I feel like I’ve been a little domestic-heavy on my choices recently, so this week and next, I’m going to even the score a little bit. We’re going to stick with imports, increasing in price as we go. We’ll start off with a pair of old faithful nameplates: the Camry, and the Accord. (Though it now occurs to me that these were both actually built in the US.)
We finished up on Friday with a four-way battle between terrible choices, and I figured I knew which car was going to win. I was right; the Buick Century was cheap, and the worst thing anyone could really say about it was that it was boring. It cruised to an easy win.
That’s probably the right call. I would consider the Mirage as well, even though you all put it in dead-last place, but I think I would go look at the Buick first. It’s reliable, and you could rebuild it out of any auto parts store in the country if you had to.
This is a short week; we’re off Thursday and Friday (I think? I’d better check), so we’ll start with a price cap of $2,000, and add $2,000 every day from now until next Friday, when we’ll top out at $14,000. Big money for our little virtual used car lot here, but it gives us a chance to look at some different stuff.
Let me just preface today’s choices by saying it is getting really damn hard to find Japanese cars worth owning for under two grand. And I’m not saying there are no good choices; there are almost no choices. Sign of the times, I guess; everything is getting more expensive. Sure, you can stumble into a dirt-cheap deal here and there, if you’re in the right place at the right time, but they’re the exception rather than the rule. I don’t like the fact that $2,000 is the new $500 any more than you do, but it’s what we’ve got to work with. Let’s check them out.
1996 Toyota Camry LE Wagon – $1,850
Engine/drivetrain: 3.0-liter DOHC V6, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Portland, OR
Odometer reading: 168,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Imagine a car so reliable, so well-engineered, that it gets lampooned for it. A car that everyone knows, nobody really lusts after, but anyone in their right mind would choose over almost anything else if they just needed cheap wheels. A car that hasn’t really been improved upon in subsequent generations except in minor details. That car is this car, the XV10 Toyota Camry. And this one is special, because it’s the rare wagon version.
This generation of Camry was available with two engines: a 2.2-liter inline four, or a 3.0-liter V6. This one has the V6, like nearly every wagon I’ve seen. It also has an automatic transmission, which is also typical. I’m sure somewhere there exists a V6 Camry wagon with a manual, but its owner bought it new, has put 400,000 miles on it, and is never, ever going to sell it. This one is actually pretty low mileage, and the seller says it runs and drives great.
Part of the reason for the Camry’s success is that not only is it reliable and durable, but it’s also a really nice car. It’s nothing special, just comfortable and well thought-out. This one looks nice inside, and the seller says the heat and air conditioning work great, so you’ll stay comfy no matter the weather.
I’ll be honest: I’m not much of a fan of the styling of these wagons. I know some people love them, but I think that rear window shape looks awkward. It is instantly recognizable, though. The wagon’s big trick is extra seating capacity, in the form of a rearward-facing third seat, which we used to call a “way-back seat” when I was a kid. They were common in American station wagons for years, but I think this might be the only Japanese wagon that has one.
2004 Honda Accord LX – $2,000
Engine/drivetrain: 2.4-liter DOHC inline 4, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Buena Park, CA
Odometer reading: 293,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Honda’s Accord has been around longer than the Toyota Camry, and it has just as much of a reputation for durability and reliability, except for one thing – rust. Honda’s rustproofing back in the 1980s and ’90s wasn’t what you’d call effective, and a lot of excellent-running Accords, including one I owned, went to an early grave because their structure just rotted out from under them. This seventh-generation Accord doesn’t have the propensity to rust that the earlier ones did, and it’s a Southern California car, so it has had the opportunity to reach a prodigious mileage: nearly three hundred thousand.
One reason it wears such a heroic number on its odometer is that it has the drivetrain to do it: Honda’s celebrated K-series four-cylinder and a five-speed manual gearbox. This combination makes the Accord both more reliable and more fun to drive. We don’t get any useful information about its condition, only that it has a salvage title for some reason. It could be nothing; California hands out salvage titles like candy. But it’s worth asking, or checking the VIN, to see if you can find out what happened.
