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In my last article, I recommended Japanese cars Honda and Toyota. I think I am obligated to make a comparison. As you walk or drive around, you see a lot of Honda and Toyota. You think people's choice is your choice. Ok, you have decided to buy a Japanese car, either Honda or Toyota. I wish that this article might help you to make your choice.
Not that long ago, I was selling Toyota. As a disclosure, I currently work in a Honda dealership. I will try to be as fair as I can, give numbers and facts, to avoid make any projective conclusion, and let you decide. In following comparison, I will only list the distinguished differences; I won't compare something like bigger tires or better radios, as long as both have tires and radios, etc. I also elect to use standard feature price comparison. We all know Honda may have this kind of feature; Toyota has that kind of feature. How much does the extra or different feature worth?
Here we go.
Toyota ECHO (used to be TERCEL)
There is no same class vehicle in Honda family. As a matter of fact, Chinese buyers rarely consider it. I never sold an ECHO.
COROLLA vs. CIVIC
They are the breads of Toyota and Honda in Canada. About 60-70% Chinese new Honda or Toyota buyers buy CIVIC or COROLLA. Lets compare 2001 CIVIC DX-G vs. 2002 COROLLA CE-B package and 2001 CIVIC LX-G vs. 2002 COROLLA LE-B. (Corolla is selling 2002 models)
If you just want Automatic, A/C, AM/FM with CD player, Civic DX-G Auto and Corolla CE-B Auto can satisfy you.
CIVIC DX-G vs. COROLLA CE-B
Features Civic DX-G Auto Corolla CE-B Auto Adjust Price
Engine 1.7L, 115horsepower 1.8L, 125horsepower -100
Keyless Entry No Yes -250
Ash-trey w. Lighter No Yes -100
Immobilizer System Yes No +350
Tinted Glass Yes No +200
Antenna Embedded, in glass Pull out +100
Power outlet Yes No +50
The MSRP price for 2001 CIVIC DX-G Auto is $18,300, minus adjust price $700, which is $17,600. The MSRP price for 2002 COROLLA CE-B Auto is $18085, minus adjust price $450, which is $17,635.
CIVIC DX-G Auto is $35 less than Corolla CE-B Auto.
If you like power windows, power mirrors, cruise control and ABS. You must go to Civic LX-G or Corolla LE-B packages.
CIVIC LX-G Auto vs. COROLLA LE-B Auto
Feature Civic LX-G Corolla LE-B Adjust Price
Engine 1.7L 115hp 1.8L 125hp -100
Moon Roof No Yes -1400
Alloy Wheels No Yes -1000
Ash-trey w. Lighter No Yes -100
Height adjustable driver seat Yes No +100
Immobilizer Yes No +350
Tinted Glass Yes No +200
Heated Mirrors Yes No +200
Arm Rest Yes No +30
Antenna In glass Pull out +100
Power outlet Yes No +50
MSRP for Civic LX-G is $19,900, minus standard feature adjust price $1,030, which is $18,870. MSRP for Corolla LE-B is $23,025, minus standard feature adjust price $2,600, which is $20,425.
Civic LX-G is $1,555 cheaper than Corolla LE-B.
If you want a sport model, you automatically go to Civic SI. Corolla also has sport model, but it never sells.
In my personal experience of test-driving, Civic is nimbler, better acceleration. Corolla is quieter, smoother. Actually, these features distinguish all other Honda and Toyota cars.
For Financing rate, CIVIC is 6.2% for up to 5 years; Corolla is 3.9% for 3 years, 5.9% for 4 years and 7.9% for 5 years.
Civic is the best selling car in Canada. Corolla is second.
Accord vs. Camry
If you think about a little bit bigger family car, you choose Accord or Camry. Lets look into details.
You want Automatic, with standard features like power windows, power mirrors, power locks, keyless entry, and cruise control, A/C, AM/FM and CD player. Both Accord LX Auto and Camry CE-B Auto have these. It will be hard for you to find a 2001 Camry, but I do not have any data for 2002 model, so I compare:
2001 Accord LX-Auto vs. 2001 Camry CE-B Auto
Feature Accord LX Camry CE-B Adjust Price
Engine 2.3L 155hp 2.2L 136hp +190
Speaker 6 4 +100
Tinted Glass Yes No +200
Mirror Foldable Fixed +200
Immobilizer Yes No +350
Driver seat Manual Power -200
Ash trey/lighter No Yes -100
Keyless Entry No Yes -250
MSRP for Accord LX Auto is $23,800, minus adjust price $1,040, which is $22,760.
MSRP for Camry CE-B Auto is $25,565, minus adjust price $450, which is $25,015.
Accord LX is $2,255 cheaper than Camry CE-B.
