2008 Honda Accord EX from North America - Comments

17:44

Have a nice trip. See Ya!

We seem to have gotten off topic here, but as a Honda salesperson, you need to understand one thing...

Not only are about 75-80% of the vehicles manufactured in the US, Canada and Mexico that are sold stateside, some of that money stays here in manufacturing jobs, R&D jobs and bottom line profit. Honda as well as almost all other major manufacturers are publicly held companies, ie. profits go to shareholders wherever they live. GM, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, etc have shareholders living all over the world, so these are not really Japanese or American any more, they are global companies with global owners. Chrysler is privately held. It's hard to find an American company anymore that has no global ties. Just buy American manufactured and support your country that way.

18:36 that's right a small amount of money or some money remains here. Not all or most of the money. The previous commenter also mentioned. We get what we deserved. So bury oneself further to really do the job. Sorry, I don't jump off cliffs just because others do. In the end who pays? Low paying import factory jobs can barely pay rent, let alone own a home in my city. Even buying a cheap import car a family will struggle on wages I have heard. I wonder how many commenters on here are still living at home. I am not content with lousy wages.

22:17 I look at my employer and want to make sure I am not the next statistic in my high paying position. If you quit buying from me, I am another one of the 6 million people currently out of work in this country. The ones left working will have less and less... I am all for cross training and going to college all over again for less pay if necessary, but why? I am seeing less of my family, working 2 lower paying jobs, more hours, less benefits and hoping to make it up with a smaller downsized home and small car. Not very encouraging. I would like to see everyone prosper. I admit I bought some imported household items and making an effort to minimize doing so. If I am out of work any money I am spending locally will be lost. Maybe everyone here is immune with their jobs... I thought I was and people are behind paying my employer now! Job loss,downsizing etc. In the end it all costs us in this bad economy. People want to live here and spend overseas. Low paying jobs is probably going to be the norm...I like a nice standard of living.

"So if I'm a proud American (and I am), I should buy an inferior product that doesn't last as long, has higher maintenance and a terrible trade in value... and be happy... I don't think so"

Neither do I. That's why we now drive a Ford Fusion, which is rated higher in reliability than Camry or Accord. Our Honda was one of the most poorly built cars ever. NEVER will we own another Honda.

Unfortunately, EVERYONE is fair-game when it comes to lay-offs, downsizing, cuts, etc. Life does not stop because of it though. Our habits and business practices prior to this downturn were done without caution. It is a good thing GM is downsizing instead of mass-producing duplicate models with different names. This is a good time for these companies to reflect on the past and their mistakes and develop a more efficient strategy for the future. Maybe something good will come out of all of this.

I have also seen some co workers downsizing from once new BMW and Audi owners to cheaper new Accords. Both car and SUVs lately. Our parking lot was once full of nice cars. Many also ride motorcycles, all lined up more than a few years back as well. Less spending power than before no doubt. I think people think it's import domestic only. I see people going backward to spend half what they once bought. I even think people will opt for the cheaper Prius coming out and trade down not up to spend less and less.

I was talking to my local mechanic (and good friend) about getting a new car because mine is on its last leg - it's a '95 Plymouth Neon.) I went on to tell him that I was looking into buying an import and he told me that it was a good idea to do so. He said that he did away with the American vehicles a long time ago and that he was never going back. He currently owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima that has 178,000 miles on it I believe, and he hasn't had any problems with it. His exact words were: "We can make it to the moon, but we can't seem to build a decent car. Go figure."

A lot has changed in 7 years. I love GM V8s better than Honda VTECs anymore.

I was just reading an article about a man named Louis (he asked that his last name not be written) he owns a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid that has 800,000 miles on it. He says he that he plans to keep it till it reaches the 1,000,000 mile mark. He has never had any major work done on it. Here's the link to the page in case you don't believe me:

http://automobiles.honda.com/mile-makers/story.aspx?Story=614&SP_RID=MTc4OTIwMjkxNzYS1SP_MID=2712208&PROGRAMID=RPNEWS&CAMPAIGNCODE=AT1952&OFFERCODE=AT1952&CELLCODE=CS&PID=A22704425&FROM=EMAIL

Of course, I'm sure you domestic lovers STILL won't believe it.

I believe a Honda could do 800K miles... but in 6 years? Did he have it up on blocks rolling all night every night??

800,000 miles in 6 years equates to 365 miles per day 7 days a week. Who drives that much and what would you drive that much for? I think it is impossible.

"I believe a Honda could do 800K miles... but in 6 years? Did he have it up on blocks rolling all night every night??"

How do you know what his commute is like? He could have one LONG commute. I put about 50,000 miles a year on my cars because my commute is so long. It's not impossible.

Yeah, but 365 miles per day EVERY day??? C'mon. You need a new job if you have to drive that much... NOTHING is worth that... and I am betting it would be pretty unrealistic to drive that much... At 40 mpg it equates to $60,000 in gas at an average of $3 per gallon. Just not a realistic scenario to me is all...