Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry

vqn · June 2003

Your logic was way off base. You mentioned rebate; however, you did not know what you were talking about. The rebate on the Camry goes directly to the customer and not the dealer. Resale value depends on supply and demand.

03accordman · June 2003

I don't remember what RPM it does at 70, but at 80MPH it is revving at 2550-2600 RPM. I will check and let you know about 70MPH

hmurphy · June 2003

I just bought a 2003 Accord after selling my 1994 Camry. I like the handling of the Accord, but I drive on mostly bumpy city roads, and I wish the suspension was more like the Camry's. If you drive nice, smooth roads, the Accord would be a good choice. It's great on the freeway, but very jarring on cracked city streets. The Camry was softer feeling all around, which was a drag in the steering department, but nice on the rump. If you're used to a stiffer suspension, however, you might not care about feeling the bumps in the Accord a bit more.

canc · June 2003

That's actually pretty good... my Solara V6 revs at 2600 at 70 mph, but it's a 4 speed. What do you think of the 5 speed auto?

03accordman · June 2003

Even I was amazed when I took it to 80 after break-in. I have an 2000 Altima and it revs at 3100 at 80.

The 5 speed Auto is excellent, very buttery and smooth. Always knows what gear to be in at any specific speed. Actually I seriously believe the 03 Accord I4 Auto is quicker than a 02 Accord V6 Auto (no figures, just my seat of the pants feeling), and I believe the 5 speed auto has a lot to do with that. I also regularly get 31-34Mpg on Hwy and that is also probably due to the 5th gear.

toledo19 · June 2003

Here in Northern Calif. you can get a new Camry LE for 16,800 after the 1,000 rebate. Can't touch an 03 Accord LX, auto at that price.

maxamillion1 · June 2003

include ABS?

masspector · June 2003

that same camry LE auto in FL is going for $15,500

toledo19 · June 2003

Not sure, but probably not.

anonymousposts · June 2003

Toyota is really pushing the Camry and Corolla right now with rebates and special financing. Toyota also has more fleet sales than Honda. This, along with the multitude of options on the Camry vs. the Accord, has given the Accord higher resale value. Being number 1 has always been worth more $$$$ to Toyota than Honda. There was an article about it where Honda said they weren't willing to fork up the $$$$ just to be #1.

canc · June 2003

between Toyota and Honda, just as Ford and GM have been at it. Claiming that your car is the best-selling car in the US comes with bragging-rights, but what does that give to the consumer?

mikek37 · June 2003

The main reason Toyota is #1 in the sales category is because of fleet sales.

Hey it makes sense profit wise.

canc · June 2003

I don't think Toyota sells so many cars to fleets that it makes it #1. Yes, they do sell more than Honda, but the Camry is the overall preferred choice right now.

mikek37 · June 2003

Actually they do sell a significant amount.

9 % of all toyota's sales come from fleet sales. THis works out to about 36,000 cars in a three months, which in my book isnt chump change.

Honda on the other hand only sells 1.4 percent to fleet services, which amounts to not even 4,000 cars.

Automotive News
http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=5525

Toyota is a great car, but the more fleet sales=lower residual value.

talon95 · June 2003

"I don't think Toyota sells so many cars to fleets that it makes it #1."

Actually, that has been the case for the Camry for some of the years that it took the #1 spot. Honda came back and claimed that if you factor out fleet sales and consider only retail sales, the Accord outsold the Camry. Sorry, don't know the exact years involved.

jsmath5 · June 2003

Camry sells a lot to fleets, and is the preferred car of rental agencies and Toyota uses fleet sales to pad their numbers. See above mentioned post.

anonymousposts · June 2003

I read in a couple of articles that if you take off fleet sales the Accord has been the top selling car for the last 10 years.

jsmath5 · June 2003

Remove fleet sales and the Accord has been the #1 selling car for the last 15 years. They beat Camry in 2001. Lots of no to low profits in fleet sales.

03accordman · June 2003

At 70MPH my I-4 Accord is revving at 2250 RPM

fredvh · June 2003

Auto trans?

