Camry vs Accord

[Zydebearsmom]

I am in the market for a new car. I will be buying by the weekend. Which is the better choice a Camry 2013 brand new no options or a 2010 Accord 12 miles with many options? Overall regardless of the year and options which is the better and more reliable car?

 

[Golf4food]

Why have you limited yourself to just those two options? Have you already explored everything else available or are you only considering Toyota and Honda?

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

I am in the market for a new car. I will be buying by the weekend. Which is the better choice a Camry 2013 brand new no options or a 2010 Accord 12 miles with many options? Overall regardless of the year and options which is the better and more reliable car?

Is the Camry new and the Accord used?

If thats the case, and these are the only options, I would choose the Accord. No way I would pay the premium for a new car. YMMV

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

Is the Camry new and the Accord used?

If thats the case, and these are the only options, I would choose the Accord. No way I would pay the premium for a new car. YMMV

I agree completely.
1. The value of any new car depreciates the moment you drive it off the lot.
2. Personal property taxes will be lower with the previously used car.
3. The Honda isn't that old so it should be practically like new.
4. Both Honda and Toyota are well known to be exceptionally safe, well made and long-driving, high mileage vehicles. THAT is why so many people purchase them to the exclusion of other options.

All that being said, check your blue book price for 2010 and get multiple vehicle history reports on the car, not just Car Fax, to be sure it's not a Hurricane Sandy car. (Auto check and InstaVin come to mind as alternatives)

Good luck~

 

[DawnM]

Do you mean 12K miles?

I agree that if it is used, I would go with the new car.

Dawn

I am in the market for a new car. I will be buying by the weekend. Which is the better choice a Camry 2013 brand new no options or a 2010 Accord 12 miles with many options? Overall regardless of the year and options which is the better and more reliable car?

 

[willowsnn3]

I vote for the Honda Accord!!
I bought a 2000 Accord back in 2002 with 30,000 miles on it & now 11 years later it has 265,000 miles and is still going strong. Have done hardly any work other than regular maintenance on it.
Toyota cars are supposed to be good too so I don't think you would go wrong with either as far as reliability.

 

[delilah]

I have owned both over the years. We had Accords back in the early 90's, both sedans and the station wagon that was available at the time. On a trip to Florida back in 1995, the front, passenger side window mechanism failed, so, we had to find a place while on vacation to have it fixed. We rented a Camry while our car was being repaired, and actually drove in it with my adult siblings from Sarasota to Orlando. I was in the back seat, and discovered that the back seat in a Camry is much more comfortable than that of an Accord. The Accord also had a problem with the seat adjustment mechanism, brought on by the fact that my husband is 6'2", and I am 5'2", and it just wore out from constant adjustment. So we traded in the Accord wagon for a Camry wagon. We liked it so well that over the intervening years we have bought Toyotas exclusively. Because the Camry station wagon was no longer available at the time, we have bought the Highlander, which is built on the Camry chassis. We have driven these cars over 150,000 miles each. Last summer, I changed back to a Honda to save a little money, because the Toyotas are more expensive. Now in retrospect, I wish I had stuck with Toyota. The seats in the Toyota are much more comfortable. There is more leg room in the back seat, important when you have two guys over 6 feet tall and another adult sitting in the car. The specific model I have is a CRV, not an Accord, but, I am sure the interior seating might be similar. As I said earlier, I am not leggy, but, my knees nearly hit the dashboard when my son sits in the back seat, and if I move the seat back further, I feel his knees in my back. The back seat is uncomfortable for me because of no leg room if both my son and husband are in the car. Mechanically, it is fine, no problems, and it get good gas mileage.

I am not sure whether you have kids, or need to use an infant car seat, but another factor for us was that the Toyota had difficulty accomodating the rear facing car seat, due to not enough space between the front and rear seats, and, as I said, this is noticeably worse in the Honda than the Toyota.

 

[Narnia_girl]

We currently own both a Camry and an Accord. Love them both, and I don't think you can go wrong. But I think you will get way more for your money with the used car--basically for the reasons listed by the previous poster. If it has a warranty, get the Accord.

 

[sleepydog25]

Good words by all previous posters. I've owned Toyotas and Hondas for 30 years, and both have done admirably. As a general comparison:
1) Toyotas tend to cost a little more for comparable option packages.
2) Hondas tend to have a nicer, less Spartan interior than Toyotas with the latter relying a bit more on cheaper-looking plastics.
3) Toyotas ride a little more smoothly and definitely are quieter inside. Road noise on Hondas has always been an issue.
4) Both are extremely reliable and retain their worth better than most cars.

