[camryto]

Can someone compare the 2000 or 2001 Camry vs 2002 Accord in terms of maintenance (costs) and reliability.

I am comparing these two cars (generations) and hope to buy one this winter. Not really for a winter beater but since my budget is $2000 (not yet attainable but working on it), I guess it might be.

I didn't need to buy a car last time I posted since I was using a relative's but now I do.

Will the repair cost of an i4 be considerably less than the V6?

It might be hard to DIY for me since it'll be parked in an undergound garage but I'll try. I was wondering if I should buy a FSM that is not too far from me or I might be able to get a ride there - $50 for two editions including the body edition.

'Couldn't find any online. The public library might have something, too.

I can see how the V6 engine looks more complicated but does that calculate into much more expensive (labour?) repair costs? Just curious because I figure an old car 2000-2001 might have various repairs come up.

I plan on making sure the seller has as many maintenance records as possible and will request a pre-purchase mechanic inspection as well.

I'm looking most at GTA kijiji and also there's a lot more i4 cars to choose from compared to V6 so more likely the choice will be the i4 2.2L vs the 4cycl 2.3L Accord (AT or MT) LX/EX.

 

[tedmich]

The 2002 Accord has had serious issues with transmission failure, extending Honda's bad record for AT problems that began around 1998. A MT is often a better choice if you can find one that hasn't been abused by a teenager. The 2000-2001 Camry V6 is a wonderful engine if it has not been abused, ie regular oil changes ideally with a driving style that does not promote sludge (short hops with engine never fully warmed up = BAD, longer drives at Hwy speed =GOOD).

The Camry V6 has much more power, similar reliability and MPG than the I4 thus there is little advantage to getting the I4 in these years IMHO. Its easier to change the plugs and valve cover gaskets on the I4, but the TBs are about the same. Definitely avoid the 2AZ-FE I4 which came out in 2002, its notorious for blown HG and stripped head bolts at around 60-100k. Check this site for useful data on problems with older cars:
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Accord/2002/transmission/

Also Edmunds consumer reviews and CU at the Library or online via a paywall.

 

[Zembonez]

Do keep in mind that you are talking about 15 year old cars. Most are fairly tired at this point...

02 Accord V6 engine will run forever. They did have transmission issues, but most any 02 model has had a rebuild or replacement which solves the original part failure issue for the most part. Manual transmission models were the best.

00-01 Camry had fewer transmission issues for sure, but the engines weren't quite as durable.

Condition is everything at this point. Remember... you are talking about old cars. Both could be a good used car buy so long as you don't mind spending some $$$ doing some reconditioning and don't mind a few repair bills down the road. Find the best one you can and be happy!

 

[camryto]

The 2002 Accord has had serious issues with transmission failure, extending Honda's bad record for AT problems that began around 1998. A MT is often a better choice if you can find one that hasn't been abused by a teenager. The 2000-2001 Camry V6 is a wonderful engine if it has not been abused, ie regular oil changes ideally with a driving style that does not promote sludge (short hops with engine never fully warmed up = BAD, longer drives at Hwy speed =GOOD).

The Camry V6 has much more power, similar reliability and MPG than the I4 thus there is little advantage to getting the I4 in these years IMHO. Its easier to change the plugs and valve cover gaskets on the I4, but the TBs are about the same. Definitely avoid the 2AZ-FE I4 which came out in 2002, its notorious for blown HG and stripped head bolts at around 60-100k. Check this site for useful data on problems with older cars:
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Accord/2002/transmission/

Also Edmunds consumer reviews and CU at the Library or online via a paywall.

Thanks for your feedback! You're right, the 6th gen Accords have a bad record for AT failures - I read that to only accept a car in which the owner has service records especially with tranny fluid changes (drain & fill) on schedule/regularly. Also, to test drive and make sure there's no clunking/slipping of the AT.

Otherwise, pursue a MT car.

I searched for a Camry 2002-2006 with V6 and couldn't find any in my budget unless I consider cars well over 300K kms. Ah, sucks.

So, for the Camry, I guess I'll probably be looking at the 2000-2001 cars and request a mechanic to pull the valve cover (especially) if it's a V6?
I read about the 2AZ-FE I4 and blown HG + stripped head bolts. I think I'll avoid I4 cars of these years.

Other than driving style/routine, I guess oil changes that are too far apart or not regularly on schedule (every 3000?) would be a bad sign so it's best to find an owner/seller with service records of these? Hopefully, that's not too hard to find.

P.S. I've checked carcomplaints before and read reviews at Edmunds and Carsurvey also so thanks for the links/mention. At least, some of my research has been good.

 

[camryto]

Do keep in mind that you are talking about 15 year old cars. Most are fairly tired at this point...

02 Accord V6 engine will run forever. They did have transmission issues, but most any 02 model has had a rebuild or replacement which solves the original part failure issue for the most part. Manual transmission models were the best.

00-01 Camry had fewer transmission issues for sure, but the engines weren't quite as durable.

Condition is everything at this point. Remember... you are talking about old cars. Both could be a good used car buy so long as you don't mind spending some $$$ doing some reconditioning and don't mind a few repair bills down the road. Find the best one you can and be happy!

