Considering replacement vehicle. Help.

[Dave Hess]

Looking to replace my 2012 Accord EX-L 2.4 in the next two years. Considering new Camry, Accord or possibly Jetta.

Upon reading up on the 1.5 in the Accord it appears they have head gasket issues. I’m looking at buying new and they Accord just has a redesign. Wondering if Honda worked those issues out.

Camry seems like a solid choice but I really don’t know much about them. I’ve been in the Honda / VW crowd for years. Any input would be appreciated.

Jetta has the new 1.5 which concerns me being a new engine (at least in the US). Car would be smaller than a mid size which is a concern as well. I suppose it depends on what kind of a deal could be had.

Any input appreciated!

I’ve seen the detailing photos you post and I know you are very picky about maintenance of your vehicles.

If your Honda is in creampuff condition I would keep it another 10 years….. just my opinion.

Pay down mortgage and max out IRAs / employer retirement.

 

[1lieutenant]

maybe just me, but I would never buy a car with an engine that I thought was “suspect “ no matter how much I liked it. i would always be waiting for the shoe to drop.

 

[super20dan]

The 1.5 in the Jetta isn’t new AFAIK just a bigger 1.4.

Jetta would be my choice…. Toyotas are junk… can’t make a piston ring to save their life…

tell that to my 3 toyotas that dont use any oil

 

[gregk24]

I’ve seen the detailing photos you post and I know you are very picky about maintenance of your vehicles.

If your Honda is in creampuff condition I would keep it another 10 years….. just my opinion.

Pay down mortgage and max out IRAs / employer retirement.

The main concern is the paint. Im not looking to repaint an 11 year old vehicle. Paint is beginning to come off on the rain channels around the rear window, and on the edges of the hood and trunk. Just a matter of time I think before it begins coming off panels and trade in tanks.

 

[alarmguy]

Well I put a refundable deposit down on a 2023 Accord LX in Meteorite Gray. I was able to get them to take $1252 off MSRP. The car should be delivered in a few weeks. The Toyota dealer may be able to give a slightly better interest rate on a new Camry. They won’t put payments down on paper with the interest rate they are telling me though, which is odd / frustrating. My experience with them has left a bit to be desired.

Camry still just doesn’t appeal to me design wise. And driving it is fine, just feels like a car. The Accord has more smooth, effortless torque and more tech. I also like how it looks. Reliability of the 1.5 is still suspect to me.

Ugh. Not sure what to do.

Yeah, you're sure what to do. Buy the car.
It is amazing, in this day and ago, decades and decades, we still have head gasket issues. Good god.
A very long time ago my wife 2002 Altima had to get replaced. You would think that issues was solved back in the 1950's, actually I think its worse today.
Anyway, I vote for you to buy the car, you never know in reality how many issues there are, social media will make you question any product that you buy.

However to answer your question, if it was me, I would assume the problem has been taken care of and would be comfortable because Consumer Reports does show engine issues years back and now its back to green.
TO the extreme right is the year 2022 and you can count backwards from there. So the last year which showed only middle of the road engine issues was 2019 .. interesting though, how even today, engine makers mess up over a gasket. Im actually surprised for Honda.
Starting from left to right is the year 2013 and ends at 2022

 

[LDB]

Looking to replace my 2012 Accord EX-L 2.4 in the next two years. Considering new Camry, Accord or possibly Jetta.

Upon reading up on the 1.5 in the Accord it appears they have head gasket issues. I’m looking at buying new and they Accord just has a redesign. Wondering if Honda worked those issues out.

Camry seems like a solid choice but I really don’t know much about them. I’ve been in the Honda / VW crowd for years. Any input would be appreciated.

Jetta has the new 1.5 which concerns me being a new engine (at least in the US). Car would be smaller than a mid size which is a concern as well. I suppose it depends on what kind of a deal could be had.

Any input appreciated!

Escape, CR-V, RAV4, Forrester, maybe Tiguan. So much better visibility when driving and just enough higher front fascia doesn't scrape on the parking blocks.

