Seriously considering 2012 Accord 4dr EX-L V6 Navi

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: tdpark
I would get either a 4 or 6 with a manual.

Can't get a V6 Accord sedan with a manual trans.

And I agree that a 4-cylinder Accord would be more fun with a manual trans. Alas, I don't think the OP is looking for a fun car.

 

[SLCraig]

It's been said before, but I'd take a good look at the Altima 3.5SR as well. Looks are subjective but I think the new one looks great. And of course the awesome engine under the hood helps too.

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: Colt
I'd go with the TSX and the Accord second.
The Camry is so ugly.

+1 I'm a domestic guy personally but if I went foreign I would get an Acrua. The TSX is a beaut

 

[MajorCavalry]

Originally Posted By: satinsilver
I'd check the Camry out. No vcm issues, similiar price, the Accord trans still have issues with them. Many 08 V6's have had their trans replaced around 50k miles. No thanks. Thats a major component thats still not up to par. Check out driveaccord.net for more info.


Not sure where you have gotten this data from. According to Consumer Reports, since 2005 the Accord V6 auto trans has had much better than average reliability. (full red circle).

I have no vested interest one way or the other, but I would assume Consumer Reports gets its information from thousands of owners and statistically analyses them.

 

[Vikas]

Having to have auto requirement comes from the "boss", so that is NOT negotiable! Boss also said no to Nissan because our Maxima has pretty sever rust on it as compared to our same vintage Odyssey or Camry. Personally, I like Altima/Maxima. Eons ago, we had SHO which had electrical gremlins which has soured the boss on Ford although she is coming around. I would like to check out the new DB8 styled 2013 Fusion but I hate the zillion option package things that most manufacturers put on their vehicle which makes buying comparison process even more difficult.

Boss also *likes* heated seats and dual climate control but those were NOT requirements. Oh by the way, I am flattered about the "have your parents drive it" comment as I must come across lot younger here!

Seriously, only reason I am tempted by this car is because of the current deal on it. If I had not seen this specimen sitting in the showroom, I would have been perfectly content with a 4cyl Accord. My family does not even know how to tell an I4 apart from V6, so it does not matter to them. Personally, if I have to live with a boring car for 12 years (nobody is forcing me, it is my own choice) it might as well be at least fast!

Anybody know if there are similar deals on 4-cyl Accords? Would I be saving at least couple of grand on it? If so, I should first drive that and see if it is adequate.

TSX definitely looks nicer and more stylish but compared to 4-cyl Accord, it is now priced 5K higher with exactly the same option list (except HID lights). Engineer in me just would not go for it. The engines are identical except Acura asks (recommends??) premium vs Honda takes regular. I am not sure if the Honda engine is indeed detuned or it can take advantage of the premium. I would not be surprised if it is later. Isn't TSX is actually smaller than Accord? Even putting a V6 in Accord, it is still 3K cheaper than TSX. Using my head, I just do not see how I can justify TSX. My heart likes TSX and the idea of owning it but I also know that buying a new car based on your heart is a loser's game!

People who have chosen TSX, please tell me how you come to that decision.

I have seen Honda V6 timing belt and they are beefy enough to easily last 150K. The VCM would need 5K oil changes which is fine with me and that is what I am used to today. I would probably do more transmission oil changes but if the Honda still has the same glass transmission, then it does not matter. I would be hosed :-( Am I giving Honda engineers more credit than I should??

No love for Avalon? If I am going for a boring car, nothing beats Avalon. You open Oxford English Dictionary and there is a picture of it under "boring"

 

[stranger706]

+1 for the Accord EX with 4 cylinder/automatic. Great powertrain there. 200,00 miles easily, probably more like 300,000 if cared for.

Keep in mind the EX 4 cylinder has more hp than the LX/SE version. The EX has 190 I think and the cheaper models have the detuned engine with 160 or 170.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Am I giving Honda engineers more credit than I should??


I don't think you're giving them enough. Even the V-6 transmission will be fine. Statistically, they're at least on-par with other brands. Failures rates, precentage wise, are very low. Look at the Chrysler Pentastar engine as an example. "Thousands" of owners have had to have engine repairs, yet at a rate of apparently 0.5%, your chances of having a bad one are very small. Similarly, I'm sure that "thousands" of V-6 Honda owners have had transmission problems, but there are millions out there running around just fine. As with the engine, keep the fluid changed as you would on any other vehicle and enjoy a very nice car.

All that said, if you're into counting pennies (it sounds like you're not), the K24 engine would allow likely double the oil change interval, and the transmission is probably an even lower risk, statistically, than with the V-6 model.

As far as deals, I'm sure you'll be able to get a 4-cylinder one at a good price. The 2013s are well-publicized now. Honda is also doing 0.9%/60 months on new cars right now.

 

[rcy]

Is thee new Acura ILX available there yet? I think it looks a bit nicer than the TSX. It comes with three different engines, one of which is a hybrid.

