03 Accord V6 6MT Scores
02-26-2003 | 12:43 PM
#1
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Chicago Suburbs
03 Accord V6 6MT Scores
Hope this is not a repost...
(08:30 March 03, 2003)
2003 Honda Accord / Coupe
Stand Alone: Accord Coupe leaves little room for Camry comparisons
LIKES
Ample low-end torque
Best-in-class quality
Euro styling cues
DISLIKES
Graphics display-based controls
Slightly sloppy shifter
Some rattles over bumps
OTHERS CONSIDERED
Toyota Camry
Mazda 6
Nissan Maxima
THINK TWICE BEFORE grouping Honda’s 2003 Accord with the family car fray.
For starters, it’s hard to push a family car from 0 to 60 mph in just a fraction over six seconds. Yes, we were testing the $28,000 coupe version with a manual and 240-horse sohc V6, but we reckon the automatic-shifting V6 sedan’s numbers would register only a second slower, which is stellar for bread-and-butter family hauling. Still, at less than $30,000 for the top trim level including navigation, leather and power everything, it’s hard to argue against this car as a family value.
One owner dumped his certified family hauler, a V6-powered 2002 Toyota Camry that was, in his opinion, “an oversized, bloated luxo-barge that floated over the road,” upon testing the “lower, sleeker and much lighter” Accord sedan. We have nothing against the best-selling Camry, but the owner makes a great point: This here Accord ain’t no Camry, whether coupe or sedan. It’s much more, Infiniti G35 maybe, and definitely bred by makers of Acura front-drivers. “It is the car BMW buyers think they are getting—at half the price,” said the aforementioned owner.
BMW owners get to choose a manual shifter with their V6 sedans, but Honda sedan owners don’t, which inspired a few complaints. At the same time owners described the automatic as “buttery-smooth” or even “the smoothest-shifting auto ever driven.” At the track, we could not hit 40 mph in first gear, but second maxes out just past 60 mph, which is great planning.
If second cuts off below 60 mph, it could cost precious ticks in the straightaway. Then again, the Accord has a few ticks of the second hand to give, bettering the V6, auto-tranny Camry we tested by 2.38 seconds, the G35 auto-shifter by three-quarters of a second, the Nissan Altima by two-tenths and the Acura TL Type-S by three-tenths. It also outdid Nissan Maxima, Audi A4 and BMW 328i, and its 14.73-second quarter-mile is equally impressive.
We found so much torque down low that launching the coupe was like launching a big American V8 between 1500 and 1750 rpm. One owner agreed precisely: “If it had more torque I think it could give my Mustang GT a run for the money”—further proof the Japanese can do great stuff with smaller engines on low-octane juice (86 octane, to be exact).
We ran the Accord with traction control on and off, yet the car was no quicker in either case; traction control was invisible on the skidpad. It slowed our gallop only slightly through the slalom. Still, the 43.7-mph slalom was slower than some of those Accord beat out in the 0-to-60 category. The Accord also didn’t stop as well from 60 mph as its competition, including Camry, which needed only 118 feet.
Road noise is minimal, so smooth you don’t notice you’re in fourth instead of sixth. One owner bought the Accord above all others because of its quality lore. Another said this is the best Honda he’s owned in four decades of buying them. Smart touches, such as a hood that stays up unassisted, had owners happy to pay slightly more for an Accord than other mainstream midsize cars. Dealer experience and superb service further justify any perceived pricing inequity.
We heard no comments on the coupe’s styling, while sedan owners characterized the exterior as being everything from “fresh” to “inviting” to “iffy.” Said one: “For those of us who were suspicious of the redesigned Hondas, I suggest you drive one of the new cars before forming an opinion.”
Interior design was ubiquitously lauded for everything from increased headroom to premium feel to auto-dimming interior lights. One complaint was registered due to trouble freeing the key from the ignition, another because of a rattle heard from the front door over rough patches of road.
Complaints aside, from trunk to hood this is a solid automobile.
Maybe we’ll go test the sedan for the fun of it.
