By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
My point was, if I were shopping for a family sedan, I'd probably go with the Camry because it does family sedan things better (according to me) than the other 2. The Passat does have more character than both the Camry and the Accord.
As far as the GTI goes, I'm not really into VWs.
http://www.ross-tech.com
We can go in scan and clear codes...do some data logging, make adjustments to the ECU....for about $200 for the cable and software. You just need a computer...or laptop.
On the 'tex...fellow VW owners who have the VAG-COM are willing to help others out...some of them are VW techs...most other regular joes.
It beats paying $80+ for a scan of the OBD-II computer
As well, the next-tier vehicles like the G35, Acura TL (though on fire sale now as an outgoing gen model), etc. could be negotiated down to near Passat GLX prices.
When bringing in "car cousins" (A6 with the Passat) in the discussion, it's not for anything else but for one simple personal reason: I want CARMAKERS to ALSO read my post, have it weigh down on them along with other consumer feedback, and if they're really serious, to cause IMPROVEMENT of their products.
If this takes effect, in the case of VW and Audi, it benefits their respective customers - and forces their competition to work harder - and in the end, benefits the car-buying public.
Brand loyalty is somewhat a weak concept because we car owners are shooting ourselves in the foot if we uphold a car despite its shortcomings.
In that vein, even if my wife and I currently drive Accords, we'll be driving something different in the future if Honda isn't advancing, or regresses outright, versus its competition.
Obviously, my intent was missed through no fault of yours. The RL - Acura needs to upgrade it !
You've got that right... the rumors I've heard is that a complete redesign is due in 2005. About 3 years too late... ;-)
1)Passat GLX V6
2)Camry XLE V6
3)Accord EX V6
4)Accord EX 4 cyl
5)Passat GLS 4 cyl
6)Camry LE
7)Altima 3.5
8)Mazda6 4cyl
9)Mazda6 V6
10)Altima 2.5
The accord and passat took 4 out of the top 5 with accord higher for its 4cyl and passat for the v6.
So where are the Camry defenders?
<When bringing in "car cousins" (A6 with the Passat) in the discussion, it's not for anything else but for one simple personal reason: I want CARMAKERS to ALSO read my post, have it weigh down on them along with other consumer feedback, and if they're really serious, to cause IMPROVEMENT of their products.
If this takes effect, in the case of VW and Audi, it benefits their respective customers - and forces their competition to work harder - and in the end, benefits the car-buying public.
Brand loyalty is somewhat a weak concept because we car owners are shooting ourselves in the foot if we uphold a car despite its shortcomings.
In that vein, even if my wife and I currently drive Accords, we'll be driving something different in the future if Honda isn't advancing, or regresses outright, versus its competition.
Obviously, my intent was missed through no fault of yours. The RL - Acura needs to upgrade it !>
At least the Camry XLE V6 took the 2nd overall highest ranking, despite its comfort oriented suspension tuning and its premium price over the Accord.
Oh btw, this is not a real web site-you know because they pick the passat over the accord.
Anyway, I haven't seen the CR report yet so will comment only after I know more for myself, seeing how the Passat owners regularly manipulate the quotes ( One said that the top gear acceleration of the Passat was "much" better in a test, without mentioning that the Passat was an Auto (unable to hold top gear at the lower, thus downshifting, per the same report) and teh Accord was a manual, which was in actual top gear all the while during the top gear accel. test.
I think you're onto something. Auto makers should do away with unnecessary, complicated luxury and convenient features and just charge the premium prices!
And it is more significant than "reach down and turn that knob". It also serves as a headlight delay when you leave the car in a poorly lit area. Given the absence of such a feature in the Passat, perhaps your real wood will make you feel more secure in such a situation. ;-)
When did C&D do an apples to apples{manual to manual} comparison between the passat and accord?
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/volkswagen/passat/100161568/ratin- gs_consumer.html?tid=.n.vdpheader.ratingsbox..0.Volkswagen*
Honda Accord consumer rating: 9.2
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/honda/accord/index.html?tid=edmun- ds.n.mmindex.content..0.Honda*
Why do you consider the PASSAT such a better car when compared to the HONDA.
Seems the owners of the VW do not agree.
In the CD test (like most CD tests) the emphasis was on ride and handling, which constitute to driving excitement, and what Passat owners keep boasting about. There the Passat was beaten. Also, CD constantly picks the Accord in their 10Best list every year (This report was totally ignored by Passat owners).
MT did not do a comparison, and I agree with you on that, though the praises for the Accord were scintillating (This report was totally ignored by Passat owners).
So to sum it up, its like the pot calling the kettle black when you say that "mags that pick the Passat are ignored by Accord owners"
In fact, till CR, only Edmunds ever ratred the Passat over the Accord, NO ONE ELSE, and we still kept hearing quotes from Edmunds while all else was ignored.
