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Hyundai Sonata vs. Honda Accord vs. Toyota Camry vs. Ford Fusion

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Comments

  • goodegggoodegg Member Posts: 905
    I had a Taurus transmission issue that no repair facility, or dealer, could duplicate. But it was there. We decided to dump that car (lost thousands) for a Camry. 80,000 miles and 5 years later, never needed a single repair.

    Now, the Fusion (or Ford) has a serious built in handicap with me that the Japanese cars don't have. I'd wager there are many more consumers like me that would say why take the chance on a Ford.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    You mean we'll see posts about Sonatas catching fire? Maybe you have confused Hyundai with Honda, i.e. the CR-V.
  • booyahcramerbooyahcramer Member Posts: 172
    Something will go wrong with the Sonata, considering Hyundai's stellar reputation in the past. Go to a car auction and see what those guys do to the Hyundais.

    Sonata could end up being a great car with no problems. Kinda like CamCords have been for the past umteen years. But their heritage is against them. In a few years we'll know. I'd wait til the verdict is in before buying a Hyundai. Anyone can crow about their new car being great. Who's gonna say they just bought a new car and they don't like it?
  • booyahcramerbooyahcramer Member Posts: 172
    Good ole Canada. Great government up there. On the brink of socialism. Nice tax system too. Anything goes attitudes. Yea - I'll trust their opinion. I sure its totally objective and unbiased. Somebody got paid for that.
  • What does the political system of Canada have to do with judging a vehicle's attributes? Wow....just....wow.

    This discussion is about the Sonata, Camry, Fusion, and Accord, not government representation.
  • ontopontop Member Posts: 279
    Kinda lame comparo. No Honda, Toyota, GM, Mazda etc.

    Sure the Sonata seems to be a good car. But the true test will be in a few years when the real world has affected the car. Will the Sonata hold up?

    I know my Accord has fared well, but so has my brother's Cadillac. And my friends Volvo. Most cars are good nowadays, provided they're maintained correctly.

    Toyota and Honda have passed the tests to be in my garage. Ford has failed. Sonata is a maybe (never owned Hyundai). Lets see how it is after the 06 has been out for a year or so.
  • chrisfordchrisford Member Posts: 55
    Yeah, the 2006 Sonata scores higher than the Funion in external styling. What are they smoking up there in Canada? Everyone and the mama knows the Fusion has by far the best external styling,period.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Well, you know how those car of the year awards go -- only new or significantly redesigned cars may apply. Old workhorses don't get honors because they're, well, old.

    Speaking of Ford trannies, I had to get mine replaced in a '90 Sable at 93K miles. Between that and numerous other problems (esp. A/C), I'd pause long and hard before buying a Ford again.
  • stockmanjoestockmanjoe Member Posts: 353
    I had a 94 Ford Thunderbird I bought new. Its trannie went out at 35,000. They covered it under warranty but 1,000 miles more and I would have had to pay the bill!
  • stockmanjoestockmanjoe Member Posts: 353
    That won't help you much when Ford goes out of business and you need parts (and you will need parts!)
  • stockmanjoestockmanjoe Member Posts: 353
    You mean Toyota's stellar engine reputatuon with their v6 that burns up the oil in 1,000 miles and builds up sludge in the engine in a year? Engine problem - what engine problem.
  • stockmanjoestockmanjoe Member Posts: 353
    GM - there is a company that has all of about five years left!
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Well, not everyone thinks the Fusion has the best styling, including those Canucks. And me. But I live in Minnesota, so my air supply comes from Canada at this time of year. :)
  • stockmanjoestockmanjoe Member Posts: 353
    They have either built crap or rested on their laurels too long. I invite the competition. Go Hyundai!!
  • zen2zen2 Member Posts: 226
    That's not a good comparison. The CRV fires were really
    caused by negligence, both by manufaturer (in England)
    and oil filter installer. I have a CRV, and 9000 miles,
    no fires. I did ask for the gasket at first oil change,
    and it was given to me in good shape.

    Ford is another matter. :-) They never own up to their
    problems until forced by the government. At least
    Honda diagnosed and corrected their problem without
    being forced by the government.
  • zen2zen2 Member Posts: 226
    Heritage? I guess you are too young to remember the first Hondas sold here? Junk. I don't think their heritage was
    that great for their first 15 years.

    And Toyotas weren't any dream car either. I remember
    my first Toyota well, since I had to learn how to
    do a tuneup every 1000 miles due to the poor design of
    points and distributor.

    You must be too young to remember also when anything
    Japanese was sneered at as being JUNK. I guess
    they overcame their "heritage".
  • zen2zen2 Member Posts: 226
    Wow, you got 93K out of a Ford transmission.
    My Ford Auto transmission lasted exactly
    46K.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Yes, to their credit, Honda diagnosed and corrected their problem. Just because a part is made by a supplier doesn't mean the car company isn't liable for it. There is, after all, something called Quality Control.
  • inajoonginajoong Member Posts: 46
    Hey, nobody thought that Samsung would overtake Sony, but it happened. Why not Hyundai? It looks as though it's already happening. Better to buy a Hyundai now while it's cheap cause them prices won't last too long.
  • ontopontop Member Posts: 279
    Quality control allright. Here come the recalls on the 2006 Sonata.......
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Of course. Even the fabled Accord has had recalls. Hard to achieve perfection on a mass-market product with thousands of parts and millions of lines of code.
  • ctalkctalk Member Posts: 646
    I sure its totally objective and unbiased

    When reviewing a car, no one can be objective. Everyone has their own bias. When looking at reviews, a better way to approach them is to think of it as a suggestion.

