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Comments
In addition to the vehicles, has your relative checked out the reputation of each car's service dept? That is one area that Hyundai has been lacking in recent years, but in general is working very hard to improve. Thankfully, our dealer has a very good reputation and service dept which made our choices to buy Hyundais an easier choice.
It sounds like she already has it figured out and just needs to decide which is more important and will make her more happy. When I look at the list, I think definitely go Sonata, however I know there will be countless other people that look at the comparison and think "you can't top the Honda reputation". She just has to decide which is more important to her and will make her more happy.
My thinking is that neither car is likely to suffer a major problem in the next 10 years if taken care of properly, so that's why the lesser reputation of the Sonata doesn't bother me. A minor repair here or there doesn't bother me at all. I do care about major failures though.
I'm not going to be fretting in 2012 that a seven year-old '06 Accord is going to crap out on me while driving down the highway . . . then again I'm not going to worry about that happening if I'm in a seven year-old '06 Sonata either. So, since I think they'll both have similar odds of avoiding a major failure, and the Sonata has way more features, I'd choose the Sonata after about 2 milliseconds of deliberations.
The other thing she should do is determine which if any of the criteria is a "blocker", that is, a must-have. For example, if she lives in a cold climate and she really has to have those heated seats, or will resell the car in 2-3 years so the Accord's historically high resale value is very important. That can make the choice easier.
Actually, the Sonata was out in Korea for a year before it came to the US. I assume most of the kinks have been worked out.
What you are forgetting is that they didn't ship Alabama Sonatas over seas, they used cars manufactured in Korea!
I know this, because there has been discussion about people seeing Korean made cars on the dealers lots.
It may not be a brand new redesign, but it sure is a brand new plant their using!
killerpiece :shades:
She should pick what she's more comfortable with. If she values reputation more than features, the Accord is perfect for her.
#2 Silverado/Sierra
#3 Camry
#4 Dodge Ram
#5 Accord
#6 Corolla
#7 Civic..
Actually this is not correct. The Accord is slipping this year and the Camry is getting farther and farther away. The Accord will still be very popular but it may be only the diehards who continue to buy. The Fusion and Sonata IMO will begin to eat into the edges of the Accord buyer base reducing it's volume even more.
I have the figures if you are interested..
Oh BTW.. the Accord may slip behind the Corolla next year also.
In actuality Honda is having a tough time of it right now in their core product lines Accord/Civic. The HAH is a mistake ( as is the HH i believe ) and mainstream Accord is long in the tooth and is 6 mo's behind the Camry in the strong spring buying season ( another oops ). The new Civic seems to be very strong. It remains to be seen if it can pass the Corolla again or remain in 4th place.
On quality, it will be interesting to see whether the 3-year-old Accord can finally top the Sonata in initial quality now that the Sonata is a new design, from a new U.S. factory. Should be a slam-dunk for the Accord.
As for longevity, it's interesting to me that Honda backs its Accord for five years (at most) and Hyundai twice as long. My five-year-old Elantra is running like a top and I have no doubts it will last another 5-6 years, which is all I expect out of it. My son will want to buy his own wheels by then.
~alpha
The Camry might sell more in outright numbers, but the Accord is usually pretty close to the Camry in private owner sells.
That may be the sole reason why the Accord has a higher resale value than the Camry.
Even the Altima, which sales in very good numbers, would not sell as well without its fleet sales.
The former are sleeping and the latter are out carving the canyons.
I guess us Fusion supporters have had it with the almost cult like following of the Accord and Sonata fans and are content to just ride off into the canyons.
How about going for a fully loaded Milan, they are a few hundred less than the fully loaded Fusion. ">
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Now I'm a Camry guy, and I never sleep behind the wheel. I do sleep well at night, in part because I know I purchased the right car.
Reading these posts about the current Camry's handling I have to tell you that my SE is a completely different handling car than the LE and XLE's. The SE's handle very Honda like. The LE's and XLE's drive like Buicks, but around here that is what most people want. I love the fact that you can have it either way with the Camry.
