Car Guys, Help!

[TickTockMan]

Long story short I was in a car accident on the 8th. Because of the age of my car (a 1994) I have been told that they will probably just total my car and I’ll have to buy a new one.


I have narrowed it down to a Dodge Charger or another Honda Accord.


The pros for a Charger are they are larger, which would be nice for my disabilities. Also a Dodge Charger is my dream car. The two big cons are they get only okay gas mileage and I would have to find a new mechanic shop.


The pros for an Accord is they get great gas mileage and I can keep my mechanic shop which I know and trust. The con is they are a bit smaller and shorter which is still doable for me, but sometimes an issue, like when my slipped discs act up.



Can you think of anymore pros or cons for a Charger or an Accord and list them for me? Also Should I buy used or brand new? Are there any cons for buying a new car?



Thanks

[Alistair]

One good pro for the Accord depends on how long you plan on keeping it. They have excellent resale value. The Charger, not so much.

I just switched my brand loyalty from Chrysler products. I've had Chrysler's for the past 20 years. Every one in my opinion prematurely rusted. I love the style of Dodges and Jeeps, I just don't want to waste my money on a car that's going to start rusting after 5 years.

[vater292]

I have driven both as rental cars for road trips and mine is personally for the Accord. I felt it was more comfortable and quieter on the interstate.

As for the Mechanic do you mean its a Japanesse Imports shop or Honda specialized? It has been my experience that if you have a relationship with a place they will work on anything.Some cars need specialized tools or diagnostic tools, but a Charger I doubt they have that specialized of tools. I would say your mechanic could work on a Charger if they wanted to. Besides if they are doing something requiring specialized tools that would mean a major repair is most likely happening. But for general maintenance, I can't see why they would say no.

[TickTockMan]

As for the Mechanic do you mean its a Japanesse Imports shop or Honda specialized? It has been my experience that if you have a relationship with a place they will work on anything.Some cars need specialized tools or diagnostic tools, but a Charger I doubt they have that specialized of tools. I would say your mechanic could work on a Charger if they wanted to. Besides if they are doing something requiring specialized tools that would mean a major repair is most likely happening. But for general maintenance, I can't see why they would say no.

My mechanic shop only works on Hondas and one other kind of car. I have already asked if they would work on anything else and they said no.

[mikey3000]

May I suggest a Hyundai Sonata?

[TickTockMan]

One good pro for the Accord depends on how long you plan on keeping it. They have excellent resale value. The Charger, not so much.

I just switched my brand loyalty from Chrysler products. I've had Chrysler's for the past 20 years. Every one in my opinion prematurely rusted. I love the style of Dodges and Jeeps, I just don't want to waste my money on a car that's going to start rusting after 5 years.

Thanks. I didn't know Chargers were prone to rust. I do keep my cars for a long time.

[TickTockMan]

May I suggest a Hyundai Sonata?

I have made up my mind that it will either be a Charger or an Accord, but why would you suggest a Hyundai Sonata?

[andyspete]

I've owned numerous Honda and Acura vehicles. They are great. Have loved all of mine. They have a superior build quality over the Charger.

[mikey3000]

Quality, value and warranty. Plus 0% financing for up to 96 months!! That is huge. I've had Hyundai's since 1994 and very happy with them. Just do yourself a favor and go test drive one.

[TickTockMan]

Quality, value and warranty. Plus 0% financing for up to 96 months!! That is huge. I've had Hyundai's since 1994 and very happy with them. Just do yourself a favor and go test drive one.

What kind of gas mileage do they get?

[TickTockMan]

What kind of gas mileage do they get?

They get about what my Honda got. Pretty decent.

[JayQueer]

Quality, value and warranty. Plus 0% financing for up to 96 months!! That is huge. I've had Hyundai's since 1994 and very happy with them. Just do yourself a favor and go test drive one.

Hyundai and Kia are anti-gay. They don't offer workplace protections against discrimination for their LGBT employees. The only other automaker that is anti-gay & sells cars in North America is Porsche.

See this link:

http://gaywheels.com/gff/

[JayQueer]

IMO, I think you should get the Accord. (May I ask why you aren't considering Toyota Camry? They are direct competitors)

The Honda Accord has much better build quality and reliability (compared to the Dodge Charger). If your last car is from 1994, I'm guessing you like to keep your cars running for a long time? Then the Honda Accord is a much better choice.

Dodge Charger has aggressive styling and probably more powerful engines but the fit & finish will still be less appealing than the Accord. Also it's not fuel efficient & there is no hybrid option. Maybe you should consider the Dodge Charger if you're going to lease the car for 3 to 4 years and then give it back.

