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Isn't that an oxymoron.
Actually...the doors on the Azera do NOT sound hollow at all when you close them. Something I was quite impressed with when I took my initial test drive. When I went to replace the stock door speakers, I found out why...a very nice aluminum panel sits behind the door panel. No holes in it except for where the speaker is mounted. All window components are attached to the panel for a solid build.
Sure...you can pick up a used S430, then get ready to pay out the nose for preventive maintenance on it! :P
I for one, am anxiously awaiting the first glimpse of the new Genesis when Hyundai finally decides to drop it on us.
If you aren't in North America, I will retract my statement (assuming you live on an autobahn with unrestricted speed), but if you regularly take a softly sprung vehicle to twice-legal speeds, airbags (and some common sense) should be on the top of your shopping list IMO.
Can I ask WHY you would go 140 in a softly sprung car on a road made for speeds that are likely half that? I've just gotta know.
How often do you find it necessary to go 120+ MPH?
I may be a STRANGE teenager (I'll be 20 in less than 2 weeks), but I've never found the NEED to go over even 100 MPH, much less 140.
The only time I've ever gone faster than was probably intelligent was when my great grandmother had a heart attack and I rushed to the hospital across town from school. I did 95 in a 60/70 (it goes back and forth) with my flashers on. It isn't because the car wouldn't go faster, because my car is limited to 130 MPH according to Motor Trend.
My great-grandmother is still living (95 years old and still going strong!!).
Let me ask, have you ever blown a tire at 130 MPH? I'm guessing no, since you are here to tell about it.
I'm not riding your case, I just can't fathom "needing" to know that my car can go 140 MPH, since there aren't but a handful of US roads capable of safely handling a car going anywhere near that fast.
Thoughts/feelings about this car?
My grandmother is looking at them and I'd like to know some things to look for good and bad before going into a test drive with her.
If you're scared...get a big wheel! LOL
Actually...driving that fast because your grandmother is having a heart attack is much less intelligent than you think. You're driving off of emotion and you're not thinking clearly. Trust me...I'd rather do it with a clear thinking of what it is I'm doing.
Nope...never blown a tire at that speed. I make sure I always keep good rubber on my wheels. If I know my tread is weearing, I definitely don't engage in such activity.
What I base as a need for me, may not be a need for you. We are two different drivers my friend. You stick to what you know and I'll keep on with what I know...hasn't failed me yet!
Actually...there are plenty of roads that can safely handle a car going that fast, the problem is the number of drivers that can't handle going that fast.
You Hyundai guys are sounding more and more like you all come from Dearborn - expressions like 'that's what I hear' it 'will do this or that' and/or continually living in the 'next generation'. Doing as you suggest - same (or better) HP with improved FE should require some rather substantial changes in valvetrain technology, fuel control, computer and tranny control programming - none of which I've ever seen from Hyundai - engines not noted historically for either HP or FE, never mind both. Not that it can't be done - witness what Toyota did with the 2GR a few years ago. 'Promises, promises' or put another way - 'show me the money'.
Who knows, maybe the Genesis will have all of that to show the world that they can truly compete!
I'm not saying the FE can't be better, I'm just saying it's not as piss poor as some make it seem. Funny, the Maxima's FE is pretty similar in numbers and yet...nobody is making a fuss about it.
That meant to be a critique of the car???
Didn't drive the Taurus but rented the 500 for a business trip. Lots of glass so good visibility. Seats comfortable but narrow (my size 34 filled them). Not much foot room it seemed. Depending on what Gram is use to driving, this could be a negative: In spite of the visibility, the car felt--i.e. maneuverability--like a big, rather clumsy vehicle, and that is relative to my 300C. If Gram is use to Crown Vic's or maybe a pickup, no problem....
As to why -- Simple, I wanted to get some idea of its high speed capability, I was not trying to get to its top speed or go over the rating of the tires -- Again, a one time thing (at least in the US). BTW, when the interstate highway system was first built back in the 50's, it was designed to handle speeds of at least 80mph, except where posted less. This was with 1950's tires, suspensions, and brakes. In fact, the speed limit on I-80, in Nebraska, used to be 80mph, back in the 60's. Of course, this was also when Nevada had NO set upper speed limit. Same with Montana. So, the idea that many roads at least in the West weren't designed for at least half of 140 is simply not accurate. 100+mph driving was not uncommon back in the late 60's and early 70's on certain routes and in certain states. Perhaps some of the older drivers on this forum who ever made the LA to Vegas run have some stories to tell about speeds they drove or encountered.
