2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 vs. 2009 Honda Accord Article

[MBWorld.org Editors]

Hello everyone, We posed the question of choosing an Accord over a C300 a little while back. The response was great (thanks for that) with good reason to stick with Mercedes (hard to argue that). There was some defense for the Accord, but the truth is that it is not in fact a luxury car. Whatever it is, it offers a lot for its price. Why then compare it to the C350 when the C300 was the obvious choice last time? The C350 is a more expensive C-Class that offers a little bit more than the C300 in the way of performance and luxury. In that case, is the price difference enough in a choice between the C350 and Accord -- as far as value vs. cost -- to consider choosing the latter? Especially if you are like the rest of us who are further tightening up the purse strings. When you were shopping for your C-Class, did you consider the two? If so, what did you end up doing? In case you missed it, find it here: http://www.mbworld.org/c-class/2009_...nda_accord.php Thanks

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[Azn_C300]

February 10, 2009 - 2009 Mercedes-Benz C 300 vs. 2009 BMW 328
February 20, 2009 - 2009 Mercedes-Benz C 300 vs. 2009 BMW 335i
February 25, 2009 - 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 vs. 2009 BMW 335
March 4, 2009 - 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 vs. 2009 BMW 328
March 5, 2009 - 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 vs. 2009 Audi A4
March 11, 2009 - 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 vs. 2009 Audi A4
March 12, 2009 - 2009 Mercedes Benz C350 vs. 2009 Mercedes Benz C300
March 17, 2009 - Mercedes Benz E350 vs. 2009 Mercedes Benz C300
March 19, 2009 - 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 vs. 2009 Honda Accord
April 08, 2009 - 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 vs. 2009 Honda Accord


C63 vs accord next?

........................

[FrankW]

similar loaded Accord V6 = the same price I got my C350 for, so the answer is NO.

I'd consider Accord if I'm looking for a 4-cylinder daily commuter.

[Dema]

Accord can be a better car, however prestige symbol... hey he drives Accord she drives Mercedes. How it sounds differently.

[C300Kid]

Originally Posted by FrankW

similar loaded Accord V6 = the same price I got my C350 for, so the answer is NO.

I'd consider Accord if I'm looking for a 4-cylinder daily commuter.

loaded Accords are like $29k..the C350 is def more

[greasybenz]

Originally Posted by FrankW

similar loaded Accord V6 = the same price I got my C350 for, so the answer is NO.

Not to sound like a MB hater but I did used to sell Hondas

price wise with included features they are incomparable. With no nav, leatherette, and a few other optional extra's for the C350 the price comes out to this.

C350 MSRP: $39,000 Invoice: $36,270

Accrod V6 MSRP: $30,905 Invoice: $28,002

At that price the accord comes with nav, leather, rear fold-down seats.

Options for the money, the Honda is the clear winner. Even as far as value for your money you get the benefit of cheaper maintenance and a much higher resale value. Depreciation if steep on the Mercedes as all luxury cars are.

As far as the prestige of the badge and snob value. The benz is the winner in that case, as Dema said their is a different tone to 'I have a Honda accord' and 'I have a Mercedes Benz'

[yooker]

Car racists

At least the Accord comes with a 6spd.

[K-A]

I'm driving yet another C300 Loaner again. This car (204) just always rubs me the wrong way for some reason, worst interior feel, materials and design I've ever imagined in a benz. Sorry guys, just IMO.

Prestige "snobness" aside, I like the Accord better for what it is, although I think the benz has a hotter exterior design. IMO the C has a great Benz front end, and some Japanese-y "durability" sprinkles here and there in its look, and the Accord in turn is a Honda with some German/BMW wannabee traits. But the C all in all is a good and attractive design, and I think the Honda looks good too, but not as good.

Of course it does sound better to say you own a "Benz" over a "Honda", but to anyone who actually cares enough about that stuff, when you say it's a "C-Class" they may use the same materialistic judgement againt you.

[Nuru]

I have driven both and i still like the Benz better. I would rather drive a car that has less impact on the environment one car made with fish from an island nation, and the other from a land-based nation. Examine your environmental conscience - fish or crops? Which would you choose to save?

Buy Benz!

[CrAZyVeGAsBoY]

Originally Posted by greasybenz

Not to sound like a MB hater but I did used to sell Hondas

price wise with included features they are incomparable. With no nav, leatherette, and a few other optional extra's for the C350 the price comes out to this.

C350 MSRP: $39,000 Invoice: $36,270

Accrod V6 MSRP: $30,905 Invoice: $28,002

At that price the accord comes with nav, leather, rear fold-down seats.

Options for the money, the Honda is the clear winner. Even as far as value for your money you get the benefit of cheaper maintenance and a much higher resale value. Depreciation if steep on the Mercedes as all luxury cars are.

As far as the prestige of the badge and snob value. The benz is the winner in that case, as Dema said their is a different tone to 'I have a Honda accord' and 'I have a Mercedes Benz'

+1 on this hes 100% on the mark on this one, MB will get a little more "effect" but the honda will definalty save u the cash.

[greasybenz]

Originally Posted by Nuru

I have driven both and i still like the Benz better. I would rather drive a car that has less impact on the environment one car made with fish from an island nation, and the other from a land-based nation. Examine your environmental conscience - fish or crops? Which would you choose to save?

Buy Benz!

I have never heard of such sillyness, you chose are car based on what land it was built on?

hmmm...............

[dbarnhart]

One year ago, I sold my beloved 93 300E and bought a 2008 Accord Sedan EX V6. Big mistake. I realized it within days.

