Based on my own experience, both are solid cars, but the Accord is known to cause transmission problems after very high mileage. The Camry is bullet proof. The accord has a very nice and large wind screen view and the drive feels sporty. Camry drive is exceptionally smooth and confident, but not exciting.
The accord has around 130,000 miles and already has a remanufactured transmission. I am a big fan of the Camry, but really they are both pretty solid cars.
Your correct on the information about the Honda Accord (Acura TL) transmission problems. One of the reasons is because you would have to remove and then split the transmission casing to change the trans filter on the Honda. Most people just drained and refilled them. Whereas the Toyota Camry transmission fluid and filter change was easy to complete.
The Other good years for Camry is 2005,and '06. Five speed auto is Exceptional, still decent to wrench on, more power, even larger trunk. Cons: some had excessive oil consumption, and prices are ridiculous. Also the Le of those years drives like an old Buick. The SE would be better choice.
i still see many 2002-2006 Camrys on the road today and the body on many of those appear to be in pristine condition@@dddpvt I like the design of the 2002-2006 & 2007-2011 but would not get 2007-2009 because of the engine problems. i know nothing about 2001 camry. growing up my mom had a 1985 camry le.
I have that same color 2000 Camry LE V6. Same color interior. Has 298,000 miles. Still runs and drives awesome. COLD AC. Has been a super reliable dependable car. I highly recommend it.
I owned a 1999 Accord while my wife had a 1999 Camry, both looked like the cars in this video. Not a huge difference between the two. Since both had beige, cloth interiors, I would sometimes forget which one I was driving at the moment and actually had to glance at the logo on the steering wheel to remind myself. I think the biggest difference is the suspension. The Camry's was softer over bumps while the Accord's was more stiff. Also, I thought the Accord's engine was a little more peppy, making it more fun to drive. My opinion was the Camry is a family car that's geared more towards soccer moms as owners while the Accord is a family car geared towards guys who somewhat still long for a sports car/sedan.
Perfect description. Toyota/ lexus is more luxurious smoother ride with how there suspension is. Meanwhile honda/ acura feels more sporty and faster with its suspension and vtech engine
Owned both. Camry did its head gasket, Accord had trans issues. But overall both are good solid cars with great reliability. Camry felt a little less 'plasticy' and engine was quieter at high revs. I prefer the 94-98 Accord over that one. Much nicer styling and the F22 is bulletproof. Currently have a 2010 Camry. Ridiculously reliable. 160,000 miles zero issues other than a faulty oxygen sensor.
I remember in the late 90’s and early 2000’s when these were new and extremely popular. You couldn’t leave the house without seeing multiple of both of them on the road. Never owned one myself but had family members that had them. Very reliable cars from everything I’ve heard. When well cared for you could get 300k + miles easily out of either of them.
I have a 99 Camry XLE 2.2L in the Woodland Green Pearl, just like your test car. While it's not as peppy as the Honda, there's are a lot more older Camrys on the road than Accords. Mine has 0 rust and has had no major work with 185K on the clock. It's literally the best car I've ever owned. And since I'm older, I don't want it to be any faster. It does 80mph just fine. Rides like glass, and I have several mods like an excellent remote start, all LED lighting in and out, reverse cam, dash cam, oil catch can, NGK Ruthenium spark plugs, ceramic brake pads and shoes, Kenwood with Bluetooth, KYBs all around, Magnaflow Downpipe and cat, EZ Drain oil Valve. The car is awesome.
You're right there are more camrys than accords on the road and there is a reason for that. Young people are always looking for old Hondas to tune them and there are far more accidents on Hondas than Toyotas. I have own both and like both but unfortunately the Toyota tends to burn oil where the Hondas does not.
@@jaurequi25that and lack of maintenance on the accord. If a timing belt breaks on the Honda the head is toast, but if that happens on the Camry you're back on the road in a couple of days for about $500
I thought I'd reply to my own post b/c I just wanted to say that in 1977, my mom sold our house after the divorce and needed a new car as her 73 Toyota Corona Mkll was rotting away. I was 16 y.o. and had been reading about the brand new Honda Accord front wheel drive with CVCC engine. I literally FORCED my mom to buy it. It was amazing to drive, being sucked around corners like that. Everyone everywhere asked her about it. My mom felt like a celeb. There were so few FWD cars out there, she had become an ambassador for it. Anyway, long story short, that car made everyone on both sides on my family buy one, and we have a BIG family. Not to mention all their friends who saw their's and bought one. I'm the only person in my family who has never owned a Honda car and I'm the only one who currently owns a Toyota out of like 40 family members. Just weird!
Currently own a 4 cylinder 2000 Accord with 225k miles. Ive owned it for the past 17 years. Just installed a reman transmission as the previous one failed. Anticipate ill get at least 300k miles from it as the motor is solid. Love it.
How much was the trans? We have an 01 2.3 auto and it slips like crazy. We want to change it out as it easily has another couple hundred thousand easy.
Owned both when I was a teenager. I only did so because the Accord's automatic transmission died. I bought the Camry for cheap and it lasted years, with more mileage, and no transmission issues.
I have a camry 2000 that is my first car. The car still runs perfectly. Even the AC is still original that no need to refill to drive in crazy hot Texas.
Thank you for this video. I owned the 2001 Accord from 2005 to 2008 while in college. Definitely had fun blasting through the windy roads. I chose the 4 cyl. 5 speed because even back then, the automatic transmission problems were a known issue already. Multiple friends with the automatic went through several replacements. I miss that car and it's the only one I regret selling. That being said, I recently picked up a 2001 Camry 4 cyl and currently doing some maintenance before I consider her road worthy. Definitely does not handle as nice IMO. However, given the age of both cars and typical high mileage, they are likely deemed beater cars by many. Another personal opinion, most people do NOT maintain or wrench on their cars. People usually just don't sell a car for no reason. Add in multiple owners and how each one took care or neglected it. A bad transmission and replacement can exceed the cost of what you paid for it. Something most first car buyers won't want to deal with. Therefore, as much as I miss my old Accord, the Camry was the safer bet. Cheers!
Had both. Definitely the Camry. Get a manual transmission if possible. The V6 is great, but get the 4 cylinder.It's easier and cheaper to work on. Both legendary engines. Make sure timing belts have been changed recently. If you do go with the Accord, go with the V6 of this particular generation.
