04 Accord LX or 04 Altima 2.5S?

[miri]

I was quoted for the Accord about $1,000 more than the Altima, both are 5 speeds. Both are sedans. What car would you pick and why?

They want $18,895 for Accord LX not including tax tags and proc fee
And just under $18K for the Altima 2.5S not including tax tags and proc free

My last 2 cars were a 1999 Altima and a 2003 Civic EX, both purchased new.

 

[Relayer]

I asked a friend a similar question and he said to look at the Mazda 6.

I have been thinking about a Buick LeSabre though.

 

[miri]

Heh, my mom drives Lesabres.

 

[Vortex22]

Accord is the much nicer car.

 

[RagingBITCH]

I was looking at both of those cars (4 cylinder, automatic though) in September. After having just sat in the Accord I knew it was 10x better than the Altima. I never got to test drive the Altima b/c the salesmen were morons at the Nissan dealer, but the Accord felt sooooooo smooth. The 4 never ran out of power and felt extremely strong for a 4, something you can read for yourself in any automobile review of the Accord. I did get to sit in an Altima and the interior is no comparison whatsoever.

The Altima stacked up well against the 02 Accord but not very well against the 03-04. It is supposedly more sportier like the 6 is, so it just depends on your preference and what you look for in a car in terms of ride, handling, etc.

 

[conjur]

Accord interior is damn fine!!!

 

[BigSmooth]

I would say whichever one you prefer in a test drive. Each one has advantages over the other. Both are good values and both will be reliable.

 

[TekChik]

I have a new Altima (3.5, but still...) and I LOVE the handling on it - very tight more like a sports car than your normal sedan. It's why I bought the car.

 

[SuperTool]

Of these two, if you don't care about exterior looks, Accord, and I am a Nissan fan. Honda I4 engines, and manual tranny's are better than Nissan, and interior is better on accord, though maybe a bit smaller.
Personally, for 19K, I would pick up a V6 mazda 6 manual 2003 model until end of year, but they are still working out some early rusting issues, so I am sitting on my hands.

 

[sillymofo]

Tiburon GT V6/stick with sports package.

 

[Thegonagle]

Accord! Better gas mileage, about the same amount of room, similar performance, and better resale value, probably by more than $1000 during the first several years.

 

[KEV1N]

Why not the Accord EX? I'm in a similar decision myself.

 

[miri]

Budget restraints

 

[StageLeft]

Honestly, and I do like nissan, I'd pick the accord. It's a touch slower, but the interior of the altima is a joke (I've not seen the accord). Also, resale on nissans SUCKS.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo
Tiburon GT V6/stick with sports package.

Are you kidding? The sentra SE-R Spec V does more with its 4 cylinder than the Tiburon with its 6, not to mention the fact that the tiburon's gas mileage is more in line with a freaking mustang GT! bad, bad for a 172 horsepower car.

 

[TekChik]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Honestly, and I do like nissan, I'd pick the accord. It's a touch slower, but the interior of the altima is a joke (I've not seen the accord). Also, resale on nissans SUCKS.

Don't have to worry about resale on Nissan's...they run forever.

I had my '92 Nissan pickup for 10 years and never did anything other than change the oil/tires and normal maintenance.

It still ran perfectly when I sold it. Bought it for $6800 in '92 and sold it for $2500 in '02. Not bad...

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Honestly, and I do like nissan, I'd pick the accord. It's a touch slower, but the interior of the altima is a joke (I've not seen the accord). Also, resale on nissans SUCKS.

Actually the Accord is faster than the Altima:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0304_fam/index3.html

I will say however that that particular test is with automatics. No one wants to test the 4 cylinders with manuals because quite frankly why would you?

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: TekChik

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Honestly, and I do like nissan, I'd pick the accord. It's a touch slower, but the interior of the altima is a joke (I've not seen the accord). Also, resale on nissans SUCKS.

Don't have to worry about resale on Nissan's...they run forever.

I had my '92 Nissan pickup for 10 years and never did anything other than change the oil/tires and normal maintenance.

It still ran perfectly when I sold it. Bought it for $6800 in '92 and sold it for $2500 in '02. Not bad...

Well that's good if you keep the thing, but most people don't keep their cars long. I like nissan too, but unless I knew I'd be keeping it for a long time I wouldn't buy a new one. I bought my 00 maxima in 2002 with 37k on the odo and killed off about $10k in depreciation (at least) buying it like that. Nissans are awesome late model cars, since I think their depreciation is not fair when one considers their overall reliability.

