now scream into said pillow. muffles the sound, right?

now grab 2 tupperware containers. rub those together. alot more noise than the pillows rubbing together, right? now scream into the tupperware container. not very muffled at all, right?

kind of a drastic example, but i think it simplifies why the padded dash may help make things less noisey overall. :thmsup:

(you can also do this by putting the pillow over your head with loud music on in the room and then do the same with the tupperware container if ya choose...)

:lmao:HAHA, I think that description is more than a little exaggerated but thanks:lmao: Like I said before, I also don't believe the padding on the dash to be in the right location or a sufficient enough amount of it to make any real difference in noise reduction. The difference in thickness and amount of padding is not going to be that big either, a more fair comparison would be a pillow cover over a peice of plastic as compared to a peice of plastic IMO

It seems to me that the quality of plastics used in the Accord has been getting cheaper from generation to generation. I guess you could call it cost cutting. I still can't get over the 08' not having rear AC vents.

Now that is something I found to be odd too. Did the previous generation not have it either? and I guess it isn't even an option on the 08'?

I also don't like the fact that Honda is tending to use more hard plastics than it did before. My 95's dash was (if I remember correctly), pretty much completely covered in that soft leather type material. It was all very solid and had little flex. My 7th gen accord has significantly more plastic panels where they used to be leather, though it's not all plastic so I'm not terribly bent out of shape about it.

I do not might the roughness though. In fact, I think I would prefer a rough plastic to a smooth plastic, especially higher on the dash, as smooth can glare, and look dirty very quickly. At least when it has some texture you won't notice the imperfections as easily. I find when I clean it that sometimes things do cling, but this seems to be more because of static electricity than the roughness of the plastic.

I also don't get too much noise coming in from the dash. I get more noise coming in through the rear of the car, and around the back seats. Though, I can't complain about too much here as, outside of luxury type cars, most cars have always lessened the quality of the materials around the lesser used rear seats, I assume to help keep costs down a little bit.

If there is one part of the interior that I will say I truly hate because of the excessive use of hard plastics, it would be the door panels. They are extremely flimsy and lack the sturdiness that I have known in most other cars I've ridden in. The plastic is also not padded where it makes contact w/ the door, so that creates some fun creaking noises. Anyway, basically, the doors seem like the cheapest and most low quality part of the accord's interior to me.

I can't comment on the 08's use of hard plastics and cheap materials as I haven't sat in one yet. Maybe someday, though I'm not terribly interested so probably not.

I didnt mean to offend.


No worries, your thread was meant with good intent... feathers some time get ruffled when distastes are voiced on their model/make/year/mod.

Anysia... HILARIOUS!!!

08EXL: You'd be amazed at what a thin layer it takes to substantially reduce noise/vibration.

As I alluded to in my previous post , such deadening materials (if the sound is structural in nature as opposed to airborne) can be placed in the path that the sound travels and not necessarily at the initial point... Again, I am not saying that was the "purpose" of the materials being spoken of that have been omitted - just a hypothesis

I also don't like the fact that Honda is tending to use more hard plastics than it did before. My 95's dash was (if I remember correctly), pretty much completely covered in that soft leather type material. It was all very solid and had little flex. My 7th gen accord has significantly more plastic panels where they used to be leather, though it's not all plastic so I'm not terribly bent out of shape about it.

No Honda dash had leather in 1995... but I think I understand what you mean.

My Accord is a 1996, and it shares the same materials as that one anyways; what I've found is that it's very nice, soft, luxurious etc. BUT, and this a big but! :lmao:

Even my door panels are completely covered in soft vinyl like stuff with padding under it (the entire door!), and over time, things that struck the doors getting in and out of the car causing small nicks and tears that allow you to see the yellow padding underneath. Not the greatest thing in my opinion. The dash also glares like no other. The interior is VERY easy to clean though.:thmsup:

Someone commented about their 02 Mercedes having just as good of interior materials.