That being said, I think its absurd that the Camry gets knocked as boring just because it isn't and doesnt pretend to be a driver's car. I'm 24 and can definitely appreciate the hassle-free experience that even the current Camry offers- its reliable, comfortable, efficient, easy to drive, affordable and, with the SAC/SAB that indeed should be standard, safe.
For those who want those attributes, and a bit of spice, there's the SE. It may not be an Accord, but it doesn't have to be.
I'm expecting a lot from the next-gen to address some of the deficiencies of the current Camry for me personally, boring interior styling, poor brake feel, overboosted steering being the primary issues. I'd also like a high 8's 0-60 time from the revised 2.4L and new 5A (instead of current low-mid 9s), so we shall see; allegedly Toyota made efforts to reduce weight, and power is expected to be bumped by 12 or 13 horses and 6 or so foot pounds.
The Fusion drives well, but the interior, despite Ford's claims of improvement, still isnt on par with the Camry/Accord or the new Sonata, IMO. The dashtop comparment (above the stack) is some really flimsy hard plastic, the inside door handles still feel cheap, the swamp green, undersized instrumentation is anything but sporty or as legible as the electroluminescent displays in the Camcord, there are no rear headrestraints, etc. There's just still too much decontenting in terms of materials quality for me personally where that car is concerned.
And seriously- ABS not standard on V6 models? Please...
~alpha
I agree.. probably accurate
I do wish they would make the V6 in a stick.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Just traded/sold the 2000 in on a new Prius to ensure I get the tax credit and to insure that I'm protected in case of another fuel spike. However.. the new HSD Camry in July....
Next year at this time I may be open to receiving bids on a 1 y.o. Prius in favor of the new HSD Camry.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Another peeve of mine is that no Fusion can be had with stability control, whereas its standard on the Sonata, standard on the Accord V6, and available on the Camry V6.
~alpha
2 min google on 'mercury milan women'
Example #1:
From Ford's website.. Lincoln/Mercury
Today, Mercury will present a special screening of the independent short film, “Wait,” in 25 theaters across the country. The 10-minute film, sponsored by Mercury, gives a glimpse into one woman’s journey of self-discovery and a bittersweet possibility of reunion with ‘the man that got away.’
“Wait” is one of four movies produced as part of Glamour magazine’s “Reel Moments” contest, which gave Glamour readers a chance to have their personal stories told on film by female directors featuring up-and-coming Hollywood talent. Mercury is the exclusive automotive sponsor of Glamour’s “Reel Moments” and the sole sponsor of “Wait.” The one-day screening of “Wait” will precede a special preview of New Line Cinema’s “Domino,” a dramatization of the life of model-turned-bounty hunter Domino Harvey.
“The independent film audience matches perfectly with our target customers for the new Milan and Mariner – highly educated, cultured professionals who appreciate discovering new ideas that set them apart from the mainstream,” said Mercury Brand Marketing Manager Kim Irwin.
The “sweet spot” for the Mercury Milan customer is a late 20s/early 30s “urban cool” professional whose personal style is shaped by fashion, new technologies, pop culture and every element of his or her lifestyle. To better understand this new generation of customers, Mercury is looking beyond traditional demographics to reach these consumers’ “passion points.” Fashion and film are two core elements in Mercury’s launch of the all-new Milan . The stylish Milan graced fashion runways during New York ’s Fashion Week and joined Marie Claire’s Haute Shopping event before it began arriving in showrooms this season.
Example #2:
Detroit Free Press Nov 17,
First there was the chick flick -- that movie that appeals to women because of its emotional, introspective plot or girlie cast. The one that often makes macho men roll their eyes.
Now, increasingly, a chick auto brand seems to be coming to life: Mercury.
Ford Motor Co.'s premium Mercury label, squeezed between the mainstream Ford and upscale Lincoln brands, has struggled for years to find a clear identity of its own.
But for the past year, beginning with the launch of the new Mariner crossover, the 66-year-old auto brand has been reinventing itself as a youthful sophisticate -- pitching its new cars and trucks alongside independent films and high-end fashion venues that seem boldly feminine.