The Taurus felt huge to me just sitting in it, but I never got in the driver's seat, just the passenger. I've actually heard good things about this car as far as ride, power, and the overall experience - very smooth and cushy seems to be the theme, which would be good.
I agree that some tranny control programming could help.
I am very happy with my Azera, and the biggest gripe I have with the car is its inability to give a part throttle downshift when accelerating off the ramp and onto the freeway. They probably programmed the tranny to hold higher gears for economy, but the economy goes down the tubes when I have to floor it to get a downshift.
Yeah, I know it has a very nice autostick, but the car is so quiet, you can't hear the engine to qauge RPM and must take your eyes off the road to see what gear it's in. That all takes too much time.
As far as Hyundai not being noted for engine technology, neither is Cadillac, but their direct injection version of the 3.6 engine has about 40 HP more than the standard motor and is capable of higher fuel economy due to its higher compression ratio - so it can be done.
Believe what you want to believe, but this isn't an opinion or someone's fantasy. You will see a 3.8L V6 300hp with good F/E numbers in a Hyundai application.
As for what gear it's in...it only takes a nanosecond to peek at the dash, but I go by feel now that I've been driving it for more than a year.
They expect it to increase power and significantly reduce cost and complexity in engine designs.
http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/application.jsp?nodeId=02Wcbf56hRCrcd
What ever happened to just adjusting the linkage? Does the Azera have an adaptive trans like the Avalon? Just a hunch you may need to be a little heavier footed with it, in order to "teach" it to downshift faster. Is anyone else over in the Azera forum complaining? There may be a software fix for it. Toyota issued one for those experiencing the hesitation problem in the Avalon.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Its funny you say that, when I first saw the specs on the '05 Avalon I thought, nice, 280 HP (268 now) but FE will suffer. Then I saw the #'s Toyota was claiming I thought how the heck are they getting 70 more HP in a bigger car to get better mileage? Well I am happy to report that my '03 Avalon returned 19 MPG average and my '06 is now getting 22 with the same driving pattern. I know neither # is stellar but I do a lot of sitting in traffic.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
BTW 2009 model year maxima is moving closer to MB CLS whose appearance I love( have you seen coupe based 4 door BMW). BTW younger buyers like coupes and Maxima even now is simply coupe based vehicle. This is basically the reason why passenger volume in MAxima is smaller than in Azera. CD in MAx is also smaller than in Azera.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
The stock Infinty system sounds very, very good...the sound is clear and natural. However, I wanted more sound control from my head unit, so I replaced it. In doing so...I wanted to go with speakers that were more efficient and could handle more power as I do like to crank my music when I'm on the highway. Just so you know, I only replaced the speakers in the door with some coaxial 6.5 Infinity Kappas. I left the factory center channel, tweeters and subwoofer intact.
Some folks complain that the center channel speaker is too prominent in the sound stage. By replacing the door speakers, I was able to even that out and now it sounds like the music is spread across the front of the car with the vocals coming from in front of you...just how it should be.
As far as stock systems go, the one in the Azera is one of the better ones I've heard...especially for the price point of the car. Don't think that just because I tweaked it, that it was horrible...I just like more for my listening enjoyment.
As far as your Bose system goes, I've heard the ones in the Maximas and Altimas...let's just say I'm not impressed. The good Bose systems are in the higher end cars and the Maxima isn't one of them. Now this is just my opinion, so don't get your panties twisted. That particular Bose system may be just enough for your musical tastes, and that's fine. By all means...enjoy it.
Because it's an automatic transmission with a manual mode. It is nothing for me to switch over to manual and downshift when I want for certain manuvers. I've never driven an automatic that made any downshift like a manual transmission. Under normal driving conditions, the Azera in auto mode drives wonderfully. It's not a sports sedan, so it's not programmed to shift like one. If you want more aggressive shifting, it's available in manual mode. Is it really THAT hard?
Anyway, anyone that can't enjoy music while they are driving are probably challenged when it comes to walking and chewing bubble gum too. :P Does this mean you do housework in dead silence too?
