Honda/Alpine = Offensive & Insulting

GeoLogic · 12-26-2006, 05:38 PM

It's time for me to rant about my new '07 Accord audio system:

In an electronic regard, I don’t think I’ve ever been more insulted than by Honda’s failure to include simple mp3 and CD-RW playback capability in their current flagship sedan, the Accord. To even think that Honda has the gall to boast about the capabilities of their “luxury” sedan offering-- Leaves me practically speechless.

When you’ve got the likes of Ford offering mp3 disc playback in rental Focuses, to have Honda refuse to update their audio system beyond weak, cheesy, 20th Century, worthless 6-disc CD changer technology is absolutely inconceivable. That Alpine would continue to make such useless junk with no apologies or embarrassment in their failure, and that Honda would support such incompetence is beyond my level of sentient understanding.

I mean, what audacity. What utter lack of regard for your paying customers. What arrogance.

I’ve otherwise found Accord to be quite excellent-- But in making a couple of custom audio CD-RWs for my first drive off the dealer lot, imagine my scathing anger at realizing that this friggin’ 2007 MODEL YEAR CAR won’t play even CD-RW discs-- Lack of mp3 capability I can barely accept, but no CD-RW playback!?

FU, Honda! And FU, Alpine!

FU!!!

(No language offense intended, hence abbreviation without use of actual phrase-- But it honestly reflects my sentiments in this regard toward Honda and Alpine. They deserve it.)

2k1Toaster · 12-26-2006, 05:57 PM

Honda is the low end. Acura is the high end. You wanna know the solution? CarPC!

j/k.

It sucks that your car doesn't have support for MP3 or CDRW, but with 6CD changer, you can put 6CD-R's with quite a few songs. And if you got the NAV system, I think there is a DVD drive then, so you can make an audio DVD-R which will hold a bunch.

I am a little confused though, because I think my factory '01 Civic had support for CDRW's. Because I remember burning tons of songs over and over onto 1 lightscribed disk. Maybe they took this off for some unknown reason.

RedGTiVR6 · 12-26-2006, 06:35 PM

sorry - but it's not Alpine's fault.

Honda tells Alpine what they want, Alpine creates what Honda has asked for.

Blame Honda, but don't drag Alpine into it...

GeoLogic · 12-26-2006, 06:37 PM

A car PC (actually, a Mac Mini) is fully in my future plans, and I absolutely will be undertaking such a project (I've been planning to do so for several years, now). But since I just spent 25 Thousand Dollars for a car that doesn't play mp3 or CD-RW discs, I'll have to save up for another 6 months or so before I can afford to buy all the components and start that project. (And yes, I do have Navi, but that doesn't include the capability to handle DVD discs of any kind).

There's nothing "high" or "low" end about expecting at least CD-RW playback in a friggin' 2007 model year car. Of any make. It's basic, rudimentary function. And even in the absence of mp3 capability, I've always liked being able to use CD-RWs-- They're a much better way to go-- You can burn a compilation, then when you get bored of it, erase and start all over again. Saves money and resources not having to keep buying old-*** technology, boring CD-R discs all the time. I haven't had to use CD-Rs for my car audio needs for over 5 years now-- It really angers me to have to go back to those dang things...

&#^#%&@&*!!!

icecore · 12-26-2006, 11:40 PM

It's just that Honda sucks

84RegalRider · 12-27-2006, 12:15 AM

stock HeadUnit.

didnt know those exist except to use as a faceplate for a carputer.

Rafster · 12-27-2006, 01:55 AM

Which Accord did you get....?

2dr Coupe 2.4 LX
2dr Coupe 2.4 EX
2dr Coupe 3.0 LX
2dr Coupe 3.0 EX
2dr Coupe 3.0 EX w/Auto
4dr Sedan 2.4 VP
4dr Sedan 2.4 LX
4dr Sedan 2.4 SE
4dr Sedan 2.4 EX
4dr Sedan 3.0 SE
4dr Sedan 3.0 LX
4dr Sedan 3.0 EX
4dr Sedan 3.0 EX w/Auto

Some of the Accords come with MP3 Capability some don't...

Rafster

Quattro · 12-27-2006, 01:57 AM

More reasons to install a carputer.

2k1Toaster · 12-27-2006, 02:16 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by icecore

It's just that Honda sucks

yeah yeah yeah Deutschland all the way!

But I get 40+ mpg. How about you?

German cars are great. Japanese cars are great. Only thing worse than an American car, is a Daewoo or any other korean made car.

Just prodding people along! don't take me too seriously!

Rafster · 12-27-2006, 03:10 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

Just prodding people along! don't take me too seriously!

Maybe you should offer the ones that are offended a Jaffa, since you have soooo many to get rid of...

