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2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I don't think there is an "original" design in this class of car because even the Altima got it's roofline from the Passat, but the Altima love it or leave it...is one of the few somewhat distinctive sedans in its class. The Mazda6 is probably the only other distinctive looking one. I do feel that the new Altima played it too safe though. Even the alloy wheels on the 07s resemble the previous Altima's alloys too much and from the sides the 17s on the SE models look like 15s. And especiallly from the sides, the Altima looks hatchback-like this time around because of the high designed trunk and taillights that stick out at on the sides. Nissan should upgrade and make 17s standard and 18s SE/SL exclusives.
The Altima has always been my choice style-wise (and my opinions are subjective) but its always been the Accord that I thought was the best. Nissan brought some neat technology to the table this time around Bluetooth (Toyota did that first) push start standard, optional rear view camera, xenons (the prev. gen had those) etc. etc. I hope the Accord has some of those features and more..and keeps some features that the Altima still lacks (power passenger's seat) and maybe adds some things (power pedals, rain sensing wipers.
I actually think the Accord will have a nice front end this time around from what we have seen, I like the sides too. Just hope the rear looks decent. I'm just sad that it seems the V6/6spd combo won't be available this time around.
Nothing personal, neteng, but the Altima is my least favorite mid-size sedan, especially because of its styling. Different strokes for different folks. But the taillights on our Fusion are something that I would change if I could.
the same could be said when the Altima first became truly competitive in this segment - back in 2002. A car largely responsible for Nissan's turnaround , that I think eventually got all the way up to 4th or 5th in sales numbers and the first to use a truly awesome V6 under the hood thereby forcing Honda and Toyota to respond. The new one takes the 'spirit' of the 2002 model to the next level, IMO , so if you didn't like the first one you are not likely to have much use for the new one. Establishing an identity I guess. As you say - different strokes.
I do agree also that the Fulan's taillights and rear end is too high, but I definitely would prefer the Milan to the Fusion - if for no other reason than the 'in your face' razor blades. If this is Ford's new 'identity', I will leave them alone even if they do update the powertrains - the 500 was a better looking car, IMO than the regurgitated Taurus. The 6 is much better overall styling wise, IMO, but it also looks and apparently is SMALL. The Camry is certainly something really adventurous and is either love it or hate it (an unusual chance for Toyota to take), even at 4 years old the Accord still looks good to me, the Aura looks good although also plagued with a too high rear end, and the Sonata seems a hodgepodge of borrowed elements from both the Accord, old Camry, and the Lexus'.
I agree with you on the Altima. If I had bought a Fusion, I think I'd see if I could modify the tailights. I think they look better like this:
I agree with all that, except I love the size of my 6.
Being an anti-chromite, I'm no fan of Ford's new grill. I still like the 6 better, but I think the fusion is improved with a body colored grill:
Is Alabama the Southeast? They're in the Central time zone. I'd consider them more Deep South with Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee....
FWIW
A big factor is also the length of time a model has been selling well. Accord & Camry have been established for many years while Sonata is a relatively new kid on the block. There's a lot more 10-12 year old Accords and Camry's around (which adds to the Accord/Camry population) than 10-12 year old Sonata's.
The gap of 5 year old (or less) models has narrowed in my area, I think. It's hard to quantify because driving the same route at roughly the same time of day, I see mostly the same cars on a schedule similar to mine.
I'm also seeing more Azera's on the road, which may just be a function of that model being out for almost 2 years.
While the CamCords have changed in appearance, I think it's still easy to recognize (link) a 10 to 12 year old CamCord compared to the current model (but maybe not the '07 Camry).
I'm in the same boat, grad, and I'm using Safari on my Mac. Can't see the pics.
BTW I can see the pictures fine with IE6
I am reading the grill can be had in Black on some SE versions of Fusions... Same color in my opinion would take away the cars lines and character.
Has anyone noticed an uptick in Accord advertising lately? Honda usually does this when it's getting close to releasing the next year's model. Personally, I can't wait to see what they've done to it, particularly on the coupe. I've been hearing rumors that it's supposed to be a bit more sporty than the sedan w/ a firmer suspension and tweaked engine. If they go with the great 6-speed manual as they have in the current gen, it sounds like it'll be quite fun. And hopefully they've done away with the HUGE blindspots that aflicts the current Accord Coupe. Kind of goes to show that the current coupe was a bit of an afterthought rather than a complete design as the next gen will be.
