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Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry vs Nissan Altima (V6 Models)
norwestgal
Member Posts: 5
in Honda
I have been watching the introduction of newer styled models of the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and the Honda Accord for 2008. For those out there with indepth knowledge - Which of these cars are the best $$$ for reliability, cost of ownership, and overall value.
I have been driving a 1996 Toyota Corolla that has been great for me over the years! I have racked up 320,000 miles on it from my initial purchase. I am looking for another car that can do similar, but with upgrades (i.e, leather seats, bluetooth, sunroof, etc).
Please post answers to my inquiry on board.
Thanks to everyone!
I have been driving a 1996 Toyota Corolla that has been great for me over the years! I have racked up 320,000 miles on it from my initial purchase. I am looking for another car that can do similar, but with upgrades (i.e, leather seats, bluetooth, sunroof, etc).
Please post answers to my inquiry on board.
Thanks to everyone!
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If that is the case you may want to take a look at the Nissan Sentra SL... Giving you everything you are looking for in a size that you are used to and also it is more economical
GP
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Accord or Camry ..... that's a loaded question in this forum. Here is my $.02 (the length of this post might suggest I'm giving you $.04 ) -- I think you can't go wrong!! Both cars are excellent for their price...but very different for a discerning driver. The engines/transmissions, while having similar ratings, have significantly different characteristics. In the 4cyl models (which it look like you are looking at), the Accord is higher revving (190HP model) and perhaps has better pick-up once your into the RPMs. The transmission is more sporty in the Accord and, IMHO, better able to read your right foot (I think the auto tranny in the Accord is the single biggest mechanical advantage that the Accord enjoys. . . and its a significant advantage). The Camry clearly has a smoother ride and is better insulated from the road. The Accord, more firm and sporty. Although I don't feel the Accord is "noisy," the Camry is decidedly quieter. The Camry feels more like a luxury touring sedan and the Accord more like a sport sedan (although neither actually get there when compared to the true benchmarks for luxury or sport - but consider the low price!!!).
Although some disagree, I feel the Camry has a little more bomb-proof interior feel. To me, it seems less luxurious, but perhaps a bit more durable. The interior look / design is so much different between the two cars, it is simply a matter of personal preference. The Accord's myriad of buttons and complicated look will turn some off. The Camry's ultra-sheik, minimalist look will turn some off. If considering a black Accord interior, I do think the aluminum-looking accents on the black Honda interior are awful! It looks good, but is a terrible effort at trying to look anything like brushed-aluminum.
On both the base levels and premium editions, I think the Camry stereo is significantly better than that in the Accord (especially the up-graded stereos).
The Accord has more contoured seats and impressive bolstering in the front buckets. But, they hold you relatively tightly and discourage much shifting around. It is somewhat uncomfortable to sit in the passenger seat of the Accord and angle your body toward the driver to talk. The seat wants you to sit straight ahead. The Camry's seats are much wider feeling and likely better for large people.
I never thought it was a selling point, but the steering wheel in the Honda is awesome (at least in the EX-L's)!! It has a smaller circumference, its thick and has perfect contours for a VERY sporty feel. In general, you can achieve a very impressive driver position in the Accord. The Camry is equally adjustable, but somehow is not able to achieve an equally aggressive position. It may simply be a matter of the bolstered seats and sporty wheel in the Accord???
With regard to the exterior, you just have to decide which style you like. Again, I don't think you can go wrong. If you are a wheel guy (I think it plays a BIG part in how a car looks), consider the wheel options between the Camry LE and Accord LX-P. The Accord's wheels are considerably more "styled" --whether for better or worse (Personally, I give a huge advantage to Honda in this regard). Consistent with the ride/handling characteristics, I think the Accord looks more sporty, particularly if you can afford a rear spoiler, while the Camry looks more classy. Subjectively, I think both cars fail in front-end design. The Camry looks like a clown with a big nose and the Accord looks like . . well . . like every other car on the road. I strongly dislike the cheap-looking black, plastic fins on the Accord's front grill. The Camry's painted grill is much better executed. I think Honda does a great job with their chrome assents. To my eye, the Accord looks more styled (not necessarily stylish) from the side and the Camry looks a bit "huge" from the side. I think both cars get kudos for their rear-end, tail-light design. I particularly like the broken C-pillar design on the Accord - very 5-series BMW-ish.
