Accord or Camry?

[Beemnseven]

OK people, I'm about to purchase a pre-owned vehicle, and I've narrowed it down to two choices -- a 2004 Toyota Camry LE, or a 2003 Honda Accord EX.

The Camry has 31k miles, 4 cyl engine, cloth seats, plastic wheel covers (I hate those), new tires, plus about 5000 miles remaining on the factory warranty. Overall, nothing fancy -- just your basic Camry that you see 4 billion times a day.

Price: $15,599

The Accord has 37k miles, 240-horsepower V-6 engine, leather heated seats, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a sunroof.

Price: $17,599

Both vehicles have power seat adjustment, power windows and locks.

The obvious choice is the Camry, but the Accord is sportier, has a bit more 'get up and go' ... you know, it just "has it".

I'm especially interested to hear from Accord and Camry owners. What would you do?

[EternalEnigma21]

I'm a toyota guy, but in this case, I'd probably go with the accord....

gas mileage will be decent, even with the V6, and the accords were nicer cars in those generations...

Just seriously try to get a better deal on it.... you should be considering that car for around 15k-16k depending condition

Get a price quote on a brand new one right now and see where you end up...

I'm positive you can get a BRAND NEW accord 4cyl for close to what you're buying the V6 for right now... and I can help you with that if you need...

The accord is a better car, but it is overpriced... There was a time when I was selling camry's like the one you are looking at (4cyl. le) 2006 models brand new (before the new 07 redesign hit the ground) for around 18K...

[EternalEnigma21]

cars.com: 2004 Honda Accord EX

[SkinsLove24/7]

Go with the Accord. Good mileage. The V6 in the accord will zip you around all over the place and its gonna give you good gas mileage. I personally perfer the sporty look of the accords over a camry any day. Honestly, its a personal preferance. Your getting quality car for your money with either choice.

[EternalEnigma21]

cars.com: 2003 Honda Accord EX V6

[cpayne5]

Yes, you can get a brand new Accord 4cyl, 5speed, Special Edition for the asking price of the Accord you referred to. It would have alloy wheels - ie, no plastic wheel covers (they're not hub caps). A 4cyl Accord would also have a timing chain rather than the timing belt found in the J30A4 V6. Being as it is also in its 6th year of this particular model run, it will be a very very reliable car.

If I *had* to choose between the Accord and Camry you presented above, I'd probably go for the Camry. Mileage being the key factor for me. Real world, though, I wouldn't choose either.

[EternalEnigma21]

cars.com: 2003 Honda Accord EX V6

cars.com: 2004 Honda Accord EX

[EternalEnigma21]

hard to make a bad decision... but be sure to shop around and do business where you feel comfortable.

a couple of the cars I'm finding have half the miles, and with better finance rates on new cars that may be an avenue you may want to persue...

I saw a coupe v6 6speed ex-l accord with no navigation for sale for 22k the other day. it was brand new and had a sticker of 30k.

Hell there's even a rebate on a camry now and I can sell a brand new 2007 camry to you for around 19K...

Hubcaps, yes... but brand new new bodystyle with 7 airbags, ipod hookup, tilt/telescopic wheel, power driver's seat, etc...

I could even have it delivered to your door so you wouldn't have to drive...

I DARE you to take me up on it

[Beemnseven]

Well, I won't be financing -- I'm selling my '05 F-150 because gas is killing me. I'm keeping the price under $18k -- I really don't want a car payment.

I'm not into shifting. I'll have two little ones in the back seat, so it's got to be automatic and a 4-door.

I saw these two at CarMax -- it's one of those "no hassle" places, so according to them, there's no negotiation.

[EternalEnigma21]

don't limite yorself to carmax... you won't get a great deal on a used car... shop around. I trade cars and sell them everyday... This is how I feed my kids... you can do better.

Carmax is a great place to take your car to sell it....

They pay more money for cars than dealers do... which.,. in turn means that typically you'll pay more money to buy the cars from them...



I can sell you a brand new automatic CE Camry sedan for around 18,500. but if you want the power drivers seat and remotes built into the key its gonna be around 19k...

Personally, I'd try to come up with the extra cash and buy a brand new one, or try to really save some cash with the used one...

to me one thousand dollars does not justify 30k miles... and if you're invested that much in that car you better love it....

but i'm sure you already know that since your'e getting rid of a 2005 F-150

[FRPLG]

everyone's got a theory but by and large buying a new car is regarded even by dealers as a sucker bet. A two year old car has lost most of it's overage and still has warranty. I am surpised to see you tout buying a new car rather than a slightly used.

