This is the first non-American car (even though the Accord is assembled in Marysville, Ohio) I have ever owned and since I live in the shadows of the Ford, General Motors & Chrysler world headquarters buildings, it was somewhat of a unique decision because in Detroit, you just "Buy American" even if the quality is still slightly better than crap.

My main reason for purchasing the Honda Accord (even though I am eligible for the Ford & Chrysler employee vehicle discounts) was the overall long term quality ratings. I have had numerous domestic vehicles over the years and once they reached 65 to 70,000 miles, I found myself replacing drive shafts, tie rods, exhaust manifolds, etc. and having to drive with loose suspensions and shocks, shuttering transmissions and unknown rattles...not to mention the laughable re-sale values. I finally had enough. I drive about 35,000 miles a year, so I really get a feel for a vehicle and how well (or poorly) it is manufactured.

I compared the 2004 Accord EX-V6 to the 2004 Toyota Camry XLE V-6. The Accord's V-6 clearly outperformed the Camry's in every way...better acceleration, smoother shifting and more responsiveness at higher speeds. The Camry I thought had a more plush and soft ride to the Accord's more sporty and tight feeling. Both were similarly equipped, however I felt the Accord's interior was much more user friendly.

The Accord won out essentially because of price. The Camry XLE was about $4,000 more than the Accord EX-V6 and I really could not justify paying that much more for a few extra amenities (fog lights & rear passenger air vents).

PERFORMANCE:

One word sums up the Accord's performance: solid. The 200 horse power V-6 is remarkably quiet, even at rpm levels above 4,000. At idle, it is so quiet, I cannot tell if it is running at all. From a stop, the engine has excellent pull with very fluid shifting. There is an ever so slight hesitation off the draw, however it is barely noticeable. At high speeds, the Accord shows considerable muscle...a nice trump card to have on the freeway if you find yourself having to pass an 18 wheel semi truck and quickly exit...

Freeway driving is quiet and comfortable. Outside road noise is kept to a minimum and there are no rattles, squeaks or whines to speak of. The Accord truly rides like a touring sedan at freeway speeds.

Gas mileage is very respectable at about 27 miles per gallon. I get about 470 miles to a 17.3 gallon tank of gas.

The Accord handles tight curves effortlessly. I noticed very little sway while negotiating curves at higher speeds and the nose stays dead center to the road. My only complaint on the handling is that it would be nice to be able to upgrade to the 17 inch wheels like that of the Accord Coupe, but at least for now, Honda does not allow it on the sedan.

The braking is excellent and the pedal is extremely firm and easy to modulate. The four wheel disc brakes coupled with the skid control allow one to make aggressive turns and apply the brakes with total vehicle stability, as demonstrated by my dealer.

The controls are easy to reach and have a high quality, solid feel to them (I could not say the same for the Camry). My only complaint is that the steering wheel radio controls do not allow for scanning up and down the frequency range...you have to reach over and press the radio scan button itself.

The eight way power front seats (butt warmers included)are quite comfortable, although a bit stiff (I preferred the Camry's more plush seats). The power seats move very quietly and the buttons are easy manipulate. Two adults can easily fit in the back seats with plenty of head and leg room. There is ample space for child car seats and the Accord comes with tether harnesses in the rear for extra securing.

I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone in the market for a mid-size sedan. It is reasonably priced and the quality is impeccable. When you look at how far your dollar takes you, there is hardly a better buy out there.
Amount Paid (US$): $25,125