Hello Everyone,

I'm planning to buy a honda accord (coupe & automatic)2003/04 EXL in the coming weeks. I'm stuck on which engine type to choose, the 4 or the V6. I wanted to ask about the difference in fuel consumption? Are they both just as easy to sell? And other advantages of the V6 that makes most people choose it over the 4 Cylinder? I appreciate your help, and thank you all beforehand. Cheers.

 

Most V6 accords tend to be hard loaded. You can find some stripper LX V6's but it's a rare car, so if you are looking for cloth seats and not a lot of expensive options you will probably have to find it in a 4 cylinder. The extra punch from the 3.0 balances out the extra MPG from the 4 banger. Both engines are pretty much reliable (watch out for fuel pressure regulators on 03-04 which you are looking at). V6 models tend to have higher resale value. Both cars have mods available but the aftermarket response to the 6 cyl coupes is slightly better. It comes down to whether you are more interested in miles per gallon/km per litre or acceleration/speed/power.If your biggest concern is MPG get the 4 cyl. If your biggest concern is performance get the 6.

 

Thanks for your help. Do you guys know in terms of numbers, say percentage, how much more fuel, on average the V6 uses??

 

If you haven't done so yet, I'd suggest going to a Honda dealer and test drive a I4 and a V6. If you have a family, pick the heaviest salesman to go with you, and see what you think of the engines. That ought to help in deciding which one you want. Our 2.3 VTec has surprised us, it's a great engine. Now I'm not claiming it's as powerful or fast as a V6, but it's a great engine. On our last trip from Texas to Colorado, over the passes, up I-25, using premium gas, we got 34 mpg. Now that is pure highway miles, using the cruise control. I don't know with the 2003/4, but in 2000 the I-4 Accord EX was available with leather and was fully loaded, that's what I have. As far as resale value on my car, using the online Kelly Blue book, and NADA, the difference between the I-4 and V6 was around $600.