Honda newbie question - civic or accord?

Hey everybody,

I'm kinda new to all of the honda cars, but I've heard from all of my
friends that they're great cars, so I was looking at their specs the
site for a dealership near where I live and I narrowed it down to two
cars, civic ex
(http://www.crownhonda.com/honda_car_specs/2007_honda_civic_sedan.html)
or accord ex
(http://www.crownhonda.com/honda_car_specs/2007_honda_accord_sedan.html)?

The $4k price difference doesn't mean that much to me, and I while I
like the looks of the civic, I REALLY like the 6 disc cd changer in the
accord, so I'm totally at a loss of which one to chose. Does anybody
else have any other stories or information about which one to chose?
Anything I should know about before I buy one?

Thanks for the help!

-Ken

 

I saw the second link messed up from my question mark, so if you just
click the link and then take of the parentheses and question mark at
the end then it should work. Here it is again if you prefer:

http://www.crownhonda.com/honda_car_specs/2007_honda_accord_sedan.html

Guess that's what I get for being a google groups newbie also. :-/

Again, all info and stories are appreciated!

-Ken

 

If price isn't an issue then it's a definite no brainer in my opinion. I
have a 2006 Accord EX-L (4 cyl) with navigation and 5 speed manual. The
civic's main advantages over the accord are that ti gets slightly better gas
mileage, (it's smaller and lighter) it's easier to get into parking spots
(if you live in a city, this may or may not be important to you)

 

At this point, there are a couple of things to consider.

1. The current Civic is in only its second year of production, so perhaps
all the bugs have not been ironed out yet.

2. If the previous point does not concern you, if you wait another year, the
Accord should be all new for 2008.

Otherwise, both are very good cars. If you are a single guy, the Civic
should suffice. But if you have a family, I would get a 4-cylinder Accord.

BTW, can you not get a 6-disc CD changer in a Civic as a dealer-installed
option?

 

Interesting stuff.

I don't know if I can get the 6-disc cd changer in the civic as a
dealer option, but I guess with the price difference I can get a great
system for $4k from a stereo store like Best Buy. I didn't think about
that before....

Also, you said that the Accord is going to be redesigned in 2008, do
you have any sites that show some pictures or have more info about what
it's going to be like?

-Ken

 

All the Japanese manufacturers tend to be very secretive about
upcoming stuff, cuz they know any hints tend to depress current sales.

J.

 

I like your choices.

I have a 2004 EX coming to lease end soon, and normally would go out
and just get the new one as a default choice, but the new Civic looks
much cuter, and for that matter is larger and faster than the 1987
Accord I had back when. Actually, the current Accords are a little
larger than I'd really like to drive (I should probably get an Acura
TSX, I suppose, but I don't like the premium fuel requirement, and for
a sport sedan, I'd prefer a little more zip ... so for less money,
I've stayed with the Accord). But, well, I've pretty much decided to
just stay with the Accord, again. They are amazingly good cars.

Say a little about your driving habits, and maybe what you've driven
before, and you might get more specific advice.

J.

 

No brainer. Get the Civic SI if you can find it. The 6 CD changer isn't
really necessarry, since the CD player will play MP3 discs and you can load
hundreds of songs on a disc. Also, if you have an IPOD there is an aux port
on the front of the stereo that you can plug the IPOD into. I wouldn't
waste money on the TUNELINK pushed by Honda. I've had my SI since the
beginning of the year. I had to wait for it for a few months, but it was
well worth the wait. The VTEC engine is responsive, and the gas mileage is
superb.

 

That price difference might come down with aggressive negotiations as
the Accord is now an older design and in plentiful supply while the
Civic is all new for 2007 and in tighter supply. Thus even though there
is a large spread in MSRP, actual transaction prices are much closer.

With the Accord you also get a model where the early bugs have been
sorted out. Yes, even Hondas get better with later model years of a
given design.

Other than that it is just a question of which one you like best!

John

 

Be careful about that assumption. Many modern vehicles have the radio
unit tightly integrated into things like the car alarm and other
functions. Replacing the factory unit with an after market one often
involves compromises you might not first think of.

John

 

The civic gets better mileage and fits into parking spaces easier.
The accord rides smoother and holds a 3rd or 4th passenger easier.

Supposedly Honda will have new low end option called the FIT.
But for unclear reasons they are shipping them in quantity yet.

 

What do you mean "supposedly"? The Fit has been on sale in North America
since the spring. But demand is currently exceeding supply.

 

People in this newsgroup havent been able to get one.

My dealer hasnt had one on the lot.

I dont think they are really shipping yet.

 

Like I said, demand is exceeding supply. But it IS shipping. The only
dealer in my area has 3 Fits on their lot.

Just because your dealer has none does not mean that they are not shipping.

 

I've seen a total of ONE on the road...

 

There is a changer option for the Civic. It isn't cheap, but it can be
fully installed by the dealer, and ou can probably negotiate it into the
price of the car to get it a bit cheaper...

--
Joseph M. LaVigne

http://www.thelavignefamily.us/MyPipePages/ - 10/10/2006 3:55:16 AM
Tobacconist Brick and Mortar Database: http://bam.tobaccocellar.org/

"Nothing serves life and soundness of body so well, nor is so necessary as
the smoke of the royal plant, tobacco."

-Dr. Cornelius Bontekoe, 1685

 

Not quite superb. If mileage is a big issue, get the EX. Has the same
stereo as the Si, comes in an auto if you want it, and comes in a 4-door if
you need it. And it gets better mileage.

The Si mileage is worse than the accord's.

But I LOVE the Si, myself, and it is a blast to drive...

--
Joseph M. LaVigne

http://www.thelavignefamily.us/MyPipePages/ - 10/10/2006 3:56:51 AM
Tobacconist Brick and Mortar Database: http://bam.tobaccocellar.org/

Scarecrow (Ray Bolger): I haven't got a brain... only straw.
Dorothy (Judy Garland): How can you talk if you haven't got a brain?
Scarecrow: I don't know... But some people without brains do an awful lot
of talking... don't they?
Dorothy: Yes, I guess you're right.
~ "Wizard of Oz "

 

I have seen some on the road. My dealer has had them. They are sold
before they arrive, but they exist.

They had the same problem with the Civics, too. Demand is just much
greater than supply right now...

--
Joseph M. LaVigne

http://www.thelavignefamily.us/MyPipePages/ - 10/10/2006 3:58:54 AM
Tobacconist Brick and Mortar Database: http://bam.tobaccocellar.org/

When you choke a smurf, what color does it turn?

 

Again, it depends on where you are. I've seen quite a few in my area.

 

There are quite a number of Fits here in Halifax, Nova Scotia - all kinds of
different colours with various trim packages. I just bought an 06 accord
SE - 4 cylinder, 5 speed and I love the thing. Lots of people room, room for
hockey gear and the car looks super. My only complaint is the trunk lid is
unfinished inside (no pulldown handles, just bare metal with wiring
visible,etc - out of character for the quality of this car). But for the
size of the motor, this car has lots of pull plus I get great gas mileage
(expecting even better with more mileage - only 1800 kms on it now). Can't
go wrong with a Honda and I think the new Civics are sharp looking.