[Auto Talk] Honda Accord Or Toyota Camry?

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by Chai

Nope, even the 'low end' 318 CKD is much better than imported Japanese.

Wah.. Sure or not??? How do you measure build quality?

I've seen my uncle's 325i and yes, the build quality is good but I would not say there's an incredible difference from that of any Japanese car.

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by Mac Daddy

Ahh I see I wasn't aware of that.

Over here, we pay a yearly road tax based on engine displacement. For example, 2.0L petrol cars are taxed about RM 400 (US$ 130) and 2.4L petrol cars are taxed about RM 800 (US$ 260) a year.

Diesel cars are taxed even more every year even with the 50% discount. This is based on the assumption that diesel vehicles are generally used commercially and therefore spend more time on the road.

That's why most cars here have rather small engine capacities, from as low as 600 cc to 2.4 L. Larger displacement engines are available but much rarer, because the road tax increases exponentially.

[Chai]

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

Wah.. Sure or not??? How do you measure build quality?

I've seen my uncle's 325i and yes, the build quality is good but I would not say there's an incredible difference from that of any Japanese car.

Material used.

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by Chai

Material used.

Hmm.. How to determine that? BTW, surely Jap cars also use good materials, right? The Accord, Camry and Civic do seem to be made of pretty solid stuff, not like tin-can Protons.

[Mac Daddy]

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

Over here, we pay a yearly road tax based on engine displacement. For example, 2.0L petrol cars are taxed about RM 400 (US$ 130) and 2.4L petrol cars are taxed about RM 800 (US$ 260) a year.

Diesel cars are taxed even more every year even with the 50% discount. This is based on the assumption that diesel vehicles are generally used commercially and therefore spend more time on the road.

That's why most cars here have rather small engine capacities, from as low as 600 cc to 2.4 L. Larger displacement engines are available but much rarer, because the road tax increases exponentially.

Dang I had no idea the same might be happening here as well looking @ 1.30 a liter at the pumps and 1.35 for diesel

[Chai]

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

Hmm.. How to determine that? BTW, surely Jap cars also use good materials, right? The Accord, Camry and Civic do seem to be made of pretty solid stuff, not like tin-can Protons.

Dashbord quality? I've just seen the Camry, I'm not impressed by the interior. The fake plastic wood panel. Center console, all plastic, looks pretty cheap. I would expect a lot better from a car like this.

I was inside a Euro-spec Civic Type R. That car feels more solid than the Camry IMO.

[zy]

toyota is cutting cost personally idont really like toyota's interior.

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by Chai

Dashbord quality? I've just seen the Camry, I'm not impressed by the interior. The fake plastic wood panel. Center console, all plastic, looks pretty cheap. I would expect a lot better from a car like this.

I was inside a Euro-spec Civic Type R. That car feels more solid than the Camry IMO.

Oh yeah, the interior of the Camry is ghastly TBH. I have no idea why they came up with such a cheap interior. I very much prefer my Sonata's interior.

Plus it only has one colour - beige. No matter what your exterior colour is, it's always beige inside.

[Adrian Wong]

OMG.. Just checked out the VW Passat. It's going for RM 230K (US$ 74K).

Definitely a head over the Accord/Camry class at least in price. It's just a tad cheaper than the BMW 320i SE. Which makes me wonder... wouldn't the Bimmer be a better car for the price?

[peaz]

You have to drive it to know it! German cars are not for looks. It's for driving That's what a car is meant for - driving. Not Bling-ing.