When selecting a car, don't forget color. Because the Honda looks sportier, in my opinion, it clearly wins the "looks" battle if you select colors and options that are sporty. Conversely, the Camry looks great in conservative and rich colors. Frankly, I feel the Camry has limited its audience by selecting such a conservative design. The Camry looks like a big touring sedan. In the same vein, perhaps the Accord has limited its appeal by looking more sporty. However, the Accord seems to be more adaptable. The light gold exterior with tan leather/cloth is a very rich looking car, whereas the silver with black leather interior is very sporty (particularly if you add a spoiler). The Camry can look very classy, but I'm not sure it does as good a job pulling off the sporty look. (Sure you can get the SE, but my personal opinion is that it looks like a draft horse with a racing saddle )
As I mentioned, I don't think you can go wrong. If you spend too much time trying to decide which car is "better," you'll go insane! They are both excellent! For me, it helped when I finally let go of weighing the technical specs of each car and started looking at what I like. For me, I picked an 08 EX-L Accord, silver exterior with black,leather interior. Because I was going for maximum sport, I added a rear full-size spoiler, which I would have omitted if I had bought a darker, more rich color. I absolutely love my Accord and have not had a single regret, even when a classy Camry pulls up beside me at the stop light!
Thanks again to everyone!
You may want to do a double take. Consumer Reports no longer recommends the Camry V6 because of below average reliability. If you are buying the "yota" based on reliability, you may want to double check.
One thing: Honda is an engineering focused car manufacturer while Toyota is marketing focused counterpart. I test drove the Camry V6 XLE and Accord V6 EX, I finally I bought the Accord because the Accord's engine/ transmission/ handling...are more sophisticated and more smoothly than the Camry.
In 1990, even with my recommendation, my wife insisted to buy a Toyota Camry '90 for her. It finally turned out to be a lemon with leaking oil issue into the spark plug tube @ 50K-55K miles. Then, the car only ran on 3 engines and could not climb up hills with all HP. Since then, we have only purchased Honda Accord V6 EX. Even a small cheap Civic is excellent. My '86 Civic at 120K miles ran on highway like a "dream" and its manual transmission shifted like...butter. I have felt in love with Honda top-notch engineering.
Any further thoughts out there?!
As for interior, I can't imagine anybody picking Altima (or Camry) over the new Accord. But then, perceptions might vary.
The Honda and Nissan were both better, in my opinion, although not up to the standards that Honda and Toyota set 15 years ago. I own a 2006 Accord 4-cyl EX and absolutely love it, but with the new Altima and Accord, I'd give the Altima a close look.
And, I second the opinion that said check out the TL. It will ride rougher than a Camry, but it will handle beautifully; it's a sporty ride (especially with the 6-speed Manual!)
Robertsmx has a TL and seems to really like it. It's a beautiful car with lots of lux for your bux.
so what do you recomind ?
Any of these cars would be good in 4-cylinder form, but as a young person (I'm 20) out of the 2008 models, I'd guess the new Altima 2.5 would be the "coolest." It still runs quicker than V6 sedans of 8-10 years ago, but gets excellent fuel mileage.
Check out the Altima; if you want to give a really "cool" version of the car, check out the Accord Coupe or Altima Coupe!
Some new owners of the Accord V6 EX EX-L said the more they look at their new Accord the more they love it.
Seems like the new EPA mileage estimates are right on the money my low has been 19MPG and high has been 29MPG. Avg 22MPG as only 700 miles have been highway.
Still love the interior look and feel to all switchgear. Center stack has been criticized for to many control switches by many but in reality once you've set things up to your liking you rarely use more than 3-4 and they are rock solid.
I liked the exterior styling when I first saw it and still do.
Road and tire noise may be an issue to some but I've never felt the need to raise my voice over a normal level while cruising @ 70-80 MPH. Transmission and engine are a good fit to each other and I guess others feel the Altima and Camry have better low end grunt but for my driving style the Accord hasn't left me wanting for more. VCM activity is noticeable but not objectionable.
Very impressed to date with it's ability to get me around in snow-slush-ice so far.
