How badly does the A/C suck power?

[RiceBoy]

My father is considering buying a new Accord in the next year, and he's considering the LX 4 banger. Can anyone with a 4 banger new Accord comment on the A/C use and if it sucks the life out of the engine, as occurs with most 4 bangers? I suppose nobody up north can really give me an answer because we've got ourselves an arctic freeze going on right now. My father just can't stand the heat and he'll use the A/C religiously through the summer.

[kutiepotpie]

i have an ex 4cyl and i don't really notice a difference. i had previous 4 cyl accords and i would notice it sort of, but not so much on the 2003s. i can go uphill on like a 5%, at 90mph with air con on, maybe not recommended but i don't see a difference. why don't you try and test drive it on difference uphill grades and on the freeway?
i live in san diego, and it's so hot this weekend, been using a/c a lot lately :rolleyes:

[RiceBoy]

We will eventually test drive it. It's just that there's snow and slush on the ground and we've been getting windchill temps of -10F recently...not exactly ideal weather to go for a test drive, much less turn on the air conditioning! :D

Thanks for the info!

[pshivers]

I've had my 2003 Accord LX 4 -banger for about 5 months here in "Sunny Southern California" were A/C is required nearly 24/7 in a car.

With its 2.4 litre 160-bhp engine, using the A/C is a non issue on the new 4 cylinder Accord. It's not likely you will notice any difference in performance

Now my 1975 VW Rabbit with the 1471cc engine at a whopping 71-bhp, A/C made a difference in performance but it was still a very drivable car. It did run for 180,000 trouble free till my ex destroyed it.

[azbeda]

2003 I4 turning the a/c on is like pressing slightly on the brakes. I wish i could say that i can't notice it.