# Which car to buy? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Tags:** subaru, honda\ **Created:** [October 13, 2010, 11:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-to-buy/56314 "2010-10-13T11:13:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![amhof59](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c57346/32.png) [@amhof59](https://community.cartalk.com/u/amhof59)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 11:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-to-buy/56314/1 "2010-10-13T11:13:39Z")
I am hoping your replies will help narrow my decision on a new car. I am torn between buying a Honda Accord or a Subaru Legacy. Any thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![UncleTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9a140/32.png) [@UncleTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UncleTurbo)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 11:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-to-buy/56314/2 "2010-10-13T11:51:33Z")
If you are talking about a new car, either is fine as they have a factory warranty. If you are looking to buy the car new and keep it for about 10 years and longer; the Accord will be a lot less expensive to maintain and will need fewer and less expensive repairs after the warranty period expires. If you are looking for a used car, the Accord for same reasons as above. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-to-buy/56314/3 "2010-10-13T13:11:10Z")
Unless you absolutely need the AWD function, I’d buy the Accord. It is a great handling car and will cost less and be more reliable over a longer service life. That does not make the Legacy a bad car; it just requires more care. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 2:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-to-buy/56314/4 "2010-10-13T14:03:41Z")
Subarus require more maintenance, and therefore cost more, over time. The AWD is responsible. I currently own a Honda Accord and a Subaru Legacy. I like the AWD of the Subaru in winter, but I have to admit it’s very rarely necessary where I live. Winter tires on the Honda would probably be just as good 99% of the time. You have to religiously follow the maintenance schedule with a Subaru. They are not park-and-forget vehicles. If you’re willing to do that, there’s nothing wrong with them. They just require a little more. ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 2:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-to-buy/56314/5 "2010-10-14T02:35:25Z")
I agree the other comments with one notable exception. If I were set on just these two choices, and either would meet my needs, the dealer service/reputation could be a deciding factor. Even if I did not “need” awd, but liked the handling that awd provided (assuming that you appreciated or even cared about the difference), I feel you can’t go wrong with either choice. I had one Subaru among a bunch of Hondas and Toyotas. It proved to be as reliable as ANY if not more so. The only reason we don’t still have one now, is the proximity/reputation of the dealerships that I have to choose and they don’t make trucks and truck based SUVs.