OWNERS SAY...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The decision to buy a new Accord was easy; it’s hard to beat the quality and content for the $23,300 price. My first tank of gas yielded 26.4 mpg. I especially like the headroom, even with the sunroof. The only glitch encountered is a balky ignition key release, which occasionally requires jiggling the shifter a couple of times to remove the key. -Don Martin, Weatherford, Texas
The Accord EX V6 has loads of power. If it had more torque I think it could give my Mustang GT a run for the money. The five-speed transmission is the smoothest-shifting automatic I have ever driven, and build quality is impressive. The styling neither offends nor delights: It’s a hard car to picture in your mind. I didn’t really want a navigation system, but I think I’ll like it after I figure it out. Like any new electronic toy it is very confusing. Also, the map doesn’t seem to be up-to-date. My house is nine years old but the computer can’t find my address, even when in my driveway. -Larry Napier, Fayetteville, Ark.
The new Accord’s 160-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder is quite smooth and rather torquey. Stop-and-go driving is fun and easy with the extra kick, and the transmission is perfect. I had to double check the owner’s manual to confirm Honda requires fairly thin 5W-20 oil for the engine. While this seems awfully light, far be it for me to argue with the engineers who turn out such efficient engines. Maybe the nicest surprise in the new Accord are the brakes. Without a doubt, these are the best brakes Honda has provided as original equipment. They inspire more confidence than any Honda I’ve driven, with the exception of my autocross-ready CRX. -Scott Harris, Los Angeles
This is the best Honda yet. You get big-sedan convenience, European styling and sport-sedan handling, with the bonus of 34 mpg. The only fault I can find is the deep windshield wiper well, which gets filled with snow and ice. -Jim Rundle, Campton, N.H.
VEHICLE INFO & SPECS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANUFACTURER INFO
American Honda Motor Co.
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance CA 90501
Customer assistance: (800) 999-1009
Internet address: www.hondacars.com
Country of origin: United States
Number of dealers: 1000
STICKER
Base: $28,360
As tested (includes $460 delivery): $28,360
Owners paid; average: $18,900 to $26,391; $22,455
OPTIONS AS TESTED
None
OTHER MAJOR OPTIONS
None
CHASSIS
Unibody two-door coupe
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase (in): 105.1
Track (in): 61.1 front, 61.2 rear
Length/width/height (in): 187.6/71.3/55.7
Curb weight/GVWR (lbs): 3265/4300
CAPACITIES
Fuel (gal): 17.1
Cargo (cu ft): 12.8
ENGINE
Front-transverse 3.0-liter/182.8-cid sohc V6
Horsepower: 240 @ 6250 rpm
Torque (lb-ft): 212 @ 5000 rpm
Compression ratio: 10.0:1
Fuel requirement: 86 octane
DRIVETRAIN
Front-wheel drive
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Final drive ratio: 3.286:1
SUSPENSION
Front: Double wishbone with coil springs, gas-pressurized shocks, antiroll bar
Rear: Five-link with coil springs, gas-pressurized shocks, antiroll bar
BRAKES/WHEELS/TIRES
Discs front and rear, ABS
Aluminum 215/50R-17
Michelin Pilot HX MXM4
STANDING-START ACCELERATION
0-60 mph: 6.12 sec
0-100 km/h (62.1 mph): 6.66 sec
0-quarter-mile: 14.73 sec @ 96.2 mph
ROLLING ACCELERATION
20-40 mph (second gear): 2.7 sec
40-60 mph (second gear): 2.7 sec
60-80 mph (third gear): 4.0 sec
BRAKING
60 mph-0: 129 ft
HANDLING
490-foot slalom: 43.7 mph
Lateral acceleration (200-foot skidpad): 0.81 g
INTERIOR NOISE (dBA)
Idle: 40
Full throttle: 75
Steady 60 mph: 65
FUEL MILEAGE
EPA combined: 24.75 mpg
AW overall: 22.82 mpg
RESIDUALS
$14,012 after 48-month lease
49 percent of new vehicle price
(08:30 March 03, 2003)
2003 Honda Accord / Coupe
Stand Alone: Accord Coupe leaves little room for Camry comparisons
LIKES
Ample low-end torque
Best-in-class quality
Euro styling cues
DISLIKES
Graphics display-based controls
Slightly sloppy shifter
Some rattles over bumps
OTHERS CONSIDERED
Toyota Camry
Mazda 6
Nissan Maxima
THINK TWICE BEFORE grouping Honda’s 2003 Accord with the family car fray.
For starters, it’s hard to push a family car from 0 to 60 mph in just a fraction over six seconds. Yes, we were testing the $28,000 coupe version with a manual and 240-horse sohc V6, but we reckon the automatic-shifting V6 sedan’s numbers would register only a second slower, which is stellar for bread-and-butter family hauling. Still, at less than $30,000 for the top trim level including navigation, leather and power everything, it’s hard to argue against this car as a family value.
