Dear All,

I am new here and need some advice from all you experts here...

I have been shopping for my first Honda Accord and still struggling between the LX and the EX! (Non Leather, 4 cylinder).

The price difference between the two is around USD $2100, and obviously EX gives more like

1) moonroof - which doesn't mean too much to me
2) 6-Disc In-Dash CD Changer - i drive long distance, so this can be helpful!
3) Electronic Brake Distribution System (EBD) - what is that? Is that important?
4) Power-Assisted Ventilated Front Disc/Solid Rear Disc Brakes (4-wheel Disc Brake) - what is that? Is that important?
4) Driver's Seat w/Power Height Adjustment - useful? I don't know
5) Driver's Seat Adjustable Lumbar Support - useful? I don't know
6) Ambient Console Lighting - not important to me!
7) 16" Alloy Wheels - not important to me!

Can someone give me some advice and explain to me the significances of some of the above features from EX? Is it worth it to pay for the extra?

Thanks in advance

Nemo

 

1. Moonroof- I will never again own a car without a moonroof, this is the best feature since power windows. It gives so much more light and makes the passenger compartment seem larger and more open. Awesome to open on a summer day, and no crazy wind all over the place like with windows down. But it's your call.

2. In-dash is the only way to go. Trunk systems are pointless in my opinion. I'd want something that can handle MP3 format, but whatever. It's really not that hard to change a single CD though, but it is more dangerous and can scratch your discs to handle them so much in the car.

3. EBD is a new braking system that electronically adjusts the brake pressure according to the weight distribution in the car (loaded trunk, passengers etc). Obviously it is 'better' but we've survived this far without it and I think it's just there because people with kids flock to safety features like white on rice. Theoretically useful, but you'll probably never notice it, though I'm just speculating as I haven't driven a car with it.

4. Ventilated brakes... I don't think they mean drilled rotors, so in this case ventilated brakes means that there are two rotor surfaces separated by an air gap and little pieces of metal to help the heat distribution. This is pretty standard stuff, so I assume the LX has drums in the rear. Drums are the old style of brakes and are pretty much phased out of the front in modern cars (the front does most of the stopping). I think the reason is that drums expand when hot and you need to keep pressing harder and harder, making it feel like your brakes are fading. 4-wheel discs are pretty standard and nothing special; the LX has the crappier brake system basically, but they'll work just fine for street driving of course.

4 Again, 5. Seat stuff- this is all your preference. The height thing is a motor that raises the seat up and down, and the lumbar thing allows you to adjust the amount of pressure to a spot on your back for maximum comfort. Nice to have if you're particular about your seat positioning/comfort but they really aren't that big of a deal. Although if you have back issues, the lumbar support is nice.

6. Don't know what this is, but it's probably a 'wow cool' thing and not particularly useful.

7. RIMMMMZ!!! You'd only notice the performance difference in wheels if you switched them anyhow, so in your case it's about the looks. Alloys do look WAY better than plastic caps though.


Another thing to think about is resale value. You'll get more for the better car when you're done with it. (blue book has a $2000 difference between 2002 EX and LX still) After power locks and winows, sunroof is the next biggest feature used car people care about. The lumbar seat is nice, but if you're not a comfort freak it won't matter. The alloy wheels will make your car look more refined to a private party buyer. The rest of the features are just bells and whistles (Oh my god a map on a TV!!!!!!! cool, but really not necessary or a major improvement) For me, after power locks, windows and a sunroof, the only option worth paying for is heated seats.

I'd advise takign a spin in both of them and play with the seat and roof, since they are really the major differences. If you're still not impressed, get the LX. I'd avise for the EX because I love the moonroof, and the car will be easier to sell.

 

If you can afford it, then get the EX. It'll be worth it in the long run when you trade it in or sell it in the future like coregis said.

 

ex has disk breaks all around and doesnt it have a betor motor?

 

nope, they all have the same motor now. for 03+, even the dx has the same dohc i-vtec 2.4 as the rest of the 4 cyls.

