Let the princess take the new car for a drive. She liked it, a lot. Would have no problem taking it off my hands when the time comes. Was very impressed by the "scoot" off the line. This car moves out quick. and none of the soft low end the Sonata has. Just poke the gas and go. And I am still in break in phase, so taking it easy (Hyundai did actually specify a 600 miles formal break in).
I'll copy and paste the review of the Accord I posted in the Midsize Sedan 2.0 board next, but I'll write up my thoughts on the 2018 Hyundai Elantra Sport DSG I drove today.
First, a bit of a preface - @breld (and wife) and @jpp5862 met up with me this morning for breakfast at a great diner not too far from the dealership row in central Denver.
I had a chance to drive the GLC that @breld bought a month or two ago. I like it. Comfortable, pretty quick (even in city traffic) and a fantastic interior.
After time spent at the Land Rover dealer, where both a Velar diesel and a Discovery diesel were tested, we all headed to the Hyundai dealer.
As expected, the dealership experience was a bit different. We found the Elantra Sport in the back of the lot, locked. Took maybe 10 minutes before we were greeted. Once we did, we were able to get a key and take a look inside.
First, the Elantra Sport is a handsome looking vehicle. I had sat in the new Elantra at the Auto Show in 2016, and was impressed with it then. The larger wheels and tires (18") and the subtle lip spoiler simply enhance a really nice design. The one I drove was a similar color grey as my Jetta. By comparison, there was a new 2018 Elantra GT (hatch) parked right in front of it, and we all decided the GT was less pretty than the outgoing model (similar to the 2013 I leased).
The car I test drove had both the DSG and the premium package, and had a sticker price of just around $25-26K.
The interior is definitely an upgrade from my 2013 E-GT - nicer materials, more features. After some adjustments with the seat (specifically, height), I was able to get comfortable. The sunroof did impact the headroom, but that's pretty common for me.
The test drive route was mostly city streets, with a short stretch of highway thrown in.
The driving impressions were pretty much what I expected - the tuned suspension and the bigger wheels and tires affected the ride. I wasn't able to test the handling all that much. I realize that if I wanted a smoother ride, I should get a Limited, not a Sport. But, then I wouldn't get the 1.6T engine and its 201HP. So, a tradeoff I would be willing to make.
Same with some of the safety features; the Sport doesn't have a lot of the features I'd like to have.
The engine is strong; a decent tap of the throttle moved the car right along. I also liked the DSG transmission, though I suspect it would improve after being broken in and have a chance to 'learn' my driving style. There is a "Sport" button next to the transmission lever that tightens the steering and changes the shift points of the engine. This would allow the engine to "hang onto the revs" a bit longer than normal. I preferred the normal mode, which made the transmission function like more of a conventional automatic.
On the highway (admittedly, under construction), I heard a fair amount of tire hum. Again, if I wanted quiet, I'd get something with less aggressive tires. It wasn't overly intrusive - @jpp5862 and I were able to converse at normal volumes.
I really liked the car - tidy size, decent power, great features. Something I think I could be pretty happy with.
Except, our next stop was the Honda dealer, where we all had a chance to look at, and test drive, the 2018 Accord Sport ....
(copied, and edited, from the Midsize Sedans 2.0 thread)
After the Elantra Sport test drive, we went to the Honda dealer, where they had 3 Accord Sports in inventory. A white one on the showroom floor, a black one that was out getting about $3K of accessories added on to it (body kit, etc.), and a blue one parked in front of the dealer. That last one was what I test drove. No options, equipped with the CVT.
Walking up to it from the side, the first thing you notice about it is the profile. While it is a sedan, the slope of the rear window and the integration into the trunk lid makes it look just like a hatchback. Specifically, it looked an awful lot like the A5 Sportback or A7 from Audi. The 19" wheels and tires don't look oversized. The blue paint was a little bright for me, personally. I think I'd prefer it in a darker, more muted color. Dual exhausts in the back, with the now ubiquitous chrome rings to pretty things up. This is a long, low, handsome vehicle in profile.
A lot has been said about the nose and grille treatment. At first glance, I wasn't impressed by it, but I suspect it would grow on me over time. The LED light treatment is very aggressive looking, and @jpp5862@breld suggested the whole nose reminded him of the current Mustang. After further contemplation, I'll have to agree. The strip above the grille is a metallic color, not the chrome on the other trim levels, and the hood does not go all the way to the front of the car. Overall, the exterior rates 7.5 out of 10 for me. But, styling is very subjective.
Inside, there are good and bad design elements. The first thing I noticed after sitting in the drivers seat is how low the hood feels. I've had both a '92 and a '93 Accord, and the low hood was a big part of the appeal of the driving experience, with the double wishbone suspension. I'm sure the 2018 doesn't have that fancy front suspension anymore, but the view out the windshield is quite sporty.
The Sport trim does not have a moonroof, and is equipped with power seats and a tilt/telescope steering wheel, so finding a comfortable seating position was not hard. Despite how low the car looks, it doesn't feel that way behind the wheel.
Unfortunately, like a lot of brands, Honda has gone with the "tablet on a dash" approach for the infotainment system. I'm not a big fan of the styling of this, but it appears that this is the wave of the future. It does include Apple / Android integration, which I have on my 2016 Jetta, and totally approve of. Dual zone climate control, heated seats and the usual complement of creature comforts round things out.
