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I think Avalon is the best among this group. I personally had drove the Impala, Magnum (same as charger & 300) before and there is no contest between those and Avalon. This car is definitely a sleeper on the road and has the ability to smoke a lot of the so call "performance sedans" out there at a red light.
Good choice.
PS, I also drove the Fusion before so I could imagine what a dog the 500 is.
All this talk about value, reliability, etc, reminded me of an auto dealer's ad in our local paper this past Sunday. The dealership sells Pontiacs and was advertising a lowball price on the G6. The line in the ad that caught my attention was something to the effect that
"...Honda, Toyota, or Hyundai can't beat this!"
Tells you what he thinks his competition is.
Anyway paid my 30 grand and still look forward to turning the key every morning.
One thing I find retarded, how manufacturers blend in options into packages that don't make sense! Like the Touring and XLS have Stability control and heated seats paired! Why? One has nothing to do with the other! IMO, I wouldn't want heated seats because I've heard seats are more comfortable without them. But I would want VSC because safety is a priority to me! I know it really is a crap shoot trying to find a vehicle with select options but I would wait for an ordered one. Has anyone had an experience of ordering a new vehicle?
You are flirting with getting buyer's remorse in the future.
As for your 5 grand - that number may be a little low these days in terms of actual street prices - but remember that anything that is not paid up front will usually be 'returned' later. The Avalon does have the highest resale in this class.
Given the actual current selling prices for the Azera, it is more than $5 k cheaper.
In both Hyundai vehicles I've driven with Shiftronic, the only time redline is really an issue is 1st & 2nd gears. All gears can be held up to redline and then a governor will automatically shift it for you if you don't to avoid any damage to the tranny. In MOST cases, 3rd gear would be the one you would want to hold and I haven't had any problems with doing it.
I've spent some serious time getting to know the transmission in the Azera because it's a 5 speed and the Sonata had a 4 speed, so the shift points are way different. In the beginning with the Azera, I was holding a gear too long because I was used to the 4 speed shift points. Now that I'm used to my Azera, I'm sure I would probably shift too early if I drove a 4 speed Sonata at this point. However, I've learned to avoid the lag you speak of. It can be done.
CR may have the Azera rated higher at this point, but it's based on 1st year variables. The Azera took honors in initial quality, but as far as reliablity and dependability...it'll take more than 2 model years to chalk it up as 'ol reliable.
You are right about perceptions and that is what's killing Hyundai right now. People don't see a lot of Azeras on the street and their perception is that it's not a good car. The Sonata, however, you see those like you see Accords and Camrys now...even the '06 model. As more and more people break rank and actually go test drive an Azera, they'll find that they are surprised that Hyundai actually makes a vehicle that will make you forget you're driving a Hyundai.
My last two vehicles have been Hyundais and will never apologize to anyone for it, or feel bad about it either. The Sonata more than proved it's worth to me and the Azera has made me not even miss my Sonata.
These are things are the types of things I hear all the time these days on these newer ATs, isn't technology wonderful? Sooner or later, that computer in your car will be telling you when to make a 'pit stop' and shutting down the car until IT knows that you did.
The Shiftronic transmission in Hyundai vehicles is a learning transmission, so it learns from the driver. As you said, in most cases...the car will be driven conservatively. Yet, everyone's conservative is different, so each transmission will not be the same once it has learned a driver's "ways".
Cars these days have indeed upgraded from the basic idiot lights on the dash that would light up for a plethora of reasons, now you've got cars that tell you specifically what it's needs are. Imagine a car pouting because you don't use a certain kind of gas in it! LOL
Keep in mind that not all 'sophistication' and 'technology' is necessarily good - except for the marketing people and the unwitting consumer that will buy anything as long as it is new and 'improved' (or perhaps has the word 'safety' associated with it). If you bite into this whole thing and trust a computer to effectively make decisions for you, so be it - in my case, I think it is a particularily onerous path we all seem to be on!
In automatic mode, that's where the computer takes over to the point of engine management. However, the mechanics are basically the same, whether it's 4, 5, 6 or 8 speeds. The only time you can actually speak of sophistication is when you start talking CVT.
