1996 Honda Accord EX from North America - Comments

I purchased a part that would stop the "buzzing" sound from the exhaust system when the engine was running in the twenty to forty miles per hour range.

I recently gave my Toyota Camry to my daughter for a 16th birthday gift. I wanted to replace it with an equally reliable and comfortable car. I needed to purchase the vehicle in a limited time frame. I got a very reasonable price on this 1996 Accord EX.

It is a very reliable and decent car, but having the luxury of 3 months driving time to assess it, it doesn't hold a candle to the Toyota Camry. I frankly can't even believe that they group the Camry and the Accord in the same class of automobile. I would rate the Honda more on par with the Mazda 626. The ride is far rougher than a Toyota. The Accord rides like a sports car without near the "zip" of a sports car. The Camry is like riding in luxury. The Camry has a far more quiet cabin and has better acceleration.

If you want a car that will provide reliability and a decent ride, the Honda Accord is a very good option. However, if you want the next level, buy a Camry.

I own a Honda Accord 1996 LX 4 door. I have nothing but good comments about this car - bought it with 68,000 miles and fixed it up with DC Sports Headers, Cat-back Exhaust system, Ram Air (cold air intake) 20" wheels with Low profile tires, Clear corner Tail lights - this car is accessible to upgrade, and very easy to work on.

Goes from 0-60 in 5.1 seconds - very comfortable, even when driving at high speeds.

No problem with the electical systems.

Gas-mileage is perfect.

Excellent interior design.

So my suggestion is take to your Camry and try to make some upgrades - you will find Toyota to be one of the most difficult vehicles to work on - plus most parts are not compatible.

I have driven several Toyota's and Honda's. These two vehicles are very similar in style and power.However, as a profession-al auto technician I would say that reliability would depend on your particular year model. Some newer models still have to have the 'bugs' worked out. When it comes to styling and modifications, Honda's take it hands down, how-ever, as far as reliability, we all know of Toyotas' reputation in that department. It is not uncommon to find a Toyota with over 200,000 miles on it. Honda's also reign supreme in department, though.The highest reliability rating I've known is on a Honda I personally have worked on two honda's having over 900,000 miles on the ORIGINAL motor. My opinion is that it is all in the upkeep of the vehicle, if you buy used you can't fairly judge the vehicle unless you have every single shop record and even then were the problems diagnosed correctly or just replaced through trial and error. Anyways just for the record I drive a 1994 accord and I had a 1999 Camry for awhile on a lease, power goes to the accord, ride goes to the Camry, overall reliability I would have to say accord since it's proved to be trouble free for twelve years and the Camry was for only three.

Toyota's overall build quality seems to be better than Honda. Toyota also manufactures some of the smoothest and quietest V8 engines I have ever driven. Honda on the other hand appears to be better at providing a more 'fun' driving experience. Their styling is a bit more edgy and the ride is usually more sporty than the boat-like feel of a Toyota. Not surprising, Sochiro Honda was a racing enthusiast. Speaking on behalf of engine quality and reliability...I'd say that Honda builds some of the best 4-cylinder engines in the industry while Toyota's silky smooth, reliable V6 and V8 engines are unmatched.

If both the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord were 4 cylinders or both V-6's from the same year, I'd like to know how the Camry out performs the Accord! If you do some research on these two cars, the numbers will speak for themselves! In the 94 to 97 year models between the Accord and Camry, the 4 cylinder Accord had 130hp (non-vtec) and 145 hp (with v-tec) while the Camry had 125hp and for the V-6 the Accord had 170hp and the Camry had 188hp! The 98 to 2000 range, the accord 4 cylinder had 150hp while the camry had 133hp and the V-6 accord had 200hp while the Camry V-6 had about 194hp. Now the newest Camry and Accord - the 4 cylinder accord has 160hp while the camry has 157hp and the V-6 Accord has 240hp while the Camry has 210hp! (All this info came from Motortrend.com) Honda has always kept on top of Toyota in standard performance except when Toyota had the advantage with the earlier V-6 engines, but still yet Toyotas have very nice suspensions and steering systems! Honda's are like cheaper sports cars while Toyota's are like cheaper luxery cars!