The New Wifemobile
 

Just put down our deposit on the new Wifemobile. We are getting an Accord EX-V6 in "Desert Mist Metallic" or as I like to call it "that sparkly brown color". Very nice... 240HP V6 (silky smooth), 5-speed automatic (also silky smooth), heated leather seats, dual zone automatic climate control, in dash 6-disc changer, dual power front seats, moonroof, those neat Lexus style instrument lights (can't remember what they are called), traction control, and full ABS. Damn thing gets nearly the gas mileage of my Protege (21 city / 30 highway) and can 0-60 in around 7 seconds from what I have read (don't think I will get to try this in the wife's car though). When you drive it the only thing you can hear is the wind running around the car. The wind is quiet and sounds really weird, you only hear the engine when you actually try and get on it (and it sure as hell goes once you get on it). All for a sticker of 25,800. We are going loan shopping tomorrow but if all goes well we will be picking up our new car either tomorrow or Saturday (and assuming the dealership doesn't try and mess with us, :squint fi car dealers).

I can't say it has been a pleasant buying experience, the nice dealers have been too expensive so we are stuck with the jerks if we want a decent price. Currently engaged in a good argument with one over a price they left as a message on our machine. We went in and they tried to jack it up to 24k something (about 1500 over the quote). I asked them if they understood the words verbal contract, answering machine, and tape copy sent to Honda America and BBB. We aren't going to buy from them but I think they should suffer. Anyway I am happy we were finally able to find a decent price (from another half-ass dealer :( ) and the car we wanted (only 5 miles on the odometer, 3 of them ours).

BTW... I don't want it to seem like the Honda dealers are crappy, just some of them. We have had excellent service at a couple and terrible service at a couple more. Just like there is at least one (haven't found another yet) decent Mazda dealership in Houston (Jeff Haas) and some shitty ones (Joe Myers especially, and one that got closed down next to Lone Star Ford).

25g's ....
ohh god ....
that's 4-5 years of finance hell

oh well ,, hope you like it ..
Bruce

Accord is Excellent
 

The new Accord is an excellent car that delivers efficiency better than that of the Protege considering that it has a larger engine and is a larger car. Go figure.

I find your choice most excellent; the only problem being I've never considered the new Accord especially attractive. In fact, when I first saw it I thought it was butt-ugly. I still don't especially like its exterior styling, but have found it's growing on me.

If I could get over the looks of the car, I've been considering it as my next purchase. I demand a lot in a vehicle and make no apologies for it-- I expect quiet operation, a civil ride, reasonable handling, safety, quality, efficiency, convenience, reliability, and comfort. Accord delivers a blend of these characteristics better than nearly any other car out there. Such presents an intelligent decision, and I'm sure you'll both enjoy it for many years to come.

Good choice!

Congrats on your new appliance...err...car. ;)

I know it's a great car, but it's typical Honda blandness and just soooo boring to drive. Not my kind of car, but if that's what your wife wants, congrats. :bt:

Damn - hope you don't get into a drag race w/ her - you will be 0wn3d...

Paul

Re: Accord is Excellent
 

Did you mean this as a pun? If you did, you're right, the new 4-door Accord's butt definitely IS ugly. :D

they are ugly , but the inside is off the hook ...

Have you seen the gauge display .... God I would love the way it looks at night .... sweeet...

And the interior is nice ...

My thing is I can't see paying so much for the car brand new.. when You can get a Acura CL or TL type S or regualar from 2001 or 2002 or even 2000 ...
for approx 16g's to 20g's (approx. for type S) ...

But what makes the wife happy ... is usually the case...

anyway post some pics for our amusement when you get it : if you want

I know, that thing will kick my ass in a straight line.

I thought the looks were a little objectionable at first, but they kind of grew on me. It takes a lot of cues from the S2000, which I don't think is a bad place to begin with. We did look at TL's and CL's but they weren't as powerful without the Type-S (which my wife did not like when she drove it) and the interior materials were pretty much the same so there wasn't really enough content to justify the price increase (seeing as how they are pretty much the same damn cars). We really don't like buying used cars.

We were able to find a nice dealership (Russell Smith in Houston if anyone is looking for a new car or truck, they have a lot of different makes available). They offered us the price the other dealership did and backed out on (as did the other half assed dealership we were working with yesterday). We ended up getting the same car (not really any options available on this trim except for the nav system, 2G more YIKES) with 10 miles on the odometer for 22,800 which is $800 below invoice and they even threw in the PermaVIN bullshit at that price. Not only that but they were able to get a rate a half point lower than our bank (which was already very good to begin with). We are going to take delivery tomorrow since we did not have insurance worked out for it yet.

It is a welcome change to have something nice, comfortable, and quiet to drive around since we usually make four or five (8 hours +) trips a year and a number of shorter one. Since we have known each other we have either been taking a truck (backache) or the Protege (backache but not as bad) on these trips. Also looking forward to having a nice warm ass. I will post some pics if I can tear the car away from her tomorrow (not looking too good there) but they are available on Honda's website as well.

Re: Re: Accord is Excellent
 

I agree, but the coupe has a fine looking ass, very Mercedesish.

Here are some pictures, Geocities doesn't like me posting them directly for some stupid reason:

http://www.geocities.com/brhildebrand/pictures2.html

Re: Re: Re: Accord is Excellent
 

A bit too Mercedesish, in fact it looks to be a complete rip-off.