2000 DeVille V8 vs 2003 Accord LX?

[etherealfocus]

Just gave my old car to my brother and looking for a cheap replacement. Don't care about style or performance or creature features - my only goal is to get to and from my destination with max reliability and minimum expense. I drive about 60/40 highway/city if it matters, around 12k miles a year.

Both cars are single owner, no major problems. Both are 4dr sedans.

The DeVille is $2500, has 120k miles and ~25mpg highway (according to the owner).
The Accord is $4000, has 160k miles and ~35mpg highway (according to the owner).

Sounds like I'd save in the neighborhood of $500/yr on gas with the Accord, but that's still three years to break even, minus any interest or other hits I end up taking in the meantime.

By my general understanding (I'm obviously not a car guy at all) the DeVille would be easier to fix and the Accord would be less likely to break.

What do you guys think? If one car has major advantages in ergonomics or whatever I can certainly consider it, but I generally consider cars a necessary evil and just want them to cost me as little as possible.

 

[RagingBITCH]

I'd say the Accord is closer to 30 highway, especially with that mileage.

Max reliability and minimum expense - Accord. I own an 04 (still a 7th generation) so feel free to ask away about questions. The only fix I've done to it lately was replacing the blower motor resister (A/C), but that was a $60 part and a 2 minute swap.

 

[etherealfocus]

Thanks! How's the high-speed mileage? I usually go 70ish on the freeway; is the I4 gonna rev up crazy high and kill my efficiency?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I've read the deville is a maintenance nightmare and is one break down away from being totaled due to the hellish nightmare that is working on them.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Around 30ish for highway. I will say, my dad also owns an 04 - we'd drive two cars on road trips and he'd consistently get 32-33 where I'd be lucky to get 30-31. I just doubt 35 since it was rated at 34 by Honda IIRC.

I do at least 70 Unless you're flooring it passing people left and right, it never really gets up there in the rpms.

 

[pauldun170]

Accord hands down
The Deville is a nicer station car but the Northstar of that year had some issues. At 2500 bucks its probably a good buy for someone who knows how to keep it in good shape but for the average driver a 13 year old Deville might not be the gas and go type car they would expect. I doubt its swinging 25mpg in mixed traffic. Maybe highway mpg with no traffic on a good day going down hill.
I would expect mid to high teens.
The deville is not easier to fix at all.


The Accord at 4k is the better commuter car and the better choice.

 

[etherealfocus]

Alright, I'm convinced. Going for the Accord. Thanks guys!

 

[SparkyJJO]

As much as I'm a GM guy I probably would avoid the DeVille as well. When they are working fine the Northstar is quite nice, but man, repair nightmare if and when they break. My brother's in laws had an Olds with the Northstar and it actually got quite high in miles before it had any issues (I think they got close to 180k), but it did eventually, and that isn't normal from what I understand.

 

[Jeffg010]

I'd be careful of the accords tranny. If you get a v6 you are going to have problems

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Accord/2003/transmission/transmission_failure.shtml

 

[Fritzo]

That DeVille will be a big slush-mobile. The Accord is a better choice.

 

[JulesMaximus]

DeVille mpg: up to 15 city/25 highway

Expect 16-17 mpg in typical driving. No way I would buy that car.

 

[ipown1337]

It's my opinion that the accord will probably be a more reliable vehicle. Also working on the accord will be a lot easier, and I have heard of horror stories about the northstar engines and head gaskets.

 

[unokitty]

By my general understanding (I'm obviously not a car guy at all) the DeVille would be easier to fix and the Accord would be less likely to break.

What do you guys think? If one car has major advantages in ergonomics or whatever I can certainly consider it, but I generally consider cars a necessary evil and just want them to cost me as little as possible.

As Jeffg010 pointed out, if the Accord has an automatic transmission, it would be prudent to research the problems that Honda has had with that transmission.

Best of luck,
Uno

 

[The Boston Dangler]

my father had a deville of similar year. when the motor came down with a major case of death, the replacement + labor (at employee price) cost more than the car was worth. see ya!

OP, i'm not sure what would lead you to believe the caddy would be easier or otherwise less expensive to repair. if you're concerned about fuel economy, how are you even considering an american v8?

 

[Fenixgoon]

as i recall, the V8 in the Deville will be the DOHC Northstar,w hich was never very much used across GM's lines.

i'd go the accord.

 

[Fritzo]

as i recall, the V8 in the Deville will be the DOHC Northstar,w hich was never very much used across GM's lines.

i'd go the accord.

I think Buick and Olds also used that engine in some of it's high-end models. The Northstar engine was interesting- it held 8 qts of oil, so be prepared for expensive oil changes. It also had a feature called "limp home" mode, where if there was a catastrophic cooling malfunction, the car could run on one cylinder and be air cooled. It was over engineered like that, making it expensive to maintain. Not something I'd look for in an older car.

 

[sontakke]

I thought you were asking about 2000 Accord vs 2003 DeVille! In your case, there should really be no question.

 

[Eureka]

I think you can do better than either. At $4k, you should be able to shop around and find a car around 100k.

That being said, I'd take the accord over the deville, but the tranny, as someone pointed above, is a known problem area. Do your due diligence.

 

[SparkyJJO]

my father had a deville of similar year. when the motor came down with a major case of death, the replacement + labor (at employee price) cost more than the car was worth. see ya!

OP, i'm not sure what would lead you to believe the caddy would be easier or otherwise less expensive to repair. if you're concerned about fuel economy, how are you even considering an american v8?

Why not just say V8 in general since they all use more gas than an I4?

Although you could get a Corvette and get near 30mpg on the highway (not for $4k tho).

 

[Fritzo]

Why not just say V8 in general since they all use more gas than an I4?

Although you could get a Corvette and get near 30mpg on the highway (not for $4k tho).

Vettes gas milage had more to do with the very high ratio overdrive gear than anything.

 

[etherealfocus]

This Accord is the 4cyl automatic so it shouldn't have the tranny issues right?

 

[evident]

yeah, the 4cyl is fine and it's a great car. I have a 7th gen accord if you have any other questions

 

[Eureka]

At 160 you'll want to know for sure if the timing belt and water pump have been changed recently. You're starting to be due for another one of the first one was done to schedule.

Check all seals in the engine bay. You don't want a leaking oil pan or leaking crank.

Check underbody for rust. Even a little bit of rust can mean more rust in places you can't see. Take off the carpet liner in the trunk to look for damage.

At 160k, a car can either be in great condition and go for another 160k or near it's end of life.

 

[boomhower]

I've talked to a few mechanics around town over the years and they all say the same thing, buy a Northstar and be prepared to replace the motor. When new they are great but they do not age well at all. Get the Honda.

 

[etherealfocus]

I'm closing on the Honda today. Thanks guys!