The Accord is a great car. Safe, reliable, gets great gas mileage. It's a sterile, lifeless hunk. My MB's all have had a certain solid FEEL on the highway that the Accord just did not have. The Accord's doors didn't go THUNK when I closed them. Within days of buying the Accord I vowed that I would get back into a Mercedes-Benz.

Last month I traded that Accord at a loss for a CPO 2006 E350 and love it. Recently, I spent two days behind the wheel of a C300. Though the C-Class was smaller, it was a lot more car than the Accord. The Accord is a bigger car (outside and inside) but it does not have the feel of solid engineering that even the C300 had.

I'm talking about the underlying subtle feel of the car. Not the leather. Not the nav. That stuff it just lipstick.

There is no question that the Accord will be more reliable and hold it's value better, but those are reasons why you would buy a Toyota Celica instead of a Ferrari.

[C300Sport]

Originally Posted by dbarnhart

One year ago, I sold my beloved 93 300E and bought a 2008 Accord Sedan EX V6. Big mistake. I realized it within days.

The Accord is a great car. Safe, reliable, gets great gas mileage. It's a sterile, lifeless hunk. My MB's all have had a certain solid FEEL on the highway that the Accord just did not have. The Accord's doors didn't go THUNK when I closed them. Within days of buying the Accord I vowed that I would get back into a Mercedes-Benz.

Last month I traded that Accord at a loss for a CPO 2006 E350 and love it. Recently, I spent two days behind the wheel of a C300. Though the C-Class was smaller, it was a lot more car than the Accord. The Accord is a bigger car (outside and inside) but it does not have the feel of solid engineering that even the C300 had.

I'm talking about the underlying subtle feel of the car. Not the leather. Not the nav. That stuff it just lipstick.

There is no question that the Accord will be more reliable and hold it's value better, but those are reasons why you would buy a Toyota Celica instead of a Ferrari.

Well said...

[ps98076]

Just bought my first c300 today....I have always driven a Honda or Jap cars...Is there something wrong with my c300? I dont' feel the push when I drive it as did my honda. I know the gas pedal is set up, could that be it and that I just have to floor it more? Anybody have the same experience or knowledge??

[dbarnhart]

I did not push the loaner C300 I had very hard. It certainly seemed to have more than enough ooomph though, in fact the first time I needed to 'get on it' to make a left turn the car surprised me.

Having said that, the '08 Accord V6 did seem accelerate quicker.

[jamaicakevkev]

The accords are nice but are boring as hell.

[WWMIndy]

Originally Posted by greasybenz

Not to sound like a MB hater but I did used to sell Hondas

price wise with included features they are incomparable. With no nav, leatherette, and a few other optional extra's for the C350 the price comes out to this.

C350 MSRP: $39,000 Invoice: $36,270

Accrod V6 MSRP: $30,905 Invoice: $28,002

At that price the accord comes with nav, leather, rear fold-down seats.

Options for the money, the Honda is the clear winner. Even as far as value for your money you get the benefit of cheaper maintenance and a much higher resale value. Depreciation if steep on the Mercedes as all luxury cars are.

As far as the prestige of the badge and snob value. The benz is the winner in that case, as Dema said their is a different tone to 'I have a Honda accord' and 'I have a Mercedes Benz'

I'll take safety and driveability over depreciation everyday, sorry. That's what I pay for.

[Nuru]

Originally Posted by greasybenz

I have never heard of such sillyness, you chose are car based on what land it was built on?

hmmm...............

Of course you did see the flag graphic at the end of my message right? You did realize I was completely joking?

[2tonOfun]

Originally Posted by C300Kid

loaded Accords are like $29k..the C350 is def more

That's what I paid (+tax,lic) for my new 08 C350 with P2 pano but no nav so, maybe no if you get a good deal.

I have no ilusions of what it will be worth in 4 years vrs an Accord but I think I will enjoy owning it more in those 4 years then I would an Accord and that's what it's all about for me.

[whiteongrey]

Originally Posted by ps98076

Just bought my first c300 today....I have always driven a Honda or Jap cars...Is there something wrong with my c300? I dont' feel the push when I drive it as did my honda. I know the gas pedal is set up, could that be it and that I just have to floor it more? Anybody have the same experience or knowledge??

You need a few thousand miles on it before loosens up - will be a huge difference. Also, must mash the gas pedal for sprints - different feel with drive-by-wire tune in C.

[blanco55]

I was contemplating buying an Accord before going for a C300 and I do not regret it a bit. Perhaps the Accord is more reliable and holds value, but it loses to the C in every other department. Still wondering why these two cars are being compared in the first place :S

Just looking at the C-class every morning is enough for me, no comparison.

[qwqwerertyty]

um.. ya.. I don't quite get how you can compare a C class with an Accord...

they're in different leagues???

[woedee]

Not sure if its been pointed out before, but the c class has been deemed as a "near luxury" car by this consumer research group http://www.strategicvision.com/ratings.php

[albert101]

The Benz will last longer than the Honda. How many 40 year old Hondas to do you still see on the road? Still see a lot of 40 year old Benzes!

[napa 1]

A Honda is a great car, no doubt, but it is no Mercedes Benz. Reliable, economical, practical...but boring as heck and easily confused with any other car on the road. MB has a way with their design that no one else seems to be able to match. There are lots of really cool exotic looking cars out there, but somehow Mercedes is the master of understated elegance. The exterior of the 204 for instance is not flashy, exotic or loud, but rather has a sublime aesthetic that is sporty and elegant at the same time.