@@mitsuevo8mr For sure. My timing belt actually snapped and got bound up really bad, leaving me on the side of the road. The belt was 24 years old. Anyway, I was able to put a new kit on and she's running again!
Got a '97 ES 300 . 210K. Just do the maintenance. TB/WP Regular oil change and trans service every 30-40K you'll get 300K reliable, quiet low-cost miles out of it.. I'm sure I will.
Man I remember seeing these two around a ton of times back in the day and back then they looked totally different from each other, but now all these years later they look almost identical to each other. Crazy how that works lol
My dad had a 2000 accord coupe he bought new. Transmission was repaired or replaced 6 times under warranty and he eventually sold it for like $1500 when it had 100k-ish miles. My dad is extremely meticulous about maintenance too. I would take the Camry all day every day. My dad bought a sequoia after getting rid of the accord and it’s still going strong with nearly 300k miles on it with basic maintenance.
I know we're talking about V6 Camrys and Accords, but I just felt I should put this out there. If you have to get a 4 cylinder Camry in this generation, be aware that those engines have timing belts. If you don't change them as you should, they'll snap without notice. I' ve heard some people say that it's not an interference engine, so unlike the V8s, the engine won't destroy itself.
I owned both in their 4 cylinder engines. The accord was 5 speed manual transmission… solid unti it starts burning oil around 234k.. I used the Camry for rural mail delivery for 4 years and logged around 109k a year.. all I wished I had was AWD… fuel consumption was 19 or 21 mpg but had high idle time…
I love my 2000 Camry! Only has 185k miles on the 4cylinder motor and the best part it's a 5speed manual. Currently fighting an overheating issue that seems unsolvable from the online forums but hopefully I solve it soon.
@@jakeandcameron7022 Thanks! It's somewhat fixed. I cleaned the old fan switch that's on the bottom of the radiator. When the temp gauge just starts to pass the mid point the high speed fans kick on. Used a obd2 computer and it shows that the fans start when the sensor reaches 210F so its not actually overheating so that's great. Just can't seem to find out why my low speed fans are turning on besides having the AC on
Are you sure it's actually overheating? I have seen more than one of those with an internal failure of the temp gauge. It looks like it's overheating, but actually, the gauge is just reading high.
My only problem with both of these two cars, is when i see one coming from the other direction as im driving along, even at a somewhat short distance i can still hardly tell which it was until i was close up to it. They look so similar with the front end design its almost like they were both designed by the same person but to look a little bit different.
You’re a bit young but I remember and drove these cars brand new in their day. Both competitors. I remember the Camry being a bit more quiet and smooth and the accord being a bit louder and sportier.
Great video! Even besides having a first car, this could be great advice for those with less-than-ideal income who need something reliable and decent on gas. I know because I've driven old Hondas and Toyotas all my life. Keep up on maintenance, watch the oil, you should be good to go
Some of those xv20 camry's have gray interiors too depending on the market. There's also some faux wood on the camry's, power seats, power sunroof, 4 wheel disc brakes were an option and side airbags. The camry engine's are bulletproof with great transmissions, something that can't be said for the honda autos. I think canadian variants have DRLs, unsure about auto headlights and rain sensing wipers but some have retrofitted it. The Accord has a little more stiff suspension with some more wood in the rear while the camry can have more wood up front. Feels a lot more sprighty, but I think they rate less than the camry for crash testing? I'd also say the camry is a lot more insulated and smoother in both NVMH and ride. I guess that's basically all the options you can get for mid size japanese 90's gen cars.
My moms ‘00 XLE Camry has gray leather interior, automatic headlights, electronic automatic temperature control, and everything else you mentioned aside from the wipers. Pretty luxurious for what is and when it’s from. She’s the second owner and took it from 70k to 290k miles and still running literally like new. No slips or hesitation. It’s only ever gotten fluid/filter changes, tires, brakes, timing belt/water pump and new suspension. Oh and the egr position sensor went bad, that was about $12😅 in total it has cost her about $10k (7 when she bought it and about 3 in maintenance aside from gas) to go over 200k miles reliably and comfortably. Greatest car of all time IMO.
Finally someone did a comparison of the most similar heavy weights of 90’s family sedan that lasts forever and sold millions and you see it in every town in the USA still chugging, I always like the Camry more but the Accord is sportier but idk, I want reliability
So, uh... I got a 2001 Mazda 626. To quote the guy who sold it to me? "It's on its second, maybe third transmission." It had 120,000 miles. Love that Ford engineering. 🙃 That being said, literally everything else is perfect. Engine is smooth and has a lot of go for a 2.5L V6, and the seats are comfy. Electrically, no problems after I replaced the alternator (though that was an ordeal on account of the limited space in the engine bay.) Coolant tank has been replaced, rims resealed and new tires to replace dry-rotted ones. Currently a check engine, but it's EGR and small evap leak, so I'm not super worried. Small oil leak, but it leaks so little that regular oil changes are enough to keep it plenty full. It's a dingus, but I love it. I don't know how much longer it's got but I'll love it while I can.
So later in the day that I made that comment, my car proceeded to overheat from what we think was a failed thermostat. So, we replaced the thermostat (which was an ordeal, like everything else in the engine bay) and after putting it back together, the engine now runs rough. Why.
@@seamusmeade940 No way for me to test compression myself (my car's at a reputable shop now) but I was told that it ran fine when driving back from where I had to park it after it overheated, and that was before we touched anything in the engine bay. My guess as of yet is something's up with the coil pack, since that was the only thing we had to remove that could affect the engine itself. In any case, once the shop is able to have a look at it, I can post an update on what the issue actually was.
1999 Camry CE with 2.2 4 cylinder engine. Those are super dependable and literally there was nothing to be broken. Same goes for 2003 Corolla CE. Super simple, super reliable car.
Ì used to owned a 1998 camry v6 xle excellent engine good power fully loaded very smooth and quiet ride is around 300 000 kilometers not mileage this is in Toronto Canada no oil leaks i just to sold to my friend he is still using until now even is 1998 the reason I sold because take a of gas last year I bought a 2022 venza hybrid excellent on gas I'm very happy with it thanks for your video take care bye from milton Ontario Canada 🇨🇦
I started with the Camry my dad has it’s an 05. Not the body beautiful but that car is bullet proof & insanely reliable. Can’t go wrong with an old Toyota to get to point A to B. Now I own a 300ZX Twin Turbo.
I think Washington state is not a rust belt state also so that is a huge plus when looking at older cars.. the underbody should have held up a lot better.