Those are good points. I never considered a V6 considering that maybe the tranny was already replaced. As long as I maintain it, do the changes and maybe add a tranny cooler (I think you could add this at some point - as an aftermarket part?), it would make it a decent car?

You're right, the condition is everything - that's why I want to make sure the body and underside aren't in bad shape (rust bucket) and that it doesn't look like it's going to break down the next day. I also think besides a decent body for the age, that it's relatively clean inside (and along the doors) - i.e. low amount of rust - which might suggest the owner/drivers took care of it?

 

[Zembonez]

Those are good points. I never considered a V6 considering that maybe the tranny was already replaced. As long as I maintain it, do the changes and maybe add a tranny cooler (I think you could add this at some point - as an aftermarket part?), it would make it a decent car?

You're right, the condition is everything - that's why I want to make sure the body and underside aren't in bad shape (rust bucket) and that it doesn't look like it's going to break down the next day. I also think besides a decent body for the age, that it's relatively clean inside (and along the doors) - i.e. low amount of rust - which might suggest the owner/drivers took care of it?

I'm a car buyer by trade. Those are much older than I buy but I've seen zillions of them at auction, dealers, etc. I see tons of 300K mile 00-02 Accords and Camrys. People would have scrapped them long ago if they were all horrible cars.

You are looking at some of the better cars in the used car market for that vintage. Civic, Corolla, Accord, Camry all seem to last a long time.

 

[zythr]

Do keep in mind that you are talking about 15 year old cars. Most are fairly tired at this point...

02 Accord V6 engine will run forever. They did have transmission issues, but most any 02 model has had a rebuild or replacement which solves the original part failure issue for the most part. Manual transmission models were the of best.

00-01 Camry had fewer transmission issues for sure, but the engines weren't quite as durable.

Condition is everything at this point. Remember... you are talking about old cars. Both could be a good used car buy so long as you don't mind spending some $$$ doing some reconditioning and don't mind a few repair bills down the road. Find the best one you can and be happy!

Maybe the OP should skip that vintage of Accord especially if it has an auto. Some drivers will continue to drive them even if the auto is malfunctioning, that can't be good for the engine.

Out for a walk, one owner was driving his V6 Odyssey. It took the tranny almost 2 blocks to upshift (he was accelerating from a stop), all the while you could hear the engine revving.

 

[Zembonez]

Maybe the OP should skip that vintage of Accord especially if it has an auto. Some drivers will continue to drive them even if the auto is malfunctioning, that can't be good for the engine.

Out for a walk, one owner was driving his V6 Odyssey. It took the tranny almost 2 blocks to upshift (he was accelerating from a stop), all the while you could hear the engine revving.

That actually made me laugh out loud.

I doubt that represents many drivers of any kind of car...

If Hondas were as bad as Toyota fanboys like to spout in here, they would not be top selling vehicles after all of these years... and my wife would not be driving her 4th Accord. Every one has been a very solid car.

 

[71Corolla]

If Hondas were as bad as Toyota fanboys like to spout in here, they would not be top selling vehicles after all of these years... and my wife would not be driving her 4th Accord. Every one has been a very solid car.

That's a pretty solid strawman, GM sold hundreds of millions of cars and eventually went bankrupt.

 

[Zembonez]

That's a pretty solid strawman, GM sold hundreds of millions of cars and eventually went bankrupt.

Yeah... and Toyota had to recall a bazillion vehicles.

Nobody is immune to issues. I like my Toyota Camry, My Scion XB, Accord, AND my GMC truck. They have all been great vehicles.

 

[Stillrunning]

The 2002 Accord has had serious issues with transmission failure, extending Honda's bad record for AT problems that began around 1998.

Problems may be due to Honda's use of CV transmission? We were looking at 2016 Accord 4 cylinder and it had the CV, I did research and did not feel comfortable with a belt drive trans - especially on Accord.

 

[camryto]

Read a bunch of reviews on Edmunds the other night. For the '02 Accord, I would say that it's about a 50% positive / 50% negative (at least, that was my impression) despite the actual rating/review summary of mostly positive. While reading, it just seemed that half the time someone was complaining about a failed AT and that they had to reman/replace it.

Some owners said that they had to do more than once. They can't all be neglectful? Some *claimed* they did transm. fluid changes regularly. My question is whether the recommended schedule from Honda was not soon enough. I am not sure but I seem to recall recommendations in various forums/online car sites to do the fluid drain and fill every 4000 miles? Does that sound right? Or is that km (2500 miles - that sounds pretty paranoid/early so maybe it's miles). They were a mix of V6 and i4 AT cars.

It also seemed that the MT cars all had positive reviews or at least nothing that standed out as consistently negative.

I guess the overwhelming complaints about the AT worries me.

The 2001 Toyota Camry reviews weren't very plentiful like the 2002 Accord ones were which seemed a bit odd. But, they were practically all positive even V6. I think the 1MZFE engines have the possibility of the sludge problem so maybe the sample size of the reviews is just too small? Anyway, I would like either the V6 Camry or the MT Accord but they're hard to find here. I'm in Ontario, Canada and if I restrict my search to those two car (versions), it's not much pickings. Then you have to find those cars in good condition, too, preferably still with service records.... :-/

 

[Zembonez]

You won't find much love (and plenty of the opposite) for Honda on a Toyota forum.

