- #9593 of 13226
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Re: Honda Accord User Reviews [backy]
by moocow1
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May 08, 2008 (9:05 am)
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Replying to: backy (May 07, 2008 12:21 pm)
Heck I don't think it's just quality that's becoming comparable. The non-Honda-Toyota makers have finally gotten much closer and/or caught up in terms of the car design/features themselves. I'd say a Sonata, Fusion, Malibu, Mazda6, etc are all pretty comparable with some weaknesses and strengths. It's more about specific wants and needs of each individual now...and obviously price. Heck I'd even put Camry behind most other cars, I just don't enjoy the style of Toyotas currently, although I definitely do like some of the Hondas.
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- #9594 of 13226
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Re: Honda Accord User Reviews [moocow1]
by plekto
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May 08, 2008 (10:31 am)
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Replying to: moocow1 (May 08, 2008 9:05 am)
I liken Honda and Mazda to the difference between Seiko and Citizen.. The Seiko is essentially the same as the Citizen, but it costs more and has a bit more bling and name brand recognition.
The smart money is on the Citizen, though, like the Mazda. A Mazda 3, for instance, is literally within a few millimeters of the Civic in terms of size, space, and so on, inside, and the features are literally less than a dozen that are different. Despite the Civic's different sheet metal, the 3 and it are near carbon clones of each other. I know. My sister was looking at both and I went over every bit of data and poked around in both for a solid day. It was basically a "pick one - makes no difference" at the end.
But Mazdas do cost less, thanks to aggressive financing and rebate offers.
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- #9595 of 13226
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Re: Honda Accord User Reviews [plekto]
by moocow1
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May 08, 2008 (11:18 am)
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Replying to: plekto (May 08, 2008 10:31 am)
If we're gonna compare civic vs mazda3, in all honesty, the mazda 3 blows it outta the water. It's got a much better interior and driving dynamics and most reviews will attest to this. I'll note all my friends recently purchased a Mazda3 over a Civic due not to brand, but because it's a better car. It would be like if the Citizen had twice the features of the Seiko. But this is all an aside. I think it's much closer in the Midsize arena than compacts. There is always the whole prestige aspect of any vehicle, I'd consider it just another factor like many others. And the higher the price you're paying, the more you want it  From what I've seen the prestige of a Mazda is not that far behind a Honda, they're both japanese cars after all. The bigger thing is japanese vs european vs american vs korean.
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- #9596 of 13226
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Re: Honda Accord User Reviews [moocow1]
by backy
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May 08, 2008 (1:07 pm)
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Replying to: moocow1 (May 08, 2008 9:05 am)
I agree with you, there's lots of good options in the mid-sized field now. Many professional reviewers put the Camry (especially the I4) down the stack also. Personally I'd rank (in alpha order) the Accord, Altima, Malibu, Optima, Passat, and Sonata (at least) above the Camry I4, and I think I'd even take a Mazda6 or Milan before the Camry, especially considering the real-world price differential. The Camry V6 is stronger, but still I'd put the Accord, Altima, Malibu, Passat, and Sonata ahead of it. The Camry Hybrid is unique (at least in my area--no Altima Hybrid available here) so it has the advantage for those looking for maximum FE in a mid-sized sedan.
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- #9597 of 13226
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Re: Honda Accord User Reviews [backy]
by maxamillion1
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May 08, 2008 (5:27 pm)
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Replying to: backy (May 08, 2008 1:07 pm)
I'd agree...the current Camry, while competitive is just not what it used to be...or as others have stated the competition has just caught up and surpassed it.
The current Camry is visually and features-wise WAY more appealing than the "hump backed" looking previous generation Camry.
One thing I can say that I like about Toyota over Honda is that you do at least get to pick and choose options on various Camry models unlike Honda where features are based around trim levels. It's a great way for many many folks I'm sure but its kinda a pain for others. But again I understand why Honda does it, and it surely been a good formula that has worked for them over the last 30 plus years.
