edro13

I am in the market for a used Accord.
I want an EX V6 Sedan, Leather, Auto.

I have a 97 Accord EX with 270k on it. Generally, I have had no trouble with it.
I know this gen of Accord is one of the best, as far as reliability.

Are there any years I should avoid, or major known issues I should know about for the model I am looking at?

Thanks for any generalizations or info!

NuRon

the 03-05 v6 autos has issues with the tranny. 06-07, the final years of that generation, got better. i would shoot for 06 and up. not sure on the 8th generation but you might wanna do some research on v6performance.net and driveaccord.

Fredman

All I can tell you is I have an 08 Accord with an L4 and I know of no issues outside the of faulty brake pad issue that Honda issued a recall for in late 2009. Aside from that glad I bought it, wish I would have gone Honda a lot sooner, everything just 'works' - has everything I need and nothing I don't.

bks84

iTrader: (9)

03-07 automatic 4 cyl. not worth buying. slower than a 95 civic dx (or so it seems)

swordofdoom

my 12' had a bad spark plug after only 20K miles brand fu*** new.
I also notice it eats 1 qt of oil every 1.5K miles.
After 4K miles when I first bought it. It was sitting at the no oil mark!
I stay away from the 08-12 Generation models.
I have heard many people complain that it eats oil.
Eco mode sucks with these generations and they kick on and off.

The '13 are better since you can shut off eco mode and they all come 6 speed auto, but its still the same engine code. Plus, your still stuck with a timing belt on the V6 when a lot of cars have switched over to timing chains. I would stick to a 4 cylinder since they all come with chains (not for sure tho).

GoLowDrew

Some general comments.

What is your budget?

Any 7th Gen I4. It's what you expect from a Honda, except a bit bigger, a bit more weight. Coming from your Accord, you would think the 7th Gen body was solid like a rock. IMO, a big step forward in body structure.

8th Gen is even bigger, if you need the room. V6 have the updated 4 shaft AT, so we can hope it be better than the older version. The only "complaint" would be that car took another step in being big. It still handles great like a Honda, but it's a big car type of handling. Not nimble like your old school Hondas. 8th Gen V6 does feel nose heavy if you swing it.

accord0122

the first cars manufactured in new generations are usually the once with problems but by the end of the generation they figure it out and thats when they make great cars so go for 06-07 for the best deal

mistaanime

stick with 06 + accords

danny_379

I would avoid the 8th gen Accord for several reasons:

very uncomfortable seats

poor leather quality

poor paint quality

very loud road noise

rattles from the dash and who knows where else

VCM noticeable

even for a V6, the acceleration is pretty disappointing

premature brake wear

dusmanu

stay away from 03-04, tranny goes bad, i have to change mine and if i have the shop do it im looking at 1400

The_Head

I think this is most true for the 2008 MY, not so much for the later years.

I have no qualms with my seats.

Accordman1

I would definitely stay away from the 03-04 model years, not because of the AT but many small problems like the center console back lite, rear brake wear (@25K), and electrical issues. Mine is mechanically fine (engine+AT) but these two years has brake, electrical issues and poorly designed electronics. The AT for the V6 was recalled because of the premature failure but they fixed it under warranty. They made the change in 05 and beyond so I don't hear as much problem with those models. I think they also add VSC into the later years. I can't offer any specific opinion on the 08-12 but the test drive I had was nice and it is larger and has more safety features than the 03-07. The V6 on these are larger and more powerful and they are supposed to be more fuel efficient because of VCM. The durability of VCM is an open question though. I would avoid 08-09 just because they are the first two years of the new model.

GoLowDrew

That has been a constant Honda issue until 2010.

I had my 2006 rear brakes done at about 25K, and same with my 2010. Even thou there was a TSB and Honda later refund owners for brake pads, but mine were not approved.

The 1/2 of of the 2010 build did include the V springs (or stronger one), to keep the pads open better. When I had my 2010 rear brakes done, Honda installed the new V springs.

Fredman

I don't have leather seats in mine, but the cloth seats are fine for me.
I have not noticed any louder road noise or dash rattles compared to other cars, mine is a 4 cyl so I am not driving like John Force or Jensen Button, but I CAN tell you the paint quality does suck, mine looks like someone stood a distance in front of it and took a shotgun to it - all kinds of super-small teeny paint chips in the hood and front fender area that I had to fill in, probably 30-40 of them.