A bit different. Had an 03 accord and 03 Camry. I’m a Honda guy all the way, but that Camry was special. Sadly I lost her, spun out while it was snowing and hit the divider… bad day.. You can’t go wrong with either one.
I've owned a 2000 and 2001 Camry and I can confirm they are the most bulletproof easy to work on vehicles I've ever seen I would totally recommend that even though the accord is great
One difference between the two is the Camry is way cheaper when it comes to insurance. I have owned both cars. Both will still last longer than any cars or suv's that GM is making. My neighbor just paid off the Chevy Trax they have. Motor just blew up at a little over 100K. Now they are buying a new one. If they got a Toyota they wouldn't have this problem.
Just picked up a 00 camry CE for $900. 167k miles, not tooo rusty one or the doors is smashed but gets around great! Love this thing - perfectly reliable cheap, but still elegant for a beater.
2001 Nissan Maxima is also a good option. They have a solid VQ30 and transmission that are known to last up to 300K miles. I've had 1999 Infiniti I30 and 2001 Infiniti i30! (rebadged maxima) Both of which have respectfully reached 301K miles and the other 281K miles
i own a 2000 camry. i had the same issue with my rev limiter except it was the opposite. at idle after the car was warmed up it sat very very low and sometimes would just die. adjust the throttle cable so you get that sweet spot and it idles at the perfect rpms.
I have 1998 toyota camry...i drive for 18 years...without big problem...toyota camry really good car...till now my car always camry..my wife and daughter car camry too...❤ camry
I can argue the Honda vs Toyota round or argue it flat. I owned both till my GF total my 2001 Accord EX, which had 92k on the clock at time of purchase, and 138 went it met it's demise. . The Accord is a superior handling car. The 2.3 VVT motor is stronger than the Camry'2.2 and gets a bit better MPG.The Accord had a Gremlin that defied diagnotics, just saying. The2001 Camry LE was a one owner garage queen with 50k on the clock bought in May for $4700. The sound sytem in the Camry is supperior to the Accord, has a thermometer, 205 65 15 tyres vs 195 65 15, softer ride, and hate to say this Much more of a solid feel to it. The gas tank is larger as well. Bottom line, Camry won me over.
Yeah I would like to try the four cylinder cars to see how they feel and I agree that the Camry in stock form has a better stereo and just a bit more solid. Thanks for the comment, Cheers!
For and accord the best one for your buck is the gen after this one 2003-07 they are more reliable mainly the 4cyl they have better interior layout and exterior design. But this camry is one of the best gens they had. 5th and 6th gen 02-06 and 07-09 had oil burning problems in the 2.4. The Toyota 3.0 v6 is a tank. But if I only had the 2 of these to choose from I’d hands down pick the Camry. Same with the next competing gens I like the Camry for the smooth ride it gives. Accord has superior handling though
I bought a 1999 Honda Accord LX with a 5 speed manual transmission brand new in Feb 1999. My folks bought a 2001 Toyota Camry LE brand new in Aug 2001. On the Accord, the suspension is stiff and rides rough, particularly the rear. The seats have limited padding and cause fatigue after 3 hours behind the wheel, even at age 19. The interior noise is considerably higher than the Camry. The 4 cyl in the Accord is much peppier and returns better fuel mileage. Interesting fact about the rear suspension. The spring rate is actually softer than the Camry, it's the valving of the struts that makes it ride so damn harsh. I still have the car but I don't take it on trips longer than 2 hours anymore. Wished I had bought the Camry instead but It has been incredibly reliable, just regular scheduled maintenance. The Camry has nice, soft comfortable seats. The suspension is super soft (particularly the rear suspension). The interior/road noise is much quieter than the Accord. The handling is surprisingly just a hair below the Accord even with the softer suspension. No long journey fatigue, could drive the Camry for 7 hours with no problems. The automatic transmissions in the Camry are far better than the Accord (especially the V6 in this generation) and shifts smoother but the ones in the 4 cyl Accord can last a long time of the fluid is changed every 20-30K miles and driven modestly. My folks have over 300,000 miles on the Camry with only a gas cap (worn o-ring gasket) and driver side window regulator replaced. Both of these were replaced in the very high 200,000 miles range. The Accord is geared for sportier driving, the Camry is geared towards everything else. Both are great choices when picked for their desired characteristics.
I currently have my Cassandra! 01 SXV-20 Camry LE, for three years now! now at 207K from 161K and love every mile with her! looking to get her to 211K soon! first 50K!
I would get the accord Toyota didn’t start putting decent power in the Camrys until like 02 my 04 4cyl has 157 the v6 has like 220 as fast as same year mustang gt
90s Hondas would rust out from the rear caused by mud flaps holding water. They probably came with the accord but somebody who knew better probably removed them. My 1992 Honda Accord wagon had all four mudflaps
I own both and the accord has a sporty feel with 195/60 or 195/55 tires but feels unstable. The Camry is planted and stable in all weather and rolls like a cloud.
Toyota seemed to have two different versions of the 1MZ-FE V6, one for the Avalon, ES300 and RX300, and another for the Camry and Sienna. Because on this and the Sienna you got 194hp, on the other cars you got about 200hp or more.
I had a manual Accord 99, a good car, but chronic defects such as premature wear of the engine blocks, causing the exhaust to break at the bottom of the engine, in my opinion the Camry is a perfect car
01 camry ce was my first car, Honestly hated the thing but it got me where i was going and was honestly very reliable, just had a bad oil leak and one day last year I forgot to put more oil in and ended up stranded on the side of the road, 4 months and one borrowed car later i bought myself a 350z and have not looked back, thank you camry lol
I believe the original idea from Japan was to make the honda for younger people 18 to 30 years old, and to make the Toyota's for older people, 31 and up, both nice, but the Toyota is more comfortable ride
I been in a quite a few Hondas in my lifetime. The first one was my friends moms old white 1987 accord it had Red cloth seats it drove pretty nice actually during the few times I rode in it but that car ended up overheating and was replaced by a white 2005 Honda civic which to this day my friend said it’s still going although it’s showing its age. And my moms 2001 odyssey so giving my past with Honda I would most likely go with the Honda as my car mainly for the nostalgia
The other thing with the accord that really dominated the experience was the super stiff suspension. It rode like crap (made worse on my car with slightly lower profile aftermarket wheels) . Did handle well though.
