Ownership report: 2005 Honda Accord.

[S204STi]

Joe, buy an Evo or some other manly car, dude.  If you end up in Japan you should at least buy a used rally rocket for your stint there.

[Raza]

C'mon guys,  in my own special way I'm interesting to have around whether you admit to it or not.

Yes, the new Accord is much bigger and is still plagued with typical Honda ride and road noise (though better).

I need a car that at a minimum can carry four people comfortably, can accommodate roof and hitch racks, can do snow duty fairly well.

As to moving overseas, if it happens it'd be Japan, so I'd probably not get a car.

Many compacts can fit 4 adults comfortably; modern compacts are the size of midsizers from just five years ago.

[S204STi]

My only problem with compacts is their usefulness for trips lasting longer than 30mins.

[Raza]

My only problem with compacts is their usefulness for trips lasting longer than 30mins.

I'm not so sure.  Maybe the Jetta is atypical, but it has about as much rear legroom as my Passat or E320 had, and a bigger trunk--a trunk with more space than an Audi A8's.

[S204STi]

I'm not so sure.  Maybe the Jetta is atypical, but it has about as much rear legroom as my Passat or E320 had, and a bigger trunk--a trunk with more space than an Audi A8's.

Maybe so. I remember taking long trips in a Geo Prizm in my teens, and the rear seat was torture.  Our Focus and my Impretzle aren't much different.

[ifcar]

Maybe so. I remember taking long trips in a Geo Prizm in my teens, and the rear seat was torture.  Our Focus and my Impretzle aren't much different.

The 02-07 Impreza is unusually small inside for a modern car. The Focus isn't all that roomy, but the seat is big and high off the floor, so I'm perfectly comfortable in it.

If they're four heavy people, some small cars might struggle to accelerate, but the good ones have plenty of space.

[GoCougs]

Have you driven the new Accord?  I thought it was dead-silent, myself.

Yes, I've had a couple as service loaners. Granted they were base 4 cyl model so that may have been a factor.

Joe, buy an Evo or some other manly car, dude.  If you end up in Japan you should at least buy a used rally rocket for your stint there.

We'll see. Driving in Japan is much more expensive than in America, and it is entirely possible to live one's life in a lot of the country never owning a car. Much of where I'd have to go; various work sites and running errands would much easier and quicker taking the trains. Some of the places it's impossible to take a car - simply no parking anywhere close.

[GoCougs]

Many compacts can fit 4 adults comfortably; modern compacts are the size of midsizers from just five years ago.

To me the 7th gen Accord (my current car) is the perfect size for a 4-door. Four people fit comfortably for long trips without having to mess around with the front seats. Every so often I have to ferry around older/elderly folk, too (relatives mostly).

[2o6]

We'll see. Driving in Japan is much more expensive than in America, and it is entirely possible to live one's life in a lot of the country never owning a car. Much of where I'd have to go; various work sites and running errands would much easier and quicker taking the trains. Some of the places it's impossible to take a car - simply no parking anywhere close.

Kei?

[GoCougs]

Kei?

Size isn't too much a factor. Things are a bit tighter over there but there's still room. There are plenty of small cars but I almost never see Kei cars.

I'd be spending a lot of time on the bullet train when not on the commuter trains. And I'd also possibly be spending time in South Korea too. And the Japanese typically work Saturdays, too.

I simply couldn't use a car on a regular case even if I wanted too; just too busy doing other things.

[S204STi]

Ah, I see.  Well then, this is a good time to save up and buy an M3 upon your return to the states!

[AutobahnSHO]

Ah, I see.  Well then, this is a good time to save up and buy an M3 upon your return to the states!

M5. he needs something bigger.

[GoCougs]

Ah, I see.  Well then, this is a good time to save up and buy an M3 upon your return to the states!

Ha! We'll see. The chance of me going overseas is probably at best 20%, so I'll have to wait and see.

And yeah, the 3er is still pretty tight even in four-door trim. All in all I still don't think I could buy German quite yet. Still a few kinks to work out in getting their cars to be reliable up to and beyond the 100k mark.

[nickdrinkwater]

We'll see. Driving in Japan is much more expensive than in America, and it is entirely possible to live one's life in a lot of the country never owning a car. Much of where I'd have to go; various work sites and running errands would much easier and quicker taking the trains. Some of the places it's impossible to take a car - simply no parking anywhere close.

Damn Socialists!

[AutobahnSHO]

Ha! We'll see. The chance of me going overseas is probably at best 20%, so I'll have to wait and see.

