A group of aftermarket elements designed to reinforce the visible enchantment and doubtlessly the aerodynamic efficiency of a selected mannequin yr of a well-liked mid-size sedan. These kits usually embody components akin to entrance and rear bumpers, aspect skirts, and spoilers, that are put in to change the automobile’s manufacturing unit look. Examples could vary from delicate enhancements to extra aggressive, motorsport-inspired designs.
The set up of those elements permits automobile homeowners to personalize their vehicles, reflecting particular person type and preferences. A well-chosen and correctly put in equipment can enhance the automobile’s aesthetic worth and, in some circumstances, contribute to higher stability at larger speeds by way of optimized airflow. Traditionally, such modifications have been a well-liked approach for fanatics to tell apart their automobiles and categorical their automotive ardour.
The next sections will delve into the specifics of choosing, putting in, and sustaining these aesthetic upgrades, whereas additionally discussing potential efficiency implications and related issues concerning value and legality.
1. Materials Composition
The genesis of any physique modification, particularly regarding the 2018 Honda Accord, resides inside the number of its constituent supplies. This selection dictates not solely the aesthetic end result but additionally the resilience and longevity of the improve.
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ABS Plastic: The Pragmatic Selection
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, a typical thermoplastic polymer, presents itself as an accessible possibility. Injection-molded ABS grants ease of manufacturing and affordability, making it a popular selection for mass-produced physique enhancements. Nonetheless, its susceptibility to cracking underneath excessive influence and deformation underneath intense warmth presents limitations. Think about a summer season afternoon, the solar beating down relentlessly, inflicting an ill-fitted ABS aspect skirt to warp, betraying its inherent weaknesses.
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Polyurethane: The Versatile Defender
Polyurethane, a extra versatile polymer, presents improved influence resistance in comparison with ABS. Its pliable nature permits it to soak up minor collisions and flex with out fracturing, making it an acceptable contender for decrease physique panels vulnerable to highway particles. Think about a situation the place a stray rock, kicked up on the freeway, strikes a polyurethane entrance lip the fabric yields, absorbing the influence and preserving the underlying construction, a silent testomony to its protecting qualities.
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Fiberglass: The Artisan’s Canvas
Fiberglass, a composite materials of glass fibers embedded in a resin matrix, permits for complicated shapes and designs. Its lighter weight can provide a marginal enchancment in gasoline financial system and dealing with. Nonetheless, its brittle nature necessitates meticulous craftsmanship and reinforcement to resist the trials of every day driving. Envision a hand-laid fiberglass spoiler, sculpted to perfection, but susceptible to cracking underneath the stress of a pothole-ridden metropolis road, a reminder of its delicate structure.
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Carbon Fiber: The Aspirational Very best
Carbon fiber, a high-end composite materials famend for its distinctive strength-to-weight ratio, represents the top of fabric choice. Its use is usually reserved for performance-oriented purposes the place weight discount is paramount. But, its value stays prohibitive for a lot of, and its vulnerability to UV degradation necessitates specialised coatings. Image a carbon fiber rear diffuser, meticulously crafted and visually gorgeous, but prone to fading and delamination underneath the fixed assault of daylight, a sobering reminder of its demanding maintenance.
Finally, the number of a fabric for a 2018 Honda Accord’s enhancement turns into a calculated compromise between value, sturdiness, and aesthetic enchantment. Every materials carries its personal narrative, its personal set of strengths and vulnerabilities, shaping the ultimate character of the modified automobile.
2. Aerodynamic Affect
The attract of modifying a 2018 Honda Accord typically extends past mere aesthetics; it flirts with the realm of aerodynamic efficiency. Whereas a visible transformation is instantly obvious, the delicate dance between airflow and automobile geometry dictates whether or not a equipment actually enhances or hinders the automobile’s interplay with the environment.