My C240, Dad's Volvo S40, and my Accord all have 'padded' dashes. I wish I had more comparison directed photos, but you can kind of see how they all share that similarity below...
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P3160882-1.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P7220006.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010630.jpg

As long as you know what I mean. It feels similar to leather, I just didn't know how to describe it better. I don't remember it glaring though, maybe that's something that comes w/ age? I really like the 5th gen accords. My favorite generation. Ultra simple interior and basic looks, but still very modern looking. Extremely solid drive, I got amazing gas mileage w/ decent fun-factor. I love my 7th gen though, it's a lot of fun, and has a lot more features, though feels bigger (though handles better after a few upgrades that I never bothered w/ on my 5th gen).

It's been interesting reading all the opinions on the 2008 Accord.

I will preface my comments by saying I have owned numerous Hondas back in the glory days when Honda had a single focus of building the most fun to drive cars available to the masses... to hell with those who said the interiors were a little smaller compared to the competition (a result of building smaller, more sensibly-sized vehicles) and foregoing traditional upright grilles in order to build cars with the lowest hood lines/fenders in the industry (and having the lowest dashboards and best visibility in the process).

Tell me, what other family sedan had a hood so low (as the '86-'89 Accords did) that they styled their car with pop-up headlights (not hidden headlights...POP-UP)? Only a company confident in their mission. Honda. When you drove a late 80's Accord or Civic or Prelude or CRX you were driving something no other maker came close to copying or had the guts to attempt. That is my frame of reference.

I am actually sad to see the average age (meaning half above:thumbsdow, half below) of Accord buyers is now 50. It is obvious Honda is targeting the 50+ crowd with the 2008. Young people (and those young at heart:)) are not clamoring for a bigger, wider, heavier Accord.

In fact Honda should have done what Toyota did with the Camry... keep it under the magic 190 inches and increase interior volume and trunk space through Honda's top-notch engineering team. That used to be Honda's ace card: so much space in a smaller package than the other guys.

Look at the new Civic. Honda bagged the old conservative Civic for a much racier design... with a slightly smaller interior... in order to bring home those Hondaphiles who abandoned the previous model. The Civic is now closer to what Honda's used to be.

Heck, they should have dropped some weight on the '08 Accord while they were at it and see even higher mileage gains and even better handling (more weight and sheetmetal are anathema to sportiness... notice Corvettes and Nissan Z's are now smaller and lighter than their predesessors and they are much better). This is why some of us lament Honda's lost focus.

Imagine if Honda replaced the s2000 with something 400 lbs heavier and 6 inches longer. Some on here would have me believe increased weight and size doesn't matter. Well... the s2000 would cease to be the focused sports car it is today. Some would cheer for the increased size, and the s2000 purists would defend their old models to the death.

Look how the Miata has changed through the years. Many earlier owners hate the larger size and growing weight. How about current Scion owners who are cringing at the xB growing so much and seeing what was to them something special, suddenly morph into a car that appeals to the older crowd (longer! wider! heavier!). I feel thier pain.

As far as the interior plastics: it's a losing battle. No question soft, squishy materials are disappearing from Japanese vehicles. This while GM and Ford are moving to fully padded dashes and doors and even covering the dashes in stitched leather (a la 2008 CTS)! I really dislike the increased use of hard plastics... especially the window sills where my arm rests with the window open, the door bottoms that don't have carpet on them anymore, and the bottom half of the dash where your knees are apt to bump into.

Obviously, car building is a zero sum game... add cost here, take it out there. No free lunches anymore. Mercedes used to build cars to be the best in every respect and how ever much that cost to do, dictated what price the customer paid. Now, even Mercedes must build it's cars to not be the absolute best (think tank-like), but good enough at whatever price point the beancouters have targeted.

I had hoped the 2008 Accord was going to get even sportier looking, remedy the weaknesses of the gen7, increase power, and add items the competition is making standard or at least widely available (HID's, smart-key). Instead, Honda has made the Accord bigger than an RL (with more upright, formal cues) and given the seniors and those young people old at heart, a car (more traditional and formal) they can lust after.

