'13 Accord EX-L V6 coupe 6spd as sporty daily driver

So in my shopping for a new daily driver, I'm checking out all kinds of things. I like hatches/wagons, so I'm looking at the FoST and FiST. Not a sedan fan, so probably won't get one of those. But I do like sport coupes. I recently revived the thread about the '11-'14 V6 Mustangs. They seem like real performance bargains. But the Accord coupe keeps coming back into my head. The newest generation Accord ('13+) seems like one hell of a car. A '13 EX-L V6 6spd coupe seems to be available for right around $20k. That's stretching the budget a bit farther than I want, but seems like it may be worth the investment. Anyone driven the V6 6spd? I'm going to test drive one myself, but curious if anyone else has. As I've mentioned in other threads, I drive 35k miles per year. So I see this car making a lot of sense...

It's more powerful/faster than the FoST or FiSt, and would run a dead heat with the V6 Mustang
Honda reliability, which for me is huge, huge, huge. I don't have time to fuss with my DD.
No turbo DI engine...see comment above.
Decent/good highway fuel economy...I can always get above EPA ratings on my cars.
Tons of luxury touches inside, which I like.
Access will not be as easy, but the dimensions of the rear seat are actually the same or bigger than the FoST. I've got a minivan for true family hauling. I do bring my kids too/from sports practice, that's the one concern I may have, but it only makes up about 5% of my actual miles driven.
Runs on regular unleaded, which is a big deal with how much I drive.
High resale value.

I'll concede that it probably won't run a road course as fast as the V6 Mustang, but my car will never see an autox or track day. It's 100% a daily commuter. I want something with good handling, doesn't have to be an outright sports car. Plus I'm sure the ride is a bit more compliant, which is nice when you have as long a commute as I do.

What am I missing? When looking at it as a "sporty" daily driver, to me it compares favorably to a V6 Mustang, and maybe a poor mans version of a German sports coupe (3 series, Audi, etc...). Yeah, it's FWD, but everything else stacks up or exceeds.

Jack Baruth loves his (TTAC, Road and Track contributor), depending on how you feel about the guy I don't know if that's a ringing endorsement But it's got that sweet Honda V6 and you don't have to worry about a not-so sweet Honda automatic behind it with the manual 6speed so it should be pretty bulletproof

Why the '13? Aren't they roughly the same weight and power (for the V6) for quite a ways back? Go back to the one with DWB?

Personally, I'd be hunting for a Sedan for practicality reasons over the coupe. I hate big 2 door coupes. Also they look ugly.

The '13 is the new generation, '12 dates back to '08 or '09. I like the look of the newer one better, it's got more power and a bit nicer interior (IMO). The sedan isn't available as a V6 6spd. I really like the '12 too, but would prefer the newer generation. It's looks are certainly subjective, I don't find it ugly at all.

Hmm.

I test drove a '13 V6 Honda and a V6 Mustang while car shopping. The Honda is the "smarter" purchase. It's better engineered, more comfortable, better visibility, more reliable, less road noise, and it's a really sporty/sharp looking coupe (looks better for a business person). I also think the new Accord looks better than the 5th Gen Mustang.

BUT the mustang is RWD and that power delivery is just much better. For some the feeling of a performance car will outweigh all the positives of Honda.

If I was in a car for 35k miles a year, the Honda Accord is a no brainier. Not even a question of doubt. For that I felt like the Accord was a great womans car, the logical answer. While the Mustang is the stubborn male, think with the southern parts decision.

Edit: It's also weird but I felt like the steering was more nimble on the Accord vs the loose steering feel of the mustang.

I picked up a new '15 Accord Sport sedan a couple months back for just over $20k. It's a 4 cylinder 6MT. It's not going to tear your face off in a straight line but it's quick enough to be fun with the manual. Unless you want the coupe or leather interior, drive a Sport sedan to see if the 4 is enough to satisfy you or if you really do want the 6. 2016's are now on lots, so you shouldn't have much trouble getting a good discount on a new 2015.

Late model used cars are expensive these days, IMHO. There were used 2015's with asking prices only $1-2k less than sticker on the new ones.

If I could have a weekend toy, I'd be much more open to a 4 cyl sedan. But this car will have to serve as my one and only, so it needs to be somewhat fun. I will test drive the 4 cyl, but I don't see it having enough power for me. And yeah, I do want the heated leather, sunroof, etc...that the EX-L brings. Wish they made the EX-L V6 6spd in sedan, because even though I prefer the coupe style by far, a sedan like that could change my mind.

