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Honda Accord (2003-2007) Maintenance and Repair

5868 messages,  Last post on May 07, 2013 at 7:55 PM

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Messages Page 565 of 588

#5633 of 5868 Re: 2005 vs 2006 -- which to pick? [mr_gone] by igozoomzoom

Jun 03, 2011 (3:41 pm)

Replying to: mr_gone (Jun 02, 2011 2:22 pm)
As you have already discovered, '05-'06 Accord EX sedans with 5-speed manual are not easy to find. My cousin is General Manager of a large Honda dealership here in Georgia and he recently gave me some insight into why they are so scarce on the used car market. According to his Service Manager, owners of the 2003-2007 Accord EX with the 5-speed manual keep their cars much longer than average. The vast majority of manual-shift Accord owners plan to continue driving them for years to come- so they rarely show up in used car listings! =(
 
Comparing 2005 and 2006 models, quite a few improvements were made to the 2.4L I-4 for the 2006 model year. Drive-by-wire (DBW) replaced the previous 'throttle cable' setup, which results in smoother operation and enhanced throttle response. The 2006 version gained a minor power boost (6hp) and both hp and torque peak at lower revs.
 
The minor design 'refresh' in 2006 made an already attractive sedan look even better, IMO. The 2003-2005 tail lights look a bit droopy and dull, while the 2006 was fresh and sporty looking. If I was in the market right now, a 2006-2007 Accord would be at the top of my short list!
 
I may have one suggestion that could help to broaden your search a bit. If you can live without the EX's power moonroof, there were two EX-look-alike models sold in 2006 and 2007. I have always referred to both model years as the SE, but the 2006 model in particular is often called the LX Special Edition, Special Edition or LX-SE. By 2007, SE seemed to stick.
 
The 2006 SE adds the following features to the LX sedan-
 
16" alloy wheels (identical to EX 4-cyl)
4-wheel disc brakes w/ Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
6-CD in-dash changer
Steering wheel audio controls
Body-color side sill
Carbon-fiber interior accents
 
A 5-speed manual was standard on the SE both years, so there are some manual transmission examples out there. From the either side, they are a dead-ringer for the EX thanks to the sharp-looking alloy wheels fournd on both trim levels! =)
 
A 2006 SE stickered for $1725 less than an EX sedan and the power moonroof standard on the EX was the most significant difference. The EX also added heated side mirrors, security system, Aluminum interior accents (vs. carbon fiber), illuminated power window switches and ambient console lighting. The EX driver's seat also has a manual lumbar adjustment and the height adjustment becomes power (vs. manual on LX and SE). EX and SE both have side-impact and head-curtain airbags standard!
 
So an SE 5-speed manual might be worth considering if you don't manage to find an EX that works for you....
 
If you totally strike out at finding an Accord 4cyl 5-speed, you should take a look at the 2004-2005 Acura TSX as an alternative. The '03-'07 Accord sold here was designed specifically for the North American market. The rest of the world had a slightly smaller, more athletic Accord instead...and that verison of the Accord was sold here as the Acura TSX! =) 200hp, 6-speed, rock-solid reliability, great styling,

#5634 of 5868 Re: 2005 vs 2006 -- which to pick? [igozoomzoom] by mr_gone

Jun 03, 2011 (8:42 pm)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Jun 03, 2011 3:41 pm)
Thank you for the very detailed response! I am afraid that based on the shortages of new Hondas now due to the tsunami's destruction that used Accords are going to be even more of a scarcity. But your description of the advantages of the 2006 do make it seem worth holding out for. I totally agree about the tail lights looking better, although I think the car overall doesn't look as good as the 1999-2002 version. And the 2008+ are best viewed from the interior of the car.
 
The LX-SE is a nice idea, although I really do want the EX's sunroof if I can get it. I live in Minnesota, so summers are short and you want to make the most of them. In the winter, the heated side mirrors would be well-used.
 
As for the TSX, yes, I'm familiar with it and enjoyed driving one, but the engine seemed to rev a bit high in 6th gear and the car really reminded you of how bad our roads are. Gas mileage isn't as good as the 5-speed Accord, it requires premium gas, and a comparable year would be significantly more expensive.
 
The 2006 Accord 5-spd 4 cyl really hits a sweet spot as a used car -- safe, fuel-efficient, relatively fun to drive, reliable. That's why nobody wants to give them up!