One feature I really liked was not apparent until you got the car in motion. The tachometer, on the left side of the IP, is configurable to show distance to empty and MPG, tire pressure info, and other nice to have information (I honestly don't remember the other menu choices). Interior rates 8 out of 10.
Finally, on the road we go. Had a nice mix of suburban roads - including a bit through an empty business park - and a short stretch of highway. One of the biggest reasons I was interested in this new Accord was the new 1.5T engine. I've got a 1.4T in my Jetta (150HP, 184 lb/ft of torque), and I really like the punch it provides, especially at 6000' altitude. The 1.5T makes 192HP and a similar amount of torque.
I'll be upfront - I really enjoyed the engine and CVT transmission. My wife's Outback also has a CVT, with software programming that makes it feel like a traditional automatic. The Accord has the same feel to it - the CVT was so unobtrusive I never noticed it. Lots of punch to the engine, especially when the turbo kicks in. Wasn't able to really punch it, but it's plenty quick.
And, the balance between the ride and handling is just about perfect. The Elantra had 18" wheels and tires, and was noticeably jittery on the roads of the test drive. None of that from the Accord - not sure if the Honda engineers just know their job better, but even with 1" larger wheels and tires, the Accord rode quite nicely.
I mentioned the deserted business park as part of the test drive. What was nice is that the road through it was not a straight line, but one with some curves to it. I took those turns, er, "spiritedly", and the handling was just as nice as the ride. Granted, I'm long past my boy racer days, but this car handled the corners with aplomb.
The highway stretch was also illuminating. The Elantra, on the same stretch of highway, had some pronounced tire hum. Not annoying, but present. The Accord was a tomb, by comparison. Engine, transmission, ride and handling get a 9 from me.
@jpp5862 rode in the back seat during the test drive and commented favorably on the room back there, along with the ride and handling.
Overall, I am very impressed with the new Accord. While the deals on them are pretty skinny at the moment - I was offered $1000 off sticker, with no negotiation - when I am serious about replacing the Jetta, I suspect the deals will be much better.
pretty good writeup. Yes, the Sport is, well, designed to be sporty. So you get a little stiffer ride as part of the deal (but really sharp handling). And agreed that the engine/tranny work well together, and really move the car along nicely. after driving this model and a limited back to back, there was no way could buy the base engine.
I will need some more time with it (and some trips with the wife) to decide how livable it really is, at least for longer travel. Still could be reallocating to the princess next year maybe. I assume my next car, whenever it will happen, will skew more toward the comfortable side (somewhere between the Elantra and the Sonata it is replacing). Probably not much bigger though (I do like the tidier size).
pretty good writeup. Yes, the Sport is, well, designed to be sporty. So you get a little stiffer ride as part of the deal (but really sharp handling). And agreed that the engine/tranny work well together, and really move the car along nicely. after driving this model and a limited back to back, there was no way could buy the base engine.
I will need some more time with it (and some trips with the wife) to decide how livable it really is, at least for longer travel. Still could be reallocating to the princess next year maybe. I assume my next car, whenever it will happen, will skew more toward the comfortable side (somewhere between the Elantra and the Sonata it is replacing). Probably not much bigger though (I do like the tidier size).
The Accord does sound nice though.
Time to update your signature line!
I did find one small issue with the Accord, after I started poking around on the Honda website. Not sure why I didn't notice it yesterday, but the Sport trim does not have heated seats. Gotta upgrade to the EX trim level to get those.
If I looked at an Accord, it would have been the EX not the Sport anyway. Sport is missing too many features that are must haves. The EX checks the boxes. Besides, if I go less sporty, smaller wheels will be a plus!
If I looked at an Accord, it would have been the EX not the Sport anyway. Sport is missing too many features that are must haves. The EX checks the boxes. Besides, if I go less sporty, smaller wheels will be a plus!
If nothing else, gives me an excuse to test drive the EX at some point in the near future.
Yesterday's venture out for car browsing was really fun with @michaell and @jpp5862! And dangerous. Just when I thought I was so content.
So...my wife has generally been the one more fond of the Land Rovers, but I decided to take a Discovery out (the new non-Sport 3-row model) and fell in love with it (as did @jpp5862). I suppose I like the bit more distinct look, inside an out, compared to many others in the class. We drove the diesel, which had great grunt, both from a sound and feel perspective. About 5 mpg better than the supercharged V-6, so a notable improvement in that area.
But...no way I'll drop that kind of cash on a new luxury vehicle (though I would thoroughly encourage @jpp5862 to - his record is better than mine on keeping cars). So, I'll lust after the Discovery over the next 1-2 years until used ones start showing up.
But with the itch now for a more luxurious 3-row SUV, wife and I drove some other contenders:
Audi Q7 - found a 15k mile used 2017 Q7. At first blush, I was surprisingly disappointed in the interior feel and look. Could be that this one wasn't cleaned very well, and while I generally like brown seats, I didn't like it in this particular example. And this didn't have Audi's new TFT screen at the gauges. Overall not bad at all, just not as striking as I had expected. But it definitely drives most like a sport sedan than any other SUV I've experienced. Love that 3.0T engine - shifts smooth; ride is a great balance between sport and luxury.