Now that you mention it, it actually was. It had eibach springs, but they were the ones that were supposed to be the same stiffness as the stock springs. It had new stock struts and shocks. It was way too stiff for me, as the roads around here are terrible. suspension stiffness is a subjective thing.
If it's b/n the 2 V6 versions, the camry is probably the better choice. The Accord 6's were know for bad transmissions. The 4 cyls it probably is only down to the maintenance of the previous owner. The honda might have the worst tranny either way tho. Camrys & Accords run deep in my family. Tho all the Accords were/are sticks mine included
I have that dame accord. Same color and everything. But i got to an accident last year andnnow my front is a different color than the overall body. Looking to make it all red again hopefully soon
This coming from a Honda head I’ve had 99 gsr 97 civic 98 accord 2007 tsx lol I’ve owned a 97 Toyota Camry v6 bought it for 500$ with 86k miles on it from and elderly person and was the best car I’ve had out of the list of Hondas. Never gave me a problem and they drive like they float on air. Def camry all day in terms of reliability and comfort and maintenance.
I had a ‘99 EX coupe with a 2.3 liter 4. And the transmission began to slip around 140,000 miles. The transmission problem was an issue with the automatic trans. It was known for models both 4 and 6 cylinder between 1998-2001. I just didn’t know it when i bought the car and then couldn’t pay to get it fixed. The best gen Accords were 1990-1993- the CB7. Those things were bulletproof all the way around. My ‘93 had 192,000 miles on it by the time I traded it and aside from a new radiator and needing new shocks due to mileage but overall no issues.
@@RB-xm3ed I smile every time I see a CB7 on the road, particularly the sedan (the coupes are basically extinct atp). Best styling of any accord generation if you ask me, blissful simplicity.
Camry hands down more comfortable and more space I had a friend in college who had that accord and that transmission was doing some weird stuff. And for me the tiny things matter like the Camry has more wiper positions then the accord makes a big difference when it’s raining
Honestly from my experience? Hyundai Sonata from 2006-2010, make sure it is the i4! Easy to work on, solidly built, just do basic preventative maintenance and you are good to go.
They may be the most reliable but there are the subaru legacy b4 or gt (turbo) and jdm galant v6 twin turbo loaded with all the goodies for a mid size sedan, boy those were the king, just for the record the accord euro R was around too, the accord's hot version for sure... about camry I think maybe in australia they had some better variants
I had both those year models. The accord is more sporty and reliable. The camry is super soft, everything from suspension to the way it accelerates is soft. My camry went through 3 transmissions though.
Based on my own experience, both are solid cars, but the Accord is known to cause transmission problems after very high mileage. The Camry is bullet proof. The accord has a very nice and large wind screen view and the drive feels sporty. Camry drive is exceptionally smooth and confident, but not exciting.
The accord has around 130,000 miles and already has a remanufactured transmission. I am a big fan of the Camry, but really they are both pretty solid cars.
Your correct on the information about the Honda Accord (Acura TL) transmission problems. One of the reasons is because you would have to remove and then split the transmission casing to change the trans filter on the Honda. Most people just drained and refilled them. Whereas the Toyota Camry transmission fluid and filter change was easy to complete.
Regardless make or model, I would Never own a front drive V6. Tell me I am wrong!
The Other good years for Camry is 2005,and '06. Five speed auto is Exceptional, still decent to wrench on, more power, even larger trunk. Cons: some had excessive oil consumption, and prices are ridiculous. Also the Le of those years drives like an old Buick. The SE would be better choice.
i still see many 2002-2006 Camrys on the road today and the body on many of those appear to be in pristine condition@@dddpvt I like the design of the 2002-2006 & 2007-2011 but would not get 2007-2009 because of the engine problems. i know nothing about 2001 camry. growing up my mom had a 1985 camry le.
I have that same color 2000 Camry LE V6. Same color interior. Has 298,000 miles. Still runs and drives awesome. COLD AC. Has been a super reliable dependable car. I highly recommend it.
Me too but Dk.Red 115k
Junkkk toyotas
I guess you’ve reached 300k now? That would be amazing
This is my favorite gen Camry. W the v6, especially in xle trim, it was as quiet and smooth of a Lexus, but cheaper.
I have a 97 4 banger was my first car still have it and it runs perfectly
I owned a 1999 Accord while my wife had a 1999 Camry, both looked like the cars in this video. Not a huge difference between the two. Since both had beige, cloth interiors, I would sometimes forget which one I was driving at the moment and actually had to glance at the logo on the steering wheel to remind myself. I think the biggest difference is the suspension. The Camry's was softer over bumps while the Accord's was more stiff. Also, I thought the Accord's engine was a little more peppy, making it more fun to drive. My opinion was the Camry is a family car that's geared more towards soccer moms as owners while the Accord is a family car geared towards guys who somewhat still long for a sports car/sedan.
Perfect description.
Toyota/ lexus is more luxurious smoother ride with how there suspension is.
Meanwhile honda/ acura feels more sporty and faster with its suspension and vtech engine
If I remember correctly, the Camry was roomier and much quieter. But I also like the lower dash and bigger windshield of the accord.
There is absolutely nothing sporty about a Honda accord 😂
@@Braxton-xk5bi Yes there is. Well, not the current ones.
@@Earl_Richter 9th gen coup (maybe)
Owned both. Camry did its head gasket, Accord had trans issues. But overall both are good solid cars with great reliability. Camry felt a little less 'plasticy' and engine was quieter at high revs. I prefer the 94-98 Accord over that one. Much nicer styling and the F22 is bulletproof. Currently have a 2010 Camry. Ridiculously reliable. 160,000 miles zero issues other than a faulty oxygen sensor.
1996 Corolla base model best car ever I beat the crap out of mine zero issues ac ice cold everything worked like new
@@JoshuaOvermanI have 2001 with v6
It's actually rare for a 1MZ-FE engine to have headgasket issues. The 3VZ-FE on the other hand...
@@damilolaakanniYeah this guy is the first person I've ever heard of doing a head gasket on a 1mz.
@blabla903 the only other Toyota engines that I know of that have head gasket issues are the 2AZ-FE (2002-2004) and the 2ZR-FXE.
I love how it's 2023 and ur advertising the old school cool cars, instead of the new cars nowadays 👍
More reliable and stylish
That’s because that’s all anyone can afford nowadays
I remember in the late 90’s and early 2000’s when these were new and extremely popular. You couldn’t leave the house without seeing multiple of both of them on the road. Never owned one myself but had family members that had them. Very reliable cars from everything I’ve heard. When well cared for you could get 300k + miles easily out of either of them.
