TCR Auto Insurance Blog

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. now releases the details, features, and the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the 2008 model year Sedan and Coupe variants of the Honda Accord. Both model variants are available with several trim level options with exclusive features for each trim level. The 2008 Honda Accord Sedan will roll out in Honda dealers all over the U.S. starting this September 12, while the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe will go on sale in September 20th.

In a recent press release, Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. commented: “The 2008 Honda Accord adds popular features and enhancements while maintaining competitive, value-oriented pricing on every model. A new, innovative design with improved packaging and even more refined performance adds to the Accord’s strong foundation of historically high residual values, renowned manufacturing quality and legendary reliability.”

Both the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe models are available with either 4-cylinder or V6 engine options. The new 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 engine is capable of pumping out 268 hp and equipped with a new generation of fuel-saving Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. In addition, this power unit achieves a Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) rating. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rated this unit with a fuel economy rating of 19/29 (city/highway) miles per gallon, Accord Sedan.

Meanwhile, the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine has a power output of 190 hp. A choice of a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic transmission completes the powertrain package for the Honda Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe. Customers can also choose the 6-speed manual transmission available exclusively for the 2008 Honda Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe variant.

The 2008 Honda Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe come with various standard features for both model variants. These include the Advanced Compatibility Engineering(TM) (ACE(TM)) body structure, Electronic Stability Control, side-curtain airbags, dual-chamber front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), active front seat head restraints, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution, and brake assist, MP3/WMA playback capability and an auxiliary input jack, 160 watts single-disc CD player and six speakers, just to name the few. Customers can also personalize the Accord Sedan and Coupe with Weathertech weatherflectors.

Other exclusive features for Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe model trims include six-disc CD changer, 270 watts of total amplification and seven speakers, including an 8-inch subwoofer (Accord EX Coupe and EX-L Sedan), XM Satellite Radio (Accord EX-L), Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with voice recognition and Bluetooth HandsFreeLink (available on EX-L), 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers (2008 Accord Sedan), 17-inch alloy wheels standard (Accord Coupe), and 18-inch alloy wheels for the V6-equipped Honda Accord Coupe models.

The 2008 Honda Accord Sedan will go on sale in dealer showrooms carrying a base MSRP of $20,360 for the 4-cylinder model with 5-speed manual. Accord Sedan with V6 engines and 5-speed automatic transmission carries a base MSRP of $25,960. Meanwhile, the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe 4-cylinder model is priced at $21,860, while the base price for the V6 Coupe model is at $28,310.

Tweaking your car’s performance is no easy task.

With the thousands of options available, it’s very easy to be overwhelmed with the possibilities. Honda for example: manufacturers state that there are more Honda performance parts and after-market auto parts available than there are cars in an entire state.

Now, how do you know where to start?

A good place to start is to group what are the changes you can do to your car. Performance parts can be grouped according to the parts in which you want to change: these can be the Brakes, Engine, Suspensions, and Transmission.

Brakes

A car’s brake system has a lot to do to your car’s overall performance. It’s because the measure of a car’s performance isn’t just about speed; performance is about controlling speed to your benefit. A good braking system is measured by the brake’s ability to respond quickly to generate friction to the rotors, the brake pads’ operating temperature range, and their ability to resist fade. The brake pads’ ability to generate friction on the rotors enables you to slow the vehicle quickly. Wide operating temperature range is important so that your brakes are still effective when cold and still able to resist fade when it’s hot. The ability to resist fade is important, since when brakes fades, brakes lose their ability to slow the vehicle effectively. Choosing brakes with higher values on these attributes will help you gain performance.

Engine

Now let us get into the core of the car, the engine. There are several things you can do with your engines to increase your car’s performance. You can change the exhaust system to something bigger to allow the exhaust to exit easily out of the cylinders. Headers, mufflers and pipes are some of the parts of your exhaust system which you can change to increase your performance. Ignition is also one think which you can change to boost your car’s performance. You can install a system that improves spark timing to get more out of the compressed air and fuel in the cylinders. Installing cold air intakes also increases the engines performance since cooler air is denser therefore increasing the amount of oxygen available for combustion. Radiators also contribute to engine performance; they help maintain normal engine operating conditions in order to prevent the engine from overheating and stalling down.

Suspension

A car’s suspension is responsible for increasing the handling ability of a car, making it easier to drive, turn corners and reduce body rolls during cornering. Better suspensions also give you a quieter and smoother ride enhancing fuel efficiency. Better suspensions also give you better ride even on uneven road. Better suspension also gives you better control over you vehicle.

Transmission

A car’s transmission is responsible for managing the speed by which your car runs. Depending on the demands or the situation, you either need to go faster or move slower. Having the car able to quickly respond once you change gears improves your driving experience giving you a better ride boosting your performance. Therefore it is important that you change your transmission system to something that quickly responds whenever you change gears. You can also modify the gear ratios of your car to suit your needs, there are modification kits available that can put your gears into overdrive which increases your engine’s output speed.

Overall, tweaking your car for maximum performance is not an easy task, but, once you figure out