Article Comments - 2008 Honda Accord Coupe vs. 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

61 messages, Last post on Feb 05, 2008 at 11:05 PM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Car Comparisons, Coupe

Comparison Test: 2008 Honda Accord Coupe vs. 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe - The 3.5-liter SOHC V6 in the Accord produces 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm, while the 3.5-liter DOHC V6 under the Altima's hood is good for 270 hp at 6,000 rpm. Despite the edge in torque output that the Nissan V6's 258 pound-feet has over the Honda's 248 lb-ft, the Accord feels as if it is the twist-meister here. (more)

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#2 of 61 Surprised by thegraduate Nov 13, 2007 (7:12 am)
I was very surprised that the outcome seemed so cut and dry. The Altima must've sent a third string Altima (injured and not playing 100%) to play against the champion Accord. What happened?!? Replies to this message: robertsmx (Nov 13, 2007 10:44 am)
#3 of 61 Affect on Sales . . . by bug4 Nov 13, 2007 (8:30 am)
I wonder if a scathingly negative article like that will affect sales of the Nissan coupe? I paid a lot of attention to reviews before I bought my Accord, but do most people? I would venture to guess that price and exterior styling compose 80% of the average purchase decision. Replies to this message: oldfarmer50 (Nov 14, 2007 4:25 pm) rumans (Nov 16, 2007 10:33 am) bristol2 (Nov 16, 2007 10:55 am) thegraduate (Nov 17, 2007 6:09 am) and 1 more... oldfarmer50 (Nov 22, 2007 5:00 pm) and 1 more... jd10013 (Nov 16, 2007 3:46 pm)
#4 of 61 Re: Surprised [thegraduate] by robertsmx Nov 13, 2007 (10:44 am)
Replying to: thegraduate (Nov 13, 2007 7:12 am) I’m not surprised. On the issue of power, Accord V6/6MT is showing power that is comparable to 280+ HP cars on the same dyno. It comes as no surprise that the thing hauls. 101.6 mph thru quarter mile while carrying almost 3600 lb is no joke. Most of us are fixated on 0-60 and ET for Quarter Mile runs. But trap speed tells more about a car’s power. The time is often messed up with launch issues (as Edmunds noted in the article, they mentioned the car would chirp the wheels even in second gear). Interestingly enough, (also recently test by Edmunds) Bullitt Mustang trapped at 102.1 mph. Honda is clearly underselling HP in this case. The Honda V6 appears to be generating 280-285 HP. And something worth mentioning is that no only did the Accord perform better, it also returned better observed mileage (although, at 21 mpg, not by much). However, it makes a bigger difference when we consider 8-10% difference in regular grade (Accord) over premium grade (Altima) requirements for it. The one comment that I found interesting was that the reviewers were surprised at Honda’s V6 being smoother. Although I have little experience with transversely mounted VQ35, Honda’s J-series has been smoother (my comparison involves J32 in TL to VQ35 in G35, and J35 in RL to VQ35 in M35). In many other comparisons that involved mainstream sedans like Accord, Altima and Camry, the J-series has always edged out in that regard in recent years (since 2003). As far as handling goes, a lot of folks dismissing Accord do so based on assumptions, or perception. Honda does leave a thing or two out in most cases, but likely as a compromise to maintain higher comfort levels.
#5 of 61 Head to Head by plee50 Nov 13, 2007 (2:59 pm)
Gee, somebody is a little biased wouldn't you say??? Replies to this message: bv050506 (Nov 14, 2007 1:00 pm)
#6 of 61 Get your hearing checked! VQ35 does NOT = refinement! by hondacura4 Nov 13, 2007 (3:25 pm)
Im also a bit curious about the refinement comparison between the J-series Honda V6s and the Nissan VQ35s. With the exception of the older VQ30, I have yet to drove any recent Nissan or Infiniti product with the VQ series V6 that was smoother or more refined than ANY J-series from Honda. To date every VQ35 powered car Ive driven more or less had that same grainy/gritty tone to it. But it seems like the transversly mounted V6s are worse than the logitudinally mounted VQ's with the most refined one coming from the M35. My curiosity also coincides with Edmunds own conclusions as the Nissan Altima 3.5 SE coupe tested was no where near the Honda Accord EX-L V6 in the refinement department. Replies to this message: robertsmx (Nov 13, 2007 3:34 pm)
