looking to buy a honda, any recommendations??

[CJJ25]

i am looking at a civic or an accord. :)

what do u guys suggest? and any tips on dealing w/ dealers what not? thanks guys!

[originalnutta]

I suggest the Civic.

I also suggest reading the long Big honda discount thread in the Hot Deals section.


or search on here.

[stuntman]

What originalnutta said

AND....well look at those other threads first, figure out what you want to buy and then ask more questions, if any, after that.


SM

[Billa-786]

also get some insurance quotes. big difference between various models.

[kvilkhu]

Any particular model in mind? Do you have a budget? What are the needs and/or desires you wish to fulfill from buying a car?

[fidog]

Take the passengers with you during the test drive like children or seniors to see if they're fine getting in and out of the car. The Civic's interior scratches easily, don't know about the Accord's.

Pay attention to the blind spot the Civic has with the A-pillar when making left turns in particular. I didn't notice it until I started driving it regularly.

If you're in the GTA, I have two dealerships I've dealt with. Hightech or sunnybono can give you their contact in Maple.

[realestateguy]

I've had 17 Honda cars. Never a problem.

[sunnybono]

I pm'd you with a Honda Contact name and Tel #.. You won't be disappointed especially when you're dealing directly with the GM!!!!

sk

[Mayoo]

Welcome to the Club .. recommend Accord if ur big guy .. get anything except 2003 or 2008 they are like beta cars ( first model in each generation). I myself drive 03 thou ..

[stuntman]

I've had 17 Honda cars. Never a problem.

I had one and had a a few big problems. Hondas are not magic cars. There are worse brands to buy, that is for sure.


SM

[help_questions]

good decision. I suggest the Accord.

[peter__p]

i owned an accord brand new 2000 to today, and owned a camry 1992 for 10 years. I would go with toyota if i have to do it all over again

[TT333]

Totally depends on what you want, need, etc...

But I know I sure miss my 2003 Accord Coupe EX-L (4cyl). And the V6? Even sweeter.

If you want a sport(y) car, why not get an accord or civic coupe? All generations of the coupes (1998-now) look great IMO.

[scotchtape]

i checked out the site carcomplaints.com
turns out 01-03 civics had a lot of transmission problems...
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Civic/2001/

crazy!

anyways, i think they fixed it in '04...

i think i read online that accords 98+ also had a lot of transmission problems, as well as 06+ 6spd transmissions from Honda, apparently they're really bad.

i was all set on a honda because i heard they were "reliable". well, yes and no, just gotta watch out because they're not all bulletproof.

do your research because you don't want to buy a new car and have to replace the transmission 3 times before the warranty runs out...

[ferkel]

i had a 99 Accord with bad tranmission. Honda doesn't make good transmissions for Civic, Accord, Oddysey

[JewelsT]

I've owned 2 Honda Accords...2001 and 2004. Both are reliable cars (4 cylinders). I've never had any major problems with them unlike the Toyota Corrola (mice could get in from outside and into the car..that was the major problem and the brakes would squeak even when it was spanking brand new).

Go for the Honda Accord.

[001Stunna]

i had a 99 Accord with bad tranmission. Honda doesn't make good transmissions for Civic, Accord, Oddysey

Tranny problems where a bit of a problem on 1998-2002 accords, especially v6 models. I drive a 99 4 cylinder though and its been great with no problems. Just change ur tranny fluid every year and do ur maintenance.

[jjzzbb]

Tranny problems where a bit of a problem on 1998-2002 accords, especially v6 models. I drive a 99 4 cylinder though and its been great with no problems. Just change ur tranny fluid every year and do ur maintenance.

Is that true you need change the tranny fluid every year? I think it is every 50k KM or something?

[001Stunna]

Is that true you need change the tranny fluid every year? I think it is every 50k KM or something?

Due to the problems with their tranny on 6th gen models ive always been advised to do it every year to be on the safe side and also dont drive the car hard in the morning when just starting the car, but this is general to all cars id think.

