Car Sport 2011: Honda Accord

Showing posts with label Honda Accord. Show all posts

9/22/10

10 Most Stolen Cars in the USA: Honda Accord and Civic Top the 2009 List, No Love for the Koreans or Germans

Do you own a car that's likely to be stolen? Maybe, maybe not. Here is the list that the NICB (National Insurance Crime Bureau) has compiled concerning the most stolen vehicles in America. Honda's 1994 Accord and 1995 Civic along with Toyota's 1991 Camry occupy the first three places ahead of Ford's 1997 F-150 pickup truck and Dodge's 2004 Ram pickup.

If your car is on the list (scroll down), you should make sure to keep that chunk of metal locked down. As in, put a ring on it and don't let anyone near it.

Most Stolen Vehicles in the US in 2009:

1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1991 Toyota Camry
4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup
5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
6. 2000 Dodge Caravan
7. 1994 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
8. 1994 Acura Integra
9. 2002 Ford Explorer
10. 2009 Toyota Corolla

The FBI says car thefts were down 17% in 2009 compared to 2008 (794,616 versus 956,846), which is officially the "largest drop in a six-year decline" and the lowest reported in 21 years. Good news for car owners, and clearly indicative of the fact that car thieves are falling by the wayside (or just not up to snuff on their tech).

Most of the cars listed end to end up in chop shops where the sum of their parts is more valuable than the actual car. More serious thieves (those in syndicates with ties to shipping and international trade) still feel fine stealing newer cars that can be re-VIN'd and distributed overseas, so your Escalade and XJR aren't necessarily safe just yet.

You'll notice the majority of the cars on the list are from the 1990's. It turns out these older cars have become more popular, but many people have yet to figure out why. I'd say it probably comes down to the simple fact that they're easier to steal. Many modern cars have keys that only work with one specific car, while other cars simply can't be started without a chip (found in the key fob) nearby.

Joe Wehrle, NICB president and CEO, says, "Through the end of August this year there were 97,655 vehicles that were listed as stolen and not yet recovered. Of that number, only 38 percent had some kind of insurance coverage. So there are a lot of vehicles out there that are being stolen and the owner is left holding the bag with no car and no money to buy another one." Lesson? If you own a vehicle that's likely to get stolen, insure it accordingly and be safe about it.

Here are some of the NICB's tips on how to make sure your car doesn't get got by some shady individuals:

"Common Sense: Lock your car and take your keys. It's simple enough but many thefts occur because owners make it easy for thieves to steal their cars.

Warning Device: Having and using a visible or audible warning device is another item that can ensure that your car remains where you left it.

Immobilizing Device: Generally speaking, if your vehicle can't be started, it can't be stolen. "Kill" switches, fuel cut-offs and smart keys are among the devices which are extremely effective.

Tracking Device: A tracking device emits a signal to the police or to a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ "telematics" which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer."

By Phil Alex

Source: NICB

Honda's Accord Crosstour Recalled in the US Over Front Airbag Problem

More than 3,300 units of the 2010MY Honda Accord Crosstour are being recalled in the States because of a potential issue with the front passenger airbag.

The Japanese automaker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that the airbag " may not have been assembled according to correct specifications" and that in the event of a crash, "it may not deploy as intended and could place an unbelted child seated in the front passenger seat at greater risk of injury should the airbag deploy." No incidents or injuries have been reported related to this issue.

Honda said its dealers will inspect and replace the passenger airbag module if necessary free of charge on the affected Accord Crosstour models. According to NHTSA, the safety recall is expected to begin on or before September 22, 2010.

Owners seeking more information can contact Honda's customer service directly at 1-800-999-1009.

Teacher's Stolen Honda Accord Returned Souped Up with VTEC Engine! [with Video]

Here's a video relating the story of a New York teacher who had her 1996 Honda Accord stolen 3 years ago. Obviously, she never expected to get the car back.

It turns out that when a car IS stolen (even in Brooklyn), the man is on the case. A little while back, the Accord was found in a chop shop in Queens with the VIN filed off. Luckily, the police still l managed to track the car back to its original owner.

When the woman got it back, the Honda had been updated with a VTEC power train and its transmission was converted over to a stick shift!

And whoever from the AP (and Huffington, for printing it) is thinking that the car got a new V8 engine? Half a second of research prevents looking like you don't know jack.

By Phil Alex

Via: Huffington

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon to be Unveiled at New York Auto Show

Back in October of 2009, Acura told us about its plans to expand its TSX lineup with a more practical station wagon variant in the fall of 2010. Today, the Japanese automaker announced that we'll get our first look at what is essentially the North American market version of the European Honda Accord Tourer (pictured here) at the New York International Auto Show on March 31.

"The TSX Sport Wagon will offer a new solution to modern utility needs with its balanced and efficient performance coupled with bold styling and versatile cargo capabilities," said Acura in brief press release without revealing any other details on the car.

However, we believe it's safe to assume that the TSX Sport Wagon will be offered with the same 201HP 2.4-liter four cylinder and 280HP 3.5-liter V6 powertrains already available on the sedan version here in the States.

Photo Gallery: European Honda Accord Tourer

Honda Shows Off Accord CrossTour Accessorized with Factory Parts at SEMA

Even though the 2009 SEMA Show is still under way, we can't wait for next year's event to see how the tuning industry and Honda will react to the new 2010 Accord CrossTour. But for now, we'll have to do with this factory accessorized version of the Japanese automakers much criticized for its looks, crossover model. Among other parts, the SEMA show car features a ground effects package with a front apron and side skirts finished in a different shade, chromed alloy wheels and roof bars.

Honda Announces MUGEN Accessories for U.S.-Spec Accord Sedan at SEMA

Today at the SEMA Show, Honda previewed its new line of MUGEN accessories for the U.S. market 2010 Accord sedan that will be available on an a la carte basis through the firm's authorized dealers starting on November 11. The Japanese firm displayed an Accord sedan fitted with various goodies from its in-house tuner such as 18-inch alloy wheels, front sports grille, front under-spoiler, side skirts, rear apron, sports floor mats, machined aluminum oil filler cap and a unique front emblem.

Honda said that all of the painted Mugen parts will come color-matched to one of five popular colors for the Accord that include: Polished Metal Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, White Diamond Pearl and Taffeta White.

In addition to the Mugen-ized Accord sedan, Honda also displayed several other accessorized models including the Fit with MUGEN accessories, a Honda Factory Performance (HFP) Civic Si Sedan and a HFP Accord Coupe.