Accord EX V6 vs. Camry XLE V6
Both cars almost have identical features. Both are 3.0L V6; with Accord has 6 more hp. Both also come with ABS, Moon Roof, Alloy Wheels, A/C Climate Control, Traction Control, Leather and Heated Seats, etc.
Accord EX V6 MSRP is $30,800. Camry XLE V6 MSRP is $33,285.
For financing, Accord is 5.8% for up to 5 years. For 2001 Camry, 0.9% for 3 years, 2.9% for 4 years, 3.9% for 5 years. Because you may not be able to find a 2001 Camry, my guessing is 2002 Camry's MSRP may stay flat, some trim level may get slightly lower, but interest rate very likely will be 3.9%, 5.9%, 7.9% for 3, 4, 5 years.
Camry is the best selling passenger car in North America. Accord is fast to catch on.
CR-V vs. RAV 4
I like compact SUV. Everybody likes SUV. When you drive a SUV, because you are seated very high, you can see road condition much, much better. People talk about all wheel drive, snow or camping, none of these matters to me because I rarely go out of town. I am a slow driver who enjoys cruising around in a compact SUV like CR-V and RAV 4. I remember when I was at Toyota dealership, my colleagues asking me Highlander or RAV 4, I answered 100 times RAV 4 because RAV 4 has much better commanding view. Lets see RAV 4-C package and CR-V EX-GT, the two top sellers in its own category, shall we?
CR-V EX-GT Auto vs. RAV 4 Auto C package
Feature CR-V EX GT RAV 4-C Adjust Price
Engine 2.0L 146hp 2.0L 148hp -20
Heated Mirrors No Yes -200
Fog Lamps No Yes -200
Smoke Lighter No Yes -50
Wind Deflector Yes No +100
Bike rack and Bike Yes No +300
Picnic Table Yes No +100
MSRP for CR-V EX GT is $28,900, minus adjust price $500, equals $28,400.
MSRP for RAV 4 C is $30,305, minus adjust price $470, equals $29,835.
CR-V is $1,435 cheaper.
Financing rate is 5.8% flat for CR-V up to 5 years. 9.25% is the flat rate for RAV 4, also up to 5 years.
CR-V is the best seller compact SUV in Canada, RAV 4 is at 3rd or 4th place.
Odyssey vs. Sienna
If you have school kids, you would prefer to drive a mini van instead of passenger car for safety reason. As I just read consumer report, Odyssey is ranked number one overall. Sienna is second. American mini vans are far behind. For our lovely kids, if you can afford, do not even consider American vans.
Lets compare Odyssey LX vs. Sienna CE-B package, two basic models.
Feature Odyssey LX Sienna CE-B Adjust Price
Traction Control Yes No +1500
Heated Mirrors Yes No +200
Captain Seats and 3rd Magic Seats Yes No +1500
Rear Spoiler Yes No +500
Keyless Entry No Yes -350
Odyssey LX MSRP is $31,300, minus adjust price $3,700, equals $27,600.
Sienna CE-B MSRP is $29,535, minus adjust Price $350, equals $29,185.
Odyssey LX is $1,585 cheaper than Sienna CE B package.
Odyssey's financing rate is 8.5% flat for up to 5 years, 2002 Sienna's rate is 3.9, 5.9, 7.9% for 3, 4, 5 years.
Honestly, I consider both are good buy, great vehicles. What make Odyssey so hot in the market are the 3rd row retractable magic seats. You will be put on waiting list to get your Odyssey.
Prelude vs. Celica
There's real nothing to compare because Celica does not sell. Celica's contour is funny and driver seat is very, very low.
Toyota has other models, like Solara, Highlander, Avalon, 4Runner and pickup trucks. Honda currently has no similar models.
Final Thoughts
Some of you may disagree with the figures I put above, how could be so expensive? You know why, that's the way the manufacturers calculate their expense. If you go to a dealership or garage, you will know it. How can a small economic car cost you over $20,000 to buy it? Because $400 here, $1,500 there, all added up, it is over $20,000.
I have received a lot of phone calls since I posted my first article. Not a problem, you can call me at any time, Monday through Saturday. If I am busy, I will kindly ask you to call back or leave your name and phone number, I am for sure to call you back. By the way, I speak perfect Mandarin. In case you forgot, call 416-423-2300, my work phone number, and ask for PERRY LEI.
People always ask for the best price, usually, no salesperson can give you best price over phone. I have seen a lot of Chinese buyers shopping around, for a long period time, only ended up to pay more. Just forget the best price, one or two hundreds of dollars do not worth it. If every buyer gets the best price, all cars will sell at zero (because dealership do sell below cost, very rarely). How to get a good price? My next posting will tackle this topic.
Random amusement: I grow pumpkins in backyard, guess how many different recipes I have collected to cook pumpkin.