As a final judgment, since the used Honda has more options and has low mileage, I'd lean toward it over the stripped down Toyota. Good luck with your decision.

 

[clutter]

Good words by all previous posters. I've owned Toyotas and Hondas for 30 years, and both have done admirably. As a general comparison:
1) Toyotas tend to cost a little more for comparable option packages.
2) Hondas tend to have a nicer, less Spartan interior than Toyotas with the latter relying a bit more on cheaper-looking plastics.
3) Toyotas ride a little more smoothly and definitely are quieter inside. Road noise on Hondas has always been an issue.
4) Both are extremely reliable and retain their worth better than most cars.

As a final judgment, since the used Honda has more options and has low mileage, I'd lean toward it over the stripped down Toyota. Good luck with your decision.

As someone who has owned 8 Hondas or Toyotas in the last 15 or so years, I agree with 1,3 and 4. However, I think the Hondas have a cheaper interior. However, that can be model-specific. I think the CRV interior isn't as nice as a Rav4, the Prius interiors are not spartan, except for the new Prius V and C, and the Civics might have bells and whistles, but they feel like they are going to fall apart. I have a new Camry, which feels luxurious, but it does have nice options. I didn't sit in an unloaded version so I can't compare.

However, I'd test both and make my decision based on which feels better, you can't go wrong. But... make sure you know the full price - including any warranty work you want - before a final decision. I recently bought a pretty old Rav4 with very low mileage at a Toyota dealership. Because it was at a dealer, I could purchase a 60,000 Toyota platinum warranty on it. On the expensive side, but it will be my dd's car in college which could be anywhere in the US. It's good at any dealership.

Good luck! They're both great cars.

 

[LMN]

They are both good reliable cars. I have never owned a Toyota, but have owned 2 Honda Accords. I would choose the used Honda, not because it is a Honda, but because it is used (but still practically new) and it will be a better deal for your money. I'll never buy new again- you pay so much more for it just because it is "new"

 

[wiigirl]

Is the Camry new and the Accord used?

If thats the case, and these are the only options, I would choose the Accord. No way I would pay the premium for a new car. YMMV

 

[RCBA]

My pick would be the Accord. We bought a new one and drove it 9 yrs, it was a good car. I've had a Camry SE for 17 months and I am ready for it to go. I am very displeased with the quality and am very hesitant to give Toyota a 2nd chance.

 

[ORDisneyfans]

I disagree on buying a used car. If you do your research and negotiate well you should be able to make a good deal on a brand new car. Especially as it is towards the end of the model year. I have not bought a Toyota Camry but my BFF has one. She bought it used in 2009 paid more for it then I could have gotten her a new 2010 model. She does love it and no problems so far.

As for the Honda we just bought a brand new 2013 Civic the base model which is greatly improved from previous years and in my opinion is nicer than the Accord. I drove it for two months while my DD was getting her license. It averages 28 MPG around town. It comes standard with Bluetooth, Pandora compatible radio, back up camera, great headlights and more. We paid out the door.....$16995 (No sales tax in OR). I would seriously consider a new Honda Civic before a used Honda Accord.

Check out Edmunds.com and Truecar.com for a more realistic pricing structure and reviews. There was also a recent post on here how to talk down a salesman about buying a car and getting the best deal. Great info!! Good Luck!

 

[sweetdana]

I disagree on buying a used car. If you do your research and negotiate well you should be able to make a good deal on a brand new car. Especially as it is towards the end of the model year. !

Are you saying new should not cost more than used? Or you cannot do research or negotiate a deal on used?

That doesn't make. All things being = the used will be a better deal.... Except it isn't new. Unless the new warranty is way better. OP is warranty same for new vrs 2 nd owner?

IMO used is our families choice (newer used like bought a 2012 in 2013 bought a 2010 in 2012.). It saves us at least 20% and the last one closer to 50%.

I am unfamiliar with both these, but only deciding point is features for 1 yr of wear and tear, and price is same. Easy I'd go used.

 

[Judique]

I disagree on buying a used car. If you do your research and negotiate well you should be able to make a good deal on a brand new car. Especially as it is towards the end of the model year. I have not bought a Toyota Camry but my BFF has one. She bought it used in 2009 paid more for it then I could have gotten her a new 2010 model. She does love it and no problems so far.

As for the Honda we just bought a brand new 2013 Civic the base model which is greatly improved from previous years and in my opinion is nicer than the Accord. I drove it for two months while my DD was getting her license. It averages 28 MPG around town. It comes standard with Bluetooth, Pandora compatible radio, back up camera, great headlights and more. We paid out the door.....$16995 (No sales tax in OR). I would seriously consider a new Honda Civic before a used Honda Accord.

