General Comments:
I wanted to get my wife an economical and safe car to drive a long distance every day. After a lot of research, it looked like a year or two old Civic would be the cheapest possible "appliance" to own. We wanted side airbags, but they were only available on the Civic EX at that time. Two year old Civic EXs were selling for about $14,000 at that time, so we got a new Accord DX for about the same price (after trading a worthless Plymouth with a blown head gasket).
I was concerned about the reliability of the dealer-installed AC, but it will still freeze you out, even when sitting in traffic in 100 degree weather.
In 5 years and 91,000 miles, it has only needed one set of tires (at 60K), 4 or 5 sets of wiper blades, and two headlight bulbs. That's all I've done to it since buying it new. Fuel records kept since new indicate 34-35 mpg.
The wheel bearings started getting noisy around 80K, and now at 91K they are quite noisy. Getting those replaced tomorrow.
The dash lights flicker occasionally, but the dashboard was replaced at 3500 miles due to an accident (hit a deer, which came through the window). They flicker once every month or so since that.
ECU update was a service bulletin to rectify high torque at idle -- if you didn't have the brakes on firmly when stopped, the car would creep forward, sort of like it was stuck on high idle, but without the high RPMs - the refresh made that much better.
The radio lights are apparently a problem with a circuit board, requiring the replacement of the CD player to the tune of around $800. Because it's a funny shape and incorporated into the climate control, an aftermarket CD player won't plop right in there. I know where the buttons are, and use the presets to change radio station so it's really not a big issue.
Not a very exciting car at all, but a wonderful appliance, and very economical to own for a midsize car. Comfortable and has held up well.
2nd Oct 2010, 19:59
The one in the TSX is turbocharged, I believe.