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2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I test drove one several weeks ago. Not sure what you are talking about as far a negative reviews. Overall I think they are still one of the better Mid-Sized Sedans. Also have very good resale value. One of the most popular cars in the world. I think the new XSE is very good looking. It drove quite well and very smooth. About the second less noisy cabin behind the Legacy. Haven't driven a new Fusion yet so not sure how that will be. Good pick up from the 4 Cylinder. Interior was very nice. Center stack layout was very easy to work with. Good sized Dials and would be very easy to learn how to navigate around the screen. Nice leather seats and overall a good solid car. It's not a high performance sports car but a good reliable family sedan. It is still highly rated by CR. I just couldn't buy one because we already own a Highlander and the interiors are very similar. I don't want to feel like I am driving two identical vehicles. I like to change up my cars and I am not brand loyal. I will drive whatever I like and use ratings as a guide.
Hey nyccarguy. Appreciate your input as I have really appreciated everyone's input on this subject. It really does help in the car buying decision. I am a bit concerned with the average mpg you have had thus far in the 2.5. It is rated 25 city and 36 Highway. Was hoping for at least 28 mpg overall. Maybe it will get better with time. I really do have to see about the Fusion Hybrid. The EPA rates it 44/41 but CR rates it 39 mpg overall which would be fantastic to me since my current V6 gets about 21 overall. Would be a huge savings especially if fuel prices rise in the next few years.
I can't agree more with the last sentence in the following review by Cars.com
http://www.cars.com/toyota/camry/2015/expert-reviews
"Camry sales aren't likely to falter with this latest update to the brand's icon, but Toyota has done nothing to attract new buyers to the model. The new Camry is perfectly suited to keeping current owners happy for another generation when they trade in their old model, but given how good and advanced the competition has become, "I already own one and want another" may be the only reason left to buy the Camry over its competitors."
Yes, Toyota's reliability is not questionable. They are good at making a car as a machine. But fall way behind in modern design. One more example is I was shocked when Toyota released their new concept in hydrogen electric car named Fuel Cell Car which was a weird Corolla looking shell with hydrogen engine. I would rather buy an electric Smart than that ugly hydrogen corolla.
NAV is a standalone option on the Fusion. The 19 inch wheels are an $800 or $900 upgrade over the 18 inch wheels, but they list for $800 each to replace(don't curb one).
If the car has MyFord Touch, you get the same center screen NAV or not.
It basically has 4 functions, accessed by touching each corner of the screen.
The NAV tab is a compass if you don't have the NAV option.
Titanium should have paddle shifters for the transmission.
The more I see it on the road the more I like the looks. More chiseled and gives an overall impression of quality assembly. However, the only way for me to tell it is a Sonata at more than 300 feet away is the LED DRL's. Other than. That it is very similar to the Legacy in the front end, and now just looks like another anonymous car.
2012 Kia Opt EX 40k report since purchased new December 23rd 2011:
From my short love affair with the new Ecoboost Mustang, to other mid size sedans, I still think my 2012 EX in Spicy Red is one of the best looking cars on the road. I took my kids to test the Mustang with me, and there was just no back seat space for human legs. Only my 10 year olden "fit" AMD the seat does not go back far enough for me to be comfortable. I was surprised at how fast I appreciated my Optima again as I drove off the lot.
Maintenance report after very cold, snowy winter for this area: I replaced my Bosch "blade" wipers with rain-X "hybrid" wipers. The Bosch were only 8 months old; but a streak developed on the drivers side right in my primary field of view....aggravating. I use Rain X so this switch was a no-brained and I am totally blown away at how good they work... and look.
Brakes at 39,500 and 3.4 years old:
Dealer wanted $120 + new fluid + disposal for a total of $140 for a brake fluid flush (it was black for many miles) I had it done at Merchants for $69.99. I did have the actual brake job done at the dealer and they threw in a front end alignment check because of all the potholes. I thought that was nice, and after hitting at least 10 "oh s***" depth sized ones (we are not used to them here) I am happy to say that my car was spot on aligned and no bent rims or blow outs occurred. Durable.
