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Big_Boi
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Well I went to the Honda dealership today to see this car for myself in person. I have bashed Honda over the last few years for some of the products they have put out. When I was buying my car in 2008 it was between the 6 and the Accord and we know who won that battle. Fast forward 4 years and Honda has done an amazing job on this car and I don't impress easy but this car right now is the gold standard for mid sized cars and I will tell you why.
Frist the pictures do not due justice to just how good the car looks in person, black, pearl white and the red are the colors to get that give this car a luxurious look. The attention to detail is second to none on the exterior. The chrome on the lower and upper part of the grill looks nice, as well as in the rear give the car an upscale look. The interior has all the soft touch materials where you would expect them. The dash, door panels, and arm rest and all padded nicely. I took a look at the radio trim that people said sparkles and it looks fine to me. its not as bad as I first thought it might be and I didn't even notice it until I fully stared at it.
The U.S. Models are different then ours for sure. The Canadian model EX-L and Touring Models get heated rear seats with a high and low settings, as well as the nicer rims of the sport model and you can get the full LED headlights on the 4 cyl model where that is only available on the V6 in the states. But we don't get the Adaptive Cruise Control, or the 16GB hard drive. But in our Touring model we get the heated rear sears and the 18 inch wheels 2 features I would rather have.
The car drives so smooth I can't recall once feeling any major bumps, the suspension just soaks them up. The lane watch feature is amazing my wife loved it and it works very good in night time driving which is when I drove the car. The LED lights put HID's to shame.
Now for the V6 Engine, If I was gonna by this car it would be the V6, because the fuel difference compared to the 4 banger and the more relaxing drive and extra power makes it worth it to me. But not all is perfect, there is alot of noise from the engine when pressed hard. Maybe I shouldn't be comparing these 2 engines but my friend has a 2007 lexus ES 350 and you can't hear anything when he mashes the gas on that engine, its butter smooth. The accord engine is smooth but with more noise. That is the only flaw if you want to call it that.
One more thing, if your looking to buy an Acura TL save your money and buy an Accord, more Tech and for less money, Honda will have the same problem nissan had, why buy a Maxima when you can have an altima for less with the same features. If its one feature this car doesn't have that would make it perfect would be cooled seats. Anyone looking at a 2013 Lexus ES, Buick Allure, Maxima, Acura TL, take a look at this car you won't be disappointed. If honda brought this car out 4 yrs ago I would have bought this hands down over the Mazda.
That said Mazda has some work cut out for it when the new 6 comes out next year. The Mazda looks more Sporty then the Accord, but the Accord I feel has a more upscale look to it. Mazda will have to have something very good to take sales away from Honda, but in all honesty I don't think that will happen because this car is just that good and I am a Mazda owner. I love my car and feel it still beats a 2009 Accord haands down, but Honda took things to a new level with this car.
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benbess
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Big_Boi wrote:
Well I went to the Honda dealership today to see this car for myself in person. I have bashed Honda over the last few years for some of the products they have put out. When I was buying my car in 2008 it was between the 6 and the Accord and we know who won that battle. Fast forward 4 years and Honda has done an amazing job on this car and I don't impress easy but this car right now is the gold standard for mid sized cars and I will tell you why.
Frist the pictures do not due justice to just how good the car looks in person, black, pearl white and the red are the colors to get that give this car a luxurious look. The attention to detail is second to none on the exterior. The chrome on the lower and upper part of the grill looks nice, as well as in the rear give the car an upscale look. The interior has all the soft touch materials where you would expect them. The dash, door panels, and arm rest and all padded nicely. I took a look at the radio trim that people said sparkles and it looks fine to me. its not as bad as I first thought it might be and I didn't even notice it until I fully stared at it.
The U.S. Models are different then ours for sure. The Canadian model EX-L and Touring Models get heated rear seats with a high and low settings, as well as the nicer rims of the sport model and you can get the full LED headlights on the 4 cyl model where that is only available on the V6 in the states. But we don't get the Adaptive Cruise Control, or the 16GB hard drive. But in our Touring model we get the heated rear sears and the 18 inch wheels 2 features I would rather have.
The car drives so smooth I can't recall once feeling any major bumps, the suspension just soaks them up. The lane watch feature is amazing my wife loved it and it works very good in night time driving which is when I drove the car. The LED lights put HID's to shame.
Now for the V6 Engine, If I was gonna by this car it would be the V6, because the fuel difference compared to the 4 banger and the more relaxing drive and extra power makes it worth it to me. But not all is perfect, there is alot of noise from the engine when pressed hard. Maybe I shouldn't be comparing these 2 engines but my friend has a 2007 lexus ES 350 and you can't hear anything when he mashes the gas on that engine, its butter smooth. The accord engine is smooth but with more noise. That is the only flaw if you want to call it that.