Other than the Accord Coupe (with it's own drawbacks as far as passenger access) Honda will lose customers like me that want mid-size dimensions and room for five (and a V6). Sure there's the TSX (will never buy a four) and the TL (for that money I'd rather have RWD here in Florida), but then you're talking luxury prices.

No doubt the new Accord is better in many ways and is a great car in it's own right, but for this longtime Honda owner, bigger and more conservative cars are not to my liking.

But for my parents or in-laws?... perfect!:thmsup:

So, since it's been restated, I have to ask...How does a padded dash reduce noise exactly? I'm not questioning that it may reduce noise just wondering what noise it would reduce and how? Since the padded portion of the dash you were referring to is on top, the bottom and inards are still regular plastic. That means the padded parts are not in obstruction of anything that makes noise. Since they are not in front of firewall they wouldn't block any engine noise, since they are not over the floorboards they wouldn't block any road noise? There aren't any components in the dash itself that produce any significant amount of noise:dunno: What noise do they block specifically? It sounds possible that cushy surfaces could reduce some noise but I've never heard it positively stated that they do.
Part of the sound we hear is reflected off the surfaces around us. The hard surfaces reflect more noise than soft surfaces. That's why a carpeted room is usually quieter than one with hard floors. Quite a bit of the accoustical work done on modern cars involves surfaces and their angles in relation to sound sources and passenger positions. Of course, it's all factored with the compromises required by safety and other design goals. The smaller glass area of a Chrysler 300 for example, although inheritantly quieter, would not be acceptable for an Accord sedan, which has always been known for the open visibility feel. In my car, my audio system sounds slightly different when I pull the shade over the closed moonroof, even when parked with the engine off.

Waldo

Someone commented about their 02 Mercedes having just as good of interior materials.

That was me, and I do belive the quality of interior finishes to be very similar, the mercedes has a padded dash btw, no noticable difference in sound deadening though?

Part of the sound we hear is reflected off the surfaces around us. The hard surfaces reflect more noise than soft surfaces. That's why a carpeted room is usually quieter than one with hard floors. Quite a bit of the accoustical work done on modern cars involves surfaces and their angles in relation to sound sources and passenger positions. Of course, it's all factored with the compromises required by safety and other design goals. The smaller glass area of a Chrysler 300 for example, although inheritantly quieter, would not be acceptable for an Accord sedan, which has always been known for the open visibility feel. In my car, my audio system sounds slightly different when I pull the shade over the closed moonroof, even when parked with the engine off.

Again, I could see how it MAY theoretically make a difference but don't believe that a padded dash alone actually makes any significant difference there. As far as sound resonating, wouldn't a more textured dash with rougher surfaces diffuse more sound than a smoother one?


I am actually sad to see the average age (meaning half above, half below) of Accord buyers is now 50. It is obvious Honda is targeting the 50+ crowd with the 2008. Young people (and those young at heart) are not clamoring for a bigger, wider, heavier Accord.

No doubt the new Accord is better in many ways and is a great car in it's own right, but for this longtime Honda owner, bigger and more conservative cars are not to my liking.

But for my parents or in-laws?... perfect!


I'm 23 and was not a fan of the older bodystle, loved the new one. Take into account that I absolutely have to have a 4 door for my work though. I may be an exception to the rule but I honestly feel that the new edgier design will draw a younger crowd based on appeal alone, especially the coupe. I guess only time will tell:dunno: Again, the size difference between lat year and 08' is miniscule as is the weight difference, and I believe the 07 (and pre) have a far more conservative design than the 08'.

yes, i get the cheap feeling.
To be honest i thought they copied the interior design from the BMW~~~
just my opinion because to me it just look too similar to BMW's interior...
Sorry if i offended anyone...

yes, i get the cheap feeling.
To be honest i thought they copied the interior design from the BMW~~~
just my opinion because to me it just look too similar to BMW's interior...
Sorry if i offended anyone...