Mazda CX-9 - even though I've rejected the current CX-9 before, it still intrigues me, so went to take another look. Overall, it does do the best job of competing with the luxury brands, as compared to the other more mainstream SUVs. The interior was almost on par with the Audi we had just driven. Their 4 cylinder performs well around the city - just as they intended. Strong acceleration, and smooth shifts with its traditional 8-speed auto (I think it's 8?). But...same complaint I've had in the past (not that I thought it would change) - the center console is positioned very high in a position where resting my knee against it is very uncomfortable. The sales manager actually said I wasn't the first person to bring that up.
Volvo XC90 - Much like the Discovery, I lusted after these when they first came out, so makes sense to check them out again on the used market. Drove a 2017 well-equipped model with about 19k miles. Much like the CX-9, the turbo/super charged 4 cylinder was excellent. Certainly not the same grunt or sound offered by my current Hemi, but comparable torque and quickness. Not surprisingly, great interior and certainly the best seats we sat in all day - this one had the upgraded contour seats. Obviously different feel than the Durango, if I do want to go for more luxury. Best thing is these are not holding their value as well as the Audi. This one listed at $46k, about $10k less than most used Q7's I could find. And the Volvo dealer indicated they could deal lower.
@qbrozen - what's something like that going for at auction (so 2017 XC90, silver/black, Momentum model and well-equipped with Vision package and probably other features I'm not aware of, 19k miles). They actually got it off auction from Florida.
@stickguy alwas the upcumming next few weeks to go and look and test drive an new jen accord! and next summer to get one for your selfe and give your current new car to your daughter! the new car you got now is nice nice! and next you have to also work on your wife! in the summer to for her new ride!
@breld no suprize new this was cumming soon to long with out you making an punch! so darango will be gon bye early next munth if I had to bet! glad you had an nice time you and the wife and all test driving the SUVs yesterday! cante wate to hear what you do end up getting real soon!
Honda near me Honda City one mile from my house closest dealer of any kind of car brand to me has over 20 new 2018 Acords in stock just listed this past week cause the week before I had looked the day they came out and nun wher listed over hear yeT! they have lx ex and biggest one they have are the sports! one toring trim for now few of them had the ivery interior but most had the black interior have to go this cumming up weekand there to sit in the sport trim and lx and ex trim!
The Diono Radian car seat we bought for Sam to start using doesn’t fit in my GTI in rear facing mode without moving the passenger seat all the way forward.
Recent track record suggests I would have started car shopping to find a car that can fit the car seat. Instead I went to Buy Buy Baby today and picked up a Britax Boulevard ClickTight convertible car seat that fits just fine.
$300 purchase vs $300-$400/month purchase. Hmmmm. What’s wrong with me?
2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
Speaking of slackers. I found @breld's Type R replacement. A certified (of course) year old or so Audi S5 Sportback will strike the balance between the Type R's performance and the German driving experience he craves.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
OK people. Now that I bought a car, what I am supposed to do with my free time (and when procrastinating at work?)
I suppose can just move on to looking for the wife (need to key that to something special like the next RDX coming out). Or assume that my daughter will be taking over the Elantra, so darn it, I better keep looking!
OK people. Now that I bought a car, what I am supposed to do with my free time (and when procrastinating at work?)
I suppose can just move on to looking for the wife (need to key that to something special like the next RDX coming out). Or assume that my daughter will be taking over the Elantra, so darn it, I better keep looking!
I'm on record saying that the princess will take over the Elantra, and you'll be shopping for a new Accord EX next summer. I'll have to test drive an EX and compare it to the Sport I drove yesterday.
And, by then, the deals on the Accords will be spectacular.
You still need to update your signature line - unless you are waiting until the Sonata goes back.
Speaking of slackers. I found @breld's Type R replacement. A certified (of course) year old or so Audi S5 Sportback will strike the balance between the Type R's performance and the German driving experience he craves.
Nah, he's already had an S3, an S4 (with a stick shift!) and an SQ5 (plus an A5, years back).
He really, really likes the Type R.
Still a rare sighting in the wild. I've only seen his here in Denver.
Yesterday's venture out for car browsing was really fun with @michaell and @jpp5862! And dangerous. Just when I thought I was so content.
So...my wife has generally been the one more fond of the Land Rovers, but I decided to take a Discovery out (the new non-Sport 3-row model) and fell in love with it (as did @jpp5862). I suppose I like the bit more distinct look, inside an out, compared to many others in the class. We drove the diesel, which had great grunt, both from a sound and feel perspective. About 5 mpg better than the supercharged V-6, so a notable improvement in that area.
But...no way I'll drop that kind of cash on a new luxury vehicle (though I would thoroughly encourage @jpp5862 to - his record is better than mine on keeping cars). So, I'll lust after the Discovery over the next 1-2 years until used ones start showing up.
But with the itch now for a more luxurious 3-row SUV, wife and I drove some other contenders:
Audi Q7 - found a 15k mile used 2017 Q7. At first blush, I was surprisingly disappointed in the interior feel and look. Could be that this one wasn't cleaned very well, and while I generally like brown seats, I didn't like it in this particular example. And this didn't have Audi's new TFT screen at the gauges. Overall not bad at all, just not as striking as I had expected. But it definitely drives most like a sport sedan than any other SUV I've experienced. Love that 3.0T engine - shifts smooth; ride is a great balance between sport and luxury.