 

[Vikas]

Being owner of 1999 Odyssey and having the transmission rebuilt couple of times, I am intimately familiar with the issues about Honda transmissions. I am not seeing similar issues on the late model Odyssey or Accords but that could be due to not having sufficient mileage on them. I just searched on driveaccord and odyclub for current generation transmission problems.

If the rest of the car holds up great and if only the transmission needs to be fixed at 150K, I would be upset but I would put Gator/Jasper and would go on. I am obviously hoping that would not be the case. It is a gamble.

 

[hattaresguy]

Sounds like a good deal, just buy it.

 

[Vikas]

Isn't ILX even smaller than TSX? Besides, being so new it will not be much discounted and first year models are always iffy to jump in.

 

[BrianWC]

Acura engines typically are higher compression, IIRC. The TSX 4 cyl, new CR-V, and the new Civic Si 4 cyl are pretty much the same exact engine (not sure if they have same engine code or not). But they run higher compression in the Si and TSX.

I'm with you on Honda over Acura, but Acura materials are a tad nicer in most cases. However, it's a wash when comparing a v-6 Accord and a TSX. Civic vs TSX, yeah no doubt. My brother used to always call me and brag about his TSX and my reply was always "Yeah, my Odyssey has that!" Lol.

As far as deals, Honda dealers are trying to shove MY '12 Accords out the door right now to make way for 2013s. You shouldn't have much trouble finding deals.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
The engines are identical except Acura asks (recommends??) premium vs Honda takes regular. I am not sure if the Honda engine is indeed detuned or it can take advantage of the premium. I would not be surprised if it is later.


A friend of mine has a 2010 Odyssey. He reports that the engine runs much better on premium fuel than on regular. As you know, the Honda V-6 calls for regular and the Acura versions call for premium. It's my opinion that the engines are the same, but Honda recommends regular for lower cost of ownership and lower performance. But the engine's ignition system is such that it can advance the timing and run better on premium.

 

[BrianWC]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Isn't ILX even smaller than TSX? Besides, being so new it will not be much discounted and first year models are always iffy to jump in.


Yes, ILX is based off the Civic while the TSX is a Euro Accord that slots kinda in between the two. Problem w/ the ILX is to get the 2.4l found in the Si and Acura TSX, you can only get a 6 speed and there's no nav option.

 

[BrianWC]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: Vikas
The engines are identical except Acura asks (recommends??) premium vs Honda takes regular. I am not sure if the Honda engine is indeed detuned or it can take advantage of the premium. I would not be surprised if it is later.


A friend of mine has a 2010 Odyssey. He reports that the engine runs much better on premium fuel than on regular. As you know, the Honda V-6 calls for regular and the Acura versions call for premium. It's my opinion that the engines are the same, but Honda recommends regular for lower cost of ownership and lower performance. But the engine's ignition system is such that it can advance the timing and run better on premium.


If you compare a 2010 Odyssey 3.5l v-6 to a 2010 Tl 3.5, the comp ratio for the Honda is 10.1:1 while the Acura is 11.2:1

Wikipedia has a good summary: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_J_engine

 

[Hokiefyd]

Wow. I didn't realize the current Acura car version was quite that high. Our MDX is "only" 10.5:1 I think.

 

[k24a4]

I have no doubt that Honda will be dealing on all versions of the Accord with the new model year release on the horizon combined with year end savings. I purchased my Accord in late Nov. '04 for $4400 off the sticker as an Internet special. Easiest car purchase ever. No haggling. Dealership was using ebay to get rid of it; 36 miles on the odo. Car has been bombproof. I know you are stuck with an auto, but I have to second the opinion that the 5-manual is a sweet pairing. The I4 produces effortless power in that combo. 8 yrs on both body and underbody and they look new; I wash wax fairly often, though. IMO the 8th gen (current) is underwhelming in both style and ergonomics, but I could never fault a Honda engine. Good luck with the purchase.

 

[Vikas]

If the engine size is the same and if the bore and stroke are same, how can it have different compression ratio? I guess I don't understand engines as I thought I did.

 

[cptbarkey]

if you like lots of road noise and junk interior then pick the 2012 accord. otherwise stick with a kia optima, hyundai sonata, or toyota camry.

 

[Coprolite]

From my experience(Parents also have 05 Accord and newer Civic):
08 Accord (EX):
-Great engine and transmission
-More road noise than TSX
-Big

10 TSX 4 Cyl Tech.
-Less road noise
-ELS stereo system trumps all others and most of the luxury brands, too.
-Peppy 4 that can retard timing and live on Regular. Not so sure that Accord would ever advance timing or be able to take advantage of 91/93 with the lower compression.
-Roadside service included
-Perforated leather much better than Accord(or Honda in general).
-HID headlights superior to my Infiniti HID and much, much better than the Accord.
-Sold to CarMax for almost $2k more than I owed on the lease in May 2012.