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Midsize Sedans Comparison Thread

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  • bobw3bobw3 Member Posts: 2,989
    I am scared to try any Detroit product after horrible experience with my Chevy Blazer

    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
  • shado4shado4 Member Posts: 287
    I usually don't let fear (or blind loyalty) make my car buying decisions for me. Since I got my driver's license, here is what I've owned:

    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
  • bobw3bobw3 Member Posts: 2,989
    did you buy new or used?
  • drj9drj9 Member Posts: 4
    Neither of these cars are really "mid-sized" but since this is an active thread, I thought I might seek some input. I have to order a new company car and my choices are either the Chrysler 300 Base (2.7L V6) or the Volvo S40 2.4 inline 5 (no options in choosing a different engine). The 300 comes with Great American package (safety features, 6 disc stereo & mp3 connection PLUS Sirius satellite radio, 17" aluminum wheels). The Volvo is also the base version but comes with leather seats, moonroof, but the basic stereo (no mp3 connection or satellite). They are distinctly different cars and I am having a hard time choosing.

    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.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Hi drj9, welcome to CarSpace!

    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
  • shado4shado4 Member Posts: 287
    did you buy new or used?

    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!! :)
  • craigbrookscraigbrooks Member Posts: 420
    Kinda looks like the Sonata! :shades: Nice looking car.
    Don't bash me.....I stay in the Hyundai Problems and Solutions page. Nice people there. :D
  • booyahcramerbooyahcramer Member Posts: 172
    Kinda looks like the Sonata! Nice looking car.

    The Malibu looks like the Sonata as much as Rosie O'Donnell looks like Paris Hilton.
  • lahirilahiri Member Posts: 394
    I too started with an open mind... but Detroit now scares me.

    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
  • craigbrookscraigbrooks Member Posts: 420
    Tough crowd
    OK I can take a hint.....I'll just read what you guys say.
    Happy Festivus to all.
  • craigbrookscraigbrooks Member Posts: 420
    I'll put my 2 cents worth in here. Extended service contract companies have raised the rates on Chryslers with the 2.7. Some people I've talked to swear by it others swear at it.
  • lahirilahiri Member Posts: 394
    I agree that my comments aren't insightful. But it's hard to feel differently. Many of my friends work for GM. That's why I bought 2 GM vehicles (Geo Prizm, Chevy Blazer). Prizm was excellent (thanks to Toyota) and Blazer was terrible (everything except the body and light-bulbs had to be replaced in first 7 years - spent $10,000 on repairs + $1700 on extending GM warranty, needed to be towed to dealership roughly 4 times every year). I want to support my friends - so, I will buy GM again. But I will wait till Wagoner and his butt-lickers are all kicked out.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    OK I can take a hint.....I'll just read what you guys say.

    No, but seriously, I would like to know where on the car do you think the new Malibu is like the Sonata?
  • craigbrookscraigbrooks Member Posts: 420
    Roof line back towards the rear deck, kinda. Hoodline down to the headlights, sorta. Kinda like the Accord rear end, the Camry rear end and the Sonata rear end look similar. Same wrap around tailights, etc.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Here are the pictures, Now do you still seriously think Malibu looks like Sonata? More than TL?

    Malibu:
    image

    TL:
    image

    Sonata:
    image
  • redsfan1redsfan1 Member Posts: 58
    I did test drive all 3 cars. I guess each has its own positive and negative aspects. I am looking for something 4 door. I will be driving it. Most likely 2 passengers but there could be another in a few years. I will use the car for long trips to see my family that lives 4 hours away and for my half hour commute which is mainly highway..
  • craigbrookscraigbrooks Member Posts: 420
    I didn't say more than, just kinda like. Now that you put them side by side the Sonata looks like the TL.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Yes, in the front they do look a little alike. There is a resemblence between the roofline of the TL and the Malibu's, but it's such a nondescript roofline that I think it is coincidental. I think the side of the Malibu looks a lot more like the Sonata than the TL--the TL has more detailing.

    The grille of the Malibu looks nothing like either the TL or Sonata. That's pure Chevy--for better or worse.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Sonata looks like the TL.

    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
  • goodegggoodegg Member Posts: 905
    Sonata looks like the TL.

    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.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    And no matter how many times I point out to you that I have previously owned several Hyundai products with less problems between all three of them than the 2006 Honda Civic

    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?
  • redsfan1redsfan1 Member Posts: 58
    I was just wondering if any of you have Mazda 6's or have test drove these cars, what you thought about the seat comfort. I test drove one last night and like it a lot. Liked the drive, dash, etc. Just thought the seats were kind of hard. We have a honda civic and they are real comfortable. I drive currently a chevy monte carlo and the seats are really comfortable.

    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!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    you are not going to find a lot a fans of monte carlo seats(or anything else about them) here. the last one i was in was an '87 ss, so i have no opinion about the comfort of any monte carlo after that. :)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • ontopontop Member Posts: 279
    Hard seats can be a PAIN. All puns aside - define hard (Clintonesque here). Is it the seat bottom, or the seat bottom side bolsters? If its the bolsters they'll soften over time as you get in and out of the car.

