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2008 Camry vs Accord vs Passat, showroom impressions (long)
I am selling my BMW 325i and looking at the 2008 Camrys, Accords, and Passats. The following are my initial shopping impressions, are my opinions and nothing more, and I do not or have not owned these vehicles yet.
Starting with the Passat, it initially seemed priced out of the segment, especially considering for 2008 that the 6-cylinder is only available with the fully loaded sport package, bumping MSRP over $35,000. But according to a dealer I spoke with who didn't give specifics, and browsing the VW forums, it seems they are offering significant discounts (both dealer and manufacturer), even going below invoice. This is unverified so I'm not sure how true this is. That being said, the best and most superior feature of the Passat compared with Camry/Accord are the seats - firm and supportive but not stiff, and it seems to contour to your legs, back, and head more naturally. Nothing beats German seats (coming from a BMW here), and the Passat is no exception. My wife immediately noticed the difference, and this superior comfort was felt in the rear seats too. Another nice feature of the Passat and new for 2008 are the pull-up sun screens for the side and rear windows. The trunk-lid in typical German fashion uses hydraulics, which means no messy and cheap rods used in the Camry/Accord. Did I mention the seats are wonderful? :-) Projector headlights, LED side mirrors, and LED taillights are standard across all trim levels, and you can also customize the Passat with your choice of 2 bodykits and a wide array of 17 and 18 inch wheels. Unfortunately, bi-xenon headlights are not available with the 1.8T 4-cylinder. Not-so-strong elements include the interior and exterior styling, which is starting to show its age, and it doesn't help that we know a mid-cycle refresh is coming for the 2009 model year, just a year away. A bodykit would be a requirement for my exterior tastes, otherwise you will have to live with the not-so-appealing black rubber/plastic that runs along the bottom of the car but is also slightly visible. Biggest weakness I can see is the recommendation of using premium fuel and synthetic oil, and a discerning driver can feel the turbo lag. The highly regarded DSG transmission is still not available on the Passat regardless of trim. A VW statement did say that by 2010 all automatics will switch to DSG, but that is then not now.
The Accord looks nice... very nice, looks better in person. It has a deep, German-inspired accent line that runs the length of the side of the car, the headlights are large and proportions are done well, the rear could have been done better and needs the rear lip spoiler (likewise for Camry), which I think is standard on the coupe. The interior looks very nice too. I never thought I would say this, but appearance wise, the Accord is nicer than the Passat and much more than the Camry. Interesting differences between 6 and 4 cylinder models: you can find Japanese made 4 cylinders, but all 6 cylinders are made in the US. The 6 cylinder has a more aggressive and better looking front bumper with integrated fog lights. If you want fog lights on the 4 cylinder, it seems like it needs to be housed in an unattractive black plastic casing which the 6 cylinder doesn't have or need. In a blatant cost cutting move, 4 cylinders have an unfinished interior trunk lid surface and no hydraulics for the hood, which makes me wonder what else they cut cost on. Biggest weakness by far are the seats - the most uncomfortable among Passat/Camry, it is too wide, stiff, and just couldn't get comfortable in. This held true for the rear seats too, and we tried the top-of-line EXL 6 cylinder w/nav. The lack of equipment/options is the other major weakness - no projector headlights on the sedan or LED taillights, no electroluminescent gauges just a cheap backlight, no rear air vents in the center console, no option for push start or smart key, and heated seats only have 2 settings. It is true that the Accord is now more pricier relative to the Camry, but this is offset to some degree by its larger size, over 5 inches longer than the Camry and over 6 inches than the Passat.
Finally, the Camry. It has a lot of equipment and options I desire, especially smooth CVT (looking at hybrid here), projector headlights and LED taillights, push-button start and smart-key access, and interior air ionizer. The seats are more comfortable than the Accord, but not as comfortable as the Passat. I can find Japanese made Camrys too in most configurations. The biggest weakness I personally have is getting used to the styling, both exterior and interior. I have a gen 5 2005 Camry and when I saw it at the dealer, I liked it. No such feeling for this Camry, even SE with bodykit not as appealing as my gen 5 with bodykit. Also not warming up to the unique aqua blue motif on the dashboard. Not bad, but when you see the Accord interior, you realize it's defintely not good, either.