One more thing, if your looking to buy an Acura TL save your money and buy an Accord, more Tech and for less money, Honda will have the same problem nissan had, why buy a Maxima when you can have an altima for less with the same features. If its one feature this car doesn't have that would make it perfect would be cooled seats. Anyone looking at a 2013 Lexus ES, Buick Allure, Maxima, Acura TL, take a look at this car you won't be disappointed. If honda brought this car out 4 yrs ago I would have bought this hands down over the Mazda.
That said Mazda has some work cut out for it when the new 6 comes out next year. The Mazda looks more Sporty then the Accord, but the Accord I feel has a more upscale look to it. Mazda will have to have something very good to take sales away from Honda, but in all honesty I don't think that will happen because this car is just that good and I am a Mazda owner. I love my car and feel it still beats a 2009 Accord haands down, but Honda took things to a new level with this car.
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Thanks for sharing this detailed review! Sounds great. Like you I'm also a Mazda owner and somewhat of a Mazda fan. But to me nothing beats the overall feel and value of a Honda. And to me the engine noise of a Honda is even something of a good thing, and so that part of your review didn't bother me. I mean Honda engines sound sweet and happy when they rev. I forgot that most car engines are not like this, but when I got a rental Ford Fusion a while ago I realized how rough and nasty most engines sound when pushed.
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JeffX
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benbess wrote:
Big_Boi wrote:
Well I went to the Honda dealership today to see this car for myself in person. I have bashed Honda over the last few years for some of the products they have put out. When I was buying my car in 2008 it was between the 6 and the Accord and we know who won that battle. Fast forward 4 years and Honda has done an amazing job on this car and I don't impress easy but this car right now is the gold standard for mid sized cars and I will tell you why.
Frist the pictures do not due justice to just how good the car looks in person, black, pearl white and the red are the colors to get that give this car a luxurious look. The attention to detail is second to none on the exterior. The chrome on the lower and upper part of the grill looks nice, as well as in the rear give the car an upscale look. The interior has all the soft touch materials where you would expect them. The dash, door panels, and arm rest and all padded nicely. I took a look at the radio trim that people said sparkles and it looks fine to me. its not as bad as I first thought it might be and I didn't even notice it until I fully stared at it.
The U.S. Models are different then ours for sure. The Canadian model EX-L and Touring Models get heated rear seats with a high and low settings, as well as the nicer rims of the sport model and you can get the full LED headlights on the 4 cyl model where that is only available on the V6 in the states. But we don't get the Adaptive Cruise Control, or the 16GB hard drive. But in our Touring model we get the heated rear sears and the 18 inch wheels 2 features I would rather have.
The car drives so smooth I can't recall once feeling any major bumps, the suspension just soaks them up. The lane watch feature is amazing my wife loved it and it works very good in night time driving which is when I drove the car. The LED lights put HID's to shame.
Now for the V6 Engine, If I was gonna by this car it would be the V6, because the fuel difference compared to the 4 banger and the more relaxing drive and extra power makes it worth it to me. But not all is perfect, there is alot of noise from the engine when pressed hard. Maybe I shouldn't be comparing these 2 engines but my friend has a 2007 lexus ES 350 and you can't hear anything when he mashes the gas on that engine, its butter smooth. The accord engine is smooth but with more noise. That is the only flaw if you want to call it that.
One more thing, if your looking to buy an Acura TL save your money and buy an Accord, more Tech and for less money, Honda will have the same problem nissan had, why buy a Maxima when you can have an altima for less with the same features. If its one feature this car doesn't have that would make it perfect would be cooled seats. Anyone looking at a 2013 Lexus ES, Buick Allure, Maxima, Acura TL, take a look at this car you won't be disappointed. If honda brought this car out 4 yrs ago I would have bought this hands down over the Mazda.
That said Mazda has some work cut out for it when the new 6 comes out next year. The Mazda looks more Sporty then the Accord, but the Accord I feel has a more upscale look to it. Mazda will have to have something very good to take sales away from Honda, but in all honesty I don't think that will happen because this car is just that good and I am a Mazda owner. I love my car and feel it still beats a 2009 Accord haands down, but Honda took things to a new level with this car.
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Thanks for sharing this detailed review! Sounds great. Like you I'm also a Mazda owner and somewhat of a Mazda fan. But to me nothing beats the overall feel and value of a Honda. And to me the engine noise of a Honda is even something of a good thing, and so that part of your review didn't bother me. I mean Honda engines sound sweet and happy when they rev. I forgot that most car engines are not like this, but when I got a rental Ford Fusion a while ago I realized how rough and nasty most engines sound when pushed.
