9th Gen Misc Discussion Thread: Tops IIHS and NHTSA Tests; Consumer Report Top Pick

[namegoeshere]

Originally Posted by willis

Electronic goodies are fiun, but it is styling that sells most of the cars.

If I was your average Joe Schmoe who didn't know anything about cars except that Honda's were reliable and I walked into a Honda dealership in 2013 or 2014 looking to trade in my old Accord for a new one and saw this, I'd be thinking to myself, "Hasn't this model been out for a long long time now (2008)? When's Honda coming out with a new model?"

[BLKCOUPE]

Just looking at the profile views I notice enough difference to conclude that the changes were positive and made the car look better aesthetically speaking. I maybe in a minority to pay attention to small details in styling and form factor of the car but when I imagine this car without all the concept "bling" (fogs, exhaust, rear bumper and so on that will not make it to the production model) I can see a finely crafted (if not engineered) silhouette of an elegant, even classic automobile.

I own two (but have owned three) 8th gen Accord coupes and I love both of them. I will not trade my 2010 and may not trade our 2008 one in the next 4-5 years just because we are fairy conservative when it comes to making big purchases. However, as a car enthusiast I look at this design and I see that while only evolutionary this is a different car. While I was hoping to see a completely new direction from Honda now, I was more concerned about that new direction being something that was unattractive, too different, too bold (just think the Acura TL grill in 2009). What Honda did was make some changes that will not take away from the overall idea that was created in 2007 and make it better, more toned, more aerodynamic, more powerful, safer and up-to the standards of today's technological achievements. Honda knew it had a good design to begin with, why mess with it so much that you risk the audience will be turned off just for the sake of new? Why not take something that continuously won the hearts and minds of customers and car professionals and refine it and make it better overall.

As mentioned earlier, I think Honda will introduce the really new direction in their 10th generation automobiles as seen in the concepts like NSX. It will be bold, refreshing and timely.

So, while we don't have the final design that will hit production, based on the concept vs real version of the Honda's past, it is likely that the production model would lose it's extreme features (like the fogs, rear and maybe even front bumper, exhaust, etc) which from my point of view is a good thing. Even tamed down, it would look more muscular, toned, and finished. When you add the long missing features such as push-button start, numerous cameras, new safety features, more HP, better MPG, new engine, new transmission options - you get a car that would be easy to sell at the dealership to those who are not only looking for an attractive car but also a car that will address all today's and tomorrow's needs in safety, tech and comfort.

[MM49]

Originally Posted by johnnydinh701

i remember when the 8th gen concept came out, a lot of people(including myself) were saying how they didnt like how it looked, they didnt like this and that and will not buy it, but once it came into production, it looked A LOT better than the concept. So im sure if the production model coupes arent going to look that the concept at all and they will make a lot of changes.

Thank you for understanding this!!! Even with the civic last gen when it first came out I didn't like it along with others but now all you see is people buying more of those 2drs civics!! adding mod's etc etc.. I also like it now

As for 8th gen coupe design people wont get bored with for next 5 years or so because it really looks good!! as for new 2013 design minor exterior changes were well worth it.

Anyone have the pic for 2013 Inspire? I doubt anyone here would ever own one but we all can at least look at the pic for our enjoyment and be jealous at same time because Japanese people are getting the best car from Honda with all kinds of technology which we here are just starting to see only with the luxuries brands tho

[Dreamacre]

I hated the look of the current generation of Civic, and I still hate it.

People have been waiting for Honda to knock their socks off and Honda did this to the Accord?

OH, silly me, I forgot they added a 4 cylinder to the Crosstour.

I hate the look of the Inspire and never understood why others covet it.

[MM49]

Originally Posted by Dreamacre

I hated the look of the current generation of Civic, and I still hate it.

People have been waiting for Honda to knock their socks off and Honda did this to the Accord?

OH, silly me, I forgot they added a 4 cylinder to the Crosstour.

I hate the look of the Inspire and never understood why others covet it.

Maybe your too old for the new design's ?..Toyota until recently always had soft/classy look and along with the Benz but they are also going the other route, so idk which brand to recommend for your next purchase............

[accordexlv6]

What we are witnessing here is fairly obvious.

Honda, as demonstrated by the Civic and Accord are doing the unthinkable: pushing redesigns to 10 years from 5 years (I'm old enough to remember 4-year cycles!), effectively doubling the time between 'em. And everyone used to complain how domestic makers kept the same designs too long before they went stale.

Even Hyundai, yes Hyundai, adds new engines, makes just as "drastic" changes to models (even new interiors!) as Honda has just done with the Accord, but does 'em 3 years into a model cycle and calls the changes a "refresh"; instead of what Honda seems to be doing at year 5, and calling it a "redesign". I would bet my life that at year 5, the Sonata will be radically different from the current model and not just a warmed over "tweak" as Honda has now decided to do.

Hell, even GM just redid the Malibu, top to bottom, in the same 5 year period (2008-2012). The Accord looks to carry on barely changed (to most anyone but the most rabid Honda-follower) for 10 years (maybe even 11, who knows). For people to say : "You wait 'til the 2018 Accord, now that one will be really good!", is just rationalizing.

Just think of all the forward looking designs that will emerge in the next 6 years while the Accord will effectively stand still.

But if y'all are happy with that, great. Honda better hope there are throngs like you who want a 2008-looking model in say, 2015 or 2016. So far, with Accord sales tanking and the competition smelling blood, me thinks the Accord will have incentives and lease deals out the wazoo (just last night, saw a commercial for a smokin' lease deal for the "all-new", recently released Civic). What's that gonna do for resale value and reputation once the media gets a load of this?

