The last time I went new car shopping I actually narrowed my choices down to the Accord V-6 and the Camry V-6. Then when I got to the dealerships and started contemplating the actual payments. Before I knew it, I was next considering 4-cylinder Accord and 4-cylinder Camrys, and then Civics and Corollas.

And that’s how I ended up with a Civic.

But I still aspire to a V-6 Honda Accord Coupe. (And when you squint really hard it sort of looks like a Bentley Continental.)

I have owned a 2002 Accord and a 2003.

The 2002, which is similar to your 2001, is, IMHO, a more pleasant car to own.

The 2003 was a better handling car, it felt more stable and more locked into the road, and it had 20% more power (both V6s the 2002 is 200 hp the 2003 is 240), but, I did not care for its ergonomics. The 2003 actually gets slightly better mileage than the 2002.

Switches and gauges were styled to look good, not be most usable. Why was the ventilation fan speed control between the radio knobs? The fuel gauge which was vertical with F on top was changed to horizontal. The arm rest trays in the the 2002 had openers arranged vertically, the one on top was opened by the top lever. The 2003 put them in the same plane and it was impossible to select the right one without experimentation.

Further, the greenhouse in the 2002 is more open than the 2003 and gives better visibility. I found the 2003 induced mild claustrophobia. I think the 2002 is a bit shorter and lighter than the 2003.

A couple of moths ago I traded the 2003 in for a new CUV for the wife. There were other issues such as value and which car carried a note, but I am perfectly content continuing to own the 2002.

The 2008 is a different car than either the 2002 or the 2003. It is on the platform used for the Acura RL and the JDM Legend, and qualifies as a large car under EPA rules. It is bigger than what I need now and I doubt that I would buy one. Because the 2002 still has many years and miles (odo is at 40K) of service left, I expect that I will not have to replace it soon. Unless, one of my kids takes it.

I feel sorrier for people who lust after low end luxury marques than those who lust after a common sedan. At least with the Accord et al you aren’t paying extra for the logo and getting nothing in return.

And no, I don’t lust after the Accord.

Of course, nothing beats the old Caddy adds. American car based on a German design blasting around to a British rock band. I dig it.