The Honda Accord 4-cylinder (new or slightly used) is probably one of the most reliable cars out there. They just redesigned it this year, so you might get a good deal on a slightly used model from last year or a few years ago. BUT it will be different design than this year's model.

[desertfox008]

I recently drove a friends Charger and I was not impressed. It felt extremely heavy. The interior looked old and cheap and the car is only a year and a half old. He's also had some mechanical problems with it. The only pro I can find is that the car is spacious. I would go for the Honda. You get a better quality car with a great re sale value and I would think better gas mileage. Test drive both and see which one suits you best.

[MJEH89]

The Charger looks badass...

[TickTockMan]

(May I ask why you aren't considering Toyota Camry? They are direct competitors)

If I don’t get my dream car (a Charger) I would like to stay with my mechanic shop which only works on Hondas and one other kind of car. Since I like my Honda I don’t have a problem staying with Honda.

Also a few years ago Toyota had that issue with their car’s breaks. I will never buy a Toyota because the company knew their cars were not safe and they didn’t say anything or do a recall until people got hurt. I don’t trust the company.

[TickTockMan]

I recently drove a friends Charger and I was not impressed. It felt extremely heavy. The interior looked old and cheap and the car is only a year and a half old. He's also had some mechanical problems with it. The only pro I can find is that the car is spacious. I would go for the Honda. You get a better quality car with a great re sale value and I would think better gas mileage. Test drive both and see which one suits you best.

Great video. Thanks for posting it.

[TickTockMan]

The Charger looks badass...

That's why it is my dream car.

[vater292]

My mechanic shop only works on Hondas and one other kind of car. I have already asked if they would work on anything else and they said no.

Honestly it would really bother me that they said no. But I am extremely picky about mechanics, when I use them.

[briefs4me]

I have had both as rental cars. I like the Charger because it is a BIG car and it rides really nice. The Accord I'm sure has better build quality and will last a long time. Both should last a long time if you keep them maintained. My sister just got rid of her Charger R/T only because she was in in accident with it and didn't want it anymore. I find Hondas to be boring but they get great gas mileage. Ultimately it's your decision. I personally would get a Charger with the Hemi mainly because I'm a gear-head and love the sound of an American V8. Good luck!

[FPNY]

don't both cars come with manufacturers warranties? you should only need to use your mechanic after the warrantee has expired. I personally would go with the Honda. We have one now that has almost 200,000 miles on it. The Dodges can't hold a candle to the Honda as far as reliability goes.

[loveguys72]

Given that you keep your cars for a long time, I'd go with the Honda. Decently fun to drive when kitted out right, and quite powerful for their class. I don't think you'd be giving up much versus the Charger. The only real advantage the Charger has aside from being a bit larger is that you can save a ton buying used, as they don't hold their value well. With the Honda, you may as well buy new, as buying used doesn't get you much if any savings, given their excellent resale value.

Hyundai and Kia are both offering outstanding cars with exceptional value for the dollar. Reliability is not quite up to Honda standards, but the warranty is killer. Given that you're looking at two sporty models, you may find the performance and driving characteristics of the Hyundais too soft, but something like the Kia Optima, esp the turbo version, would suit you quite well.

I'd only consider a Toyota if I was looking for the automotive equivalent of a toaster. Uber-dull, bland car-pliance for people who don't like cars.

[Alistair]

I'd actually throw the new Mazda 6 in with the Hyundai as a car I'd check out. I had one as a rental. The thing is sweet. Like others have said, I'd stay away from Toyota. I rented one last year and it was plain inside, felt like a car from ten years ago and was way under powered.

[loveguys72]

Mazdas are very fun and tossable, though not quite as refined as the Honda.

[CowboyBob]

Every person I've known who owned a Honda / Acura has had transmission problems. My sister had an Acura Legend years ago. Luckily she bought an extended warranty because one month after the manufacturer's warranty expired her transmission went out. I've known 3 others who have had Accords / Civics and they also had transmission problems too. Something to think about.

[FPNY]

we did have to put a transmission in our honda, but the car had over 120,000 miles on it. We've done work on the car, and to be honest, I think we should get rid of it, my other half, the driver of said accord thinks differently, so he still drives it every day...

[andyspete]

Every person I've known who owned a Honda / Acura has had transmission problems. My sister had an Acura Legend years ago. Luckily she bought an extended warranty because one month after the manufacturer's warranty expired her transmission went out. I've known 3 others who have had Accords / Civics and they also had transmission problems too. Something to think about.

I've owned 13 Honda/Acura vehicles in my life and have never had any transmission issues. As long as the transmissions are serviced properly, which most people don't do because of price or ignorance, issues should be rare. My Honda/Acura products have ALL been extremely reliable. Currently driving a 2010 Acura TSX V6 Tech. This car is a pure joy to drive. When I replace it, it will be with another Honda or Acura product.

