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I love cars. That's pretty obvious because I write this review each week. But not everybody is inflicted by this abnormality of automotive obsession. Some folks just want a great car for their money. They want a reliable vehicle that meets their needs, fits the budget and provides a bit of sporty fun. The 2004 Honda Accord Coupe may be just the right car for someone young enough to care about fashion but old enough to appreciate value and practicality. In the early days of computers and corporate information management, there used to be a saying that nobody ever got fired for buying IBM. IBM was a safe bet in an oft confusing and alluring array of seductive offers. When hundreds of thousands of dollars were on the line in a mission critical application, gambling on an unproven system was unwise. Honda offers the same if not better level of practicality in the automobile arena. With decades of outstanding quality reports and unsurpassed used car values, buying a Honda is a safe bet. It is simply hard to go wrong when buying any Honda or it's upscale sibling, Acura. The cost of driving a car is a mathematical equation of several factors including original purchase price minus the resale value, maintenance cost, fuel expense, and insurance cost. Consistently, Honda ranks as one of the lowest cost to own vehicles on the market. It's always a good choice, but is it the right choice for you personally? Everybody needs and expectations are different. Do you need or want a convertible, four-door sedan, wagon, minivan, truck or sport coupe? If you don't need four doors, a two-door sport coupe might just help you hang onto the youth that you see slowly slipping away. One of the best sports coupe values on the market is the 2004 Honda Accord Coupe. Prices start under $20,000 for the LX and my loaded Accord EX with Navigation, V-6 and sporty 6-speed transmission still did not reach $30,000. This is a vehicle with everything. Unlike many vehicles where decisions await at every corner, Honda packages most every option in two neat packages, the standard LX and luxury equipped EX. Choices are limited to transmission, airbags, engine, leather and navigation systems. I am disappointed that Side Curtain Airbag safety remains a choice at the economy LX levels. My 2004 Honda Accord Coupe EX test vehicle was fully equipped with no additional options to choose. Tilt and telescopic steering wheel and eight way drivers seat adjustment means this vehicle will fit anybody. Heated perforated leather seats, adjustable lumbar support and dual zone climate control envelopes the driver in pure luxury not found on many competing models. The satellite-linked navigation system from Honda is one of the best in the industry because it takes voice commands as well as inputs from the large touch screen and menus. Six-speaker 180-watt six-disc sound system reproduces sounds with clarity and volume of high line aftermarket systems. Exterior design is classic sports coupe beauty with sweeping rooflines. Monochromatic paint scheme help to highlight the chromed twin exhaust connected to the 240 horsepower V-6 engine nestled at the front of this sporty machine. I prefer the automatic to the close ratio six-speed manual transmission on my test vehicle because at this level of luxury I choose not to shift. Weighing in at 3,265 pounds this is a substantial vehicle and is not overpowered by the 240 horsepower provided. Even with the power and weight the EPA still awarded the 2004 Honda Accord Coupe ratings of 20 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the open highway. This is a car for those who are picky about what they drive or for those who just want a car they can trust. It may not be the right vehicle for everybody, but for many drivers the 2004 Honda Accord Coupe is the perfect blend of fun and practical. Purchase this sport coupe and you may just start sharing my love of automobiles.
2004 Honda Accord Coupe EX V-6 Manual with Navigation $28,500 MSRP
Front Wheel Drive
20/30 EPA MPG Additional Web only Information and Resources For Additional Reviews: |
©2003 - Stan Risener