By Josh RosenbergIn today's historically high-priced new and used car market, many car buyers have turned to vehicles that are "a little older" in order to better fit their budgets. And this has put an even brighter spotlight on the importance of reliability and dependability.
And because Hondas have proven for decades to have superior build quality, lower maintenance costs, and subsequent longevity, it has made them very viable and more economical candidates for used car purchases, often for many more years than most competitors.
Some of the more popular choices have been from the 2015 model year, including the Accord, Civic, and CR-V.
Still, all cars have mechanical issues, including some that may be specific to a particular model, even those with strong reliability reputations. That's just a natural part of car ownership.
So here, ...
- We'll do a brief overview and look at each model's pros and cons.
- Then we'll list mechanical problems that at least some owners have experienced that should be checked before buying.
- And finally, we'll suggest ways of buying one today at the lowest price today.
But first, and very importantly ...
1. Know How To Get The Lowest Used Car Price:
Get Dealers To Compete For your Business: When you are searching vehicles to possibly purchase, the following is the absolute best way to get the lowest price, and it is extremely easy and stress-free.
Just go to a national car listing site, (I happen to prefer CarsDirect.com for their massive dealer participation and ease of use, although others will get the job done as well) and find several listed vehicles that you may be interested in.
Then write something like the following in the "Check Availability" box or "Contact Dealer" box or whatever the site you are using uses.
"Hello, I've contacted several dealers about cars I am interested in and am looking for the best value. I am also a serious buyer planning to make a decision soon. Please send me your best out-the-door price. Thank you.
After receiving the offers, follow up by explaining that based on the price, you're leaning in another direction but still really like their car and would certainly consider another offer. When dealers drop out, you'll know you're at the best price.
Using the internet to get dealers to compete for your business is extremely important. More details on this and how to intereact with the dealers can be found here at Best Used Car Buying Techniques.
2. Things To Do When Considering An "Older" Vehicle:
Locate Lower Mileage Vehicles: They are certainly out there to be found with careful and patient shopping. Be willing to drive a distance if you have to.
Vehicle History and Maintenance: Ask for the vehicle history report (CarFax or AutoCheck) as well as documented maintenance and repair records. If not provided by the dealer or private seller, it's best to move on.
Pre-Purchase Inspection: Have the vehicle independently inspected before making a final decision. This usually will cost in the $150-$200 range but is well worth it given the potentially thousands in savings over the long term.
2015 Honda Accord Coupe
This 2-door can fit five passengers in a squeeze and is offered in as many as ten trims, ranging from the base LX-S 6-speed manual to the upscale EX-L V-6 6-speed automatic with Navigation.
Standard on the LX-S 6-speed manual is a four-cylinder 2.4-liter engine that can generate 185-horsepower while sipping gas very economically at 24 mpg city and 34 mpg on the highway. At the other end of the spectrum, the EX-L V-6 6-speed automatic comes with a robust 3.5-liter V6 that pumps out 278-horsepower while getting 21 mpg city and 34 mpg on the highway.
Also available with a 6-speed manual transmission, the V6 EX-L is Honda's top performer. If you don't need rear-wheel drive and are looking for more comfortable transportation than competitors such as the Ford Mustang or Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the Accord Coupe should be high on your list.
2015 Accord Coupe Pros
Sporty appearance
Good 4-cylinder power
Strong V6 performance
Comfortable interior
Responsive handling
6-speed manual transmission available
Quick acceleration
Excellent gas mileage
Generous standard features
Solid build quality
Excellent durability reputation
2015 Accord Coupe Cons
Dual-screen infotainment system can be finicky
Many popular features only offered on upper trims
Noticeable road noise
Trunk on the small side
Loss of power in economy mode
Small back seat area without a split seat
2015 Honda Accord Sedan
The proof is in the pudding with the Honda Accord. It's been one of the most popular family sedans for almost three decades, while racking up critical acclaim from both experts and customers as well.
One of the chief contributors to all this praise can be found right under the hood where even the four-cylinder models provide an exceptional combination of both fuel economy and road performance. This four-cylinder powertrain, for example, offers a quick 7.8 second time from a standstill to 60 mph, while also getting a combined fuel economy rating of 31 mpg. Indeed, these are impressive statistics for a spacious and comfortable midsize sedan. And for even better fuel efficiency, the Accord Hybrid comes in at an EPA combined city/hwy rating of 47 mpg.
2015 Accord Sedan Pros
Roomy interior with comfortable seating
Refined powertrain choices
Excellent fuel efficiency
Quick acceleration
High-quality interior
Quiet ride
Quick acceleration
Above average CVT choice (continuously variable transmission)
Composed and responsive handling
Generous standard feature list
Spacious rear seat and trunk
Strong build quality and excellent durability reputation
2015 Accord Sedan Cons
Navigation system is only available on the EX-L and above
No folding rear seat
Confusing touch-screen infotainment system
Base stereo only has four speakers
No all-wheel drive available
2015 Honda Accord Mechanical Problem Watchlist
The 2015 Honda Accord, including both the coupe and sedan versions, generally have a good reputation for reliability. However, a few reported issues were noted by some owners and should be checked before buying:
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Transmission Problems: Some owners experienced issues with the continuously variable transmission (CVT) in the 4-cylinder models. This included reports of rough shifting, vibrations, or premature wear. Honda issued Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and, in some cases, extended warranties to address these concerns.