Rafster

GeoLogic · 12-27-2006, 01:52 PM

My car's the 4-cylinder EX-L sedan (4-door; Silver exterior/black leather interior) with Navi, XM radio, & 5-speed manual (automatics are a waste of time in my humble opinion!)-- You can get mp3 disc capability in any Accord-- But you have to buy the separate Honda/Alpine single DIN disc player that takes up all the usable space in your dash storage compartment, as seen here:

).

The separate unit goes here:

There's a flip-up door that covers a decent sized storage area below the stereo controls and forward of the shifter-- That's where you'd have to put that damn separate mp3 disc player. That's also where I'm planning on putting my Mac Mini-- So even if I wanted to shell out another 300 bucks for a lame, stock Honda mp3 player, I couldn't mount it where it's supposed to go because that's where I plan to later install my carputer...

But anyway, it's more about the CD-RW situation-- How in Friggin' name do you release a 2007 model year car that can't play CD-RW discs!? It even says in the manual, "Does not play CD-RW discs".

That's great. Really great.

And I doubt Honda told Alpine that they specifically want a stock head unit that doesn't play CD-RW. Maybe they told Alpine to leave out mp3 capability, but not CD-RW. There's absolutely no reason for that. Alpine simply shoved in their cheapest, lamest CD drive technology to save a buck. That's all there is to it...

F both of them!

Now I'm going to have to have a buttload of lame CD-R discs all over the place until I can get a Mac Mini and complete a full computer install...

And oh yeah, the stock speakers in the Accord suck, also. What a LAME stereo system; geeze...

But it's otherwise an excellent car, I must say. Sure, it's a common model, but it sports the highest reliability ratings, has excellent crash test results, will yield high 30's on the highway, cruises quiet and stable, has a roomy interior, and is reasonably zippy-- I really am just a modest guy in most respects, and have never been one that feels a need for speed (although I respect and understand folks who like that!). As far as 4-cylinders go, the K24A8 is a great engine...

But I'll never forgive Honda for no CD-RW capability. Or Alpine. Those _astards!!!!!

Bugbyte · 12-27-2006, 04:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Geologic

And I doubt Honda told Alpine that they specifically want a stock head unit that doesn't play CD-RW. Maybe they told Alpine to leave out mp3 capability, but not CD-RW. There's absolutely no reason for that. Alpine simply shoved in their cheapest, lamest CD drive technology to save a buck. That's all there is to it...

I'll bet they did exactly that. Alpine said, "Okay, we'll do a headunit for you. You want it to play mp3's/CD-RW? It'll be a little extra..."

Honda: "No, don't bother. We're busting the budget on this car already. We'll offer it as an upgrade to squeeze a little more cash out of people when they buy."

GeoLogic · 12-27-2006, 05:09 PM

Whoever's at fault for lack of CD-RW capability, this is the most absurdly ridiculous omission I've ever heard of. Basic, cheap-***, generic brand CD players have had CD-RW capability for going on 10+ years now. You can buy a $15 portable CD player that handles such things. I've still got a 1993 Laserdisc player that handles &$&^#@ CD-RW audio discs. Fine, fine, fine-- No mp3 discs-- But gimme a CD-RW disc burned in standard CD Audio! I mean, throw me a bone, here!

I was in an '07 Ford Focus this past weekend that my mom rented while visiting for Christmas-- It had mp3 capability. And it's a bloody rental car (i.e. doesn't get any more basic and cheap).

I hope you'll forgive my ongoing rant in this regard, but this is truly, truly asinine and Honda/Alpine, or whoever is responsible for this insolent choice deserves to be flogged.

DarquePervert · 12-27-2006, 06:26 PM

I thyink that the purchaser of the vehicle is at fault, since they're the ones who were looking at the car.

Here's a hint: READ THE FINE PRINT!

Sorry you don't like what you bought, but you are, after all, the one who made the purchase....
You could have gotten a Radio Delete option, saved a few bucks and put in your own aftermarket hardware....

GeoLogic · 12-27-2006, 06:59 PM

Just for the record, I'm not unhappy with the car, overall. And I don't make my car purchase decisions based on the character of the stock audio system so installed. Such would be a preposterous means of choosing. I'd have chosen Accord even with foreknowledge of noted audio system dysfunction.

I simply take issue with patronizing, blatant profiteering measure, and the disinclusion of basic audio facility-- Deliberate, even unintentional, omission of CD-RW capability in a contemporary car is unacceptable.

Anyway, I'll give this a rest! When time and finances allow I'll begin in earnest my Mac Mini project; that which I've been drooling about since I began saving for my Accord 3+ years ago, and that which promises solution to Honda's stunning audio system blasphemy. Those bloody wankers.

Thanks for enduring my rant, all! I'll forward my best effort to shut up on the matter from hence forth...

Cheers!

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