Yes, there is an "appearance package" that changes it to a black chrome grill. If I were to have bought a Fusion, I had thought I'd see if I could buy that grill as a part. I did not like the interior changes that came with the package and IIRC, the package could only be had on black or red...I'd have wanted the new "alloy" color had I gotten a Fusion or Milan.
just wanted to point that out...
-thene
Goes to show that there's very little ingenuity left in mid-sized cars. The next-gen Accord looks an awful lot like this gen. Sonata with a bit of Optima thrown in. I'm not particularly enamored with the new Camry but it's a much better looking car than the last gen. car which had a real strange looking c-pillar and heavy rear end. Think the Sonata is far better looking than that car, although less distinctive than the previous one.
Sonata is a colaboration of many vehicles, as most are this day and age. Sonata has a me too cookie cutter design to appeal to the masses, but IMO in top trim this car has a very sleek and sophisticated look, and looks like nothing else ive seen before. Hyundai does need to seriously update the interior however, the gauges and center stack look awfully dated.
I happen to like the chrome (well, it's plastic actually) grille on the Fusions. Then again, I think the 1959 Cadillac was a beautiful automobile.
Hyundai styling is an oxymoron. They've done a great job with the mechanicals, but their designs seem to share the touch of a German jazz band.
I would like the idea of adding smoked headlights and tailights along with a black chrome grill...and take the chrome off the windows, too. But, anyway, I solved all my issues with the Fusion's appearance by just getting the Mazda6
Good solution. Our solution to the plainness of the Asian models was to buy a Fusion. So we are both satisfied.
I'm anxious to see how the Sonata ages with say, 85,000 miles on it. If this new generation car passes that long term test, I think you'll see more and more Sonatas on the road.
That's what will sell me at least. Car's just coming out (Sonata, Fusion) and getting these great initial reviews, when everybody knows its what happens in years 5+ that define the car. Camcords have passed that test.
Accords have always had long horizontal styled headlights up front. Even the Euro Accord aka the TSX continues that trend. So it would seem that the element of front end styling is something Hyundai stole from Honda.
The rear end o the next Accord looks nothing like the Sonata, the sides definitely dont. I could see if someone said the next Accord favored the BMW 5Series, but the Sonata? I don't see it. Please explain.
An excellent point, Goodegg, but the journey to five-year reliability has to start with the first step and the Fusion, at least, is off to a very good start, two years without major problems or recalls of any sort.
As a proud Fusion owner, I sure hope this trend continues and the Fusions remain trouble free. Yup, the Camcords do have an enviable record, one that will be difficult, maybe, to equal. At least FoMoCo has started off on the right footing with the Fusion.
I don't see that at all. I actually see a kind of Catera/GrandAm rear and a Scion front.
It looks like a Cagrasci.
Well, a few little gremlins have reared their ugly heads since the wreck in that car. I was driving it to work daily, until I realized my interior lights had stopped working in conjunction with my headlights (no gauges lit up, no A/C controls, my clock didn't get dimmer, etc...)
Then two evenings ago, I realized the taillights were not illuminating either. The brakelights still work, but now, the only things working "light-wise" are both high-beams, the driver side low-beam, and the blinkers. The parking light on the driver's side has decided to quit working, as well.
My estimate for repair was just over $1,200, by the way. I don't care if it is high or low - the other driver who caused the accident had insurance, which is footing the bill.
I don't see any Bangle in it.
A crumpled fender (assuming bumper damage, lights[front or rear] and alignment of hood or trunk usually fruns over $1200 in CT, before any electrical problems such as you describe.
The estimated labor charge was $620. The rest was parts/paint/disposal.
You can see the damage for yourself here, and more are on my CarSpace page.
See more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com
Seems pretty low for anywhere to me. Have you seen some of their previous work?
My grandfather also carried his Frontier there back in 2002 to have it inspected before purchase (it was used, its a 1999 model). They have been in this location for years, and its one of these "my grandmother goes to church with the owner's mother" kind of places. They have a very large garage and are very popular in my town. I trust their work based on good word-of-mouth.
This is repair number three in four years(yet none have been deemed my fault!). One came from running over a freakin' shovel in the road! The other came from being run into a guardrail (Something that did a LOT of damage).
I've been throughly pleased with the work done on my car by our old collision center however. The paint has matched pretty darn well when it has been done (the front half of the car has been painted). It is only obvious in very certain lighting conditions however.