If the OP purchased a 4 cylinder Accord he would get Honda's new CVT transmission. If he purchased a 6 cylinder model, it would come with Honda's new 6 speed tranny.

[bankside]

I think the possibility of owning a dream car is a distinct advantage in itself, more than the sum of its other attributes, that in this case only one car can satisfy.

[TickTockMan]

don't both cars come with manufacturers warranties? you should only need to use your mechanic after the warrantee has expired. I personally would go with the Honda. We have one now that has almost 200,000 miles on it. The Dodges can't hold a candle to the Honda as far as reliability goes.

I wasn’t sure if I should buy used or not. I am now thinking of buying new so you are right about the warrantee. Also my Honda has close to 300,000 miles on it and still runs great.

Get a chevy impala. It's slightly bigger than the charger and it gets way better gas mileage.

That is what I am driving now as a rental. It is too big for my taste.

Every person I've known who owned a Honda / Acura has had transmission problems. My sister had an Acura Legend years ago. Luckily she bought an extended warranty because one month after the manufacturer's warranty expired her transmission went out. I've known 3 others who have had Accords / Civics and they also had transmission problems too. Something to think about.

we did have to put a transmission in our honda, but the car had over 120,000 miles on it. We've done work on the car, and to be honest, I think we should get rid of it, my other half, the driver of said accord thinks differently, so he still drives it every day...

I've owned 13 Honda/Acura vehicles in my life and have never had any transmission issues. As long as the transmissions are serviced properly, which most people don't do because of price or ignorance, issues should be rare. My Honda/Acura products have ALL been extremely reliable. Currently driving a 2010 Acura TSX V6 Tech. This car is a pure joy to drive. When I replace it, it will be with another Honda or Acura product.

If the OP purchased a 4 cylinder Accord he would get Honda's new CVT transmission. If he purchased a 6 cylinder model, it would come with Honda's new 6 speed tranny.

My car has close to 300,000 miles on it and it never gave me transmission problems. I bought it used though so maybe it had issues with the first owner.

[TickTockMan]

Anyways I find out tomorrow or Monday if they are going to total my car. If they do I found a 2013 Honda Accord LX that I like for $23,000. I don't know if that is a good price or not so if you have an opinion on it let me know.

[loveguys72]

Depends on how it's optioned. Could probably still bargain down a couple thousand.

[TickTockMan]

Depends on how it's optioned. Could probably still bargain down a couple thousand.

The guy said it was fairly basic. I liked that it has a back-up camera though. What do you mean by a couple thousand. $2,000 to $5,000?


I don’t really know what I am doing. My mother said try to pay $20,000. Does that sound good to you?

[Ontariobear]

The new Accord scored a 90 and ranks top among family sized sedans from Consumer Reports. It has also been on the Car and Driver's 10Best list over 20 times.
While your Charger may look sweet, Chrysler just isn't where you should be spending money. Build quality and reliability pale in comparison to the Accord.

[desertfox008]

Anyways I find out tomorrow or Monday if they are going to total my car. If they do I found a 2013 Honda Accord LX that I like for $23,000. I don't know if that is a good price or not so if you have an opinion on it let me know.

The MSRP of an Accord LX is $21,700 so $23,000 is way to high. You should try to get them down to at least $20,000. For the most part with Hondas what you buy is what you get, if you want more options you have to move up in trim levels. And always pay attention to the fees the dealers add on, they love adding unnecessary fees. Good Luck.

[FPNY]

you can go on web sites to find out exactly how much the new car you want costs the dealer, then offer them $500 over what they paid, if they say no, walk out. they will be calling your cell phone by the time you get home. there are tons of car dealers around who will negotiate with you to sell a car. call other honda dealers and get two of them bidding on the car and them pit them against one another....i'm going to have to start doing this next month as my car lease is ending....

[TickTockMan]

The MSRP of an Accord LX is $21,700 so $23,000 is way to high. You should try to get them down to at least $20,000. For the most part with Hondas what you buy is what you get, if you want more options you have to move up in trim levels. And always pay attention to the fees the dealers add on, they love adding unnecessary fees. Good Luck.

Thanks for the post. I am going to aim for $20,000.

[loveguys72]

Good plan. Good luck!

[JayQueer]

Thanks for the post. I am going to aim for $20,000.

Read what FPNY said. You need to do your research (search for the invoice price online) before you go car shopping. You don't want to be a fish entering a shark tank.