New England has an 8-12 inch storm coming thru today so I'll get a good feel soon as to how it can handle in a decent size storm.
All in all I'm happy with my choice and it was a choice as I did consider and drove the Altima-Camry-Taurus & Lucerne and the Accord does the family sedan with a touch of enthusiast feel just right.
I purchased this exact vehicle six weeks ago and love it! I added the rear wing spoiler, splash guards, clear bra and the sun roof visor. My only wish is for a bit softer ride, drivers door top a little closer in so it is comfortable to rest your arm on and memory seats.
I drove the Loaded Camry (felt boring and the steering was too soft), Altima (Nice car also), Ford Fusion and Taurus (nice but didn't want to lose $10k in value the first year), Accord V-6 EXL won!
NOTE: I drove the 4cyl Accord and the non-EXL Accords and thought they were very boring vehicles. The 6cyl - EXL with Navigation is worth the extra money.
ENJOY YOUR NEW ACCORD!!!
-Altima V-6 needs premium gas
-only the Honda has Stability Control standard ---it cost extra on the Taurus and the Camry--perhaps $500--it's not even offered on the Fusion/Milan--and to get it on the Altima, you have to order the full size spare tire package which cuts down on the size of the trunk space available.
New Accord is more roomier, and the engine responses (kick down) quicker. But I don't like the back (look) of the Accord. The front is OK. The interior is very plastic feel. The door looks very thin, and you feel not many protection if you got side impact.
The Camry is quiter. The engine is a little lack of response when you step down on the gas padel. Maybe all the Camry are the same (focus on quality of ride not drive). Lack of head room compare to Accord. Feels like the windshield is very close on your face. Your head almost reaches the moonroof even I am not tall at all. I like the look of the Camry better, especially the body kit of the SE model.
There's no accounting for taste. We all have our individual preferences.
"The interior is very plastic feel."
Same as above. I am very satisfied with the interior surfaces.
"The door looks very thin, and you feel not many protection if you got side impact."
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ranks the 2008 Accord Good for side impact testing, their top grade:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=276
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1097/releases/4363
http://www.safercar.gov/Index2.cfm?myClass=PC&myYear=2008&myMake=Honda&myModel=A- ccord&GoButton=View+specific+vehicle
This p.m. I test drove the above three cars in the 4 cyl. and walked away more confused than enlightened, but here are my reactions/opinions with a request for input. I drive about 25,000 miles per year, mostly highway, am short and have a bad back.
Honda Accord. Loved the superb handling, cornering, pick-up, best overall performance imho. Nice interior. Neg - no lumbar unless you get leather (out of the question - too many dogs) and found it least comfortable on my back. Highest priced.
Nissan Altima -- positives -- comfortable seating, fast! Like the look and less expensive. Negative -- not as tight a ride as the Honda but better than the Camry. Kind of chintzy interior. Felt smaller inside overall.
Toyota Camry LE -- positives -- very comfortable seating with lumbar support available for cloth seats, simple controls (for me a positive), nice ride once you get up to the speed you want. Negatives -- sooooo slow pick-up, "loose" drive around corners (opposite of Accord). And, I'm not comfortable with all the bad press on Camry transmission problems.
I'm at an impasse, but there is one item that could make or break the deal -- Does anybody have any experience with their performance in the snow?
Thanks for your reactions and input!
"Nice interior. Neg - no lumbar unless you get leather (out of the question - too many dogs) and found it least comfortable on my back."
The 2008 Honda Accord EX (not just the leather interior EX-L) comes with both cloth seats and power lumbar support for the driver's seat.
You may find, as I did, that the Altima will kill you with the cost of options.
I bought an Accord V6 EX-L w/ Nav. and am 999.99% percent happy with it, inside out. Its 270-watt stereo is fabulous, Navi is awesome. It is currently sitting in my garage under an X-large car cover with 39 miles on its odometer. This is my sixth Accord.
If you buy a same one, remember to set up auto (turn off) head light, one-touch AM/ FM radio stations, blue-tooth set up, etc.
"is currently sitting in my garage under an X-large car cover"
For how many months or years have you kept your previous cars under covers? Doesn't all of the on-off business get tiresome after awhile?
One thing I can tell, the '08 top Accord is a great new model with big body, powerful engine and roomy interior. 270-watt audio and navi. are awesome.