Mazda CX-9 - even though I've rejected the current CX-9 before, it still intrigues me, so went to take another look. Overall, it does do the best job of competing with the luxury brands, as compared to the other more mainstream SUVs. The interior was almost on par with the Audi we had just driven. Their 4 cylinder performs well around the city - just as they intended. Strong acceleration, and smooth shifts with its traditional 8-speed auto (I think it's 8?). But...same complaint I've had in the past (not that I thought it would change) - the center console is positioned very high in a position where resting my knee against it is very uncomfortable. The sales manager actually said I wasn't the first person to bring that up.
Volvo XC90 - Much like the Discovery, I lusted after these when they first came out, so makes sense to check them out again on the used market. Drove a 2017 well-equipped model with about 19k miles. Much like the CX-9, the turbo/super charged 4 cylinder was excellent. Certainly not the same grunt or sound offered by my current Hemi, but comparable torque and quickness. Not surprisingly, great interior and certainly the best seats we sat in all day - this one had the upgraded contour seats. Obviously different feel than the Durango, if I do want to go for more luxury. Best thing is these are not holding their value as well as the Audi. This one listed at $46k, about $10k less than most used Q7's I could find. And the Volvo dealer indicated they could deal lower.
@qbrozen - what's something like that going for at auction (so 2017 XC90, silver/black, Momentum model and well-equipped with Vision package and probably other features I'm not aware of, 19k miles). They actually got it off auction from Florida.
I see 6 in the past 3 weeks with 11k to 19k miles. All got $45k. None in FL. Must not have been a Manheim auction, unless they have had it since Sept.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
If I have learned anything by reading the adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Breld, it is that if they are fixated on a certain car, but somehow talk themselves into a lesser alternative (to be "practical" or "fiscally prudent"), it rarely lasts long. Been there, done that too. If what you really, truly, want is still too expensive, just hang onto the current ride a little longer until the price drops.
OK people. Now that I bought a car, what I am supposed to do with my free time (and when procrastinating at work?)
I suppose can just move on to looking for the wife (need to key that to something special like the next RDX coming out). Or assume that my daughter will be taking over the Elantra, so darn it, I better keep looking!
I'm on record saying that the princess will take over the Elantra, and you'll be shopping for a new Accord EX next summer. I'll have to test drive an EX and compare it to the Sport I drove yesterday.
And, by then, the deals on the Accords will be spectacular.
You still need to update your signature line - unless you are waiting until the Sonata goes back.
I was waiting until the Sonata goes back to do it at one shot.
I would say it is at least 50% odds that she does in fact take it over. We can work out a reasonable deal, where we spot her some of it (basically what I put as the DP, maybe a little more as a graduation present), assuming I can finagle the DMV to just be renaming the title, and not having any tax implications. I actually found all the texts with her from a month or 2 back discussing plans for getting something (the sport, or a Jetta) that she would want, and transferring it to her. It was fine by her! So that is one reason I got the sport, and went with White (we can all live with that). Plus the $$ was too good to pass up. I just decided to buy instead. Probably a lot easier to transfer to her vs. doing it with a lease.
if we do this, just have to figure out the best way. Don't really want to keep him my name/my insurance with her on the policy, but that is certainly an option for a bit. at least until she moves out. Ideally can transfer title, and refi into her name at the same time. Unless I just buy out the loan, and let her pay me instead. that is really the easiest plan!
at some point, once I get one of the 2 current foster dogs placed (taking the 2nd one, not my best idea), and work settles a little, I will go drive an Accord to see if that is the real dream car. Who knows, it could be! Or, by June, the RDX might be out, and all the wheels could be turning again. We hopefully will also be moving by then. So who knows.
my plans always sound good when I dream them up. When put on paper, sometimes not so much. But so far, this one could have legs. Of course, have to see how much I enjoy the car myself. Might not want to give it up.
OK people. Now that I bought a car, what I am supposed to do with my free time (and when procrastinating at work?)
I suppose can just move on to looking for the wife (need to key that to something special like the next RDX coming out). Or assume that my daughter will be taking over the Elantra, so darn it, I better keep looking!
I'm on record saying that the princess will take over the Elantra, and you'll be shopping for a new Accord EX next summer. I'll have to test drive an EX and compare it to the Sport I drove yesterday.
And, by then, the deals on the Accords will be spectacular.
You still need to update your signature line - unless you are waiting until the Sonata goes back.
I was waiting until the Sonata goes back to do it at one shot.
