Sorry, this one is wrong-wheel-drive. It can be gilded with gold and studded with diamonds for all I care.

I think that despite being larger than before both the Accord sedan and coupe are winners and will be looked back on in a few years as significant steps or milestones. And, if the upcoming diesel is well done (ala E Series) it will further cement this car's status as such.
 
Great photo, Karl. This is one of the best (candid) shots I have seen of the car - it really shows off alot of the nuances of the design (I see Bimmer in there too). I felt like the C30 didn't get a fair shake a week or two back. No offense but IMO it was one of the least flattering angles and shots of the car that I have seen. I happen to like the style of the C30 quite a bit, and I have seen plenty of pictures from all different angles that make the car look really unique and sharp.

the only problem is that c30 starts at about this price. the accord is pretty loaded @ 29k.

wish I could edit posts because i'm wrong on that last post.

But (as a Mazda fan) I don't want heft!

I realize we are talking about the coupe, but am I the only one who thinks the back end of the sedan looks like the back of a Saturn L-series?
Hideous.....Coupe is nice though

+1 Carlisimo! I fully agree!
 
Unfortunately, Carlisimo, most people associate heft with quality and safety. I understand the safety part if it isn't necessarily true but the quality part remains a mystery.......
 
BTW, Karl, isn't Infinity the BMW of Japan, considering that both are sporty and luxury brands?
 
I don't like the Accord Coupe's exterior styling. Something about the side view just doesn't look right to me. Sure, I haven't seen it "in person" but I think the sedan looks a lot better.

Yes, I've always felt the 3-series would be perfect if only it was slower, uglier, and heavier.... Finally, the less powerful, slightly "boaty" 3 Series coupe we've all been waiting for!

Even though my dislike of the sedan is well documented (and I agree the rear looks like that of the defunct Saturn L-Series), I like the coupe & am glad that it got good reviews here.
 
Karl, you didn't really mention how this Coupe stacked up to its accomplished predecessor, though. I'm going to assume that the boaty 3-series reference means that it's better. =)

The 3 series coupe is already big and boaty, so that would make the Accord coupe an aircraft carrier? Seriously, the 3 series coupe is massive - in size and ungodly ugliness - soft and floaty now. So if the Accord is worse than that...well that's nearly incomprehensible.

VVK, yes its FWD but its not trying to be RWD, and Honda isn't promising the performance of a RWD car as its STILL an Accord. Id actually drive one before writing it off, you may be surprised. Ill even let you take my 03 Acura CL-S 6MT out for a spin.
  
Karl, I'm actually glad you produced this article as this is the reason I'm a Honda fan as well as BMW. Both companies have VERY similar engineering strengths and a similar feel although BMW tends to be a bit better because of higher price and lower compromise.
  
"BTW, Karl, isn't Infiniti the BMW of Japan, considering that both are sporty and luxury brands?"
  
I understand your reasoning for posting that remark as Inifinti has made it clear that their target is BMW but Inifiniti lacks that certain detail that makes BMW ...BMW, and Honda....well Honda. REFINEMENT and how mechanicals/instruments mesh together to work in harmony is the key to driving excitement, and BMW and Honda have this certain trait. Infinti can measure up on paper but when it comes to those certain tiny details they really don't measure up.
  
"With cars as good as they are in 2007, these subtle nuances are all that's left to define a brand, and I continue to like the definition of Honda, particularly in this new Accord Coupe."
  
Well said Karl as I agree totally. The best part about it is that you can drive just about any Honda or BMW from the current to 15 years ago (or older) and the formula is still basically the same although more refined and modernized. You can take a spin in a Civic Si then drive a S2000. Even though they are very different cars you still get that same signature Honda feel through the controls. The same can be said for BMW. Whether is a 7 series or a 3 series you still get tat same positive feedback.
  
Today a lot of people tend to get too wrapped in 0-60, 1/4 miles times, and drive wheels to recognize true mechanical brilliance. Sure the outside wrapper may be tempting but you should ALWAYS at least scratch the surface and see whats inside.

I'm not sold on the somewhat fussy body strafing on the sides or the overly squared front end, but overall this is the best looking Accord coupe ever.
 
EX-L V6 at $29K sounds about right. Anything more than that, though, and I'd be tempted to "settle" for a base Audi A4.

"I understand your reasoning for posting that remark as Inifinti has made it clear that their target is BMW but Inifiniti lacks that certain detail that makes BMW ...BMW, and Honda....well Honda. REFINEMENT and how mechanicals/instruments mesh together to work in harmony is the key to driving excitement, and BMW and Honda have this certain trait. Infinti can measure up on paper but when it comes to those certain tiny details they really don't measure up."
 
