Honda Accord Hybrid Supply Tight (non-existent)

Ask Ford how that worked out for their new models.

 

I agree. We love our Fusion Hybrid, but it hasn't been a smooth first year and a few months. Thus we decided to get rid of our first FFH that was fraught with problems and go with a more recent build. The deal was right so our 19,000 miles driven on the first FFH only cost us about $3000 plus about $500 in taxes and about $1000 for features we didn't want on the 2nd FFH but were forced to take buying one of the last 2013s still left. All told, $4500 to go from 19,000 miles back to 0 and to go from an early build 2013 FFH with lots of issues to a late build 2013 FFH which has been flawless so far and has none of the issues that plagued the first one.

Honda will no doubt have issues too. Anytime you build a new model there will be quality concerns. Hopefully they'll do a good job. Ford has been fairly responsive about addressing the issues that plagued early adopters like us and because of that we decided to get another FFH. We would have two of them and no Prius if not for Toyota's really cheap lease deals back in the fall.

 

from the few people here with ford's, i had no idea there were quality issue's. glad to hear they've cleared them up. i know honda's quality is not upto toyota's, but there really shouldn't be so many issue's that they are afraid to roll them out en masse. our '04 prius, which was the first year of a new model had zero issues and is still issue free at 120,000 miles. and i don't think that's unusual, the gen II is pretty bulletproof overall.

 

The slow roll out also lets them gauge where it is best to send the next wave. As opposed to shipping a bunch now, and have some areas sell out and leaving others with overstock.

 

With our second gen Honda Civic Hybrid, the problem was not so much "issues", ie: minor oversights or failures of sub components. It was, and continues to be (the car's still in the family): the fundamental shortcomings of the core hybrid components, the overtaxed Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system.

Couple the above with corporate Honda's disinterest in fixing the mess. To be fair I'm sceptical that Toyota would behave any better, if they were in similar circumstances, but there it is.

 

Accord Hybrids must be getting pre-ordered and going striaght to customers around SF and LA areas which show only 2 within 100 miles of each city. 29 units within 100 of NYC. 328 units with no mileage limitation which I guess is all over the US. Tight supply indeed.

Wow, Stevens Creek Honda (big dealer) says they've researched to find 2 Accord Hybrids in state of CA at this time and they don't know when more are coming. She didn't sound to enthuse'd about the situation. Guy at Dublin Honda said more are coming in a month. O K

 

Cars.com showed 2 then 3 within 50 miles yesterday, but calls to all Dealerships within radius verified only one Black Touring Model unsold. If still available tomorrow I will go buy for a touch, taste and feel.

 

No

No this would not be a Civic hybrid. Different engine; better styling.

 

Well as usual, all Dealership Sales Departments will do anything to get you to come in. I did find one only to check out and drive listed below. Now take what you will from my "attempt" at objective first impressions compared to a regular Prius hatchback. The quality of the cars drive-ability is far superior...stability, handling, ride, braking and acceleration. The trunk space lacks, but this is not a hatchback. The interior, including the seats, also wins hands down. Visibility, the Prius lost big time. Also like the lane change and rear camera features on the base model. I must admit that were this model available in 2010 I would be driving one. Comparing a $30K equipped Prius to this Base Accord Hybrid at $30K is not even fair as the Prius lost. Very nice car. Will check out the Camry Hybrid at $30K tomorrow if time as this is it's target competition. Can not do a fair comparison for MPG as this takes time, but the numbers show the Camry Hybrid to loose here.

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid, $29,945 -
Cars.com

P.S. - One thing going against the Accord Hybrid (in my mind) is that it's built in Ohio, so I am wary of quality control. My Prius was built 100% in Japan.

 

i think the hycam is built here as well, but we haven't had any issues in 6 years. i think they do a pretty good job of running thier qc the same as japan.

 

Just a learned gut response from past experience with American built cars. I would rather buy a VW from Germany vs Mexico too based on my experience with the Beetle (not mechanical). I really like my Japan built Prius.

 

i hear you. and i have no idea of honda's american qc, i hear even thier japan qc is suspect.

 

As mentioned, I am doing the research for my Wife's next car. She likes my Prius, but after driving a fully loaded+ Hemi-Durango, this is going to take some work. Just another Video review I found, which based on my experience today, seems the least biased...either way. Take what you will from my reports to be updated. I am not a troll and do not drink "anyones" Koolaid but my own.

 

That's an interesting review. I've seen his videos before as he did one on the Prius Plug-in. He's very thorough.

It will be interesting to see your thoughts on the Camry Hybrid.

 

I'd rather have a car that's more enjoyable whenever driving it, even if it results in a bit more time for repairs. A car that's less enjoyable, but never breaks down just means you get to bear with it every day.

Do note - Accord Hybrid engine and transmission are sourced from Japan.

So, are we to say Consumer Reports reliability ratings for Accord are not valid? Accord has had brake complaints in recent years and transmission complaints before 2003, but the rest is well above avg. reliability.

 

Still taking time on this one, but I can already predict Wife would like this Accord Hybrid better than any of the Prius offerings. In fact after 28 years of marriage, I can guaranty it.

 

it's funny, 14 years ago, my wife went shopping for a new car. she came out of an oldsmobile and decided she wanted an accord or camry. she went to a dealer that had both next door to each other. she went into the honda showroom and told the salesman she would like to take an accord for a test drive. he told her she probably wouldn't like the accord and ought to go next door and try a camry. so she did, and now is on her fifth, second hycam. go figure.

 

That's why I do all the research first then present her with the viable option. We learned what delegation works for us early on. Stuff like insurance...all her because that is what she knows. Sometimes I think she likes being married to a Mechanic...but it's probably just the money.

 

I separate quality into two buckets:

• Design -> sounds like Honda wins (and I have design issues with the Prius!)
• Build -> sounds like you lean towards Japan but I'll keep an open mind on this

I am not happy with some of the Prius design decision but sad to say, we have to live with them:

• "check engine" when finally out of gas and with warning . . . let traction battery provide move to safe place power
• blind spots . . . blind spots . . . blind spots . . .
• 4x cost of collision avoidance by adding useless 'eye candy' charges - it should be an 'at cost' safety on all models
• electrically adjustable seats as an option
• optional 1.5-3.0 kW, 110VAC power
• 'numbers' in the energy flow arrows and 'rpm' in the engine display
• open standard for: 3d party GPS, bluetooth audio (sterio quality), knobs-back to 3d party devices
• optional towing package
• dashcam option or ceiling mount and power

Bob Wilson