Replacing My Beloved Accord . . .

[westtexman]

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<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="color: black;">On July 5, 2006, I purchased a 2006 Honda Accord SE for my business - Silver with Charcoal Interior - 5-speed manual transmission. I really love this car! I specifically purchased the 5-speed manual transmission as I really enjoy driving, and love the control of a manual transmission.

We have clients all over Texas and Eastern New Mexico, and this thing really gets a workout. In 5 years, we have put 112,000 miles on it. Unfortunately, yesterday my business partner and one of our employees were going to New Mexico on a week-long assignment with one of our clients, and were in wreck two blocks from the client's office. It busted the radiator, air bags deployed and the front doors are not opening as they should. The insurance company says it will be a Total Loss, so we are in the market for a new car.

I really love Hondas - Especially Accords. This was my second Accord - my first was a used 1999 Accord that I purchased back in 2001. My Mom had a 1994 Accord EX and she now has a 2003 Element. Even my Dad - who has driven a pick-up my entire life - purchased a new 2008 Civic LX in and really loves that car. After driving a 2011 Accord yesterday, however, I'm not feeling the love that I have had for previous Hondas. The outside styling is okay - I could learn to tolerate it - but the inside is pretty boring. While it does come with an iPod port and a USB port, you have to buy the top-of-the-line EX-L to get Bluetooth, which is something that comes in other cars for $10,000.00 less. I also drove a Prius 3, which I found to be quite boring at a whopping $29,000.00. The coolest feature on this thing was the backup camera, which doesn't really sell a car!

I did drive the 2011 and 2012 Hyundai Sonatas, and I must admit, I REALLY like them! They were decked out nicely at just over $21,000.00 and the next higher trim model which features significant upgrades can be had for $2,000.00 more. The steering in the base model GLS was a bit sloppy, but the sportier SE model corrects that, and held the road quite well. While I've heard that Hyundai's quality is improving, I'm not yet sold. I purchased my Accord with the goal of putting 500,000 miles on it. Had the accident not happened, I would have been well on my way! I'm not as confident that I can achieve that goal with the Hyundai. 

I am really curious about the new Passat. My local dealership will have two models to test drive this week - one gas and one diesel. They are expected to be available for purchase next month. I'm not a fan of the new look - they have significantly downgraded in appearance to match the lower price tag. Hopefully the quality has improved from the previous VW's. I do love German engineering, but VW has had some problems the past few years.

Does anyone here own a Sonata? Or a Passat? Or a new Accord? What are your thoughts?[/COLOR]</span>

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[washernoob]

I'll throw an option for ya. How about the Honda fit?

My mom has one. While it's not very sporty looking like I like. It is a very fun car to drive. And my gosh the space options in this car are amazing. We hauled my nearly 6 foot tall upright bass to Kansas with 2 people in the car with 2 suitcases and a guitar. Lol.

The seats move in just about any position. The rear seats Bottoms actually fold upwards to provide entire floor space in the middle.

Just a great and very affordable car.

And we are averaging 42 mpg. Thats just as much as my dads Honda crz hybrid 2 seater!

 

[hydralique]

Sorry about the Accord!

I don't know much about Hyundai except that lots of people like the newer models and they seem to be reliable. I do know something about VWs, the TDIs in particular, having owned one for nine years and nearly 160,000 miles. The diesel mileage is very good, my Golf can be forced down to 33/34 mpg if driven hard in LA traffic with the a/c on, but mostly it gets more like 36/38 mpg. Highway only driving and it'll pop right up to over 40. Unfortunately this very nice mileage comes attached to a VW. My car was bought new and has always been carefully cared for, given special diesel-specific synthetic oil, etc., but it still had over $9K of warranty work, most of that due to a blown Romanian built turbo that took the engine with it. The second Romanian turbo was bad from new; I finally bought a replacement myself and disassembled and checked it out before installing it. VW owed me a good turbo under warranty but after having been without a car for seven weeks to install the new engine and second turbo it was just easier for me to spend $1200 of my own money and do it myself. The airbag computer failed at about 100k, even though the car's never been wrecked, and the airbag specialist I dealt with said exactly the same thing as the turbo specialist who sold me the third turbo "Oh, we have a lot of problems with those VW parts." There have been some smaller things like the radio knobs cracking internally and then falling off, door switches for the interior lights and alarm failing, OEM front struts that lasted 30k, etc. The paint and upholstery have held up very nicely and the car still drives pretty well. I did purchase and install the GTI springs, struts and 16" wheels myself as VW won't build a TDI with some high-end options. Don't expect the dealer to know anything about diesels, and in my experience with several dealers they don't want to stock diesels or manual transmissions which made finding my car difficult in the first place.

