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As I see it--and yes, many people disagree--these things stuck on the trunks of cars add nothing to the style of the car and worse yet, some of these tacked-on appendages obscure rear visibility.
I have yet to see any car that looked better because somebody stuck a silly bar across the trunk lid......Richard
Spoilers do enhance the looks of many cars. However, that is only my opinion and also the opinion of many others. Apparently there is at least one very strong exception.
The huge spoiler on the SRT-4 sometimes referred to as "basket handle" seems excessive to me as well as some of the larger aircraft looking rear wings.
To each his own, I personally like the looks of the "rear wing" on the 6-speed Accord Coupe.
Motor On,
MidCow
Richards38: Depending on the design, a wing can provide downforce as low as 35 MPH or lower. Wings do not provide traction for the rear tires, but stabilize the car at high speed. Most cars get a lift effect at the rear end at higher speeds, and a wing counter-acts that. Spoilers can reduce the drag-coefficient of a vehicle by 1% or so (maybe more). They also may reduce the amount of lift on the rear end. Neither is really particulary useful on a street car driving within legal limits.
Ok, now back to our regularly scheduled Accord vs. Camry... um... discussions.
Tests with and without the spoiler showed no differences until speeds of about 120 MPH, and the spoiler on the Mustang slowed the car slightly with little or no handling benefit.
At any safe highway speed, there's no difference and the benefit or disadvatage is cosmetic only...Richard
Here is a good article that explains spoilers and wings:
http://www.se-r.net/body_trim/effective_real_wing.html
IMHO a rear wing or spoiler visually enhances a lot of cars, examples IS300, GSR, Accord Coupe.
YAMV (Your Aerodynamics May Vary)
MidCow
http://autospy.dreamwiz.com/autospy/bbs/table/newcar/upload/Hyundai_Grandeur_TG_1.jpg
It's the 06 Hyundai XG350 ("350" - or whatever engine displacement will be on the car) probably launching this year in the US.
But I have to admit the total package looks pretty good. Now if Hyundai can build a world class interior then the car could give the Camcords some serious competition.
I think what makes this derivative design successful is the right proportioning of the car.
Just my opinion, but the new big Hyundai (called the Grandeur, I think) looks like both an Audi A6 and a Ford 500. Nice looking, but I'm tiring of the Audi look and prefer the Accord's style.....Richard
The Camry didn't have a telescoping steering wheel and the stalk for the wipers (or whatever) was in the 4 o'clock position and his right leg hit it.
He was less than an inch away from buying the Accord but ended up with a Cadillac SRX in which a giraffe would be comfortable.....Richard
Since this discussion is specifically comparing the Camry and the Accord, it's really not really a good place to pursue this question.
You can follow the link at the top (or bottom) of the page that says "Comparisons - Sedans vs. Sedans" and then click on the Add Discussion button to get it started.
Couldn't you just combine all of them into one single forum.
Thanks
Taking my 2nd drive in the Accord today. I recall from my earlier drive that it is somewhat smoother during acceleration, the auto climate control is nice as is the power passenger seat and the telescoping steering wheel. Always beats the Camry in the car mag comparison tests (although only Edmunds has compared it to the latest SE-V6). I think I'll be able to get a slightly lower payment (I plan to lease).
I'll be re-reading John_f's very thorough comparison from a month or so back.
It's great to have two such choices available. Any additional comments/opinions are welcome.
Thanks.
It has been noted by auto journals that the tranny lags, when pushed it does not respond, it almost feels like it is slipping. This could be dangerous if you need a quick burst of power to merge into a highway traffic the Camry will let you down.
The Honda Accord's tranny and many others makes are far superior than the Camry. The bad tranny is the main reason I would not buy the car. The V6 is useless with the tranny. No difference than the 4 banger for take off power. So don't waste your money on a 6. All the power and no transmission to get you going smoothly. Only down side of the 4 cylinder is it is a little bit noisery on the highway. Don't know why people buy them, guess it's the quality, reliability and resale value.
The Mazda 3 or 6, Honda Accord, Chrylser 300 and even a Impala would be better choices.
Just my thoughts...
Only the Camry Standard and Camry LE 4-cylinder models have rear drum brakes; all other trim levels and all V6s have 4-wheel disks.
Seats are a matter of personal comfort/taste; obviously try both and see what you think.
The 4-cylinder is quiet and smooth in my experience with my Camry LE 4.
I think this transmission hesitation problem is overblown - my 4-speed auto doesn't do it, and again, a thorough test drive of the current 5-speed on the actual car you plan to buy should determine whether the problem exists.
Camry and Accord with side airbags scored a "Good" overall rating in the IIHS's demanding side-impact tests, another plus for either car. And the Camry is available with stability control, something only the Chrysler 300 offers among the other cars mentioned.
But the Mazda 6i accelerated sluggishly and the A/T was poorly matched to the engine. The car handled and braked very well, but its drive line was crude.
The Camry LE had a very smooth 4 cyl engine and A/T but the ride was too soft for me and the interior was blandly styled--no electroluminescent gauges at that time.
The Accord was the best balanced car and I ended up with an '04 EX-L sedan (4 cyl with A/T). The Accord has been very good and I'd recommend it to anybody.
In my opinion, the 4 is fast enough and it's smoother and quicker than some V6s according to Consumer Reports.