NEMO - it sounds like you really aren't all that impressed with the features of the ex. it's a personal choice, it has nothing to do with us. if you don't think you'll use the features, get the lx. if you think you'll like them, get the ex. the important stuff is all the same. they both have abs and ebd (which actually is Electronic Brake Distribution) this lets each wheel stop at its own pace, say 2 wheels are on wet pavement and 2 wheels are on dry. make sense? both cars have ventilated discs up front, but the ex has 4 wheel discs (good feature, a bit more stopping power) but again, not crucial for a daily driver.
ambient console lighting refers to the how much cooler the gauges and controls look when the headlights are on. the lumbar is something i really like, but you can get a pillow instead. alloys are cool but you can add them aftermarket. what it comes down to is the moonroof, 4 wheel discs, cd player and rims. for $2000, that's worth it if you want those features. hope this helps. i'm a honda salesmen so feel free to post or pm any more questions.

 

I thought the Accord was EX-V6?? well they are in my area. Whats the best accord in the U.S. in Canada, its the EX-V6

 

Rival, the EX comes in the 4 cylinder as well as 6 cylinder models.

 

I would get the EX because in the longrun you don't want to look back and regret.

 

i had no idea.

 

If you see a 7th Gen Accord that has rear trim lettering saying "EX", then it's the 4 cylinder. If it's the EX-V6, the trim will simply say "V6".

 

Just get an EX with manual transmission, it'll be $1,000 less (the cost for automatic transmission) and you'll have a lot more fun.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hawado &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you see a 7th Gen Accord that has rear trim lettering saying "EX", then it's the 4 cylinder. If it's the EX-V6, the trim will simply say "V6".</TD></TR></TABLE>

but...well in vancouver anyways, there's LX V6 and EX V6
we bought the LX-g 4cyl...so i don't know much about the EX...but i've read that there's less headroom in the EX, not by a lot but it did cause some people to have problems with hitting their heads when entering the car.

[didnt happen to me when i test drove it (i'm 170cm aka 5 foot 7ish)]

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by coregis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1. Moonroof- I will never again own a car without a moonroof, this is the best feature since power windows. It gives so much more light and makes the passenger compartment seem larger and more open. Awesome to open on a summer day, and no crazy wind all over the place like with windows down. But it's your call.

2. In-dash is the only way to go. Trunk systems are pointless in my opinion. I'd want something that can handle MP3 format, but whatever. It's really not that hard to change a single CD though, but it is more dangerous and can scratch your discs to handle them so much in the car.

3. EBD is a new braking system that electronically adjusts the brake pressure according to the weight distribution in the car (loaded trunk, passengers etc). Obviously it is 'better' but we've survived this far without it and I think it's just there because people with kids flock to safety features like white on rice. Theoretically useful, but you'll probably never notice it, though I'm just speculating as I haven't driven a car with it.

4. Ventilated brakes... I don't think they mean drilled rotors, so in this case ventilated brakes means that there are two rotor surfaces separated by an air gap and little pieces of metal to help the heat distribution. This is pretty standard stuff, so I assume the LX has drums in the rear. Drums are the old style of brakes and are pretty much phased out of the front in modern cars (the front does most of the stopping). I think the reason is that drums expand when hot and you need to keep pressing harder and harder, making it feel like your brakes are fading. 4-wheel discs are pretty standard and nothing special; the LX has the crappier brake system basically, but they'll work just fine for street driving of course.

4 Again, 5. Seat stuff- this is all your preference. The height thing is a motor that raises the seat up and down, and the lumbar thing allows you to adjust the amount of pressure to a spot on your back for maximum comfort. Nice to have if you're particular about your seat positioning/comfort but they really aren't that big of a deal. Although if you have back issues, the lumbar support is nice.

6. Don't know what this is, but it's probably a 'wow cool' thing and not particularly useful.

7. RIMMMMZ!!! You'd only notice the performance difference in wheels if you switched them anyhow, so in your case it's about the looks. Alloys do look WAY better than plastic caps though.


Another thing to think about is resale value. You'll get more for the better car when you're done with it. (blue book has a $2000 difference between 2002 EX and LX still) After power locks and winows, sunroof is the next biggest feature used car people care about. The lumbar seat is nice, but if you're not a comfort freak it won't matter. The alloy wheels will make your car look more refined to a private party buyer. The rest of the features are just bells and whistles (Oh my god a map on a TV!!!!!!! cool, but really not necessary or a major improvement) For me, after power locks, windows and a sunroof, the only option worth paying for is heated seats.

I'd advise takign a spin in both of them and play with the seat and roof, since they are really the major differences. If you're still not impressed, get the LX. I'd avise for the EX because I love the moonroof, and the car will be easier to sell. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Very good post...there is hope for 05 members .

I agree with what I quoted...IMO for an extra 2100 dollars you get more car now and in the long run.

 

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