Newfound respect for my own car (long w/cliff notes)

banter · 08-13-2016, 10:31 PM

(Cliff Notes at bottom)

So, I've been without my car for the past week thanks for quite an ordeal with the dealership and getting my 56F wheels on. But that's not whta I'm here to talk about. During that time I was set up in a 2016 Honda Accord. Obviously a night and day change as far as car type but what I wasn't expecting was how much it'd change how I feel about the car (for the better).

I love and have always loved my 2016 Camaro but I also knew it wasn't without it's own faults. However, the Honda Accord is one of the highest selling and most agreed upon car for the masses of being convenient, comfortable, economical, and just overall good. After spending a week in one (4 cyl with CVT) I have to say... I disliked it... borderline hated even. I honestly think people are drones just listening to what others say when they get one.

I'll start off with what is often a hot topic for our cars. VISIBILITY! By far the biggest complaint about our cars, although I don't think that it's that bad. It's mostly people needing to get used to narrow windows and windshield. The actual range of view (aside from out the rear window) with good mirror placement is almost blindspot free. This Accord however, has serious blindspots. Despite having gigantic windows, the rear quarters are impossible to get a view of not matter how you arrange your mirrors or move around in your seat. Also, the backup camera is awful but I'll get to that when we talk about interior.

Obviously the Accord shines with gas mileage especially with that CVT and it's slow as hell compared to the camaro so that's the obvious. CVTs are very unsettling when you go WOT and it sits right at 7000rpm just before the redline. Exterior, is another obvious... camaro beautiful, accord not so much.

I expected the Accord to be far more comfortable, ergonomic and quieter than my camaro though. Again, I was wrong. Road noise, something I always thought was pretty bad on our cars. The accord was much worse and it doesn't help that there was no exhaust noise to try to cover it with either. The center console was too low to rest your arm on so essentially, no armrest. The screen for infotainment and backup camera was atrocious. It was angled upward so there's always a glare and the bright brightness being cranked all the way up couldn't save it from being nearly unreadable. The seats were made for people who are 4 feet wide and when you corner the car starts rolling before you even start having any lateral change in motion. The gauge cluster is a mess and when I wanted to change what I was looking at (trip, gas mileage, etc) it comes up on the infotainment screen rather than the dash. The interior quality was nothing better than you would find in a new Chevy Spark. It also had the most sensitive brake pedal I've ever experienced.

The summary of my experience, cliff notes if you will, is that the only thing the accord has remotely better than our cars in gas mileage and space. Aside from those things, the car is awful. I never knew how much better our modern muscle could be compared to one of the highest selling cars in the world. I never would have guessed how much more comfortable and convenient our cars and especially how much better the visibility is. I have never appreciated my car more. I'll get some pics of the car with the new wheels up as soon as I get her cleaned up.

jasonsk287 · 08-13-2016, 10:47 PM

Thanks for sharing, I found this interesting. I'm guessing you had a sedan? I always found the coupe to be sharp, but nothing like a Camaro in terms of looks/power/everything else. The sedan is better nowadays than a few years back, and much better than a Camry, but still boring.

My aunt just got a '16 Accord sedan Sport and she absolutely loves it, but I drove it and it was decent but I wasn't overly impressed. They may have a reliability record but the Camaro is the one for me.

banter · 08-13-2016, 10:56 PM

Yes, it was a sedan

Johnwon · 08-14-2016, 12:01 AM

I feel the same about the Honda Civic that we have for my daughter to drive. For a 16 year old, I won't find her racing in it, etc. it is however made for smaller people, feels cheaper with thinner everything, is under powered when you need it and does have a lot of road noise even with really good tires. Overall, I think it's a good car to learn on, but won't ever buy another.

checkmate427 · 08-14-2016, 12:13 AM

I dd a 2014 accord and found nothing you said to be true.

Previously owned a 5th gen Camaro and several 4th gens.
Although I do not own a 6th gen I have test driven several.

How you could possible state the accord has bad visability is quite confusing. I can see perfectly fine out of my car at all angles. The Camaro is down right horrible to see out of Campared to the accord. Visibility out the Camaro has been bad since 2010 and a major complaint. The back up camera is clear and has the trackers to show you exactly where the car will land. The blindspot camera is a very nice touch also, although I've never really needed it because I know how to adjust and use my mirrors.

The dash is layed out beautiful, everything functions as expected. The information system is simple and easy to use. You can view gas mileage, trip odometer and oil life via the gauge cluster. There button to cycle through this on the dash. Functions like numerous other cars I've driven. Or you can view this information on the giant screen which makes it very nice. I have no issues resting my arm on the center console in a position of comfort. I've driven 1200 miles in one day and felt like a million bucks after arriving at my destination

Cvt is arguably one of the best on the market. It's very smooth.

I live in the mountains of Virginia and the cvt performs without confusion in hill conditions.