I drove a rented Chevy Impala V6 which was neither as smooth nor quick as the Accord 4 cyl. And the Impala's interior fittings were cheap--the Accord is a finer car IMO......Richard
-- More "sporty" feeling. A little more responsive transmission.
-- Side curtain airbags are standard.
-- Like some cool features such as able to open/close windows from outside, button for keyless entry are on the key itself.
What I didn't like or I should say found better in Camry:
-- Quiter, smoother driving.
-- 4 cyl is powerful enough for everyday drive.
-- Rear seats are more comfortable. Most likely tilt angle is little less in Camry.
-- Dashboard design is much cleaner in Camry.
-- I found the rear styling better as compared to Accord.
-- Also full size spare tire. Just recently A colleague described how he found it useful at 4 AM in Yosemite.
Overall I found camry slightly better/refined car as compared to Accord, but as it has been said quite often, it all comes down to personal choice. Interestingly price was coming same with side curtain airbags on Camry.
A 4 cylinder Accord is too weak for everyday driving compared to a 4 cylinder Camry???!!
A mini spare is also useful in Yosemite at 4AM in the morning.
I like that the Camry is quiet and I'm not in love with the exterior looks of either.
A Camry with a more modern looking dash and interior (more similar to a Solara) and good steering would be more appealing.
>> Dashboard is much "cleaner." That is one way to put it.
Well as I said it is a matter of personal choice. But I liked that top part is all single piece which doesn't feel cheap ( accord has a plastic piece with little different texture in the middle).
>>A 4 cylinder Accord is too weak for everyday driving compared to a 4 cylinder Camry???!!
Did I say that ? But in my opinion, I prefer Camry 4cyl as compared to Accord 4cyl, main reason is quietness.
>> A mini spare is also useful in Yosemite. at 4AM in the morning.
Yeah but you can't be at work in San Francisco by 9:00, driving with a mini spare.
As I said there aren't that big differences between the cars... one should pick whichever makes them happier and I'm pretty sure the target buyers are also pretty same for both the cars.
Of course, there are faster cars, but the Accord 4 goes as fast as it's safe to go in just about any situation.
The argument that a blazingly fast car will get you out of a jam is bogus because a REALLY fast car is just as likely to get you into that jam in the first place......Richard
No one did. There was a misunderstanding and I think you are reacting to posts that were reacting to the misunderstanding.
No one called the 4 cylinder Accord engine weak - go back and prove it to yourself.
~alpha
A couple of friends of mine can't understand how I could have bought a 4 cyl. car. Of course, the last 4 they drove was probably a Pinto or Vega, so they don't know how good a 4 can be nowadays--especially when it's a Honda engine.......Richard
Isn't that the most important thing?
Alpha - what do I owe you?
You are only supposed to use them when you have a flat tire until you get the puncture repaired and then put the original tire back on (which will have matching wear levels with the other 3 tires).
(This is not a comparision of Toyota v Honda)
The I4 at 160 hp is adequate for both the Accord or Camry in the 5-speed manual shift models.
Where you notice a significant difference is in the automatics Honda( 5 speed auto) versus Camry ( 4 speed auto).
The 5 speed auto gives you a wider range of gears allowing both better performance off the line and better highway mileage.
Until and if Camry gets a 5-speed auto it is a no-brainer!
crus'n in 6th,
MidCow http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/emotorcons- /emo_shades.gif
P.S.- In most places 90 mph is over the speed limit
Voila! The Camry now uses a 5 speed automatic. And acceleration is definitely very acceptable, though about a half second slower to 60 than the Accords.
~alpha
When copy + pasted into a browser address bar, the URL brings up the Emotocon.
Is that a common problem or do the Emotocons hate me? Enquiring minds want to know...............Richard
See below:
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/emotorcons- - /emo_confused.gif
For example, I want the smiling Emotorcon right here, so I single click on it:
It will show up in the text you are writing as a regular happy face. However, when the post actually hits the thread (by you pressing 'Post my Message'), it will show up as the similing Emotorcon.
Hope this helps!
~alpha
I'm so accustomed to dragging images around on my iMac paint program that I did that instinctively here and it created the URL.
Clicking worked as you said.
Thanks!........Richard
I think the rear side fenders on side profile views of both the Accord and Camry are equally unattractive and then the Camry has ugly visible exhaust system hanging low in the rear, but the front looks better than an Accord.
Exterior styling leaves plenty to be desired on both.
crus'n in 6th :shades:
MidCow
The rear end has received much comment, but I see nothing wrong with the style which integrates well with the rest of the car. Even if the Accord isn't the most beautiful car on the road, it certainly isn't ugly and is definitely functional and safe.......Richard
~alpha
Camry 0.28
Accord Coupe 0.29
Accord Sedan 0.30
HAH ( has spoler) 0.29
So yes Camry to Accord lowest CD, the Camry wins
Crus'n in 6th :shades: ,
MidCow
I slightly prefer the Camry appearance, bland as it may be. The rear spoiler jazzes it up and the SE adds a few cosmetic treatments to differentiate it from the other models. I'm another one who isn't fond of the Accord rear end.
In the end, there is no right or wrong choice. Both are fine cars. The car mags all prefer the Accord but for the kind of driving I do, I won't notice the difference. I actually cross-shopped TLs and G35s but end the end I just couldn't justify the higher prices (and didn't like the idea of the dealer being 100 miles away). I ended up leasing so I'll be free to walk away from it in 3 years.