Before I decided on my (used) 2004 V6 EX Sedan (AT), I had narrowed my choices down to a Lexus ES300, a Maxima, and the Accord. I don't think I could have gone really wrong with any choice, but every day I spend in the Accord assures me I made the right one in the end. The Lexus, although mechanically bulletproof, just seemed like a lot of money for a car that is essentially a Camry cranked up to 120% of everything nice. Until I picked up the Accord and my wife inherited my '96 Camry, she had been driving a 1989 Maxima SE 5-speed (older than my teenage daughter!) that just would not quit. Although it had its share of broken electric windows, the thing was mechanically bulletproof at 220,000 miles and was still a hoot to drive - in fact, we preferred to drive it on trips over the Camry. The main reason we got rid of it was that it had developed huge rust holes in the body - I was tempted to yell "Yabba Dabba Doo!" whenever I drove it. So, I went into the comparo predisposed to like a newer Maxima over the Accord. Styling is definitely a matter of personal taste, but I like the new Max exterior a lot - except the nose. That grille is atrocious. It was the interior that turned me off - very spartan and unfriendly compared to the EX. Performance, other than straight-line acceleration, seemed a trade-off to me, with the Accord being MUCH better in real-world fuel consumption. Throw in the fact that the Maxima is just a stretched version of the Altima platform with a few more horsepower and available HIDs, and the extra money for insurance, maintenance and fuel over the life of the car was definitely a turn off. I couldn't agree more with other writer's points that the feel of the Honda is much better -everything from the thunk of the doors to the switchgear. Every day I drive my Accord I grow to like it even more. The problem is that all that money I was going to save on insurance, maintenance and fuel is now going into car toys - spoilers, wheels, upgraded speakers, wood trim kits, Garmin Navi, waxes and wheel dressing - I'm acting like a high school kid all over again!