The 2008 had the bad brake pad problem but they all got recalled for that, it's a non-issue if it was taken care 4 years ago, premature pad wear, i replaced mine at 19,000 I think.

All in all I would not trade it for anything else, I have had zero issues with it and if I had to do it again I'd buy it again.

94EG8

The springs were never really the issue. The pads just plain aren't made right where they fit into the pad holders. You basically have to hammer them in. When I worked for honda we used to take the brand new pads over to the bench grinder and take a little off the ends so they would fit properly, we never had any trouble after that.

outersquare

If you're buying a used and automatic, any of the I4s are good assuming they were cared for at all. The transmission and engines are all the same family, so reliability is pretty much equal. I think either 2005 or 2006 side airbags became standard, which is life saving for side impacts so try to get that feature. Otherwise shop more on the condition, mileage and price.

I've had a 7G, 7.5G, 8G and none of them ever had any serious problems. My 2003 and 2007 both made 100K miles without anything besides consumables. Since I was more juvenile, my 2003 in particular i was pretty hard on, with many brake torque launches and the transmission never blinked, slipped or hesitated.
They did all have the crappy brake pad problem, but it's easily fixed if you switch to a high quality aftermarket pad.

The V6 autos I would be less enthusiastic about, being sometimes the V6 auto trannies have a spotty record and the V6 has a timing belt. If you were buying a new V6 auto and intended to service the fluid aggressively, the risk can be minimized but with a used vehicle you take additional risk on the history of the vehicle.
The I4s since 2003 have a timing chain and do not have a regular replacement interval.
You do get significantly more straightline power from V6, but at the expense of handling.

BLKFLSH

Contrary to popular opinion, my 03 V6 auto has been a great car, with only minor problems (one lock actuator, one window regulator, and A/C compressor clutch). The engine and transmission are still both operating like new, at 10 years/107k miles. If it wasn't a great car, I wouldn't still own it. Any car is a gamble, new or used, so pay attention to details during a test drive, and check the car out thoroughly.

GoLowDrew

^^^ Well said. That's the problem with the internet. Information get passed around and becomes the Gospel. Do I know someone (V6 AT) that had to have thier AT replaced? Yes. Do I know someone with a V6 AT that ran for 250,0000 miles with no issues? Yes.

My Uncle's Acura ran "perfect" with the cheapest care. He was far from a car guy. The car was traded in because he wanted a new car. The car could still be running today.

0SimpleTire

there's a brake issue on the 2008 i know of...its a recall issue, but thats all i know of....their pretty bullet proof....

jabagaba

First off: Amazing thread. I think anyone and everyone could and should read this - Owners, non-owners, to-be-owners.

I have a 2006 V4 LX sedan, done 77,770kms (48500 miles) as I checked today, and it is smooth as butter. The body has taken a bit of beating though because I work in an Industrial city (chemicals and minerals in the air) in Saudi Arabia, and add the desert summer temperatures which can go up to 120 F. It's made in Japan though, because of the Middle East market.

hondaj35

I have a Honda Accord Coupe 2009 6MT V6 and couldn't be happier. I almost bought the Civic Si Coupe but, after test driving the Accord, I never looked back. The navigation screen went out on me after 25k and had to get it replaced (covered under my extended warranty).Other than that, the car has been a dream. No problems whatsoever except for the Navi screen.


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Manoj Mehta

I have driven City 1.5 EXI AT 1999 for about 6 years from 2007 to 2013. It has been a wonderful experience and it still flies like a speedster with just a little press on the pedal. I just purchased an Accord 3.0 V6VTEC 2004 model and am getting used to a much wider front and back. But I must say it is a powerful car pumelling out 241 bhp on a 2997 cc. The downside is it is a guzzler. Since my running is not much, I can afford a V6. Once you roll up the glasses, you dont hear anything from the engine. It has clocked just about 74K in 9 years in Mumbai and seems good for another 5 years. What I need to know is should I tinker with it by putting on the CNG kit or leave it as it is?

jabagaba

Unless the government forces you to install one, I don't think it's wise to do so. What difference will the CNG kit make to the vehicle? Power loss? Cheaper in the long run?

djblinx89

I'm leasing a 2012 Accord SE. Its the four cylinder, but has leather and is auto. I have no complaints so far. Rides nice and is very roomy. I was able to fit a full GSR motor in the trunk, with much room left over.