One owner dumped his certified family hauler, a V6-powered 2002 Toyota Camry that was, in his opinion, “an oversized, bloated luxo-barge that floated over the road,” upon testing the “lower, sleeker and much lighter” Accord sedan. We have nothing against the best-selling Camry, but the owner makes a great point: This here Accord ain’t no Camry, whether coupe or sedan. It’s much more, Infiniti G35 maybe, and definitely bred by makers of Acura front-drivers. “It is the car BMW buyers think they are getting—at half the price,” said the aforementioned owner.
BMW owners get to choose a manual shifter with their V6 sedans, but Honda sedan owners don’t, which inspired a few complaints. At the same time owners described the automatic as “buttery-smooth” or even “the smoothest-shifting auto ever driven.” At the track, we could not hit 40 mph in first gear, but second maxes out just past 60 mph, which is great planning.
If second cuts off below 60 mph, it could cost precious ticks in the straightaway. Then again, the Accord has a few ticks of the second hand to give, bettering the V6, auto-tranny Camry we tested by 2.38 seconds, the G35 auto-shifter by three-quarters of a second, the Nissan Altima by two-tenths and the Acura TL Type-S by three-tenths. It also outdid Nissan Maxima, Audi A4 and BMW 328i, and its 14.73-second quarter-mile is equally impressive.
We found so much torque down low that launching the coupe was like launching a big American V8 between 1500 and 1750 rpm. One owner agreed precisely: “If it had more torque I think it could give my Mustang GT a run for the money”—further proof the Japanese can do great stuff with smaller engines on low-octane juice (86 octane, to be exact).
We ran the Accord with traction control on and off, yet the car was no quicker in either case; traction control was invisible on the skidpad. It slowed our gallop only slightly through the slalom. Still, the 43.7-mph slalom was slower than some of those Accord beat out in the 0-to-60 category. The Accord also didn’t stop as well from 60 mph as its competition, including Camry, which needed only 118 feet.
Road noise is minimal, so smooth you don’t notice you’re in fourth instead of sixth. One owner bought the Accord above all others because of its quality lore. Another said this is the best Honda he’s owned in four decades of buying them. Smart touches, such as a hood that stays up unassisted, had owners happy to pay slightly more for an Accord than other mainstream midsize cars. Dealer experience and superb service further justify any perceived pricing inequity.
We heard no comments on the coupe’s styling, while sedan owners characterized the exterior as being everything from “fresh” to “inviting” to “iffy.” Said one: “For those of us who were suspicious of the redesigned Hondas, I suggest you drive one of the new cars before forming an opinion.”
Interior design was ubiquitously lauded for everything from increased headroom to premium feel to auto-dimming interior lights. One complaint was registered due to trouble freeing the key from the ignition, another because of a rattle heard from the front door over rough patches of road.
Complaints aside, from trunk to hood this is a solid automobile.
Maybe we’ll go test the sedan for the fun of it.
OWNERS SAY...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The decision to buy a new Accord was easy; it’s hard to beat the quality and content for the $23,300 price. My first tank of gas yielded 26.4 mpg. I especially like the headroom, even with the sunroof. The only glitch encountered is a balky ignition key release, which occasionally requires jiggling the shifter a couple of times to remove the key. -Don Martin, Weatherford, Texas
The Accord EX V6 has loads of power. If it had more torque I think it could give my Mustang GT a run for the money. The five-speed transmission is the smoothest-shifting automatic I have ever driven, and build quality is impressive. The styling neither offends nor delights: It’s a hard car to picture in your mind. I didn’t really want a navigation system, but I think I’ll like it after I figure it out. Like any new electronic toy it is very confusing. Also, the map doesn’t seem to be up-to-date. My house is nine years old but the computer can’t find my address, even when in my driveway. -Larry Napier, Fayetteville, Ark.
The new Accord’s 160-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder is quite smooth and rather torquey. Stop-and-go driving is fun and easy with the extra kick, and the transmission is perfect. I had to double check the owner’s manual to confirm Honda requires fairly thin 5W-20 oil for the engine. While this seems awfully light, far be it for me to argue with the engineers who turn out such efficient engines. Maybe the nicest surprise in the new Accord are the brakes. Without a doubt, these are the best brakes Honda has provided as original equipment. They inspire more confidence than any Honda I’ve driven, with the exception of my autocross-ready CRX. -Scott Harris, Los Angeles
This is the best Honda yet. You get big-sedan convenience, European styling and sport-sedan handling, with the bonus of 34 mpg. The only fault I can find is the deep windshield wiper well, which gets filled with snow and ice. -Jim Rundle, Campton, N.H.
VEHICLE INFO & SPECS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANUFACTURER INFO
American Honda Motor Co.
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance CA 90501
Customer assistance: (800) 999-1009
Internet address: www.hondacars.com
Country of origin: United States
Number of dealers: 1000
STICKER
Base: $28,360
As tested (includes $460 delivery): $28,360
Owners paid; average: $18,900 to $26,391; $22,455
OPTIONS AS TESTED
None
OTHER MAJOR OPTIONS
None
CHASSIS
Unibody two-door coupe
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase (in): 105.1
Track (in): 61.1 front, 61.2 rear
Length/width/height (in): 187.6/71.3/55.7
Curb weight/GVWR (lbs): 3265/4300
CAPACITIES
Fuel (gal): 17.1
Cargo (cu ft): 12.8
ENGINE
Front-transverse 3.0-liter/182.8-cid sohc V6
Horsepower: 240 @ 6250 rpm
Torque (lb-ft): 212 @ 5000 rpm
Compression ratio: 10.0:1
Fuel requirement: 86 octane
DRIVETRAIN
Front-wheel drive
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Final drive ratio: 3.286:1
SUSPENSION
Front: Double wishbone with coil springs, gas-pressurized shocks, antiroll bar
Rear: Five-link with coil springs, gas-pressurized shocks, antiroll bar
BRAKES/WHEELS/TIRES
Discs front and rear, ABS
Aluminum 215/50R-17
Michelin Pilot HX MXM4
STANDING-START ACCELERATION
0-60 mph: 6.12 sec
0-100 km/h (62.1 mph): 6.66 sec
0-quarter-mile: 14.73 sec @ 96.2 mph
ROLLING ACCELERATION
20-40 mph (second gear): 2.7 sec
40-60 mph (second gear): 2.7 sec
60-80 mph (third gear): 4.0 sec
BRAKING
60 mph-0: 129 ft
HANDLING
490-foot slalom: 43.7 mph
Lateral acceleration (200-foot skidpad): 0.81 g
INTERIOR NOISE (dBA)
Idle: 40
Full throttle: 75
Steady 60 mph: 65
FUEL MILEAGE
EPA combined: 24.75 mpg
AW overall: 22.82 mpg
RESIDUALS
$14,012 after 48-month lease
49 percent of new vehicle price
02-26-2003 | 12:56 PM
#3
Toyota Racing = Cheaters
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 0
Re: 03 Accord V6 6MT Scores
Originally posted by Fast Bug
One owner dumped his certified family hauler, a V6-powered 2002 Toyota Camry that was, in his opinion, “an oversized, bloated luxo-barge that floated over the road,”
One owner dumped his certified family hauler, a V6-powered 2002 Toyota Camry that was, in his opinion, “an oversized, bloated luxo-barge that floated over the road,”
Bawhahahahahahahahaahaha.....!!! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
02-26-2003 | 12:56 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside, CA
Extremely biased review. How can you compare an Accord to a BMW, Audi, Infiniti, and Acura? They're just not in the same class. Of course the Accord owners gonna praise the car, why else would they buy it in the first place?
02-26-2003 | 04:45 PM
#7
A little chin music
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, Ohio - Rock 'n Roll capitol of the World
Re: 03 Accord V6 6MT Scores
Originally posted by Fast Bug
BMW owners get to choose a manual shifter with their V6 sedans
BMW owners get to choose a manual shifter with their V6 sedans
02-27-2003 | 04:07 AM
#10
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Originally posted by Tirod²slc
14.7 1/4?? 0-60 in 6.1?? g'damn i'm in love..
14.7 1/4?? 0-60 in 6.1?? g'damn i'm in love..
G35 Sedan Road Test
We found so much torque down low that launching the coupe was like launching a big American V8 between 1500 and 1750 rpm. One owner agreed precisely: “If it had more torque I think it could give my Mustang GT a run for the money”—further proof the Japanese can do great stuff with smaller engines on low-octane juice (86 octane, to be exact).
Lets see the Mustang GT has 300 ft-lbs of torque compared
to the Accords 212 ft-lbs