Honda Accord 2011 vs Toyota Camry 2011

[HoneySuckle]

Would you be concerned about Toyota's problems?  I looked at the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry this past weekend.  I like the spacious feel of the Camry, but having owned a Honda Accord before,  I am dealing with the loyalty issue.  I like the Accord as well, and the reason I am hesitant with the Camry is based on what I have read so far with the problems...i.e. deaths, injuries, ignoring customer complaints etc.

The salesman at Toyota told me that it's all media hype and the government wanting GM to take away sales, bla bla bla.  Plus he said that it was an issue with floor mats.  That's not what I've been reading

But, here is the kicker.  They're offering 5 years interest free.  I could pay off that sucker before ever paying interest.  Still, will I be driving around scared the damn car will take off at high speed while I'm frantically trying to stop it?  

Don't laugh.  I am really in a quandry over this.

[Townsend]

The salesman at Toyota told me that it's all media hype and the government wanting GM to take away sales, bla bla bla.  Plus he said that it was an issue with floor mats.  That's not what I've been reading

But, here is the kicker.  They're offering 5 years interest free.  I could pay off that sucker before ever paying interest.  Still, will I be driving around scared the damn car will take off at high speed while I'm frantically trying to stop it?  

Don't laugh.  I am really in a quandry over this.

I recommend stearing clear of that particular sales person.

Is the 0% for 60 months in place of the rebate and bonus cash?  If it is, work out which would be better for you.

As far as the runaway cars?  Slim chance of it happening from what I understand but if it makes you scared every time you start the car...that would be something to consider.

[inteller]

whichever one you get make sure it is assembled in the US and not mexico or japan.

[SDTULSA]

Not to try to sound like a sales add. But Im a salesmanager at Joe Marina Honda and I would be happy to help sway you to stay with the Honda brand.  If you want a Accord I will sell you one for way under invoice and make the camry not seem like to good a deal anymore.  Let me know.   

[HoneySuckle]

Joe Marina Honda?  Is that the one up at 81st & Memorial?

We have dealt with Don Carlton.  Not to be rude or anything, but the other dealer were a strange, unfriendly bunch.  Back in 2008, my husband bought a Sion or however that's spelled from Norton Toyota because of their (Joe Norton) salemen's attitude.  Amazing how attitude can lose you a sale.

Send me a PM with your name, and I will see if you can really match Toyota.

They are giving 5 yrs no interest, plus a rebate.

[HoneySuckle]

whichever one you get make sure it is assembled in the US and not mexico or japan.

Why not Mexico or Japan?

I'd be stressed out if I heard Chinese assembly!!!

[buckeye]

A salesman will say anything to get you to buy his car.  Of course, when a salesman starts talking "under invoice", he may have a worthwhile hook!    (i.e. Go talk to him and see if the deal is real!)

I wouldn't worry about the Toyota, not a bit.  Buy whichever suits you better and/or is the better deal.  Which flavor of vanilla do you prefer?

Does Honda manufacture anything in Mexico?  I'd go for the Japanese made, myself.  You don't see UAW workers jumping off bridges because they felt like they'd let the company down...

(not to stir the pot or anything)

[HoneySuckle]

A salesman will say anything to get you to buy his car.  Of course, when a salesman starts talking "under invoice", he may have a worthwhile hook!    (i.e. Go talk to him and see if the deal is real!)

I wouldn't worry about the Toyota, not a bit.  Buy whichever suits you better and/or is the better deal.  Which flavor of vanilla do you prefer?

Does Honda manufacture anything in Mexico?  I'd go for the Japanese made, myself.  You don't see UAW workers jumping off bridges because they felt like they'd let the company down...

(not to stir the pot or anything)

The Toyota guy had asked "what numbers would make you buy this car!"  I got distracted by something else, and never picked him up on that.  What worries me though is all the news about how they, Toyota, were not dealing with the complaints at first.  By the way, he called me about 5 minutes ago, and asked if I wanted to "test" drive the car ovenight i.e. 24 hours to get a feel for it.   I told him I was still in the thinking stage and trying to be an informed consumer.

