Three excellent cars vs one heart wrenching choice

[noel08]

Simple enough or is it?

2009 V6 Accord EX-L
2009 V6 Camry XLE
2008 Acura TL

all coming with VSC (or VSA); all around the same price.

Which and why?

All in all and after deliberating for what seems like months:D , in the end I would tend to go with the Acura (sportiness, reliability, quality of assembly, higher class, customer satisfaction, higher re-sale value, among other things). On the downside, it would be a 2008 end-of-generation vehicle... but I intend to keep my next purchase (whatever it turns out to be) for a good 10 years or so.

And then, there's the eternal debate pitting driving enjoyment (Acura and Accord) against overall comfort (Camry).

And if the vehicle were to be bought in the U.S., there would be the warranty issue with Acura and Accord.

What's a guy to do?

(Owners experiences welcome)

[etherfast]

Just go rent all 3 cars for a day at a rental store and play the elimination game and eliminate the ones you prefer personally, because here people would have different ideas and and at the end maybe all the cars people say are good and you are not able to make a choice

[Groverr]

As wannabe owner of the Acura TL I will let you know that in 11 years I think I may buy it off of you. Seriously though get the Acura, however both other cars are also very nice looking in their new generations, (I liked the camry over the accord but now find my self switching back to the accord). And they obviously all have long histories as solid performing cars.

[boyoflondon]

Just go rent all 3 cars for a day at a rental store and play the elimination game and eliminate the ones you prefer personally, because here people would have different ideas and and at the end maybe all the cars people say are good and you are not able to make a choice

I'd like to see a place that rents accords/tl's .....

[olddog]

moreso, why rent when u can go for multiple test drives at various dealers....

[Pete_Coach]

I empathize with your dilemma. There are few things I enjoy more than driving a car at the limit (or aggressively at least) but, and there always is a but, how often can I do this. I loved my BMW but as I sat in traffic, inching forward, my clutch foot becoming sore, I really wanted that car that was comfortable, cool and had a good sound system.
Pin all practicality (emotions aside) you spend more time in traffic or on the highway where all those neet performance features on the car just lay dormant. Feeling and hearing every crack on the highway for hours at a time is difficult regardless of how much you love that suspension and low profile tires.
Sucks to be practical or to have reality pulled into such a decision but you will be living with the result for a number of years.
Look at it this way, stuck in traffic with the performance vehicle is not as painful as being stuck in traffic sitting in a touch of luxury. A thoroughbred stuck at the gate is just a horse.
I saw the new Nissan Maxima recently and like it a lot more than the Camry. For the price of a Camry or Maxima you could look at the new C-Class as well.

[Samir]

I empathize with your dilemma. There are few things I enjoy more than driving a car at the limit (or aggressively at least) but, and there always is a but, how often can I do this. I loved my BMW but as I sat in traffic, inching forward, my clutch foot becoming sore, I really wanted that car that was comfortable, cool and had a good sound system.
Pin all practicality (emotions aside) you spend more time in traffic or on the highway where all those neet performance features on the car just lay dormant. Feeling and hearing every crack on the highway for hours at a time is difficult regardless of how much you love that suspension and low profile tires.
Sucks to be practical or to have reality pulled into such a decision but you will be living with the result for a number of years.
Look at it this way, stuck in traffic with the performance vehicle is not as painful as being stuck in traffic sitting in a touch of luxury. A thoroughbred stuck at the gate is just a horse.

I totally agree with you - that is why every man who loves to drive needs 2 cars. The weekday luxo cruiser and the weekend whip. But if I had to pick just one.... I'd go for the whip every time. Those hours and hours in traffic all become worth it when you hit that first apex perfectly.

As for the choices above - depends on criteria. All of them make excellent commuters. If you want girls or a modicum of sportiness, get the TL. Girls are trained to ignore Honda or Toyota badges. If you want max comfort and reliability without much else get the Camry. For the middle of the road, get the Accord.

[noel08]

You guys aren't helping at all...:mad:

Hehehe

But maybe, in the end, there is no single answer. I am progressively eliminating the Camry, mentally, as a contender. I just went to the Honda website, and now I am tossing and turning more than ever. One comment I've noticed a number of times on other websites concerning the TL is the torquing, and that annoys me a bit. There's also the fact that, aside from the fact that the cargo space is far from huge, you can't lower the backrest so as to make the cargo space larger. Nitpicks, mostly (except perhaps for the torquing)

[mr_raider]

The TL has huge cash discounts right now. I'd rather get a mature product in it's third or fourth year of the cycle than a new redesign. Go for the '08 TL if you can afford it.