Yeah nowadays it’s the same with the current Camrys and they still can go over 300+ thousand miles
My Camry is on 250 miles now!
I have a 99 Camry XLE 2.2L in the Woodland Green Pearl, just like your test car. While it's not as peppy as the Honda, there's are a lot more older Camrys on the road than Accords. Mine has 0 rust and has had no major work with 185K on the clock. It's literally the best car I've ever owned. And since I'm older, I don't want it to be any faster. It does 80mph just fine. Rides like glass, and I have several mods like an excellent remote start, all LED lighting in and out, reverse cam, dash cam, oil catch can, NGK Ruthenium spark plugs, ceramic brake pads and shoes, Kenwood with Bluetooth, KYBs all around, Magnaflow Downpipe and cat, EZ Drain oil Valve. The car is awesome.
You're right there are more camrys than accords on the road and there is a reason for that. Young people are always looking for old Hondas to tune them and there are far more accidents on Hondas than Toyotas. I have own both and like both but unfortunately the Toyota tends to burn oil where the Hondas does not.
@@jaurequi25that and lack of maintenance on the accord. If a timing belt breaks on the Honda the head is toast, but if that happens on the Camry you're back on the road in a couple of days for about $500
yea i cant remember the last time ive seen an old accord on the road but i see those camry almost anytime i drive
I thought I'd reply to my own post b/c I just wanted to say that in 1977, my mom sold our house after the divorce and needed a new car as her 73 Toyota Corona Mkll was rotting away. I was 16 y.o. and had been reading about the brand new Honda Accord front wheel drive with CVCC engine. I literally FORCED my mom to buy it. It was amazing to drive, being sucked around corners like that. Everyone everywhere asked her about it. My mom felt like a celeb. There were so few FWD cars out there, she had become an ambassador for it. Anyway, long story short, that car made everyone on both sides on my family buy one, and we have a BIG family. Not to mention all their friends who saw their's and bought one. I'm the only person in my family who has never owned a Honda car and I'm the only one who currently owns a Toyota out of like 40 family members. Just weird!
Currently own a 4 cylinder 2000 Accord with 225k miles. Ive owned it for the past 17 years. Just installed a reman transmission as the previous one failed. Anticipate ill get at least 300k miles from it as the motor is solid. Love it.
How much was the trans? We have an 01 2.3 auto and it slips like crazy. We want to change it out as it easily has another couple hundred thousand easy.
Owned both when I was a teenager. I only did so because the Accord's automatic transmission died. I bought the Camry for cheap and it lasted years, with more mileage, and no transmission issues.
just getting my first car at 18 all bought myself and I noticed that y’all are filming where I grew up it’s crazy nostalgic
Very proud of you great job keep doing great!! 👍
I have a camry 2000 that is my first car. The car still runs perfectly. Even the AC is still original that no need to refill to drive in crazy hot Texas.
Thank you for this video. I owned the 2001 Accord from 2005 to 2008 while in college. Definitely had fun blasting through the windy roads. I chose the 4 cyl. 5 speed because even back then, the automatic transmission problems were a known issue already. Multiple friends with the automatic went through several replacements. I miss that car and it's the only one I regret selling. That being said, I recently picked up a 2001 Camry 4 cyl and currently doing some maintenance before I consider her road worthy. Definitely does not handle as nice IMO. However, given the age of both cars and typical high mileage, they are likely deemed beater cars by many. Another personal opinion, most people do NOT maintain or wrench on their cars. People usually just don't sell a car for no reason. Add in multiple owners and how each one took care or neglected it. A bad transmission and replacement can exceed the cost of what you paid for it. Something most first car buyers won't want to deal with. Therefore, as much as I miss my old Accord, the Camry was the safer bet. Cheers!
Definitely a great point, sadly your right about these cars not being taken care of by there owners over the years, thanks for the comment!
gospel.
@@dddpvt I own a 2002 Buick Regal LS didn’t the Buick also compete with the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord?
The SE camry has different wheel size. Strut brace. Different firmer struts different steering feel
I think if you can get a used Accord for cheap even if the transmission is bad, you pay to fix the transmission and it is a good car again.
Both are excellent. My first car was my parents 2004 Honda Odyssey, and now I drive a 2015 Toyota Camry.
Aw nice! my first car was my parents' 2002 Honda Odyssey and I drive a 2015 Civic now :)
Had both. Definitely the Camry. Get a manual transmission if possible. The V6 is great, but get the 4 cylinder.It's easier and cheaper to work on. Both legendary engines. Make sure timing belts have been changed recently.
If you do go with the Accord, go with the V6 of this particular generation.
I got the v6 5spd
@@Aqua350Lt1 Still have my '00. I love it. I didn't realize they were so rare when I bought it back in 2017
Good thing the Camry V6 in this model is not interference while the Accord engine is interference ! For that reason I take the Camry!!
@@mitsuevo8mr For sure. My timing belt actually snapped and got bound up really bad, leaving me on the side of the road. The belt was 24 years old.
Anyway, I was able to put a new kit on and she's running again!
What’s wrong with the 2.3 4 cylinder?
Consider the 2001 Lexus ES300 for about a $1,000 more if youre leaning towards Camry.
Yeah this is a great idea I really like those cars too
Got a '97 ES 300 . 210K. Just do the maintenance. TB/WP Regular oil change and trans service every 30-40K you'll get 300K reliable, quiet low-cost miles out of it.. I'm sure I will.
I have four of those 4th gen Camry (97-2000). Rock solid reliable, no transmission issues.
Accord looks way more modern looking but the Camry won't have transmission issues on the v6 models.
Junkkk toyotas
@@issavibez394bro that car is literally the most reliable thing on the road
@@malachihornbaker5869 not all
Man I remember seeing these two around a ton of times back in the day and back then they looked totally different from each other, but now all these years later they look almost identical to each other. Crazy how that works lol
My dad had a 2000 accord coupe he bought new. Transmission was repaired or replaced 6 times under warranty and he eventually sold it for like $1500 when it had 100k-ish miles. My dad is extremely meticulous about maintenance too. I would take the Camry all day every day. My dad bought a sequoia after getting rid of the accord and it’s still going strong with nearly 300k miles on it with basic maintenance.
