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Honda Accord VCM

2715 messages,  Last post on Oct 23, 2012 at 6:25 PM

You are in the Honda Accord Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Accord, Transmission, Sedan

Messages Page 269 of 273

#2674 of 2715 Re: Too Bad for Honda [robtroxel] by indydriver

Mar 06, 2012 (7:21 am)

Replying to: robtroxel (Mar 06, 2012 6:26 am)
I was just reading about the "all new" 2013 Accord and they are sticking with the VCM V6. It was noted that Car & Driver's 'Ten Best' Accord last year was only for the 4cyl.
 
In all fairness, I will say my daughter loves her 2011 Accord EX-L VCM V6 and that it has burned no oil in 8,000 miles. She either doesn't notice or doesn't mind the VCM operation.

#2675 of 2715 Re: What are we driving now? [jmillerjmiller] by michael0137

Mar 07, 2012 (9:59 am)

Replying to: jmillerjmiller (Mar 05, 2012 5:07 pm)
I sold my 2008 Accord EXL V6 to a Honda Dealer in Texas that certified it and resold it immediately. Hey - not my headache any more!

#2676 of 2715 Re: Oil consumption [rcummelin] by michael0137

Mar 07, 2012 (10:07 am)

Replying to: rcummelin (Dec 03, 2011 5:41 pm)
I hear you - we have had MANY Honda/Acura products over the years - Accords - sedans '81,83,'97,'00,'04 coupe, and then the '08 sedan. Interspersed along the way? '88 Legend, '88 Legend LS, '90 Legend L, '94 Legend L 6 Speed coupe, '04 S2000 and now the '08 RL. The Legends were indeed just that - Legendary - awesome cars - the 1990 with 161 HP??? Puulleease...that car would do 135MPH and accelerate from 80-100 in a heartbeat. Just such a well balanced car. 185,000 miles with no problem and still used no oil, and still would hit 135. The RL is a whole different world from the Accord - solid, quiet, SH-AWD is phenomenal plus all the other bells and whistles and BETTER mileage than the Accord - 29-30 MPG on the hwy. at 75-80. Yeah, Honda really shot themselves in the foot with the '08 VCM. Good luck with the Ford - they are making some great cars.

#2677 of 2715 My 2 cents 2010 EXL by mike331

Mar 08, 2012 (7:29 pm)

35800 miles clocked on my 2010 EXL. Overall so far so good. I agree the forum has a lot of redundant posters that would make the problems posted here seem to be more numerous than defects that actually exist. Please no more used RL references. No business like the car business defines the old saying "if your are happy with a product or service you tell one person, unhappy and you tell TEN!" My observations are this is a good car a bit over priced due to high demand, positive Honda history and competition heating up this catagory and price range. (thank you Ford) We have owned an Odysee since 2002. 120,000 miles and it had some problems, power side doors and rear water leaks into 3rd row seat that turned into a mountain of mold due to seat being folded down for a long time. Overall a sturdy van with nothing more than regular maintenance items...front end stuff, water pump, timing belt etc. The Odysee is what prompted me to go for an Accord and I bought my daughter a 2010 Civic at the same dealer...but thats another story. I do notice VCM but not that bad. Coming from a 745LI (bad economy and repair bills beyond belief at 130,000 miles had too part with it) I am sensitive to the VCM kick in and out...but again not that bad. No shimmey front end, no front brake or rotor problems or really anything else. Rear deck does vibrate with loud bassy music and the car is road noisey. Paint job is so so...black, sound system is just OK. Getting 20-22mpg combined. Mostly 40-50 mph zones stop and go.
 
NOW MY CONCERNS...
Honda on Grand in Elmhurst Illinois. Had trouble with their sales staff years ago but convenient location and a decent salesman Carl brought me back twice. If only the sales guys had any influence over service they would retain more return customers. The service department there is bad. Arrogant and condescending. Simplest questions get you that's normal, can't reproduce yada yada yada. Unfortunalely for Honda, their Honda Care rep that called me back supported this dealerships position. That's a shame because a 20 (per service bulletin)minute reprogram, plug check and replace a faulty $5 window switch would've sent me on my way a happy camper.
Daughters civic gets 22 mpg and that's normal too.
 
