CTS,CAMRY, ACCORD or MALIBU???

[super t]

Hi, I am trying to buy a new car, but I don't know what to get. The malibu is kind of nice but still a chevy , the accords controls are very confussing and hard to operate plus whats the deal with all those buttons?, the cts definitely out of my price range $35K for the base model with only 263 hp.I looked at the camry today it looks ok. on the outside, inside a different story I think the interior looks very cheap it looks flat and boring. I think I will either go for the chevy malibu or the H. accord what you guys think ? Help!!!:confused:

[Order 66]

Is the Acura TL out of your range?

[FlaGuy509]

I know they're really praising the new Malibu and it does look good but like you said, it's still a Chevy. We've owned 3 Honda Accords and were never unhappy with our choices.

[geotech]

I know they're really praising the new Malibu and it does look good but like you said, it's still a Chevy. We've owned 3 Honda Accords and were never unhappy with our choices.
And the Malibu is a favorite of the rental/leasing places. Your used car value will be in the toilet the instant you drive it off the lot.

[chisoxjim]

Accord or Camry, I do not think you could go wrong with either.

We are looking at the Camry hybrid as a replacement for the Ridgeline.

[goboilers]

I've read several reviews on the accord and just about all of them said that the controls on the accord seem confusing at first but after a short time of driving they became very intuitive. Maybe take the accord for a nice long test drive and see what you think.

Personally, the Malibu looks nice and is getting good reviews but,,, what happens when they have 60,0000+ miles on them?? Only time will tell how well they will hold up. I owned several GM products and everyone of them turned to junk at about 15,000 miles.

[VT RAIDER]

I would steer you towards the Accord as well; the Camry would be my second choice. Good luck either way... I guess you could also look at the Saturn Aura, it should have better fit and finish over the Chevy...

[hofffam]

I would never buy a Camry as a matter of principle. It is the poster child of boring cars. Their drivers are usually on their third Camry because they don't bother to shop for anything else. They also drive slow in the left lane.

And Accords are fine cars, better than ever. But their buyers also seem to suffer the same problem.

There are four Hondas in my family so I'm not bashing Honda of course. But for crying out loud - there are MANY fine cars out there. Honda doesn't have a lock on them. It seems the new Accord's fuel economy is not impressive based on the newest Consumer Reports test.

I think the Ford Fusion family should be included in the evaluation. Its reliability has held up very well. It is derived from the Mazda 6 and handles very well.

My short list of 4 dr. sedans < $30K would include:

Mazda 6
Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan
Nissan Maxima (RWD!)
Nissan Altima
Chevy Malibu
Saturn Aura
Honda Accord

[djeaux]

I think the Ford Fusion family should be included in the evaluation. Its reliability has held up very well. It is derived from the Mazda 6 and handles very well.

On the downside, you could never take a photograph of your car & post it on a website for fear of violating the manufacturer's copyright :rolleyes:

Several of my friends love their Mazdas, BTW. Another has a F*rd 500 & I think it's pretty impressive -- basically a Volvo.

Which brings me to the question, Have you looked at Volvo?

[zroger73]

I owned several GM products and everyone of them turned to junk at about 15,000 miles.

Either you're one of the most unlucky people on the planet or you misuse or abuse your vehicles - that is very atypical of GM's products - even the lowly Cavalier. I bought a new Regal in '99 that only let me down once when the plastic intake manifold cracked around 75,000 miles. Still ran just like it did when it was new when I traded in for the '06 Accord. Had I not been "Honda-curious", I'd have bought its replacement - the LaCrosse. I've always properly maintained and never over-abused any of my vehicles and never had any significant problems. I never experienced any "junk", but I will say that the Accord was the very first vehicle I've ever owned that needed zero warranty repairs during the first year.

[hofffam]

The "new" Ford Taurus is the updated Ford 500. It is a sedate vehicle but very roomy. Just giant inside with a huge trunk. It drives well and the new engine gives it something the 500 didn't have - some power.

[k757]

I drove the '08 Accord EX-L V6 sedan.... it totally outshines the Camry V6. If someone gave me a Camry, I'd trade it in for the Accord. Interior space alone will make the deal happen

The other things you mentioned... ehhhh

The Mazda 6 is also a smart choice

[recordwizard]

Have you considered the new BMW 1 Series? I know it's not out yet, will be introduced in a couple of months. All of the car mags are very high on it, and prices are predicted to start just below $30,000.

rw

[John01XX]

And you ask this question on a Honda Ridgeline Forum ??