If I have to matrix out my impressions, it would look something like this:
So let the Excellent=3 points, Good= 2 points and OK=1 point
The Passat and Camry both has 9 points out of possible 12 points
The Accord only has 8 points out of 12 points.
So you just narrow it down between the Passat and Camry. Now it's your choice between Passat for Style or Camry for Op Cost. Only you would have the answer. Good luck!
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Back on stock height and love it!
My dealer just got two of the new Accord's in, and they are very good looking cars. Not crazy over the interior styling - too many buttons for me. The new Passat's are extremely handsome cars, but I have read their relability is not up to par. I love the styling of the new Camry's but compared to my Gen 4.5, they quality isn't there in certain places. The switchgear feels a little cheaper and the headliner of the '07 LE I sat i rattled in a couple of places. Other than those few quibbles, all of the cars are excellent. For me, I would definetly choose the Camry. Mine's been rock solid and I expect to get another 200k out of it (only has 60k right now).
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I traded my Camry for a Caddy...
personally i don't think any german car can hold a candle to a camry, but hey it's up to you...
Price and resale being equal (which they are not) I would take a Passat 3.6 4MO with the Sport 2 Package. The thing is, to get one with NAV and everything else I have in the Cam, I would be looking at a $42k MSRP and a lead balloon of a depreciating asset.
Financially, the CAM is a better choice but the Passat 3.6 is a really nice car. Well designed and well built.
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Well some of us poorer folks mix cost of ownership into the mix. The Camry SE runs on regular unleaded and "affordable" tires. Not cheap, but not overly expensive either. There's also fun to drive factor, which is one of my top criteria. Because if you're not having fun, it just a method of transportation.
Well some of us poorer folks mix cost of ownership into the mix. The Camry SE runs on regular unleaded and "affordable" tires. Not cheap, but not overly expensive either. There's also fun to drive factor, which is one of my top criteria. Because if you're not having fun, it just a method of transportation.
+1 gotta look at cost of parts/service when warranty runs out. If it didn't matter, I'd be rocking a Benzo or Lexus
I say just buy the Dam Carmy. But then again that is my opinion if you buy the new Camry I am virtually positive that it will grow on you. I also at first didn't like the new Camry bodystyle, then it grew on me and I purchased one in Nov. 2006
id look into an audi a4 if your seriously considering the passat.
Why???? You would be spending more money for 4 silver rings. There is an approximate difference of at least $3k (or more) between the Passat and equivalent A4 trim/powerplant.
clarkgrizwald, I like the A4's, but the 3 biggest reasons why I wouldn't consider is price (if I get serious about a Passat, I would be looking at the 2.0T with Komfort package, and hopefully I can get that somewhere in the mid-20's), rear seat room (which is why I'm primarily looking at mid-size sedans), and the fact that the all-new A4 broke cover at the Frankfurt auto show and is coming next year.
* WW
Last edited by woodman411; 09-19-2007 at 04:50 AM.
I have owned a Camry and a Accord at the same time, I prefer the handling of Accord and the comfort of Camry. Passat is not even in my wish list. But there are many other choices in this price range, for example: Volvo S40 (Safety), Lexus IS250 (huge discount in my area), Nissan Altima... to name a few.
I like Camry alot, but it was so BORING, and would like to try something different.
I have owned a Camry and a Accord at the same time, I prefer the handling of Accord and the comfort of Camry. Passat is not even in my wish list. But there are many other choices in this price range, for example: Volvo S40 (Safety), Lexus IS250 (huge discount in my area), Nissan Altima... to name a few.
I like Camry alot, but it was so BORING, and would like to try something different.
+1...
I came from two Audi A4's. My opinion here...German cars are driver cars, Honda comes close, Camry is comfort over handling and you conform to what Toyota thinks is best for you in stability control.
Right now for me comfort in gridlock traffic is a higher priority over handling.
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2008 Highlander Limited AWD, Silver, SmartKey, VSC/TRAK, Bluetooth, Remote Start, No Nav, Tow package/hitch/color matched fascia, roof rack cross rails, Color keyed mud guards, Camry trumpet horns
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2008 Camry vs Accord vs Passat, showroom impressions (long)
gotta look at cost of parts/service when warranty runs out. If it didn't matter, I'd be rocking a Benzo or Lexus 
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