V6 Engine Misfire: A small number of V6 engine owners reported instances of engine misfire, which could be attributed to a faulty piston ring. This issue could cause oil consumption problems and potential engine damage. Honda issued recalls or warranty extensions to address this issue.
Rearview Camera Malfunctions: There were occasional complaints about the rearview camera malfunctioning or displaying a blank screen.
Brake Problems: Some owners reported premature wear of brake pads and rotors, leading to increased brake noise and reduced braking performance.
It's important to note that these issues might not have affected all vehicles and could vary in severity. Many were addressed by Honda through recalls, warranty extensions, or service campaigns. And vehicles that were well-maintained often prevented or mitigated some of these problems.
2015 Honda Civic
There are many strong rivals in the compact car segment, yet like the Accord, the Civic has been perched among the very top for years and years. Yes, there was a very brief decline in some previous models due to some interior quality and feature issues, but they were quickly corrected, making the Civic once again a hard-to-go-wrong choice.
This Civic deftly combines smooth and comfortable performance with excellent fuel efficiency. Found under the hood of most models is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that can provide up to 35 mpg (the HF model) in combined driving.
And the Hybrid is good for 45 mpg, while there's even a Natural Gas model. And if you're looking for a sportier performance, the Civic Si with its 205-horsepower engine can be a solid pick.
2015 Civic Pros
Composed and comfortable driving experience
Fairly agile handling
Roomy interior
Good gas mileage - approx. 30 city/37 highway
Wide choice of available engines
Sporty Si coupe is fun to drive
Both reliable and affordable
High safety ratings
Quiet ride
Fuel-efficient HF and Hybrid models available
2015 Civic Cons
Sound system controls can be finicky
Cramped rear seat in coupe
Hybrid has a small trunk
Power seats and heated mirrors only in top-of-the-line EX-L
Interior quality improved but not quite at par with top rivals
Handling on bumpy roads could be better
Exterior styling a bit bland
2015 Honda Civic Mechanical Problem Watchlist
Like the Accord, the 2015 Civic, while generally a more reliable car, had a few reported issues by some owners that should be checked before purchase:
CVT Transmission Problems: Similar to the Accord, some Civic models equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) experienced issues like rough shifting, vibrations, or premature wear. Honda addressed these problems through Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and extended warranties.
Brake Issues: Some owners reported premature wear on brake pads and rotors, resulting in increased brake noise and decreased braking performance.
Electrical and Infotainment Glitches: Occasionally, owners reported problems with the electrical system or infotainment glitches, such as screen freezing or connectivity issues with smartphones.
Paint Quality: Some owners noted issues with the paint quality, reporting premature chipping or peeling in certain areas of the car's body.
Similar to any vehicle, not all cars experienced these issues, and the severity could vary. Honda often addressed these concerns through recalls, warranty extensions, or service campaigns.
2015 Honda CR-V
The Crossover SUV segment is another one full of excellent rivals, yet it is again hard to go wrong opting for the CR-V. And this years version tweaked the 2.4-liter inline-four cylinder engine to gain an extra 5 horses of power while still bumping up fuel economy another 1 mpg city and 3 on the highway. And all without hindering road performance.
Also impressive is a very clever and useful one-step folding backseat that is both easily accessible and makes for simpler loading of the very roomy 70.9 cubic-foot rear cargo area. Even when loaded with passengers, there's still an ample 37.2 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. While newcomers like the Mazda CX-5 have pushed the envelope when it comes to performance and styling, the CR-V's standard for reliability and refinement are unquestioned.
2015 CR-V Pros
Excellent gas mileage - approx. 27 city/34 highway
Plenty of passenger and cargo room
Clever and useful self-folding rear seats
User-friendly controls
Nice high tech and safety features
Seating is comfortable
Strong reliability reputation
High build quality
2015 CR-V Cons
No available engine upgrade
Still hasn't upgraded to the six-speed automatic transmission
CVT-induced drone during hard acceleration
Rear hatch window does not open
Adequate but unimpressive power when passing
Partial rear visibility issues
2015 Honda CR-V Mechanical Problem Watchlist
The 2015 CR-V, known for its reliability and popularity in the compact SUV segment, had a few reported issues that should be checked prior to buying:
Vibration Issues: Some owners experienced vibrations during acceleration, especially in CR-Vs equipped with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). These vibrations could sometimes be felt through the steering wheel or the vehicle's floor.
Powertrain and Vibration Recall: Honda issued a recall related to the CR-V's powertrain that could cause the vehicle to vibrate excessively under certain conditions.
Infotainment System Glitches: Like other Honda models from the same era, some CR-V owners reported occasional glitches in the infotainment system, including screen freezing or connectivity issues.
Air Conditioning Problems: A few owners reported issues with the air conditioning system, including inadequate cooling or complete failure of the system.
Unintended Braking: A small number of CR-V owners reported incidents of unintended braking, which could be attributed to a problem with the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS). Honda issued a recall to rectify this issue.
Also, Always Know The Value Of Your Trade-In
Whether you are trading or selling on your own, it's just a good idea ... even whether you are in the market or not at the moment. You can then use this important information for a number of purposes ... to negotiate with a dealer, or to know how to price your car in the retail market, or simply to know the value of one of your assets, which is always a good idea.
Getting trade-in values online tend to vary a lot from site to site. But I've found the one at Edmunds Trade-In Quotes is particularly comprehensive and accurate.
It's free and just takes a couple of minutes. I think what helps its accuracy is the inputs will include either your plate# or VIN# followed by many simple, but specific, yes/no questions. It really focuses in on the detail of the specific vehicle.