I would say it is at least 50% odds that she does in fact take it over. We can work out a reasonable deal, where we spot her some of it (basically what I put as the DP, maybe a little more as a graduation present), assuming I can finagle the DMV to just be renaming the title, and not having any tax implications. I actually found all the texts with her from a month or 2 back discussing plans for getting something (the sport, or a Jetta) that she would want, and transferring it to her. It was fine by her! So that is one reason I got the sport, and went with White (we can all live with that). Plus the $$ was too good to pass up. I just decided to buy instead. Probably a lot easier to transfer to her vs. doing it with a lease.
if we do this, just have to figure out the best way. Don't really want to keep him my name/my insurance with her on the policy, but that is certainly an option for a bit. at least until she moves out. Ideally can transfer title, and refi into her name at the same time. Unless I just buy out the loan, and let her pay me instead. that is really the easiest plan!
at some point, once I get one of the 2 current foster dogs placed (taking the 2nd one, not my best idea), and work settles a little, I will go drive an Accord to see if that is the real dream car. Who knows, it could be! Or, by June, the RDX might be out, and all the wheels could be turning again. We hopefully will also be moving by then. So who knows.
Sounds like a plan. Looks like we'll do anything to stay in the market.
I haven't driven an Accord since 2002, when I test drove an EX-L V6 sedan before I bought my Saturn L300.
I truly believe that Honda is finding its mojo with some of their new releases.
It's hard for me to think of the 2018 Accord as a 'mid size', given the amount of room inside, and how long and low it looks.
I will know after a while (well, will be told by the wife at least) if want to go back to a bigger, family sized car. Could be. I consider the elantra to be mid-sized, and the Accord/Sonata to be full sized. I would never buy something any bigger than those. I am sure the Accord is going to be very nice, but if I had gotten hooked on it, I still would not have bought until next year since it is more expensive (and I bet the leasing on them sucks for a while). So at least this way, I have a car! Better than paying to extend the Sonata lease (not building equity that way).
I will know after a while (well, will be told by the wife at least) if want to go back to a bigger, family sized car. Could be. I consider the elantra to be mid-sized, and the Accord/Sonata to be full sized. I would never buy something any bigger than those. I am sure the Accord is going to be very nice, but if I had gotten hooked on it, I still would not have bought until next year since it is more expensive (and I bet the leasing on them sucks for a while). So at least this way, I have a car! Better than paying to extend the Sonata lease (not building equity that way).
Why would you need a larger car? Now that my son is working in NC we don't ever plan to buy any larger vehicles- in fact, at 175" long the 2er is the biggest car we own(the ti is 165" long and the rest are under 160". I can't see buying anything over 180" long in the future.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
depends how we like it for travelling. Probably will be fine. We will always have some sort of utility vehicle too (CUV or a wagon) for carrying bulky stuff. And dogs. I just prefer taking the car as often as possible when we travel. So just becomes a comfort issue I guess.
The Elantra is a good size though. Still respectable back seat and trunk room, even if neither is as cavernous as the Sonata. And the new car is only about 3-4 inches shorter than the RDX, and I have no desire to get a bigger "wagon" than that most likely.
Though with our daughter graduating next spring (finally!), our long road trips (7+ hours) will likely be fewer.
I will know after a while (well, will be told by the wife at least) if want to go back to a bigger, family sized car. Could be. I consider the elantra to be mid-sized, and the Accord/Sonata to be full sized. I would never buy something any bigger than those. I am sure the Accord is going to be very nice, but if I had gotten hooked on it, I still would not have bought until next year since it is more expensive (and I bet the leasing on them sucks for a while). So at least this way, I have a car! Better than paying to extend the Sonata lease (not building equity that way).
Why would you need a larger car? Now that my son is working in NC we don't ever plan to buy any larger vehicles- in fact, at 175" long the 2er is the biggest car we own(the ti is 165" long and the rest are under 160".
I can't see buying anything over 180" long in the future.
I will know after a while (well, will be told by the wife at least) if want to go back to a bigger, family sized car. Could be. I consider the elantra to be mid-sized, and the Accord/Sonata to be full sized. I would never buy something any bigger than those. I am sure the Accord is going to be very nice, but if I had gotten hooked on it, I still would not have bought until next year since it is more expensive (and I bet the leasing on them sucks for a while). So at least this way, I have a car! Better than paying to extend the Sonata lease (not building equity that way).
Why would you need a larger car? Now that my son is working in NC we don't ever plan to buy any larger vehicles- in fact, at 175" long the 2er is the biggest car we own(the ti is 165" long and the rest are under 160". I can't see buying anything over 180" long in the future.
Why would you want anything but vanilla ice cream?
The Accord, I believe, gets the same or better mileage than my Jetta, despite being larger and having more HP.
Sadly, my budget doesn't stretch to BMW levels, unless I go the CPO route.
I truly believe that Honda is finding its mojo with some of their new releases.
If only their mojo was better looking
I'll admit that I struggle with the front end treatment on the Accord, too. From the front bumper back, however, the Accord is quite handsome - in my eyes.
Yesterday's venture out for car browsing was really fun with @michaell and @jpp5862! And dangerous. Just when I thought I was so content.
So...my wife has generally been the one more fond of the Land Rovers, but I decided to take a Discovery out (the new non-Sport 3-row model) and fell in love with it (as did @jpp5862). I suppose I like the bit more distinct look, inside an out, compared to many others in the class. We drove the diesel, which had great grunt, both from a sound and feel perspective. About 5 mpg better than the supercharged V-6, so a notable improvement in that area.
But...no way I'll drop that kind of cash on a new luxury vehicle (though I would thoroughly encourage @jpp5862 to - his record is better than mine on keeping cars). So, I'll lust after the Discovery over the next 1-2 years until used ones start showing up.