There's the answer. Driving the latest G35 sedan two weeks ago against the C-Class and CTS confirmed this. Powerful? Yes. Sporty? You bet. Pleasing to the senses? Not really. If a car feels like it's tearing itself apart as you give it the whip I avoid giving it the whip. But BMW -- and Honda -- engines are not only capable of performance driving, they actually seem to prefer it over relaxed driving.
 
This coupe is not as thrilling as a BMW coupe, but it's better sorted than any other six-cylinder, front-wheel drive, four-passenger capable coupe for under $30,000.

arkangyl- I agree- the sedan's rear looks like the old L series. Good eye.
 
For some reason, the coupe looks ten times better than the sedan. I can't exactly put my finger on why, but it just does. The coupe is certainly a rip off the Tiburan and the sedan stole it's C pillar from the G35 sedan. Bottom line is if i HAD to have an Accord, it'd be the coupe.
 
Karl- what was the gas mileage without VCM? EPA has it rated low

"...better sorted than any other six-cylinder, front-wheel drive, four-passenger capable coupe for under $30,000"
 
Nice way to cover your butt. I take it you are referring to the Camry, Altima and G6 coupes and maybe you also include the Tiburon and Eclipse. But what if you include RWD? How would it stack up against a Mustang or RX8? If only the 350Z had a backseat (or you can get a G37 for under $30k)...

Karl Wrote: "But BMW -- and Honda -- engines are not only capable of performance driving, they actually seem to prefer it over relaxed driving."
 
I tend to agree with this. My frame of reference is not with BMW, but with Honda. Even the Fit's little engine doesn't mind being goosed, as long as you are under 50 mph : ). And for a car in its class, the steering is well done and the suspension will allow at least a little bit of fun.

Heft = Weight
 
Honda's are getting hefty. BMW's are getting hefty.
 
Mazda's are getting Lighter.
 
So sure, BMW = Honda on the heft factor.

Accord Coupe EX with the 190HP engine is nice. 268HP is overkill.

mopar,
 
190HP was nice when cars were under 3000lbs and had a whole lot less frontal area. This new Accord punches a bigger whole through the wind and weighs upwards of 3600lbs (and climbing, apparently).

Karl, I feel like there are too many Accord V6 reviews out there, and it'd be more important to hear about the 4cyl versions.
 
As for the BMW comparisons... it's easy to say that Mazda and Infiniti are closer because they have an emphasis on sportiness like BMW does. On the other hand, Honda's emphasis is on utility, especially packaging. But Honda approaches packaging much like BMW approaches sportiness: willing to compromise other aspects of the car except for refinement.
 
Honda sacrifices sportiness for smaller suspensions, and (very notably) smaller engine bays. They went to struts and electric steering in the Civic just to fit everything more tightly inside the engine bay and increase maximum size... also managed to give the rear seats a flat floor. (They did go too far, but in the 8th generation they've increased caster and clawed some of the fun back.) The centrally located fuel tank in the Fit was pretty wild too, and successful. It reduced the potential for fun a little bit, but Honda still made it as fun to drive as it could be.
 
On the other hand BMW sacrifices interior room (or makes their cars longer, and uses expensive materials) to obstinately fit their I6s and keep that 50/50 weight distribution. Polar opposites as far as priorities go... but they try to get there the same way. Refinement, creativity, maximizing the qualities that they didn't emphasise, and of course great engines to build around. Mazda and Infiniti are happier to let one aspect of a car totally fall by the wayside.

All I can say is the new Accord looks better than the old one. I agree with Karl that engine wise both BMW & Honda love to be rev. Sadly, the market trend for new cars is getting bloated with extra weight. Now we are looking for bigger and wider!

I'll pass on the Accord TANK edition. Gimme a C30 all the way. And so what it's 2k more comparably equipped. Its a Volvo.

Uh, the C30 is the Titanic of compact cars.

"190HP was nice when cars were under 3000lbs and had a whole lot less frontal area. This new Accord punches a bigger whole through the wind and weighs upwards of 3600lbs (and climbing, apparently)."
 
Not necessarily true. I test-drove the 190 hp 2008 Accord sedan and it was very nice. It was fast and the engine responded the moment I stepped on the accelerator.......even at 70 mph......I didn't feel the need for more power. 190 hp is nice and more than 220 hp is an overkill. I bet the reasons manufacturers are using 260+ hp engines is for marketing reasons, since more and more people are "tend to get too wrapped in 0-60, 1/4 miles times, and drive wheels to recognize true mechanical brilliance".
 
