Absolutely boring and predictable, these words would easily surmise the Honda Accord VTi-L’s long-term test so far. At 45,000 kilometers, it would be easier for me to refer you back to its 30 and 40,000-kilometer entries. Like before, it has operated with an efficiency likened to an atomic clock. It does everything you ask of it with dignity and poise: long-distance tourer, city commuter, family transporter, semi-luxury barge. It’s everything for everyone—and for owners that’s a big plus.
The engine is getting more frugal—7 km/L on a regular day. That’s up from just 6.2 km/L since the last update. The secret, as I find out, is NOT to engage the 2.3-liter SOHC VTEC performance cam profile. Though it surely sounds sacrilegious, since this is one of the main draws of this car, it makes a lot of sense economically. Learning the slick five-speed gearbox’s ratios also help in making this car a great highway tourer.
Praises among friends and family still great the Accord’s interior. Though not as homey as the newer luxury car choices out there, there are no hints of squeaks in here. The interior is solidity put together and feels fresh the day we got it from the showroom. There are some slight hints of leather wear-and-tear, but that’s to be expected. Everything else is absolutely immaculate.
Ergonomically, I find that this car is a bundle of joy with a great driving position, great visibility and all the controls (major or minor) within easy reach. The switchgear feels solid and have a nice feel to them, without being too plasticky. Since I have this fetish about finding THE perfect driving position, I’ve removed the fuse of the electronically adjustable driver’s seat to dissuade people (like shop mechanics) from fiddling around with it. Hahahaha!
Sick and tired of having the Goodyear NCT3s repeatedly punctured, I’ve opted to replace them with Bridgestone Turanza AQ at all four corners. The swap, I found out, made the ride smoother and the handling more secure. However, tire howl has noticeably increased.
There are some noises from the Double Wishbone system. Though not obtrusive, this could be a sign to have the suspension checked and the bushings replaced sometime soon.
A problem occurred when the ‘Brake’ lamp repeatedly warned me that there was something awry with the Accord’s system. At first, I thought it could just be a loose bulb, but after confirming and tightening everything, it didn’t want to go away. It was off then to the Accord’s first unscheduled repair—luckily, the 40,000 kilometer PMS was just about due.
Major gripes came up with the Accord’s recent service fiasco—this time at Honda Cars Marikina. A satellite service center of Honda Cars Quezon Avenue, I thought that this shop had potential, since it was an official service center that was a few minutes drive away from the office. Unfortunately, their service was less than exemplary.
Honda Cars Marikina traced the ‘Brake’ problem to a faulty Brake Master Kit Cover. However, to my shock, the service advisor told us that in order to replace the cover; they’d have to replace the entire Brake Master Kit! They say that based on the Accord’s parts list; there wasn’t a cover-only part. That’s going to cost over 17-grand in parts alone! Not content with their diagnosis, I asked around other Honda branches if they had a Brake Master Kit Cover. I wasn’t surprised that Honda Cars Quezon Avenue was offering the part I have been looking for. I immediately ringed their Marikina Branch, where the service advisor apologized and said they’d work on the car immediately.
Right after we pulled out the car from the shop, I noticed that the power door lock stopped functioning on the front and aft passenger areas. It was back into the shop for the Accord, where this time, they offered to replace the door lock actuators. It took another two additional trips to get the entire lock thing sorted out since it seemed that one door failed after another.
Honda Cars Markina’s professionalism was brought to an all-time low when they forgot to bill us for the replaced actuator parts. Of course, we obliged to pay the bill as long as they show a copy of the parts charge. I was speechless to find out that they replaced the actuators with replacement parts, which they got from Winter Pine, a shop along G. Araneta Avenue—and here I was expecting genuine Honda parts to come from a Honda service center.
After those two weeks of hell, the long-term Accord is back on the road and going about its regular duties. If there’s something to be learned from my recent service experience—don’t always trust the first diagnosis. Sometimes, unscrupulous service centers might charge you more, especially after the warranty has expired. This is especially true with Honda Cars Marikina, where I abhor their lack of transparency and knowledge to service vehicles correctly.
By Ulysses Ang | Photos by Ulysses Ang
Originally Published in the March 2003 Issue
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