| The trunk was open when one friend walked by | | | | unfortunate.Even in its preview mode, the |
| and the hood was | | | | satellite feature is a complement to the |
| | | | |
| popped open when two other friends meandered | | | | also standard AM/FM stereo (six speakers) |
| by."If I took off my front wheel, OK maybe | | | | and six-CD changer. |
| both wheels, I could get my bike | | | | |
| | | | Channel offerings in the satellite preview |
| in the trunk, no problem," one friend said. | | | | selection included a movie |
| "That's a spacious trunk for a | | | | |
| | | | soundtrack station, an option not found via |
| mid-sized car."My two other friends were | | | | usual audio choices.In recent years, Honda |
| more impressed with the powerful and | | | | has meticulously honed its models' interior |
| | | | and |
| efficiently designed engine."Look where | | | | |
| everything is; it's easy access, for sure," | | | | exterior design and features. Individually |
| he said. "Even if | | | | heated front seats, steering |
| | | | |
| you know nothing about cars, you can find | | | | wheel audio controls, a driver's side |
| everything. It would be hard | | | | eight-way power seat with |
| | | | |
| to put the oil where the transmission fluid | | | | adjustable lumbar control with easily |
| goes. And it's like what we | | | | accessible power levers, cruise |
| | | | |
| used to call a 'Muscle Car' engine when we | | | | control, a power moonroof with slide shade |
| were growing up."And so it goes with the 2004 | | | | and leather-trimmed seats |
| Honda Accord, particularly the 240 horse | | | | |
| | | | are all included.An efficiently designed and |
| power V6 sedan EX model test driven for this | | | | well-placed radio, interior and exterior |
| review.From small, yet important features | | | | light |
| like trunk space and engine | | | | |
| | | | and windshield wiper controls are other |
| dynamics, to passenger comfort, | | | | pluses as is the front-seat leg |
| functionality of instrument controls and | | | | |
| | | | room and spaciousness. The rear seats aren't |
| interior and exterior styling, there's not | | | | quite as roomy and the |
| much not to like on the 2004 | | | | |
| | | | total rear area is better suited for two |
| Accord.In short, in its ongoing competition | | | | adults than three.A wonderfully designed |
| with the Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry | | | | engine, plenty of cargo area, a quiet ride, |
| | | | ease |
| and Volkswagen Passat, the tested Accord is | | | | |
| a high-performance | | | | of use and versatility, and a more than |
| | | | adequate cargo carrying care |
| vehicle thinly disguised a mid-sized | | | | |
| sedan.Two test drives during my week with the | | | | with a sports car's performance: What can be |
| vehicle were extended | | | | more appealing?In short, the 2004 Honda |
| | | | Accord is a superior family car with plenty |
| journeys, including a 200-mile round-trip | | | | of |
| day's trek of primarily freeway | | | | |
| | | | wondrous accouterments to use just in case a |
| miles.With its 240 HP engine, entering | | | | sports car opportunity |
| freeway on-ramps, changing lanes and | | | | |
| | | | arises.2004 Honda AccordSafety features -- |
| accelerating when necessary in heavy | | | | Driver and front passenger front and side |
| traffic, is surprisingly quick.According to | | | | airbags. |
| Consumer Guide, the Accord V6 two-door coupe | | | | |
| with | | | | Three-point front seatbelts. Side curtain |
| | | | airbags. Three-point front and |
| automatic transmission was tested at 0-60 | | | | |
| mph in 7.0 seconds. The four- | | | | rear seat belts.Fuel Mileage -- 21 mpg |
| | | | (city), 30 mpg (highway).Warranty -- 3 years |
| door sedan, in this instance appointed with | | | | 36,000 miles (bumper to bumper); 5 years |
| a Redondo Red Pearl | | | | unlimited |
| | | | |
| exterior and gray interior, seemingly was in | | | | miles (corrosion); no scheduled tune-ups for |
| the same speedy category.The vehicle's | | | | 105,000 milesBase price range -- $15,900 - |
| comfort and its standard equipment are | | | | $28,400.James Raia is a syndicated journalist |
| equally | | | | in Sacramento, Calif., who writes |
| | | | |
| impressive. One example, the XM satellite | | | | about sports, fitness and business topics as |
| radio system, hadn't been | | | | well as the free electronic |
| | | | |
| discovered on my 200-mile journey or a | | | | newsletters Endurance Sports News and Tour |
| subject round-trip trek into the | | | | de France Times and The |
| | | | |
| Sierra Nevada foothills. That was | | | | Weekly Driver, a car review column. |