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Drag Discount: The Quest for Effectivity
A major goal in aerodynamic design is minimizing drag, the resistance encountered as a automobile strikes by way of the air. A skillfully crafted entrance lip spoiler or a rear diffuser can manipulate airflow, lowering turbulence and permitting the Accord to slide by way of the air with higher ease. Think about the Accord slicing by way of a headwind on the freeway; a well-designed equipment subtly directs the air across the automobile, lowering the drive pushing towards it, in the end enhancing gasoline effectivity and stability at larger speeds. Nonetheless, an ill-conceived design can create pockets of turbulent air, growing drag and negating any potential advantages.
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Downforce Era: Planting the Wheels Firmly
Downforce, the vertical drive that presses the automobile in the direction of the bottom, is essential for sustaining traction and stability, significantly at larger velocities. Spoilers and wings, strategically positioned, can redirect airflow to generate this downward stress. Think about a situation on a winding mountain highway; a correctly angled rear wing can present elevated grip to the rear tires, permitting the Accord to nook with higher precision and confidence. Nonetheless, extreme downforce can improve drag, requiring a fragile stability between enhanced dealing with and lowered effectivity.
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Airflow Administration: Channeling the Wind’s Path
The exact channeling of airflow round and beneath the automobile is paramount. Facet skirts, as an illustration, can forestall turbulent air from getting into beneath the automobile, lowering elevate and enhancing stability. Visualize air flowing easily alongside the Accord’s flanks; fastidiously designed aspect skirts act as guides, stopping disruptive eddies that may compromise dealing with. Conversely, poorly designed skirts can disrupt the laminar move, creating instability and doubtlessly growing drag.
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Cooling Enhancement: Taming the Engine’s Warmth
Sure kits incorporate options designed to enhance engine cooling. Bigger air intakes or fastidiously positioned vents can direct airflow in the direction of the radiator and different essential elements, stopping overheating throughout demanding driving circumstances. Think about a spirited drive on a sizzling summer season day; bigger air intakes on the entrance bumper can funnel extra air to the radiator, stopping the engine from exceeding its optimum temperature vary. Nonetheless, these modifications should be fastidiously engineered to keep away from disrupting the general aerodynamic stability of the automobile.
Finally, the mixing of aerodynamic parts right into a 2018 Honda Accord necessitates a nuanced understanding of airflow dynamics. A physique equipment shouldn’t merely be a beauty addition; it ought to be a fastidiously thought-about enhancement that optimizes the automobile’s interplay with the environment, enhancing each its efficiency and its visible enchantment. The true artistry lies in attaining this delicate equilibrium.
3. Set up Precision
The story of a 2018 Honda Accord reworked by a equipment begins not with gleaming fiberglass or expertly color-matched paint, however with the meticulous artwork of set up. This precision, or the dearth thereof, dictates whether or not the meant enhancement elevates the automobile or diminishes its inherent enchantment. A poorly fitted part speaks volumes, a discordant be aware in an in any other case harmonious design. Think about a entrance lip spoiler, proudly marketed to hug the Accord’s traces, as an alternative protruding awkwardly, a testomony to misaligned brackets and swiftly tightened bolts. The aesthetic disruption is fast, remodeling an announcement of individuality into an unintended show of carelessness.
The results prolong past mere visible discord. An imprecise set up can compromise the performance of the equipment. Think about aspect skirts inadequately secured; vibrations at freeway speeds can result in loosening, ultimately leading to harm to each the equipment and the automobile’s physique. Furthermore, improperly aligned elements can disrupt the meant airflow, negating any potential aerodynamic advantages and, in excessive circumstances, even creating instability. The story is not only about aesthetics; it is about structural integrity and efficiency compromised by an absence of consideration to element. The true worth of a physique equipment resides not solely in its design however within the ability with which it’s built-in into the automobile’s current structure.
In essence, the connection between a equipment and a 2018 Honda Accord is symbiotic, contingent upon correct set up. What begins as a pursuit of personalization can devolve right into a pricey lesson within the significance of precision. From making certain good panel alignment to using the proper {hardware} and torque specs, each step contributes to the ultimate outcome. A flawless set up transforms a set of components right into a cohesive, visually putting, and useful enhancement, whereas a haphazard method yields a regrettable distortion of the automobile’s unique design and engineering. The takeaway is obvious: meticulousness in set up will not be merely a element; it’s the cornerstone upon which the success of a physique equipment transformation is constructed.