 

In short, if you want superlative mileage then consider the VW diesel, just don't expect Honda reliability out of it.

[this post was last edited: 7/12/2011-17:05]

 

[cehalstead]

Honda Accord

I have a new Accord, whichh replaced a 2001 Camry. I test drove a Camry, Impala, Jetta and a Ford Fusion. Hands down, the Accord won. I didn't think a mid-size import could get much better than a Camry, but I was wrong. The Jetta was nice, but just too small for the two of us. The Accord is fantastic. We won't even talk about the squeaks and rattles that the new Impala and Fusion had, except that my 10 year old Camry had fewer. I would buy another Accord.

 

[norgeway]

Hyundai!

I bought a new 03 Sonata, which I drove 5 years and 145000 miles with NO! problems except one! And it was not the cars fault, There was a recall on the AC and like a fool, I let them "FIX" it, well...the ac was perfect before, but never was right after...11 trips to the shop in 2 years for ac problems and I was thru, but, the car was as dependable as ever, and now im driving a Hyundai Accent, small, boring, but gets about 40 mpg and is good transportation, if I could swing it I would definately get another Sonata, just not from Paramount Hyundai in Valdese NC!!

 

[lordkenmore]

Personally, I don't even pay much attention to styling when I buy a car. I am more concerned with whether the car will meet my needs as a car. Plus I'm not wild about styling on most cars made in recent history. Almost I could hope to own with styling I like would probably be a collector's item.

Given that you've had and liked manual transmissions the availability of one (and how good it is) might be a major question. That is one of the first questions I ask. I can't say I'd never buy an automatic. But I can say I've never bought one, and it would be VERY hard sell.

I know someone who just bought a Hyundai. It's almost new, but she absolutely loves it. The drive reminds her more of the Audi she had (and loved years back) than anything else she's had since the Audi.

 

[arbilab]

VW has had problems last few years? How about last few decades? My 82 had to go back to the dealer 12 times for 3 problems and have a German flown in from headquarters to straighten it out. And it STILL overheated, just not as bad.

German engineering? BMW and Mercedes rate near the bottom for initial quality/reliability, while near the top for expensive production cars.

I wouldn't buy a VW if you put a gun to my head. The 82 wasn't the first, it was the NINTH. And LAST. They got worse as they went along. I should have caught on sooner.

 

[retropia]

If you are looking at mid-sized sedans and like something sporty, you might consider test driving a Nissan Altima. They usually get decent reliability ratings and are considered fun-to-drive.

 

[MaytagA710]

Im sorry to hear about the Accord, my parents owned one from 2006, it was black with black interior. It was alo a 5 speed, I agree, I loved driving it.

Ever think about stepping back from brand new and getting certified used? I've done that a few times, its been worth it every time. I drive a Mazda 3 right now, certified used from the Mazda dealer. I haven't gotten board of it yet, but when I do I have been heavily looking into a BMW 3 series from 2009 or 08, even 2010 if the price is right. Certified used cars have their advantage, aside from being a fraction of the cost of a new model, just a year or two used, low kilometers (miles for you in the US) and the certified used program carries an attractive warranty. BMW, Mercedes, and Audi all offer very competitive and strong warranties for certified used cars. You'll pay a premium for the "Certified" label from any dealership, German or not, but it is an attractive option.

I owned a BMW, used from the dealer, it was a wicked, awesome, solid, well built machine. I miss it and regret selling it, but I don't miss the "Bend over, that's our price" from Munich. Its a price to pay to drive luxury!

 

[vacbear58]

How about some Insight

About six months ago I replaced my 03 Honda Civic with a Honda Insight (Hybrid) and I must say I am loving it - I did a 500 round trip just this last weekend and found it to be very comfortable and ecomonical - that trip was done on just one tank of petrol (which is smaller than on the Civic) and I was certainly not going at 30mph the whole way! I will say it is a bit short of legroom in the rear and the boot (trunk) is not a roomy as the Civic but as I seldom carry passangers the legroom is not so much of a problem. Worth a look I would say.

Al

 

[washernoob]

I'd hate for you to give Volkswagen the boot. Many members of my family have some and they have been very good reliable cars. Cheap to fix and built like a tank. My neighbor just bought a 2010 jetta and it's a very sharp car and quite comfortable.

