Even a CamCord or Fusion can be pushed into delivering a racing heartbeat.
Heh...if I want a racing heartbeat, all I have to do is ride shotgun with my missus. :P
All seriousness aside, I like to run up the tach once in a while or challenge some twisty roads. My Sonata is reasonably competent at both. I especially like the 50-80mph performance. It has a 3rd gear that just won't quit.
I will have my 3 Series someday, when the kids are gone. I appreciate cars like that
You mean you can appreciate a $36000, 215hp 325 with minimal amenities (compared to TL, G35, IS350), expensive maintenance, and a tight cabin? Dang, your Sonata club probably wouldn't endorse that move.
Now if you're talking about an M3 for $60,000 - OK then.
An M3. Sure. The 325 already accelerates faster than most cars and reaches speeds far beyond legal limits. Why pay almost twice as much for more power, more speed? I'm not taking the thing on a racetrack. And the 325 has enough amenities for me. Keep in mind I drive an Elantra now.
I won't need an expansive cabin once it is just the wife and I at home. As for expensive maintenance... I sure hope so! I want to live the complete BMW ownership experience after driving these boring, reliable Hyundais for many years.
Anyway, I probably won't be paying $36k for a BMW. I'll probably get a 2005 or maybe a 2006 325Ci. In 2013. I'll look at the 2007 G35 too, it looks like a good update.
"All seriousness aside, I like to run up the tach once in a while or challenge some twisty roads. My Sonata is reasonably competent at both."
Take a Mazda6 and do both and we'll talk again. The Sonata can do it, the MAzda makes it look easy. And in there lies the difference between one being aimmed at your modern everyday driver and one being aimed at a performance/fun to drive niche.
"joe97, ask your friend what he feels about resale value since he bought his Sonata basically when they came out since you said he is coming up on a year of ownership shortly and he is only looking to keep the car five years. "
Small correction - my friend who purchased the Sonata is actually a girl
Anyway, she knows the resale value for Hyundai are not as good as the ranks of comparable models such as Honda or Toyota. However, because the upfront savings realized, she took the difference between what she would have paid into investment, and based on what I know, she's getting a great return. I figure, the money she saved + investment gains > lesser resale value, if she decides to sell the car past five years (but I am not sure if she would). Plus, she got an amazing deal since she knows the manager of the local dealer very well
Optima production will not be affected, the same goes for production of all others.
As for the new plant in Georgia, construction will be delayed but no confirmation as to Optima would be built there (although likely). At this time, Optima will continue to be imported from S. Korea at its normal pace.
I like attributes like sharp handling, great stopping power, great styling, etc. But they are not tops on my list (secure handling and stopping power are pretty high, for safety, and the Sonata does very well there, btw).
Now for me, the things you mentioned as not tops on your list are tops on my list. I need something more than just a regular drive from A to B. I need to be able to enjoy the experience. I need to be able to drive the car. For anyone who says that the Mazda6 is a glorified normal sedan, but thinks the BMW 3 Series is a performance sedan, I'd say take a look at the numbers. The slalom, the 0-60, the breaking, the interior space, the suspension set up, and get back to me. It is a delight, every single morning when I am rushing to work.
sharp handling - Mazda6 great stopping power - Mazda6 great styling - Mazda6 performance - Mazda6 Room - Anything else Interior quality - Many others
I'll say it one more time: I drove the Mazda. I admit it handled a tad better than the Sonata in hard maneuvers. However, the Sonata's engine is smoother and had a more pleasant exhaust note under hard acceleration. The Mazda's suspension was obviously tuned for sporty handling, which is a nice way to say it rode rough. My wife drives 20 miles to work every morning, and she doesn't need the bumpy ride and cabin noise of the Mazda6. Our goal was to buy a safe, quiet, comfortable, reliable car at an affordable price. If our goal was to autocross, I would have bought a Subi or EVO.