Well, Honda and BMW are also very similar in another aspect: they both rely on very high rpm engines for their performance models. (Although I hear BMW will be shifting to normal rpm turbos.) Not a bad thing but just a similarity I've noticed......

Karl-Surprised no-one called you on this - the 335i is a little heavier than the Accord, as far as I can tell, the 328i a little lighter. Do you mean it feels heavier?

Blackadder, the 3.0 TT on the 3 series cars has full torque before 1500 rpm. That's not exactly a a high-revver. But you're right about past engines needing Honda-ish revving to get going. I sorta miss the way my e46 needed to be over 4k rpm to sing.

Im glad Honda improved the styling. I always felt that the Coupe was uglier than the sedan,but not in this case, they're both pretty cool looking. Good to see most of the design from the Accord Coupe concept become production.
 
I smell a comparison test, G6 vs. Altima vs. Accord coupe and throw in the Solara as well, I'm not sure if its still in production. I also think it'd be great if Ford joined this club with a Fusion coupe.

Mopar, by that certain "heft" we dont really mean the exact weight of the vehicle its just how the car and controls feel. This certain kind of heaft is good. As Karl said, the "heft: Hondas and BMW's have is pretty much spot on but Mercedes and Toyota/Lexus products that "heft" seems a bit much as it tends to dilute the feedback from the controls.
 
I will say that at higher speeds (100mph+) that extra heft Mercedes offers is superb as the cars feel perfectly planted and so effortless.

Blueguy, with the BMWs I was referring to the performance M models, you know, considering their 8400 rpm redlines. :)
 
Carlisimo, I think Mazda have also got the balance right, apart from the "heft" which we both agree is a bad thing. Last year, I test-drove a 2007 Mazda 3 and a 2007 Honda Civic on the same day and I'd say both were equally refined, although the Mazda was sportier. (Both are too refined for my tastes.)
I also test-drove a Mazda 6 V6 and the 2007 Honda Accord V6 that day. The Mazda was slightly less refined and less powerful. I actually preferred the Mazda's character.....I just think refinement is over-rated and can't tolerate driving a car whose engine I can't hear. The Mazda 6 has more than enough refinement for me....

"I will say that at higher speeds (100mph+) that extra heft Mercedes offers is superb as the cars feel perfectly planted and so effortless."
 
Why on earth would you ever need to drive at those speeds? I've done that one or twice for one minute tops, just to know how it feels to go that fast, but I can't imagine doing those speeds for an appreciable amount of time!!!!!
 
Anyway, Mercedes always directly or indirecly advertise their autobahn heritage. More so than any other German manufacturer. So I figure must Mercs are designed with stability at 140+ mph in mind......and perhaps as a result, feel too heavy at ordinary speeds.

Well this is one of my favorite topics and I have been out of it all day. I got my Honda Accord Coupe totaled this morning by a bone head in a Chevy Truck. Totally fine here but for a broken big toe on the left leg that will limit my TEST drives for new cars.
 
YEAH!! every dark cloud has a silver lining.
 
My thoughts are that the new Accord Coupe's overhangs look huge in certain pictures. When I saw it in person a couple of weeks ago it was better.
 
I like the styling of the Sedan better, and I don't really know why. The rear end of the coupe just looks weird for me for some reason.
 
But for the new car I think I am going smaller. Even though the new coupe is only 3 inches longer, it is higher, and wider as well. My Garage is not getting any bigger.
 
I wlll miss my 3050lbs coupe. But the new car will have to be less than a LARGE car, even with its wonderful Hondaness.

daytona500, I believe the Ford Fusion Coupe is called "Mustang".

Um 7driver, I'm talking about a FWD V6 coupe with Fusion like styling and dynamics, not some RWD muscle car.

Brett - sorry to hear, not really the way you want to begin the new car shopping thing, especially if you liked the car you lost, at least you came out of it okay. Good luck with the toe and the search - looking forward to updates on the new car front.

Brett - Cars can be replaced, but people can't. Glad you're alright for the most part!

hondacu4- I'm quite aware of the "heft" that Karl referenced.
 
It is the weight I'm concerned with. And the size.

Glad most of you is okay, Brett. Reminds me of the Edmunds Jeep crash... I bet footwells will be the next area to receive an array of airbags.
 
Keep us posted on your car searching journey. I was looking at hatches and wagons and (happily) ended up with a roadster, so watch out for wild tangents like that. They're great.

Glad to hear you made it out in one piece Brett.

d500, I know perfectly well what you meant. The point I was trying to make is that a Ford Fusion Coupe and Mustang wouldn't be able to co-exist. Remember the Probe?

Mustang is absolutely different animal. There is nothing refined about Mustang and it is RWD. I hope they will make IRS in next Mustang and improve tactile feeling in its control's, and get rid of cheap plastic too. Otherwise it is cool car unlike Fusion, Accord and other “coupes”.
 
Accord is hideous, refined or not. Fusion and Mazda6 are much more stylish and smaller too. Coupe should be stylish, otherwise I do not see point in buying coupe, especially FWD one. I would compromise engine just to get style I like. And what about louder engine?
 
BTW I drove both European and American Accords. Both of them feel tinny compared with any German car. Take A4 e.g. Accord is not even in same league and never was. It does not even compare with Mondeo or Passat. But at least European Accord is more fun to drive than American one, but still it feels cheap

Well, you got the big and boaty part right, anyway.

Thank you guys for the well wishes. The toe is already feeling better thanks to the Vicoden.
 
The car search has already begun, with the first focus the 3 Series or the Lexus IS. I like a lot of you am not in love with the G35. Good car, on paper great car, but something is missing.
 
The 3 series is a lot of fun, but the value factor is not compelling compared to the IS. I don't like the A4, just not a big fan of turbo 4's for this price range.
 
I was planning on buying a 128 or 135 next spring, but I guess life had different plans for me this time.
 
Your guys' thoughts are always appreciated.

Hey brett sorry about what happened, hope you heal well and best of luck in your car purchase. If I were you, I'd consider the CTS as well. I was walking down the street the other day and a black one passed me, its absolutely stunning.

Why on earth would you ever need to drive at those speeds? I've done that one or twice for one minute tops, just to know how it feels to go that fast, but I can't imagine doing those speeds for an appreciable amount of time!!!!!
 
 
on the Autobahn? It's refreshing to make 100 miles in less than an hour. Wish the US would do that on desolate freeways. It'd certainly make car travel easier.

Welcome back, Brett! Glad you made it in one piece.
 
Blueguy, I hadn't realised you were talking of the Autobahn! I also wish the US would allow such speeds on some of these interstates.....in Texas it's impossible to do more than 80 mph without getting a ticket!
 
Brett, I also really like the IS, especially the styling, but I hear the rear seat is very cramped for space. So that might be a problem if you have kids older than age 14 or so.....

"on the Autobahn? It's refreshing to make 100 miles in less than an hour. Wish the US would do that on desolate freeways. It'd certainly make car travel easier."
  
Ah yes... I recently returned from picking up a new BMW 335i coupe in Germany. It was very comfortable, quiet, and extremely stable cruising along at 120 (seriously felt like 75 after awhile). Above 140 the wind starts to get a little loud, and since most other cars are going 80-90, you really fly past people... but they quickly get out of the way too - no left lane hogs! Took it up to 150 and the car still felt rock solid. Sometimes it just plain sucks having such capable cars with our lame rules and poor driver education.

"Why on earth would you ever need to drive at those speeds? I've done that one or twice for one minute tops, just to know how it feels to go that fast, but I can't imagine doing those speeds for an appreciable amount of time!!!!"
 
Well, on the way back from Atlanta last year (going back to Ky) we had a few brief spats with a modified Mustang GT (piloted by a very cocky driver), probably like a 00-01 model. We were in a $95,000 1998 Mercedes CL500 ( the big daddy coupe) w/ 3 people, and luggage. The Mustang challenged the big daddy Benz on an open empty straight stretch of highway and I was more than eager to accept the challenge.
 
And yes, we pulled on the Mustang and the car didnt even break a sweat. We hit about 135-140 before I let off and the composure of the car was super impressive. You would never think a 4500lb car (+ passengers) with a 302HP V8 would be so quick. Its not fast off the line but anything above 60.....WOOOOOSH!
 
Yes, the Autobahn breeding is evident and its so effortless. The car was ROCK SOLID and even though its pretty softly sprung it didnt need constant steering corrections or anything. Its almost like the faster I went the more planted the car became. This car is a hardtop coupe with no b-pillars and frameless doors. NO WIND NOISE AT ANY SPEED and It could cruise all day at 130!

Although I understand the temptation (yes, it's primarily a male-only trait), anyone who drives 135-140 on a U.S. Interstate should have their license permanently revoked. This type of mano vs. mano road challenge is exactly what gets people killed. For the M-B driver, there's others out there driving even more superior machines lurking which would also blow the M-B CL500 into the weeds! So, what's the point - in one word, male ego.

I am also considering the CTS, sorry to have left that off.
 
The only problem with that car is the price on most of the dealer stock. The dealers near me mostly have the over $40k variety. Very nice, but I really don't want to spend that much. Other priorities. So if I could find a reasonably equiped one at $35k, it would be VERY tempting.

Colloquor, I understand your reasoning but there are many other factors that can get people killed. Cell phones, attending children, drunk driving so dont get all upset as no one was harmed. Im sure everyone here including myself and YOU have driven way over the speed limit on public roads. For that fact anyone whos driven a car has broke the speed limit at some time.
 
And yes, Im FULLY aware that there are MANY other cars can blow this particular CL500 into the weeds as I was the MB driver, though it wasnt my car. And no, I dont have an ego nor do I have to prove myself as I pilot a Honda Odyssey a few days a week. It was as friendly challenge and I accepted it as I actually thought the BIG CL wouldnt stand a chance. A challenger, no other vehicles in sight, and an empty long 3 lane straight stretch......who wouldnt?

Brett, I think the '08 CTS starts at around $35k. So it's unlikely you'd find a $35k model at a dealer's lot....you know, dealers almost never stock basic "stripper" models. If you can afford to wait, it may be better to order the stripper.
 
What about a car like the Jetta? I know you don't mind the styling, it has lots of interior room, good handling, high interior quality, good power (170 hp or 200 hp) and good price? What about the Passat? A Mazda 6 hatchback might also work.....although there's a new model coming out very soon.....

The Jetta GLI with leather costs $29,000, way too much in my mind for that car. You can't even get the leathette seats, and the power seats aren't even an option. The IS comes with more equipment for only $2,000.00 with better smoother power delivery.
 
The Passat is too big for me. Not a good value. The six is more expensive than a 328i.
 
Not a fan of Hatches. The Mazda 6 would be a choice, but would like to see what the US version will look like for 2009. The Euro version is very good looking.

Lol, every Volkswagen is overpriced for what you get, I dont even see how people still buy them. Like I said, they're stuck in a hard place between luxury and everyday brands.
 
Hey brett consider the 300C and Charger too, those are awesome cars for $35K.

brett,
glad to hear you are mostly ok.
I completely agree about the Jetta. Way over priced for what you get.

My thoughts:
 
The GLI is a rip-off. For that money, you can have an A4.
 
The new CTS is slick, but it's as big as a 5 Series and almost 4,000 lbs.
 
The IS has the worst steering I've felt in a while. Absolutely sterile and over-boosted. Shame, because the rest of the car is lovely (AT is a bit slow, though).
 
The 300C and Charger might as well be boats, and are about as involving to drive an old Cadillac.
 
I love the Mazda 6 (I own one). Terrific steering, engines are quick enough if you get the manual. Fuel economy with the V6 is awful though (unless you drive like granny and shift under 3,000 rpm every time). My roommate has one as well, but both of ours are prone to interior rattling noises that dealers "can't" replicate.
 
The new Benz C Class is stunning. Truly.
 
But in the end, if you're leasing, I think it's a toss up between your personal reactions to the Benz and the BMW. I prefer the BMW. If you want to buy, take a look online the E46 3 Series, as my girlfriend just got one with 20k in miles in the low $20k. That's personally what I'd probably do.

Thanks for your thoughts. I have started to look at the C-Class, just wish its interior didn't look so much like the Jetta's.

brett,
have you considered buying a "beater", until the 1 series is available?
I know you've been strongly considering the 1 series. I'm not crazy about the exterior style (frumpy still comes to mind), but after reading Edmunds first drive, it may be a contender for me.
 
Now that it's been a few days:
I guess your car was flatbedded away, and you were toed?

Nearly de-toed, it sounds like.

LOL,
 
Limping still here, but not so bad that I don't want to test drive some manual equiped cars. I have thought of just driving my JGC for awhile and then getting a 1 series, but they won't be available until at least March and that is too long.
 
My wife will need the Jeep back in January, so that is as long as I can probably wait.

This class of car keeps getting a little more expensive each year as equipment levels (stabililty control, airbags, etc) rise.
 
I'm curious. Just who out there, who really cares about the driving experience, would buy this? I think they'll sell to traditional Honda buyers who like the luxury, look, power, and reliability. But a soft handling fwd car as a BMW alternative?
 
A used 1 y/o BMW 325i/328i with another 3 years of warranty and free maint remaining might be a better value due to holding its value better. God forbid you lose a few otherwise torque-steering filled redlight drag races to get a better handling vehicle that is much more satisfying to drive.

More horse power, wish bone suspension compared to struts, 17" tires, more room,occupant positian detection system and $12,000.00 less than the bmw.