The Disappearance of Front-Wheel-Drive Mid-Size Coupes: Why Enthusiasts Miss the Honda Accord Coupe

Front-wheel-drive mid-size coupes have been gradually vanishing from showrooms over the past decade, but the segment's fate was sealed when Honda discontinued the Accord Coupe with its 2018 redesign. This marked the end of an era for driving enthusiasts who appreciated accessible performance in a practical package.

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The Golden Age of Affordable Performance Coupes

During the 1990s and early 2000s, manufacturers offered numerous FWD coupe options that balanced everyday usability with sporty driving dynamics. These cars provided:

• Lower price points than RWD sports cars
• Surprisingly capable handling with proper suspension tuning
• Practicality for daily driving
• Manual transmission availability

The Honda Accord Coupe stood out as one of the last survivors in this category, particularly in its final V6 manual configuration—a combination that became increasingly rare across all vehicle segments.

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What Made the Accord Coupe Special

While the Accord sedan focused on family transportation, the coupe variant catered specifically to driving enthusiasts through:

Market Forces That Killed the Mid-Size Coupe

Several industry trends converged to make coupes like the Accord unsustainable:

• SUV/Crossover Boom: Consumers overwhelmingly shifted toward high-riding vehicles, with SUVs now representing over 50% of new vehicle sales.
• Declining Manual Take Rates: Fewer than 2% of new car buyers opt for manual transmissions today.
• Development Costs: Creating separate body styles became prohibitively expensive for shrinking market segments.
• Performance Sedan Improvements: Mainstream sedans like the current Accord now offer handling nearly as sharp as dedicated coupes once did.

Honda reported that coupes accounted for less than 5% of total Accord sales in their final years—a percentage that simply couldn't justify continued development.

Finding a Used Honda Accord Coupe Today

For enthusiasts determined to own one of these disappearing coupes, here's what to know when shopping:

Key Model Years

The final generation (2013-2017) represents the best blend of modern features and driving dynamics:

• 2013-2015: First of the ninth-generation models with updated styling
• 2016-2017: Mid-cycle refresh with improved infotainment
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What to Pay

Current market values for well-maintained examples:

• V6 Manual: $18,000-$25,000 depending on mileage and condition
• V6 Automatic: $15,000-$22,000
• 4-cylinder Models: $12,000-$18,000

Notably, manual transmission models often command premium prices due to their rarity.

Modern Alternatives to the Accord Coupe

While nothing exactly replaces the Accord Coupe's unique combination of attributes, today's buyers have several compelling options:

Why the Accord Coupe Still Matters

Beyond its specifications, the Accord Coupe represented an important market segment that's now nearly extinct—affordable, moderately powerful coupes that average buyers could enjoy daily while still delivering genuine driving pleasure. Its disappearance signals several troubling trends for enthusiasts:

• Fewer manual transmission options across all categories
• Disappearing body style diversity
• Increased focus on utility over driving dynamics

For those who appreciate driver-focused cars at reasonable prices, the Accord Coupe's legacy serves as both a celebration of what was and a cautionary tale about the future of affordable performance vehicles.

Final Thoughts: A Segment Worth Remembering

The front-wheel-drive mid-size coupe occupied a unique space in automotive history—offering style and engagement without the impracticality or cost of traditional sports cars. While market forces made models like the Accord Coupe unsustainable, their influence can still be seen in today's sport compacts and performance sedans.

For driving enthusiasts, the used market remains the best way to experience these disappearing coupes firsthand. Well-maintained examples—particularly V6 manual models—will likely become increasingly collectible as the years pass and fewer remain on the road.

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