I'm also starting to detest the new altima. I used to love it but everyone has one now. Accord is popular too, but it looks a little more classy. The Altima, in 5 speed, is a nice drive though, so really you gotta drive both.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Honestly, and I do like nissan, I'd pick the accord. It's a touch slower, but the interior of the altima is a joke (I've not seen the accord). Also, resale on nissans SUCKS.

Actually the Accord is faster than the Altima:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0304_fam/index3.html

I will say however that that particular test is with automatics. No one wants to test the 4 cylinders with manuals because quite frankly why would you?

Bitch, if I was gonna buy either one I'd also pick the 5 speed. I just know the altima has a few more horses, though I suppose it's possible that the manual in both versions would similar or accord faster - they're gonna be close either way 😉

See with cars like these which are fairly heavy and not running a coral of stallions under the hood I think you need all the power you can get, so a manual makes sense 😉

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Honestly, and I do like nissan, I'd pick the accord. It's a touch slower, but the interior of the altima is a joke (I've not seen the accord). Also, resale on nissans SUCKS.

Actually the Accord is faster than the Altima:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0304_fam/index3.html

I will say however that that particular test is with automatics. No one wants to test the 4 cylinders with manuals because quite frankly why would you?

Bitch, if I was gonna buy either one I'd also pick the 5 speed. I just know the altima has a few more horses, though I suppose it's possible that the manual in both versions would similar or accord faster - they're gonna be close either way 😉

See with cars like these which are fairly heavy and not running a coral of stallions under the hood I think you need all the power you can get, so a manual makes sense 😉

The majority of people who purchase the 4 cylinders will buy them with an automatic. If they wanted fast I'm sure they'd take the V6 variant over the 4. Bitch. 😉

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Honestly, and I do like nissan, I'd pick the accord. It's a touch slower, but the interior of the altima is a joke (I've not seen the accord). Also, resale on nissans SUCKS.

Actually the Accord is faster than the Altima:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0304_fam/index3.html

I will say however that that particular test is with automatics. No one wants to test the 4 cylinders with manuals because quite frankly why would you?

Bitch, if I was gonna buy either one I'd also pick the 5 speed. I just know the altima has a few more horses, though I suppose it's possible that the manual in both versions would similar or accord faster - they're gonna be close either way 😉

See with cars like these which are fairly heavy and not running a coral of stallions under the hood I think you need all the power you can get, so a manual makes sense 😉

The majority of people who purchase the 4 cylinders will buy them with an automatic. If they wanted fast I'm sure they'd take the V6 variant over the 4. Bitch. 😉

That's true, bitch. I just personally would prefer to avoid as little power loss as possible and opt for the 5 speed (manual). I see that the auto is a 5 speed for the accord also, and I'd guess that the altima is a 4, which could account for the slower times.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Accord.

Oh yeah, lack of poll makes you suck @ teh intArweb.

- M4H

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Honestly, and I do like nissan, I'd pick the accord. It's a touch slower, but the interior of the altima is a joke (I've not seen the accord). Also, resale on nissans SUCKS.

Actually the Accord is faster than the Altima:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0304_fam/index3.html

I will say however that that particular test is with automatics. No one wants to test the 4 cylinders with manuals because quite frankly why would you?

They do point out that although they tested the Accord to be a hair faster, the Altima handles better and has a more sporting "feel".
Good article though... they like all three cars, and conclude that each is fairly well-rounded, but they do appeal to different types of drivers. That's why I think thorough test-drives would be necessary to make a decision.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

That's true, bitch. I just personally would prefer to avoid as little power loss as possible and opt for the 5 speed (manual). I see that the auto is a 5 speed for the accord also, and I'd guess that the altima is a 4, which could account for the slower times.

Yea it's a brand new 5 speed auto tranny. It's quite the performer, never sluggish or lacking in power in anyway from the test drive. I know the 6 hauls major ass though.

Anyway, hows the Max doing?

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: BigSmooth

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Honestly, and I do like nissan, I'd pick the accord. It's a touch slower, but the interior of the altima is a joke (I've not seen the accord). Also, resale on nissans SUCKS.

Actually the Accord is faster than the Altima:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0304_fam/index3.html

I will say however that that particular test is with automatics. No one wants to test the 4 cylinders with manuals because quite frankly why would you?

They do point out that although they tested the Accord to be a hair faster, the Altima handles better and has a more sporting "feel".
Good article though... they like all three cars, and conclude that each is fairly well-rounded, but they do appeal to different types of drivers. That's why I think thorough test-drives would be necessary to make a decision.

Yep I agree. I kind of hate how people ask ATOT "What car should I buy" - it all depends on what you like in a car. Go test drive it. That's probably the best comparison article I could find of the Accord vs Altima/Camry. (I have a huge favorites section dedicated to the research I did in comparing the cars)