Finally beginning the search for a gen 7 V6 coupe. Just sold my Mustang and my daily driver 90 EXR is pretty much done. Balancer just grenaded itself from the end of the crank shaft not to mention the muffler and tailpipe is falling of and it needs front end work. Served me very well for a high mileage car.

Back to the topic at hand, anything in particular I should be taking a close look at? There are a few 03's that I'm going to look at that fit what I want;

Coupe
V6
Automatic
Loaded with leather etc

Thanks in advance for the input

Learned something new: "The Canadian Accord trim levels varied slightly from the US models with LX, EX and EX-R roughly corresponding to the American DX, LX, and EX, respectively"

At first thought you were a ricer and went the local part store and got a sweet red R.

I have the I4, only thing I can think of is if the timing belt has been changed (V6 only, I4 timing chain). Due at 105,000 mi (168,981 km).

Try to get an 2006 model. Basically it is a 7.5 Gen and I personally think it is a little better. :thmsup:
Especially nice is the added horsepower.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Accord#2006_model_update


Since you are going for an automatic, you should have an easy time finding what you want. I was looking for a low mileage manual and there just aren't as many manuals out there.

Try to find one that has a number of the optional features already installed or added. For example, the cargo tray in the boot is nice (does Canada use the same terms as the UK? Boot for trunk; bonnet for hood?)

There's the navigation system which is kind of nice. I test drove Accords that had the Navi and those that didn't. While I think the Navi is pretty cool and has some nice features (trip computer, MPG, etc.) I don't feel bad that I didn't get one with Navi. And believe me, the dealers know that the Navi is nice and will try to keep the price higher because of it.

After you narrow your search down, find a good mechanic to take it to before you buy it. Have them to give you a run down on what needs fixed or replaced, what will need fixed or replaced eventually, and any other little details they can find. Try to take it to a place that deals specifically with Honda's. Try to avoid another Honda dealer, but if you do take it to a Honda dealer, make sure they aren't affiliated with the one you're buying from.

If the dealer won't let you take it to a mechanic, don't buy it.

Get a CarFax report (not sure it applies to Canada), but remember that the CarFax only tracks the data that has been reported. So it isn't the definitive report on your vehicle (which is why you take it to a mechanic). A good mechanic should pull the report as well. If they don't, I'd be suspicious about how thorough they really are.

Check the recall info (the mechanic should do that for you too)


PUSH ALL BUTTONS. Seriously. Open every little door or pouch. Push every button. Check in all the nooks and crannies. Look under every mat. Check the spare tire. Listen to the radio - go through the presets (assuming they haven't been cleared) and see what the previous owner listened to. If it is head-banger or rap or heavy metal music, there's a good chance they drove pretty hard. If it is the normal classic rock, easy listening, classical, oldies, etc., then it has probably been driven normally. Not a guarantee, but...

Use the AC and HEAT. Check for any sort of strange smell coming from the AC when it first comes on and the same for the Heat. This is especially crucial if things like wet dog smell or smoking bother you.

Thanks for the input. Not really looking for nav, we have a portable Garmin unit. I'd like an 06 up but they are going about $5000 more than I want to spend. Hood and trunk here too, lol.

Thanks for the input. Not really looking for nav, we have a portable Garmin unit. I'd like an 06 up but they are going about $5000 more than I want to spend. Hood and trunk here too, lol.

Yeah, same reason I decided against the Navi.


Out of curiosity, what is your budget?

Just FYI, the 3.0 v6 has the timing belt and the 2.4 has a chain.

Good luck with the search.

The Honda OEM Nav is the best one out there and well worth the extra money. And you don't have to worry about anyone trying to break into the car to steal it, like they would when they see the Garmin on your windshield. It is much more convenient having it built-in with voice prompts through the stereo than something sitting on the dash with a tiny speaker and a power cord dangling off the dash.

If you are looking for a 2003 Automatic V6, ask about the transmission and whether or not it has been replaced by Honda. They have a high failure rate. Mine was replaced at 50,000/5 years of age. If you go with a non-navigation model, ask if the stereo has been replaced. Those have a high failure rate in which a resistor on the main board melts causing the entire backlighting to go out. Honda replaced the stereos free of charge, also on a goodwill basis. Check the CD changer and make sure it works. Use CD-R discs in case it accepts all 6 and then jams with an error and fails to eject them. Look at the headliner in the back seat at the upper corners of the rear window. Look for water leak stains. The back window sometimes needs to be resealed. If you test drive the car and hear a rattle on the passenger side, it is most likely the glove box clutch hinge that has come loose. (An easy fix by popping of the side panel of the dash and tightening the screw). Check the power door locks and windows. Do the locks work with the keyfob and the door panel buttons? Do the windows roll up and down fast or sluggish? If sluggish, the door lock actuators may need to be replaced soon. Also an easy fix by doing it yourself. Check the car at night if possible and check the dash lights, mainly the sunroof, TCS button, and heated seat buttons. The bulbs tend to go out and that is also an easy fix. The bulbs are easy to replace yourself.

Good to hear the Honda Nav is good, most factory Nav systems leave a lot on the table compared to the Garmin or Tomtom. I wouldn't have much use for the Nav myself as this car will be my work commuter mainly, our Garmin usually stays in the wife's car that we use to haul around the family. Budget is around $12-13K.

Another question, how does the automatic transmission differ in the 4 cyl model? Is it different all together or does it just have increased longevity because of the smaller engine in front of it? Also with the V6 trans, are the replacements doomed to fail again or have the problems been resolved?

Might consider going with a 4 cyl model if they are that much more reliable although I would like more power.

I agree with the other posters that if you're looking for an automatic, you should have a much easier time finding what you want. Manual Accords are much, much rarer, especially the V-6 with the 6-speed, which is a crying shame because Honda's manual transmissions, especially the 6-speed, are phenomenal, so there's a lot of people out there missing out on a great driving experience by not going with the stick. But their automatics aren't bad either - they get the job done, they just aren't as engaging.

I don't know what your budget is like, but if you need to save a few bucks, the cheaper Accords are great cars for the money. For example, my ex-girlfriend used to have almost the same car I own, except hers was a I4 with an automatic, but it was still a very impressive car with plenty of ponies under the hood. I didn't try tackling a mountain while I was driving it, but for the driving situations I did get into while I was behind the wheel, I was never disappointed by the performance. It's also noteably more economical fuel-wise, as well, plus, as others have noted, it has a timing chain instead of a timing belt, so it can go a lot longer before it needs that required and rather expensive service.

If you can afford it though, the V6 is even sweeter. But if you can't, the I4 won't disappoint.

And even though you've got the Garmin, I'd keep an eye peeled for an Accord with a navi. There are several features that are tied to the navigation, like the trip computer and voice command, that don't come on the base, and some of those features are nice to have. For me, the best reason to opt for the navi is the interface screen, it provides a lot more information than the non-navi does, especially when listening to satellite radio. The non-navi unit has only one line of information, and so you have to choose what information you want it to display; the navi has a multi-line display that tells the channel, category, artist and title all at once. Not to mention the Honda navigation systems are top-rated among units that come already in the car.

I called a guy about this car:

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/cto/1303904744.html

The stereo has been replaced already, the transmission has not been replaced and has not had any problems so far he stated. He said he's had the car for over four years (since 25K kms).

I gather the auto trans failure rate is somewhere in the 10-20% range overall?
As I mentioned before is it that less common in the 4 cyl and are replacement Autos just doomed to fail again or do they use updated parts?

Thanks