I have no experience with the six speed but I've had three new V6 Accords and I've loved every one.

Don't listen to the people trying to push you into a sedan. A coupe will work with kids, they are more flexible than adults and will not complain about getting into the back. The only negative I see about the car is it's FWD, that's a deal breaker for me but if you can live with that it should be a very good choice for you. Sedans are stupid. Get the coupes.

I agree with Nick. It's easier to load a baby into a coupe. You are reaching back, not across.

I'll only add that my wife DD's a 2013 Accord V6 sedan. I only drive it rarely, but it's a very pleasant and capable daily. Something over 50k miles on it since buying new and no trouble. Oh, and 274 HP, IIRC.

Woody wrote: I agree with Nick. It's easier to load a baby into a coupe. You are reaching back, not across.

I've been telling people this for 20 years. They never seem to listen, but it's true. I also agree with everything Nick said.

My kids are 11, 8 and 8, so they can load their own butts into the car. Reality is that 95% of the time, I'll be alone in the car. The other times I'll likely have either only one kid or maybe 2. If I need to have all 3, I'll take the minivan and leave my car for my wife. It's just not as easy to get in the back as it is in a wagon. I also carry gear, but it should all fit in the trunk.

The "pleasant and capable" is kind of what I'm after. There's no car in my budget that can offer Lotus handling, a Caddy/Buick ride, and Lexus interior all at the same time. I'm looking for something with a good balance. A car that won't transmit every little bump and pebble into the cabin, but isn't clumsy when the road gets twisty and is a nice place to sit for hours on end. Most car rag reviews I've read say the coupe handles quite well.

Do it!

I love that Honda V6. I don't love coupes, but I could probably make an exception for this car. I really miss having power on tap in my DD. The only other car that tempts me is the Mazda3 hatchback with the 185hp 2.5 4cyl.

What makes the honda v6 so great vs fords and nissans? I've ignored V6s up until this point. But now that sedan v8s are dead and gas is getting expenses, v6s interest me now..

It's a 4 cylinder 6MT. It's not going to tear your face off in a straight line but it's quick enough to be fun with the manual.

A new 4cyl/manual accord is as fast as the last Prelude was, if that helps for context. The v6s are rocketships considering they are basically a 'normal family car' everything in a 2-doorified body. High 13 1/4 is possible. Heady times to be driving 'plebeian' automobiles.

I've liked every v6 accord version since 2004 so i'm totally on board with this idea.

Ah, looking at cars in my area now. I remember why I looked past accords, they are expensive! But I guess the benefit is someone will still want to buy it at 150k miles.

If you like everything about the Accord V6/M6 but FWD, maybe consider a G35/37 as an alternative? A little more lux, a little worse gas mileage, and you may be looking a little older at the same price. Otherwise it seems to have a lot of the same advantages of the Accord in a RWD format.

Yea, G37 are so good looking. But you get a 2008-2009 (already a 7 year car?! time goes fast) for about the price of a 2014 Accord. I think the mustang is the only RWD v6 for a baller on a budget?

Coldsnap wrote: What makes the honda v6 so great vs fords and nissans? I've ignored V6s up until this point. But now that sedan v8s are dead and gas is getting expenses, v6s interest me now..

The best way to know is to go drive one.

The G35/37 is an awesome car, my wife had a G35x as a daily...it was her favorite car she's ever had. But the VQ is a pig, I'd be lucky to get 20-22mpg out of it, and I think it requires premium? And like Coldsnap said, the same money would get a much older car. I do love me some G35 coupe style though...they're sweet.

Yes, 4 bangers mated with a manual have always made Accord's fun-ish dailies. But the J-series Honda engines are just so much more interesting than any K, F, or H series. Torque delivery is better, they sound better, and they even deliver pretty good MPGs if you keep your foot out of it. I played with an '08 six speed v6 for a while and it was way more fun than any family coupe has a right to be. That being said, Mustangs are RWD sports cars and in terms of enjoyment from an enthusiasts stand point, there's no comparison. For a DD that you can beat on mercilessly that can get out of its own way and handle a twisty once in a while, '13 Accord seems like a pretty good bet.

I'm going to have to go do some test drives. Everything about the Accord coupe sounds great. At the same time, that $20-$21k price tag puts it in the company of some other really nice cars. You can pick up a brand new FoST for that money, or a lightly used loaded one for less. It also would buy a really nice '12 328i coupe. They're more "sporty", but none of them will have the reliability, power, comfort or resale value of the Honda.

Since you drive so many miles a year, you should go with the best DD for you, then live with the fun factor that the Accord or any other car provides.