2006 Honda Accord or Toyota Camry
 

Hey everyone - any advice on deciding between the two? We have looked for used as well, but everything that is used and 3 or less years old is fully loaded, 50K+ miles, and cost as much as the new ones we are looking at. I don't need leather seats and chair warmers.

I plan on driving this car forever, so don't worry about trade-in value for a consideration.

And I hate car dealerships.

Bob

Camry's are for women.

Depending on how much you drive and how high you think gas prices will get I'd seriously consider getting a Prius if you are planning on buying new. This is especailly true if you are considering the Camry or the Accord IMO.

Bad gas mileage? Right now, I work from home, but I can't go without a car. I probably use between 1 and 2 tanks of gas per month.

The down side of the Prius or the Civic hybrid is the maintenance - don't you have to take it directly to the dealership for everything?

I have found a good mechanic through my wife's father who is very good with my Civic Hybrid, but you do have a valid concern, the Hybrids use 0w20 oil that a quick change place doesn't carry yet(at least the last time I checked, which was awhile...) and it will take some work to find a good mechanic that will work on it.

As far as this, I'd don't mind, as long as it is a reliable, long lasting car for women.

I think you're fine on either count. We had a Camry for several years and it was a great, reliable car.

Buy whichever is cheaper, or more comfortable, whichever is more important. They're both excellent cars and will cost virtually the same in terms of maintenance over the years.

FYI, there's a hybrid version of the Accord, though it's not exactly an unbelievable gas saver.

Camry. Much roomer and an easy drive.

Whichever is cheaper. The less money you sink into a car, the better.

Might want to look into a Suzuki Verona, little known cars that outperform the Accord and Camry in many respects.

V6 Accord. Black.

Is there any reason that I shouldn't look at a new 2005 instead of a 2006 - I'd get a better price since they are clearing out inventory...

Bob

I own a Camry and am thinking about buying a new Camry. I have had very few problems and am quite satisfied. From what I have read about the Hybrids, the savings are not as severe as what you read from the latest craze.

Good luck finding an 05 with the specifics you want. Atleast around the Boston area.

Get an Accord baby. I'm rocking a 96.

I've found a brand new 2005 Accord LX for 18,500 with everything I want / need and the right color. I'm leaning that way.

Bob

The little known fact most people don't know about hybrids is... when you turn on the ac.. it switches it to gas.. no matter the speed.. so in the summer time.. your gas consumption is going to be normal

I did not know that. Interesting.

Not to threadjack, but I always get frustrated with my wife when she turns on the AC in the winter and the temperature is set to heat. I told her it doesn't make a difference and we use more gas. Am I correct?

Doesn't make any difference how? It does make a difference for defogging, as in it's a lot easier to defog the windows with the AC turned on (and the temp set to heat).

You should use your A/C periodically in winter anyway just to keep everything in working order.

Did not know that. Thanks.

I didn't think it would warm up the car any faster than the regular heat.

Not true, at least in the 2004 Toyota Prius. In that car the A/C runs off of the battery. This will certainly drain the battery faster, causing the regular engine to kick in sooner than usual, but it won't turn the gas engine on every time you turn on the A/C.

I'd expect other vehicles based on Toyota's drive to act similarly.

That's a very reasonable price. I paid $17,999 for my LX in June, I'd imagine places with low stock are going to charge a little more now since they don't have many left to sell.

Dola,

Whoops, you wrote that like 3 weeks ago so you probably already made a decision either way.

What did you end up getting?

I went with the Accord - got them to knock off another $500 too...