 

[dbias]

I love how it drives, feels very refined as I'm sure you would agree. No one would love it with a blown head gasket though. Easy to search and see Civics affected as well. I'm just curious if Honda has rectified the issue. Maybe only they know.

I have the civic with 1.5. I have 110k miles on it now and knock wood it’s still running great after replacing the junk auto lite spark plugs my son installed at 90k with nkg.
From what I understand the head gasket problem stems from when the injectors start to go and the ecm leans out to try and balance the fuel out it will cause the worst performing cylinder to go way too lean and the heat gets the head gasket on that cylinder. IT’s mentioned in several YouTube videos. That’s what I thought I was facing when the number one spark plug took a dump and was causing a misfire. I think with good attention to the plugs and injectors, which I’m sure you would do it would be fine. Knowing that chain of events that lead to a problem helps to mitigate the problem. Most drive around blind until it stops.

It appears that the accord is different than the civic I have. It runs higher boost exposing weak head bolt design.

 

[gregk24]

I have the civic with 1.5. I have 110k miles on it now and knock wood it’s still running great after replacing the junk auto lite spark plugs my son installed at 90k with nkg.
From what I understand the head gasket problem stems from when the injectors start to go and the ecm leans out to try and balance the fuel out it will cause the worst performing cylinder to go way too lean and the heat gets the head gasket on that cylinder. IT’s mentioned in several YouTube videos. That’s what I thought I was facing when the number one spark plug took a dump and was causing a misfire. I think with good attention to the plugs and injectors, which I’m sure you would do it would be fine. Knowing that chain of events that lead to a problem helps to mitigate the problem. Most drive around blind until it stops.

It appears that the accord is different than the civic I have. It runs higher boost exposing weak head bolt design.

Glad you like the Civic. What kind of driving do you do? Easy highway or stop and go city? I'm just trying to find some confirmation that Honda has updated the engine in some way to resolve the issues.

 

[gregk24]

Escape, CR-V, RAV4, Forrester, maybe Tiguan. So much better visibility when driving and just enough higher front fascia doesn't scrape on the parking blocks.

Not an SUV person. Have always enjoyed sedans.

 

[gregk24]

Yeah, you're sure what to do. Buy the car.
It is amazing, in this day and ago, decades and decades, we still have head gasket issues. Good god.
A very long time ago my wife 2002 Altima had to get replaced. You would think that issues was solved back in the 1950's, actually I think its worse today.
Anyway, I vote for you to buy the car, you never know in reality how many issues there are, social media will make you question any product that you buy.

However to answer your question, if it was me, I would assume the problem has been taken care of and would be comfortable because Consumer Reports does show engine issues years back and now its back to green.
TO the extreme right is the year 2022 and you can count backwards from there. So the last year which showed only middle of the road engine issues was 2019 .. interesting though, how even today, engine makers mess up over a gasket. Im actually surprised for Honda.
Starting from left to right is the year 2013 and ends at 2022
View attachment 155482

Hard to say at this point if the newer models are good though, as very few have high miles.

 

[gregk24]

Im trying to see if the part numbers have changed from 2022 to 2023. Items such as head gasket, head design itself, and cylinder head bolts. I can't seem to locate part numbers! Does anyone know where to search to accurately confirm? Or anyone involved with honda / dealer that can confirm? Thank you!

 

[Audiman]

Hard to say at this point if the newer models are good though, as very few have high miles.

Have you decided against the VAG 1.5? I’ve never known one need anything other than the odd sensor. No head gasket issues, fuel dilution issues, injector problems or turbo failures.

 

[gregk24]

Have you decided against the VAG 1.5? I’ve never known one need anything other than the odd sensor. No head gasket issues, fuel dilution issues, injector problems or turbo failures.

Just want a larger car than the Jetta.

 

[alarmguy]

Hard to say at this point if the newer models are good though, as very few have high miles.

Agree with one exception. There is a stark contrast between the 2019 and 2020 model years. I dont think it would be as great if it was still an issue. But yeah, I mean, at least it is something rather than no information at all and knowing nothing before the Consumer Reports Survey you already still are trying out the car.