Dan Jedlickia on MSN Autos also stated that the 03 accord didn't have the driving kicks that it had before the new generation.
The 3 cars compete for different sorts of people. No one car is better than the other. You can quote all you want, but you are not going to convince the buyers of the other cars one bit.
Quit quoting magazines and what not. You made your choice in your car. Don't have to make other people believe in your choice.
Here's my take on the cars.
Passat
------
A Passat buyer will not consider an Accord or Camry because they want to feel special in their car. They want their car to reflect their taste and choice. They want *luxury* over other things and they want the feel of a european car
Camry
-----
A Camry buyer buys this car because it is quiet and gives a comfortable non-obtrusive ride. Top notch fit and finish. More comfortable with the Japanese (specifically Toyota) reliability
Accord
------
Accord buyers are the rebels. Jack of all trades but master of none. It rewards the driver better driving experience over the Camry and Passat but it doesn't look the best. It gives you good performance but cheapens the interior over the other cars to save cost. It doesn't drive as quiet nor as sturdy as the Passat but it is good compromise bet. isolation and interacton. Often buy Accord over Camry because buyer feels Accord is more sporty. Once threaten will often points out the unreliability of the European/Korean/American cars. In this case the Passat.
Does that sum it all up??
BTW, CD and RT are widely regarded a mags that place far more emphasis on ride and handling, and both ended up picking the Accord. Now let's see you repeat yourself.
mikek37, i'm just defending my car after some people called it a "piece of junk."
Can we sum up?
If you like the Passat, be sure to buy a spare for parts. Keep a flashlight handy for when the lights fail. And make sure you have your magazine references right (actually, that goes for both camps).
If you like the Accord, be sure to get the optional horn that bleats like a sheep; it can only be obtained with the appliance white styling package. And do not seriously argue that you bought the car for its handling.
If you can earnestly debate which of these 2 cars is "better", you are one dogmatic individual. As has been already mentioned, they appeal to 2 groups of people who are alike only in their hard-headedness.
Besides, everyone knows the Saturn Ion is the only choice in this field...right :-)??
CL
Oh my god, I bought car A. Did I make the right decision?? Maybe I should visit all the websites, like edmunds.com and see what other people are buying. If they are not buying A, I'll convince them to buy car A, and car B and car C are junks.
Is that it??
If there's truly 1 best car out there, there would be only 1 car on the road. In an ideal world that is.
So, it is either the selected few, gifted so to say, knows what's best for everyone and all of us are idiots for buying car B and C.
All I can say is, say what you like about your car and what you dislike about your car. The car you own. Don't bad mouth the choices of cars other people made. Where are your manners??
Also, why did you forget to mention the quote from RT, where they say something like "its a strange world we live in , where a Japanese car drives like a German car and a German car that does not drive like a German car." Oh, why did I bother to ask, you always forget about them.
bj, So you are now quoting "New" mags right? They why for heaven's sake did you keep quoting the old Edmunds review for a long long time, till Automobile/CD came out? This is amazing!
We are not here to argue with and about each other. We are talking about the cars.
If there is still any reasonable debate left to be had about the merits of these three vehicles, let's hear it.
The personal comments and jabs are out of line. Some messages have been removed.
P.S. - we haven't had a single problem with the Passat after 18 months
I agree with you. Why quote what all these magazine says. Are you going to buy another car just because the magazine says the car you bought is no longer a good car?? Based on what? Marketing monies they get from a competing car??
All modern cars on the road today are safe. They are also as reliable as the next car. Just because it has a German or Korean moniker, it doesn't make it less reliable than the Japanese moniker.
What's the point of saying in every debate, when cornered, one brings up the reliability and safety to attack the other person's choice of car. Obviously these 3 cars are as SAFE and as RELIABLE as any other car out there.
Maybe this should be an Accord VS Passat forum. I don't see any complains about Camry. I think someone has something against German car makers.
Stop qouting what magazines says. Instead, let the owners of the cars, each of the 3 cars, who have spent considerable amount of time in their respective cars view their opinion. A short test drive around the block and reading what magazine reviewers say DO NOT make you qualify to give a short term evaluation of the car, let alone a long term.
Unless you are like stinkbug, who has the 2 competing cars in his garage.
Be nice now, before you give an old lady more migraines than she can take. LOL
I also sense everytime an argument comes out, some people would as a last resort say the VW is unreliable or unsafe as you pointed out.
For safety, the passat GLX V6 is listed as #1 with an excellent rating in avoidance and protection. The only other car that is excellent in both categories is the Camry in second. The Passat GLS 4cyl. is in 3rd. Once again the accord is not listed.
About the Passat, they said "Impressive crash-test results, capable and forgiving handling, and strong brakes."