It shows some wear and tear inside, but that’s to be expected at this mileage. A steering wheel cover would help a lot, and maybe a new shift knob too. It has a big aftermarket stereo with a touchscreen; I’ll leave that up to you to decide if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
Outside, it’s missing its hubcaps and a piece of trim on one back door. But the paint looks good, and as mentioned, it shouldn’t have any rust to worry about underneath. The headlights could use a polish, or maybe replacement if they’re cheap enough, but aside from that, it looks ready to roll.
So there you go: two nice, reliable cars for two grand or less each. One is more fun to drive but has a ton of miles, and the other is more practical and lower in mileage, but it’s kinda dull. I know which one I would choose, and I have a feeling it’s not the one you all will, but we’ll see.
That Accord just seems too tired. Like it’s ready to be parted out and sent to the crusher.
Gimme the Camry.
That Camry wagon is peak Toyota.
That Accord is a bit to used and rough around the edges to eek out a win over that longroof Camry.
Both are excellent options. Worst case for the Honda is you’ve got a K swap donor for something more interesting.
Camry wagon with the back seat vs a manual Accord. Tough choice but I’ll go with the wagon.
Oof, that was a tough one! Making us choose between a wagon and a manual…
I ended up going with the Camry, because I really like ’90s cars, it’s way lower mileage, and it’s so unique! I literally have no memory of ever seeing a Camry wagon! I do regret the manual, and the fuel economy hit I’ll take, but I guess this is in addition to my current car, which can be the fuel-efficient, manual, daily driver, while the wagon can be the practical car
The very first thing I did was to click on the Camry topic heading, which links to the ad. It’s in Portland. 🙁 If it were in SoCal, I’d probably have contacted the seller about a test drive, despite the fact that I’ve already got a wagon and not one but two vehicles with that vestigal third row of seats.
I agree that they’re not beautiful, nor are they exciting to drive, but they ARE peak Toyota. And I love wagons: with the back two rows of seats folded down in my old Volvo, it’s got the cargo capacity of a minitruck in every respect save height (so, no carrying refrigerators).
I’ve driven regular, four-cylinder Camrys of this generation for many, many miles and they just work and keep on working. Parts are relatively cheap and repairs not too complex. I even sort of like the weird rear/side windows just because they’re odd.
$1,850. for this, with 170K miles on it in decent shape is a friggin’ steal these days, at least in SoCal, where (my impression is that) prices for desirable used cars tends to be higher than elsewhere.
my mom had that exact camry, same color, but with the 4cyl, I could not in good conscience vote for it lol
I went with the Camry wagon. Lots of life left in it and I love the way back. Just solid and reliable.
I like Accords as well, esp a stick. But 300k is getting up there for an early aughts Honda. Maybe it’s been maintained great. I don’t get that feeling. The ad has some red flags. Why the salvage? Is the steering wheel upside down while the wheels are straight? And why does it seem like it was parked weird in the middle of a parking lot entrance at a red zone to take the photos? Just back it out and take some crappy photos. Were the cops hot on your tail? “ready to go! Motivated seller”
I will say in defense of the Honda, the wheels are quite obviously turned a bit to the left. Now, is that hiding that straight isn’t actually up and down? Maybe.
Yes, wheels are slightly to the left. The steering wheel is turned almost upside down though. Looking over the condition of the car, it looked like it was abused or not repaired correctly after whatever occurred to earn it’s salvage title. The seller doesn’t really given a lot of info in the ad. I do like these Hondas, just not this one
Could be the catalytic converter was stolen.
The wagon. Rarer version of one of the most indestructible vehicles ever made. Plus has the rear seat and looks fairly well equipped.
Isn’t this Camry wagon the one with the two rear wipers? I want one!
yes it is. And I want it too!
Let’s park next to each other, when we get them one day: Four rear wipers!
That hawaii sticker should be interpreted as a rust warning label.
I pick the Honda but only because it is newer and probably has more safety systems like ABS which was optional on the Camry.
I voted wagon. That Accord has my radar up. I’m automatically suspicious because of the salvage title. But here’s the thing that REALLY caught my eye: in every photo, the front wheels are pointed straight.
But in the interior shot, the wheel is turned 180 degrees.
Maybe it’s nothing, bit maaaayyyybeeeee it’s something.
Looks like the wheels are turned to the left to me.
