2003 - 2007 Honda Accord review

Honda Accord 2003-2007

Honda Accord interior, click for larger view

Honda Accord

The seventh generation of Honda Accord was introduced in 2002 as a 2003 model and continued with minor changes through the first half of 2007. With a roomy well-designed interior, good safety ratings and one of the best-in-class fuel economy for 4-cylinder models, the 2003-07 Honda Accord remains one of the top choices in mid-size sedan market.

Available as a four-door sedan or two-door coupe.
Front-wheel drive only, 2.4L 4-cylinder or 3.0 V6 engine. Automatic or 5-speed manual transmission. The 6-speed manual transmission is available in late EX V6 models.

Double wishbone suspension in the front, five-link double wishbone suspension in the back. Disk brakes in the front, drums or disks in the back. ABS is standard on all models, Traction Control is standard on V6 models.

Inside, the Accord offers a fair amount of space, excellent controls layout and good ergonomics. The distinctive high-tech dashboard design with sharp-looking instrument panel definitely stands out from the crowd. Front seats are very comfortable and supportive. Rear seat space is fairly generous. Trunk is spacious, rear seat-back folds down for extra space.

The Accord has a firm, well-controlled, although not exceptionally quiet ride. Wind and road noise are noticeable at higher speeds. Suspension is a little stiff compared to the Camry. Steering is sensitive and precise. Overall, handling is excellent with good road feel.

In NHTSA frontal crash tests, the 2003-2007 Honda Accord received five stars for both driver and front passenger.
In frontal offset crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2003-2007 Honda Accord received "Good" overall rating.

Engine

Honda Accord 2.4L 4-cylinder i-VTEC engine The 2003-2007 Accord comes with two engine choices: - The base, lightweight high-tech 2.4L 4-cylinder 16-valves DOHC engine with an advanced i-VTEC valve control system is one of the best 4-cylinder engines in class. This is a strong, yet very economical low-maintenance workhorse; no timing belt to worry about, the maintenance-free silent chain drive is used instead. - The 3.0L V6, 24-valves SOHC VTEC engine shares basic design with the previous generation Honda Accord. It's a smooth and powerful motor, but don't expect it to be cheap on gas. Although it also doesn't require too much maintenance, it has a timing belt that needs to be replaced at recommended intervals.

Strengths

- One of the best-in-class fuel economy for 4-cyl models
- Excellent handling
- Good safety ratings
- Good interior ergonomics
- Sharp-looking instrument panel design
- Fun to drive
- Low maintenance

Weaknesses

- Expensive
- Road noises
- Paint chips easily
- Front visibility is a bit obstructed by thick A pillars
Problems are fairly rare and mostly minor such as various noises, vibrations and the like. Early models had some issues with an automatic transmission, most notable in V6 models, though in my understanding, this is a relatively rare issue.

Overall

If you are looking for a reliable and economical mid-size sedan with good safety ratings and the Toyota Camry is a bit too plain and soft for your taste, Honda Accord is the right car for you. My recommendation is to look for the 4-cylinder models. With a fair amount of power, the 4-cylinder Honda Accord posts one of the best fuel economies in its class. The 2.4L 4-cylinder engine utilizes advanced technology and doesn't need too much maintenance.
Although the 2003-07 Accord is not completely trouble-free, it is still a great family sedan. If you are looking for V6 model, consider the good extended warranty, at least for the powertrain. Learn more about Extended Warranty.

What to look for buying a used Honda Accord

Definitely check the used car history records, I saw many Accords that have been in accidents. follow this link: How to check used car history
- Check the service records if available - it's important to verify that the vehicle was properly maintained.
- If the "check engine" light is on, have the problem assessed with your mechanic or a dealer before buying a car; in the worst cases the repair might be quite expensive.
- Make sure to test the CD changer.
- Check the stereo and the heater control lights (common issue), the repair could be quite expensive. Learn more at what to look for when buying a used car
- Prior to purchase, have the car inspected by a mechanic of your choice.
Shop wisely, check a few vehicles to compare; it's worth paying a little extra for a well-maintained vehicle in good condition. Check our step-by-step used car buying guide for more information.
Some models may be costly to insure. Get the insurance quotes first.
Consider an extended warranty to protect yourself from unexpected repair costs.

Maintenance tips

- Wash and wax your car regularly to protect the paint.
- Rustproof the car to protect the vehicle body and chassis from corrosion, especially if you live in an area with high humidity.
- Change the oil regularly to keep your engine in good shape.
- Change transmission fluid regularly using only original Honda transmission fluid.
- Stick with original Honda parts.
- Follow recommended maintenance schedule and keep all the fluids clean and topped up.
- Have your car inspected, at least once a year, in the garage on the lift (e.g. when doing tire rotation) to keep it safe. Many components (e.g. brakes, steering, suspension) cannot be properly inspected by simple visual inspection at one of those fast lube places; the vehicle must be on the lift.
Check more Car maintenance tips

2006 Honda Accord sedan short specifications

Links

American Honda Motor Co. - find information about current models.
Honda’s Ownerlink website- maintenance tips, recalls, maintenance schedule and a lot more - registration required.
SaferCar.gov - compare crash test ratings.
Fueleconomy.gov - compare fuel economy ratings.
Insurance quotes - compare insurance quotes before buying a car.
Used car history - check used car history records before buying a car.
Extended warranty - find out more about an extended warranty for your car

If you are looking for more detailed technical information

If you want to find technical information about you car such as repair manual, check engine codes description, wiring diagrams, diagnostic procedures, fluid type, maintenance schedule, component location, technical service bulletins, recalls, etc. follow this link:

by Vlad Samarin