I know we're talking about V6 Camrys and Accords, but I just felt I should put this out there. If you have to get a 4 cylinder Camry in this generation, be aware that those engines have timing belts. If you don't change them as you should, they'll snap without notice. I' ve heard some people say that it's not an interference engine, so unlike the V8s, the engine won't destroy itself.
I owned both in their 4 cylinder engines. The accord was 5 speed manual transmission… solid unti it starts burning oil around 234k.. I used the Camry for rural mail delivery for 4 years and logged around 109k a year.. all I wished I had was AWD… fuel consumption was 19 or 21 mpg but had high idle time…
Both junk
The Accord is from Canada, that's why the weird gray rockers.
My first car da 1997 Camry just got it 3 weeks ago
Cool, that’s a solid choice
I love my 2000 Camry! Only has 185k miles on the 4cylinder motor and the best part it's a 5speed manual. Currently fighting an overheating issue that seems unsolvable from the online forums but hopefully I solve it soon.
Yeah the manuals aren’t super common to that’s pretty cool, good luck with your overheating issue!
@@jakeandcameron7022 Thanks! It's somewhat fixed. I cleaned the old fan switch that's on the bottom of the radiator. When the temp gauge just starts to pass the mid point the high speed fans kick on. Used a obd2 computer and it shows that the fans start when the sensor reaches 210F so its not actually overheating so that's great. Just can't seem to find out why my low speed fans are turning on besides having the AC on
Change the thermostat
change the thermostat and place it with correct orientation, if not, engine overheat. Watch TH-cam how to orientate the thermostat.
Are you sure it's actually overheating? I have seen more than one of those with an internal failure of the temp gauge. It looks like it's overheating, but actually, the gauge is just reading high.
My only problem with both of these two cars, is when i see one coming from the other direction as im driving along, even at a somewhat short distance i can still hardly tell which it was until i was close up to it. They look so similar with the front end design its almost like they were both designed by the same person but to look a little bit different.
I always wondered why this generation looked so similar to each other. You literally can only tell the difference with the tail lights only
Both are good choices!
HONDA and TOYOTA are two of the most reliable brands worldwide!
The most reliable Japanese brands.
Junkkkk world wide
You’re a bit young but I remember and drove these cars brand new in their day. Both competitors. I remember the Camry being a bit more quiet and smooth and the accord being a bit louder and sportier.
Compare the 2004 Acura TL vs 2004 Lexus ES330. My TL is a 6 speed manual with 250k still runs-drives like new a very fun daily driver
Great video! Even besides having a first car, this could be great advice for those with less-than-ideal income who need something reliable and decent on gas. I know because I've driven old Hondas and Toyotas all my life. Keep up on maintenance, watch the oil, you should be good to go
Some of those xv20 camry's have gray interiors too depending on the market. There's also some faux wood on the camry's, power seats, power sunroof, 4 wheel disc brakes were an option and side airbags. The camry engine's are bulletproof with great transmissions, something that can't be said for the honda autos. I think canadian variants have DRLs, unsure about auto headlights and rain sensing wipers but some have retrofitted it.
The Accord has a little more stiff suspension with some more wood in the rear while the camry can have more wood up front. Feels a lot more sprighty, but I think they rate less than the camry for crash testing? I'd also say the camry is a lot more insulated and smoother in both NVMH and ride. I guess that's basically all the options you can get for mid size japanese 90's gen cars.
I'll politely keep my 97 Avalon xls
My moms ‘00 XLE Camry has gray leather interior, automatic headlights, electronic automatic temperature control, and everything else you mentioned aside from the wipers. Pretty luxurious for what is and when it’s from. She’s the second owner and took it from 70k to 290k miles and still running literally like new. No slips or hesitation. It’s only ever gotten fluid/filter changes, tires, brakes, timing belt/water pump and new suspension. Oh and the egr position sensor went bad, that was about $12😅 in total it has cost her about $10k (7 when she bought it and about 3 in maintenance aside from gas) to go over 200k miles reliably and comfortably. Greatest car of all time IMO.
Accord looks way better
These are the type of reviews I'm more interested, affordable used cars, not high end luxury cars that most can't afford
Finally someone did a comparison of the most similar heavy weights of 90’s family sedan that lasts forever and sold millions and you see it in every town in the USA still chugging, I always like the Camry more but the Accord is sportier but idk, I want reliability
So, uh... I got a 2001 Mazda 626. To quote the guy who sold it to me? "It's on its second, maybe third transmission." It had 120,000 miles.
Love that Ford engineering. 🙃
That being said, literally everything else is perfect. Engine is smooth and has a lot of go for a 2.5L V6, and the seats are comfy. Electrically, no problems after I replaced the alternator (though that was an ordeal on account of the limited space in the engine bay.) Coolant tank has been replaced, rims resealed and new tires to replace dry-rotted ones. Currently a check engine, but it's EGR and small evap leak, so I'm not super worried. Small oil leak, but it leaks so little that regular oil changes are enough to keep it plenty full.
It's a dingus, but I love it. I don't know how much longer it's got but I'll love it while I can.
So later in the day that I made that comment, my car proceeded to overheat from what we think was a failed thermostat. So, we replaced the thermostat (which was an ordeal, like everything else in the engine bay) and after putting it back together, the engine now runs rough. Why.
@@bouncypear_netwhen it overheated you might’ve warped the head when is causing low compression. Do a compression test
@@rixzin5046 Good idea. I'll do that when I get a chance.
@@bouncypear_netever get a chance to test it?
@@seamusmeade940 No way for me to test compression myself (my car's at a reputable shop now) but I was told that it ran fine when driving back from where I had to park it after it overheated, and that was before we touched anything in the engine bay. My guess as of yet is something's up with the coil pack, since that was the only thing we had to remove that could affect the engine itself. In any case, once the shop is able to have a look at it, I can post an update on what the issue actually was.
1999 Camry CE with 2.2 4 cylinder engine. Those are super dependable and literally there was nothing to be broken. Same goes for 2003 Corolla CE. Super simple, super reliable car.
Never noticed how similar these cars looked 🤣
They look the same. I would have picked Ford Taurus at the time. Wish they were as reliable so we can still see them on the road.
Just moved across the country in my 99 accord while towing my honda motorcycle and it never skipped a beat even at 270k miles
Ì used to owned a 1998 camry v6 xle excellent engine good power fully loaded very smooth and quiet ride is around 300 000 kilometers not mileage this is in Toronto Canada no oil leaks i just to sold to my friend he is still using until now even is 1998 the reason I sold because take a of gas last year I bought a 2022 venza hybrid excellent on gas I'm very happy with it thanks for your video take care bye from milton Ontario Canada 🇨🇦
I started with the Camry my dad has it’s an 05. Not the body beautiful but that car is bullet proof & insanely reliable. Can’t go wrong with an old Toyota to get to point A to B. Now I own a 300ZX Twin Turbo.