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Yeah, I think calling it a "flaw" would imply that it was designed to be quiet, but that's not the case. In actuality, Honda designed it to permit the sounds that you hear. Lexus are designed to be antiseptic and tomb-quiet. It's a design choice. Not an engineering triumph or failure.
The V6 in the Accord could be padded and choked into near silence too, but Honda purposely leaves the sound there for a reason. I think it sounds fantastic and invigorates the driving experience and gives the car some character - something that is sorely lacking in most mainstream midsize products.
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Big_Boi
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Well for the most part the car is fast off the line and the throttle input was very good. snaping the wife neck and mine back a few tiimes. One feature in love is the Forward Collision Warning, we were coming up to a red light with a car in front of us and the warning worked as advertised, its a nice feature to have. I did a comparison with a 2013 Lexus ES 350 and to get the same level of safety you have to spend north of 50K Canadian that is. Yes you get a panoramic moon roof, coolded seat, rear sunshade, memory seats for the passenger, but it still not worth it. The Lane Departure Warning system, turn off because it will get annoying after a while, but on long trips it s good feature to have.
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CivicB18
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My daughters principle who's also our neighbor just turned in his 2011 GS350 for a new lease on a 2013 ES350. I have to say that I'm NOT impressed with his car as it looks like a regular Toyota model and the tires are really skinny. The only things that look expensive are the paint (Lexus has excellent paint quality) and the dash looks somewhat upscale. However the door panels could be found in any normal non luxury midsize sedan and overall the car didn't feel like a step up from the previous. My 2008 TL feels substantial and much more upscale inside as I've always thought that car offered the best combination of high material quality and design of any Acura to date.
I've sat in a few Accords and was pleased by the material selection for the price but I'm guess I'm spoiled by my TL so I feel somewhat like I'm stepping down if I were to purchase the Accord. However given the price range and competition, the Accords materials are spot on as they are consistent throughout the cabin.
In the end the Accord is back to being the benchmark because no other car in its segment offers the level of safety, standard features, optional features, all around performance, quality, material quality, perceived quality, driving dynamics, innovation, value, trim levels and body configurations in one package other that the Accord. Congrats Honda!
~Patrick
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EXV6
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Good review. I've always liked the throaty sound of my '02 Accord's V6 when flooring it to enter a highway or passing. I think not hushing it was intentional on Honda's part. I'm curious if you noticed the new V6's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) at work. I recall reading complaints about the last generation's system.
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auto_enthu
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CivicB18 wrote:
My daughters principle who's also our neighbor just turned in his 2011 GS350 for a new lease on a 2013 ES350. I have to say that I'm NOT impressed with his car as it looks like a regular Toyota model and the tires are really skinny. The only things that look expensive are the paint (Lexus has excellent paint quality) and the dash looks somewhat upscale. However the door panels could be found in any normal non luxury midsize sedan and overall the car didn't feel like a step up from the previous. My 2008 TL feels substantial and much more upscale inside as I've always thought that car offered the best combination of high material quality and design of any Acura to date.
I've sat in a few Accords and was pleased by the material selection for the price but I'm guess I'm spoiled by my TL so I feel somewhat like I'm stepping down if I were to purchase the Accord. However given the price range and competition, the Accords materials are spot on as they are consistent throughout the cabin.
In the end the Accord is back to being the benchmark because no other car in its segment offers the level of safety, standard features, optional features, all around performance, quality, material quality, perceived quality, driving dynamics, innovation, value, trim levels and body configurations in one package other that the Accord. Congrats Honda!
~Patrick
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I agree on GS350.
The other day, I stopped behind a 2013 GS350.
I happenned to look at its tires before I saw what car it was.
I was shocked to see the super skinny wheels belonged to the latest GS350. Even TL has much thicker wheels, although TL's segment is below GS. All other direct competition for GS has much thicker wheels.
May be they did it for achieving 30+ EPA numbers.
I agree on its styling too. Looks like a plain vanilla toyota than a lexus.
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Big_Boi
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I actually didn't feel the VCM at all, it was all so smooth and seamless. I have driven mazda's 3.7 V6 in the 6 and that thing pulls strong, but that is a ford made V6 and the fuel economy is bad on that thing and no where close to Honda's. The leather in the accord was of a nice quality as well, a grade above my Mazda 6. I give credit where credit is due and the car is good. plus the V6 accord is a couple grand cheaper then the 2012 6 right now .