Of course, in that price range, you could get a base RWD g35 which is also heavily discounted in view of the new model comming. It will whip all the aforetmentioned cars in terms of handling and performance.

[MasterXan]

For the accord, I think you should consider getting a 2008 model instead cause there's really no difference between the 2008 and 2009 model except that they are changing their current black color to the a different one.

[noel08]

For the accord, I think you should consider getting a 2008 model instead cause there's really no difference between the 2008 and 2009 model except that they are changing their current black color to the a different one.

No such luck where I enquired: they're out of the 08s. The only one they had left was a demo, which doesn't interest me.

mr. raider: I have considered the G35 a while ago. I like the vehicle. Maybe another avenue to prospect, even though I would like to limit my choices inasmuch as possible. I'm already going sufficiently nuts as it is with the three I am considering...:D

[looniepincher]

Never drove the 09 Camry so I can't comment on it, but between the 09 Accord and the 08 TL, I'd go with the TL for sure. My question is how you're getting the two to be about the same price? Even with the incentives now, you're still looking at close to $40k out-the-door for the base TL, and closer to mid-30's for the Accord....

Also, some people on the honda boards are complaining of the V6's VCM so you might want to take that into consideration....try googling it.

[Pete_Coach]

You guys aren't helping at all...:mad:

Hehehe

But maybe, in the end, there is no single answer. I am progressively eliminating the Camry, mentally, as a contender. I just went to the Honda website, and now I am tossing and turning more than ever. One comment I've noticed a number of times on other websites concerning the TL is the torquing, and that annoys me a bit. There's also the fact that, aside from the fact that the cargo space is far from huge, you can't lower the backrest so as to make the cargo space larger. Nitpicks, mostly (except perhaps for the torquing)
I have found, and this only my opinion, that the high performance front wheel drive cars all have torque steer. The harder you push through the corners the harder you need to hold the wheel. I don't like that and prefer to get a rear wheel drive car if it is a performance car.

[skidz88]

Camry has an old person stigma to it, no matter how good the new one is. Accord isn't bad, but it'd be too run-of-the-mill for me. That leaves the TL. More power, better looks with the 08 model(09s are the epic fail), and will outhandle both of the others. However that said, since you're looking into sporty FWD sedans why don't you consider the new Maxima? They're not too bad, very nice interior, a really torquey VQ35. IMO, I think it'd outperform the TL. Oh, and no torque steer!

If you're really into bending physics at every corner, I'd get an 07-08 G35 sedan. By far the quickest, and best handling of the bunch. Can be had in 6spd, and of course RWD or AWD.

[new_vr]

If choosing between an Accord is Camry is heart wrenching, wait til you have to make some real decisions in life

[The_Professor]

If you enjoy driving at all I would steer clear of the Camry. My parents have a 2008 Camry V6 XLE and while very nice, it's extremely boring to drive. The suspension is far too soft for my tastes. The SE (sport model) has a firmer suspension, but it still doesn't feel 'right'.

For me the choice would definately be between the Accord and the TL. The TL is better looking IMO and is nicer inside, has a four year warranty vs. the Accords 3 year, but it also requires premium where the Accord doesn't.

If it were me I'd likely get the TL (my brother has a 2006 that has been absolutely flawless and I always enjoy taking it for a spin).

As the others have said though, I'd strongly recommend taking each of the three out for extended drives.

[noel08]

Just got back from test driving the TL (I'd tested the TSX before, but not the TL).

Whoaaaa Nellie! I am thoroughly impressed. I chose the small winding road leading to Meech Lake (the perfect testing ground since it is maxi curvie and, like all Quebec roads, in pretty bad shape:D). Dayemm. That puppy really hugs those curves! Loved the acceleration, the interior finish, the details, the suspension not so much since it seemed a tad too firm for me -- but it was quite comfortable, on the whole, with top rate seats. I didn't experience any torque steering, but then again, I didn't really push the engine, nor do I intend to if I wind up buying that vehicle.

The dealer, if he is to be believed, told me they had 42 TLs on the lot at the beginning of the month. They are now down to two, mainly because of the rebates, of course.

I certainly haven't given up on the Accord, with which I would be on much more 'familiar ground', having driven one for the past 10 years without any significant problem.

Back to the drawing board (and to the headaches!)

Thank you all for the comments so far. Keep em comin'.

[mr_raider]

mr. raider: I have considered the G35 a while ago. I like the vehicle. Maybe another avenue to prospect, even though I would like to limit my choices inasmuch as possible. I'm already going sufficiently nuts as it is with the three I am considering...:D

Think more:

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=637837&highlight=g35x