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2008 Accord vs. 2008 Maxima

28 messages,  Last post on Mar 25, 2008 at 4:44 PM

You are in the Honda Accord Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Accord, Nissan Maxima, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 3

#1 of 28 2008 Accord vs. 2008 Maxima by jam1000

Dec 05, 2007 (7:27 pm)

I'm curious as to comparisons between these two, which I am cross-shopping (Accord EX-L V6 vs. Maxima SL). Both seem very nice. From what I can tell, Maxima has more features (memory, heated steering wheel, xenon lights, etc.), is a little larger (could be a pro or con), and feels like it has a little more oomph (though the numbers are very close), while the Accord seems (to me) to have better build quality / fit and finish (both the Maximas I test drove made some strange, different sounds) and is probably about $3,000 less (after taking into account current market pricing, including rebates on the Maxima).
 
Anyway, I'm interested in the reactions of people who've owned or driven both, not only in terms of short term gratification but long term satisfaction.

#2 of 28 Re: 2008 Accord vs. 2008 Maxima [jam1000] by blufz1

Dec 05, 2007 (8:43 pm)

Replying to: jam1000 (Dec 05, 2007 7:27 pm)
Luv the Maxima's but I buy Accord because the resale is better. I also noticed that the Maxima's service costs were huge compared to the Accord.

#3 of 28 Re: 2008 Accord vs. 2008 Maxima [jam1000] by thegraduate

Dec 05, 2007 (8:58 pm)

Replying to: jam1000 (Dec 05, 2007 7:27 pm)
A friend of mine bought a Maxima and HATES the giant turning circle. Check it out and see if you can handle it pulling into parking spots.

#4 of 28 Re: 2008 Accord vs. 2008 Maxima [thegraduate] by viet

Dec 05, 2007 (9:28 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Dec 05, 2007 8:58 pm)
Maxima's resale value is worse than Accord's. The Accord '08 is big, looks big and gorgeous but it is handled like a compact. I love it. That's Honda intelligence.

#5 of 28 Re: 2008 Accord vs. 2008 Maxima [viet] by kiefaber455

Dec 06, 2007 (6:40 am)

Replying to: viet (Dec 05, 2007 9:28 pm)
I was also looking at the Maxima-do like their interior a bit more than the Accord's, and they can have some extras,--memory seats, power tilt and telescopic, but you pay for them in a package. Also, if you measure dimensions, Accord may be a bit larger.
Two things, however, scratched the Max from my list. First, premium gas--don't need that with gas prices rising. Secondly and perhaps more important, stability control is standard on the Accord and not on the Max. You want it you have to get it with a full sized spare tire package which in turn makes the trunk space less.

#6 of 28 Re: 2008 Accord vs. 2008 Maxima [kiefaber455] by jam1000

Dec 06, 2007 (7:58 am)

Replying to: kiefaber455 (Dec 06, 2007 6:40 am)
I hadn't focused on the fact that the VDC (Maxima's stability control) reduces the trunk size b/c of the full size spare (which is a nice feature). The Maximas I've been looking at all have the VDC and, with that and the other packages that make it as close to apples to apples as possible, Maxima comes out 2K or 5K higher(depending on whether Nissan continues last months 3K rebate on Maximas).
 
Also forgot about the premium gas which, though it probably doesn't add to a whole lot over the course of the year, is still annoying each time you're at the station.
 
Thanks for the dispassionate responses -- all very helpful.

#7 of 28 Re: 2008 Accord vs. 2008 Maxima [jam1000] by bvdj84

Dec 06, 2007 (8:23 am)

Replying to: jam1000 (Dec 06, 2007 7:58 am)
Maximas have those silly lights that blind the crap out of other drivers. You would think the Nissan would fix this. It looks cool, retro, but lets not put safety on the line.
 
Other models with similar lights do a much better job with this.

#8 of 28 Max vs. Accord by suydam

Dec 06, 2007 (8:25 am)

Can't speak for the '08s but we also cross-shopped in '01 and went with the Maxima and have not regretted it for a second. who cares about resale? I want to keep this car forever! It just seems more lux than the Accord in every way. It has been extremely reliable and is a joy to drive. Service and repairs do not cost more than for the Accord, as I have owned Hondas too. Both cars have changed very significantly since then, however, so maybe the newer Maximas are not as nice. But I know if I were in the market, I would look at a Max first.

#9 of 28 Re: Max vs. Accord [suydam] by thegraduate

Dec 06, 2007 (8:32 am)

Replying to: suydam (Dec 06, 2007 8:25 am)
who cares about resale? I want to keep this car forever!
 
People who prefer to change cars every few years. My dad changes cars about every 2 or 3 years after 70k miles or so. He likes changing vehicles.
 
It just seems more lux than the Accord in every way.
 
It should, it is in a different price class. The Accord tops out around $30k sticker; at that point, the Maxima is just getting started. A friend of mine has a 2006 Maxima (it may be an 05, it does not have the mid-cycle refresh); hers was right at $30k, and still has cloth, non-heated seats and no HIDs.

#10 of 28 Re: 2008 Accord vs. 2008 Maxima [jam1000] by kiefaber455

Dec 06, 2007 (2:13 pm)

Replying to: jam1000 (Dec 06, 2007 7:58 am)
Living in western NY one would think Nissan would ship Maxima's with the VDC package--haven't been able find a one.

Messages Page 1 of 3

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