What Is Honda Thinking?
08-28-2007, 02:20 AM
#21
Originally Posted by Barry in Wyoming,Aug 27 2007, 11:13 PM
I'm trying to decide now between a used 2007 Civic Si 4 door Habanero Red with 1,700 miles, a Belize Blue Pearl 2008 Accord EX-L V6 (manual or auto) and an 2008 Civic Si Coupe (Habanero Red or Fuji Blue or Ralleye Red or Taffeta White).
Decisions, decisions, decisions. I test drove the used 4 door Si and loved it. I'd love all the gadgets on the 2008 Accord Coupe (bluetooth handlink, navi, VCM, projector bulbs) but I think it is more than I really need.
I'm still driving the 1993 Prelude VTEC with 72,000 miles and a tow hitch.
Decisions, decisions, decisions. I test drove the used 4 door Si and loved it. I'd love all the gadgets on the 2008 Accord Coupe (bluetooth handlink, navi, VCM, projector bulbs) but I think it is more than I really need.
I'm still driving the 1993 Prelude VTEC with 72,000 miles and a tow hitch.
Go with the Si Coupe. You won't be sorry.
I love my Si.
08-28-2007, 11:57 AM
#23
Originally Posted by Jim Reichard,Aug 27 2007, 08:31 PM
The early accords were hard to get. I think 1978 was the first year. Getting one around here was similar to the 2000 S. Get on a waiting list. I had a 1981 which I gave to my daughter and got an 84 which I had to wait for and also pay $800 over list to get. Demand in that period was way more than supply. That's how Rick Hendrick of current NASCAR fame got rich by bribing Honda officials to get more cars. I think he spent a little jail time over that.
My daughter traded her 81 for the first year Acura Integra 1986. She then got a 1994 Accord as she had a family and needed a sedan. She then went to a 2000 Toyota Camry and considered it a boat. In 2006 she was looking for a replacement for the Camry so I did a little checking and found out the 94 Accord which she liked and the 2006 Civic were almost identical. She bought the Civic and loves it. She also liked the TSX but didn't feel it was worth the difference.
My daughter traded her 81 for the first year Acura Integra 1986. She then got a 1994 Accord as she had a family and needed a sedan. She then went to a 2000 Toyota Camry and considered it a boat. In 2006 she was looking for a replacement for the Camry so I did a little checking and found out the 94 Accord which she liked and the 2006 Civic were almost identical. She bought the Civic and loves it. She also liked the TSX but didn't feel it was worth the difference.
http://www.amazon.com/Arrogance-Accords-In...l/dp/0965776611
08-28-2007, 12:44 PM
#24
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Marysville, AKA Hondaland
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Accord History
Actually, the Accord began life in 1976 as a 2dr hatchback. MUCH smaller than todays Civic coupe.
Actually, the Accord began life in 1976 as a 2dr hatchback. MUCH smaller than todays Civic coupe.
08-28-2007, 12:57 PM
#25
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Originally Posted by zeiss,Aug 28 2007, 01:44 PM
It is so disheartening to see Hondas getting bigger, uglier and blander. I keep going on about this, so I'll restrain myself this time.
In order to make cars like that are exciting to a small number of buyers, like S2000, Civic SI, Element, TSX and NSX, Honda also needs to make some cars that have a mass appeal like the Civic Sedan, Accord Sedan, Pilot, and Odyssey.
It's just economics. You can't make much of a profit selling niche cars at the low-medium price point. Honda is not Ferrari or Porsche. It needs the big volume cars to support the small volume products.
It's going to move!
08-28-2007, 01:20 PM
#28
Originally Posted by Mchester,Aug 28 2007, 03:57 PM
I think you are wrong about this... The bottom line is that Honda has to evolve and keep up with the market as it changes and grows.
In order to make cars like that are exciting to a small number of buyers, like S2000, Civic SI, Element, TSX and NSX, Honda also needs to make some cars that have a mass appeal like the Civic Sedan, Accord Sedan, Pilot, and Odyssey.
It's just economics. You can't make much of a profit selling niche cars at the low-medium price point. Honda is not Ferrari or Porsche. It needs the big volume cars to support the small volume products.
In order to make cars like that are exciting to a small number of buyers, like S2000, Civic SI, Element, TSX and NSX, Honda also needs to make some cars that have a mass appeal like the Civic Sedan, Accord Sedan, Pilot, and Odyssey.
It's just economics. You can't make much of a profit selling niche cars at the low-medium price point. Honda is not Ferrari or Porsche. It needs the big volume cars to support the small volume products.
I don't have a problem with the Civic even though its grown over the years and today is actually positioned where the Accord used to be. I have a problem with the Accord becoming a full size car. I'm sad to see Honda, and the other Japanese automakers take this direction.
08-28-2007, 01:51 PM
#30
Former Moderator
Rob, I do think, though, that Honda has been much more reticent to increase passenger room and engine size than other car makers that they have had to compete with. Toyota used to sell only tiny cars, Datsun, too, before it became Nissan and Infiniti, ultimately with their big behemoths with V8 engines; Honda started selling motor cycles -- then a few small cars --- then the CVCCs. Toyota eagerly produced big V8s in their Lexus flagships while Honda kept the Legend (Acura RL) within reason, refusing to stretch it to meet the competition from Mercedes or drop a V8 into the bay. The NSX displacement was small, as was the original S2000 engine. When Honda built a pick-up, it was reasonable in size, light weight, and economical, with a V6 not a V8. Honda has kept its cars as small as they could be -- and still be able to meet the competition. Now Hyundai or Kia is coming out with a big RWD car with a V8! The market sets the survival perameters for automobile manufacturers. Honda is probably the most conservative and most tree hugging company of all the leading firms. For some people they are too conservative. Look at the wish lists of old Vintage farts who would change this or that on their S2000s. Notice that no one wished for a smaller, less powerful car. Most wanted more stuff, more interior room, and faster engines! 