The driving environment should be one that allows the driver to feel comfortable and relaxed behind the wheel. Music soothes the savage beast! Anyway, have you ever tried commuting into work, or taking a long drive to anywhere without ANY music to listen to? I'd go bonkers if I was forced to drive like that. Just so you know...I don't have Bluetooth anything and I intend to keep it that way. However, the Bluetooth earpiece doesn't block out total sound, so music is still audible if someone is wearing one.
You also have a false conception that an aftermarket equates to someone driving down the road blasting nothing but mind numbing bass and going deaf in the process. My friend, a good aftermarket system is provides clear, clean sound along every audible frequency. I don't knock the guys that just want bass to beat the back of their heads, but that's not me...I like to hear everything in my music.
I'm not a heavy footed driver, but have had many cars ( GM brands and a Jaguar ); all did part throttle downshifts. If I wanted to manipulate the Shiftronic all the time, I'd have purchased a car with a manual transmission.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
(2006 Accord 4-cyl)
I've got a Bose Acoustic Wave on my boat. It's stereo, but definitely not HiFi.
Absolutely! Now if B & W, Krell or Mcintosh starts putting systems in cars I'm there.... am I on the wrong forum? lol.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Excellent! A giant ON and OFF switch. Electronics are great. But there's no warning of impending doom. Just an instant "off". After reading of all the electronic bugs on Lucerne, 300, DTS sites, not sure this geezer is ready to applaud the arrival of this improvement....
Still think driving is not the place to "hear everything in my music" (and probably the only way to do that in a car is by using earphones, which are illegal in some states). If I want to listen to all the nuances of a piece of music, I'll say at home and turn on my Musical Fidelity electronics and listen to the sounds coming from my luscious Dynaudio towers....
P.S. If you equate the attention needed to drive safely with the attention needed to clean a house, please advise what roads you routinely drive on SO I CAN AVOID THEM....
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"The biggest improvement...electronic valve control...."
Excellent! A giant ON and OFF switch. Electronics are great. But there's no warning of impending doom. Just an instant "off". After reading of all the electronic bugs on Lucerne, 300, DTS sites, not sure this geezer is ready to applaud the arrival of this improvement....
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As opposed to needing valve adjustments, not knowing the exact state of the valves(sensor goes bad - trips the computer - "service engine - valve servo failure" - other cylinders work fine), timing belts going bad, timing sensors failing, cams getting ground off...
The only thing valves serve to do is regulate the airflow in and out of the engine. They *should* be electronic or some sort of computer controlled valve. All of the rest of the top end of a car was a mechanical kludge because cars lacked the technology for a hundred years to make a proper electronic/electro-mechanical valve system.
And it will all be gone. Imagine an engine with an intake, a MAF, and then 4-6 hoses or a metal intake going straight into the engine.(module it bolts or hooks into). Cylinders right below. The entire top end of the engine is gone.
Obviously, you've never enjoyed a well executed sound system in a car to appreciate just how nice it is to enjoy full bodied sound while safely motoring down the highway. It doesn't have to be cranked up way past loud to enjoy it either. I can have the volume on 5 (out of 30) and hear my music, still hear what's going on around me outside of my car and...carry on a conversation if I want. On the highway with the windows down...I can turn the volum up to 10 and again...hear every note from the highs to the lows, oh yes...and STILL be able to hear what's going on outside. Trust me, my music enjoyment does NOT interfere with my driving.
The equation had nothing to do with safely driving as opposed to cleaning a house, it was directed more at your lacking ability to successfully multi-task. Oh yeah, and there was an article in the Washington Post a month or so ago where they talked about drivers that listen to familiar music are more likely to pay attention to the road and less likely to have accidents because they are relaxed and attentive.
Do you wear a helmet and leathers when you drive as well? LMAO
Maybe this issue has something to do with the wide-open throttle shift TSB that came out for the '06 Azeras. Not sure if this issue afflicted the '07's or not. Maybe those that seem to have a shifting issue can take it in to a dealer and have them re-program the tranny. However, most need to know that it's and adaptive transmission, so it learns based on how you drive. So maybe you need to drive a bit more aggressively during the learning period so it will shift more like you want.
Alexstore...it's not a maintenace or repair issue. Instead of complaining about a thread...start a new one that we can all contribute to.
However, if those who want to talk specific vehicle problems would seek out the most appropriate place that would be helpful. Not only to this topic but also to anyone seeking that sort of information in the future - they're not going to look here for it.