New Car Decision: Camry, Aura, Or Sonata

[DonP]

We've looked at the Honda Accord. No real issues with it, but it is the only car the salesperson didn't let us take out for a test drive. The Camry and Accord are very similar in most respects, but the Toyota beats it in speed and gas milage. I figure if I'm going to spend that much, I might as well get the top of the line econobox-sedan.

I am a little curious about all of the support for the Accord. What is it that everyone likes better? The styling? I'd get the V6 version, but it was slower than the Camry (not by much) and didn't get quite as good gas milage at 20/29 with a 17.1 gallon gas tank. The Camry gets 22/31 with an 18.5 gallon tank for longer cruising.

Nissan Altima was very nice as well, but it is getting ruled out by the lack of back seat room.

Also looked at the Subaru Legacy, one again, lack of space in the back.

The Honda Civic is too small in the back for the growing kids.

Acura is too much $$$$$. Need money left over for gear LOL!

[rjohnstone]

What kind of a budget are you working with?

As for the nod on the Honda, being an owner of both a Toyota and Honda, I think Honda pays more attention to the details.
Fit and finish inside and out appear to be better on the Honda IMO.

Part of why I chose the Odyssey over the Sienna when I was buying a new van.
The Sienna had a stronger engine, but the Odyssey was flat out built better... and cheaper.

[Nuclear Vampire]

Go with the Camry. My father in law has one and it's great. It's definetly our next car (probably the hybrid though). If you're worried about the warranty, get the extended one.

[DonP]

Around $30,000 would be the maximum. The Camry (V6 leather) I found was $28,954 + tax & lic. I'd work this down of course, and try to get the 100K warranty thrown in for free.

[rjohnstone]

You can definitely talk them down on the Camry... there's a lot of "room" in that price.
Stay away from the current Hybrids.
All reports show they do not save you any money (additional cost of vehicle vs amount $$$ saved in gas) and the batteries are NOT covered by the warranty.
The cost to benefit ratio just doesn't exist.

[CharvelRocker]

Any reason you aren't looking at a Minivan btw?

[semagic]

go with a retired loan car from a Acura dealer you can get in a TSX for around 24k w/ about a 4yr 50k warranty. most dealers retire them with about 5k on them. the best deal in a 4dr sedan right now. check them out on their website...

http://www.acura.com/

[RacerX]

Accord wins this comparo:

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/12148/2007-chrysler-sebring-touring-vs-2007-honda-accord-se-vs-2007-kia-optima-ex-vs-2007-nissan-altima-25s-vs-2007-saturn-aura-xe-vs-2007-toyota-camry-le.html

Check out the Camry, it came in 5th!

[RacerX]

To be fair, that last article featured 4 cylinder models. Check out last years comparo between the (2006) V-6 Accord, Ford Fusion, Sonata, and Camry:

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/10245/mid-size-four-door-sedans.html

That time, the Camry came in 4th...out of 4! Personally I think Camrys are quite overrated.

[DonP]

Thanks for the links there Ron. I've been pretty much looking on Edmund's site, so other reviews are helpful.

I totally agree the Camry is overrated. I personally feel Toyota has gotten too big, and QC has gone down the tubes. Just like Gibson and Jackson LOL!

When we first started looking, I was pretty much set on a Hyundai Sonata. The Sonata is still in the running. but I'm tired of buying cars that aren't worth shit a few years after owning them. I'd like something that holds its value.

Saturn is still on the list too. My last Saturn was doing great on 205K miles until I drove it head on into a Dodge 4x4 Ram on March 27th. I'm still recovering, but the Saturn was DOA.

[DonP]

Any reason you aren't looking at a Minivan btw?

We have a Tahoe currently for my wife to shuttle the kids around local school and other stuff. I really want to keep from driving that as much as possible. Just small local hops.

This new car primarily needs to get great gas milage on a 550 mile commute a week. Most of the time it will be myself only, or carpooling with my boss. We want enough room for the kid for going on long trips when the Tahoe would be too expensive due to gas.

[CharvelRocker]

Used LExus ES330. We wer ejsut looking at one, but mom needs a car with AWD to get to work in the winter. A 2004/2005 runs abotu $24,000. Plus they take regular, unlike most luxury cars.

[DonP]

To be fair, that last article featured 4 cylinder models. Check out last years comparo between the (2006) V-6 Accord, Ford Fusion, Sonata, and Camry:

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/10245/mid-size-four-door-sedans.html

That time, the Camry came in 4th...out of 4! Personally I think Camrys are quite overrated.

I read the review. The new Camry is a lot better than that older style, and a lot faster. I believe the new Camry does the 1/4 mile in 14.6 seconds, faster than all of the competition.

[charvelguy]

Nissan Altima looks good too. http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroa...5se-coupe.html

If you want performance in a 6, that will compete with just about anything in its class and its pretty well loaded too. If you want to retain value, Honda, Honda, Honda.
The Hyundai has IMO a good deal of reliability factor, roadside service, good warranty. Gotta watch for the loopholes though as some of the warranty seem to state coverage for 12,500 on a few things I questioned. She got an extended as well as shes big into piece of mind, wasn't that much. As far as fit n finish, performance, I've shopped Honda and I was quite satisfied with Hyundai in the end result as being as well made as anything out there in a Honda.

140mph in a Hyundai, who would've thought.

http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/12563/the-147-mph-hyundai-sonata.html

[shreddermon]

None of the above. I'd get a Mazda 6 with the V6. I love mine. And they're pretty much blowing them out right now, as a new model will be coming out next year.