This is a tough call for me. I used to own a 2004 Accord with a K24 and automatic – if it had been a manual I may well still be driving it. So this car definitely wins the fun-to-drive contest. But the Camry has half the mileage, it’s a wagon (I carry shit), and it’s one of the best cars Toyota ever made. So I’m choosing it.
i want to be able to teach my sons (22 and 21) how to drive a stick. Otherwise I’d be going with the camry too.
I just noticed in the link- are the Honda’s seats mismatched from front to rear?
Even though it has a slushbox, my vote goes to the Camry because it’s a wagon and has much less mileage.
And this gen of Camry is known for having top notch quality and durability.
As a very satisfied former owner of this generation of Accord, there’s nothing wrong with the Honda at that price. But a sub-$2k, sub-200k-mile Camry wagon? Absolutely no contest, whether because of price, condition, or overall utility. And adding the fact that I was today years old when I learned that these ever came with a “wayback” seat? That propels the Camry wagon into “shut up and take my money” territory.
Roughly half the miles and a clean title makes a big difference.
A couple of years ago. My son’s friend bought a gently used 2005 Honda Accord from an acquaintance but it has more like 130000 miles. I think it has a v6. Over the past 33 years, my mom is on her third Honda Accord, each with the V6. The only problems with any of them were minor accidents.
The Camry is the better deal for sure, but having previously owned a 2004 Accord, this one hits a sweet spot for me. I’d honestly be happy with either one.
The combo of salvage title and ~300k miles just kills it for the Honda. Gotta go with the barely broken-in Toyo.
I didn’t know those Camrys had a way-back!
I agree, that they styling of those wagons is awkward at best. Despite the fact that I own and love a manual Accord (previous generation to this one), I don’t covet driving a manual enough to pick a scruffy sedan over such a minty wagon.
I didn’t know either, until I saw this article. But you can tell by my username which one I would find more handy, even before you get to the head-to-head questions about condition and mileage and price.
I am also a drummer, but I still chose the stick Accord. I guess I’m a glutton for punishment – of both the financial and hearing loss/carpal tunnel/general wear and tear on my body over the last 42 years variety.
Boy, do I feel you there. Specifically, I feel it in my forearms and the bases of my thumbs. Repetitive stress injury is no joke. Although, I think I wrecked my hands less from the drums, and more from the bass, my original primary instrument, after playing too long and too hard with super thick strings and the action set absurdly high. Hey, if it worked for Stevie Ray Vaughan to get that incredible fat tone that way on a Strat, it will work on the bass the same way, right? Well, yeah, it does… but jeez, not at these prices. Ouch.
I do have mild tinnitus, and I do have to sleep with Spotify playing a babbling brook on my nightstand, but when it comes to hearing damage, I got lucky there. I was an early adopter of hearing protection, often the only person in the band with earplugs in. And to my great shock and surprise and relief, I took a hearing test a few years ago when I turned 50, the first one I’d had as an adult, and passed with flying colors, dead center in the acceptable range for my age. Wow, knock me over with a feather. If only that meant that I didn’t also have to live with EEEEEEEEEEE.
Given the choice between arthritis in my right thumb and tinnitus, I’ll take thumb pain every day and twice on Sundays, even though my hearing is a shell of its former self. 🙂
I had a carpal tunnel release done on my right (dominant) hand back in 2020 and have had zero problems since. With the exception of the arthritis, of course.
I’ve owned both but I’m more of a Toyota guy than a Honda guy, plus wagon. Today’s choice made itself.
Camry. A XV10 wagon in the Camry maroon was my grandmother’s last car and it was honestly a gem. The back window shape was a bit goofy, but the thing was cavernous and epically reliable. I doubt she ever used the jump seat, even for grand and great-grandkids. On paper, the Honda would be a good car, but that one is rough – you could easily find another in better shape for not a lot more.
a co-worker owned an XV10 Maroon Camry Wagon until about 2 years ago. It was beat up, needed a re-spray and probably a few more things, but it was a rust free, run & drive vehicle. Predictably, he replaced it with a Rav4.
Super useful Camry Wagon with a fun rear jumpseat: Aw, yeah!
Aughts Accord with no wheel covers and tinted windows: Aw, Hell naw!