Accord I4 Auto vs Manual

Hello,

I've had two accords so far. A 1999 EXV6 auto and a 2005 I4 EX auto. Both
Sedans and both silver! I really like the comfort level of the accords
especially the EX because of the premium interior.

I was wondering how you all would compare the Manual Transmission I4 EX to
the Automatic I4 EX Accords? I've seen posts about people saying that the
Manual Transmission I4 Accord is a gem of a machine and I am wondering if
this is based mainly on the fact that the car has a manual transmission? I
know its $800.00 less in the US and the mpg is very close maybe slightly
more, but are there other factors that you based this decision?

Never drove this car in manual, only a VW Scirroco and a Miata. Both of
those were 5 spd manuals also.

Al

 

The main reason I bought the manual transmission was for reliability.

Although Honda first tried to ignore the bad design of the automatic
transmission and then reluctantly did a recall to try to modify the
lubrication method for second gear, many people have had automatic
transmission failure at only 60,000 miles or less. The replacement of
the automatic transmission is about $4100.00 at the dealer's service
department. Although Honda has agreed to pay some of the cost for some
people, Honda's warranty is one of the shortest, 3 year, 36,000 miles.

Based on that record of bad design and bad customer care for those who
bought the automatic transmission, I would buy another brand of car if I
wanted an automatic transmission.

I bought a 2003 Honda Accord EX-LN 4 cylinder with manual transmission.
I find that at 50 MPH, 2000 RPM in 5th gear, I get the best gas mileage.
On a trip from Canton, TX, home of the BIG Flea Market, to Austin, TX, I
averaged more than 50 MPG. On a short trip on IH 35 from San Antonio to
Austin, it averaged more than 50 MPG. To get that economy, I use no air
conditioning, no cruise control and use the built-in navigation system
computer to show me the instantaneous gas mileage number. I find that
seeing the gas mileage number in real-time helps me drive for highest
economy with little effort. Unless the highway is totally flat, the
cruise control does not drive as economically as I can. I routinely get
more than 45 MPG on the highway.

Using the air conditioning, using the cruise control and driving faster
that 50 MPH drops the economy to 36-38 MPG. I always use the lowest
priced grade of gasoline.

In town economy depends on the time of day. Non-peak time driving can
yield as much as 32 MPG. That is a achieved by coasting when possible.
Typically in Austin, during peak traffic times, the number is only 26-28
MPG.

Those are U.S. gallons. The measurements quoted were calculated the
"proven old fashion way" using the increment of miles from the odometer
between fill-ups, divided by the number of U.S. gallons added to the
tank as shown on the gas pump.

The average MPG calculated by the Honda navigation system computer is
very accurate when compared to the "proven old fashion way." The number
of miles between fill-ups shown on the computer is always a few less
than the number of miles shown on the odometer. The "proven old fashion
way" gives a little bit higher MPG number than shown as the average by
Honda's navigation system computer.

The importance of the instantaneous MPG number is that it guides and
teaches the driver to drive in a manner that will yield the highest
average MPG. I haven't found any other use for that instantaneous MPG
number. My wife used to get much less average MPG when she drove the
Honda than me. Now by reacting to the instantaneous MPG number shown on
the computer, she can get about as high an average as I.

This Honda was bought new and has been driven over 76,000 miles.
Replacement of the air conditioner compressor clutch has been the only
needed repair. I change the oil every four months with Castrol 5W20,
clean the leather, wash and wax the paint and that is all.

I don't drive for maximum economy all of the time. I can drive the
Honda as a street racer and get the average MPG down to 22 MPG. I can
win most stop light drag races in it. It will squeal the tires in first
and second gears and it cruises comfortably at 105 MPH.

 

Which does NOT promise you the lowest COST of gasoline.

Do you use a name brand, or do you use a grocery store or equivalent
no-name brand?

Start with a clean engine (use Techron for a couple of tanks), then use
a name brand top tier gas like Shell for a few tanks
(http://www.toptiergas.com). See what your actual cost per mile is.
Then go back to your normal fuel, and do the same calculation.

I've discovered that around here, although Shell is a few pennies more
per gallon, it's cheaper per mile to operate.

 

Well I usually use Shell 87 octane all the time. I actually just bought a
Techron 20oz bottle of fuel system cleaner and poured it into my 17 gallon
tank full of Shell gas. I don't know that two tanks with the Techron would
be a good idea but I think in one tank it should clean it well.

As far as my driving habits, I drive 7.5 miles to work and 7.5 miles back,
most of it is highway going 55-60 and then the other times I am driving on
city streets doing 25-40 mph. About 50% for each, but still my combined mpg
is about 22 mpg and thats with AC and occasional cruise control. I have an
automatic accord ex and I sometimes use D3 when in the city. This is based
on my average weekly mileage of about 200. My car has 36,700 miles on it
right now and i change the oil about once every 6,000 miles. If I do some
drag races or aggressive driving my mpg is around 16 mpg.