How about a 2001 Nissan Maxima?
I think Washington state is not a rust belt state also so that is a huge plus when looking at older cars.. the underbody should have held up a lot better.
Yeah the accord actually from Canada that’s why is got some rust, but yeah your right about Washington not having a ton of rusty cars
my first car in high school is that Accord, good to drive, reliable, and spacious inside...
01 Camry, became, they dont break. The 98-02 Hondas are notorious for transmission issues
A bit different. Had an 03 accord and 03 Camry. I’m a Honda guy all the way, but that Camry was special. Sadly I lost her, spun out while it was snowing and hit the divider… bad day.. You can’t go wrong with either one.
I've owned a 2000 and 2001 Camry and I can confirm they are the most bulletproof easy to work on vehicles I've ever seen I would totally recommend that even though the accord is great
One difference between the two is the Camry is way cheaper when it comes to insurance. I have owned both cars. Both will still last longer than any cars or suv's that GM is making. My neighbor just paid off the Chevy Trax they have. Motor just blew up at a little over 100K. Now they are buying a new one. If they got a Toyota they wouldn't have this problem.
I love both of them I use the Honda Accord in the year 2012 to 2013 while I use the Camry 2021 to this 2023 august
Just picked up a 00 camry CE for $900. 167k miles, not tooo rusty one or the doors is smashed but gets around great! Love this thing - perfectly reliable cheap, but still elegant for a beater.
Dang I miss Washington. Thanks for sharing the cars but the scenery reminded me of where I grew up in Kent. Go Gougs indeed!
I got a 2012 Mazda3 as my first car. Awesome vehicle!
This gen Camry is built like a tank.
The oil leaking maybe a issue at higher miles (easy fix)
The Camry can do 700k. There's a video of it on TH-cam.
Yeah I’ve seen videos, the accords seem to be going out nearing 400k
What kind of oil leaks should I look into it i have a camry 98 model 140k miles just got it a week ago
@@kmnj1732
Search for Toyota Camry "5sfe oil pump leaks"
And search for valve cover leaks, and distributor plug leak
Everything that can leak oil, will. Except for the head gasket. The gaskets are old and brittle. I maintain a 2000 Camy 4 cylinder.
@@s99614 Just poured in some AT-205 Reseal into my 99 Camry 2.2l. It stopped all oil seepage. It's great stuff
2 excellent cars. I own them both but each a 4 cylinder.
2001 Nissan Maxima is also a good option. They have a solid VQ30 and transmission that are known to last up to 300K miles. I've had 1999 Infiniti I30 and 2001 Infiniti i30! (rebadged maxima) Both of which have respectfully reached 301K miles and the other 281K miles
Too bad Nissan interiors fall apart, poor quality materials
I love that gen of Camry. I had a 1997 with 98.000km euro spec one fully loaded V6
i own a 2000 camry. i had the same issue with my rev limiter except it was the opposite. at idle after the car was warmed up it sat very very low and sometimes would just die. adjust the throttle cable so you get that sweet spot and it idles at the perfect rpms.
It depends on which area you live in. In my hometown, a lot of people drive Camry. It is easy to find and buy one.
I have 1998 toyota camry...i drive for 18 years...without big problem...toyota camry really good car...till now my car always camry..my wife and daughter car camry too...❤ camry
Junkk toyotas
Id imagine the camry is more comfortable. And more common so easier to find parts
I can argue the Honda vs Toyota round or argue it flat. I owned both till my GF total my 2001 Accord EX, which had 92k on the clock at time of purchase, and 138 went it met it's demise. . The Accord is a superior handling car. The 2.3 VVT motor is stronger than the Camry'2.2 and gets a bit better MPG.The Accord had a Gremlin that defied diagnotics, just saying.
The2001 Camry LE was a one owner garage queen with 50k on the clock bought in May for $4700. The sound sytem in the Camry is supperior to the Accord, has a thermometer, 205 65 15 tyres vs 195 65 15, softer ride, and hate to say this Much more of a solid feel to it. The gas tank is larger as well. Bottom line, Camry won me over.
Yeah I would like to try the four cylinder cars to see how they feel and I agree that the Camry in stock form has a better stereo and just a bit more solid. Thanks for the comment, Cheers!
For and accord the best one for your buck is the gen after this one 2003-07 they are more reliable mainly the 4cyl they have better interior layout and exterior design. But this camry is one of the best gens they had. 5th and 6th gen 02-06 and 07-09 had oil burning problems in the 2.4. The Toyota 3.0 v6 is a tank. But if I only had the 2 of these to choose from I’d hands down pick the Camry. Same with the next competing gens I like the Camry for the smooth ride it gives. Accord has superior handling though
The camry 2001 was and still is my first car 😅 great car and easy to fix by yourself
I bought a 1999 Honda Accord LX with a 5 speed manual transmission brand new in Feb 1999. My folks bought a 2001 Toyota Camry LE brand new in Aug 2001.
On the Accord, the suspension is stiff and rides rough, particularly the rear. The seats have limited padding and cause fatigue after 3 hours behind the wheel, even at age 19. The interior noise is considerably higher than the Camry. The 4 cyl in the Accord is much peppier and returns better fuel mileage. Interesting fact about the rear suspension. The spring rate is actually softer than the Camry, it's the valving of the struts that makes it ride so damn harsh. I still have the car but I don't take it on trips longer than 2 hours anymore. Wished I had bought the Camry instead but It has been incredibly reliable, just regular scheduled maintenance.
The Camry has nice, soft comfortable seats. The suspension is super soft (particularly the rear suspension). The interior/road noise is much quieter than the Accord. The handling is surprisingly just a hair below the Accord even with the softer suspension. No long journey fatigue, could drive the Camry for 7 hours with no problems. The automatic transmissions in the Camry are far better than the Accord (especially the V6 in this generation) and shifts smoother but the ones in the 4 cyl Accord can last a long time of the fluid is changed every 20-30K miles and driven modestly. My folks have over 300,000 miles on the Camry with only a gas cap (worn o-ring gasket) and driver side window regulator replaced. Both of these were replaced in the very high 200,000 miles range.