There is a reason Honda sells so many accords and Gm is struggling with the Camaro.
It is a fantastic car for the money and functions as people expect.

I believe you are trying to bash the accord for no good reason other than to pound your big bad Camaro chest. But why? 2 completely different markets for these cars. The accord will live on for years to come and gm will likely cancel the Camaro again. Visibility, over price and the mustang continues to crush it in sales.

ChefBorOzzy · 08-14-2016, 12:46 AM

Checkmate, all CVTs are smooth.. Some people like them, some don't. I actually like them especially over a junky Ford calibrated automatic I drove today. God, I've driven three Fusions and the regular auto in all of them is junk. Can I get smooth shifts if I give it a little more throttle, please? Fusion hybrid was pretty good with the Ecvt. Even a damn Sonata shifts smoother and it's a goddamn Hyundai.

Accord does have more road noise than competition and does seem more of a tin can car.. This is Honda in general.

banter · 08-14-2016, 08:52 AM

I never said anything bad about the CVT, just that it made me uncomfortable when it'd ride at 7000rpm while WOT for extended periods. Not a bad thing just something to get used to. As for blind spots, no I'm not making that up. You could see plenty out of the cars massive windows but in just a week there was at least 6 instances where a car "suddenly appeared" beside me because of the massive rear quarter blind spot. The backup camera trackers aren't too bad but the camera itself looks almost directly at the floor and you can't see what's behind you (and that's when you aren't blinded by the glare). Who knows, maybe someone had bumped the camera previously and it's now not facing it's normal position. As for the center console, I'm not making this up, it was down by the bottom of the seat.

This was a sedan as well, is yours a coupe? Maybe the higher end models are slightly different (this was a rental after all)?

Eugene onegin · 08-14-2016, 09:04 AM

A Honda is more of a appliance then a car .

MiamiBlueCamaro · 08-14-2016, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banter

(Cliff Notes at bottom)

So, I've been without my car for the past week thanks for quite an ordeal with the dealership and getting my 56F wheels on. But that's not whta I'm here to talk about. During that time I was set up in a 2016 Honda Accord. Obviously a night and day change as far as car type but what I wasn't expecting was how much it'd change how I feel about the car (for the better).

I love and have always loved my 2016 Camaro but I also knew it wasn't without it's own faults. However, the Honda Accord is one of the highest selling and most agreed upon car for the masses of being convenient, comfortable, economical, and just overall good. After spending a week in one (4 cyl with CVT) I have to say... I disliked it... borderline hated even. I honestly think people are drones just listening to what others say when they get one.

I'll start off with what is often a hot topic for our cars. VISIBILITY! By far the biggest complaint about our cars, although I don't think that it's that bad. It's mostly people needing to get used to narrow windows and windshield. The actual range of view (aside from out the rear window) with good mirror placement is almost blindspot free. This Accord however, has serious blindspots. Despite having gigantic windows, the rear quarters are impossible to get a view of not matter how you arrange your mirrors or move around in your seat. Also, the backup camera is awful but I'll get to that when we talk about interior.

Obviously the Accord shines with gas mileage especially with that CVT and it's slow as hell compared to the camaro so that's the obvious. CVTs are very unsettling when you go WOT and it sits right at 7000rpm just before the redline. Exterior, is another obvious... camaro beautiful, accord not so much.

I expected the Accord to be far more comfortable, ergonomic and quieter than my camaro though. Again, I was wrong. Road noise, something I always thought was pretty bad on our cars. The accord was much worse and it doesn't help that there was no exhaust noise to try to cover it with either. The center console was too low to rest your arm on so essentially, no armrest. The screen for infotainment and backup camera was atrocious. It was angled upward so there's always a glare and the bright brightness being cranked all the way up couldn't save it from being nearly unreadable. The seats were made for people who are 4 feet wide and when you corner the car starts rolling before you even start having any lateral change in motion. The gauge cluster is a mess and when I wanted to change what I was looking at (trip, gas mileage, etc) it comes up on the infotainment screen rather than the dash. The interior quality was nothing better than you would find in a new Chevy Spark. It also had the most sensitive brake pedal I've ever experienced.

The summary of my experience, cliff notes if you will, is that the only thing the accord has remotely better than our cars in gas mileage and space. Aside from those things, the car is awful. I never knew how much better our modern muscle could be compared to one of the highest selling cars in the world. I never would have guessed how much more comfortable and convenient our cars and especially how much better the visibility is. I have never appreciated my car more. I'll get some pics of the car with the new wheels up as soon as I get her cleaned up.

Completely agree!

raptor5244 · 08-14-2016, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eugene onegin

A Honda is more of a appliance then a car .

Agreed. The two of them usually don't even get compared to one another.

