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Midsize Sedans Comparison Thread
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wow...another insightful comment...makes about as much sense as saying that I had a blue vehicle that was a piece of junk so I'm never going to buy another blue vehicle again :P
Ford Escort
Mazda 323
Acura Integra
Chevy Blazer
Honda Civic
Volkswagen GTI
Hyundai Elantra
My next car is shaping up to be a Nissan Altima, though that can change on a moments notice. :P
I am leaning towards the 300 as it is much roomier (2 teenage daughters will be occasional back seat passengers) and has a much better sound system (I will be doing A LOT of highway cruising, but will also be my main car around town, so lots of city driving in traffic also). However the 2.7L engine sounded whiny during my short test drive yesterday. Plus the visibility (esp. out the rear view mirror) was an issue. The Volvo, though, felt crisp even with a small engine and ran quieter, I thought. However the back legroom was very cramped and I am giving up a better sound system as well as front seat storage space. One last factor in the decision is that in 3 years, I can purchase my company car, right when my daughter is turning 16. Seems to me the S40 would be a better choice for a teenager than a 300.
My question to anyone out there driving a base 300 is how you like it for long trips on the highway AND driving in traffic around town? Same question for the Volvo S40. I currently drive a 2004 Impala so the 300 is a slight step up in size and the Volvo is a big step down in size. I think both cars look great, but the Volvo just feels better driving. Any input you could provide on driving the 2.7L 300 would help in my decision. It has a lot more space and entertainment options (does the base 300 have steering wheel radio controls?), but I am concerned about the road noise and engine power. The Volvo also has a small engine but it is 500 pounds lighter. Thanks.
Tell you what, let's ask people to come over to your first post with any thoughts they might have. That's a more appropriate discussion and we find it's better to keep the conversation in one place instead of spreading it over several discussions.
Here's the link. I hope many of you will come and give drj9 some suggestions.
drj9, "Large Sedans for Under $30,000 Comparison" #559, 21 Dec 2006 7:23 am
Every car I've owned I bought new. The car I've owned the longest has been the Elantra (just over 5 years old now). The car I had the least amount of time was the Volkswagen (about 2 years).
The Altima has my interest now because of its styling and available features. I bought the Elantra because of its price and versatility (5-door hatchback). Things like reliability and popularity don't have top priority in my new car selection. I buy what I want at the moment. IMO, life is too short to limit yourself to certain brands. Buy what feels right and makes you happy!!
Don't bash me.....I stay in the Hyundai Problems and Solutions page. Nice people there.
The Malibu looks like the Sonata as much as Rosie O'Donnell looks like Paris Hilton.
first, bought an extremely reliable Geo Prizm
then, traded it in for a unbelievably horrible Chevy Blazer
then, bought a reliable Mazda Protege (as second car)
then, dumped the horrible Blazer for a Honda CR-V
now, planning on trading the Protege for an Accord
OK I can take a hint.....I'll just read what you guys say.
Happy Festivus to all.
No, but seriously, I would like to know where on the car do you think the new Malibu is like the Sonata?
Malibu:
TL:
Sonata:
The grille of the Malibu looks nothing like either the TL or Sonata. That's pure Chevy--for better or worse.
HAHAHAHA...you have just made my day.
Nothing against the Sonata but it can only wish that it looks 1/10th like the TL.
:P
HAHAHAHA...you have just made my day.
Nothing against the Sonata but it can only wish that it looks 1/10th like the TL
Exactly - the Sonata looks more like one of those Russian taxis - not that there's anything wrong with that.
I've seen many posts about your great experiences with Hyundai cars, and how the 06 Civic was a disappointment. What I have to ask is, if all these Hyundais were so great, why did you spend more for a Honda?
Just wondering your thoughts on the seats?? I am not a picky person but I dont want to be in pain after long trips!
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!
If its the seat bottom itself - welcome to 'a sports car'.
Don't buy the car. Cause if you're sensitive to it now it won't just go away. Get a Camry.
The Accord leather seats are the same way. I don't think they're built for anyone over a 32" waist as well. (too narrow between the bolsters).
-Loren
where i work there is a group who is replacing their hyundai's with current hyundia's, and they are convincing others to buy the new ones.
not even 1 new camry in our lot. accords, it is hard to figure out.