The Accord is geared for sportier driving, the Camry is geared towards everything else. Both are great choices when picked for their desired characteristics.
If you want speed go for Honda, if you want reliability go for Toyota. Both are reliable.
I currently have my Cassandra! 01 SXV-20 Camry LE, for three years now! now at 207K from 161K and love every mile with her! looking to get her to 211K soon! first 50K!
But I love the joke on Hot chick you met at the bar and wife
😂😂😂
Legend
I got the same accord, 350k most original parts, just drives.
I would get the accord Toyota didn’t start putting decent power in the Camrys until like 02 my 04 4cyl has 157 the v6 has like 220 as fast as same year mustang gt
Funny that the Accord has only mudflaps at the front but not the back.
Yeah it is kinda funny but It does kinda make sense as it is front wheel drive
90s Hondas would rust out from the rear caused by mud flaps holding water. They probably came with the accord but somebody who knew better probably removed them. My 1992 Honda Accord wagon had all four mudflaps
I own both and the accord has a sporty feel with 195/60 or 195/55 tires but feels unstable. The Camry is planted and stable in all weather and rolls like a cloud.
I totally agree
this is an amazing video, thank you for this in depth comparison
Thank you!
Toyota seemed to have two different versions of the 1MZ-FE V6, one for the Avalon, ES300 and RX300, and another for the Camry and Sienna. Because on this and the Sienna you got 194hp, on the other cars you got about 200hp or more.
I had a manual Accord 99, a good car, but chronic defects such as premature wear of the engine blocks, causing the exhaust to break at the bottom of the engine, in my opinion the Camry is a perfect car
In my opinion I’d go for the 2001 Honda maybe because I’ve driven them a lot more than any car
Had a 2000 Camry for my first car in High School, legit was solid and good to me for 5 years, miss it not going to lie lol
01 camry ce was my first car, Honestly hated the thing but it got me where i was going and was honestly very reliable, just had a bad oil leak and one day last year I forgot to put more oil in and ended up stranded on the side of the road, 4 months and one borrowed car later i bought myself a 350z and have not looked back, thank you camry lol
I believe the original idea from Japan was to make the honda for younger people 18 to 30 years old, and to make the Toyota's for older people, 31 and up, both nice, but the Toyota is more comfortable ride
I been in a quite a few Hondas in my lifetime. The first one was my friends moms old white 1987 accord it had Red cloth seats it drove pretty nice actually during the few times I rode in it but that car ended up overheating and was replaced by a white 2005 Honda civic which to this day my friend said it’s still going although it’s showing its age. And my moms 2001 odyssey so giving my past with Honda I would most likely go with the Honda as my car mainly for the nostalgia
Would have to agree these Camrys are bullet proof, mine has 270k V6 drives like a cadillac, theres a guy on TH-cam, who has 600k 👍🏻
The other thing with the accord that really dominated the experience was the super stiff suspension. It rode like crap (made worse on my car with slightly lower profile aftermarket wheels) . Did handle well though.
stock Accords do not have very stiff suspension, perhaps yours was modified.
Now that you mention it, it actually was. It had eibach springs, but they were the ones that were supposed to be the same stiffness as the stock springs. It had new stock struts and shocks. It was way too stiff for me, as the roads around here are terrible. suspension stiffness is a subjective thing.
How about a Camry with automatic gearbox? We have the Accord like the one you have with a regular gearbox and the Camry with a regular gearbox
If it's b/n the 2 V6 versions, the camry is probably the better choice. The Accord 6's were know for bad transmissions.
The 4 cyls it probably is only down to the maintenance of the previous owner. The honda might have the worst tranny either way tho.
Camrys & Accords run deep in my family. Tho all the Accords were/are sticks mine included
Good comparison. It was my time growing up
that intro was epic
I have that dame accord. Same color and everything. But i got to an accident last year andnnow my front is a different color than the overall body. Looking to make it all red again hopefully soon
I remember like 5 cars that were 5 different brands but looked the same. We came a long way for manufacturers making their cars look distinct
Yes both cars are disgustingly reliable, if cared for of course, however, some old hondas tend to have weak starter motors.
Amazing how the design looks exactly the same
I LOVE MY CAMRY
This coming from a Honda head I’ve had
99 gsr
97 civic
98 accord
2007 tsx lol I’ve owned a 97 Toyota Camry v6 bought it for 500$ with 86k miles on it from and elderly person and was the best car I’ve had out of the list of Hondas. Never gave me a problem and they drive like they float on air. Def camry all day in terms of reliability and comfort and maintenance.
Both are great cars. For the accord, the 4 cylinder ones did not have transmission issues, it was mainly a problem with the v6
I had a ‘99 EX coupe with a 2.3 liter 4. And the transmission began to slip around 140,000 miles. The transmission problem was an issue with the automatic trans. It was known for models both 4 and 6 cylinder between 1998-2001. I just didn’t know it when i bought the car and then couldn’t pay to get it fixed. The best gen Accords were 1990-1993- the CB7. Those things were bulletproof all the way around. My ‘93 had 192,000 miles on it by the time I traded it and aside from a new radiator and needing new shocks due to mileage but overall no issues.
@@RB-xm3ed I smile every time I see a CB7 on the road, particularly the sedan (the coupes are basically extinct atp). Best styling of any accord generation if you ask me, blissful simplicity.
Either way they're both great cars
Love love love the xv20 Camry.
I have used the honda accord for over 12years.its a nice car but had to change transmission 4times.
Camry hands down more comfortable and more space I had a friend in college who had that accord and that transmission was doing some weird stuff. And for me the tiny things matter like the Camry has more wiper positions then the accord makes a big difference when it’s raining
Honestly from my experience? Hyundai Sonata from 2006-2010, make sure it is the i4! Easy to work on, solidly built, just do basic preventative maintenance and you are good to go.
Toyota Camry Is one of my favorite NPC cars❤❤❤
They may be the most reliable but there are the subaru legacy b4 or gt (turbo) and jdm galant v6 twin turbo loaded with all the goodies for a mid size sedan, boy those were the king, just for the record the accord euro R was around too, the accord's hot version for sure... about camry I think maybe in australia they had some better variants
I had both those year models. The accord is more sporty and reliable. The camry is super soft, everything from suspension to the way it accelerates is soft. My camry went through 3 transmissions though.
I'm willing to bet the same person/team design both cars. Even going back to the generation before, they looked VERY similar.