You are right, in most cases, sophistication and technology is merely fluff with which marketing can appeal to the consumer's sense of getting more and receiving a better product than before.
I'm with you, however...I think a better word here would be ominous! :surprise:
Tomatoe/tomahto - same fruit?
However, all of this is what leads me to believe that bang for buck, Hyundai is the best value running right now. No, it's not the best, however...it's no longer the worst either. They may not offer every bell and whistle a car can have, but what you do get for the money is still more than plentiful.
In most cases, the Azera itself is just proving to be a taste of luxury that the everyday person, like myself, can afford and feel good about it too. Hyundai finally seemed to get the equation right and started making viable products that could seriously compete with the Japanese Big 3 and even cause them to look over their shoulders.
What?
The Panasonic 42" plasmas was going for $899 on the last Black Friday. Now the same TV is around $1,500 for regular price and $1,200 after discounts.
I paid $845 for a 32" Sanyo LCD about 4 months ago. Walmart sells the Sanyo 42" plasma for $1248.00 and the Panasonic 42" plasma goes for $1497. BUT...they do have a 63" Philips plasma for $4998.00!!!
It kills me that people want more power from cars and yet, they drive slow as molassaes when they get it. Do you know how many Vettes and Porsches I see ambling along in the right lanes of travel? LMAO Then, whizzing past in the left lane is a little tiny Chevy Aveo. :P
I didn't even check the date, but it was just yesterday so I doubt the grocery store is displaying year-old magazines???
here's the article - and yes it was in earlier 2006
I have no problem with folks driving slow as long as they are not creating a hazard doing so. A lot of accidents do happen due to folks taking unnecessary risks in efforts to get around them. Having the added power as a 'safety net' so to speak versus constantly using it are entirely different things. The former being much better than the latter, IMO.
However, do you really think car companies are making these cars more and more powerful with power being a "safety net"? Actually, it's all a conspiracy...the auto makers keep the police coffers full with funds paid on speeding tickets! LOL
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/9639/30000-family-sedans.html
Okay...I'm offended, they tested a Kia Amanti instead of the Azera!!!
Considering they are using a lot of steel, yeah...that's the secret to building cheaper!
True. However, since the Lexus 6-speed auto tranny is so good I'll just let it shift for me. It can shift better than 99% of the people out there anyway (that 1% includes pros and ultra enthusiasts).
not that would be a somewhat strange comment since there are very few cars in this group (the 300C/Charger, maybe) that are generally even going to appeal to the enthusiast. Big FWD platforms that are usually soft 'isolation chambers' not generally high on any comparative vehicle dynamics scale, making that FE even more of a primary consideration. I doubt that anybody is out there buying an Azera (or an Avalon) because of how well it handles or brakes, or even the power they have - but they might look at that 4 mpg difference and balance that against initial cost and projected resale values?
FE really isn't a strain on me with this car as I was getting almost the same numbers with the Sonata I previously owned. As far as resale value...I'm planning on holding on to this car and driving it till the wheels fall off, so it's not really a factor in my book.
As for no MT in the IS...I think from a maximizing profit stand point of view it is not a mistake. However, by not having the 6-MT, Lexus did drive away many enthusiasts whom are interested in an capable 3-series fighter.
Let's just look at the facts...
Out of all the 3-series BMW sold, only 30% or less are equipped with manual tranny. I would say that number for a Lexus will be much lower (around 20% or less). Currently the IS250 out sold IS350 around 7 to 3 and if Lexus wants to sell around 10,000 a year that means only 3000 of them will be the 350 version. 20% of that would be 600. I guess Lexus could sacrifice those 600 sales in order to drive down the manufacturing cost and in the end they'll end up to be more profitable.
Okay, enough math now let's get back to large sedans...
mother owns a Toyota Avalon-son owns a Chevrolet Impala SS-
I own a Chrysler 300 Touring. I have to say that all three are very nice, heavy vehicles with plenty of get up and go! While the Impala is on the lower price end it is no less nice or no less reliable than my mom's Avalon (read:Lexus).
Coming from me-the anti chevrolet person in the family that is a real compliment! They are all worth considering!