Three years ago, my cousin bought a cheapest C entry level Mercedes with no Navi. @ $35K OTD. He had to install an aftermarket navi. He also modified the navi to watch movies. It costed him about $37K total for the car. I do not like that Mercedes as it is smaller with less HP.
The Accord may be not "prestigious" as other European models but it is practical.
"The Honda Accord, redesigned for 2008, has been a standout among family sedans and easily outperforms the other cars in this month's group. But the V6 version scored one point lower than the previous version, allowing the Nissan Altima to upstage it."
"While the Accord remains an excellent midsized sedan overall, gas mileage is not as good as that of the previous model or the redesigned Nissan Altima."
"Highs: handling, transmission, ride, acceleration (V6), standard ESC, rear-seat room, driving position, visibility, controls, front-seat comfort, crash-test results"
"Lows: road noise, no trip computer (wasn't a nav equipped car), intrusive trunk hinges"
They tested an LX-P with the 177 hp I4 (road-test score 79) and an EX-L with the V6 (score 88). Their most recent Altima review, 2.5 S 175 hp I4 (score 85) and 3.5 SE 270 hp V6 (score 89) was in March 2007. Clearly, if they had tested an Accord EX with the 190 hp I4 instead of the LX-P, the road test score would have been higher.
thats the conspiracy I spoke of. cause it has to be something, the accord doesn't loose. no person with a highschool education would think any car is better than an accord.
2002 Honda Odyssey EX
1992 Ford Taurus L 4 door 300 cu in long-stroke
1982 Ford E150 Customized by Triple-E travel Van
1979 Mercury Zephyr 6 cylinder 4-door sedan
1972 Datsun 510 4-door automatic
1967 Plymount Valiant 2-door sedan large-v6
1965 Morris 1100
1963 Austin 850 mini
What is CU? What are you saying about the Taurus, in relation to these cars?
Sorry, I'm just really confused!
Don't you need to put a wink (
The one thing I like in CR is the customer's problems with their cars by showing the results with the back or red dots. It seems only the Asians have had no problems with their transmissions with the exception of 2 years on the Accord, Odyssey & Acura. (2002-2003).
no, renault did not "buy out" nissan. they invested in the company by buying a 43% share while selling a 15% share of renault to nissan. renault does not own 51% of nissan, and both companies operate separately from each other.
nissan is still as "asian" as they ever were. the only difference now is, the end of each year they send renault a check equal to 43% of their net profits.
I used to own 2000 corolla VE, at 30K it had nitrigen sensor failure, wasted $300 and sent back to dealer for free replace, I see a few people has the problem. On 100K the engine started to have pop sound like axis loose, yet still droves perfect. Got 35miles/G avg at a round trip to Lake Tahoe(inc. city). This car has no other problem, battery never changed and I sold it out.
Just went to see Camry 2008, this 2007 new model has very cheap trim, on passage side you can see edges of plastic sheet, seat space is very small due to shaped front board. Green plastics panel are used for controls and looks like 70S radio. head aig bag are contained in rect thick frames that blocks your view. Anyway, I heard the safety has top grades. I got a very good price and ready to buy, yet my wife say no.
Then went to Accord 2008. Trim is much better, old model (2007) also good. Camry old model (2006) has better trim than its 2007-8 model. Accord price is at least $1000 higher than Toyota.
I'll see Altima soon, anybody can tell Nission's reliability and durability? For civic/accord/corolla/camry, durability and very sale value is very good. Altima may be not. Who knows Altima 2.5S deal price in silicon valley? Thanks.
We have a 2000 Honda Accord and it, too, was in the transmission class action lawsuit years (along with the 99 or 01s). It seems the Asians (Honda/Toyota) prefer class action lawsuits instead of fixing things for customers - thus the class action suits against Honda for transmissions and against Toyota for engine sludge problems. I believe the 07/08 Toyotas may have some class action suits for their 6 speed transmissions, as well. I hope they fixed the problems for the 09 Toyotas, but would be against it.
The Accord topped the Altima, Malibu, Sonata, Camry, Fusion and Avenger in that order.
The Accord topped the Altima, Malibu, Sonata, Camry, Fusion and Avenger in that order.