Definitely not offending me, I just tend to come across as a little offensive when stating my opinions sometimes. never mind that lol. I agree that there are some serious bmw knockoffs throughout the car's interior and exterior. For the most part, it looks good to me but it's no bmw. Nice for the money, but definitely not a 5 series.

I'm 23 and was not a fan of the older bodystle, loved the new one. Take into account that I absolutely have to have a 4 door for my work though. I may be an exception to the rule but I honestly feel that the new edgier design will draw a younger crowd based on appeal alone, especially the coupe. I guess only time will tell:dunno: Again, the size difference between lat year and 08' is miniscule as is the weight difference, and I believe the 07 (and pre) have a far more conservative design than the 08'.

You may well prove to be an exception. Ask yourself this question: if you didn't need to carry customers you were trying to make an impression on, but at 23 needed a four door for it's rear seat access and occasional passenger use, would you have bought a car as big as your 2008? I think most 20 and 30 somethings will probably be turned off at the 2008's sheer size. Mark my words... the Gen8 will raise the median age of Accord buyers, not lower them. And as we all know, it is imperative manufacturers lower their buyers ages, not keep raising them.

One other facet that is consistently misreported on here: the increase in size and weight from Gen7 to Gen 8 is NOT: "infintesimal", "miniscule", or "not important". Case in point:

* 2008 Accord and 2008 Avalon are almost exact copies in every size category and measurement. It's a fact. Did you know that an EXLV6 weighs more than an Avalon Limited?

My inlaws have a 2006 Avalon Limited. I have driven the car when they visit and we go out to dinner with them. The car is beautiful. It is soooo quiet, so smooth and sooo luxurious and spacious. Sure, it drives more like a typical Toyota than a Honda, but it is by no means sloppy and boat-like. I'd call it Lexus-lite. That being said, I would never consider a car that size... it's way too big for someone who loves to feel in control. And the exterior size is very noticable when we have had my Accord parked next to the Avalon in the garage. They ain't even close. Therefore, with the 2008 Accord being the same size, it too is overkill. How many of you current Gen6 or Gen7 Accord owners would go up to a new Avalon and immediately dismiss it for it's enlarged size and say "that's too big!"?. I think almost all. Yet, when the Accord matches an Avalon or Maxima in size now, some just say "so what?". Not me.

* Gen6 Accord to Gen7 Accord (2002 to 2003): weight gain on an EXLV6 was 60-80lbs. Size stayed identical except for a 1 inch gain in width. Yet, through Honda's magic, the Gen7 is larger inside than it's predesessors. That is what I call "miniscule"... not 189 in. in 2003 to 195 in. in 2008. And a weight gain of 216 lbs? That's a lot. That is what Detroit has been known for. I'm especially surprised at the weight gain, because engineers are known to pour over every ounce on every part on a new car design to ensure it is as light as can be.

So, does anyone here think Honda will make the Gen9 (2013) even bigger? Say, 200 inches long and 3900 lbs.? I mean, why not... if size and weight don't matter then "full speed ahead!". Or do many of you think like I do that the Gen9 will shrink in size and weight? If it does, then why? :scratch:

Because the average age of Accord buyer will move closer to 60 than to 40 with this new model, and Honda can't sustain that.

It makes sense to me that Honda would make the Accord bigger given that this country has a large aging population (aka, baby boomers) who typically like to drive larger cars. So in an effort to grab a share of this market they have increased the dimesions of the Accord. I don't know if this was Honda's strategy in making the Accord larger, but it makes sense to me. Plus its a safer car (see totalled 8 gen. thread) and I don't think anyone will complain about that. Its unfortunate for those of us wanting a smaller sedan, but that just how it is.

One other facet that is consistently misreported on here: the increase in size and weight from Gen7 to Gen 8 is NOT: "infintesimal", "miniscule", or "not important". Case in point:

* 2008 Accord and 2008 Avalon are almost exact copies in every size category and measurement. It's a fact. Did you know that an EXLV6 weighs more than an Avalon Limited?