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In my last article, I recommended Japanese cars Honda and Toyota. I think I am obligated to make a comparison. As you walk or drive around, you see a lot of Honda and Toyota. You think people's choice is your choice. Ok, you have decided to buy a Japanese car, either Honda or Toyota. I wish that this article might help you to make your choice.
Not that long ago, I was selling Toyota. As a disclosure, I currently work in a Honda dealership. I will try to be as fair as I can, give numbers and facts, to avoid make any projective conclusion, and let you decide. In following comparison, I will only list the distinguished differences; I won't compare something like bigger tires or better radios, as long as both have tires and radios, etc. I also elect to use standard feature price comparison. We all know Honda may have this kind of feature; Toyota has that kind of feature. How much does the extra or different feature worth?
Here we go.
Toyota ECHO (used to be TERCEL)
There is no same class vehicle in Honda family. As a matter of fact, Chinese buyers rarely consider it. I never sold an ECHO.
COROLLA vs. CIVIC
They are the breads of Toyota and Honda in Canada. About 60-70% Chinese new Honda or Toyota buyers buy CIVIC or COROLLA. Lets compare 2001 CIVIC DX-G vs. 2002 COROLLA CE-B package and 2001 CIVIC LX-G vs. 2002 COROLLA LE-B. (Corolla is selling 2002 models)
If you just want Automatic, A/C, AM/FM with CD player, Civic DX-G Auto and Corolla CE-B Auto can satisfy you.
CIVIC DX-G vs. COROLLA CE-B
Features Civic DX-G Auto Corolla CE-B Auto Adjust Price
Engine 1.7L, 115horsepower 1.8L, 125horsepower -100
Keyless Entry No Yes -250
Ash-trey w. Lighter No Yes -100
Immobilizer System Yes No +350
Tinted Glass Yes No +200
Antenna Embedded, in glass Pull out +100
Power outlet Yes No +50
The MSRP price for 2001 CIVIC DX-G Auto is $18,300, minus adjust price $700, which is $17,600. The MSRP price for 2002 COROLLA CE-B Auto is $18085, minus adjust price $450, which is $17,635.
CIVIC DX-G Auto is $35 less than Corolla CE-B Auto.
If you like power windows, power mirrors, cruise control and ABS. You must go to Civic LX-G or Corolla LE-B packages.
CIVIC LX-G Auto vs. COROLLA LE-B Auto
Feature Civic LX-G Corolla LE-B Adjust Price
Engine 1.7L 115hp 1.8L 125hp -100
Moon Roof No Yes -1400
Alloy Wheels No Yes -1000
Ash-trey w. Lighter No Yes -100
Height adjustable driver seat Yes No +100
Immobilizer Yes No +350
Tinted Glass Yes No +200
Heated Mirrors Yes No +200
Arm Rest Yes No +30
Antenna In glass Pull out +100
Power outlet Yes No +50
MSRP for Civic LX-G is $19,900, minus standard feature adjust price $1,030, which is $18,870. MSRP for Corolla LE-B is $23,025, minus standard feature adjust price $2,600, which is $20,425.
Civic LX-G is $1,555 cheaper than Corolla LE-B.
If you want a sport model, you automatically go to Civic SI. Corolla also has sport model, but it never sells.
In my personal experience of test-driving, Civic is nimbler, better acceleration. Corolla is quieter, smoother. Actually, these features distinguish all other Honda and Toyota cars.
For Financing rate, CIVIC is 6.2% for up to 5 years; Corolla is 3.9% for 3 years, 5.9% for 4 years and 7.9% for 5 years.
Civic is the best selling car in Canada. Corolla is second.
Accord vs. Camry
If you think about a little bit bigger family car, you choose Accord or Camry. Lets look into details.
You want Automatic, with standard features like power windows, power mirrors, power locks, keyless entry, and cruise control, A/C, AM/FM and CD player. Both Accord LX Auto and Camry CE-B Auto have these. It will be hard for you to find a 2001 Camry, but I do not have any data for 2002 model, so I compare:
2001 Accord LX-Auto vs. 2001 Camry CE-B Auto
Feature Accord LX Camry CE-B Adjust Price
Engine 2.3L 155hp 2.2L 136hp +190
Speaker 6 4 +100
Tinted Glass Yes No +200
Mirror Foldable Fixed +200
Immobilizer Yes No +350
Driver seat Manual Power -200
Ash trey/lighter No Yes -100
Keyless Entry No Yes -250
MSRP for Accord LX Auto is $23,800, minus adjust price $1,040, which is $22,760.
MSRP for Camry CE-B Auto is $25,565, minus adjust price $450, which is $25,015.
Accord LX is $2,255 cheaper than Camry CE-B.