    Also, you may think it is unbiased because it's supporting your opinion.
  • spinzerospinzero Member Posts: 91
    Everyone and the mama knows the Fusion has by far the best external styling,period.

    LOL you're funny. Who appointed you as the ultimate authority of everyone else's aesthetic sense? What do you mean "period"? They are entitled to their opinion just as much as you are. And for your info, there are a lot of people on this board alone that preferred other car's styling over Fusion's.
  • spinzerospinzero Member Posts: 91
    Good ole Canada. Great government up there. On the brink of socialism. Nice tax system too. Anything goes attitudes. Yea - I'll trust their opinion. I sure its totally objective and unbiased. Somebody got paid for that.

    So... somehow Hyundai had more money to pay these corrupted Canadians than FoMoCo or VW did huh?
  • ontopontop Member Posts: 279
    Very well put. Most cars are good.

    And after reading this forum you'd think Toyota and it's Camry is on the ropes or something.
  • stockmanjoestockmanjoe Member Posts: 353
    On the ropes would be alittle overstated, but looking over their shoulder at Hyundai - they better be!!
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    They have already have stated as much!! But the machinery is in place to deal with it.
  • chrisfordchrisford Member Posts: 55
    LOL you're funny. Who appointed you as the ultimate authority of everyone else's aesthetic sense? What do you mean "period"?

    Every review I have come across supports my statement. Can you show me just one review that says the Sonata has a more appealing exterior than the Fusion?
  • zen2zen2 Member Posts: 226
    Well, let's put it this way. The Honda LX V6 costs
    about 6 grand more than my GLS V6. Let's see what
    I got for 6 grand less:
    Fog lights
    5yr, 60K warranty + 10yr on pwertrain

    But I didn't get the moonroof. SO the options are about
    a wash. So basically you are paying 6K for the straight
    H instead of a slanted one.

    And I like Hondas, traded a 2000 Accord LX V6 for my
    2005 CRV. But that 2000 even cost 2K more than
    what I paid for my 2006 GLS V6 Sonata.
    After driving both I would have felt like a fool
    to spend the 6K for the prestige of the straight H.
    But, each to his own.
  • bhmr59bhmr59 Member Posts: 1,601
    I haven't read all the reviews and don't remember who expressed what preference for which car's appearance. Different people like different styles. Some people thought the Taurus looked good. Others think the Honda Element looks good.

    To answer your question with a question, what reviews have said Fusion has a more appealing exterior than a Sonata?
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    They have either built crap or rested on their laurels too long. I invite the competition. Go Hyundai!!

    Hondas and Toyotas aren't the top two midsize cars in sales because they are crap or out-of-date. You can't ignore the numbers. Ford and GM ARE dropping because they are both.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Not something to get bent out of shape over.

    Most people will have varied opinions. Every once in a while a car comes along that EVERYONE agrees is beautiful or ugly. Certainly the Aztek comes to mind for the latter. OTOH, some people actually bought them, maybe in spite of the styling. :confuse:
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,290
    Tops in sales doesn't mean best, just means more people buy them. Sales figures are meaningless unless your a sheep.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • goodegggoodegg Member Posts: 905
    A car is more than just a package of options. Many many people are uncomfortable buying a Hyundai, or many other brands. This applies to more than just cars. Homes, computers, you name it. People value different things.

    I'm happy you're happy you don't feel like a fool. Price isn't everything. When I buy my 16 year old a 3 year old Honda for her first car I won't be thinking about the dollars as much as the feeling I've bought her a good auto.
  • ctalkctalk Member Posts: 646
    Hondas and Toyotas aren't the top two midsize cars in sales because they are crap or out-of-date. You can't ignore the numbers. Ford and GM ARE dropping because they are both.

    Actually, a lot of GM and Ford's sales are from fleets. It seems Honda out sells Toyota in retail sales for both the Corolla and Camry.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    You're a nice parent, buying your 16 year old a 3-year-old Honda as her first car. Now here is a poser (one which I face myself): if you can buy your teenager a used car or a new car for the same money, and the new car has more/better safety features (more air bags, better crash test ratings, maybe ABS on it), which do you go for?
  • hansiennahansienna Member Posts: 2,312
    the Mazda 6 is much more appealing than the Ford Fusion. ;) ( or the Sonata, Accord, and Camry :blush: ).
  • zen2zen2 Member Posts: 226
    Go ahead and buy that 3 year old 4 cyl Honda for
    18K, which is what I paid for my Hyundai with 6
    airbags, stability control, traction control,and ABS,
    none of which the Honda will have at that price.
    ;) But she'll have the staight H. :) Hope
    that keeps her from rolling over the first time
    she oversteers.
  • stockmanjoestockmanjoe Member Posts: 353
    The Corolla is not out of date? I think it is. And overpriced too!
  • goodegggoodegg Member Posts: 905
    I've grown to appreciate the Hyundai more since visiting this website, but 99% of folks around here haven't. Hyundai has this negative image problem in this country and as you know, "image is everything".