If you get any answers other than a Honda I would questions the person posting such sugestion!

A fact: Honda are known, proven and have been basically all bullet proof when it comes to long term durability and reliability.

All your other choices are nice vehicles but none that compare to a Honda period !

Can you tell what I think of Honda's ??

[VetteBlue]

The new Malibu is very popular! Not sure if it will have the same depreciation as the previous model. It is greatly improved.

You should also look at the Fusion/Milan as mentioned above.

Believe it or not, Hyundai is probably a sleeper in this category. My chick and I just bought an 08 Elantra and it drove better than the Civic, in my opinion. Stepping up in size, the Sonata is a respectable competitor to the Accord.

[leadhead3]

Malibu, my wife has a 2002 Malibu. The only time this car has been in the shop is for oil changes and new tires. 45,000 miles on it and it still has the original brakes.

[Pizza Man]

Malibu, my wife has a 2002 Malibu. The only time this car has been in the shop is for oil changes and new tires. 45,000 miles on it and it still has the original brakes.
Impossible! ;) :D

The wife and I have an '08 LTZ due in any day now. I fully expect to be as satisfied as you.

[ONDLINKS]

The wife and I have an '08 LTZ due in any day now. I fully expect to be as satisfied as you.

Good luck with the new ride. It's a looker.

[Pizza Man]

Good luck with the new ride. It's a looker.
I'll be extending your good wishes to Jeanette. She chose red. I haven't seen it in the red, but it's the same red that's used on the Impala and I like that.

[ChrisM]

Stepping up in size, the Sonata is a respectable competitor to the Accord.

I had one of the older body style Sonatas. My only complaint was that the drivers seat was a little hard on long trips.

Malibu, my wife has a 2002 Malibu. The only time this car has been in the shop is for oil changes and new tires. 45,000 miles on it and it still has the original brakes.

I had an 02' Malibu as well. I didn't really care for it. It was almost as boring as my Buick Century. It was hard on brakes (5 sets in 100k mostly highway miles) and launched a head gasket at 115k.

Both of these cars were rental purchases. The Hyundai was the very clear winner in comparing the two.

If the new Malibu is anything like it's lineage, you'll be able to buy one for $9k in 12 months from Budget. :rolleyes: Maybe then I'll consider picking one up for a company car.

[k757]

If you get any answers other than a Honda I would questions the person posting such sugestion!:eek: :eek: :D :D

also look at the Hyundai Azera (competes with the Toyota Avalon at a Camry price)... nice vehicle! Where does the Nissan Altima V6 fit in?

[hofffam]

And you ask this question on a Honda Ridgeline Forum ??

If you get any answers other than a Honda I would questions the person posting such sugestion!

A fact: Honda are known, proven and have been basically all bullet proof when it comes to long term durability and reliability.

All your other choices are nice vehicles but none that compare to a Honda period !

Can you tell what I think of Honda's ??

You are a Honda fanboy. Nothing per se wrong with that but it denies the fact that there are many fine vehicles out there and many are not Hondas. If you read this thread you would see many non-Honda suggestions.

Until recently I would not have bought an Accord. Very good car, but almost as boring as a Camry. The Mazda3 was better than the Civic until the 2007 Civic came out. The Pilot is long overdue for a redesign and the 2009 model so far is ugly.

I would still buy a Mazda6 over an Accord because the Mazda is more fun. But it is significantly smaller and if I needed room I'd buy the Accord.

The current Sonata is a fine car at a very good price.

Of course the Ridgeline stands alone for now. Nothing drives as well. But it just seems like Honda could find a way to improve fuel economy without sacrificing performance. A GM V8 in a truck 500 lbs heavier gets about the same mileage with far more torque.

I have four Honda vehicles at my house and they have all been excellent. But when the time comes to buy another vehicle I will search for and buy the best vehicle that meets my needs. It may not be a Honda. Who knows?

[super t]

Hi there! Super T's wife here. We recently bought the Honda Accord EX V-6 2008 and it kicks A....!!!!! I love the body style and the color (Royal Blue Pearl), tinted windows, and chrome accents; and not to mention the HP! Boy can it fly!! I get compliments from everyone on how awesome the car is. We have the car that everybody likes. :) Thank you for letting intrude on your conversation but I just wanted to put my two cents in. Wife out.

[k757]

Hi there! Super T's wife here. We recently bought the Honda Accord EX V-6 2008 and it kicks A....!!!!! Nice car. I test drove the EX-L V6.... I am still pondering a Ridge trade in on it.... so sweet!