REAR BRAKE PREMATURE WEAR Now why that had to go to class action is beyond me AND why I didn't receive something alerting me to this problem before nearly grinding the rears down to the rivets is baffling. If not for the common sense, but the LIABILTY. My mechanic (trusted Midas franchise) found it during regular maintenance. I had to bitch a bit but Honda sent me a check for the repair.
  
OIL now I was suprised this car came out of the factory with 6,000 or so mile oil change intervals on dino oil. Would have thought synthetic for that duration. Manual says "check oil at every gas fill up" RIGHT! I have found myself adding oil to this car more than my last 5 cars incl the Odysee. Hence the reprogram/plug check I asked for and was refused. Motor seems to have settled into itself and oil consumption reduced last couple thousand miles. My advice...CHECK THE OIL REGULARLY DURING FIRST YEAR and change the oil every 3-5k (after manufacturers first fill and check that regular too) unless you switch to synthetic and then monitor.
 
It's a good looking car, nice and easy voice recognition navi, somewhat sporty feel for a sedan, a strong v6 and i find it reasonably comfortable. i expect to drive this car for another 70-100k.

#2679 of 2715 For Mike 331 by robtroxel

Mar 09, 2012 (8:23 am)

Your message and experience was appreciated! Your story is precisely why I did not buy the latest Accord! My 2007 Accord V6 EXL Nav was flawless in all regards. When I saw how they decontented the 2008 by removing the LED lights, sear seat locks, there was a dissappointment. When I drove the VCM Accord, that disappointment turned to disgust! What a hog>> actually getting worse mileage than my 2007! My neighbors Camery V6 gets 5 more mpg without the VCM mess! Honda, where is your 6 speed auto?
 
The good news is we all have great options..I upgraded to a Maxima getting 29 MPG on the road all off a 290 HP engine and yes I only use regular! We are done with Honda!. Good thing you got a 2010 Civic. The 2012 is a train wreck, so much so, Honda is back to the drawing boards to try to regain traction that is being lost to other brands!

#2680 of 2715 Re: My 2 cents 2010 EXL [mike331] by elliott2

Apr 07, 2012 (8:56 am)

Replying to: mike331 (Mar 08, 2012 7:29 pm)
Good luck, Mike. After the brake problem, replacing the torque converter, replacing the coil (and a plug), and putting up with the vibration and road noise, I have never been so happy to get rid of my 2008 Accord V6 NAV. Honda has some how lost its connection with quality and engineering (witness that the company has a re-do mid generation of the new Civic to address the problems identified by Consumer Reports and others).
 
I will consider a Honda sometime in the future only if Honda drops the VCM and addresses the road noise issue.

#2681 of 2715 Re: My 2 cents 2010 EXL [elliott2] by michael0137

Apr 07, 2012 (3:24 pm)

Replying to: elliott2 (Apr 07, 2012 8:56 am)
Thanks - I felt the same way when I dumped my 2008 EXL V6 after many years of very satisfactory Honda experiences. It was a piece of junk by comparison - I put some very hard miles on a 2000 V6 without ANY problems - this was my first Accord since our 2004 coupe - and I agree with you - never again will I even LOOK at a Honda V6 unless they dump the VCM.

#2682 of 2715 Two more cents worth of opinion. by rcummelin

Apr 09, 2012 (6:26 am)

I totally agree with Rob, Elliott & the two Mikes--I will NEVER buy another Honda with VCM. There are many rumors afoot that Honda will add VCM to the "new" 2013 Ridgeline to increase gas mileage. If so, our 2010 Ridgeline will be our last Honda. Too bad, as Honda used to make a decent product.
 
Other rumors from inside Honda indicate that a 6-speed tranny many be 3-4 years away for Honda vehicles, while Acura may see a new 6-speed in 2013.
 
BTW- our Ridgeline is going back to the dealer today to fix several problems. Sheesh.

#2683 of 2715 Re: Two more cents worth of opinion. [rcummelin] by michael0137

Apr 09, 2012 (10:06 am)

Replying to: rcummelin (Apr 09, 2012 6:26 am)
The real shame of it is that they have treated long term loyal Honda customers like you , Rob , Elliott and me the way they have - they don't give a sh**. With that attitude, they'll go the route of Studebaker, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, etc. If I get the same treatment from Acura? Will have to look elsewhere.

Messages Page 269 of 273

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