OT - Looking for new family car - input please!

[SharkmanBMW]

This is for a woman who is 55, lives in the suburbs and it will be used for mostly short trips, work, groceries with a few road trips here and there.

Narrowed it down to 3...
Accord, Camry and Altima - but very open to suggestions.
Needs to be automatic.


Any owners with some comments?
All servicing will be done at the dealer or indy, so ease of oil changes are not an issue.
Thanks

[markus]

get a 1996 honda accord. its what my dad drives and the damn thing just keeps going. 196k on his and drives it about 600 miles a week.

[Russell]

Camry is my choice. They run forever with normal care and almost forever with no care and abuse. If considering a new car, I would consider the Camry hybrid. More power than the 4 and much better real world economy from magazine feedback. Just a consideration.

[Bill R.]

I'm a big honda fan i would stay away from the 2007 accord for now. One of my customers bought one a few months back and the transmission has died twice. He said the last time it was in waiting for a new trans. there were 8 other accords waiting for one as well... the dealer finally swapped my customer out with a new CRV instead. Supposedly the 07 accord has a redesigned auto that's been giving all the problems. The CRV still uses the old Unit that it had before. If she wanted a sedan i would lean to the camry over the altima. I'm seeing more problems with the newer nissans than i did in the past.

This is for a woman who is 55, lives in the suburbs and it will be used for mostly short trips, work, groceries with a few road trips here and there.

Narrowed it down to 3...
Accord, Camry and Altima - but very open to suggestions.
Needs to be automatic.


Any owners with some comments?
All servicing will be done at the dealer or indy, so ease of oil changes are not an issue.
Thanks

[Herb]

If you/she is looking for new, I would go with a Hyundi Sonata, I worked for a subaru/hyundi dealer and the Sonata SE, you also get 5yr/unlimited free roadside assistance (mentioned because of driver's age). $21-23k and better warranty.

[txp135]

If you buy brand new, go for an Accord SE 4 Cyl. If you buy used, go for the Accord EX 4cyl or 4cyl Camry. Accord is more in line with BMW as far as handling is concerned. It's hard to find them used in good condition at a good price. Might as well go brand new or look for one with low mileage (low low).

I used to sell Toyotas, owned and drove various cars. The Accord and Camry are very good as far as reliability. But I think the Honda suspension set up is better, but they were a little more noisy.

If you are close by, I have a very good condition 2000 Camry XLE V6(top of the line - aka baby lexus) you may want to take a look at. It's an extra car we've been keeping. Wasn't worth selling because everyone now a day look for a 4 cyl and the resale price was not worth our time.

[mikeythekidd]

I've owned many Toyota products:
79 Hi-lux 350,000 miles
85 Hi-lux 350,000 miles
00 Tundra 156,000 miles
03 Lexus GS300 60,000 miles
05 Lexus RX330 28,000 miles
That's nearly a million miles and I have never, ever had one single problem!
That being said they are boring, basic transportation. Me, I like a little drama and therefore choose to drive a 13-year-old BMW. If I get really bored, I'll neglect it.
PS I also owned an Altima. Good car but not as bullet-proof as the Toyotas.

[dennyg]

I rented a v6 Sonata in Florida this winter. It is very cheap in cost compared to Honda and Toyota and motor is smooth and fast. There is an ebay off lease site in Cleveland that sells them for about 12k with under 20k on them. Id is icck?........but of course all things considered the Toyota has the best rep...

[SharkmanBMW]

Thanks for the input guys, keep it comin

BTW - I checked the details of the Sonata... it is a 4 speed automatic and the listed fuel efficiency was quite a bit lower than the other 3.
Also, in Canada, we don't get the same great Hyundai warranty as in the USA, so it is not that appealing... virtually the same price for all of them.

A scary thing I noticed... the base model Accord still comes with DRUM brakes in rear!!
I was surprised by that a lot.

Thanks again.

[rickm]

My folks purchased a 2007 Camry. Nice car, smooth, quiet and will run forever. He's had Toyotas since he gave up on Dodge and his need for a dualie.

My wife had an 88 Camry that ran like a champ until she totalled it.