1. Find out the "Dealers invoice price" for a Honda Accord LX. Honda or the dealers don't want you to know that information so you need to look at websites like Edmunds.com, Kelley Blue Book, etc etc to find out. Never negotiate from the sticker price or "Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price" (MSRP) -- that's the price what Honda or the car company thinks the car can retail for. The dealer pays the "dealer invoice price" (a much lower amount) to get the car on their lot. Your bargaining room is basically the area between the dealer's invoice price & the sticker price (MSRP).

2. Once you know what the dealer's invoice price is (& add in the cost of whatever options, if any), you can tell the dealer you know what the invoice price is, and that you will offer X amount over the invoice. Always bargain UP from the invoice price, never down from the sticker price.

3. Never, ever discuss monthly payment amounts until you have agreed on the purchase price. The dealer will try to say, "We can get you into this car for only $199 a month!" Don't fall for any traps until you have agreed on the price. Then you can discuss down payment & financing.

[TickTockMan]

Read what FPNY said. You need to do your research (search for the invoice price online) before you go car shopping. You don't want to be a fish entering a shark tank.

1. Find out the "Dealers invoice price" for a Honda Accord LX. Honda or the dealers don't want you to know that information so you need to look at websites like Edmunds.com, Kelley Blue Book, etc etc to find out. Never negotiate from the sticker price or "Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price" (MSRP) -- that's the price what Honda or the car company thinks the car can retail for. The dealer pays the "dealer invoice price" (a much lower amount) to get the car on their lot. Your bargaining room is basically the area between the dealer's invoice price & the sticker price (MSRP).

2. Once you know what the dealer's invoice price is (& add in the cost of whatever options, if any), you can tell the dealer you know what the invoice price is, and that you will offer X amount over the invoice. Always bargain UP from the invoice price, never down from the sticker price.

3. Never, ever discuss monthly payment amounts until you have agreed on the purchase price. The dealer will try to say, "We can get you into this car for only $199 a month!" Don't fall for any traps until you have agreed on the price. Then you can discuss down payment & financing.

1 and 2) The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price is $21,387 for the car I am interested in. The MSRP is $23,270. I feel if I can get them down to $20,000 that it is a win for me, even if I could get it a bit cheaper. I know I am not a car whiz so I know I am not going to best the car salesmen. If they won’t come down to $20,000 then I will walk away and then try it FPNY’s way.

3) I am going to pay in cash, in full. There will be no financing and monthly payments. I am hoping that will help me get the car for $20,000 or less.

[loveguys72]

Cash is king!

[andyspete]

Unfortunately, cash isn't king these days. They want you to finance the car through them because of the interest they earn. I just checked Truecar.com for you and they say you should be able to buy the Accord LX for ~ $20900. You can shoot for $20k but I feel quite doubtful they'll go that low. Truecar is pretty accurate on the lowest price. Good luck to you!

[loveguys72]

I refuse to finance a car at anything over 0%. Paying interest on a depreciating asset is just silly!

[RoadBike]

I vote for the Honda Accord. The Charger is heavy at over 4,000 pounds, and car critics often unfavorably cite the car's heft in comparison tests. I've had 3 Hondas, and feel that they are the value benchmark for all other makes. April a year ago, Mustang fever got me and I bought a new Mustang GT Convertible. I sold my Honda Fit to my friend after I bought the Mustang, and he can't stop telling me how much he loves the Honda. He and his wife have had Dodge Trucks for many years. She recently decided to get a loaded Honda Civic, and loves her Honda. The funny thing is that they were staunch American-only car owners for decades. My Mustang is fun, but I miss the finesse that the Hondas have. When I get bored with the Mustang, I'll buy another Honda. Hondas run forever with a minimum of drama.

[TickTockMan]

Thanks everyone for the posts. It took me walking away to get the car, but I got the car.

[bankside]

Congrats! The accord, right? No late-game changes?

[TickTockMan]

Congrats! The accord, right? No late-game changes?

Yep. I got a brand new black 2013 Honda Accord.


I have always wanted a black car and now I have one.

[80KGold]

Dude, you made the right choice. Hondas/Acuras (as you're aware) are great cars. Enjoy.

P.S. And the Accord is classified as full-size now (by interior volume), so it should feel more roomy to you than the 1994 edition you had.

[Alistair]

Congrats on the new car. time to post a picture of it in the "what do you drive" thread

[TickTockMan]

Congrats on the new car. time to post a picture of it in the "what do you drive" thread

Thanks and good idea. I'll get some pics later today.

[BillyT]

Yep. I got a brand new black 2013 Honda Accord.


I have always wanted a black car and now I have one.

I got a new car last year and got black. I like the way it looks, but it shows off the dirt more than other color cars.