[meanmachine19]

I am always partial to Honda and Toyota.....

I investigated an accident this week here in Sedona involving a 2007 Honda Accord.

It broadsided a 2007 Jeep Compass that turned in front of it as it attempted to enter a driveway. Estimated speed of the Honda was about 30 mph.

The Honda came out very well with some front end damage and driver airbag deployment. It was still running.

The Jeep Compass ended up on its side! :eek: Fortunately, none of the 4 occupants of the Jeep were seriously hurt and were extracated by the Fire Dept.

So, I'd go for the Honda! :p

[davedad]

Impossible! ;) :D

The wife and I have an '08 LTZ due in any day now. I fully expect to be as satisfied as you.

I hope the malibu is better than the 04 impala we had, this is the reason we traded for a Honda Accord. The Impala was nothing but problems from day 1. Purchased the car brand new off the lot, In the first year we went through 3 sets of front brakes and rotors, 2 sets of rears, rear drag links(bushings wore out) front strut, and a blown head gasket, the dealer was also the pits and turned me off of GM cars although I do like the new Cadillac cts. We purchased the Accord and love it, we have not experienced any problems, this is also why I purchased my RL.

[Pizza Man]

I hear you Dave, my luck with GM products has been nothing like yours. I hope this wil continue with the wife's Malibu. Personally, the Accord really appealed to me, especially the coupe. I guess the wife just couldn't "ignore" the Malibu. ;)

I'm leaving shortly to pick it up. Wish us luck!

[SHOWTIME]

I have to agree with ORDER 66's reply about the ACURA TL. If it is out of your price range, i striongly suggest to you to save a little while longer and and get a TL. The acura TL comes basically fully loaded stock and what you would pay for other vehicles to get all that purchased and installed is way more than you would ever imagine. My point here is that you can get a TL with all the accessories you need and want straight out of the factory for around 30,000 new. If u want a used one with low miles, you can find them priced around 19,000 to 27,000. OBO. HONDA/ACURA vehicles are very reliable and i strongly encourage you to get an acura TL.

P.S. im new to the forums here but i know a great deal about import models... please feel free to send me a message at any time reguarding any questions you all may have. i will answer them to the best of my ability. THANK YOU:D

[TexasRTL]

I own my 07 RTL (second one for me) but I lease my 06 Fusion. As has been mentioned on this thread the Fusion should be considered as well. I am a huge Honda fan but the Fusion was a fun car that handled well. I wouldn't buy a Ford, GM, or Chrysler but as a lease it has been a great vehicle for the last 2 years with zero problems. As a lease option the new ,malibu looks appealing.

[Six Rails]

Accord Accord Accord Accord yep thats right I have owned three Accords and they have never let me down.

Answer noted :)

[LarryP]

We purchased an 07 Camry Hybrid last July and love it!. Mileage has been as high as 45 on a 200 mile trip. The car is well built and very quiet inside, and I would rate it high.

[super t]

Hi there! Super T's wife here. We recently bought the Honda Accord EX V-6 2008 and it kicks A....!!!!! I love the body style and the color (Royal Blue Pearl), tinted windows, and chrome accents; and not to mention the HP! Boy can it fly!! I get compliments from everyone on how awesome the car is. We have the car that everybody likes. :) Thank you for letting intrude on your conversation but I just wanted to put my two cents in. Wife out.

some pics of our new adittion

[k757]

some pics of our new adittionThat V6 is silky smooth but will also push you into the seat nicely

[25 Year Honda Owner]

Think I may have posted these pics on another thread. This is Accord #12, all 4-cyls, only way to go.:)

[Ridge Man]

It was a no brainer for this 08 Accord EX-L Navi owner. Yes at first the controls my look complicated, but with very little time they are user frendly manully and with the Navi by voice.

[k757]

It was a no brainer for this 08 Accord EX-L Navi owner. Yes at first the controls my look complicated, but with very little time they are user frendly manully and with the Navi by voice.This could easily replace my Ridge

[Pizza Man]

The '08 Malibu, LTZ. Tread lightly boys, it's the wife's car. ;)

[k757]

Nice looking and I'm sure it's great, but my cash would still go to the Accord. Has Chevy announced rebates on the new Malibu yet?

[Pizza Man]

Nice looking and I'm sure it's great, but my cash would still go to the Accord. Has Chevy announced rebates on the new Malibu yet?
Nope, but I got mine for invoice. I know people. ;)