No doubt the Mazda6 handles better than a Sonata. But a 3 Series? That I find hard to believe. Styling? Sorry, the 3 Series, especially the 2-door, wins there in my book. I like the styling of both the Mazda6 and Sonata, with the Mazda having more the "boy racer" lines and the Sonata being quietly classy in the Audi way. Performance? I know the Sonata V6 beats the Mazda6s there. The Mazdaspeed6 will beat the Sonata, but at what cost? Anyway, handling is more important to me than power--hard to use all that power legally anyplace I drive. As for interior, I will take the 3 Series any day over either the Mazda6 or Sonata. I like the dash of the 6 better than that of the Sonata, but I like the rest of the Sonata's interior better than the Mazda's.
"Performance? I know the Sonata V6 beats the Mazda6s there."
here, yet again there is a difference in opinion. Performance and acceleration are two seperate but connected things. In acceleration the Sonata is better, but no one would say it is a better performer. When you talk performance, you talk slalom, steering feel, braking, acceleration, handling, etc. And the Mazda is a definitely better performer in those criteria.
The bottom of the post you replied to was comparing the Mazda6 and the Sonata, but not the 3 Series. I understand that would have been hard to decipher since I didn't write it before listing the comparison. Both you and I would drive a 3-Series over the Mazda or the Sonata as well as out impressions on the interior of the two.
PS. I have not driven at the legal limit since before September 25, 2004 when I brought the Mazda home from Boston at 90mph.
"I drove the Mazda. I admit it handled a tad better than the Sonata in hard maneuvers."
A tad better bobad? Are you serious? You also said
"The Mazda's suspension was obviously tuned for sporty handling, which is a nice way to say it rode rough."
Every BMW is faulted for the same exact thing. The ride is not as soft as other vehicles. It is a trade off. Now we all know the Sonata's ride is very soft. So how is it that the Sonata's ride is set on soft while the 6 is on sporty, and the 6's suspension is better suited for the curves, and the 6s steering is set so extremely accurate, but it is only a "tad" better in handling manuevers?
Also how come in every comparison, the Fusion is sighted as the best handler in the group. The Fusion is based off the 6 but handles and drives even softer than the 6. Now if in every comparison, no matter what magazine the Fusion is sighted for handling better than the Sonata by a significant margin. Wouldn't the 6 have to be even better than the Fusion and thus far better in handling than the Sonata.
I think of acceleration to be a subset of performance, not separate. The Mazda6 is better in handling, which I've already noted. Steering feel of both cars is just fine--I didn't notice any big difference there. In braking, the Sonata bested its competition (Accord, Camry, Fusion) in recent comparos. Unfortunately the Mazda6 wasn't included in those so we don't have a direct comparison. Other numbers, not from direct competition, show the two cars are comparable in braking and in acceleration.
It comes down to what you are looking for in a car. For someone like you who likes to drive around at super-legal speeds at all times and therefore needs sharp handling and braking, the Mazda6 is a good fit. For someone who wants a lot of interior room with strong performance, but canyon-carving isn't a priority, the Sonata is a good fit.
I bought an Accord LX SE this week after also looking at the Camry, Mazda6, Sonata and Fusion. The Accord ended up winning out because for us it offered the best combination of style, overall performance, and most importantly, expected reliability for our money. We have every intention of this being a 10 year car for us--hoping we can get as many as 150K miles out of it--so decided to go with what we thought offered the best chance of hitting that mark with the least amount of trouble and lowest TCO. Nobody can see the future, but I feel like we played the odds.