But with the itch now for a more luxurious 3-row SUV, wife and I drove some other contenders:
Audi Q7 - found a 15k mile used 2017 Q7. At first blush, I was surprisingly disappointed in the interior feel and look. Could be that this one wasn't cleaned very well, and while I generally like brown seats, I didn't like it in this particular example. And this didn't have Audi's new TFT screen at the gauges. Overall not bad at all, just not as striking as I had expected. But it definitely drives most like a sport sedan than any other SUV I've experienced. Love that 3.0T engine - shifts smooth; ride is a great balance between sport and luxury.
Mazda CX-9 - even though I've rejected the current CX-9 before, it still intrigues me, so went to take another look. Overall, it does do the best job of competing with the luxury brands, as compared to the other more mainstream SUVs. The interior was almost on par with the Audi we had just driven. Their 4 cylinder performs well around the city - just as they intended. Strong acceleration, and smooth shifts with its traditional 8-speed auto (I think it's 8?). But...same complaint I've had in the past (not that I thought it would change) - the center console is positioned very high in a position where resting my knee against it is very uncomfortable. The sales manager actually said I wasn't the first person to bring that up.
Volvo XC90 - Much like the Discovery, I lusted after these when they first came out, so makes sense to check them out again on the used market. Drove a 2017 well-equipped model with about 19k miles. Much like the CX-9, the turbo/super charged 4 cylinder was excellent. Certainly not the same grunt or sound offered by my current Hemi, but comparable torque and quickness. Not surprisingly, great interior and certainly the best seats we sat in all day - this one had the upgraded contour seats. Obviously different feel than the Durango, if I do want to go for more luxury. Best thing is these are not holding their value as well as the Audi. This one listed at $46k, about $10k less than most used Q7's I could find. And the Volvo dealer indicated they could deal lower.
@qbrozen - what's something like that going for at auction (so 2017 XC90, silver/black, Momentum model and well-equipped with Vision package and probably other features I'm not aware of, 19k miles). They actually got it off auction from Florida.
I see 6 in the past 3 weeks with 11k to 19k miles. All got $45k. None in FL. Must not have been a Manheim auction, unless they have had it since Sept.
____________________________
As I looked at the listing again today, I noticed the carfax mentions it came from auction in California, not Florida - the salesperson had mentioned they get several from Florida.
Hmmm - so at $45k auction, this one listed at around $46k seems to be a great deal. Good and bad I suppose - fair price for sure, but probably not as much room to negotiate as I had thought. Thanks!
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2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Impressions to follow...
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
First, a bit of a preface - @breld (and wife) and @jpp5862 met up with me this morning for breakfast at a great diner not too far from the dealership row in central Denver.
I had a chance to drive the GLC that @breld bought a month or two ago. I like it. Comfortable, pretty quick (even in city traffic) and a fantastic interior.
After time spent at the Land Rover dealer, where both a Velar diesel and a Discovery diesel were tested, we all headed to the Hyundai dealer.
As expected, the dealership experience was a bit different. We found the Elantra Sport in the back of the lot, locked. Took maybe 10 minutes before we were greeted. Once we did, we were able to get a key and take a look inside.
First, the Elantra Sport is a handsome looking vehicle. I had sat in the new Elantra at the Auto Show in 2016, and was impressed with it then. The larger wheels and tires (18") and the subtle lip spoiler simply enhance a really nice design. The one I drove was a similar color grey as my Jetta. By comparison, there was a new 2018 Elantra GT (hatch) parked right in front of it, and we all decided the GT was less pretty than the outgoing model (similar to the 2013 I leased).
The car I test drove had both the DSG and the premium package, and had a sticker price of just around $25-26K.
The interior is definitely an upgrade from my 2013 E-GT - nicer materials, more features. After some adjustments with the seat (specifically, height), I was able to get comfortable. The sunroof did impact the headroom, but that's pretty common for me.
The test drive route was mostly city streets, with a short stretch of highway thrown in.
The driving impressions were pretty much what I expected - the tuned suspension and the bigger wheels and tires affected the ride. I wasn't able to test the handling all that much. I realize that if I wanted a smoother ride, I should get a Limited, not a Sport. But, then I wouldn't get the 1.6T engine and its 201HP. So, a tradeoff I would be willing to make.
Same with some of the safety features; the Sport doesn't have a lot of the features I'd like to have.
The engine is strong; a decent tap of the throttle moved the car right along. I also liked the DSG transmission, though I suspect it would improve after being broken in and have a chance to 'learn' my driving style. There is a "Sport" button next to the transmission lever that tightens the steering and changes the shift points of the engine. This would allow the engine to "hang onto the revs" a bit longer than normal. I preferred the normal mode, which made the transmission function like more of a conventional automatic.
On the highway (admittedly, under construction), I heard a fair amount of tire hum. Again, if I wanted quiet, I'd get something with less aggressive tires. It wasn't overly intrusive - @jpp5862 and I were able to converse at normal volumes.
I really liked the car - tidy size, decent power, great features. Something I think I could be pretty happy with.
Except, our next stop was the Honda dealer, where we all had a chance to look at, and test drive, the 2018 Accord Sport ....
