2008 Honda Accord EX from North America - Comments

Choosing between a Honda or Nissan is like deciding whether you'd rather have a bucket of crap or a jug of pee.

So far I have only owned vehicles made by the Big Three, and I have been laughing a little bit at the ugly styling on the new Accord when I have seen white ones. But today I saw one in a reddish brown color, and I have to say it has totally changed by mind. It looks really good in that color.

"Choosing between a Honda or Nissan is like deciding whether you'd rather have a bucket of crap or a jug of pee".

So...what's your pleasure?

"Choosing between a Honda or Nissan is like deciding whether you'd rather have a bucket of crap or a jug of pee."

I think I'll take both.

Let's see an Accord try to last as long as a Ford Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis/Town Car, and we'll just see if that piece of junk is better than ALL domestic vehicles as stated by people who obviously believe whatever they're told.

See there are people who believe whatever Consumer Reports says, and then there are the ones who actually know about the vehicles they own, plan to own, or are researching.

I chose the Vic because of its unmatched durability, and of course knowing it will last longer than any of the garbage Honduh can crap out! It's basically survival of the fittest!

Having been cursed with a Honda, I'll take a jug of pee any day.

In response to commenter 12:19, maybe you are correct. However, that has not been my experience with owning a domestic vehicle. Besides Crown Vic/Grand Marquis are only one of many domestic offerings, 80% of which are not worth a dime.

I am a faithful and loyal owner of Nissan products now. My Nissan product lasted me 20 years with NO problems. Regular maintenance, nothing unusual at all. The car was driven many times across the country, went longer than it should've without oil changes and was driven 120+ miles daily until the day it was totaled. The car started every time I turned the key, low repair bills and was just the car I needed in 1987. It was what I needed then and it was fine in 2008. ANY car that gives me so few problems as this one is a GREAT car and unfortunately, I have not had that kind of luck with a domestic vehicle.

My 1996 GMC pickup was crap, with maintenance bills stacked a mile high. Just 3 weeks ago I decided to give them another chance and bought a 1999 S-10 pickup. This is GM's last chance to make me a domestic consumer again, otherwise I'm done with them all. The build quality of the 1999 seems much better than previous models but we'll just have to see if that means anything.

Also, the Maxima had been on the market such a short time in 1987 that consumer reports did little good. I did however go by other owners who had success with Japanese cars. An aunt had a 1985 Toyota Cressida brand new and had no problems though her car was relatively new when I bought mine. She drove her car 12 years and only parted with it then because the styling was far outdated. She has gone through a Mazda 929 (piece of crap) and now is a happy owner of a Toyota Highlander.

So now, consumer reports are not always the most reliable means of research, but word of mouth and past ownership experiences are enough to buy a loyal owner.

I can see it coming. The guy bought a 10-year-old vehicle, probably with no idea of the maintenance history, and the first time it needs some maintenance, he'll be back on here proclaiming how domestics are crap.

I do salute you for giving an American car a chance again, but I wonder if it's fair to pin the quality of the entire American automotive industry on a 10-year-old GMC pickup. Now really, to be fair, are you going to catch up on all the regularly scheduled maintenance that the previous owner may have neglected? Or will you just drive it without ever lifting the hood?

The Crown Vic/ Mercury Marquis is kind of a unique beast. It is based on the Ford Panther platform which is 35 years old. It has been widely used for police cars and taxis in the US so it has benefited from decades of continuous problem finding and fixing. So it has exceptional long life and reliability and also very good crash test ratings. But it is not really a typical domestic car.

I always look forward to driving my elderly parent's Grand Marquis when I visit them. It handles like a boat, but in kind of a fun way. Lots of power, very quiet. But I would not want it for my daily driver.

"See there are people who believe whatever Consumer Reports says, and then there are the ones who actually know about the vehicles they own, plan to own, or are researching."

That's because some of us think that the experiences of hundreds of owners are more conclusive and accurate than the ramblings of an uncle as a research source.

It's amazing how many people blog criticisms of CR without knowing the first thing about their mission, data, method, or even their information source. I constantly hear about how "biased" CR is. Yet those who make that comment often aren't even aware that CR simply compiles data from actual owners and compares it to the average vehicle (for reliability info). Moreover those who make that claim do so because they simply don't like the outcome not because they have any evidence of bias.

"Having been cursed with a Honda, I'll take a jug of pee any day."

Yeah but the seat isn't nearly as comfortable.

"It's basically survival of the fittest!"

Yeah, and the American automakers are on artificial life support. You may want to rethink your paradigm.

"Choosing between a Honda or Nissan is like deciding whether you'd rather have a bucket of crap or a jug of pee."

I used to own an 04 bucket of crap. I currently own an 08 jug of pee. I also own an 07 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon... bag of puke. Perhaps I'm not a gourmet, but all three have been very good.

I am the commenter on the the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis/Town Car. Being 19 and owning a 98' Crown Vic might seem strange, however after much research I settled on the Vic for its durability and appearance.

Yes most domestic vehicles are garbage and aren't up to the standards of the body-on-frame rear-wheel-drive vehicles of the 70's and 80's. The Crown Victoria is still built to those tank-like standards, and that has a lot to do with its solid durability.

Standards have lowered and you now get much less for your money. Even the Vic's don't have the chrome bumpers and all the chrome trim they used to.

All this being said, my next car will be another Vic, Grand Marquis, Town Car, or Chevy Caprice.

"The guy bought a 10-year-old vehicle, probably with no idea of the maintenance history, and the first time it needs some maintenance, he'll be back on here proclaiming how domestics are crap."

Actually, sir, I bought the truck from my father-in-law who just bought a 2009 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab and did not need the truck any longer. He bought the truck new and has maintained it perfectly. It did need a transmission replacement, I have had it done and for now it is running fine.

"I do salute you for giving an American car a chance again, but I wonder if it's fair to pin the quality of the entire American automotive industry on a 10-year-old GMC pickup. Now really, to be fair, are you going to catch up on all the regularly scheduled maintenance that the previous owner may have neglected? Or will you just drive it without ever lifting the hood?"

Yes it is fair. If these are to be such good vehicles (American, that is), I should be able to purchase any model year and count on it every time I need it. So far they are doing good as no interior trim pieces have fallen off (as was the case with my last GM). As I said, I replaced the transmission which I knew about and will get it aligned this week. When the weather is warmer I will replace timing and drive belts and will use high mileage oil. The truck was maintained to a tee as he used it everyday. It is never wise to drive ANY vehicle without occasionally taking a peek under the hood. I did it with my last one and it still fell apart like a house on rocks. If this truck lasts me until December with no major involuntary repairs, I will include Malibu and Avenger on my list of cars to shop for next year.