My inlaws have a 2006 Avalon Limited. I have driven the car when they visit and we go out to dinner with them. The car is beautiful. It is soooo quiet, so smooth and sooo luxurious and spacious. Sure, it drives more like a typical Toyota than a Honda, but it is by no means sloppy and boat-like. I'd call it Lexus-lite. That being said, I would never consider a car that size... it's way too big for someone who loves to feel in control. And the exterior size is very noticable when we have had my Accord parked next to the Avalon in the garage. They ain't even close. Therefore, with the 2008 Accord being the same size, it too is overkill. How many of you current Gen6 or Gen7 Accord owners would go up to a new Avalon and immediately dismiss it for it's enlarged size and say "that's too big!"?. I think almost all. Yet, when the Accord matches an Avalon or Maxima in size now, some just say "so what?". Not me.

* Gen6 Accord to Gen7 Accord (2002 to 2003): weight gain on an EXLV6 was 60-80lbs. Size stayed identical except for a 1 inch gain in width. Yet, through Honda's magic, the Gen7 is larger inside than it's predesessors. That is what I call "miniscule"... not 189 in. in 2003 to 195 in. in 2008. And a weight gain of 216 lbs? That's a lot. That is what Detroit has been known for.

1. There's a 3.2 inch increase in length b between an 07' and 08' which is miniscule and not important IMO, there is not a 6 inch length increase as you stated.

The 07 ex is 191.1 inches long
The 08 ex is 194.3 long

http://www.kbb.com/kbb/NewCars/Specifications.aspx?VehicleId=OS8zMC8yMDA3fDQzNDA2&YearId=2007&VehicleClass=NewCar&ManufacturerId=18&ModelId=122&SelectedTabIndex=1&trid=23

http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-sedan/specifications.aspx?group=dimensions

The weight gain is also 165 lbs not 216 according to the above sources.

The avalon is a full size car whereas the only accord that is fullsize is the lx (without sunroof). But if you feel that 3.2 inches is a big difference then you can't compare the avalon to the accord either as the avalon limited, (the car you qouted) is 3.3 inches longer than the accord ex v6...

http://www.toyota.com/avalon/specs.html
http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-sedan/specifications.aspx?group=dimensions

2. I actually think the car handles very well and is very nimble for a sizeable 4 door sedan. This year brought improved suspension on the ex model and 4 wheel disc brakes for better stopping power. Also noted is an increase in performance which I know will be argued by the "it's heavier" defense. But Last year had 166hp, this year it has 190, last year had 160lbs of torque, this year 162, granted that's only 2 more lbs of torque, but 24hp....Sizeable jump there. The added hp will make some difference as to how fast the car is, it can't be solely based on torque. Also the weight difference isn't that dramatic... we're talking 3250lbs on the 07'exl versus 3,433lbs on my 08 exl. That's a whole whopping 183lbs difference, maybe there is a bigger difference on some of the other models but 183 lbs is hardly even notable. It's 5.6% weight increase,18.75% increase in hp, and 1.25% increase in torque.

Here are the sites I got my info from in case you're wondering

http://www.airportmarinahonda.com/20...cord_Sedan.htm

http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-...oup=dimensions

But again, to each his (or her) own. :thumbsup:

1. There's a 3.2 inch increase in length b between an 07' and 08' which is miniscule and not important IMO, there is not a 6 inch length increase as you stated.

The 07 ex is 191.1 inches long
The 08 ex is 194.3 long



Actually, he is talking about the length of the '03, which was 189 inches. However, the length of the Accord increased to 191 inches during the MMC in '06. So he is correct in stating a 6 inch increase from '03 to '08, and you are also correct with a 3 inch increase from '07 to '08.

Actually, he is talking about the length of the '03, which was 189 inches. However, the length of the Accord increased to 191 inches during the MMC in '06. So he is correct in stating a 6 inch increase from '03 to '08, and you are also correct with a 3 inch increase from '07 to '08.