[ferkel]

Tranny problems where a bit of a problem on 1998-2002 accords, especially v6 models. I drive a 99 4 cylinder though and its been great with no problems. Just change ur tranny fluid every year and do ur maintenance.

i had the same car as you.. 99 Honda Accord 4 cylinder. Did my maintenance. Tranny still died. Best of luck.

[noel08]

Third owner of a 1999 Honda Accord chiming in (FOUR cylinder, MANUAL transmission to be more specific). Bought new, end of 1998. Low mileage on it (around 75000 km). I've done regular maintenance, and nothing more. Never had a problem with the tranny.

In fact, that car has turned out to be one of my best purchases ever.

I am now eyeing either the 2008 (for the better rebate) or 2009 models, either four cylinder manual, or V6 automatic, basically for ONE reason: the many safety features I do not presently have on the 1999 (and, secondly, for gas economy). Otherwise, I probably could keep the vehicle for another four or five years without a major problem.

Obviously, YMMV.

[noel08]

After perusing the carcomplaint website mentioned on the previous page, though, I might re-think the purchase of the 2008 Accord model... given what seems to be a rather serious problem with breaks wearing out prematurely (among other things)

Hmmmmmmmmm. Food for thought! Thanks for the heads up, scotchtape.

[CJJ25]

After perusing the carcomplaint website mentioned on the previous page, though, I might re-think the purchase of the 2008 Accord model... given what seems to be a rather serious problem with breaks wearing out prematurely (among other things)

Hmmmmmmmmm. Food for thought! Thanks for the heads up, scotchtape.


so the 08 accord isn't that great/reliable? as it is the first year of their new gen?

[kingrukus]

As others have stated, automatic transmissions from the 98-02 era were terrible, specifically for the Accord (both 4cyl & V6s), as well as the Odyssey. I have also heard of premature automatic failures on the 96-00 Civic, though I think that is a very rare occurance.

From experience, Honda makes an excellent 4cyl with manual transmission. I currently have a 2000 Accord I4 5 speed as a winter vehicle, and I love it. Last winter I had a '97 Civic 5 speed and had zero issues either. Very smooth running vehicles.

I haven't heard of any major issues with the current generation Accord, Civic or Odyssey, but then again they are all relatively new (the odyssey being the oldest platform, released in '05).

[scotchtape]

Hmmmmmmmmm. Food for thought! Thanks for the heads up, scotchtape.

NP! I am also looking at getting a car. That site is great but I think it tends to attract the computer savvy crowd... There's not a lot of feedback for other cars that aren't as popular with the young crowd. i.e. the Corolla.

I'm just trying to find an affordable new/used vehicle that is RELIABLE. Ugh, I hate maintenance!

Just keep googling the cars you're interested in and add in "sucks" or "problems" etc... you'll get the goods :)

[CJJ25]

other civic v.s accord opinions??

it seems to me

accord > civic in room and a lil more lux feeling.
civic > accord in price and speed and gas.

[kingrukus]

other civic v.s accord opinions??

it seems to me

accord > civic in room and a lil more lux feeling.
civic > accord in price and speed and gas.

A current gen V6 Accord will destroy any Civic including the Si currently for sale in straight line speed.

As for gas mileage, my 4cyl Accord yielded the same fuel economy as my smaller civic.

[elitehunter99]

hmmm, this is bad, we have an 09 accord EX, there is slight squeaking in the brakes, nothing substantial yet, only been 1200 km so far.

[ferkel]

As others have stated, automatic transmissions from the 98-02 era were terrible, specifically for the Accord (both 4cyl & V6s),

My 99' Accord transmission went at 125k. I called up Honda Canada and they said it was out of warranty, out of luck.

I was wondering why I was seeing less and less Accords on the road from that era.

[kingrukus]

hmmm, this is bad, we have an 09 accord EX, there is slight squeaking in the brakes, nothing substantial yet, only been 1200 km so far.

Squeaking brakes is apparently an issue with all 8th gen Accords. My friend had a I4 '08 and then got a V6 '09, both had noisy brakes from new.