#7 of 61 Re: Get your hearing checked! VQ35 does NOT = refinement! [hondacura4] by robertsmx Nov 13, 2007 (3:34 pm)
Replying to: hondacura4 (Nov 13, 2007 3:25 pm) In my opinion, transversely mounted VQ35 (limited experience) does better than longitudinally mounted VQ35 (as in G35, extensive experience) in terms of smoothness. And neither match to comparable Honda V6. It does surprise me that Edmunds reviewers were surprised at that fact when it hasn't been a secret, at least since the VQ30 departed and 2003+ version of J-series V6 from Honda came around. It is better in M35, but then RL has it better in that class.
#8 of 61 Good lord! by fxguy Nov 13, 2007 (4:43 pm)
Wow, Nissan took a beating on this one! Replies to this message: icecubefosho (Nov 13, 2007 4:56 pm) elroy5 (Nov 13, 2007 5:13 pm)
#9 of 61 Wow? by icecubefosho Nov 13, 2007 (4:56 pm)
Replying to: fxguy (Nov 13, 2007 4:43 pm) Does anybody else find this review to be biased? The original Altima Coupe had a pretty decent Full Test, and now this review bashes the heck out of it? I never drove the Coupe, but I did test the sedan, and it was a very nice car Another thing, The Accord Coupe just looks like the 2 door civic from the back, just more angular and different tail lights. Its not a good idea to make your two coupes look so simillar. The only thing I like in the Accord is the Front, which is very muscular looking, and its not Japanese styled, reminds me of muscle cars. The Interior looks like the Civic, minus the blue screen, and added in some more buttons. Overall I don't find it to be much of a difference from the Civic, aside from the obvious. The VQ35 Engines are nice, but I don't care for CVT, I prefer stick shifts over em. And the Nissan Moustache looks pretty agressive and eye catching to me but heres my main question Why spend $30K on these cars, when you can get better used Acuras or Infinitis for close to the same price? The two brands are reliable, and they are no doubt better speedwise, and lookswise. Honestly, if you can find a good low mileage vehicle for around $29K, why buy one of these cars brand new? Replies to this message: elroy5 (Nov 13, 2007 5:13 pm)
#10 of 61 Re: Wow? [icecubefosho] by elroy5 Nov 13, 2007 (5:13 pm)
Replying to: icecubefosho (Nov 13, 2007 4:56 pm) Does anybody else find this review to be biased? Can't one car just be better than the other, without the tester being biased? Nissans have never been stellar in the manual transmission department, so that's nothing new. I did expect the VQ to do better in the performance category, but Honda has always been a few hp less, and still able to keep pace. The transmissions were probably the main difference. I think Nissan just didn't put forth the effort necessary with the coupe, and it showed in the test.
#11 of 61 Closer than you thnk. by jaeger1 Nov 14, 2007 (11:44 am)
Funny how this battered, falling-apart "Friday" Altima managed to match the Accord in nearly every measured performance test. Interesting also that the Accord Coupe - with its 18" wheels and tires and sports suspension - couldn't match the slalom speed measured by Edmunds in their test of the Altima Sedan some months earlier. Also of interest is the fact that while the subjective handling rating of the Acccord Coupe (GOOD) bested that of the Altima Coupe (GOOD), it again falls behind that of the Altima Sedan (EXCELLENT). I don't find the review biased (though I do wonder of about where the author obtained his deeply disturbing frame of reference in describing the Altima shifter). There was clearly something (many things?) not up to par with the test Altima Coupe - that happens - and the reviewers made it known. Overall, a balanced review with no real surprises.