I love my new 2008 Accord EX-L!

Hi,

I went to yahoo auto and was reading some posts about people intersted in
the accord and was surprised to find so many with negative things to say
about the new 2008 accord. I saw some saying that the styling was old and
not attractive (even though it looks like a new BMW 535i, Cadillac CTS and
Acura RL combined), then I saw a woman who said that she heard accord had
been known for transmission problems...news to me. This is my 3rd accord and
havent had any transmission problems yet. She said in the post that she went
and bought a 2008 Malibu instead...well actually that car has more
transmission problems than accord among other things. Then I saw someone who
said they were unhappy about the way the car drives...mine drives great. And
all for a reasonable price.

Well guess what, they're all wrong.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that in case anyone is interested in a 2008
Accord EX-L, to go for it. Its an excellent car, comfort, driving and
styling. I have the leather seats and they are very comfortable and
supportive.

Al

 

If you didn't have a V6/auto trans model built between 1998 and 2004,
then you wouldn't have been in the middle of the transmission fiasco.

 

I actually did have a 1999 Honda Accord EX-V6 Auto, and there were no
transmission problems in the 45k miles that I put on it AND I drove the car
pretty hard at that. The only thing that went was the Brake shift switch
which had to be replaced two times which was under warranty. It was a minor
inconvienience because I had to use the shift unlock in the slot by the
shifter to get it out of park, but that wasn't really anything.

My 2008 Accord EX-L Auto has an interesting kind of transmission. Its almost
like a standard in alot of ways. It downshifts faster than most automatics.
When you are in the city and take your foot off the gas you can feel it slow
down more like a manual. I kind of like it, because it seems to give better
braking and control.

Al

 

Consumer Reports has a quick review this month of the new Accord and liked
it. A more thorough review will be coming up.

There is hope for the Malibu. GM does seem to be making progress.

 

This is a positive??

Glad you like the car!

Dan D
'07 Ody EX
Central NJ USA

 

My '01 with 195,000 miles tranny is still going strong.

 

I saw some saying that the styling was old and not attractive (even

Well, yes. The front of the car seems to have a CTS and RL look, the side
and interior are close to the BMW 535i and the back looks a little like the
BMW with a hint of Jaguar XJS. I don't know too much about the CTS (although
they are popular), but the RL and 535i are great cars.

Still similar looks or not I like the car alot. The car is very quiet in
city traffic if you are driving slow and listening to some classical piano
on the xm radio, but still have a throaty sporty sound if you open up the
throttle and the revs are up to 4500 rpms or so. All of a sudden it starts
to sound a little like a Lamborghini and you say to yourself, is this my car
doing that? I like it though.

 

The grill..yess..and some of the '08 Mercedes C300 front end I think as
well.

YES! With a touch of ES350 for the hood roundness...

I think more of the '07 335i, IMHo...but yes...

Interesting...the back still reminds me of an Acura for some reason...

I agree...when mine first hit that area ( I took it easy the first 600 miles
like the manual said ), I was like WOAH!

Thing roared like a little F1 engine..what a great tone....had some good
throat to it, for sure. Car moved on out, too.

Peace,
Polfus

 

!!!!

Awesome...mine ( who now resides with my buddy who bought in in 2001 ) has
+170,000 and is still kicking.

Peace,
Polfus

 

Yes, I did 200 mi with easy braking and the remaining 400 to make a total of
600 mi with low revs (none over 4000 rpms) and no fast starts, long drives
or towing etc. Just as the manual said.

I was showing my friend the performance and he was impressed. We were
driving south on I-95 middle lane and going about 60 mph with the tach at
about 2000 rpms. Then I said "watch this" and pressed the gas firmly. The
tach jumped to 5000 rpms with a throaty roar and all of a sudden all the
traffic was going past me in a rear direction. I looked down and before I
knew I was going 80 mph! The good news is there were no cops around! I have
to say the car had excelent stability and confidence. When your driving into
Providence the highway is hilly and curvy and the lanes are narrow and this
car give you incredible comfort and confidence when driving.

Al

 

Al,

If you think the car is good now wait 'till you replace the OEM tires
with something better...
www.tirerack.com

 

I'll keep that in mind, but hopefully I won't have to if I don't wear out
the tires in 3 years. What would be considered better for that car? Mine are
225/50VR/17 all seasons Michellin MX4.

I just had a chance to drive the 2008 Accord in a slight amount of snow
today. We got about 1/2" and the side roads were slick and coated. The car
didnt spin the wheels or slide on turns or with braking so thats a good sign
so far. If I was driving my 99, or 05 accord it would have been a different
story so I am thinking that the traction control kicked in since the VSA
didnt light up on the dash board.

Al

 

Those specific tires he has on the '08 Accord are nice and all season. What
would you recommend?

He's got Michelin Pilot HX MXM4, VR rated.

And to change all 4 tires is $600 minimum.

