Fizzboy7

I'd go for the Accord Coupe. You would be satisfying one side of your brain with the styling and satisfying the other side of your brain with the practicality and reliability. Honda = still very reliable.

nikko2jzge

The Nissan Maxima is nice.

KillaIS250

iTrader: (1)

Hmm i think the Altima is more comparable to the Camry and Accord OP is looking at. The Maxima starts at over $30 for a base model.

You should check out the Altima Hybrid's. I saw a 2010 for $22,000 at a dealership in San Diego. My girlfriend actually just a 2008 Altima, all the options but Navigation for $14,900 with 30k left on the warranty. I love the interior and it gets 36mpg in the city. My gf squeezes about 38mpg mixed city/highway...and its a full size car, except the trunk which is smaller because of the Hybrid battery.

Also have you considered buying a car Certified Pre-Owned? There's some great deals on CPO cars right now. Usually they carry the warranty up to 100k, and whoever had the car first already ate most of the car's depreciation. I think CPO is a smart way to go if your not one of those people that has to have a new car lol.

GQD_GS4

Honda's cost cutting has become more apparent as of late, I'd go CPO Lexus for the same price.

doublehh03

Thanks for all the advice, guys. Keep 'em coming!

If I had to buy a luxury car, I would buy a Lexus. I think Im going to get my dad the RX (he loves SUVs) in a year or 2.

I simply can't justify spending 30k+ on a car that I will use as a commuter car, and a Lexus at that.

And like MMarshall, I prefer buying a new car for some reason

The Accord EX coupe is going at around 22-23k near my area without any negotiation so I'm sure I can get it down a little lower if I really wanted to. And I think that's a ridiculous great price for the EX coupe, which is a very beautiful car.

And the FT-86 does interest me, but I doubt its MPG would be anywhere close to reasonable, since the car is a enthusiast/sporty car.

The Mazda's brand really isn't very reliable. I hear many bad things about it. Hyundai's styling just doesn't appeal to me at all; it looks like a spaceship.

I was looking at getting a few of Toyota's new offering: Prius (but low power), Corrola (that design is like turning back 20 years). The Camry is definitely an option, and I will definitely test drive it when it arrives at my dealership.

scgt652

Yeah, but you can easily buy one for $25k.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Of the two, go with the Accord. You'll be trading off the cloud-like ride of the Camry for a slightly more road feel with the Accord but the car is still very smooth.

Sedan vs Sedan, the Camry looks better to me. But the Accord coupe without the ugly base wheel looks very nice! It's probably the only Honda car I would buy at the moment. No need to worry about reliability either. The K24 (or J35 if you get the V6) are bulletproof engine. They've been around for over a decade.

KillaIS250

iTrader: (1)

Gah if it wasn't for the fact that you liked buying a new car, i'd say get a CPO IS250. I love mine, and it nets me 30-33mpg on my work commute. Got it for around $21K too CPO!

caddyowner

One of my co-workers has a late-model Accord V6 coupe he uses for his long commute (probably 80 miles each way). Last I talked to him, he was nearing 200K miles with no major issues. The only reason he is considering something else is that they are starting a family and a 2-door car is a major hassle with kids in carseats.

doublehh03

Yea, my friend's brother has an 08 coupe and he loves it to death (although he's a Honda fanboy lol).

That's great to hear of your coworker's experience.

Yea, I will mod it up, esp the wheels, if I do indeed buy the coupe.

hypervish

I'd say 2012 Toyota Camry for sure. But, you have to test drive both cars for yourself and see which driving dynamics you like better. I'll tell you right off the bat, that the Camry has higher quality materials in the interior, and all the controls are setup ergonomically.

mmarshall

You got that right. The difference between the quality of the old-vs.-new Camry interior is like night and day.....particularly in the XLE version.

bad co

Take a look at the Ford Fusion in Hybrid trim, maybe a Hybrid Escape.

mmarshall

True, the Fusion is an excellent alternative to the Camry/Accord. I did a review a couple of years ago on the Fusion Hybrid, and was very impressed with it. The Fusion also offers an AWD option, but it has not been quite as reliable as the FWD versions.

The OP, though, seemed to have narrowed it down to the Camry or Accord.

The present Escape has been in production for several years, and is rather dated. Its interior, like that of the outgoing 2011 Camry, is not very impressive, and has rather poor fit/finish. An all-new Escape, (probably) designed from the new Focus platform, is due sometime next year, as a 2013 model.

doublehh03

Just an update for you guys!

So I am choosing the Accord coupe (white) LX-S (MRSP - $24550, and OTD is $27k something). So I have been negotiating online with several dealerships around the area and the so far I have been able to lower the price to around $23600 OTD. Now I am just bargaining for free/discounted add-ons .

What do you guys think of this price for a 2012 coupe? I think it's a great price, but this is my first time negotiating for a "new" car and hopefully you guys can provide feedback!!!