Accord EX V6 vs. Camry XLE V6
Both cars almost have identical features. Both are 3.0L V6; with Accord has 6 more hp. Both also come with ABS, Moon Roof, Alloy Wheels, A/C Climate Control, Traction Control, Leather and Heated Seats, etc.
Accord EX V6 MSRP is $30,800. Camry XLE V6 MSRP is $33,285.
For financing, Accord is 5.8% for up to 5 years. For 2001 Camry, 0.9% for 3 years, 2.9% for 4 years, 3.9% for 5 years. Because you may not be able to find a 2001 Camry, my guessing is 2002 Camry's MSRP may stay flat, some trim level may get slightly lower, but interest rate very likely will be 3.9%, 5.9%, 7.9% for 3, 4, 5 years.
Camry is the best selling passenger car in North America. Accord is fast to catch on.
CR-V vs. RAV 4
I like compact SUV. Everybody likes SUV. When you drive a SUV, because you are seated very high, you can see road condition much, much better. People talk about all wheel drive, snow or camping, none of these matters to me because I rarely go out of town. I am a slow driver who enjoys cruising around in a compact SUV like CR-V and RAV 4. I remember when I was at Toyota dealership, my colleagues asking me Highlander or RAV 4, I answered 100 times RAV 4 because RAV 4 has much better commanding view. Lets see RAV 4-C package and CR-V EX-GT, the two top sellers in its own category, shall we?
CR-V EX-GT Auto vs. RAV 4 Auto C package
Feature CR-V EX GT RAV 4-C Adjust Price
Engine 2.0L 146hp 2.0L 148hp -20
Heated Mirrors No Yes -200
Fog Lamps No Yes -200
Smoke Lighter No Yes -50
Wind Deflector Yes No +100
Bike rack and Bike Yes No +300
Picnic Table Yes No +100
MSRP for CR-V EX GT is $28,900, minus adjust price $500, equals $28,400.
MSRP for RAV 4 C is $30,305, minus adjust price $470, equals $29,835.
CR-V is $1,435 cheaper.
Financing rate is 5.8% flat for CR-V up to 5 years. 9.25% is the flat rate for RAV 4, also up to 5 years.
CR-V is the best seller compact SUV in Canada, RAV 4 is at 3rd or 4th place.
Odyssey vs. Sienna
If you have school kids, you would prefer to drive a mini van instead of passenger car for safety reason. As I just read consumer report, Odyssey is ranked number one overall. Sienna is second. American mini vans are far behind. For our lovely kids, if you can afford, do not even consider American vans.
Lets compare Odyssey LX vs. Sienna CE-B package, two basic models.
Feature Odyssey LX Sienna CE-B Adjust Price
Traction Control Yes No +1500
Heated Mirrors Yes No +200
Captain Seats and 3rd Magic Seats Yes No +1500
Rear Spoiler Yes No +500
Keyless Entry No Yes -350
Odyssey LX MSRP is $31,300, minus adjust price $3,700, equals $27,600.
Sienna CE-B MSRP is $29,535, minus adjust Price $350, equals $29,185.
Odyssey LX is $1,585 cheaper than Sienna CE B package.
Odyssey's financing rate is 8.5% flat for up to 5 years, 2002 Sienna's rate is 3.9, 5.9, 7.9% for 3, 4, 5 years.
Honestly, I consider both are good buy, great vehicles. What make Odyssey so hot in the market are the 3rd row retractable magic seats. You will be put on waiting list to get your Odyssey.
Prelude vs. Celica
There's real nothing to compare because Celica does not sell. Celica's contour is funny and driver seat is very, very low.
Toyota has other models, like Solara, Highlander, Avalon, 4Runner and pickup trucks. Honda currently has no similar models.
Final Thoughts
Some of you may disagree with the figures I put above, how could be so expensive? You know why, that's the way the manufacturers calculate their expense. If you go to a dealership or garage, you will know it. How can a small economic car cost you over $20,000 to buy it? Because $400 here, $1,500 there, all added up, it is over $20,000.
I have received a lot of phone calls since I posted my first article. Not a problem, you can call me at any time, Monday through Saturday. If I am busy, I will kindly ask you to call back or leave your name and phone number, I am for sure to call you back. By the way, I speak perfect Mandarin. In case you forgot, call 416-423-2300, my work phone number, and ask for PERRY LEI.
People always ask for the best price, usually, no salesperson can give you best price over phone. I have seen a lot of Chinese buyers shopping around, for a long period time, only ended up to pay more. Just forget the best price, one or two hundreds of dollars do not worth it. If every buyer gets the best price, all cars will sell at zero (because dealership do sell below cost, very rarely). How to get a good price? My next posting will tackle this topic.
Random amusement: I grow pumpkins in backyard, guess how many different recipes I have collected to cook pumpkin.
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