4. Paint Matching
The mixing of any aftermarket panel onto a 2018 Honda Accord hinges on a essential aspect: coloration concord. Greater than a mere beauty consideration, the accuracy of the paint match dictates the visible integrity of the whole modification, remodeling a set of disparate elements right into a unified, aesthetically pleasing complete. The story of a meticulously chosen equipment may be tragically undermined by a shade even barely out of alignment, leading to a jarring visible dissonance that betrays the hassle invested.
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Code Compliance: The Basis of Constancy
Every producer assigns a selected paint code to each coloration possibility. This code acts as a Rosetta Stone, translating the summary notion of a hue right into a exact components. The meticulous utility of this code is step one in the direction of attaining correct replica. Think about the 2018 Honda Accord’s “Lunar Silver Metallic” – code NH830M. Deviating from this exact components, even subtly, introduces the danger of a mismatch that may turn out to be obtrusive underneath various lighting circumstances. Failure to stick to this foundational code can condemn a physique equipment to face aside, a international aspect relatively than a seamless extension of the automobile.
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Mixing Artistry: Minimizing the Unavoidable
Even with exact code adherence, delicate variations within the unique manufacturing unit end, as a consequence of age and environmental publicity, can introduce discrepancies. This necessitates the ability of a seasoned painter, able to mixing the brand new paint into the present panels, making a clean, imperceptible transition. Think about a rear spoiler, freshly painted to match the Accord’s current end. The painter, recognizing delicate fading on the unique trunk lid, expertly blends the brand new paint, extending the appliance past the fast mounting factors. This nuanced method erases the demarcation line, making certain a uniform and visually seamless outcome. With out such artistry, the brand new part dangers showing as an afterthought, detracting from the automobile’s total aesthetic.
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Lighting Circumstances: The Revealing Fact
Paint’s look is dynamic, shifting underneath completely different gentle sources. What could seem an ideal match indoors can reveal stark variations underneath the tough glare of daylight. A talented paint technician will contemplate these variations, adjusting the components and utility approach to make sure consistency throughout various circumstances. Image a physique equipment considered underneath the fluorescent lights of a storage, showing to be an ideal match. Upon exiting into daylight, the distinction turns into unmistakable, the brand new paint reflecting gentle in a different way than the unique. A meticulous painter will anticipate this, testing the colour underneath numerous lighting circumstances, tweaking the components to make sure concord whatever the surroundings. Disregarding this essential side renders the whole effort incomplete, leaving the modification susceptible to the unforgiving scrutiny of pure gentle.
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Clear Coat Consistency: The Ultimate Gloss
The clear coat, utilized as the ultimate layer, not solely protects the paint but additionally considerably impacts its reflectivity and perceived coloration. Variances within the kind, thickness, or utility strategy of the clear coat can result in delicate, but noticeable, variations in look. Envision two panels, each painted with the identical coloration, but exhibiting distinct ranges of gloss. The panel with the thinner, much less refined clear coat seems duller, missing the depth and richness of the opposite. This discrepancy can undermine the whole paint matching course of. Guaranteeing consistency within the clear coat is paramount, offering the ultimate layer of unity that ties the brand new elements seamlessly to the unique automobile.
Finally, the pursuit of a wonderfully built-in physique equipment for a 2018 Honda Accord culminates within the artistry of paint matching. It’s a course of that calls for not solely technical precision, but additionally an understanding of coloration idea, environmental components, and the delicate nuances of automotive finishes. The outcome, when executed flawlessly, is a testomony to the facility of consideration to element, remodeling particular person elements right into a cohesive, visually gorgeous expression of automotive individuality. The absence of such consideration, nevertheless, serves as a stark reminder that true enhancement lies not solely within the addition of parts, however of their seamless integration.