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Hondarulez
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Thanks for the review. I'm also from Canada. You mentioned that there's no 16gb hard drive, does that mean the car uses a smaller drive, or is there no drive at all? I'm also a bit sad to know ACC is not available in Canada. I agree though, that I'd take heated rear seats and 18" rims over that. Are heated rear seats standard or optional on the touring model? If optional, how much is it?
I'd like to trade in my 02 TL-S and lease a 2013 Accord V6 Touring. I really like the look of the Accord in white with the oem kit.
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JeffX
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CivicB18 wrote:
My daughters principle who's also our neighbor just turned in his 2011 GS350 for a new lease on a 2013 ES350. I have to say that I'm NOT impressed with his car as it looks like a regular Toyota model and the tires are really skinny. The only things that look expensive are the paint (Lexus has excellent paint quality) and the dash looks somewhat upscale. However the door panels could be found in any normal non luxury midsize sedan and overall the car didn't feel like a step up from the previous. My 2008 TL feels substantial and much more upscale inside as I've always thought that car offered the best combination of high material quality and design of any Acura to date.
I've sat in a few Accords and was pleased by the material selection for the price but I'm guess I'm spoiled by my TL so I feel somewhat like I'm stepping down if I were to purchase the Accord. However given the price range and competition, the Accords materials are spot on as they are consistent throughout the cabin.
In the end the Accord is back to being the benchmark because no other car in its segment offers the level of safety, standard features, optional features, all around performance, quality, material quality, perceived quality, driving dynamics, innovation, value, trim levels and body configurations in one package other that the Accord. Congrats Honda!
~Patrick
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I have made similar comments about the GS350 ever since first seeing the production model at the Tokyo show a year ago. It looks like a step or 2 downmarket from the current GS (screams "COST SAVINGS" to me). In fact, I think that the new ES350 actually looks MORE upscale than the GS.
I think the GS and Camry "NASCAR Bodyshell" styling theme sort of lend themselves to that cheapness. Seriously, the 2012 Camry looks like it has a fiberglass shell sitting over a tubeframe, and the GS is only slightly more substantial looking than that. The new GS is a real disappointment.
The ES350 somehow has a more monolithic look and feel to it. Not a bad job there.
I'm not crazy about the new Infiniti M, either - it's never been good looking car, but despite its homeliness, at least the new one looks like it belongs in its class, and I can't say that about the GS.
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MGP999
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I am curious if the new Mazda will beat the Accords 0-60 times which seem to be class leading right now. I remember really hitting the gas a few times on the EX-L V6 and the noise was not very intrusive but rather one that is just loud enough to let you know that you are definitely pushing the engine. All in all it was comfortable and a smooth experience with not a lot of torque steer. I could compare the sound to that of the 2012 Acura TL I drove but that vehicle was not quicker than this Accord.
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JDMImport
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Big_Boi wrote:
Well I went to the Honda dealership today to see this car for myself in person. I have bashed Honda over the last few years for some of the products they have put out. When I was buying my car in 2008 it was between the 6 and the Accord and we know who won that battle. Fast forward 4 years and Honda has done an amazing job on this car and I don't impress easy but this car right now is the gold standard for mid sized cars and I will tell you why.
Frist the pictures do not due justice to just how good the car looks in person, black, pearl white and the red are the colors to get that give this car a luxurious look. The attention to detail is second to none on the exterior. The chrome on the lower and upper part of the grill looks nice, as well as in the rear give the car an upscale look. The interior has all the soft touch materials where you would expect them. The dash, door panels, and arm rest and all padded nicely. I took a look at the radio trim that people said sparkles and it looks fine to me. its not as bad as I first thought it might be and I didn't even notice it until I fully stared at it.
The U.S. Models are different then ours for sure. The Canadian model EX-L and Touring Models get heated rear seats with a high and low settings, as well as the nicer rims of the sport model and you can get the full LED headlights on the 4 cyl model where that is only available on the V6 in the states. But we don't get the Adaptive Cruise Control, or the 16GB hard drive. But in our Touring model we get the heated rear sears and the 18 inch wheels 2 features I would rather have.
The car drives so smooth I can't recall once feeling any major bumps, the suspension just soaks them up. The lane watch feature is amazing my wife loved it and it works very good in night time driving which is when I drove the car. The LED lights put HID's to shame.
Now for the V6 Engine, If I was gonna by this car it would be the V6, because the fuel difference compared to the 4 banger and the more relaxing drive and extra power makes it worth it to me. But not all is perfect, there is alot of noise from the engine when pressed hard. Maybe I shouldn't be comparing these 2 engines but my friend has a 2007 lexus ES 350 and you can't hear anything when he mashes the gas on that engine, its butter smooth. The accord engine is smooth but with more noise. That is the only flaw if you want to call it that.