 

[dbias]

Glad you like the Civic. What kind of driving do you do? Easy highway or stop and go city? I'm just trying to find some confirmation that Honda has updated the engine in some way to resolve the issues.

Really mixed but definitely leaning towards more highway miles. Car was bought for daughter for college 300 miles away. Fuel dilution was bad while on campus and car sat for weeks at a time covered in snow banks during the winter.
She graduated and the car was handed down to youngest son who has 50 mile highway round trip to work.
I don’t think it’s been addressed, the head bolts, as it would surely have been reported

 

[gregk24]

Agree with one exception. There is a stark contrast between the 2019 and 2020 model years. I dont think it would be as great if it was still an issue. But yeah, I mean, at least it is something rather than no information at all and knowing nothing before the Consumer Reports Survey you already still are trying out the car.

Is the data more detailed than the graph you posted earlier?

 

[alarmguy]

Is the data more detailed than the graph you posted earlier?

Not sure I understand.
I only commented on the CR survey showing middle of the road reliability major engine issue for three years ending 2019.
Then in 2020, 21, 22 the CR survey shows way above average reliability (top rating) on major engine issues.
The “contrast” I speak off are those two extremes.

Ahh, I think I understand now, you’re wondering if any cause is mentioned ?
If so that’s an excellent question. If there is any comment on cause I’ll post back.
I suspect there won’t be only because the “middle of the road” rating is just that = average.
If it was worse than average or much worse sometimes the cause will get mentioned and most likely common knowledge from the staff and some of the public.

I don’t believe causes are mentioned when people fill surveys as the question does contain the criteria of components considered major to the person doing a CR survey but at that point it’s just a list that you do not pick the exact cause.

 

[97prizm]

Looking to replace my 2012 Accord EX-L 2.4 in the next two years. Considering new Camry, Accord or possibly Jetta.

Upon reading up on the 1.5 in the Accord it appears they have head gasket issues. I’m looking at buying new and they Accord just has a redesign. Wondering if Honda worked those issues out.

Camry seems like a solid choice but I really don’t know much about them. I’ve been in the Honda / VW crowd for years. Any input would be appreciated.

Jetta has the new 1.5 which concerns me being a new engine (at least in the US). Car would be smaller than a mid size which is a concern as well. I suppose it depends on what kind of a deal could be had.

Any input appreciated!

I'd go with the Jetta as the 1.5 is a great engine. It will be the sportiest of the bunch. I sold vw's for a while so maybe a little bias. Have you considered a passat? Bigger than the Jetta lots of tech still drives great and the 2.0 is well sorted out by now. VW I think just discontinued them so maybe a left over?

 

[gregk24]

I'd go with the Jetta as the 1.5 is a great engine. It will be the sportiest of the bunch. I sold vw's for a while so maybe a little bias. Have you considered a passat? Bigger than the Jetta lots of tech still drives great and the 2.0 is well sorted out by now. VW I think just discontinued them so maybe a left over?

VW’s with timing chains still make me nervous

 

[macarose]

I co-developed the Long-Term Quality Index, buy a heaping load of late model vehicles at 48 Hours And A Used Car, and when I get really bored... I buy a Y2K beater and make it whole again.

You already have all the right answers. The XV70 Camry is an exceptional vehicle. The four-cylinder has all the power you will ever need.

The VW is great with a stick. The automatic is a bit meh. I loved the 1.4 Liter and the 1.5 is really just a very mild update. Excellent torquey engine.

I'm not enamored with the current crop of Honda Accords. A Honda Insight would be a much better value. But I have to weigh in the fact that you're already trying to get rid of a Honda Accord with low miles. A new solid paint job would definitely cost less than $1000. I get them done for $450 but as a dealer in the Southern USA, I tend to paint anything that has clearcoat fade and paint burn.

My top off the beaten path choice for you? Mazda 6. More fun to drive than any of the others I mentioned, and one with a leather interior is absolutely drop dead gorgeous. Mazda really has become the better Toyota if you look at their product line. A sportier car with comparable quality. You have to buy it used but the 6 is definitely a class leader.

Good luck!