Paint: Lots of scratches from gratuitous salt and an angry "it's not you-it's me" breakup caused my car trunk to be bladed. I compounded, polished, and waxed it. You can barely see it now. She was cray-cray.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/compact-suvs-grow-at-expense-of-car-segments-key-insights-report-says.html
Speaking for myself, we did just replace a compact wagon (a Pontiac Vibe) with a small ute (Buick Encore). However, we have a midsize sedan as primary vehicle. I wonder how many of these purchases are similar -- where there is still a compact or midsize sedan in addition to the subcompact or compact SUV? Maybe it depends on family size. When we had kids at home we always had a minivan and a compact sedan or wagon.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/31131/general/x/small-crossovers-will-they-replace-the-mid-sized-sedan#latest
With the HR-V, Trax, CX-3, Encore, Q3, CLA, X1, Juke all available - and I'm sure more coming - I'm not surprised to see this.
As the boomers get older, they are going to want something with better entry/exit - sliding into a small CUV rather than 'dropping down' into a sedan may be just the thing.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Suy, you sound like us. we got a minivan when kid #2 came along. 16 years later, wife wanted something smaller so dumped the Odyssey for an RDX. And I recently got a Sonata for my car. so we have a smaller CUV and midsize sedan. Try to use the sedan whenever we don't need the cargo capacity of the Ute.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Thanks for the pictures illustrating my point. It is like Subaru bought a Sonata, scanned it into the design computer, and just changed it enough to not get sued. Take a hard lol at the headlights. Maybe they are the same part number???
However, the Subie has AWD ad the Sonata does not. Having owned AWD cars and SUV's with proper 4x4 systems and my impression is that they are not necessary here in Virginia. With both cars being 4" off the ground, it makes no difference in 8" of snow.
Both are great cars, but the AWD system in the Subie is going to cost more in maintenance (like having to buy all 4 tires at once) has an extra computer to run the AWD hardware, and then there is the actual mechanical system with 4 half-shafts and a sophisticated Haldex AWD diff lock.
If I lived just 60 to 100 miles North of here it would be a different story, but where I live is blocked by the Appalachian mountains, so most snow events miss us and hit Pittsburg and cities near it.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I am going crazy trying to decide which car I want. Really thinking seriously about going back to my Ford Dealer tomorrow and buying the Hybrid SE that they have that is Red with a Black Leather interior. It has the Luxury Package, Moonroof, Heated Steering Wheel, Push Button Start and Remote start, MyFord Touch and many more options. It does not have the Nav, but I have to pay extra for the Color Choice. The Trunk space bothers me and the Black Leather with a dark exterior bakes me in the summer in my current Fusion, but I think I can deal with trunk by being creative about packing it. I want that mpg increase in a great looking car. Have an appointment at 1:30 today to go back to Subaru and drive the Legacy again. Want to take it out for a longer drive. The talk about the AWD system in this thread does not deter me. They have one of the best systems in the car industry. Don't know if I will make a decision even after driving it again for the fourth time. Never had a more difficult time making a decision about a car purchase plus what to do with my current vehicle. Do I trade it and get roughly $8K or do I give it to my Son who is Graduating with a Degree in Chemistry on May 10. I could have a good down payment and just write a check for $12K for a total down payment of $20K. Or I could give it to him, lose the 8K and the reduction in the Sales Tax. Then I would have to put down $20K in cash plus pay an extra $600 in sales tax.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
I did drive the Subaru today about 30 miles on the expressway. Noisier inside than I noticed in my earlier drives, but no worse than any other car. Easy to use touch screen, but I have to get used to the tiny steering wheel controls. I still want to take a good long look at the Fusion Hybrid again.
http://blog.caranddriver.com/this-is-it-kia-reveals-first-image-of-snazzy-new-2016-optima-sedan/
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
Congrats on your new Fusion.
I didn't know that about using the remote to open/close the windows/sunroof. I'll have to try it.
Let me know how you configure the dash displays.
When it warms up a bit, crack the sunroof open at the back and lower the right rear window a bit to get a nice breeze without using the A/C.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Here is some additional info on the 2016 model.
More Tech And Safety Features
Chevy outfitted the Malibu with its latest and best technologies, including nine new safety features. Notably, there's a customizable Teen Driver feature that is standard on most trims. It mutes the audio when passengers aren't using seat belts and displays warnings when the car is going faster than pre-programmed speeds. It also generates a user report that displays the top speed, distance traveled and notes if any safety features were triggered during the drive. GM doesn't monitor or record the information, which can be deleted.
Other available safety features include a rear view camera, front pedestrian alert, lane keeping assist, active cruise control with automatic braking and Intellibeam automatic high-beam headlights. The car has 10 airbags as standard equipment. The Malibu will be sold in L, LS and LT trims. A new level, Premier, replaces LTZ as Chevy's new top trim. The Malibu goes on sale late this year, and the hybrid joins in spring 2016.
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
back up camera and BLIS will be mandatory.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.