1. Honda Accord SE (Verdict: The everyman's car that bonds with enthusiasts)
2. Nissan Altima 2.5S (Verdict: A pole setter that needs polish)
3. Kia Optima EX (Verdict: Surprisingly delightful for fewer dollars)
4. Saturn Aura XE (Verdict: Laudable, but let down by details)
5. Toyota Camry LE (Verdict: Still the crown prince of mainstream)
6. Chrysler Sebring Touring (Verdict: Chrysler pitches one to the Buick generation)
Observations from me:
- Accord never seized to amaze me. A 5-year-old design beats out the brand new cars like Camry, Aura, Altima and Sebring...WOW!!!
- Not bad for Kia Optima to place third against several heavyweights. Especially it beats out the Camry.
- Not a good news for Chrysler that its new Sebring placed last.
- Where did Fusion, Mazda6 and Sonata go?
:shades:
Guess that article tells me what I already knew - the 4-cylinder Accord is a great vehicle that has enough sporting pretense for enthusiastic drivers to take it down a windy road, and enough comfort to then take an 8 hour road trip with the family, and enough economy to do it very cheaply! It's the "everycar."
Good evening all!
Thegrad
Really? In what way--other than they both have two headlights, four doors, and four wheels?
http://www.travel-2-russia.com/taxis.htm
compared to this...
Based on test drives, I think the Mazda6 seats are very comfortable in 2006 or 2007 models. If you think the new ones are hard, you should sit in a 2005...now those were too hard for me.
I am not a fan of too soft seats. Fusion also has seat that seems very comfortable to me...again only from test driving. Oddly, the Fusion seat seems better than Milan to me :confuse: .
Accord also had a seemingly comfortable seat, when I test drove one of those.
I think those would be my top 3 picks for comfortable seat, which is a major factor for me and something I am very particular about. Altima and was the worst of those I have tried and Sebring was not too good either. Legacy and Sonata were maybe tolerable, but not something I would settle for.
Have not recently tried Camry, anything from GM, or Passat (which I know I would not like, as I prefer cloth to leather or pleather).
Replacing them with Hyundai's what?
The second half of the video contains most of the noteworthy footage.
If you are interested in some great car testing with British wit mixed in, you should also search www.youtube.com for Top Gear. Top Gear is a much more entertaining version of a show similar to Fifth Gear, with three funny hosts.
Scape - why a pseudoname? To make it look like there are other Fusioners just like you?
CamCords owners don't need to resort to covert tactics. "
OK?? don't get this one?? :confuse:
https://www.alg.com/awards.aspx
A Fusion may be a value buy now, but it'll be like junk bonds when you trade it in someday. "
Been over and over this one... You paid $2-$4,000 more initially, not including interest. I sure hope your Honda/Toyota would be worth more. Besides, if you think a car is an investment.. I got a great big Red bridge to sell ya! Interested??
Yet another Honda/Toyota fan in the past, out of the loop. You obviously haven't been paying attention. Fusion/Milan have won awards for styling/quality/fit/finish/reliability. Get on board..
Personally, I think it's scape too. "
Yep! its me!..
Fusion - 130k
Accord - 334k
Camry - 409k
A car that rivals the competition as you say? How come a car that "rivals" the competition, is cheaper than the competition, isn't being bought by more people? The only thing subjective is your notion that Ford produces something that "rivals" the competition - the numbers don't support your claim.
What you fail to understand is this is the Fusions/Milan first year of sails. And, don't forget those 130,000 sales are 130,000 that Honda/Toyota failed to get..
Go Mazda 6.. This car stands out from the crowd, handles like its on rails and is a solid value..
Buyers don't necessarily avoid Ford just because of the "image." I know I didn't, though I'm glad you are happy with a car that cost less than many rivals - I just wouldn't have been as happy with the Fusion, Sonata, Camry, or any other cars that I tested as I have been with my Accord. My main goal was a top notch interior, great economy, and good handling with an equally good ride. My car delivered, and at a price I was willing to pay. I couldn't see buying a car I wouldn't be happy with (in the same way that you didn't end up with a Sonata because of personal preference of the vehicle, not the image of the Hyundai).
Simple, predictable, easy choice for the media to make.. they have to keep the masses happy, otherwise they may loose sales...
How about waiting at least until you've read the article before bashing it? Do you even know what the article says?
If the media is so biased and hates Ford, why are you on a mass medium's website posting, out of curiousity?
I must say, at just a little over 2 hours, I'm impressed. I'm just glad that now we finally all know how you REALLY feel about the media - the same media that selected the Fusion as a Car of the Year Finalist last year and sang its praises about its dynamics and sharp exterior design. Yep, they certainly hate Ford...
Take it to the News & Views boards - this board is about vehicles. I'll be happy to join you over there with this discussion, but it isn't fair to readers of this forum to go on about a car magazine reviewer.