2004 EX-L 5-speed with navigation
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Compared to the other Accord, the interior took a huge step forward, there is so much more leg room and the dash looks a lot better. Plus the guages are replaced with those led backlit guages, much better. You really have to rev the hell out of this car, but I'll take the manual over an automatic with this engine any day of the week. The navigation system is very well designed, as is secondary info display atop the main screen. This is really the highlight of the car, being able to command the system to do anything you wish with your voice. Leather feels improved over the stuff in the 2002, and so too is the sound system. It's 6-speakers, so it lacks the mid to highs aren't as good as the monsoon system (which has it's own amp), but the bass is better.
Now compared to the Passat, there are a lot of similarities, suprise suprise. There is a telescoping steering wheel, a big plus. There is also the key in the door to operate the windows trick, which made me smile. The sun visors extend exactly like they do on the Passat. And then there is that little vanity light to illuminate the shifter area, taken directly from them. So Honda added a lot of nice details to this car, especially for the price.
The only problems I'm having is the relatively cheap feeling (not looking) interior. Some of the panels look slightly mismatched, and the area beneath the steering wheel feels downright chintzy. So do does the plastic on back of the steering wheel navigation controls, feels like I could break with a fingernail.There are no soft touch coatings on any of the plastic pieces, and the rear armrest for the passengers is downright uncomfortable to put your arm on (hard plastic). The actual key that comes with the car feels hollow and cheap (and is held together with a screw!). The 2002's regular fob feels much better, it is not comparable to the VWs fob. The trunk is also a glaring dissapointment - It's unfinished, and there are wires exposed and running eveywhere in plain sight (for the navigation and for the brake lights). No hydraulic assist either, I really hate those arms. I don't remember the unlined trunk on the other Accord looking this bad, but I was underwhelmed. I just can't help but think the interior is a great design marred slightly by half-assed plastics. I'd go as far to say that the 2002 EX V6 has superior materials. I may be fooled into thinking this was a magnificent iterior if I were to never drive a Passat (*cough* A4), but alas I have to acknowledge the truth. The interior quality of the Passat was on par with cars costing $20,000 more, so I may need to lower my expectations. It does some things better, like a more ergonomic dash shape and actually offers a navigation system, let alone XM radio and a six disk CD changer. These were unavailable on a 2004 'ssat. I bought this car for the mileage, and the trip computer showing 34 has me satisfied!
Very nice car though in all, certainly better than some other garbage cars in this class that were sold the same year.
Compared to the other Accord, the interior took a huge step forward, there is so much more leg room and the dash looks a lot better. Plus the guages are replaced with those led backlit guages, much better. You really have to rev the hell out of this car, but I'll take the manual over an automatic with this engine any day of the week. The navigation system is very well designed, as is secondary info display atop the main screen. This is really the highlight of the car, being able to command the system to do anything you wish with your voice. Leather feels improved over the stuff in the 2002, and so too is the sound system. It's 6-speakers, so it lacks the mid to highs aren't as good as the monsoon system (which has it's own amp), but the bass is better.
Now compared to the Passat, there are a lot of similarities, suprise suprise. There is a telescoping steering wheel, a big plus. There is also the key in the door to operate the windows trick, which made me smile. The sun visors extend exactly like they do on the Passat. And then there is that little vanity light to illuminate the shifter area, taken directly from them. So Honda added a lot of nice details to this car, especially for the price.
The only problems I'm having is the relatively cheap feeling (not looking) interior. Some of the panels look slightly mismatched, and the area beneath the steering wheel feels downright chintzy. So do does the plastic on back of the steering wheel navigation controls, feels like I could break with a fingernail.There are no soft touch coatings on any of the plastic pieces, and the rear armrest for the passengers is downright uncomfortable to put your arm on (hard plastic). The actual key that comes with the car feels hollow and cheap (and is held together with a screw!). The 2002's regular fob feels much better, it is not comparable to the VWs fob. The trunk is also a glaring dissapointment - It's unfinished, and there are wires exposed and running eveywhere in plain sight (for the navigation and for the brake lights). No hydraulic assist either, I really hate those arms. I don't remember the unlined trunk on the other Accord looking this bad, but I was underwhelmed. I just can't help but think the interior is a great design marred slightly by half-assed plastics. I'd go as far to say that the 2002 EX V6 has superior materials. I may be fooled into thinking this was a magnificent iterior if I were to never drive a Passat (*cough* A4), but alas I have to acknowledge the truth. The interior quality of the Passat was on par with cars costing $20,000 more, so I may need to lower my expectations. It does some things better, like a more ergonomic dash shape and actually offers a navigation system, let alone XM radio and a six disk CD changer. These were unavailable on a 2004 'ssat. I bought this car for the mileage, and the trip computer showing 34 has me satisfied!
Very nice car though in all, certainly better than some other garbage cars in this class that were sold the same year.