Honda Accords, Toyota Camrys, and just about everything else in that segment are just bland, boring transportation appliances. If you really don't care about driving then they are fine choices. They are economical, reliable, have good resale value and they are boring.

hotlap · 08-14-2016, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eugene onegin

A Honda is more of a appliance then a car .

my wife has driven an Accord Crosstour since 2010. Like the Camaro, it sacrifices a little visibility and practicality for style. I like it.

Allez · 08-14-2016, 07:34 PM

One of my other cars is a 2014 Accord EX-L sedan. I think it's a nice car - completely different than the Camaro of course, and I don't think I would ever try to compare them. I don't find the CVT to be bad at all, and keep in mind most Accord drivers are not going to be pushing the red line. OP, I think the Camaro is 'the car' for you, but I don't think the Accord is bad at all for a mid-size sedan.

1sspat · 08-14-2016, 10:49 PM

Appliance for sure. The Hondas serve a need at low cost of ownership. Got rid of my 2009 Honda Civic (it pains me that I ever had to say "my Honda Civic") and purchased my 2SS and found my dignity again.

fzr100098 · 08-14-2016, 11:44 PM

Haha - yeah I was tired of getting blown off the road by 370Zs and pretty much everything else in my S2000

Right after I got the car I walked a Hyundai Genesis coupe with fart cans and lights - damn that felt good

08-13-2016, 10:31 PM	#1
banter Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS M6 Black Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 582	Newfound respect for my own car (long w/cliff notes) (Cliff Notes at bottom) So, I've been without my car for the past week thanks for quite an ordeal with the dealership and getting my 56F wheels on. But that's not whta I'm here to talk about. During that time I was set up in a 2016 Honda Accord. Obviously a night and day change as far as car type but what I wasn't expecting was how much it'd change how I feel about the car (for the better). I love and have always loved my 2016 Camaro but I also knew it wasn't without it's own faults. However, the Honda Accord is one of the highest selling and most agreed upon car for the masses of being convenient, comfortable, economical, and just overall good. After spending a week in one (4 cyl with CVT) I have to say... I disliked it... borderline hated even. I honestly think people are drones just listening to what others say when they get one. I'll start off with what is often a hot topic for our cars. VISIBILITY! By far the biggest complaint about our cars, although I don't think that it's that bad. It's mostly people needing to get used to narrow windows and windshield. The actual range of view (aside from out the rear window) with good mirror placement is almost blindspot free. This Accord however, has serious blindspots. Despite having gigantic windows, the rear quarters are impossible to get a view of not matter how you arrange your mirrors or move around in your seat. Also, the backup camera is awful but I'll get to that when we talk about interior. Obviously the Accord shines with gas mileage especially with that CVT and it's slow as hell compared to the camaro so that's the obvious. CVTs are very unsettling when you go WOT and it sits right at 7000rpm just before the redline. Exterior, is another obvious... camaro beautiful, accord not so much. I expected the Accord to be far more comfortable, ergonomic and quieter than my camaro though. Again, I was wrong. Road noise, something I always thought was pretty bad on our cars. The accord was much worse and it doesn't help that there was no exhaust noise to try to cover it with either. The center console was too low to rest your arm on so essentially, no armrest. The screen for infotainment and backup camera was atrocious. It was angled upward so there's always a glare and the bright brightness being cranked all the way up couldn't save it from being nearly unreadable. The seats were made for people who are 4 feet wide and when you corner the car starts rolling before you even start having any lateral change in motion. The gauge cluster is a mess and when I wanted to change what I was looking at (trip, gas mileage, etc) it comes up on the infotainment screen rather than the dash. The interior quality was nothing better than you would find in a new Chevy Spark. It also had the most sensitive brake pedal I've ever experienced. The summary of my experience, cliff notes if you will, is that the only thing the accord has remotely better than our cars in gas mileage and space. Aside from those things, the car is awful. I never knew how much better our modern muscle could be compared to one of the highest selling cars in the world. I never would have guessed how much more comfortable and convenient our cars and especially how much better the visibility is. I have never appreciated my car more. I'll get some pics of the car with the new wheels up as soon as I get her cleaned up.

08-13-2016, 10:47 PM	#2
jasonsk287 Drives: 2012 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 404	Thanks for sharing, I found this interesting. I'm guessing you had a sedan? I always found the coupe to be sharp, but nothing like a Camaro in terms of looks/power/everything else. The sedan is better nowadays than a few years back, and much better than a Camry, but still boring. My aunt just got a '16 Accord sedan Sport and she absolutely loves it, but I drove it and it was decent but I wasn't overly impressed. They may have a reliability record but the Camaro is the one for me. __________________ 2012 Camaro 1LT Summit White/Black Rally Stripes Ordered 8/21/11, built 9/22/11, delivered 10/7/11

