2009 Honda Accord Sedan EX 5-Spd AT

Pros

It will hold its value, good milage.

Cons

Noisy, weak brakes, feels like you are riding in a tin can

Please read the entire review as I point out things I hate, and things I love about this car.



For the money you would think Honda would buy some real metal! While this car is much nicer inside than the Camry, it is noisier and rides a little rougher. The Altima and Legacy had much better rides, nicer interiors, and a lower level of the outside world's noise inside. The Camry was quieter, but looked bland compared to this Honda.

Hondas hold their value, it is a fact. But when you are over paying in the first place, is it worth it? Also, get an insurance quote to factor into the true costs. The stolen car rate on this model is high, and therefore the insurance bill will cost you a chunk of money more per policy period. When I compared it to the car I eventually bought, a Subaru Legacy, it was like 25 dollars more per month in insurance. That is a lot to me, enough for me to not see this model as a good value per dollar spent owning and operating the car. But, this car likely would use 20 dollars less in gas per month than the Legacy (the Legacy is AWD and gets 2-3 MPG less).

The car doesn't have enough ground clearance. When the slightest amount of snow is out, the bottom of the car is sledding through it. Hitting all that salt can't be good, right?

Weak brakes - I drove this car after the Camry and Legacy, but before the Altima. The brakes were the weakest of the cars I have mentioned. I over shot a stop sign by about 6 feet. The Legacy and Altima had the best brakes of the cars I have mentioned.

Great engine. I owned a CRV and an Element, and can testify that these guys make a great little motor. Peppy, and great MPG. The engines are bullet proof and quality control at the manufacturing plant must be intense, because as long as you follow the recommended minimum maintenance, you will never have an engine problem.

Handling is plain. It under steers a bit (front wheels skid if you turn wheel too fast). On snow, when I tested it, it was better than a classic RWD V8 American ride, but was no where as solid footed as the CVT Altima, and not even in the same world as the Legacy AWD.

Overall, this is just a car, average in most ways, superior in engine quality and MPG, and inferior in noise, comfort, and solidness.

I recommend you test drive the Camry, Altima, Accord, Legacy and even the Hyundai all in the same weekend to be able to give a fair comparison without a fading memory leading you to a car that is not your fit.

If you live near a snow area or loose gravel on roads area, look at a Legacy.