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After the Elantra Sport test drive, we went to the Honda dealer, where they had 3 Accord Sports in inventory. A white one on the showroom floor, a black one that was out getting about $3K of accessories added on to it (body kit, etc.), and a blue one parked in front of the dealer. That last one was what I test drove. No options, equipped with the CVT.
Walking up to it from the side, the first thing you notice about it is the profile. While it is a sedan, the slope of the rear window and the integration into the trunk lid makes it look just like a hatchback. Specifically, it looked an awful lot like the A5 Sportback or A7 from Audi. The 19" wheels and tires don't look oversized. The blue paint was a little bright for me, personally. I think I'd prefer it in a darker, more muted color. Dual exhausts in the back, with the now ubiquitous chrome rings to pretty things up. This is a long, low, handsome vehicle in profile.
A lot has been said about the nose and grille treatment. At first glance, I wasn't impressed by it, but I suspect it would grow on me over time. The LED light treatment is very aggressive looking, and
@jpp5862@breld suggested the whole nose reminded him of the current Mustang. After further contemplation, I'll have to agree. The strip above the grille is a metallic color, not the chrome on the other trim levels, and the hood does not go all the way to the front of the car. Overall, the exterior rates 7.5 out of 10 for me. But, styling is very subjective.Inside, there are good and bad design elements. The first thing I noticed after sitting in the drivers seat is how low the hood feels. I've had both a '92 and a '93 Accord, and the low hood was a big part of the appeal of the driving experience, with the double wishbone suspension. I'm sure the 2018 doesn't have that fancy front suspension anymore, but the view out the windshield is quite sporty.
The Sport trim does not have a moonroof, and is equipped with power seats and a tilt/telescope steering wheel, so finding a comfortable seating position was not hard. Despite how low the car looks, it doesn't feel that way behind the wheel.
Unfortunately, like a lot of brands, Honda has gone with the "tablet on a dash" approach for the infotainment system. I'm not a big fan of the styling of this, but it appears that this is the wave of the future. It does include Apple / Android integration, which I have on my 2016 Jetta, and totally approve of. Dual zone climate control, heated seats and the usual complement of creature comforts round things out.
One feature I really liked was not apparent until you got the car in motion. The tachometer, on the left side of the IP, is configurable to show distance to empty and MPG, tire pressure info, and other nice to have information (I honestly don't remember the other menu choices). Interior rates 8 out of 10.
Finally, on the road we go. Had a nice mix of suburban roads - including a bit through an empty business park - and a short stretch of highway. One of the biggest reasons I was interested in this new Accord was the new 1.5T engine. I've got a 1.4T in my Jetta (150HP, 184 lb/ft of torque), and I really like the punch it provides, especially at 6000' altitude. The 1.5T makes 192HP and a similar amount of torque.
I'll be upfront - I really enjoyed the engine and CVT transmission. My wife's Outback also has a CVT, with software programming that makes it feel like a traditional automatic. The Accord has the same feel to it - the CVT was so unobtrusive I never noticed it. Lots of punch to the engine, especially when the turbo kicks in. Wasn't able to really punch it, but it's plenty quick.
And, the balance between the ride and handling is just about perfect. The Elantra had 18" wheels and tires, and was noticeably jittery on the roads of the test drive. None of that from the Accord - not sure if the Honda engineers just know their job better, but even with 1" larger wheels and tires, the Accord rode quite nicely.
I mentioned the deserted business park as part of the test drive. What was nice is that the road through it was not a straight line, but one with some curves to it. I took those turns, er, "spiritedly", and the handling was just as nice as the ride. Granted, I'm long past my boy racer days, but this car handled the corners with aplomb.
The highway stretch was also illuminating. The Elantra, on the same stretch of highway, had some pronounced tire hum. Not annoying, but present. The Accord was a tomb, by comparison. Engine, transmission, ride and handling get a 9 from me.
@jpp5862 rode in the back seat during the test drive and commented favorably on the room back there, along with the ride and handling.
Overall, I am very impressed with the new Accord. While the deals on them are pretty skinny at the moment - I was offered $1000 off sticker, with no negotiation - when I am serious about replacing the Jetta, I suspect the deals will be much better.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
I will need some more time with it (and some trips with the wife) to decide how livable it really is, at least for longer travel. Still could be reallocating to the princess next year maybe. I assume my next car, whenever it will happen, will skew more toward the comfortable side (somewhere between the Elantra and the Sonata it is replacing). Probably not much bigger though (I do like the tidier size).
The Accord does sound nice though.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I did find one small issue with the Accord, after I started poking around on the Honda website. Not sure why I didn't notice it yesterday, but the Sport trim does not have heated seats. Gotta upgrade to the EX trim level to get those.
Which is a bummer, especially here in Colorado.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
So...my wife has generally been the one more fond of the Land Rovers, but I decided to take a Discovery out (the new non-Sport 3-row model) and fell in love with it (as did @jpp5862). I suppose I like the bit more distinct look, inside an out, compared to many others in the class. We drove the diesel, which had great grunt, both from a sound and feel perspective. About 5 mpg better than the supercharged V-6, so a notable improvement in that area.
But...no way I'll drop that kind of cash on a new luxury vehicle (though I would thoroughly encourage @jpp5862 to - his record is better than mine on keeping cars). So, I'll lust after the Discovery over the next 1-2 years until used ones start showing up.
But with the itch now for a more luxurious 3-row SUV, wife and I drove some other contenders:
- Audi Q7 - found a 15k mile used 2017 Q7. At first blush, I was surprisingly disappointed in the interior feel and look. Could be that this one wasn't cleaned very well, and while I generally like brown seats, I didn't like it in this particular example. And this didn't have Audi's new TFT screen at the gauges. Overall not bad at all, just not as striking as I had expected. But it definitely drives most like a sport sedan than any other SUV I've experienced. Love that 3.0T engine - shifts smooth; ride is a great balance between sport and luxury.
- Mazda CX-9 - even though I've rejected the current CX-9 before, it still intrigues me, so went to take another look. Overall, it does do the best job of competing with the luxury brands, as compared to the other more mainstream SUVs. The interior was almost on par with the Audi we had just driven. Their 4 cylinder performs well around the city - just as they intended. Strong acceleration, and smooth shifts with its traditional 8-speed auto (I think it's 8?). But...same complaint I've had in the past (not that I thought it would change) - the center console is positioned very high in a position where resting my knee against it is very uncomfortable. The sales manager actually said I wasn't the first person to bring that up.
- Volvo XC90 - Much like the Discovery, I lusted after these when they first came out, so makes sense to check them out again on the used market. Drove a 2017 well-equipped model with about 19k miles. Much like the CX-9, the turbo/super charged 4 cylinder was excellent. Certainly not the same grunt or sound offered by my current Hemi, but comparable torque and quickness. Not surprisingly, great interior and certainly the best seats we sat in all day - this one had the upgraded contour seats. Obviously different feel than the Durango, if I do want to go for more luxury. Best thing is these are not holding their value as well as the Audi. This one listed at $46k, about $10k less than most used Q7's I could find. And the Volvo dealer indicated they could deal lower.
@qbrozen - what's something like that going for at auction (so 2017 XC90, silver/black, Momentum model and well-equipped with Vision package and probably other features I'm not aware of, 19k miles). They actually got it off auction from Florida.2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
The Diono Radian car seat we bought for Sam to start using doesn’t fit in my GTI in rear facing mode without moving the passenger seat all the way forward.
Recent track record suggests I would have started car shopping to find a car that can fit the car seat. Instead I went to Buy Buy Baby today and picked up a Britax Boulevard ClickTight convertible car seat that fits just fine.
$300 purchase vs $300-$400/month purchase. Hmmmm. What’s wrong with me?
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2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I suppose can just move on to looking for the wife (need to key that to something special like the next RDX coming out). Or assume that my daughter will be taking over the Elantra, so darn it, I better keep looking!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
And, by then, the deals on the Accords will be spectacular.
You still need to update your signature line - unless you are waiting until the Sonata goes back.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
He really, really likes the Type R.
Still a rare sighting in the wild. I've only seen his here in Denver.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I would say it is at least 50% odds that she does in fact take it over. We can work out a reasonable deal, where we spot her some of it (basically what I put as the DP, maybe a little more as a graduation present), assuming I can finagle the DMV to just be renaming the title, and not having any tax implications. I actually found all the texts with her from a month or 2 back discussing plans for getting something (the sport, or a Jetta) that she would want, and transferring it to her. It was fine by her! So that is one reason I got the sport, and went with White (we can all live with that). Plus the $$ was too good to pass up. I just decided to buy instead. Probably a lot easier to transfer to her vs. doing it with a lease.
if we do this, just have to figure out the best way. Don't really want to keep him my name/my insurance with her on the policy, but that is certainly an option for a bit. at least until she moves out. Ideally can transfer title, and refi into her name at the same time. Unless I just buy out the loan, and let her pay me instead. that is really the easiest plan!
at some point, once I get one of the 2 current foster dogs placed (taking the 2nd one, not my best idea), and work settles a little, I will go drive an Accord to see if that is the real dream car. Who knows, it could be! Or, by June, the RDX might be out, and all the wheels could be turning again. We hopefully will also be moving by then. So who knows.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I haven't driven an Accord since 2002, when I test drove an EX-L V6 sedan before I bought my Saturn L300.
I truly believe that Honda is finding its mojo with some of their new releases.
It's hard for me to think of the 2018 Accord as a 'mid size', given the amount of room inside, and how long and low it looks.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I can't see buying anything over 180" long in the future.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
The Elantra is a good size though. Still respectable back seat and trunk room, even if neither is as cavernous as the Sonata. And the new car is only about 3-4 inches shorter than the RDX, and I have no desire to get a bigger "wagon" than that most likely.
Though with our daughter graduating next spring (finally!), our long road trips (7+ hours) will likely be fewer.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
The Accord, I believe, gets the same or better mileage than my Jetta, despite being larger and having more HP.
Sadly, my budget doesn't stretch to BMW levels, unless I go the CPO route.
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'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
____________________________
As I looked at the listing again today, I noticed the carfax mentions it came from auction in California, not Florida - the salesperson had mentioned they get several from Florida.
Hmmm - so at $45k auction, this one listed at around $46k seems to be a great deal. Good and bad I suppose - fair price for sure, but probably not as much room to negotiate as I had thought. Thanks!
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman