Make it easier to get safety features.

Charles Lasitter · Apr 19, 2006

It seems that if you want really good safety features with a Honda, you've got to go out and spend big bucks for a bunch of stuff you may not want or need, and I think this is unfortunate.

I've got an '05 Accord LX, which I like, but it seems that the best safety features aren't available unless you drop the big change for the EX 6-cyl.

I'd love to get an EX i4 with:

Traction Control
Stability Control
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Emergency Brake Assist, and also,

DRL
4-wheel disk brakes (items not available on my '05 LX)

But it looks like I'd have to also end up paying for XM radio, dual zone climate control, glass roof, etc., etc ... whether I need them or not.

I think the revamped i4 has plenty of horsepower for most dedicated stick drivers, unless you happen to be hauling a carload of large adults or something.

Would anyone else buy these safety features for a relative few thousand extra dollars, or am I alone in this? +-----------------------------------------+ | Charles Lasitter | Mailing/Shipping | | 401/728-1987 | 14 Cooke St | | cl+at+ncdm+dot+com | Pawtucket RI 02860 | +-----------------------------------------+

Matt Ion · Apr 19, 2006

Charles said:
It seems that if you want really good safety features with a Honda, you've got to go out and spend big bucks for a bunch of stuff you may not want or need, and I think this is unfortunate.

I've got an '05 Accord LX, which I like, but it seems that the best safety features aren't available unless you drop the big change for the EX 6-cyl.

I'd love to get an EX i4 with:

Traction Control
Stability Control
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Emergency Brake Assist, and also,

DRL
4-wheel disk brakes (items not available on my '05 LX)

But it looks like I'd have to also end up paying for XM radio, dual zone climate control, glass roof, etc., etc ... whether I need them or not.

I think the revamped i4 has plenty of horsepower for most dedicated stick drivers, unless you happen to be hauling a carload of large adults or something.

Would anyone else buy these safety features for a relative few thousand extra dollars, or am I alone in this?

I think you're pretty much along in this one.

XM, dual-zone climate, etc. may all seem like frivolous things, but they're those kinds of features that you'll find, once you've had them a while, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.

Matt Ion · Apr 19, 2006

Charles said:
It seems that if you want really good safety features with a Honda, you've got to go out and spend big bucks for a bunch of stuff you may not want or need, and I think this is unfortunate.

I've got an '05 Accord LX, which I like, but it seems that the best safety features aren't available unless you drop the big change for the EX 6-cyl.

I'd love to get an EX i4 with:

Traction Control
Stability Control
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Emergency Brake Assist, and also,

DRL
4-wheel disk brakes (items not available on my '05 LX)

But it looks like I'd have to also end up paying for XM radio, dual zone climate control, glass roof, etc., etc ... whether I need them or not.

I think the revamped i4 has plenty of horsepower for most dedicated stick drivers, unless you happen to be hauling a carload of large adults or something.

Would anyone else buy these safety features for a relative few thousand extra dollars, or am I alone in this?

I think you're pretty much along in this one.

XM, dual-zone climate, etc. may all seem like frivolous things, but they're those kinds of features that you'll find, once you've had them a while, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.

Gordon McGrew · Apr 20, 2006

It seems that if you want really good safety features with a Honda, you've got to go out and spend big bucks for a bunch of stuff you may not want or need, and I think this is unfortunate.

I've got an '05 Accord LX, which I like, but it seems that the best safety features aren't available unless you drop the big change for the EX 6-cyl.

I'd love to get an EX i4 with:

Traction Control

Buy an extra set of wheels and switch between winter tires and summer tires. You will have all the traction control you need.

Stability Control

Not sure if I would like that or not.

Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

How is this different from ABS?

Emergency Brake Assist, and also,

If you mean something that helps you slam on the brakes, I'l pass. I don't need a computer to second guess how much brake pressure I want to apply.

DRL

Turn your headlights on.

4-wheel disk brakes (items not available on my '05 LX)

Surprised that Honda is still using drum brakes on the Accord. Anyway, I don't think these add much to safety.

Gordon McGrew · Apr 20, 2006

It seems that if you want really good safety features with a Honda, you've got to go out and spend big bucks for a bunch of stuff you may not want or need, and I think this is unfortunate.

I've got an '05 Accord LX, which I like, but it seems that the best safety features aren't available unless you drop the big change for the EX 6-cyl.

I'd love to get an EX i4 with:

Traction Control

Buy an extra set of wheels and switch between winter tires and summer tires. You will have all the traction control you need.

Stability Control

Not sure if I would like that or not.

Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

How is this different from ABS?

Emergency Brake Assist, and also,

If you mean something that helps you slam on the brakes, I'l pass. I don't need a computer to second guess how much brake pressure I want to apply.

DRL

Turn your headlights on.

4-wheel disk brakes (items not available on my '05 LX)

Surprised that Honda is still using drum brakes on the Accord. Anyway, I don't think these add much to safety.

dimndsonmywndshld · Apr 21, 2006

Charles said:
It seems that if you want really good safety features with a Honda, you've got to go out and spend big bucks for a bunch of stuff you may not want or need, and I think this is unfortunate.

The new Camry has all these features as either standard or as a stand-alone option (traction control/stability control is not in a bundle). That should force Honda to do the same with the next Accord. Honda will probably make all that stuff standard across the Accord lineup.

I wonder whether or not Honda will offer AWD on the next Accord. I'd be surprised if AWD isn't offered on the next TL (all TL competitors offer AWD) and since the Accord and TL share a platform...

dimndsonmywndshld · Apr 21, 2006

Charles said:
It seems that if you want really good safety features with a Honda, you've got to go out and spend big bucks for a bunch of stuff you may not want or need, and I think this is unfortunate.

The new Camry has all these features as either standard or as a stand-alone option (traction control/stability control is not in a bundle). That should force Honda to do the same with the next Accord. Honda will probably make all that stuff standard across the Accord lineup.

I wonder whether or not Honda will offer AWD on the next Accord. I'd be surprised if AWD isn't offered on the next TL (all TL competitors offer AWD) and since the Accord and TL share a platform...

Charles Lasitter · Apr 21, 2006

The new Camry has all these features as either standard or as a stand-alone option (traction control/stability control is not in a bundle).

I have to say a big THANK YOU for pointing this out.

With the Camry SE it looks like you get a lot stock and a lot more with one optional package. I can't tell for sure, but it looks like the '05 LX came with some air bags that you had to buy as an option with the '06 Camry SE. Otherwise ....

Added "no charge" (mostly safety) features over '05 LX:

solid rear disc brakes (vs drum)
daytime running lights
electronic brakeforce distribution
dusk sensing headlamps
tire pressure monitoring
front fog/driving lights

With the "UG" VSC & Side Airbag Package ($1,300 list)

Vehicle stability control
traction control
brake assist

And the addition of these airbags, which I don't know quite how to compare to the stock '05 Honda:

front side airbags
front and rear curtain airbags.

That should force Honda to do the same with the next Accord. Honda will probably make all that stuff standard across the Accord lineup.

Charles Lasitter · Apr 21, 2006

The new Camry has all these features as either standard or as a stand-alone option (traction control/stability control is not in a bundle).

I have to say a big THANK YOU for pointing this out.

With the Camry SE it looks like you get a lot stock and a lot more with one optional package. I can't tell for sure, but it looks like the '05 LX came with some air bags that you had to buy as an option with the '06 Camry SE. Otherwise ....

Added "no charge" (mostly safety) features over '05 LX:

solid rear disc brakes (vs drum)
daytime running lights
electronic brakeforce distribution
dusk sensing headlamps
tire pressure monitoring
front fog/driving lights

With the "UG" VSC & Side Airbag Package ($1,300 list)

Vehicle stability control
traction control
brake assist

And the addition of these airbags, which I don't know quite how to compare to the stock '05 Honda:

front side airbags
front and rear curtain airbags.

That should force Honda to do the same with the next Accord. Honda will probably make all that stuff standard across the Accord lineup.

John Horner · Apr 21, 2006

Charles said:
I have to say a big THANK YOU for pointing this out.

With the Camry SE it looks like you get a lot stock and a lot more with one optional package.

The SE is a pretty nice unit. I test drove one a few days ago. The new Camry nose is damn ugly, but the black-out grill on the SE even helps a little with that. In the end I bought an Acura TSX this time around, partly because Toyota dealers are still very proud of their new Camry (high prices).

I also checked out the latest Toyota Navigation system in the '07 Camry and it seemed very well done indeed. In fact, it is the only one I have seen which is as good as or even better than the latest Honda/Acura Navi sytems.

Ever since getting Navi on my '03 Accord it has become something of a must-have feature for a new vehicle purchase. My wife liked my Accord so much that she insisted I give it to her and get myself something else

.

John

John Horner · Apr 21, 2006

Charles said:
I have to say a big THANK YOU for pointing this out.

With the Camry SE it looks like you get a lot stock and a lot more with one optional package.

The SE is a pretty nice unit. I test drove one a few days ago. The new Camry nose is damn ugly, but the black-out grill on the SE even helps a little with that. In the end I bought an Acura TSX this time around, partly because Toyota dealers are still very proud of their new Camry (high prices).

I also checked out the latest Toyota Navigation system in the '07 Camry and it seemed very well done indeed. In fact, it is the only one I have seen which is as good as or even better than the latest Honda/Acura Navi sytems.

Ever since getting Navi on my '03 Accord it has become something of a must-have feature for a new vehicle purchase. My wife liked my Accord so much that she insisted I give it to her and get myself something else

.

John

SoCalMike · Apr 22, 2006

John said:
The SE is a pretty nice unit. I test drove one a few days ago. The new Camry nose is damn ugly,

i think that has to do with "pedestrian safety", big in europe.

SoCalMike · Apr 22, 2006

John said:
The SE is a pretty nice unit. I test drove one a few days ago. The new Camry nose is damn ugly,

i think that has to do with "pedestrian safety", big in europe.

JXStern · Apr 22, 2006

Would anyone else buy these safety features for a relative few thousand extra dollars, or am I alone in this?

I'm happy with my ABS, wish I didn't have to shell out for air bags, and not entirely convinced on some of the other hifalutin features.

Marketing-wise, it's hard for a manufacturer to put safety features on just the high-zoot models, so they put them on only the high-zoot marques instead. Until stuff gets really cheap like ABS has.

I'd also like back the $50 or so it costs me for the cruise control, which I've never used and probably never will, and really, who does?

J.

JXStern · Apr 22, 2006

Would anyone else buy these safety features for a relative few thousand extra dollars, or am I alone in this?

I'm happy with my ABS, wish I didn't have to shell out for air bags, and not entirely convinced on some of the other hifalutin features.

Marketing-wise, it's hard for a manufacturer to put safety features on just the high-zoot models, so they put them on only the high-zoot marques instead. Until stuff gets really cheap like ABS has.

I'd also like back the $50 or so it costs me for the cruise control, which I've never used and probably never will, and really, who does?

J.

SoCalMike · Apr 23, 2006

Matt said:
XM, dual-zone climate, etc. may all seem like frivolous things, but they're those kinds of features that you'll find, once you've had them a while, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.

if you have in-car XM with a subscription, can you buy a standalone unit for the house and use the same subscription?

SoCalMike · Apr 23, 2006

Matt said:
XM, dual-zone climate, etc. may all seem like frivolous things, but they're those kinds of features that you'll find, once you've had them a while, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.

if you have in-car XM with a subscription, can you buy a standalone unit for the house and use the same subscription?

SoCalMike · Apr 23, 2006

Gordon said:
Surprised that Honda is still using drum brakes on the Accord. Anyway, I don't think these add much to safety.

eveything ive read from people in the rust belt here indicate that rear discs arent worth it, compared to the maintenance needed on em.

SoCalMike · Apr 23, 2006

Gordon said:
Surprised that Honda is still using drum brakes on the Accord. Anyway, I don't think these add much to safety.

eveything ive read from people in the rust belt here indicate that rear discs arent worth it, compared to the maintenance needed on em.

Charles Lasitter · Apr 23, 2006

The SE is a pretty nice unit. I test drove one a few days ago. The new Camry nose is damn ugly,

Make it easier to get safety features.

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive

Usenet Archive