2019 Accord vs. 2019 Camry (joint, buying, engines, replacement)

[waltchan]

Neither one is reliable, and both suffer from recalls right now. 2019 Toyota RAV4 won't be any better. You want a 2019 Ford Fusion S or 2019 Ford Escape S base with 2.5L I4 engine for maximum reliability and durability (engine designed by Mazda based on proven 1980s Japanese technology when it started, last one around). This is not a misprint, and good luck falling into a trap with Toyota or Honda.

(Back in 2008-2010, all Ford vehicles with 2.3L/2.5L I4 engine were rated more-reliable than Toyota Camry and Honda Accord by Consumer Reports.)

[sdlife619]

As old as the current Fusion is, it still looks fresh even though the design is several years old. It’s design was a big deal when it copied Aston Martins grill, and it gave the cars styling a very high end look to it.

I’m not too keen on Fords transmissions, and I remember renting a 2015 Fusion years ago that had rough shift points and harsh P to R clunk.

But great cars non the less and they definitely look more “sane” than both the Camry and Accord styling wise.

The stupid black strip near the rear tail lights on the Camry looks like an afterthought.

[dcfas]

Was recently in a Honda dealership and they had a white Accord 2.0t with black leather. Dang, looked awesome, I have to say.

A note on the Mazda engines. I recently had an engine fail on the Mazda CX-9 when the water pump failed. Apparently, the water pump is built into the engine in a way that if it fails coolant can leak into the oil pan. That is what happened to mine. I had a choice of buying a new or used engine, 8k or 4k cost on a 2010. It had 83k on it and was otherwise like new.

I won’t be buying another Mazda, despite the fact I loved it, especially its handling.

[craigiri]

Originally Posted by waltchan

Neither one is reliable, and both suffer from recalls right now. 2019 Toyota RAV4 won't be any better. You want a 2019 Ford Fusion S or 2019 Ford Escape S base with 2.5L I4 engine for maximum reliability and durability (engine designed by Mazda based on proven 1980s Japanese technology when it started, last one around). This is not a misprint, and good luck falling into a trap with Toyota or Honda.

(Back in 2008-2010, all Ford vehicles with 2.3L/2.5L I4 engine were rated more-reliable than Toyota Camry and Honda Accord by Consumer Reports.)

I'm not sure that base engine alone means everything - the way it it controlled, coupled, cooled and many other things can mean as much or more......

Also, many car manufacturers go backwards - that is, they have a good design and they "add" something to it to try and improve it and it goes the other way. This can be as simple as a seal or a belt...

I do agree that engines matter - for example Subaru 4 is plain ole defective. What are the chances of 3 our of 3 Subies in our neighborhood needing head gaskets early? All different years - some by a decade! It's a known problem yet people still champion the cars.

I'm in a quandary - because I have a 2010 German made Passat with 120K that I love. It's in perfect shape but I think it's time to move on. VW has changed the Passat into a "cheaper" car for American tastes (made here now and made cheaper to try and gain market share)...

So I went looking at Honda and Toyota......both hybrids because I think gas is going to get more expensive over the next decade.

Checklist for me is...
1. Drives well (both do)
2. Lots of trunk (both do)
3. Some safety extras (both do)
4. Seat Comfort (unknown - some concerns on Honda)
5. Passenger seat must adjust upwards (Wifey is short)....I don't think either do...maybe the Toyota top of line.....
6. Drive comfort - I've had a lot of trucks and minivans and other similar vehicles and I am wondering if an upright seating position will be better for my bad back. That will throw some of the sedans out the window and I'll be looking at CRV, etc - no hybrid.
7. Nice to have Appleplay (Toyota does not yet)

#4 and #5 6 are tough ones.....

I have to talk to wifey and see if a booster will suffice for her seating comfort...

Toyota Avalon is a fancy Camry that checks most of the boxes.....and has hybrid, so that may be an option.

Last option is waiting one more model year and see if some more boxes can be checked. My driving style is such that my Passat is likely to go many more miles (didn't do even brake pads until 98K miles)...

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by HappyRider

The new Camry is a dead ringer for the ES 350. I bet it could be equipped to match.

and for less money!

I know a guy that is in LOVE with his ES350......so to taunt him I always ask how the Camry is running?

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by cdelena

We drove many cars including the Accord and Camry, wound up buying a Mazda6 Signature.

Of all the cars my favorite was a MB E43 but at over 80K I could not justify the expense.

Go price a CPO E43 and you will cry........those things lose 20K a year!

[beachmouse]

We had a base model 2018 Camry as a rental a few weeks back, and felt like it really strained when asked to do ordinary interstate driving. And this is from someone whose daily driver is a 2016 Legacy so it's not like we were expecting sports car-like pep.

[Liledgy]

Camry=Timing chain
Accord=timing belt
Winner is camry

[SWFL_Native]

Originally Posted by City Guy997S

Go price a CPO E43 and you will cry........those things lose 20K a year!

Depends on which side of the equation you're on...

I've seen several E550 Cabrios that are CPO 3 years old and 35k miles go for mid $30 k's. The original MSRP was $80k. As a buyer this would be a highly attractive proposition.

[28173]

Both are awful looking cars and handle like boats.
Best economy car compromise (better looks and handling) in that class it is VW Passat.