Honda will regret this mistake. Don't believe me? Look at their panic after how they've bungled the Civic and the public's reaction to it.

But, like I said, if you think this is a recipe for success, then vote with your feet and buy a new "8.5 redesign". If you don't, the Accord may never see the 400,000 per year sales the Gen6 and Gen7 had consistently (instead of the barely 230,000 the Gen8 now manages to grab).

Folks... Accord sales have plummeted by about 50% since 2003 (now that was a great year for the Accord! ). And before some of you scream "Tsunami!" and "Thailand!"... remember this trend has been going on since the intro of the Gen8 in 2007.

A lot of current Accord owners are now gonna be seriously cross-shopping the competition's all new products.... and buying.

You know, I too can't wait for January 2017 (I'll be 50 by then!) and the unveil of the Gen10, "all-new", 2018 Accord!

[BLKCOUPE]

Here's one way of looking at this new design (based on what we expect it to look like). If the new sedan will resemble the coupe (and I think it will this time), then you have a choice between the new Accord vs the new Camry, Accord's biggest competitor in the past. Based on the looks, I would say, Honda beats Toyota easily. Then you compare it to upcoming Altima which should resemble the Maxima (see the spy shots) in some ways and again I think the Accord should be a better looking car. Finally, from the Asian manufacturers, you have Kia and Hyundai. Since we sort of agree that Optima borrowed and refined the styling from the 8th Accord coupe and Honda made the 9th gen based on also refining the 8th gen design, you have two very similarly looking, attractive vehicles. However, I don't know about you, but I hate Optima's grill. It isn't as polarizing as Acura's but it isn't that attractive. So Accord has an edge there. When you compare reputation and resell value - it makes more sense to get a Honda. Comparing to Hyundai is a little different because Sonata has a look very different from Accord, but again the grill of the Sonata is my least favorite part. If you compare the resell value and reputation again - Honda wins.

The toughest competition I see for the Accord is from Ford and VW. Ford is really making some great cars lately. I love the new designs of Fiesta, Focus, and the brand new Fusion. I think Fusion has a chance to leap frog most competition and compete for the top spot. The new Passat has a lot going it's way right now. The pricing is great, the marketing is very good, and the car is fairly attractive. Plus, owning a European car (though build here in TN) seems to be more prestigious than owning an American, for example.
So the competition will be fierce but I don't think Accord will be doing badly. In fact, after all said and done, from my point of view, Honda should be back in the top two or at least three spots.

Biggest let-downs to me were the new Camry and new Malibu. I really liked the previous Malibu but the newest model just isn't cutting it for me.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

P.S. Here's some photos for visual reference:

2012 Toyota Camry


2013 Nissan Altima (Spy photo)


2012 Kia Optima


2012 Hyundai Sonata


2013 Chevy Malibu


2012 VW Passat


2013 Ford Fusion






Edit:
I don't know how to use Photoshop so I just blocked out the fog and exhaust areas. I know it kills the lines and curves but it provides general idea

[v-6 nolo]

where you pulling that 310HP figure from dude...everything keeps reiterating that V-6 figures have not been released?

This just makes me happier i got my 6-6 when I did, nothing exciting from this info for me at all.

[JayV07i4]

Not very good looking. but I'm sure it will grow on me

[Baldeagle]

Originally Posted by BLKCOUPE

P.S. Here's some photos for visual reference:

Great pictures for comparison. I love my Honda, but dang that Ford looks good! -very “Jaguar.” I bought a little Ford stock last month. If Honda misses the mark on this one, that may play out well.

[BLKCOUPE]

Originally Posted by v-6 nolo

where you pulling that 310HP figure from dude...everything keeps reiterating that V-6 figures have not been released?

This just makes me happier i got my 6-6 when I did, nothing exciting from this info for me at all.

+1 I would also like to see where you read that V6 will have 310HP.

Actually just googled and saw this article:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11201103...unveiled-video

[datdude77]

Originally Posted by ak_random

Everyone's a critic.

Some thoughts...

• There seems to be a lot of outcry about how the overall look/shape is too evolutionary and not significantly different enough from the 8th gen. This is all phooey. You don't see a similar percentage of revolt whenever a new 911 comes out (they all generally have the same shape now for 40+ years), or a new Aston Martin (all look the same for the past 10'ish years), or a new Lamborghini (all distinctly wedge shaped for the past 20 years).
  
• The fog lights and their surround are garish. It's probably only for the concept version of the car. This is probably an easy fix to make before it goes production.
  
• Similarly, concept cars tend to have much lower suspension and much larger wheels than what ultimately finds their way into production. So don't expect to see those 20" wheels and the low ride height.
  
• The V6 is now 310 hp. The Accord is still front wheel drive.

Perfectly spoken

[mactruck]

I have a 2011 Honda Odyssey and a 2010 Honda accord. We needed a 4 wheel drive for the snow and I looked at the Pilot but this year I am not feeling honda loyal so I went looking at other vehicles and came home with this. 360HP and loaded for $36K after incentives. Cheaper than the Pilot. Honda is screwing up IMHO.

[BLKCOUPE]

Originally Posted by mactruck

I have a 2011 Honda Odyssey and a 2010 Honda accord. We needed a 4 wheel drive for the snow and I looked at the Pilot but this year I am not feeling honda loyal so I went looking at other vehicles and came home with this. 360HP and loaded for $36K after incentives. Cheaper than the Pilot. Honda is screwing up IMHO.

Very nice! Congrats!

[BMBaccord]

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