One more thing, if your looking to buy an Acura TL save your money and buy an Accord, more Tech and for less money, Honda will have the same problem nissan had, why buy a Maxima when you can have an altima for less with the same features. If its one feature this car doesn't have that would make it perfect would be cooled seats. Anyone looking at a 2013 Lexus ES, Buick Allure, Maxima, Acura TL, take a look at this car you won't be disappointed. If honda brought this car out 4 yrs ago I would have bought this hands down over the Mazda.
That said Mazda has some work cut out for it when the new 6 comes out next year. The Mazda looks more Sporty then the Accord, but the Accord I feel has a more upscale look to it. Mazda will have to have something very good to take sales away from Honda, but in all honesty I don't think that will happen because this car is just that good and I am a Mazda owner. I love my car and feel it still beats a 2009 Accord haands down, but Honda took things to a new level with this car.
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Excellent review. Thanks for the input!
I will say we need to see the NA version of the Mazda6 before we pass judgement. I just read an article on automobile mag that said the NA version with the 189hp 2.5L is expected to get 37mpg. With the looks, mpg and power of the 4 cyl combined with everything the Accord has (some Mazda has had since 2009). Early report are the Mazda6 will have blind spot (which almost every Mazda has), radar cruise control, lane departure warning HID lights (had since 2007) and more. The interior looks very well put together, similar to my wife's new CX-5, and the build quality in the CX-5 is really nice.
I think the decision could come down to which one you prefer. I would assume the Mazda will perform better, while the Accord gives a more sophisticated ride and look. I can't wait to see a head-to-head since these are the only two cars I am considering replacing my '04 Accord with.
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grover432
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Big_Boi wrote:
I actually didn't feel the VCM at all, it was all so smooth and seamless. I have driven mazda's 3.7 V6 in the 6 and that thing pulls strong, but that is a ford made V6 and the fuel economy is bad on that thing and no where close to Honda's. The leather in the accord was of a nice quality as well, a grade above my Mazda 6. I give credit where credit is due and the car is good. plus the V6 accord is a couple grand cheaper then the 2012 6 right now .
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We have a 2011 Odyssey and at a certain rpm with the cylinders deactivated you can feel a vibration and a faint droning. Whther this is the torque converter or the VCM system, I can't say, but it is annoying. I was watching for this when driving the V6 Touring (Canada) last week. The same vibration and droning is there, but very faintly - I'd say about 30% of what is experienced in our Odyssey. It wouldn't stop me from buying one.
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grover432
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Hondarulez wrote:
Thanks for the review. I'm also from Canada. You mentioned that there's no 16gb hard drive, does that mean the car uses a smaller drive, or is there no drive at all? I'm also a bit sad to know ACC is not available in Canada. I agree though, that I'd take heated rear seats and 18" rims over that. Are heated rear seats standard or optional on the touring model? If optional, how much is it?
I'd like to trade in my 02 TL-S and lease a 2013 Accord V6 Touring. I really like the look of the Accord in white with the oem kit.
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I don't think I'd miss the 16GB HDD. The answer for me is putting a spare iPod touch in the glove box. If you don't want to used an iPod, you can plug in a 16 GB thumb drive for $15.00. I'd pick the heated seats and 18's instead. As for the ACC, I don't mind the interruption to the monotony of highway driving by having to tap the brakes when I get too close to another car - so I don't think I'll miss that. Now if only the ACC worked in stop and go traffic. :)
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owequitit
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grover432 wrote:
Hondarulez wrote:
Thanks for the review. I'm also from Canada. You mentioned that there's no 16gb hard drive, does that mean the car uses a smaller drive, or is there no drive at all? I'm also a bit sad to know ACC is not available in Canada. I agree though, that I'd take heated rear seats and 18" rims over that. Are heated rear seats standard or optional on the touring model? If optional, how much is it?
I'd like to trade in my 02 TL-S and lease a 2013 Accord V6 Touring. I really like the look of the Accord in white with the oem kit.
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I don't think I'd miss the 16GB HDD. The answer for me is putting a spare iPod touch in the glove box. If you don't want to used an iPod, you can plug in a 16 GB thumb drive for $15.00. I'd pick the heated seats and 18's instead. As for the ACC, I don't mind the interruption to the monotony of highway driving by having to tap the brakes when I get too close to another car - so I don't think I'll miss that. Now if only the ACC worked in stop and go traffic. :)
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Not to mention that the constant jockeying of the speed when following someone who can't regulate their own speed would be maddening!
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