5. Sturdiness Considerations
The aesthetic enhancement of a 2018 Honda Accord by way of the addition of aftermarket elements is usually tempered by a sensible consideration: the long-term resilience of those additions. The city panorama, with its unpredictable hazards, poses a relentless risk to those meticulously crafted items. A seemingly minor encounter with a curb or a stray piece of highway particles can swiftly rework an object of delight right into a supply of frustration. The search for visible distinction, due to this fact, necessitates a cautious analysis of the inherent fragility of those exterior modifications.
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Materials Vulnerability to Affect
The number of supplies for a physique equipment immediately influences its susceptibility to break. Whereas light-weight choices like fiberglass provide aesthetic benefits, they typically show brittle underneath influence. Think about a situation the place a 2018 Accord, fitted with a fiberglass entrance lip, navigates a good parking area. A momentary misjudgment leads to a mild scrape towards a concrete curb. The fiberglass, missing the flexibleness of different supplies, cracks and splinters, requiring pricey repairs. The preliminary attract of the fabric fades, changed by the stark actuality of its restricted resilience. The same incident involving a equipment fabricated from polyurethane, nevertheless, may lead to a mere scuff, a testomony to the fabric’s inherent potential to soak up minor impacts.
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Environmental Degradation Over Time
Publicity to the weather exerts a gradual, but relentless, toll on aftermarket physique elements. Ultraviolet radiation from daylight may cause fading and discoloration, significantly on painted surfaces and sure forms of plastics. Winter circumstances, with their cycle of freezing and thawing, can induce stress fractures in additional inflexible supplies. Think about a 2018 Accord, resplendent with a custom-painted physique equipment, parked open air year-round. Over time, the once-vibrant paint begins to lose its luster, the clear coat peeling away to disclose the underlying layers. The plastic elements, subjected to repeated temperature fluctuations, develop hairline cracks, compromising their structural integrity. The weather, of their silent and chronic method, regularly erode the visible enchantment of the equipment.
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Set up-Induced Weaknesses
Even probably the most strong elements may be rendered susceptible by improper set up. Over-tightening fasteners can create stress factors, whereas insufficient adhesion can result in untimely separation. Envision a situation the place a aspect skirt is put in with extreme drive, the mounting factors harassed to their breaking level. The vibrations of regular driving regularly exacerbate these weaknesses, ultimately resulting in cracks and detachment. Equally, a spoiler connected with inadequate adhesive is vulnerable to loosening, its stability compromised by the forces of wind resistance. The ability of the installer, due to this fact, turns into a vital consider figuring out the longevity of the equipment.
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Street Hazard Publicity and Floor Clearance
Lowered floor clearance, typically a consequence of putting in a physique equipment, will increase the danger of encountering highway hazards. Velocity bumps, potholes, and uneven highway surfaces turn out to be potential threats, able to inflicting vital harm to the underside of the automobile and its connected elements. Image a 2018 Accord, sporting a lowered stance and an aggressive entrance splitter, trying to navigate a poorly maintained highway. A deep pothole seems unexpectedly, and the splitter strikes the pavement with a jarring influence. The influence may cause vital harm to the splitter, doubtlessly even affecting the automobile’s suspension. The pursuit of a extra aggressive aesthetic carries with it the inherent danger of elevated vulnerability to the realities of the highway.
Ultimately, the choice to adorn a 2018 Honda Accord with a equipment is a balancing act between visible ambition and pragmatic issues. A radical understanding of the potential vulnerabilities inherent in these modifications permits for knowledgeable selections concerning materials choice, set up strategies, and driving habits. The long-term satisfaction with such enhancements hinges not solely on their preliminary look but additionally on their potential to resist the challenges of the highway and the passage of time. The pursuit of automotive aesthetics, it appears, requires a level of foresight and a wholesome dose of realism.
6. Design Concord
The choice and integration of a equipment onto a 2018 Honda Accord should not merely issues of bolting on elements; they symbolize a fragile negotiation with the automobile’s current design language. Design Concord, on this context, serves because the arbiter, figuring out whether or not the additions complement the Accord’s inherent traces or create a discordant visible conflict. A misguided selection, pushed solely by private desire with out regard for the automobile’s foundational aesthetic, can lead to a fragmented look, diminishing the general influence. Think about an Accord, its modern, understated manufacturing unit traces adorned with an aggressively styled equipment meant for a track-focused sports activities automobile. The juxtaposition is jarring, the 2 design philosophies at odds, leaving the observer with a way of visible unease. The equipment, on this occasion, turns into a detractor relatively than an enhancement.