I've had great luck with Honda for many years. I've had the same fortune with Toyota. Look for a nice example and remember you are looking at older vehicles. You'll be fine.

Good luck!

 

[pimpin-tl]

Thanks for your feedback! You're right, the 6th gen Accords have a bad record for AT failures - I read that to only accept a car in which the owner has service records especially with tranny fluid changes (drain & fill) on schedule/regularly. Also, to test drive and make sure there's no clunking/slipping of the AT.

Otherwise, pursue a MT car.

I searched for a Camry 2002-2006 with V6 and couldn't find any in my budget unless I consider cars well over 300K kms. Ah, sucks.

So, for the Camry, I guess I'll probably be looking at the 2000-2001 cars and request a mechanic to pull the valve cover (especially) if it's a V6?
I read about the 2AZ-FE I4 and blown HG + stripped head bolts. I think I'll avoid I4 cars of these years.

Other than driving style/routine, I guess oil changes that are too far apart or not regularly on schedule (every 3000?) would be a bad sign so it's best to find an owner/seller with service records of these? Hopefully, that's not too hard to find.

P.S. I've checked carcomplaints before and read reviews at Edmunds and Carsurvey also so thanks for the links/mention. At least, some of my research has been good.

The 5SFE i4 in the 2000-2001 Camry is probably more durable than the V6 in the same years. It is a stout engine and will run forever. Mine has 226k and still drives like new.

 

[tedmich]

The 5SFE i4 in the 2000-2001 Camry is probably more durable than the V6 in the same years. It is a stout engine and will run forever. Mine has 226k and still drives like new.

Compared to a 1MZ it will sure FEEL like forever


(I own both)

 

[tedmich]

Maybe the OP should skip that vintage of Accord especially if it has an auto. Some drivers will continue to drive them even if the auto is malfunctioning, that can't be good for the engine.

Out for a walk, one owner was driving his V6 Odyssey. It took the tranny almost 2 blocks to upshift (he was accelerating from a stop), all the while you could hear the engine revving.

I owned a 2001 Ody and MANY owners had to replace multiple ATs, the class action lawyers won against Honda and got the warranty extended to 109k (from 100k! and also a huge paycheck) and many owners were screwed by dealers trying to recoup any money from the replacements. All the while CU and others were saying the Sienna and Ody were entirely equivalent in quality (?) because Honda has EXCELLENT PR and a HUGE ad budget. See here for tales of woe
http://www.odysseytransmission.com/
Did you ever hear about the lawsuit where Honda Dealers sued Honda over MASSIVE payoffs to get cars supplied to them? I didn't think so... read here
http://www.autonews.com/article/200...dirty-secret-of-bribes--finally-came-to-light

"All the 2002 Accords have had their ATs replaced already..." yeah sure. This was NOT a maintenance issue, they were faulty designs that failed at a very high rate.

 

[Zembonez]

"All the 2002 Accords have had their ATs replaced already..." yeah sure. This was NOT a maintenance issue, they were faulty designs that failed at a very high rate.

This is a ridiculous exaggeration. They did indeed have some problems with them, but many never failed. Your fanboyism is showing.

 

[zythr]

That actually made me laugh out loud.

I doubt that represents many drivers of any kind of car...

If Hondas were as bad as Toyota fanboys like to spout in here, they would not be top selling vehicles after all of these years... and my wife would not be driving her 4th Accord. Every one has been a very solid car.

Well it's true:smile: I'm as big a fan of Honda as of Toyota. It has been sad how Honda had fallen off, after the death of Soichiro. Some of their auto trannies have had well known issues,. It's great your wife has lucked out in getting solid ones.

 

[zythr]

I owned a 2001 Ody and MANY owners had to replace multiple ATs, the class action lawyers won against Honda and got the warranty extended to 109k (from 100k! and also a huge paycheck) and many owners were screwed by dealers trying to recoup any money from the replacements. All the while CU and others were saying the Sienna and Ody were entirely equivalent in quality (?) because Honda has EXCELLENT PR and a HUGE ad budget. See here for tales of woe
http://www.odysseytransmission.com/
Did you ever hear about the lawsuit where Honda Dealers sued Honda over MASSIVE payoffs to get cars supplied to them? I didn't think so... read here
http://www.autonews.com/article/200...dirty-secret-of-bribes--finally-came-to-light

"All the 2002 Accords have had their ATs replaced already..." yeah sure. This was NOT a maintenance issue, they were faulty designs that failed at a very high rate.

Honda did have issues with those transmissions. Hopefully the newer ones are better. time will tell. Car and Driver also sings Honda's praises and rarely chastises them. I do recall the dealer scandal, there was also the ones where people who owned Accords in salt belt states complained excessive rust.

 

[zythr]

This is a ridiculous exaggeration. They did indeed have some problems with them, but many never failed. Your fanboyism is showing.

There is nothing wrong about being a Toyota fanboy:smile: