Hello, I am a 20 year old young man looking for a first car. I am torn between a 2008 Honda Accord Sedan Manual Transmission with 133k miles on it for $2500 or a 2012 Mazda 6 automatic transmission with 108k miles, needs a wheel bearing and there is a small crack in the back bumper for $2600. Both cars are from private sellers. What would you recommend? Thank you so much!
Condition and comfort would play a big role in it for me personally. At 20 years of age you will be spending quite a bit of time in the front seat. But lets suppose they both are equally as clean and comfortable as the other. The Mazda needs a wheel bearing, that is 2 hours book time labor plus parts.
So now you have a 2012 Mazda 6 with $2600 + $50 for the hub bearing, we will assume you replaced the hub bearing yourself, vs. a 2008 Honda Accord for $2500. We will go on to assume that the body on both are pristine. So lets look at some Pros and Cons:
PROS
- Fuel Mileage 22/31 – same for both
CONS
- Passenger Air Bag Safety Recall 0717A – 2012 Mazda 6
- Multiple Technical Service Bulletins related to the transmission on the 2012 Mazda 6
- Multiple Front Air Bag Safety Recalls – 2008 Honda Accord
- Multiple Technical Service Bulletins related to the Windshield Wiper Motor not working(RECALL) – 2008 Honda Accord
From the looks of things they are both about in the same shape with the exception of the Mazda transmission TSB vs the Honda windshield wiper motor. As far as that goes the wiper motor is bound to be a less expensive fix if it came to it.
The Car I Recommend
They are both about the same. Maintenance costs are also about the same. The Honda tends to have a more reliable reputation. The Honda however is a stick shift and the Mazda is an automatic. In my 20’s I wouldn’t have cared and may have even preferred a stick shift. But as I have gotten older I prefer an automatic. So I would chose the Mazda for myself based on that. As for you still being in your 20’s, I recommend you pick the one that is comfortable and fun to drive.