03accordman · June 2003

Yes, Auto trans.

mariner7 · June 2003

Yesterday I saw an article on fleet sales. So far in 2003, Nissan, Toyota & Honda sold 11%, 9% & 2% to fleets. That's pretty amazing, no big car company came within miles of Honda on that score.

It didn't break down fleet sales by models. But safe to say Accord's retail sales are #1 for its class.

canc · June 2003

That's really good... the 1.8L Toyota VVT-i revs at 2600 RPM, and my 3.0L Toyota V6 revs at about 2500 RPM. Your 5 speed auto really makes a difference!

canoe2 · June 2003

Does your RMP move up a lot if you try to accelerate slightly from 70 mph to 80 mph ? The reason I ask because the Malibu I rented few months ago, 75 mph with 2000 rpm. Every time I tried to accelerate slightly (75 to 80 mph), the RMP jumped very high then back to ~ 2000 RMP.

mikek37 · June 2003

May be just the way the tranny was designed. Its probably dropping into a lower gear for a short time to bump up to speed, then drops down again. Just my take.

valleydude · June 2003

I just bought a 2003 EX V-6 Accord. Does anyone out there have thoughts as to whether or not I should purchase an extended warranty (7 years; 100,000 miles)? Also, should I get the interior/exterior "treatment" or is this a come-on? If yes, what is a reasonable price for these two items? Thank you in advance, and, also, thanks for those who suggested I get the Honda!!

vtec200 · June 2003

With good products that Honda makes, I think extended warranty is waste of money. As long as you don't abuse the car and drive it as it should with care, and perform all the recommended maintenance, you probably should save money that you would've spent on extended warranty. If I bought extended warranty on anything from all the electronics to cars, there would be tons of happy salesman with big commissions by selling the extended warranties, that I may use once in a thousand times. As far as interior/exterior treatment goes, go buy a good carnuba wax and was twice a year and a can of Scotchguard spray. Fabreze the interior a couple of times a year and you should be good for many years to come.

valleydude · June 2003

Does anyone know if there are basic differences between the Accord Sedan and the Accord Coupe (other than the obvious)? For example, is the suspension, handling, response, steering, craftsmanship, subtle details, etc the same? Assume that we are comparing similar packages (say, a fully equipped V-6). By the way, thanks to all who provided me with insight into the warranty tradeoffs. I really appreciate your comments!!

toledo19 · June 2003

Just drove my friends 03 accord LX, and frankly was not that impressed. The Accord continues to have a relatively rough ride and I was surprised how much road noise there was on the freeway. Think I'll stick with the Camry.

mikek37 · June 2003

Hmm where do I start.

That is the purpose of the Accord. So you can FEEL the road.

Wind noise isnt that bad, but then again not as good as the Camry.

If you want a car to be isolated there are always trade off's:

1) You will not feel connected to the road
2) Sloppy, body roll= not a handler

They are both different cars, and you are suppose to notice a difference when you drive the two.

mikek37 · June 2003

Please dont take an offense to what I am about to say but:

GO CHECK OUT THE HONDA WEBSITE for answers to your questions.

Its easy to do, and I know there are people here who have the answers to your questions, but the info u want is easily accesible.

toledo19 · June 2003

I take it you're an Accord owner? I can "feel" the road just fine with the Camry. Just don't want to be near vomit stage so I can feel it a little more. I never mentioned wind noise. The accord has ALWAYS had excessive road noise. It is reduced in 03, but is still there.

scottdude · June 2003

I'm deciding between an Accord and Camry and one of the things I like in the Accord is the steering wheel mounted controls for audio and cruise control.

Camry's don't seem to offer this, or am I incorrect about this?

mikek37 · June 2003

In order to be isolated, which the camry is known for, there a degree of seperation that exist between you and the road. I know this because I have driven the camry on more then one occassion.

mikek37 · June 2003

Edmunds 2002 Road Test

It gives little feedback from the road "

Edmunds Followup Test

Soft tuning has its disadvantages, though, and one of these is the suspension's longer recovery time after the tires encounter bumps or highway expansion joints, giving the car a floaty feel at times. Body roll is pronounced during cornering, and steering response is sluggish compared with the Altima and Passat.

