Hey Scotty, I’m currently in the market for a new car, so far I’ve narrowed it down to four options, the 2021 Camry, the 2021 Accord, the 2021 Volvo S60, and the 2021 Ford Explorer. Which would would be the best car overall?
This is an oil pan from a 2021 Ford Exploder... ahem Explorer (Platinum trim) with less than 1,000 miles on it.
Skip the Volvo unless you are leasing.
Nice cars, but the technology and low volume of sales means costly parts and repairs down the road.
Between those, I would only consider Accord or Camry. Test drive them to see which one you like more. You can also check the Mazda as well.
Scotty has a new video out today and explains why he would never buy a new car. Might want to check it out.
Here is the video. Commentary starts at 4:55
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kci-yVa_oNE&ab_channel=ScottyKilmer
I would keep looking. Honda's reliability goes back and forth. The Camry has the 8-speed automatic transmission and Toyota just released some software and mechanic updates to that transmission beginning with that model year and the verdict on that is unknown. Volvos are very complex now and when they break, they will cost thousands of dollars in repairs. The Ford Explorer also still uses the 10-speed transmission which is garbage. I think Ford did make a software update but I doubt it'll be any good.
Also with the price of cars these days being as high as ever along with the chip shortage, I would wait a while before buying.
Volvo has the same 8 speed transmission that the Camry has. but in the case of Volvo they have been using it for quite a while and it seems like they ironed out most of the bugs.
The Toyota 8AT update is only for 18 and 19, I have 2020 and never receive any notice for the update. I can say the 8AT is reliable but not as reliable as 6AT. I know someone has a 19 Camry with 270k miles +, he had a tranny replacement at 170k miles with a 15k miles tranny, but he does a lot of stop and go due to doing doordash and lyft. I personally asked him about the tranny at his 270k miles (100k miles after replacement), he said the tranny still running strong and new.
How long do you want to keep the car? How many miles do you want it to last?
If the answer to either of those is more than 10 years or more than 150K miles the easy answer is the Accord or Camry. That said, even without that criteria I would still say the Accord or Camry. They are simply the best vehicles in your list.
Our dealership has one new car on the lot tonight, ONE car, a Corolla
crazy times
The Toyota dealerships in TN don't even have new car on the lot, they sell them even when they are in transit. However, the Jeep dealership next to where I live, still have A LOT of Jeep on the lot
I would not buy the Ford Explorer and probably not the Volvo. The newer gen Ford Explorers are not that good and I don't trust the latest generations of the Explorer. Volvos are pretty good until they get to a certain mileage (100-150k miles) where they can become costly to repair as they are complex cars. If you are after a low-maintenance car, maybe try a Lexus IS or an Acura TLX. Honda Accord is also a solid option and if u get the 2.0T that can be a great car to have, Camry is nice when the 8-speed auto shifts correctly. If u want the best all-rounder for everything including long life, go Accord with the 2.0T.
Of those options, I’d go for the Camry. For the Accord, I would only get the one with the 2 liter turbocharged engine, not the 1.5 liter turbo engine so if you are willing to pay a lot more for the high end model, go ahead. People like to whine about the Camry’s transmissions feeling a little odd but I have only heard of one person having the transmission go out on a 2019 Camry… at 170k miles but he also never changed the transmission fluid, and he only drove in the city with constant stop-and-go. The other few people I’ve met who drive a lot with 200k+ miles on their 2018+ Camrys haven’t had any problems. Those 8 speed automatic transmissions shift fine when they get the software update and I don’t think a 2021 Camry will even need the update since those were mainly for 2018/2019.
I think the Camry has a slight edge, by I prefer the interior and user interface of the Accord. I would be happy driving either one. Try them both! See what you like better.
If you like 6MT, choose the 2020/2019 Accord. If you like AT, choose Camry.
I have a 2020 Camry, it's been good. Tranny might shift a little weird sometimes, but it's been really solid. The engine is great and powerful compared to the VW I had.
Here are some reasons why I chose Camry over Accord.
- Accord has CVT but Camry has 8AT.
- More this gen Camry on the road.
- Accord has oil dilution but Camry doesn't
- Accord's radar is in the bottom, you ran over some water and the sensor/ radar is done.
- Accord has GDI only, but Camry has GDI + NA.
Does it mean Accord is a bad car? No! It's also reliable, but I just see Camry is better.