    I asked my daughter and her friend about a car when reaching age 16, mentioned a Hyundai, and in unison they screeched "ewwwww".

    A coworker frowned at me and another friend brushed off the Hyundai suggestion. The straight H is accepted. The slanted H has a ways to go.

    I'm considering the slanted H Sonata, but not too sure of its acceptance at trade in time.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,290
    "image is everything".

    Only if your a sheep. If your not get what you want not what others "think" you should get. You're the one who drives it not the others. And if your status with your friends is determined by what car you have your friends are snobs.

    I'm considering the slanted H Sonata, but not too sure of its acceptance at trade in time.

    Hyundais reputation is growing greatly, will that effect the value at trade in time? Only time will tell. But I have a 2000 Elantra wagon and it is valued at a little over 20% of what the sticker price was. A comparable Honda is right around 22%. Not a real big difference. I would think that the several thousand up front savings on the Sonata over the Accord would more than make up for it.

    In short get what you want and forget about resale values (unless your going to dump it after a year or two).

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • punchpermpunchperm Member Posts: 9
    People are paying more for Hondas because of Honda's history -- and consumer perception -- of greater quality and reliability than Hyundai. Past history is not a guarantee of future performance, but it is surely an indicator. And people will pay more money for cars they believe to be more reliable and of higher quality.

    Hyundais are cheaper only because the company cannot maximize it's profit with comparably priced cars against comparably equipped Accords. The reason they cannot is because they simply don't have the history of quality and reliability that Honda does. Make no mistake, Hyundai *would* charge more for their vehicles if they felt the market would support it.

    Hyundais have a bad reputation in the US, and rightfully so, for historical quality and reliability reasons, but I don't think anyone is here saying that Hyundai cannot or will not ever make quality, reliable cars. It seems to me that they've certainly bumped up their quality with their newer models; once they prove long term reliability is when I think you'll see more people start to come around. And once their long-term reliability is proven, Hyundai will surely raise their prices.
  • ontopontop Member Posts: 279
    Way to spin this guy's concern about a Hyundai into if your (and not you're) friends don't have positive feelings about a Hyundai they're (not there) snobs.

    If image or sterotypes or gut feelings were not an issue in America then marketing would be a snap. People have hundreds of things that make them tick and buy certain products.

    I think the Sonata is a nice car too but I agree it has to reprove itself constantly in America because of its company's previous, now better, reputation.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    Sonata-Accord-Camry-Fusion.

    Not image/stereotypes/consumer behaviour theory, etc...

    :P
  • oldjoeoldjoe Member Posts: 132
    The question of Hyundai sales here in Ceadr Rapids, Iowa , a community of well over 100,000 people seems to be settled. The local Ford dealer no longer even has a Hyundai sign (maybe it fell down), only Mitsubishi and BMW...I guess they are out of business here in Eastern Iowa.

    The Sonata's interior must have a heck of a lot of problems other than the tipping seats and uncomfortable seating. Hyundai is replacing the Sonata's interior for the 2007 model..hmmm, only one year! I hope for the people who bought one that Hyundai had better luck in designing and engineering the rest of the Sonata.

    HonToy rules!
  • bhmr59bhmr59 Member Posts: 1,601
    Leadfoot, you were objective enough to come back with a "WOW" report after test driving the Sonata, after admittedly being skeptical of Hyundai. Maybe your daughter would feel different if she were to drive the car; maybe not since kids are so subject to peer pressure. But, your adult friends...challenge them to test the Sonata and see for themselves. Make them a friendly bet, a coffee, a beer, whatever, that they will be favorably impressed and change their opinion about Hyundai if they will take an objective test drive as you did.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,290
    Way to spin this guy's concern about a Hyundai into if your (and not you're) friends don't have positive feelings about a Hyundai they're (not there) snobs.

    I wasn't addressing leadfoot6s concerns about Hyundai. If you look at what leadfoot6 wrote his concerns were what others thought about it. I stand by what I wrote, if your status with your friends is determined by what car you have your friends are snobs.

    Leadfoot6's other concern about resale value I directly addressed.

    Also your little snide remarks about "you're" and "your" and "their" and "they're" are way off the deep end and have nothing to do with what I wrote.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,290
    I don't know I get to eastern Iowa often and usually get to Ceder Rapids once a year. I see a far share of Hyundais there.

    HonToy rules!

    I am not sure about that, while I will admit that they are good cars they have nothing that really turns my head. However Hyundai, Ford, and GM are starting to do that.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • stockmanjoestockmanjoe Member Posts: 353
    There is nothing wrong with the Sonata's seats. My 88 VW Fox now there is a car that had uncomfortable seat. My [non-permissible content removed] was both numb and ached at the same time (I did not know that was possible) after only 30 minutes in the car. Yes I am sure the 2007 model will be even better!
This discussion has been closed.