Beem I like accords better but probably only because I have only owned Hondas. I tend to prefer a car with a little more in the styling dept. Makes me feel like my car isn't cheap. I had a basic Accord(DX), sounds just like the Camry, and I always felt like it was cheap even though it wasn't. It was a good car. I have since bought higher end models(EX) and I always feel like I got more for my money. Only really an emotional thing but not completely worthless.

I will echo can's comments on carmax. They tend to be overpriced.

[EternalEnigma21]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

everyone's got a theory but by and large buying a new car is regarded even by dealers as a sucker bet. A two year old car has lost most of it's overage and still has warranty. I am surpised to see you tout buying a new car rather than a slightly used.

If the difference between a 3 year old car and a brand new one is negligible... you should go with new... 2-3k for 30-50k miles is not a good deal... but the market sometimes dictates those prices on those cars...

Hell we sell used corollas for the same price as the new ones from time to time... just to satisfy people with the "only buy used" mentality. Not because we're being dicks, but because people look for them on the lot so we have to keep them in stock... since low mileage ones run around 12K, by the time we get a shop bill and a detail and put in some profit we're up to 15469 before you know it...

If you're buying a domestic product, or one that depreciates quickly (suburban, tahoe, etc...) definitely go used and private party.

When it comes to the accord or the camry, they don't depreciate as fast as other cars and when deals come out on the new ones you may as well jump on them... you know exactly what youre getting and how your car has been driven...

I'm a fan of certain cars in certain years that I will buy... 92 240sx... 98 camrys and tacomas, 95 accords, etc...

but if i'm buying a high end car that I need to be reliable, I look for lease specials... you can get great deals that way if you do some research and completely understand what you're getting into...

[saden1]

I'm I the only one who finds paying $17,599 for a used car a bit crazy? Especially since you can get a brand new car for that kind of cash. Cars are the worst investment on the planet, believe me I know first hand.

I vote neither...shop around for a new car for that kind of money.

[Beemnseven]

The thing that's always bothered me about new cars is the drop in value as soon as you drive off the lot. I'm not concerned with being the only person who's ever driven a vehicle unless it's a Chrysler, GM, or Ford product. I figure with Toyota and Honda you're getting a quality product as long as it hasn't been in a major accident or flood or anything.

Since Hondas and Toyotas are among the best at holding their value, their used prices will be higher. I'm also trying to avoid a new car payment. Of course, if I could find one new for under $18k I'd certainly jump.

[EternalEnigma21]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

The thing that's always bothered me about new cars is the drop in value as soon as you drive off the lot. I'm not concerned with being the only person who's ever driven a vehicle unless it's a Chrysler, GM, or Ford product. I figure with Toyota and Honda you're getting a quality product as long as it hasn't been in a major accident or flood or anything.

Since Hondas and Toyotas are among the best at holding their value, their used prices will be higher. I'm also trying to avoid a new car payment. Of course, if I could find one new for under $18k I'd certainly jump.

that same depreciation happens with used cars. the only way to avoid that is to pay closer to trade in value for a car.... but for what you're looking to pay for one of those used cars you're gonna feel it.

...especially if you're buying a new car for close to 2k what you could buy it new for...

Keep one thing in mind here....

the camry has been redesigned, so it is an old bodystyle... while it is a great car, it has depreciated beyond its price...

the accord will be redesigned this year and I'm sure they'll be offering 0% financing (an absolute no-brainer) and some huge discunts to move them, causing their value to drop pretty well (for the current generation).


Rarely, and almost only in collector's cases do you get a car that doesn't depreciate, and the fact is that if you overpay for a used car you lose more money...

Not to mention the fact that the accord you're looking at is beyond warranty. That will be either a 1500 dollar extra expense or a risk you decide to take... and with a V6 accord you don't know who drove them and how they drove them... and yes you can break hondas and toyotas... just drive by a service dept sometime...

I'm just saying to shop around... there are alot of resources with autotrader.com and cars.com among others to really see where pricing is... and i know if you can find a Toyota that is Certified, its a great bargain because of the inspections they do, and the fact that you get a 100k mile powertrain warranty...