    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).
  • m1miatam1miata Member Posts: 4,551
    New Malibu = generic car, and somewhat the same as the Sonata. Nothing exciting here fans -- next car please....

    -Loren
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I prefer firm seat cusions, as long as they are well-shaped and adjustable. I've found the firm seat cushions on my Elantra very comfortable on long trips, because the seat also has adjustable lumbar support and a dual-range height adjuster. The soft cushions feel good at first, but if they don't offer good support they will give you a pain in the bu... er, back, before too long.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    i drive a ford focus and an suv, so these all look pretty much the same to me. ;)
    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.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    It definitely loosely mimics the TL, but hey, there are a lot worse designs to mimic if you ask me. I think the TL is still a gorgeous automobile.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Just got my February issue today and it has a mid-size, mid-priced (all 4 cylinder except the Aura) family sedan comparo and the rankings are:

    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?
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    **Cringes in anticipation of hearing the same garbage that we are brainwashed by the media to like Honda and Toyota**

    :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." :) Guess that's why everyone has them (a downer to some people, frankly, I don't care - everyone has RAZR cell phones but I don't - I guess that's my contribution to countering mainstream culture? LOL

    Good evening all!

    Thegrad
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I expect their goal was to test new models against the car that won their last mid-sized comparo--the Accord. That's probably why the Fusion and Sonata weren't in the mix.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    ... the Sonata looks more like one of those Russian taxis ...

    Really? In what way--other than they both have two headlights, four doors, and four wheels?

    image

    http://www.travel-2-russia.com/taxis.htm

    compared to this...

    image
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I always kinda saw it on the old (pre 2005) Sonatas, but not the current ones.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I suppose depending on what you have been drinking or smoking on a given day, that could be true. ;)
  • jeffyscottjeffyscott Member Posts: 3,855
    Well, different people will have different feelings about what is comfortable, but...

    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).
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    The front end was just awful in my opinion... the rear was a cross between an S-Type Jag and the ole "Russian cab." Other than the front, the car was nice looking though. Much better than the cousin Kia Optima of 2005.
  • ontopontop Member Posts: 279
    replacing their hyundai's with current hyundia's

    Replacing them with Hyundai's what?
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Click here to watch an interesting video on the benefits of these safety control systems in vehicles. This was completed by Fifth Gear Magazine, an excellent BBC Car Program/Magazine.

    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.
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    The current generation Sonata profile looks very much like the previous generation Audi A6, which it is exactly supposed to, since Hyundai benchmarked the A6 for the Sonata, not only in the "looks factor," but in other areas as well.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I'm talking about the old Sonata in the post I reply to. At no point recently have I referred to the current model Sonata, and am not disputing anything with the new one.
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    "Scape2 = by

    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:
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    "Everyone talking about the Fusion now, wait till you try to sell it 5 years from now and see what you can get for it. Honda has the best residual values followed by Toyota. You can't even find Ford on the list here...

    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?? ;)
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    "Other more important factors like reliability and market acceptance have a big impact of those values"

    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..
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    "Ok then, would the author of post #10140 please identify themself by their user name?

    Personally, I think it's scape too. "

    Yep! its me!.. ;)
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    The edmunds system is wierd sometimes by not putting names, isn't it! It's done it to me before, and then I couldn't find my own post until I actually read the thing again. Gotta love computers. :P
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    "How about we look at the numbers, YTD sales...

    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.. ;) The Fusion/Milan are very good alternatives to the everyday Camry/Accord. The quality/fit/finish are on par with Accord/Camry. Now its just the image thing that Ford needs to overcome. Time, it will take time. For me, its a no brainer after owning Ford products for 25+ years.. I see no reason to pay the extra $$ to say I own an Accord/Camry.. :shades:
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    "I am having a hard time deciding between these 3 midsize sedans. I am looking to buy before the New Year. I have looked at the Mazda 6 Sedan and can get a 6 cylinder for around 18,000 brand new since its an 06 model. Gas mileage though is not to hot in this car, around 20/27. That seems pretty drive. I am also drawn to the new 07 toyota camry & possibly a honda accord. Camry I would go with a 4 cylinder not sure about the Accord. I rode in a 4 and 6 and it seemed pretty similar. Did anyone else have trouble deciding. If you have one of the cars below, please share your thoughts? Did you make the right decision. THanks for your help!!! "

    Go Mazda 6.. This car stands out from the crowd, handles like its on rails and is a solid value..
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Now its just the image thing that Ford needs to overcome. Time, it will take time. For me, its a no brainer after owning Ford products for 25+ years.. I see no reason to pay the extra $$ to say I own an Accord/Camry..

    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).
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    "Cringes in anticipation of hearing the same garbage that we are brainwashed by the media to like Honda and Toyota** "

    Simple, predictable, easy choice for the media to make.. they have to keep the masses happy, otherwise they may loose sales... ;)
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Simple, predictable choice for a poster to make...

    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.
This discussion has been closed.