08-14-2016, 12:13 AM	#5
checkmate427 Drives: none Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Northern VA Posts: 66	I dd a 2014 accord and found nothing you said to be true. Previously owned a 5th gen Camaro and several 4th gens. Although I do not own a 6th gen I have test driven several. How you could possible state the accord has bad visability is quite confusing. I can see perfectly fine out of my car at all angles. The Camaro is down right horrible to see out of Campared to the accord. Visibility out the Camaro has been bad since 2010 and a major complaint. The back up camera is clear and has the trackers to show you exactly where the car will land. The blindspot camera is a very nice touch also, although I've never really needed it because I know how to adjust and use my mirrors. The dash is layed out beautiful, everything functions as expected. The information system is simple and easy to use. You can view gas mileage, trip odometer and oil life via the gauge cluster. There button to cycle through this on the dash. Functions like numerous other cars I've driven. Or you can view this information on the giant screen which makes it very nice. I have no issues resting my arm on the center console in a position of comfort. I've driven 1200 miles in one day and felt like a million bucks after arriving at my destination Cvt is arguably one of the best on the market. It's very smooth. I live in the mountains of Virginia and the cvt performs without confusion in hill conditions. There is a reason Honda sells so many accords and Gm is struggling with the Camaro. It is a fantastic car for the money and functions as people expect. I believe you are trying to bash the accord for no good reason other than to pound your big bad Camaro chest. But why? 2 completely different markets for these cars. The accord will live on for years to come and gm will likely cancel the Camaro again. Visibility, over price and the mustang continues to crush it in sales. __________________ 1954 Corvette

08-14-2016, 10:49 PM	#13
1sspat Tampa Gulf Coast Family Drives: 2016 2SS, 6SP, NPP, MRC, NAV Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 412 View My Garage	Appliance for sure. The Hondas serve a need at low cost of ownership. Got rid of my 2009 Honda Civic (it pains me that I ever had to say "my Honda Civic") and purchased my 2SS and found my dignity again. Attached Images __________________

08-14-2016, 11:44 PM	#14
fzr100098 Banned Drives: 2016 2SS Hyper Blue Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 97	Haha - yeah I was tired of getting blown off the road by 370Zs and pretty much everything else in my S2000 Right after I got the car I walked a Hyundai Genesis coupe with fart cans and lights - damn that felt good Last edited by fzr100098; 08-15-2016 at 01:21 AM.

08-13-2016, 10:56 PM	#3
banter Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS M6 Black Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 582	Yes, it was a sedan

08-14-2016, 12:01 AM	#4
Johnwon Drives: 2016 Mosaic Black 2SS, NPP, A8. Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 285	I feel the same about the Honda Civic that we have for my daughter to drive. For a 16 year old, I won't find her racing in it, etc. it is however made for smaller people, feels cheaper with thinner everything, is under powered when you need it and does have a lot of road noise even with really good tires. Overall, I think it's a good car to learn on, but won't ever buy another.

08-14-2016, 12:46 AM	#6
ChefBorOzzy Drives: 2016 F150 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,196	Checkmate, all CVTs are smooth.. Some people like them, some don't. I actually like them especially over a junky Ford calibrated automatic I drove today. God, I've driven three Fusions and the regular auto in all of them is junk. Can I get smooth shifts if I give it a little more throttle, please? Fusion hybrid was pretty good with the Ecvt. Even a damn Sonata shifts smoother and it's a goddamn Hyundai. Accord does have more road noise than competition and does seem more of a tin can car.. This is Honda in general.

08-14-2016, 08:52 AM	#7
banter Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS M6 Black Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 582	I never said anything bad about the CVT, just that it made me uncomfortable when it'd ride at 7000rpm while WOT for extended periods. Not a bad thing just something to get used to. As for blind spots, no I'm not making that up. You could see plenty out of the cars massive windows but in just a week there was at least 6 instances where a car "suddenly appeared" beside me because of the massive rear quarter blind spot. The backup camera trackers aren't too bad but the camera itself looks almost directly at the floor and you can't see what's behind you (and that's when you aren't blinded by the glare). Who knows, maybe someone had bumped the camera previously and it's now not facing it's normal position. As for the center console, I'm not making this up, it was down by the bottom of the seat. This was a sedan as well, is yours a coupe? Maybe the higher end models are slightly different (this was a rental after all)?

08-14-2016, 09:04 AM	#8
Eugene onegin Drives: No Car Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: WV Posts: 20	A Honda is more of a appliance then a car .

08-14-2016, 07:34 PM	#12
Allez Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Maryland Posts: 794	One of my other cars is a 2014 Accord EX-L sedan. I think it's a nice car - completely different than the Camaro of course, and I don't think I would ever try to compare them. I don't find the CVT to be bad at all, and keep in mind most Accord drivers are not going to be pushing the red line. OP, I think the Camaro is 'the car' for you, but I don't think the Accord is bad at all for a mid-size sedan.

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