hate_rice

So I am planning to get something a little fun, I want an import, and low insurance. I am looking into a 2008+ honda accord v6 coupe..
I am too lazy to go to the closest dealer and testing it out.
I am 6'6 and 190 .. pretty skinny
also i want to know how they are performance wise on stock.. are they fast ?

GoLowDrew

Honda Accord is not an "import." It's American as apple pie. Not like those foreign cars such as Dodge Ram, Ford Fusion, or Chevy Camaro.

Let's start with 0-60 in 6.5 sec. automatic.

hate_rice

would it be better to get it 6 spd manual?

GoLowDrew

Yes, the 6-6 is a different animal not so much in measurable numbers, but feel like what one expect from a performance Honda.

The trouble is, that it's hard to find a 6-6 used now. The V6 auto would give you more choices and maybe negotiating power.

hate_rice

also for auto what would be some good mods to increase hp slightly?

GoLowDrew

The usual bolt-ons. Intake, cat back exhaust, and if legal in your state, headers. Others also use TB spacers, but really sure on that.

Those who dyno their cars have documented that the J35 respond well with premium fuel. It's not just talk but posted by respectable people. There is an old thread here in this section with the details. You can search for it.

And I tend to agree. I think the J35 was "meant" for premium fuel. Do I use it? No. I shuttle kids, so the extra hp means nothing to me.

In summary, it's continued use of premium fuel. The computers will learn this. I don't recall how long. BUT, once you go back to 87, it forgets (adjust) back down.

hate_rice

thank you very much
also is the mazdaspeed3 a good choice considering my size

GoLowDrew

Try it. The Speed3 does have a mean torque steer.

hate_rice

ahh thank you !
or should i save up for a brz.. ?

21Years

I'm 6' even and my Wife's 2008 coupe is not the most comfortable ride. If you're looking for some unbridled fun in a coupe-like ride, try a VW CC; I had one as a long term rental and I was looking for reasons to get in it and go. The turbo kicks in quickly and gives you that nice pinned to the seat feeling.

GoLowDrew

This is where you'll have to decide because these are two different cars. Are you single or family + kids?

If you are young and single and want a more pure sporty car, then the BRZ twins. Never driven it. But it feels good sitting in it.

If you got a family and busy life, I think the Accord will suit one better. You can add performance, and still be practical daily.

I think space and comfort will be a factor too.

Because I have other BIG Hondas, I take the BRZ for me. But if it's my only car, I would choose the Accord for days when I need more space, comfort, that 11 hr trip to visit a friend in the next state.

Look at insurance too. I'm sure the BRZ will cost more to insure.

I owned a Nissan SE-R Spec V. I loved that car. But the insurance was almost 2X of a "normal" car. And I'm old, married + kids. Sure, I would love something like that again, but I'm not sure I want to afford it.

hate_rice

you see.. but the thing ith the brz is will I be comfortable!! I'm 6'6 ;/

GoLowDrew

I'm going to say Accord then. If that does not work, you can replace the seats with aftermarket racing seats, which is much lower to the floor.

Maybe a VW GTI?

I know a few big buys that like Dodge Charger/300.

hate_rice

how is the performance on a GTI, ive heard bad things..

GoLowDrew

I'm actually thinking about a 2013 GTI because.


- This is the last German made car. All GTI-Jetta-Golf will be from Mexico. I never owned a German car before.
- Always wanted one since I was a kid with the first GTI back in 1983.
- With the new one out soon, I expect great discounts.
- Great, fun, car. IMO, enough power to be fun. But not too powerful that one can get into trouble. Like the BRZ, sometimes being "underpowered" can be more fun.

Not sure about this choice because.

- I would have to give up my Honda.
- Questionable reliability even today. I do visit the VW forums regularly.

It's true that every car can have problems and even the worst cars can run forever, so IMO, it's all luck. But I kind of like luck to be more on my side. I've owned Honda since 1988 and all have been great. So I'm used to that.

Cars are expensive, so I can't just buy and sell it if I don't like it.

hate_rice

yes cars are expensive that's why i started this thread! to finally be clear on what i want...
how are infiniti g35s on rooom ?

GoLowDrew

Like an Accord up front. The rear is a bit tighter than the Accord (sedan). The G35/37 is my first choice if I was to step up to a more premium car.

As a Honda guy, I choose it over the Acura TL.

hate_rice

well thank you! you were much help.
ive found an 09 6-6 coupe for a decent price..
Now i will let my girlfriend keep the fx35

GoLowDrew

Great. Post pics.

The only thing I can share about the 6 speed manual is that some owners use GM's manual trans fluid instead. They said it way smoother. And prevent the "3rd gear grind." If you don't have that issue, than carry on.

Just FYI. Maybe other 6-6 guys here can confirm.

Skyy

The j-series cars with 6mt's are great. you really cant go wrong with the performance, reliability, and price.4

Stuff

The G37 coupe is just too tight. I test drove it and to use the power seat controls I had to open the door.

SIjames

So wait... You're 6'6" tall and you bought an Accord 6-6 ?? That's awesome

I'm also going for a 6-6 but I want the unicorn, the previous body style 07 Sedan 6-6, any color EX-L as long as it has black leather. Closest one I've found is 400 miles away. Not in any rush, so I'll just be waiting for the right car to pop up.

Also, I read somewhere else that the 08 V6 automatic uses a more efficient V6 than the manual V6. Does anyone know what year that stopped, and when both V6's became equally powerful/efficient for both manual/auto?

GoLowDrew

The automatics uses the J35Z2 engine with VCM. So it cuts the V6 down to 4 cylinder and 3 cylinder mode. It does save gas as I'm able to get 29MPG on the hwy without trying. That's better than EPA numbers. Yes, I do measure correctly.

The 6-6 uses the J35Z3. And it does not have VCM so it's running as a V6 all the time. The tuning of the engine is a bit different too where the 6-6 does feel a lot more alive.

That automatic can go 0-60 in 6.5 sec so it's not slow for a 3,600lbs car. But it's about how it goes about it. So they do feel different in the real world driving, even if the benchmark numbers are similar.

SIjames

Interesting that they made the 6-6 feel more alive, at the expense of not offering cylinder deactivation on the highway, which I absolutely 100% do want in my 6 speed manual. So I guess my question was, do you know what years had the Z2 vs Z3 engine differences? Has the 6MT always had a different, livelier though less efficient engine, and is it likely to stay that way? I'm asking for the entire 7G of 6 speed manuals, 2003-2012. Thx!

GoLowDrew

Honda said the VCM is a smooth process, but (some) owners can feel it kicking in and out. The auto transmission does smooth it out. On a manual where things are more tight, I think VCM would make it a jerky car, I'd imagine. And when you look at the target buyer, performance is a higher preference with manual owners.

The 7Gen Accord does not have VCM. So the engines are a bit different for the 8 Gen. I owned a 7G I4, and I did not compare the V6s. My readings here from owners have said also that the 6-6 7G does feel more alive, than the auto. And we are talking about engine. Not AT vs manual.