 

[joe_in_philly]

Sorry to hear about the Accord. It is frustrating when your long-term plans are instantly changed.

 

I second the Honda Fit!   I have a 2007 model, and my mom has the redesigned version. It is comfortable, reliable, and surprisingly roomy. Almost everyone who rides in it says they are shocked how much room is inside. The flip up/down back seats allow you to haul bulky items in the hatch  with the seats down, or tall items in the back seat area with the seats flipped up. It is perfect for me, who has to contend with street parking - I can "fit" into all those smaller spaces that others must pass up.

 

I have the manual Sport version, and my lifetime gas mileage is over 35mpg, so it is good on gas too.

 

[cadman]

VW's- Great mileage on the diesels, but you'll pay for it in service..both parts and frequency. Pencil to paper, I'm not sure the MPG savings would come out over the service bills. The stories I could tell....

 

[franksdad]

I have owned 1 VW and 2 Accords

1992 VW Jetta.  Loved it but too many problems.

1995 Accord LX.  My favorite of all time cars.  Loved it.  160,000 trouble-free miles when a teen talking on his cell phone totalled it one night when he ran a stop sign and hit me head on.  Thankfully I walked away with only a bummed knee.

20001 Accord EXV6.  Loved that car.  Major problems.  Had I owned this Accord first there never would have been a second Accord.

Traded the 2001 for a 2004 Nissan Frontier truck.  Dependable truck.  I enjoy it.

My wife and I own a 2010 Jeep Patriot.  Both of us love it!  Plenty of head and leg room, easy entry and exit, and 20 MPG.

One more car before I retire and I'm also thinking about a certified used BMW. 

 

[iheartmaytag]

Several people here at work have Hyundai(s).  Not a one has reported any problems, and the dealer service, at least in this area, is super.  The local Hyundai dealer is a former Saturn dealer and treats his customers like they were treated at Saturn. 

My Uncle, a Dyed in the wool Buick man just did a test drive on a Sonata last week and is ready to trade.

 

VW--My sister drove them for years, the old Air cooled Bugs that is.  The newer ones, though fun to drive are problem ridden.  I don't know if they have fixed these issues yet, but VW was suffering from electrical problems all over their model line.  

 

Honda--I have not heard anything bad from anyone ever.

 

 

 

[petek]

I have an 07 Mazda 3 and love it. I've never had a car this small but it doesn't feel like a small car. It is a fun car to drive and certainly has a much nicer interior than the Honda's and Toyotas imho, drives better as well I think. Never had one problem with it.. That being said I don't care for the newer models front end styling and that in itself would stop me from buying one until they fix that,, it's UGLY I think.
Plus I'm sick of black/charcoal/dull gray interiors.. mine has a really nice tan and dark brown interior, looks smart.
What's with all these boring charcoal/black interiors these days !!!!!

 

[passatdoc]

I have a '98 Passat with 143K miles and it runs better than it did when new. It has the 1.8T turbo engine (now a 2.0T in the Passat CC and Audi A4), which I "chipped" to yield 210 HP, and it gets 34 mpg on the freeway (manual trans). This car was made in Germany and behaves like a German car.

Passat was revised in 2006 and not to rave reviews. People felt that the road feel was lost and that the car was made too large. Evidently they wanted to capture the same folks who bought Passats in 98-06 as family cars, but by moving to car to near-luxury levels, they turned a lot of people off.

The new US model Passat, not yet available, will be built in TN and will differ from the European Passat. It will be offered in a TDI diesel engine with highway mileage about 45 mpg. Because turbo engines cost more to build, they will no longer offer a turbo on the Passat. However, the new US Passat will not help you since you need a new car NOW.

You might consider the Passat CC. Good fuel economy with the 2.0T engine. This car is still made in Germany, and would represent your last chance to get a German-built Passat. Our local dealer still has some on their lot. Looks great and looks more expensive than it really is. If you are used to an Accord, the CC may be a bit bigger than what you are used to driving.

PS re: reliability, have never had a major engine or transmission failure. Maintenance has mainly been for things that are expected to wear out: tires, brakes, timing belt, etc. Original clutch and transmission. Engine just purrs along at 90 mph. My best guess would be that the CC, which is German-built, would afford the same reliability.

 

[franksdad]

My wife and I own a 2010 Jeep Patriot.

Correction... we get 29 miles per gallon, not 20 as I stated in my above post.