2003 Honda Accord Coupe (1 Viewer)

[Stephen L]

They had the new Honda on the cover of the Automotive News .Not much on the website but you can see a glimpse on the cover of the print edition on the site. I came away unimpressed when I saw it today.

 

[KeithH]

Stephen, I'll have to check out Automotive News. I have a 2001 Accord Coupe and really like the look and performance. On my drive into work today, I passed an Accord Coupe that looked just like mine, except that the taillights looked odd. The Accord Coupes I have always seen have a taillight in the form of a red strip across the trunk door (above the license plate). The Coupe I saw today had weird-shaped lights across the trunk door. I figured it was a new model or an unusual mod. Perhaps this was the 2003 model? I found no pictures on Honda's web site of a new Accord Coupe.

 

[John Garcia]

From a reputable Honda/Acura forum:

Let's hope these drawings are accurate - if so, the new Accord is shaping up to be a pretty nice looking machine. Mag-X reports that the Accord will be offered with 2.0L (220ps) and 2.4L (200/250ps) models in Japan. My personal expectation is that the US/Canadian Accord will get a 2.4L 4-cylinder and a 3.2L V-6. Power will likely range from 170-180hp for the 2.4L and 240-250 for the 3.2L. One source has e-mailed us claiming that the V6 will actually displace 3.5L, producing 240hp, but I'd be a little surprised if this materialized, considering the 3.2L motors in the '03 Acura TL and CL models. Considering that both of those models are due to be replaced soon, it's possible that there is a larger motor in store for the Accord, but maybe not until the CL/TL replacements arrive.

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I don't think it's that bad, and that's good because I really don't like the look of the current one.

 

[PatrickM]

Geez, look like a Benz much? Not bad I guess but a little non-descript in my opinion. The new G35 coupe has better lines but its a lot more expensive too. If it has Honda quality it'll sell well.

Patrick

 

[John Garcia]

I'll take the G35 any day (I'm waiting for the coupe). I think it (G35) looks quite good. Yep, I have to agree that the tail end of the new Accord was stolen right off the current MBs. I wonder what the sedan will look like.

I never really had any interest in the last 4 Accords, actually. I think they are all good cars, but they are not what I am looking for.

 

[Shawn C]

Man, that car looks like, I just dont know!

Benz taillights

Acura trunk ( still Honda)

Honda S2000 headlights (still Honda)

Chrysler Grill (in the photo)

Mazda MPV Grill (in the drawing)

It looks like an elongated Celica from the side.

 

[Peter Kline]

Like the Camry, a very conservative look for their market niche. Althought the Altima is the prettier of the 3, it is poorly made according to reports. I still like my 2002 Passat though. Have had it for a year (when it first came out it was called the 2001.5) and absolutely no problems. Here in South Florida I see many more 2002 Passats every day.
Also, photos don't give accurate perspective on how a car really looks. You need to see in person. Here's another drawing of what it supposedly looks like (as you can see not the same as the sedan pic above):

 

[Matt Krapf]

If I can remember, at lunch I'll forward pics of the new sedan.

It's not bad.

 

[John Garcia]

Peter, I don't know about you, but that looks like a drawing of the current Accord...

 

[Matt Krapf]

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[John Garcia]

Those pics all look like photoshop to me. That site is well known for that. You can very easily see that the last picture was a CL.

 

[KeithH]

John, thanks for posting the pictures of the 2003 Accord Coupe. That's not the car I saw on the road yesterday. I don't know what I saw yesterday. The car looked like a current Coupe (like my 2001), but the reflectors on the trunk door were different. I guess it was some sort of mod.

I'm not overly impressed with the 2003 Coupe. I just don't like it.

 

[Derrick Lee]

Peter, that drawing is the current Japanese version of the Accord. Check out http://www.honda.co.jp/ACCORD/.

 

[Scott Merryfield]

Like the Camry, a very conservative look for their market niche. Althought the Altima is the prettier of the 3, it is poorly made according to reports.