Car and Driver Splashing into the Mainstream

Bland to drive

Consumer Guide

Steering quick, precise, but could use better road feel.

MSN AUTOs Dan Jedlicka Review

However, the Camry's supple, all-independent suspension provides a smooth ride and the power steering is precise, although it feels rather dead.

Once again,for Isolation you will pay a price, then again this is what the Camry was meant to do ,and at that , it is nearly perfect.

talon95 · June 2003

Check out this post by an owner of 2 Camry's... might explain what you experienced during your ride in the Accord.

I had a similar reaction a few years ago when I got my first Accord (a 2000 model). I had previously driven an Olds Cutlass with a much softer suspension. At first I felt that the Accord was rough riding. But as I got used to its suspension tuning, I got to the point where I thought the ride was excellent.

Of course, YMMV.

camrysev6owner "Toyota Camry" Jun 25, 2003 9:12pm

maxamillion1 · June 2003

Nope...Camry doesn't have audio controls on the steering wheel...but the cruise buttons are there

1200mk · June 2003

How is it? is it that different from le and xle models?

mikek37 · June 2003

Firmer suspension, different tires I believe (not positive) but the suspension is the key part there

toledo19 · June 2003

For all your feedback, folks. I guess it all comes down to personal choice. Two other observations: I felt the Camry seems to feel roomier inside and I don't know why the Accord continues to have the ignition key in the steering column.

canc · June 2003

It must be cheaper?

brozhnik · June 2003

I've read several posts here about paint chip problems on 2003 Accords (particularly silver ones). I'm deciding between an Accord and a Camry (white ones), and I wonder: is there any reason to think the Camry has a more durable paint job? Or do the posts here about chips not represent any trend like that? Thanks for any comments.

canc · June 2003

No, I don't think the Camry has more durable paint than the Accord. Car manufacturers nowadays have taken the lead out of their paints, making them more environmentally friendly but more prone to chips. Don't let paint chips be the deciding factor for the Accord. If it worries you a lot, buy a clear plastic film for a portion of the hood. Those seem to work really well.

anonymousposts · June 2003

The ignition location is irrelevant to me as long as the key goes in and the car starts. Sure the Camry will have some advantages over the Accord and the Accord will have some advantages over the Camry. They are completely different in their purposes now. The Accord does have a firm ride but since I do not do a lot of city driving with potholes I don't mind. Now if I lived in New Orleans I might want a Camry.

The Accord does have a few interior comfort features over the Camry though.

alpha01 · July 2003

What are the interior comfort features that the Accord has that the Camry lacks?
~alpha

talon95 · July 2003

Tilt and telescope steering wheel is one that comes to mind. But I think both cars have their own advantages in these areas.

ral2167 · July 2003

i think the camry has a tilt steering wheel-- it doesn't telescope tho...

personally, i'd rather have a power driver seat than the telescope-- the camry LE has power driver seat standard-- the accord LX has manual adjustment and i dont think power is available-- have to get an EX for that---- i think...

this to me is kinda goofy about the accord LX-- no power driver seat available .... i'd rather they leave out the telescope wheel in the LX-- put it in the EX-- but make the power driver seat standard on the LX and EX.... am i nuts?

alpha01 · July 2003

is that many would see as six of one, half dozen of another.

One note- the Camry has Power Adjustable pedals available for only $120, which might alleviate the lack of telescopic wheel somewhat.

~alpha

maxamillion1 · July 2003

It's a 2-way power seat on the EX...for height adjustment.

You have to get an EX with Leather to get an 8-way power seat. Another thing I would like to see is a power passenger seat for the EX-L models. A power driver's seat should be standard on DX....LX and EX should get an 8-way power seat....EX-L, LXV6 and EXV6 should have a 4-way power passengers seat IMO.

dougweaver · July 2003

I didn't think we needed them ... but our salesman talked us into them. And they are great ... its the only thing I have to adjust when I drive my wifes car. I don't change the mirrors or seat. Works good. dpw

Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry

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