Ah I see..well I retract that then:scratch: But I guess my point is, the 08 isn't that much larger than the last model of the generation 7, he was stating the difference in size between the gen 7 and gen 8 as a whole and stating numbers from an 03. The new model only accounts for 3 of the 6 inch jump between the two generations.

Ah I see..well I retract that then:scratch: But I guess my point is, the 08 isn't that much larger than the last model of the generation 7, he was stating the difference in size between the gen 7 and gen 8 as a whole and stating numbers from an 03. The new model only accounts for 3 of the 6 inch jump between the two generations.

Yea, 3 inches is well, 3 inches. However, if I jumped from my '03 to an '08 that would be a pretty sizable increase IMO. I haven't test driven any of the '08s yet, but by just parking my '03 next to an '08 I could notice the large increase in the size of the sedan. To be honest, I'm not really sure that many of the specs that we quarel about (size, power, etc.) really matter. Bottom line is whether or not you are happy with your car. I know that 08exl appears to be extremely happy with the purchase and wouldn't have it any other way. I actually haven't seen too many major complaints from the new 8th gen. owners, so that seems to speak pretty highly for the new Accord. For me, I couldn't be happier with my '03. I'm not saying that I would or would not be happy with an '08, but I'm keeping my '03 for a while so it doesn't really matter. In the end, I think Honda will probably have another winner on their hands.

Ah I see..well I retract that then:scratch: But I guess my point is, the 08 isn't that much larger than the last model of the generation 7, he was stating the difference in size between the gen 7 and gen 8 as a whole and stating numbers from an 03. The new model only accounts for 3 of the 6 inch jump between the two generations.
189.5 for the 03 actually, if we are engagine in the picking of nits! :D

I think the Honda engineers did a remarkable job of keeping the weight down. The 08 has thicker glass, thicker body panels, a stiffer ACE body, and more interior safety stuff. It's quieter and roomier. Give them a hand! :thumbsup:

A bonus: you have to resist smirking when someone confuses your new car for a BMW. :wave:

Waldo

I can respect the idea that Honda built the "new" Accord under the consideration that baby boomers want bigger, roomier, cars without the pretentious SUV moniker. Makes so much sense that I have a home run suggestion to go along with it:

New model. Call it something else. The Accord is now 8 generations old and has swollen its way outside of its own loyal following.

As for the status quo that consider Gen7 bland and unappealing, what was your actual first thought after a T.D.? Mine personally: G*****n that thing's got power! I didnt think bland for a second because it sure didn't treat me blandly. I look out the door every day and only wonder why the 6MT wheels had to be so plain. Is it my opinion? Damn right! :)

Overall, my original point on Post #1 was that this car hasn't really gained anything appreciable over the previous generation. Sure, theres a bell here, a whistle there, a couple of VERY HANDY features that even in 2003 were considered "accidentally forgotten" {bluetooth, mp3, hid} - but overall, the performance is 1=1 and the material quality is 30 grand worth of disappointment. I say these things freely as I among many were incredibly excited to have this model launch -- the demos looked phenomenal and the thought of a 3.5L said "HERE I AM LOOK AT ME."

The coupe 6MT is down 5-6mpg and has the same track results. I can only ascribe that to disappointing engineering.

The coupe 6MT is down 5-6mpg and has the same track results. I can only ascribe that to disappointing engineering.

Or falling off the Dr. Atkins wagon :nuts:

Really, the Acura I currently drive weighs 2499 pounds. That is not a typo; my car weighs less than twenty-five hundred pounds! Do I really want to add 1000 pounds with the new Accord coupe? That is 1/2 ton of extra mass with less storage space!

Or falling off the Dr. Atkins wagon :nuts:

Really, the Acura I currently drive weighs 2499 pounds. That is not a typo; my car weighs less than twenty-five hundred pounds! Do I really want to add 1000 pounds with the new Accord coupe? That is 1/2 ton of extra mass with less storage space!

Wow! That's one light car and it has more storage space than an accord? What model is it if I may ask? BTW, are you still working on that accord si theory? There seem to be a lot of enthuasiasts here who would support such a thing being built.