I wish Honda made bluetooth and XM standard on every Accord above the LX. Same thing with fog lights. Same thing with Nissan (who is even worse than Honda) where you can't get a CD6 without leather or even bluetooth without leather on an Altima, yet the lowly Versa and Sentra allow you to get those combinations.
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- #9598 of 13226
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Re: Honda Accord User Reviews [maxamillion1]
by m6user
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May 08, 2008 (6:21 pm)
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Replying to: maxamillion1 (May 08, 2008 5:27 pm)
I wish Honda made bluetooth and XM standard on every Accord above the LX.
I wish every midsize car has standard bluetooth. It really shouldn't cost that much to install at assembly especially if done in huge quantity--maybe a $100. I could care less about XM though. I think if you did a survey of 100 people you'd probably get 80% for bluetooth and maybe 40-50% for XM. Out of my circle(it's not a huge circle but big enough) of friends and relatives I only know one person that has XM and I'm not sure if that is what he has or if it is Sirrius.
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- #9599 of 13226
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Re: Honda Accord User Reviews [m6user]
by maxamillion1
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May 08, 2008 (6:52 pm)
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Replying to: m6user (May 08, 2008 6:21 pm)
I personally prefer Sirius myself...but since they seem to be combining soon...I can deal with XM. I like how Chevy is doing the bluetooth option for 09...allowing all but the base model to at least have it...so I'm happy about that. But my younger brother works for a Saturn retailer in the Carolinas and he told me that Saturn had a big dealer meeting and explained that the BT system used on the Aura and Malibu would not be compatible with many of today's phones. Not sure what that means...but we'll find out soon enough when the 09s get here.
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- #9600 of 13226
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Re: Honda Accord User Reviews [maxamillion1]
by m6user
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May 08, 2008 (7:18 pm)
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Replying to: maxamillion1 (May 08, 2008 6:52 pm)
I have a bluetooth speaker made by Blueant that clips on the visor. Researched quite a few and this one was high rated and I really like it. No it isn't nearly as cool as having bluetooth built in and coordinated with radio etc. But it does work very well and has outstanding battery life. I mainly use it on longer drives and in areas where handsfree is required. My ultimate test of the device was my father(84yrs old) in Texas couldn't tell I wasn't on my cell when I called him. It only cost about $70.
I would still rather have built in bluetooth for a reasonalble price though. The system that Hyundai is putting in is nothing more than what I have pretty much. It doesn't sync with the radio to my knowledge. It costs a lot more than mine but then again you don't have to charge it.
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- #9601 of 13226
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Re: Honda Accord User Reviews [m6user]
by jaxs1
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May 08, 2008 (7:31 pm)
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Replying to: m6user (May 08, 2008 7:18 pm)
I have a Blueant now and it works pretty well. The only problem is if you forget to turn if off while the car is in the garage. If you leave it on and don't walk far enough away from the car, the bluetooth connection will not disconnect. The battery can last for weeks between charges, so leaving it on overnight isn't a big deal otherwise.
Since the Blueant gets the job done, I wouldn't sell my car just to buy a car with built-in bluetooth, but if I'm going to buy a new car anyway, I'd rather get one with that feature.
There is a new, better version of the Blueant Supertooth coming out that has text to speech Caller-ID and a vibration sensor that will turn itself on based when it senses the vibration of your car door slamming shut. You can also answer calls by voice and not even have to take your hand off the wheel to press any buttons.
http://www.mycellphoneblog.com/blueant-supertooth-3-bluetooth-speaker/
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- #9602 of 13226
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Re: Honda Accord User Reviews [jaxs1]
by m6user
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May 08, 2008 (7:48 pm)
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Replying to: jaxs1 (May 08, 2008 7:31 pm)
I totally agree and thanks for link. I'm going to look into the new Blueant. I wonder if the new unit will turn off when it feels the door close as well? My wife just got a bluetooth phone so I may give her my current Blueant and get the new one. I'll probably wait until I get a new car within the next few months and see if I can get the installed system for a reasonable price.
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