Peace,
Polfus

 

define nice

These tires are #16 out of 17 Grand Touring All Season;
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=GTAS
ANYTHING ELSE would be a better choice (other than #17 of course).

A step up to high performance or ultra high performance all season
wouldn't be a bad idea.
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position tires seem a good choice for
a sporty ride without having to deal with a different set of tires for
light snow. But there are LOTS of choices better than the OEM junk.
And you don't need to waste your money on "V" rated (149 mph) tires.
"H" (130 mph) is plenty for an Accord.

Don't you pay that much in insurance premiums? Don't you think a set
of decent tires is worth as much? How much will it cost to fix the
suspension when you slide into a curb?

 

Heh...when you're right, you're right.

Well, hell...I agree.

Great..now I've gotta shop for tires.

Peace,
Polfus

 

Those are based on customer reviews.

Read this for a more accurate rating of the Michellin HX MXM4:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/TireTestServlet?tireMakeModel=Michelin_Pilot+HX+MXM4_1

In TireRack's test, they rated the Michellin Pilot HX MXM4 **HIGHER** than
the Bridgestone Turanza LS-V.

And that tire was rated #2 by readers, where the MXM4 was rated #16.

But it out-rated the #2 tire on the results you rely on by readers
submissions.

So if you are going to use TireRack as a source, please use the results THEY
achieve, not the one's readers submit.

Peace,
Polfus

 

Yup, you can read their comments in the survey area.

More accurate under test track conditions on a RWD sports sedan in the
hands of experienced drivers.
None of the tests attempt to simulate winter conditions.

Actually, I read the comments posted about any tire I am considering.
While I appreciate the tests the Tire Rack conducts, I keep in mind
that they are in the business of selling tires. When user comments say
the tire doesn't work in the rain but the test says it does, I'll go
with user comments, especially when they number in the 100s.

Peace out.

 

Exactly...and what a wide variety of comments they are!

And thats a negative in your eyes?

What about the readers that review the tire, affect its "rating", and yet
drive everything but a Honda Accord?

How do you know that many of those submissions are from drivers that can't
drive at all? How about from insane speedfreaks that are upset it doesn't
have the same performance as a summer tire, so they say "it sucks!" or
similar? There are a lot of factors that make those "ratings", and you bring
up a great point as well about WHAT VEHICLE will the tires be on...

Yeah...thats true. Then again, I don't drive in the snow a whole lot, and
when I do I'm careful as hell.

So...when I am worried about it, I've always gone for the tire chains.

I don't think its smart for anyone to use any kind of tire in the
snow...every damn one of 'em can loose traction, depending on conditions.

You *know* that's true, ACAR.

Well....for example, they rated a cheaper tire higher than a more expensive
tire ( the Goodyear RS-A vs the Michellin Pilot HX MXM4 ) in that test.

So that theory may be invalid sometimes

Cool....not trying to tell you what to do. Just recommending that the
reader's submissions be scrutinized closer for their real potential benefit.

For example..I have driven my 2008 Accord EX in the light snow and wet rain
already here in NY on *busy, dangerous* freeways and have been "spirited" in
my driving as well. The tires stick like they are on rails, and I have
noticed no slipping, loss of traction, soft feel, or mushy response. They
have a little road noise I can tell, but I think they have great road
handling characteristics.

I am NOT saying they are the best tire on the planet....but I AM saying that
I don't think its necessary to rip them off a brand new vehicle based on
reports from young kids that drive at Mach2 in the rain on an offramp and
get upset that they slip or can't handle 6" of snow.

Peace,
Polfus

 

I will add one additional observation to the discussion. When you look at
the user ratings on tirerack.com, pay particular attention to the number of
miles on the tires. A lot of them are initial impressions of new tires with
lots of tread vs. the old bald things they just took off. If you filter it
down to just look at the user comments that reflect significant experience,
different answers almost always emerge.

 

On Dec 11, 11:33 am, "Polfus" <nostringscouldsecureyou@thestation>
wrote:
snip

It is not representative of real-world conditions, nor of a mid-sized
FWD sedan.

I lump all the mid-sized FWD sedans together when reading the reviews.

And these folks would post comments to The Tire Rack?

How about from insane speedfreaks that are upset it doesn't

These comments are usually obvious.

There are a lot of factors that make those "ratings", and you bring

Really? I haven't used chains since I left Colorado.

I know some all season tires will work better than other all season
tires in the winter and the VAST majority of drivers will buy a single
set of tires to use year 'round. And they wouldn't know what to do
with a set of chains even if they had them.

Sometimes. The high performance RS-A is The Tire Rack's comparison
standard.

Sure you are.

You are obviously happy with the tires. Great.
On the other hand, if you've never had your tires slip, you are not
really a "spirited" driver.

There are nearly 900 comments posted for the Michelin Pilot HX MXM4
and about 27 Million miles accumulated by reviewers. Consider the
possibility that this sampling includes more than just the idiots you
suppose it does.

Keep us posted on how well the tires do as they wear.