2003 ACCORD: Is the unthinkable really happening?

[fatddyslam69]

Is the unthinkable really happening? Is the all new 2003 HONDA ACCORD not selling? Ever since it came out, i have only seen 3 New Honda's and i live in Southern California. Been to Beverly Hills and Hollywood twice in the time that the Accord came out-and nothing. I live in a town that sucks up new cars- NO ACCORD! IS THIS THING NOT SEELING OR IS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA JUST WHACKED UP RIGHT NOW? Anyone actually see a lot of Accords? Or is the world coming to an end, and Accord is actually not selling? Id bet on the fact that i am just not seeing a lot, but hey, you never know!!! http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[Kookz]

I have only seen about 3, but I'm going to school in Pittsburgh where mostly american cars are bought. I have a feeling it's going to take a while to get going, but ugly cars in this segment can sell...

[limits_at_infiniti]

in ny i seen 1293819032

[fatddyslam69]

are you serious? damn...i was hoping that the world was coming to an end, and ACCORD was not selling.... http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[cheerioboy26]

I've seen 2. What were its October sales? I'd guess it would have to be 35-40K or so to be "normal"....?

[kazi]

It's only been a month since the new Accord went on sale. So far I've seen 6 (3 silver, 2 black, 1 blue coupe) out in public. I'm actually warming up to it to say the front end looks pretty good. The rear end of the sedan is still bland.

Plus you gotta add in, because of the state of the economy, a lot of people are chosing the model end 2002 models because of the way below invoice prices on them right now.

But to put in retrospective, it took over a month after the Altima's release before I saw my first one out on the road last year.

[paulb]

Oct. 2002 | Oct. 2001 | % Change
Accord * 32,816 | 35,492 | -11.0%


Complete details here (http://www.hondabeat.com/stats/oct02stats.cfm)

[infiniti x]

I live in the Irvine area and there are 2 new accord sedans where I work (part time). At UCI, i've seen 3 or 4 new ones (2 blacks, white, silver) and recently a new accord coupe on campus. Saw 2 more new 4doors and a coupe today on the road. So YES, they are selling. Once the markup price is eliminated, it's gonna sell like hotcakes...trust me...

[Zed]

Mark up on an Accord?! http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/tongue.gif

[FR31]

ive seen about 4 or 5 sedans around town so far, no coupes.

[limits_at_infiniti]

gee i feel so special. i see so many new accords sometimes several a day

[kazi]

</font><blockquote><font class="small[/img]In reply to:</font><hr />
Oct. 2002 | Oct. 2001 | % Change
Accord * 32,816 | 35,492 | -11.0%

[/QUOTE]

32,816 is still a lot of Accord sold. About in par with the Camry's sales (33,062). More than ALL of Nissan's car sales for last month combined (32,225). It was a transition month as the numbers of 02 models available is decreasing selling below invoice and 03 models are ramping in numbers selling at near sticker.

[cheerioboy26]

Thanks. The numbers aren't bad considering most cars had huge Oct 2001 numbers since that was the first full month of 0% post 9/11.

[fatddyslam69]

the accord had 32,885 sales in only one month. ONE MONTH?!?!? WTF!!!!! And all nissan sales totalled less than that? WOW! Are they expecting more sales this year? probably..right? Anyone have any news on how well the PILOT is selling? Only seen like two or three. Dont like it-STILL!

[paulb]

Pilots sales for Oct. were 7,872. For the year 34,951. What I don't get is that Honda (actually Acura) sold 705 RLs last month. Why would someone buy that car for $45K?

[kazi]

What's even more unbelievable is the RL outsells the Q45 by about 2.5 to 1. The Q45 sold like 241 last month.

[limits_at_infiniti]

the rl has nothign going for it, why would anyone in thier right mind choose a 3.5 liter low end luxury car over the Q

[CoCo_PuFf]

I said it before and ill say it again.......it's cause it's a honda.

[222Max]

That just goes to show the value of a strong brand perception. But to the point... wait 6 months to a year and you'll see Accords EVERYWHERE. They are not having trouble selling them.

[TroopaFanatic]

Hi. I'm new to these boards. I'm usually at H-A.net, but folks there keep citing threads over here, so I came to see what all the fuss was about. (and I'm not a troll that's gonna be spewing the virtuous divinity of Honda, so don't worry. http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/tongue.gif )

Anyhow, as for the Acura RL, I think the one key thing is that it's FWD, and it's big sales come from the Northeast and other places where FWD or AWD are better than RWD. What Acura has done is not take on the heavy hitters like Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes and found it's own niche. Infiniti took on the big boys, and it's suffering. I don't think it's an issue of which car is better, but that the two are going after completely different markets.

And living in California, I've seen enough 03 Accords to know for a fact that these are ugly ass cars. ugh... But they are selling.

