Buy/Drive/Burn: V6 Midsize Japanese Sedans of 2007
In contrast to the Try Very Hard Japanese sedans of the Nineties, the early and mid-2000s period was a time for Japanese manufacturers to rest upon their laurels. It was a time to save some cash, and put in a bit less effort than in the tiring decade prior.
And lucky you, today you get to pick one to buy.
All today’s sedans are equipped with V6 engines and high trim specifications, with a target price of $28,000.
Honda Accord
The Accord looks stylish for 2007 and is in its final model year before the arrival of the eighth-generation model in 2008. Available with a 2.4-liter inline-four (166 HP) or a 3.0-liter V6 (244 HP), there’s a hybrid option as well as manual and automatic transmissions. The top-tier model today is the EX-L V6, with five-speed automatic transmission and power everything for $27,995.
Nissan Maxima
The 2007 Maxima is near the end of its life as well, as the architectural-looking sixth-generation lives on through the 2008 model year before its replacement. All Maximas had the same 3.5-liter V6 engine, good for 255 horsepower. 2007 brings a facelift to the Maxima, as well as a CVT in place of prior manual and automatic transmissions. For $28,050 today’s SE trim has cloth seats, power everything else, and the unique north-south arrangement glass sunroof panel.
Toyota Camry
In 2007 the Camry is all-new, as the more upright XV40 model replaces the now dated-looking organic shapes of the XV30. Engines are either a 2.4-liter inline-four (155 HP) or the stalwart 3.5-liter V6 (268 HP). Transmissions are of five-speed auto or five-speed manual persuasions. The V6 is available across three trims: SE, LE, or XLE. Today’s pick is the XLE V6, fully equipped with leather at $28,020.
Three V6 midsize Japanese sedans, all within $100 of one another on price and all less desirable than their counterparts from a decade prior. Which one is worth a Buy?
[Images: Honda, Nissan, Toyota]
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Burn em all since they are all targeted in the recent catalytic converter theft spree going on in the country. Too much of an insurance risk all around.
Ahhh! I'm so sorry Toyota. Leading into the Sudden Unintended Acceleration scandal with this generation Toyota Camry, and just after the early 2000's whiplash lawsuits for car companies, these "Japanese" cars are some of the most uncomfortable, worst designs out there. This is a hard one. Buy the Accord. Even though the head restraints will keep your neck safe in a crash, you'll have long term issues with ergonomics in this funky head rest design era, and eventually you'll say screw it and turn it around 180 so it stops digging into your skull. It will drink oil in its later years, but never stop. Drive the Nissan. I'd rent the heck of this, and tool around. The CVT's were weird and overly hyped, do you remember the makeup commercial? I think they had problems later on down the road, but oh well. I want to like these Camry's, I think they looked cooler than the super conservative version that came out after the floor board mat scandal, but I can't. NHTSA was never able to prove it, but I don't think Toyota was ever able to disprove it. If I had another drive it option, I'd drive the other Nissan. But I don't know anything about Maxima's, but does this classify as mid-size? I thought Maxima was full size? Why would nissan make 2 mid sized on the same marque?