#5635 of 5868 Re: 2005 vs 2006 -- which to pick? [mr_gone] by stickguy

Jun 04, 2011 (8:00 am)

Replying to: mr_gone (Jun 03, 2011 8:42 pm)
I have no problem finding a 2005 EX-L 5 speed, but that is because it is in the garage.
 
and I have a neighbor with a 2006 or 7 5 speed Accord (can't recall which model though, but sure it is a stick). Other than that, not something I see very often.
 
Other than an annoying CEL that just came on, no problems with it, and I most likely will keep it for a long time yet, probably passing it down to my daughter at some point to use in school.
 
one of the best things about it? No crappy Honda AT to fail prematurely! So no real worry keeping it well past 100K. Though I only have 62K on mine now.
 
I did not realize they made so many mechanical tweaks for 2006, but honestly, i doubt you would really notice them or miss them if you got a 2005. The taillights on the 05 also IMO were the best looking, since they got rid of the white band for the back up light. I never though the 2006 rear matched the front on that car.

#5636 of 5868 model by stickguy

Jun 04, 2011 (8:01 am)

also, try hard for an EX. I consider the moonroof to be essential, but almost as important is getting the power seat.
 
I believe the EX has partial power (height only, and 6 way?). The EX-L has full 8 way power. much nicer.

#5637 of 5868 Re: model [stickguy] by tallman1

Jun 06, 2011 (3:20 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Jun 04, 2011 8:01 am)
The 06 EX has just the power height adjustment. The EX-L does indeed have the 8-way power seat for the driver (heated too). The passenger seat is manual.

#5638 of 5868 2004 Accord LX- no audible reminders for headlights on or key in ignition?? by igozoomzoom

Jun 06, 2011 (10:30 pm)

I just bought a 2004 Accord LX 4-door A/T for my step-dad as a Father’s Day gift! To be fair, my mom, grandmother and I each chipped in to get it for him and it was a STEAL! My mom’s best friend since childhood (57 now) owned the car and drove it until last year when she bought a CRV. The Accord has 168k miles on it, but it has been serviced to the letter at the selling dealership. It doesn’t have a ding or scratch anywhere and the interior is amazinglyl clean for a seven year old car. It’s Taffeta White with Ivory interior.
 
There is nothing wrong with this car, but she sold it to us for $3,500 because she knew we wanted it for my poor old step-dad. =) His ’92 Accord EX just passed 300k miles and it’s going to need major engine work soon. He lets my mom get a new Grand Cherokee or Explorer or whatever she wants every three years and he drives the same thing over 70 miles round trip every day for more than a decade.
 
I’ve been driving it for the past week or so and hiding it at my house so we can surprise him…but driving it is making me REALLY want another Accord! My last one was a ’99 EX 4-door 5-speed, also Taffeta White.
 
But there are a few minor quirks that annoy me and I want to fix them if I can- that’s where you guys come in! =)
 
1- There is no beep when you leave the key in the ignition and open the door, even if the key is in the OFF position, it makes no sound at all. It should be making the normal Honda ‘key-in-ignition’ sound, right?
 
2- There is no chime to warn you when you leave the headlights ON even after you often the driver’s door and remove the key, it doesn’t make a peep. It should be making the little ding-dong sound like other Accords, right?
 
3- To be blunt, the audio system is pretty crappy! =( Honda has a habit of putting weak stereos in all but the very highest trim line. If I’m not mistaken, the LX has a 120-watt system and the EX has the same thing??? Even on the 2011 models, you just get a 160-watt, 6-speaker system on the LX, LX-P, SE, EX and EX V-6. Only by choosing the EX-L or EX-L V6 do you get the 270-watt, 7-speaker system! Is there some sort of connection between leather fetishists and audiophiles that I’m missing? =)
 
Anyway, being serious, the reception of radio stations is really the issue. I know that the antenna is embedded in the rear window, but is there any way to boost the signal or improve it in any way?
 
Those are the only issues and they’re all relatively minor….did I mention that I got it for $3,500? Hehe =)

#5639 of 5868 Re: 2005 vs 2006 -- which to pick? [mr_gone] by igozoomzoom

Jun 06, 2011 (10:54 pm)

Replying to: mr_gone (Jun 03, 2011 8:42 pm)
"I totally agree about the tail lights looking better, although I think the car overall doesn't look as good as the 1999-2002 version. And the 2008+ are best viewed from the interior of the car." ]
 
Do you mean the 1998-2002 version? =) I had a 1999 EX 4-door 5-speed in Taffeta White and I loved that thing! It looked just like this one-
 
99 Accord EX 4dr
 
As for the current model being best viewed from the interior- have you seen the ergonomic nightmare that is the current Accord's interior? There are so many buttons that I don't see how elderly folks that I often see driving them can figure out how to operate anything??? Maybe they're driving around in silence, with no A/C or heat and that would explain why they don't use turn signals and forget to turn their lights on....
 
I'd say the 2008+ is best viewed with a tarp over it, or a bag over your head....it's what we'd refer to as a "double bagger"!
 
There has only been one other generation of Accord that I absolutely hated- the '94-'97 models. I had a '96 and it was truly a 'lemon' and had some major issues. But I was stuck with it for three long years and a lady ran a light and nailed me in the right rear corner- my heart was racing, adrenaline flowing but even then I started grinning knowing that I was finally rid of that thing!
 
My '99 EX 4-door 5-speed was perfection compared to the model before it! I adored that car and I was heartbroken when I rear-ended an Impala on I-75 stop-and-go one evening during rush hour and it was totaled. It was almost seven years old and had 232,000 miles on it- didn't burn a drop of oil, was always ready to rev to the redline if I wanted to scoot and it had one of the best manual shifter and clutch combo I've ever experienced. The original clutch made it past 165k, which amazed me. But it was a helluva car...

#5640 of 5868 Re: 2005 vs 2006 -- which to pick? [mr_gone] by amy911

Jun 08, 2011 (6:07 pm)

Replying to: mr_gone (Jun 02, 2011 2:22 pm)
I am sorry to say, but I own a manual 2005 Honda Accord LX and it is NOT going to see any other owners for several years! I love it. I have had no problems with this vehicle - it's amazing.
 
With that said, I will never, ever, bring my vehicle to a Honda dealer for service again. When it was new, and I was naive, I did bring it to the dealer. What did I hear every time? Yup, "you need...". Yeah...no,just change the oil like I asked, wash it and give me my keys. I found a local garage, with a gruffy old owner who feels if a car needs something, fix it. He told me that if he serviced the car according to the manual, I should just drop off my paycheck to him every week! He just shakes his head at dealer garages. But, it is true, that IS where they make most of their money.
 
Oh and another thing. I feel that one of the reasons that my car has lasted so long (85,000 miles) is that it is an LX model and doesn't have all of the extra stuff that strains electrical systems that many of todays cars do.

#5641 of 5868 CEL update by stickguy

Jun 08, 2011 (7:18 pm)

CEL has been on for the last week. tried gas cap, nothing. So, took it to mechanic today (local guy, not dealer for 1st time). Coded out as "evap vent control solenoid". Dumb little part, probably makes no difference at all to the engine,mileage or performance, but costs a lot of money!
 
Probably could ignore it, but the light bothers me, and it won't pass inspection at the end of the year anyway. SO, getting it fixed. First problem though in 5.5 years and 62K. Other than the rear brakes of course.

#5642 of 5868 Re: 2005 vs 2006 -- which to pick? [mr_gone] by lilengineerboy

Jun 08, 2011 (8:15 pm)

Replying to: mr_gone (Jun 03, 2011 8:42 pm)
My 2007 Honda Accord EX 5spd just turned 60k and no Honda based issues to speak of, just a fender bender and it got keyed at work, nothing I can fault Honda. My commute is 90% highway and the car is in the low-mid 30s for fuel economy. I have found it to be a reliable, economical way to get to work and back and tote a small family (both in terms of number, just 3 of us, and size, 5'7", 5'2" and a 4 year old).
Its not the most interesting or exciting car on the road, but its been very reliable and reasonably economical to operate. I have been following the maintenance minder and maintenance schedule and I've used Honda parts, so it should last a long time to come. I did the trans fluid at 60k with Honda MTL, coolant at 30 & 90 with Honda anti-freeze, and I use Honda filters when I change the oil (with Mobil 1). I do have a K&N air filter now, though. I even got the Honda replacement wiper inserts.
The next thing up is tires. I am thinking of getting the HPF 17" wheels (or Acura TSX 17") and a performance oriented 215/50R17 for 3 seasons and put snows on the old wheels. I am hoping that will help me whine less about the car being dull.

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