[fatddyslam69]

wow...KUDOS to HONDA because i know what thing...that car has a hell of an interior. I cant say much about the exterior, but the resale value and overall value is amazing. Are the HONDA sales taking away from ALTIMA sales? What are the ALTIMA sales per month? anyone know? WOW, happy for HONDA....a lil jealous that NISSAN couldnt be there by now...but its ok beacuse NISSAN was in deep like four years ago, and theyve come along way. AND! In the history of cars, no damn camry or accord has won CAR OF THE YEAR!!! HAHAHHAA&gt;


or have they? lol http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[limits_at_infiniti]

of course the accord is stealing sales from the altima

[**DONOTDELETE**]

They sold 16,315 Alti's (with no incentives) according to the Nissan site. They say it was the best October ever.

[222Max]

Nissan appears to have big plans for the Altima in the near future. The 05 model will be tweaked with a new interior. If it's anything like the Teana/Maxima(?) interior it should be a knock-out. By then Nissan will be increasing production by at least 100,000 units per year over what they produce now when the new Mississipi plant starts producing Altimas. Right now the Alty is the 19th best selling vehicle in the U.S. Clearly Nissan wants to put it in the top 10. Remember... it took a few years for Camry and Accord to be best sellers.

[Nismo]

I've seen a lot of 2003 Honda Accords around here. Even test drove one back-to-back against a 2002 model. The new one is noticeably improved in almost every way (except styling where the rear end looks way to bland).

As for sales, most car makers' overall sales figures are looking a little tattered compared to last year's record-setting numbers.

[fatddyslam69]

darn.another hit for HONDA....what else is new....haha

[warrmax]

I live in a small town in Oklahoma and I have already seen 2 '03 Accord coupes here. The nearest Honda dealer is 50 miles away. Not seen any of the ugly sedans here yet.

[M_TYPE_X]

Detroit area typically goes for Hondas even over Toyota, but I'm not seeing that many new Accords yet on the streets. A few, but not many. Plenty of 2002/3 Camrys and Altimas around.

Give 'em some time.

M Type X

[M_TYPE_X]

"But I'm going to school in Pittsburgh where only American cars are typically bought"

Someone should have studied in Michigan! http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/smirk.gif

[ i.e. Ack! It's a bad dream! Let it stop already! http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/shocked.gif ]

M Type X

[nayR]

In every review and test I see on the new accords, the braking distances are absolutley ATROCIOUS. Im talking like, 200 ft from 60-0 here folks. I just tried looking up test data, but cant seem to find any. I have seen more than 1 review that lists stopping distance at over 200 ft.

To me, thats enough reason not to buy one. Well, that and the fact that it has an ass about as attractive as a 90 yr old womans.

Ryan

[M_TYPE_X]

So you're more of a Mazda6 type customer, eh?

http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif M Type X http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif

[Nismo]

</font><blockquote><font class="small[/img]In reply to:</font><hr />
In every review and test I see on the new Accords, the braking distances are absolutley atrocious.

[/QUOTE]You may have also noticed that the lateral grip isn't too hot either. Neither shortcoming is related to a design problem with the car, which actually has good brakes and above average suspension, but to the crappy no-grip tires that Honda equips it with. Honda is more concerned with things like quiet ride, low-rolling resistance (translates to higher mpg), and longer life than with all-out grip. They may have the average car owner's real needs pegged, but they definitely take a hit when it comes to stock performance testing.

[jaje]

i 2nd the crappy no grip tires honda constantly equips their cars with...my pr5 came with dunlop sp5000 (not great but a huge improvement over the michelin/firestone iceskates they use)...i was so impressed with the dunlops for daily driving i got them for my 2k1 civic sedan...makes the car handle in a whole new ball park

honda sold 45k+ accords in august beating the camry which had 43k+...the accord sells well b/c of reputation and constant improvement...remember when the 1st altima came out (early 1990s)...150hp versus 135 in the 4g ex accords (90-93)...it was fun to drive then nissan let never improved or reengineered it until last year...it killed any reciprocating sales b/c you don't want to buy the exact same car 4 years later

[fatddyslam69]

i am still not seeing any ACCORDS here in the suburbs of Los Angeles. My city usually sucks up new cars-especially luxury cars. No ACCORDs, and also NO G35Coupes?!?! A lot of sedans, however. I know ACCORDS are selling though.......or are they? Anyways, ACCORD COUNT: 3

[M_TYPE_X]

Saw a 2003 Accord sedan on the road today in Rochester Hills. Very rare to see new models - is Detroit's affair with the Accord over? You see a ton of older models, especially 1998-2002.

He's Fast, He's Furious, He's
http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif M Type X http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

they seem to be selling well where i'm at -- seen plenty of them on the road

the front looks all right. the side profile and the rear don't do anything for me tho