Example #3: The Car Connection
CNW Marketing Research says a survey of consumers shows people say they can envision buying a Mercury car at the age of 46, compared with 25 for General Motors Corp's revamped Cadillac brand. Mercury is especially targeting women with the Mercury advertising, as women have always made up a majority of buyers.
"Our sweet spot is (women) from 35 to 50 years old," said Tom Grill, marketing communications manager. "When people say Mercury right now ... it's a slightly older demographic. We're trying to introduce people to Mercury again." -Jim Burt
This is not a 'Milwaukee's Best' crowd campaign.
~alpha
~alpha
But....
Ford cannot screw the pooch with this and do silly things to it such as..
Give it away to every Rental agency so that when people do go on business their impression of the Fusion is a used vehicle that 200 others have driven into blahness. c.f. Taurus.
Try to force a V6 down the throats of 4c buyers. If they dont offer the 4c as at leaset 60% of the volume and make the 4c Fusion as desirable as the performance geared V6 they will lose all the crossover conquest sales from HonYotaNissDai.
Cheapen the vehicle by panicing on price and begging people to '..take it at any price, please.'
Assuming there are not multiple full-scale recalls as in the past, and if they can avoid all these pitfalls, then the Fusion will prove itself in 3-5 years as a worthy competitor in the field. Welcome to the fray..
~alpha
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
The F-150 is quite the seller, but it's Ford branching into hybrid/fuel cell technology that is their future. This discussion has devolved into a mere microcosm of brand fanatics yelling for their favorites. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
I do enough of that about my fave, Kia. It's so personal. I mean, for me, if I wanted a car like this I could look at Kia's new Optima, or the Kia Amanti or the Ford Fusion or the Mercury Milan. But to pick which one is better for me is a personal thing. I like the looks of the Fusion/Milan and I like the looks and Warranty of the Sonata. If, and it's too much of an if, I were to go buy one of these today it would be the Ford Fusion. I like it's looks and I think a 5-speed Fusion with their 2.4L 4-cyl.would fix me up just fine. To me, looks are important and the Ford Fusion looks best to me. Like I said, it's personal. Resale value doesn't count because I keep my cars up maintenance-wise and just pull the trigger after a few 3-4 years usually. Sometimes I only wait 2 years. Resale is moot. So, the Honda Accord loses with me and the Camry is so dull looking I'd rather watch the best golfer in history golf or the best NASCAR cars in history race (because car racing is so boring I can't even imagine sitting still and watching an entire NASCAR race...I'd rather sit and pick out nosehairs until I bleed and scream in agony...man, NASCAR is dull).
So, continue duking it out regarding the best car in this class. It does make for interesting reading. My interest is leaning towards a 2006 Kia Rio5 in 5-speeds and Tropical Red. I like it's European styling and 32 mpg.
I may never get to that stage because my '01 Kia Sportage is getting me around the Rocky Mountain town covered in snow I live in so remarkably now that I must scream out in joy. What an SUV and what a carmaker. I am so glad Kia came out "West" to the U.S.
Can Chinese cars come over here and sell for the 30% less that Malcolm Bricklin claims they will? Would you test drive one? When you answer that question don't think that you're the only person buying cars in America. Give me your best 'Alan Greenspan' interpretation of how the American people will like them, OK? A lot of car buying is about the money and power. Power in people's perceptions of you as a person and power in relationships and who should project this image and who should just "shut up and drive." Agree? Disagree? Violent rebutalls coming? Over and out.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
That advertising hoo-ha about the Milan being marketed to professional, hip women is about the silliest thing I've seen in a while.
Me personally, I've been perfectly happy with my Camrys, so I have no reason to switch at this point.
I do think however, that Hyundai/Kia have a much brighter future in the US than GM or Ford at this juncture.
My view of buying American centers on the worker. I can't see why someone wouldn't rather support jobs on our own soil, instead of supporting an American company that assembles it's product in another country.
It's ironic/sad to think that of the four mid sized sedans in this thread, only the Ford doesn't give you the option of buying a US built one. What do the rest of you think? Do you Fusion supporters mind that you have a foreign built car?