[DolfanBob]

If I were in the market for a new car. I would be playing this Toyota thing to the hilt. My wife had a 4-runner and if she had not wrecked it, she would still be driving it.
Great product and she never had a problem with it. I would buy a Toyota in a heart beat. She is now in a Dodge Durango and we have already had trouble with it. Minor things but still problems.
Honda is a fine product for sure. And if that is what you are comfortable with and they can match the same as Toyota. I say go for it.
Enjoy working the sales reps. Sometimes it can be fun.

[Conan71]

The Toyota guy had asked "what numbers would make you buy this car!"  I got distracted by something else, and never picked him up on that.  What worries me though is all the news about how they, Toyota, were not dealing with the complaints at first.  By the way, he called me about 5 minutes ago, and asked if I wanted to "test" drive the car ovenight i.e. 24 hours to get a feel for it.   I told him I was still in the thinking stage and trying to be an informed consumer.

These problems happened on an incredibly small percentage of cars, I don't think I'd worry about it, as Toyota has given it intense scruitiny.  They've had plenty of time to iron out the issues.  It's a crap-shoot anytime you buy a vehicle.  Who knows what manufacturer and model is going to get hit with a recal a year or two down the road.  You can be sure they don't want more bad publicity.

The media can also make things sound ten times worse than they are because hysteria creates attention.  Attention gets ratings.  Ratings get advertising.

[TUalum0982]

I believe Toyota is offering free maint for 5yrs on new vehicle purchases as well that cover things like brake jobs, oil changes, lightbulbs, and the like.  Might be worth your while to check into it.

Also, this might be considered minor to some, but a huge design flaw IMO.  On the Accord, there is a huge knob in the center radio stack, its the tune button, not the volume button, the volume button is to the left of it.  Everytime I would drive, it was natural to reach for that knob to turn the volume up, only to change the station EVERY TIME.  It drove me NUTS.  Once again, might be considered minor to some, but a huge ergonomical error on Hondas part in my book. 

[HoneySuckle]

I believe Toyota is offering free maint for 5yrs on new vehicle purchases as well that cover things like brake jobs, oil changes, lightbulbs, and the like.  Might be worth your while to check into it.

Also, this might be considered minor to some, but a huge design flaw IMO.  On the Accord, there is a huge knob in the center radio stack, its the tune button, not the volume button, the volume button is to the left of it.  Everytime I would drive, it was natural to reach for that knob to turn the volume up, only to change the station EVERY TIME.  It drove me NUTS.  Once again, might be considered minor to some, but a huge ergonomical error on Hondas part in my book. 

I am a TU alum as well    There are some things I wasn't too keen on with the Honda Accord.  I thought they 2011 Hondas were out, but was mistaken!  It was the 2010 that I test drove the other day, and 2011 Camry.  I did find the Camry more roomy in the back and front, but hated that stupid bottom hand brake that one presses with the foot!  However, I did like that it was more roomy in the trunk and you can fold the back seats down 40-60 he said.  Or something like that.  I am not a car person.  This is the first time in my life that I am involved with choosing which is why I don't have a car yet!  Hubby would read up a little and go out and buy a car.

I hated the way Honda made the dash with all those stupid buttons!  pancakes.

[bugo]

I'd buy the Honda.  They drive better than Toyotas and are better cars.  And there's no safety problems with the Honda.  The sudden acceleration problem in Toyotas has not been correctly fixed and they're still deathtraps.

[BKDotCom]

I'd buy the Honda.  They drive better than Toyotas and are better cars.  And there's no safety problems with the Honda.  The sudden acceleration problem in Toyotas has not been correctly fixed and they're still deathtraps.

How many deaths / injuries have been attributed to the acceleration issue?
How many deaths / injuries have been attributed to everything else?
The issue doesn't even register statistically.
It's far more likely the Oklahoma bridge you're driving over or under fails and kills you.   
So yes.  All cars are "deathtraps"

[Townsend]

It's far more likely the Oklahoma bridge you're driving over or under fails and kills you.   

I side with that.  A bridge I drive under daily recently dropped a 2 foot square area onto the road below.  I was thrilled.