And yeah, the 3er is still pretty tight even in four-door trim. All in all I still don't think I could buy German quite yet. Still a few kinks to work out in getting their cars to be reliable up to and beyond the 100k mark.

???

In 1993 I drove wrecked a 1987 grey 318. At 510,000km, the insurance company said, "that's low miles for that year, they'll get extra money!!"

The owner had replaced the rear axle (easier than replacing just a wheelbearing) but otherwise it was a solid car still. (no power anything, one bad indicator light that NEVER went out...)

[TurboDan]

Have you driven the new Accord?  I thought it was dead-silent, myself.

My ex had an '08 coupe. The road noise surprised me. Definitely more than either of my last two cars (Saab and Passat) and both of them were/are a lot rougher and stiffer than an Accord. Overall I liked the car, though. It just seemed a little too big and bulbous, even though it's probably not much different than my Passat all things considered.

The acceleration on the V6 was a breath of fresh air - as much as I like being "TurboDan" it's nice to escape the lag and torque steer every now and then.

[TurboDan]

Many compacts can fit 4 adults comfortably; modern compacts are the size of midsizers from just five years ago.

I'm glad someone else realizes this. Cars seem to be getting progressively bigger in all classes as of late. The new Civic is almost as big as the Accord from a few years back, at least by sight.

[TurboDan]

I'm not so sure.  Maybe the Jetta is atypical, but it has about as much rear legroom as my Passat or E320 had, and a bigger trunk--a trunk with more space than an Audi A8's.

Agree on this, too. I was in a friend's Jetta last week and it's as roomy as my Passat. I honestly was never a big Jetta fan, but I'd consider one for a good deal with an M/T.

[Byteme]

I'm glad someone else realizes this. Cars seem to be getting progressively bigger in all classes as of late. The new Civic is almost as big as the Accord from a few years back, at least by sight.

Car and Driver did a piece on that a few years back and when they did the article they checked measurements and indeed the Civic had swelled to the size of an earlier Accord.  I suspect the same thing is happening in other makes as well.

[TBR]

I'm glad someone else realizes this. Cars seem to be getting progressively bigger in all classes as of late. The new Civic is almost as big as the Accord from a few years back, at least by sight.

By feel too. It's amazing how much of a difference the lower belt line makes.

[GoCougs]

Depending on financial situation and willingness to spend, I've decided on the following replacements:

2010 Legacy GT Premium, MSRP ~$29k
2010 TL SH-AWD 6MT, MSRP ~$44k

Will wait till summer and a slightly used MY2010 and save myself 15-20%.

[2o6]

Both are pretty ugly. 



I would go for the TL. It's nicer and seems to be a good performer.

[AutobahnSHO]

Both are pretty ugly. 

I would go for the TL. It's nicer and seems to be a good performer.

BOOO
Subie for the win. 

Although I wonder what the resale values would look like. MSRP savings might be lost in resale value..

[The Pirate]

I too like the TL.  But at $44K, I'd be looking at Audis too (says the guy who is content with his $3K Mazda ).

I can't warm up to the styling of the Subaru, but a $15K price difference is tough to ignore.

[GoCougs]

We'll see. I figure I'll get ~$5-7k for the Accord, and with ~15% discount for slightly used, and sales tax, I'd still be looking at ~$30-35k cash out the door for the TL. The LGT I'd be looking at only ~$18-20k OTD.

For me the TL will have little performance advantage; the attractiveness is a lot more refinement, better reliability, and preferred styling (interior especially).

[SVT666]

For $44K, why don't you look at the G37?

[S204STi]

We'll see. I figure I'll get ~$5-7k for the Accord, and with ~15% discount for slightly used, and sales tax, I'd still be looking at ~$30-35k cash out the door for the TL. The LGT I'd be looking at only ~$18-20k OTD.

For me the TL will have little performance advantage; the attractiveness is a lot more refinement, better reliability, and preferred styling (interior especially).

Motor Trend really liked the LGT, fwiw.  Very much a sports sedan.

[Vinsanity]

For $44K, why don't you look at the G37?

that's exactly what I was thinking. Cougs must really like his Accords

[565]

that's exactly what I was thinking. Cougs must really like his Accords

Yeah those new facelifted sedan's look nice.  Just saw one the other day.

[Raza]

Depending on financial situation and willingness to spend, I've decided on the following replacements:

2010 Legacy GT Premium, MSRP ~$29k
2010 TL SH-AWD 6MT, MSRP ~$44k

Will wait till summer and a slightly used MY2010 and save myself 15-20%.

The TL is the only car I can think of that looks worse than the Legacy.  I'd go Subaru here.