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Help Me Choose!

1950 messages,  Last post on Nov 23, 2009 at 6:58 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Maxima, Mazda MAZDA3, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Lexus IS 250, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan


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#1724 of 1950
Re: Sedan, small SUV, wagon? [markotoole] by qbrozen
Aug 20, 2008 (6:24 pm)
Reply

Replying to: markotoole (Aug 20, 2008 5:58 pm)

The Volvo does not move me
 
Really?
Huh. I think the new one is gorgeous, personally.
#1725 of 1950
07 Elantra vs 04 Accord by leonfam
Sep 21, 2008 (8:57 pm)
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Having a hard time selecting between 2 used cars. Any insights or links to other info/boards would be appreciated
 
2004 Accord EX, cloth, 69K miles, one owner and well maintained
 
2007 Elantra GLS with good options, 30K miles, prior rental car
 
Close in price. Accord is a bit "more car" that we need, but think we will be getting a more reliable car. We are car keepers. This one will be the second car, and used mainly for short distance commuting.
 
Like the newer safety features on the Elantra, and see that initial quality has improved. Stats on long term reliability (from CR) are not impressive.
 
Clearly not apples to apples..and that is what makes it tricky!
#1726 of 1950
Re: 07 Elantra vs 04 Accord [leonfam] by pat HOST
Sep 22, 2008 (12:46 am)
Reply

Replying to: leonfam (Sep 21, 2008 8:57 pm)

Hi, welcome to CarSpace!
 
Those are two of the cars under discussion in this topic: Midsize Sedans 2.0. You'll also find individual discussions (lots) in the Accord group and the Elantra group.
 
Folks around here are very familiar with both models for several generations back, so I'm sure you'll find lots of opinions.
 
Good luck and have fun!
#1727 of 1950
Re: 07 Elantra vs 04 Accord [pat] by thegraduate
Sep 22, 2008 (6:50 am)
Reply

Replying to: pat (Sep 22, 2008 12:46 am)

We're discussing the Elantra in Midsize 2.0? I know it's technically midsize, but I didn't realize it was "allowed" in that discussion.
 
Who knew?
#1728 of 1950
Re: 07 Elantra vs 04 Accord [thegraduate] by pat HOST
Sep 22, 2008 (6:53 am)
Reply

Replying to: thegraduate (Sep 22, 2008 6:50 am)

I know that there are many posters in that particular discussion who are intimately familiar with both vehicles. I'm sure they (including you ) won't mind helping her out there. I don't see very many of them in this topic very often.
#1729 of 1950
Re: 07 Elantra vs 04 Accord [pat] by thegraduate
Sep 22, 2008 (6:53 am)
Reply

Replying to: pat (Sep 22, 2008 6:53 am)

I'd be happy to, wherever it may be.
#1730 of 1950
Re: 07 Elantra vs 04 Accord [leonfam] by backy
Sep 22, 2008 (8:56 am)
Reply

Replying to: leonfam (Sep 21, 2008 8:57 pm)

First, consider that any stats on long-term reliability on the Elantra are from a different generation of car. Going back to the Gen 3, 2001-6, the reliability is actually quite good. (I've owned two from that generation and had very positive experiences.) So you have to go back to the Gen 2, designed in the early 1990s before Hyundai's big push on quality, to get a car that has not proven highly reliable. Since you've looked at CR, you have probably noticed the Elantra is one of CR's top-ranked small cars (actually is their Top Pick in SE trim) and is Recommended.
 
The main downside to the Accord is that it has 69k miles on it. At that mileage, parts can need replacing at any time--brakes, struts, battery, exhaust system etc. So be sure to have the car thoroughly checked by a mechanic to see if there's anything that might need work soon. There is of course also no warranty on the Accord, but there is still at least 3 years (maybe more, check the in-service date from Carfax) and 30k of factory bumper-to-bumper warranty left on the Elantra.
 
I have been looking around a lot lately at used cars in this price range, roughly $12k. There's a lot of good ones out there at that price, including some 2006-7 loaded Mazda6i Sports (very nice cars and fun to drive) and 2006-7 Sonata GLS I4s, all with low miles. Interestingly, I've found the 2007 Elantras actually are priced higher than some mid-sized cars like the Mazda6 and Sonata, with similar miles. The Sonata has an advantage of ESC too. In fact I am currently trying to decide between a 2006 Mazda6i Sport with 40k miles, a 2005 Mazda6i Sport hatchback with 40k miles (red and pretty hot looking), and a 2007 Sonata GLS I4 with moonroof with 35k miles, all in excellent shape and all for around $12k. The best I've found in a 2007 Elantra is around $12.7k with about 30k miles, for a GLS with moonroof. I am also toying with the idea of getting a 2000 323i that has only 40k miles on it.
 
This is definitely not apples to apples, so it is hard. I won't drive the car much, maybe 7500 miles/year, so the extra FE of a car like the Elantra doesn't mean much to me compared to a car like the Mazda6i or Sonata I4. The Accord is a fine car too, but I'd rather get a newer car under factory warranty than get an older one with more miles.
 
Hope this helps a little. Good luck!
#1731 of 1950
Re: 07 Elantra vs 04 Accord [backy] by leonfam
Sep 22, 2008 (9:22 am)
Reply

Replying to: backy (Sep 22, 2008 8:56 am)

Very helpful. Thanks.
 
What is FE? I also won't drive the car that much..which is why $12K is the top of the budget.
 
We hadn't even looked at the Sonata. Mainly because I started looking at Civic, Fit, Matrix. Moved into Elantra and Accord as I looked into features/safety on older models.
 
I like the suggestion of checking out the Sonata. The Mazdas weren't on the list. Safety and reliability in CR didn't compare to Honda. Though, I didn't look into the 6..only the 3. It seems like the prices in my area on the Mazda's are higher than what you are finding. But..I haven't dug too deep. Probably should check some more before making a decision.
 
Thanks for helping me think more broadly.
#1732 of 1950
Re: 07 Elantra vs 04 Accord [leonfam] by backy
Sep 22, 2008 (9:28 am)
Reply

Replying to: leonfam (Sep 22, 2008 9:22 am)

Fuel economy.
 
The Mazda6 is pretty well regarded by CR, and is in fact Recommended. I encourage you to take one for a spin. They handle great for a mid-sized sedan, and the prices are a lot lower than comparable Accords. For example, I've found a 2006 Mazda6i (I4) that is pretty loaded (17" rims, ground effects and spoiler, power seat, CD changer, leather wheel with audio controls, 5-speed automatic etc.) for around $12k at 40k miles. I found a similar car that's a 2007 with 27k miles that I think I could get for about $13k with some haggling. Be sure to look for a car with the side bags/curtains--these were optional on the Mazda6 until fairly recently.
#1733 of 1950
Re: 07 Elantra vs 04 Accord [leonfam] by thegraduate
Sep 22, 2008 (10:08 am)
Reply

Replying to: leonfam (Sep 22, 2008 9:22 am)

Leonfam,
 
Listen to backy; he won't lead you wrong. A big proponent of Hyundai products, but he's been served well by them (as I have Honda) so his like of Hyundai is justified, for sure.
 
The Mazda 6 and Sonata are good choices indeed, and offer more features for the dough than the Honda will; the question will be with whether or not you like them as much, or actually like them more! They are drastically different (the 6 and the Sonata), and the Accord falls somewhere in the middle.
 
Good luck, and I'll check in a little later!

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