The pursuit of concord, nevertheless, calls for a nuanced understanding of the Accord’s design cues. The delicate curvature of the physique panels, the exact angles of the headlights, and the general proportions of the automobile should be fastidiously thought-about when choosing aftermarket additions. A well-chosen lip equipment, for instance, can intensify the Accord’s current traces, including a contact of aggression with out disrupting the general move. Equally, a rear spoiler that echoes the curve of the trunk lid can seamlessly combine into the automobile’s design, enhancing its sporty enchantment with out showing misplaced. The important thing lies to find elements that talk the identical design language because the Accord, creating a way of visible continuity. The sensible significance of this understanding manifests within the last look of the automobile a cohesive and visually pleasing extension of the unique design.
Finally, the profitable integration of a equipment onto a 2018 Honda Accord is a testomony to the facility of Design Concord. It’s a recognition that automotive design will not be merely about particular person parts however about the best way these parts work together to create a unified complete. The problem lies in putting a stability between private expression and design integrity, making certain that the additions improve, relatively than detract from, the automobile’s inherent aesthetic. The result, when executed with care and precision, is a harmonious mix of aftermarket elements and manufacturing unit design, leading to a automobile that’s each visually putting and aesthetically cohesive.
Incessantly Requested Questions
The realm of aftermarket modifications typically raises a collection of pertinent inquiries. Discerning the reality from the misconceptions is essential earlier than endeavor such ventures. The next part goals to handle some incessantly requested questions concerning enhancements for a selected automobile mannequin.
Query 1: Will a physique equipment enhance the Accord’s gasoline financial system?
The idea {that a} physique equipment robotically improves gasoline consumption requires cautious examination. A equipment designed with aerodynamic ideas in thoughts, lowering drag, may provide a marginal enchancment. Nonetheless, many kits prioritize aesthetics over aerodynamic effectivity. Moreover, the added weight of the equipment can, in some circumstances, offset any potential positive aspects in gasoline financial system. The advantages of equipment should be cautiously weighed.
Query 2: Are physique kits road authorized?
The legality of a physique equipment varies relying on native rules. Some jurisdictions have restrictions on automobile modifications, significantly people who have an effect on security options or total automobile dimensions. A equipment that obstructs visibility or alters the automobile’s lighting system might not be compliant with native legal guidelines. It’s incumbent upon the automobile proprietor to confirm the legality of any modification earlier than set up.
Query 3: Can a novice set up a physique equipment?
Whereas sure kits could seem easy to put in, the truth typically presents surprising challenges. Correct fitment requires a level of mechanical aptitude and familiarity with automotive instruments. Making an attempt set up with out the mandatory expertise can result in improper fitment, harm to the equipment or the automobile, and potential security hazards. The steerage of a talented skilled is really helpful.
Query 4: Will a physique equipment void the Accord’s guarantee?
The influence of a physique equipment on the automobile’s guarantee is a posh concern. Usually, modifications don’t robotically void the whole guarantee. Nonetheless, if a part of the equipment immediately causes harm to a lined half, the guarantee declare could also be denied. For instance, a poorly put in equipment that restricts airflow and causes engine overheating might void the guarantee on associated engine elements. Session with a dealership concerning the precise phrases of the guarantee is advisable.
Query 5: How does the fabric of the equipment have an effect on its sturdiness?
The sturdiness of a physique equipment is intrinsically linked to its materials composition. Fiberglass, whereas light-weight, is vulnerable to cracking underneath influence. ABS plastic presents a stability of affordability and average sturdiness. Polyurethane offers higher flexibility and influence resistance. Carbon fiber, although exceptionally robust, is dear and prone to UV harm. The number of materials is a essential resolution, influencing the equipment’s potential to resist the trials of every day driving.
