Make it easier to get safety features.

It seems that if you want really good safety features with a Honda,
you've got to go out and spend big bucks for a bunch of stuff you may
not want or need, and I think this is unfortunate.

I've got an '05 Accord LX, which I like, but it seems that the best
safety features aren't available unless you drop the big change for the
EX 6-cyl.

I'd love to get an EX i4 with:

Traction Control
Stability Control
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Emergency Brake Assist, and also,

DRL
4-wheel disk brakes (items not available on my '05 LX)

But it looks like I'd have to also end up paying for XM radio, dual zone
climate control, glass roof, etc., etc ... whether I need them or not.

I think the revamped i4 has plenty of horsepower for most dedicated
stick drivers, unless you happen to be hauling a carload of large adults
or something.

Would anyone else buy these safety features for a relative few thousand
extra dollars, or am I alone in this?
+-----------------------------------------+
| Charles Lasitter | Mailing/Shipping |
| 401/728-1987 | 14 Cooke St |
| cl+at+ncdm+dot+com | Pawtucket RI 02860 |
+-----------------------------------------+

 

I think you're pretty much along in this one.

XM, dual-zone climate, etc. may all seem like frivolous things, but
they're those kinds of features that you'll find, once you've had them a
while, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.

 

I think you're pretty much along in this one.

XM, dual-zone climate, etc. may all seem like frivolous things, but
they're those kinds of features that you'll find, once you've had them a
while, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.

 

Buy an extra set of wheels and switch between winter tires and summer
tires. You will have all the traction control you need.

Not sure if I would like that or not.

How is this different from ABS?

If you mean something that helps you slam on the brakes, I'l pass. I
don't need a computer to second guess how much brake pressure I want
to apply.

Turn your headlights on.

Surprised that Honda is still using drum brakes on the Accord.
Anyway, I don't think these add much to safety.

 

Buy an extra set of wheels and switch between winter tires and summer
tires. You will have all the traction control you need.

Not sure if I would like that or not.

How is this different from ABS?

If you mean something that helps you slam on the brakes, I'l pass. I
don't need a computer to second guess how much brake pressure I want
to apply.

Turn your headlights on.

Surprised that Honda is still using drum brakes on the Accord.
Anyway, I don't think these add much to safety.

 

The new Camry has all these features as either standard or as a
stand-alone option (traction control/stability control is not in a
bundle). That should force Honda to do the same with the next Accord.
Honda will probably make all that stuff standard across the Accord
lineup.

I wonder whether or not Honda will offer AWD on the next Accord. I'd be
surprised if AWD isn't offered on the next TL (all TL competitors offer
AWD) and since the Accord and TL share a platform...

 

The new Camry has all these features as either standard or as a
stand-alone option (traction control/stability control is not in a
bundle). That should force Honda to do the same with the next Accord.
Honda will probably make all that stuff standard across the Accord
lineup.

I wonder whether or not Honda will offer AWD on the next Accord. I'd be
surprised if AWD isn't offered on the next TL (all TL competitors offer
AWD) and since the Accord and TL share a platform...

 

I have to say a big THANK YOU for pointing this out.

With the Camry SE it looks like you get a lot stock and a lot more with
one optional package. I can't tell for sure, but it looks like the
'05 LX came with some air bags that you had to buy as an option with the
'06 Camry SE. Otherwise ....

Added "no charge" (mostly safety) features over '05 LX:

solid rear disc brakes (vs drum)
daytime running lights
electronic brakeforce distribution
dusk sensing headlamps
tire pressure monitoring
front fog/driving lights

With the "UG" VSC & Side Airbag Package ($1,300 list)

Vehicle stability control
traction control
brake assist

And the addition of these airbags, which I don't know quite how to
compare to the stock '05 Honda:

front side airbags
front and rear curtain airbags.

Lets hope!
+-----------------------------------------+
| Charles Lasitter | Mailing/Shipping |
| 401/728-1987 | 14 Cooke St |
| cl+at+ncdm+dot+com | Pawtucket RI 02860 |
+-----------------------------------------+

 

I have to say a big THANK YOU for pointing this out.

