February 8, 2015
After 14 years...retired the 6th and onto the 9th!
After the bimmer failed me thrice on the week of finals, I knew it was time that my long and daily commute to campus for my senior year would be practically impossible. After my brief encounter with the final incarnation with the Prelude, I knew that such a narrow cockpit and its weak powered four cylinders would not be on par for the job. Strolling onto the dealership was a brand new 2001 Honda Accord Coupe EX V6 in Night Hawk Black Pearl with its sharp edges, NSX styled rear, a beefy engine for a mid-size, and a very modern interior. The store manager was a family friend and the vehicle went off the lot after a short test drive down the 405. Who would have thought 14 years went by with a blink of an eye.
My dad bought his first new car in 1986, the Blade Silver Metallic Honda Accord DX sedan, and my grandfather hauled in his first car, a 1989 Charcoal Granite Honda Accord LX sedan and a 1992 Navajo Red Metallic Honda Accord EX sedan â¦so I guess I was genetically linked to the brand and culture of the Honda Motor Company. Before my grandfather passed away earlier last year, I spent a lot of time in the garage putting on upgrades to the 6th in hope that I would get a chance to spot him in the passenger seat with me when it was all completed. It never happened, but he's always rolling shotgun next to me on every drive. Some people slammed, souped, and bagged their rides, but I preferred to keep mine stock and OEM. Something about keeping a car clean and feeling its performance as to how the engineers had wanted you to feel inspires me. The 6th logged in over 210,000 miles for me, the work horse of taking me everywhere up and down the western sea board. A lot of memories with friends and family, and a lot of memories just solo joy riding with my best friend. I frantically panic when I have to think of the day that I have to actually send the car off; emotions are high but I know its time will come.
It was clear that the 6th could no longer keep up with the mileage that was being piled on day after day, week after week, and year after year. I was back on the market for a new steed, there was no other choice; my eye was definitely focused on the new 2014 Honda Accord Coupe Honda Factory Performance (HFP) EX-L V6 in Crystal Black Pearl. Six hours of haggling and thrice I walked out of the dealership and thrice I returned for a new strategy in bargaining, and finally it got to where I wanted it. After a few weeks of some upgrades and polishing, the HFP is now exactly how I have dreamt it to be. Out of all the generations in between, the 9th is the only model that I found worthy of the upgrade from the 6th. A much more mature car, technologically advanced, but as always the Accord Coupe V6 is a powerhouse in the mid-size coupe'. ironically, now it is the only surviving coupe left in this niche market. I am excited for the many years to come with the 9th and a dreaded farewell to the 6th, but I know they are far beyond separate feelings in somewhat the same emotion that is bound â the power of dreams!
I can't tell you how hard it was to bid adieu to my 2001 Honda Accord Coupe EX-V6 today after 14 years of accompanying me on life's busy walk. I couldn't have asked for a more dependable, steadfast, and respectable "friend"! As one chapter closes, a few more are bound to open...I am sure; as I welcome in the successor. CG2 & CT2
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