Query 6: Does paint matching require knowledgeable?
Reaching a seamless paint match is a ability honed by way of expertise and technical experience. Variations in manufacturing unit paint, environmental components, and the subtleties of coloration mixing necessitate the contact of a seasoned skilled. Making an attempt to match the paint with out the correct gear and expertise can lead to a visibly mismatched part, detracting from the general aesthetic. The involvement of knowledgeable is extremely really helpful.
Navigating the complexities of aftermarket enhancements necessitates knowledgeable decision-making. A radical understanding of the potential advantages, drawbacks, and authorized issues is paramount. The modifications will contribute to a optimistic possession expertise.
The next part will delve into issues concerning the price, return on funding, and strategies for sustaining the integrity of exterior enhancements.
Mastering the Artwork of Integration
The applying of aftermarket elements requires a mix of artistry and technical acumen. The pursuit of visible enhancement necessitates a methodical method, making certain that the additions harmonize with the automobile’s inherent design.
Tip 1: Prioritize Materials Compatibility Study the fabric composition of the meant equipment. Choosing supplies congruent with the automobile’s current elements is paramount. Combining dissimilar supplies can result in galvanic corrosion and untimely put on. A strategic method entails choosing a equipment manufactured from ABS plastic or polyurethane, mirroring the composition of the Accord’s manufacturing unit bumpers.
Tip 2: Emphasize Precision Fitment Meticulous consideration to element is crucial in the course of the set up course of. Guaranteeing that the equipment aligns exactly with the automobile’s contours is essential. Misaligned elements can compromise the automobile’s structural integrity and aerodynamic effectivity. A strategic method entails conducting a radical dry match earlier than completely affixing any elements. This preemptive measure facilitates the identification and correction of any alignment points.
Tip 3: Adhere to OEM Fastener Specs Improperly torqued fasteners can induce stress fractures and compromise the long-term sturdiness of the equipment. Using a torque wrench and adhering to the producer’s specs is crucial. This follow prevents over-tightening and ensures that the elements stay securely affixed.
Tip 4: Go for Skilled Paint Matching Reaching a seamless paint match calls for experience and specialised gear. Entrusting this job to a talented automotive painter is really helpful. A mismatched paint job will undermine the aesthetic enchantment of the whole modification. The most effective follow entails offering the painter with the automobile’s paint code and permitting them to mix the brand new paint seamlessly with the present end.
Tip 5: Implement Protecting Measures In opposition to Street Particles Street particles poses a relentless risk to susceptible physique elements. Putting in mud flaps and making use of a protecting clear bra can mitigate the danger of harm. These proactive measures can protect the equipment’s aesthetic integrity and delay its lifespan.
Tip 6: Conduct Periodic Inspections Common inspections are essential for detecting and addressing potential points earlier than they escalate. Study the equipment for indicators of wear and tear, cracks, or unfastened fasteners. Promptly addressing any detected points can forestall extra in depth and expensive repairs.
A strategic method to integrating a ensures each aesthetic enhancement and long-term sturdiness. A methodical execution of the above will guarantee a harmonious integration with automobile’s current aesthetic.
The next part will summarize the important thing themes of the article and provide closing ideas.
2018 Honda Accord Physique Package
The journey by way of the panorama of enhancements has revealed a posh interaction of aesthetics, performance, and practicality. From the number of supplies to the precision of set up, every resolution contributes to the narrative of a reworked automobile. The implications of aerodynamic affect, paint-matching precision, and materials sturdiness have been assessed, together with the essential side of design concord. The number of 2018 Honda Accord physique equipment calls for cautious consideration.
Finally, the mixing of those elements transcends mere visible enhancement. It turns into a mirrored image of the proprietor’s particular person type and an expression of automotive ardour. Let the trail of modification be guided by knowledgeable selections and unwavering dedication to high quality. Whether or not one seeks delicate refinement or a daring assertion, the transformation ought to resonate with the spirit of the automobile. Embrace the journey, and rework the Accord into an enduring reflection of its proprietor.