The only negative reports regarding the Altima that I've seen are regarding the styling of its interior. I've owned a 2002 Altima 3.5SE for about 2 months now, replacing a 1993 Camry V6 XLE. The Nissan compares very favorably with the Toyota in build quality, including body fit/finish, quietness in the interior, mechanics, etc. It's V6 is a very quiet, smooth engine, and the automatic transmission shifts effortlessly. While the interior is not the most attractive I've ever seen, it is well constructed and all the interior controls have a quality feel. I think the seats are more comfortable and supportive than in the Camry (both vehicles had cloth, not leather, seats).

Only time will tell if the Altima's long term reliability will equal that of my old Camry (which was a great car). However, as the owner of two other Nissan-based vehicles -- my wife's current and previous car were Mercury Villagers (a rebadged Nissan Quest) -- I had enough confidence in Nissan quality to select the Altima over another Camry.

 

[DaveBB]

Let's hope these drawings are accurate - if so, the new Accord is shaping up to be a pretty nice looking machine. Mag-X reports that the Accord will be offered with 2.0L (220ps) and 2.4L (200/250ps) models in Japan. My personal expectation is that the US/Canadian Accord will get a 2.4L 4-cylinder and a 3.2L V-6. Power will likely range from 170-180hp for the 2.4L and 240-250 for the 3.2L. One source has e-mailed us claiming that the V6 will actually displace 3.5L, producing 240hp, but I'd be a little surprised if this materialized, considering the 3.2L motors in the '03 Acura TL and CL models. Considering that both of those models are due to be replaced soon, it's possible that there is a larger motor in store for the Accord, but maybe not until the CL/TL replacements arrive.

Very interesting. I thought I had read somewhere that Honda was trying to avoid a horsepower war with Nissan on their sedans.

 

[MikeM]

Wow, the back looks exactly like a Benz, and the front looks like a Taurus.

I like the look of the current 2002 Accord Coupe. The back of it looks soooooo much better than the 2002 Accord 4DR.

 

[Peter Kline]

Guys, thanks for the info on that Honda pic which was the Japanese version. I understand there's also a European version which is different as well. Very confusing!

As far as the 2003 Altima, the mention of poor interior parts is indeed what most of the negative press has been about. As a former Camry owner ('95 and '98) I purchased a Passat last May because of the quality of build and handsome (to me) styling. I'm not sorry. Of course the realiability factor is not as good as an Accord or Camry, but there are few cars that are. So far no problems. Sales have been bigger for the new Passat month over month from last year and it is just behind the Jetta as VW's sales leader. They can't build as many as Honda and Toyota can of the Accord and Camry, but I hope they don't. Keeps resale value up!

 

[Scott Merryfield]

Peter,

The Passat is another fine car. Along with the Altima and Camry, it was the other model I considered. My choice came down to knowing the owner of a Nissan dealership and being able to get a much better deal than on the Toyota or VW products.

As for the quality of the interior parts on the Altima, I read that, too, in Motor Trend. While I do agree that the interior styling isn't very attractive, I think the components compare favorably in quality to my old Camry (which is a compliment). Of course, only time will tell if the parts will hold up over the long term.

 

[John Garcia]

Very interesting. I thought I had read somewhere that Honda was trying to avoid a horsepower war with Nissan on their sedans.

It is conjecture, that doesn't mean it will become reality. Nissan is doing the horsepower war. I was in their lobby the other day, and they have a board up detailing even a 5hp increase vs other manufacturers of cars in the same class. Big whoop. (and I own a Nissan )

 

[KeithH]

Mike said:

I like the look of the current 2002 Accord Coupe. The back of it looks soooooo much better than the 2002 Accord 4DR.

I agree with you 100%. The Accord Sedan from 1998-2002 is too boxy in my opinion. I've liked the current Coupe since it was introduced in '98, which is why I bought one last year.