For my highschool graduation in 2004, my grandparents offered me a huge
gift - any new car under $30k. As they made this offer just prior to
the start of my senior year (fall '03), I had lots of time to look over
what options were out there. I devoured consumer car reviews, and would
read brand analyses & model pamphlets like I was expected to write
book reports on them every week.
I could write out who its many competitors were, but at this point, I'll just point out what separated my '04 Honda Accord V6 EX Coupe from the pack, and the features I've come to love over the years:
- 240hp, 212torque naturally aspirated V6
-- this thing could (and still does, for the most part) move. Car & Driver listed the '04 V6 Accord Coupe as 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds (link to their review at bottom.) And it takes regular gas, not super or premium! So she's relatively economical for that power. I average about 26mpg (in 2021, with +280k miles on her).
- 6 speed manual transmission
-- I enjoy driving; particularly the control of driving a manual transmission. If I recall correctly, this was one of the first years that 6-speed manuals started appearing. Most alternatives (Mazda, Toyota, etc.) were still 5-speed manuals. The clutch was so tight that even in the years that I wore it down, my dad (who taught me to drive MT) would occasionally stall out on it if he had to borrow my car. I will point out that Honda has changed the way they currently make their clutches. I had to have it replaced a half year ago, and it's not nearly as satisfying - it doesn't feel right, and, even though I've taken it to be adjusted, is still looser than I'd prefer. I also recently test drove a few 2020/21 Hondas, and can confirm that their clutches are all the same - disappointing and not nearly as sensitive or tactile as I enjoy.
I could write out who its many competitors were, but at this point, I'll just point out what separated my '04 Honda Accord V6 EX Coupe from the pack, and the features I've come to love over the years:
- 240hp, 212torque naturally aspirated V6
-- this thing could (and still does, for the most part) move. Car & Driver listed the '04 V6 Accord Coupe as 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds (link to their review at bottom.) And it takes regular gas, not super or premium! So she's relatively economical for that power. I average about 26mpg (in 2021, with +280k miles on her).
- 6 speed manual transmission
-- I enjoy driving; particularly the control of driving a manual transmission. If I recall correctly, this was one of the first years that 6-speed manuals started appearing. Most alternatives (Mazda, Toyota, etc.) were still 5-speed manuals. The clutch was so tight that even in the years that I wore it down, my dad (who taught me to drive MT) would occasionally stall out on it if he had to borrow my car. I will point out that Honda has changed the way they currently make their clutches. I had to have it replaced a half year ago, and it's not nearly as satisfying - it doesn't feel right, and, even though I've taken it to be adjusted, is still looser than I'd prefer. I also recently test drove a few 2020/21 Hondas, and can confirm that their clutches are all the same - disappointing and not nearly as sensitive or tactile as I enjoy.
- Handling
-- She's heavy - curb weight is ~3300 pounds. While some might not like that, I've been happy with it, since I always felt "grounded", even in bad weather.
-- Turn radius could be a little tighter, but for a coupe, the Accord is fairly long.
- Comfort & all-around premium quality
-- Leather heated seats, 6-CD premium disk radio head, with satellite XM & great stock speaker quality. The leather has particularly stood up to the test of time, as I doubt cloth seats would look/feel/smell as good as the Accord still does.
- Reliability
-- While in recent years I've poured more money into her than I'd have liked, I can't think of any model/brand specific malfunctions I've ever had to have fixed. The issues have been pretty generic - new rims because they were bent (probably from me curbing it when younger), new catalytic converters, and a new clutch just a few months ago. No major manufacturing issues I've ever encountered, if I recall correctly.
My only complaints are minor. In traffic, I used to kick myself for buying her (& her tight clutch), since the stop & go meant more footwork than I'd personally desire. She's small; though the front seats are great, it really is a pain in the ass to get in/out of the back seat, or place anything in the back. I know there were plenty of times when giving rides to friends that I'd regret that I bought a coupe, but that's really a critique against the style, not the particular model. She does have an adequately sized trunk. Her appearance, though... While the front is fairly ordinary (nothing particularly notable), she has a rear end that only a mother could love. I guess I could have changed it for something prettier with an aftermarket modification, but meh, I got used to it, and didn't feel like putting money into a purely aesthetic issue.
After +15 years and +280k miles, I'm going to miss her.
Pros: fun, reliable, great acceleration, acceptably economical, powerful, stable ride
Cons: styling, backseat is difficult to enter/exit, overall interior space, tight clutch & powerful engine made stop & go traffic a hassle