With the Camry SE it looks like you get a lot stock and a lot more with
one optional package. I can't tell for sure, but it looks like the
'05 LX came with some air bags that you had to buy as an option with the
'06 Camry SE. Otherwise ....

Added "no charge" (mostly safety) features over '05 LX:

solid rear disc brakes (vs drum)
daytime running lights
electronic brakeforce distribution
dusk sensing headlamps
tire pressure monitoring
front fog/driving lights

With the "UG" VSC & Side Airbag Package ($1,300 list)

Vehicle stability control
traction control
brake assist

And the addition of these airbags, which I don't know quite how to
compare to the stock '05 Honda:

front side airbags
front and rear curtain airbags.

Lets hope!
+-----------------------------------------+
| Charles Lasitter | Mailing/Shipping |
| 401/728-1987 | 14 Cooke St |
| cl+at+ncdm+dot+com | Pawtucket RI 02860 |
+-----------------------------------------+

 

The SE is a pretty nice unit. I test drove one a few days ago. The new
Camry nose is damn ugly, but the black-out grill on the SE even helps a
little with that. In the end I bought an Acura TSX this time around,
partly because Toyota dealers are still very proud of their new Camry
(high prices).

I also checked out the latest Toyota Navigation system in the '07 Camry
and it seemed very well done indeed. In fact, it is the only one I have
seen which is as good as or even better than the latest Honda/Acura Navi
sytems.

Ever since getting Navi on my '03 Accord it has become something of a
must-have feature for a new vehicle purchase. My wife liked my Accord
so much that she insisted I give it to her and get myself something else .

John

 

The SE is a pretty nice unit. I test drove one a few days ago. The new
Camry nose is damn ugly, but the black-out grill on the SE even helps a
little with that. In the end I bought an Acura TSX this time around,
partly because Toyota dealers are still very proud of their new Camry
(high prices).

I also checked out the latest Toyota Navigation system in the '07 Camry
and it seemed very well done indeed. In fact, it is the only one I have
seen which is as good as or even better than the latest Honda/Acura Navi
sytems.

Ever since getting Navi on my '03 Accord it has become something of a
must-have feature for a new vehicle purchase. My wife liked my Accord
so much that she insisted I give it to her and get myself something else .

John

 

i think that has to do with "pedestrian safety", big in europe.

 

i think that has to do with "pedestrian safety", big in europe.

 

I'm happy with my ABS, wish I didn't have to shell out for air bags,
and not entirely convinced on some of the other hifalutin features.

Marketing-wise, it's hard for a manufacturer to put safety features on
just the high-zoot models, so they put them on only the high-zoot
marques instead. Until stuff gets really cheap like ABS has.

I'd also like back the $50 or so it costs me for the cruise control,
which I've never used and probably never will, and really, who does?

J.

 

I'm happy with my ABS, wish I didn't have to shell out for air bags,
and not entirely convinced on some of the other hifalutin features.

Marketing-wise, it's hard for a manufacturer to put safety features on
just the high-zoot models, so they put them on only the high-zoot
marques instead. Until stuff gets really cheap like ABS has.

I'd also like back the $50 or so it costs me for the cruise control,
which I've never used and probably never will, and really, who does?

J.

 

if you have in-car XM with a subscription, can you buy a standalone unit
for the house and use the same subscription?

 

if you have in-car XM with a subscription, can you buy a standalone unit
for the house and use the same subscription?

 

eveything ive read from people in the rust belt here indicate that rear
discs arent worth it, compared to the maintenance needed on em.

 

eveything ive read from people in the rust belt here indicate that rear
discs arent worth it, compared to the maintenance needed on em.

 

Thank you! I looked at one on the lot Saturday and that was the
immediate impression I got.

Don't they have anyone to help with their styling?
+-----------------------------------------+
| Charles Lasitter | Mailing/Shipping |
| 401/728-1987 | 14 Cooke St |
| cl+at+ncdm+dot+com | Pawtucket RI 02860 |
+-----------------------------------------+