Check out Edmunds.com and Truecar.com for a more realistic pricing structure and reviews. There was also a recent post on here how to talk down a salesman about buying a car and getting the best deal. Great info!! Good Luck!

Unless I missed it, we never did get the pricing on the OP's 2 choices. Sort of difficult to determine which was a deal.

That said I just finished helping my daughter purchase her first new car, a 2013 Honda Civic EX-L. (We had to pay sales tax!)

We were looking for a late model used car and were unsuccessful. As one salesman put it, 'I can put you in a new car for less than a used car right now.'

The used car deals were just not there and we live in a large metro area - loads of dealers to choose from.

Three years and four years ago we bought a total of 4 late model used cars with relatively low mileage, remaining warranty and certified preowned warranties on them and got great deals. Those deals were not there - at least I couldn't find them.

Three years ago I was saying I will never pay the premium for a new car.
This year I am saying the opposite - I won't pay that much for a used car when I can get a new car.

And we love the Civic! FYI - for those buying civics for soon to be or recent college grads, there is a $500 reduction. I brought it up after we had gotten the price down as far as I thought possible in writing - they bring you this printout, and the salesman says, 'I don't think that applies'. I said, 'Go check with your manager and here it is on my smartphone online.' Needless to say, I got it applied.

 

[sleepydog25]

As someone who has owned 8 Hondas or Toyotas in the last 15 or so years, I agree with 1,3 and 4. However, I think the Hondas have a cheaper interior. However, that can be model-specific. I think the CRV interior isn't as nice as a Rav4, the Prius interiors are not spartan, except for the new Prius V and C, and the Civics might have bells and whistles, but they feel like they are going to fall apart. I have a new Camry, which feels luxurious, but it does have nice options. I didn't sit in an unloaded version so I can't compare.

However, I'd test both and make my decision based on which feels better, you can't go wrong. But... make sure you know the full price - including any warranty work you want - before a final decision. I recently bought a pretty old Rav4 with very low mileage at a Toyota dealership. Because it was at a dealer, I could purchase a 60,000 Toyota platinum warranty on it. On the expensive side, but it will be my dd's car in college which could be anywhere in the US. It's good at any dealership.

Good luck! They're both great cars.

Good point about the interior being model-specific. I test drove a 4Runner and Pilot a few years ago, and the Pilot was much nicer inside. In 2011, we test drove both a Camry and an Accord, and while the Camry was quieter, the Accord clearly had a more upscale interior (comparable models). Regarding the used vs. new discussion, there are a few variables at work such as options vs. non-options, available warranties, and availability of models. When we searched for our vehicle in 2011, we started out looking at slightly used models, but as a PP found, there were no bargains to be had. Both Honda and Toyota dealerships know that their respective model used cars can be sold at a higher cost than many other brands. Thus, we were left with purchasing a used Honda or Toyota with fairly high-mileage and a price nearly the same as that of a new vehicle. Factor in the higher interest rate for a used vehicle (we got a 0.9% new car loan), and the payments were within $40 of each other (used vs. new). At that point, we opted for the new Accord with the options we wanted and virtually no miles.

Again, OP, good luck with your decision. You'll have to let us know what you choose.

 

[excitedfamof4]

Another vote for Honda here! We just recently sold our '03 Accord that had 254,000 miles on it and it still ran great! They guy that bought it was even a mechanic and was so happy when he bought the car. It was nice to see it go to another family that would appreciate it like we did.

In April we purchased a '13 Accord and I LOVE it! You just can't go wrong with a Honda! Good luck in your decision!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

We love Hondas and wouldn't hesitate to buy one used. I am on my 3rd and in the market for my 4th. DH is on his 2nd. He travels for work, so his last one was a civic with over 250k miles and was still going strong with only routine maintenance when we sold it. His current accord has 180k miles and has needed no maintenance as well, except oil changes and tires, etc. My current odyssey has 118k miles and only routine maintenance. He is selling his accord for a tacoma and my van is getting traded for a pilot soon. Just tired of driving a van.

 

[ceecee]

I currently have a CRV and just test drove a new one MUCH quieter than mine! It was also quieter than the new Rav I test drove. My husband has a Camry and loves it. I think you sure drive them and then decide. I am the minority but I like a new car (I keep them for yrs). Hondas and Toyotas keep the value so sometimes there isn't much of a difference considering you have a new warranty with a new car. Especially at year end clearances.