In terms of style, I technically liked the interior more on the new Camry, particularly the attractive translucent dials on the center console. But the Toyota dealers wouldn't budge on price, with the Accord coming in significantly lower. It just fell out of my budget. I really like the Mazda6 styling, but not more than the Accord's. I liked the Fusion styling in general, but loathe that same stereo brick that they put in every vehicle. I know I can replace it, but that's not really the point. Their choice to stick that tired unit in a vehicle that they are marketing at least partly on style says volumes to me about the company. Style is a completely subjective thing, and I don't begrudge anyone their choices. With that said, the Sonata did exactly nothing for me in interior styling. I tested the Sonata a few hours after the Honda, and I felt like it was night and day. Where the Accord felt very well put together, clean, stylish and contemporary, with all the interior styling kinks worked out through lots of experience and trial and error, the Sonata was nice but very much felt like a car that hasn't been able to benefit from that same experience. And for me, that ended up counting for a lot. It was worth paying more.
In terms of performance, the Mazda6 may have been the most fun to drive, but I also liked the Accord and Camry. Sonata not so much. Might have been the particular car I drove--4 cyl. GLS--but the steering was very loose, and there was a hesitation in the accelerator that I didn't feel in the other cars. Again, might have been that car. Fusion was nice, but felt heavy. Plus it had poor rear visibility and blind spots.
Finally, proven, long-term reliability was the big deciding factor, and that leaned toward Camry or Accord. Again, Camry didn't meet our price point, so that left Accord. Fusion is a Ford, and I couldn't buy the first edition of a new Ford model. Too many question marks. Same for the Sonata. As much as I liked the warranty, the bumper to bumper only lasts 5 years, and the years I'm worried about are years 6-10, when the car crosses 100K miles.
So, it all led us to Accord. We're excited. I appreciate all the comments people have posted here that helped me do the research to make the purchase. This forum has been a big help.
"Also how come in every comparison, the Fusion is sighted as the best handler in the group. The Fusion is based off the 6 but handles and drives even softer than the 6. Now if in every comparison, no matter what magazine the Fusion is sighted for handling better than the Sonata by a significant margin. Wouldn't the 6 have to be even better than the Fusion and thus far better in handling than the Sonata. "
When Ford modified the Mazda6 platform, if I recall correctly, they improved the body stiffness. This can allow them to tune the suspension a bit softer without giving up handling characteristics. Thus it is conceivable that Fusion could handled even better than Mazda6 without punishing you on rough roads.
Get the best of both worlds, good handling without a punishing ride with Fusion/Milan. Also a V-6 Fusion can be had for about $1K-$2K less than the lowest price V-6 CamCords as well, maybe not matching Sonata in price, but not out of line either.
If you think the '06 Sonata(which was released overseas a couple years ago) copied the Accord rear, take a look at the '07 Camry and see if it doesn't appear to be a copy of the Sonata. OK, the Camry flipped the red & white on the tail lights, but look at the overall appearance. Especially look at the lines where the rear quarer panel join the bumper cover.
Here is what the Senior road test editor had to say about the Mazda6. And UNLIKE Hyundai faithful, I fully agree to its faults in interior, ride, space, etc. I will agree to it and tell you again that for those who hold performance and fun to drive high on their list, the Sonata does not compare to the 6. Instead of people writing how isolated they feel in the car and how nice and soft the ride is, and how they took a good nap at the wheel. You have reviewers and owners of the car writing things like this:
Second Opinions:
Senior Road Test Editor Ed Hellwig says: Hard to believe that Mazda managed to make a family sedan so fun to drive. Whether you're just darting around town or out on the open road, the 6 is always ready to play. Granted, the manual transmission on our test car gave it an unfair advantage against its competition, but there was more to it than just being able to row through the gears. The suspension transmits liveliness through the wheel that no other car in the class can match. It's only slightly lighter than the other cars but it feels as though it weighs several hundred pounds less. If you like to play when you get the chance, this is the only family sedan that will satisfy your urges.
Apart from the ride and handling, the 6 is only average compared to the competition. The interior materials aren't top-notch, the controls could use some straightening out and even the Bose stereo is far from impressive. I've done long stints behind the wheel and never found it uncomfortable, but I wasn't sitting in the backseat, either. None of those gripes would be enough to deter me from buying the car, but if you're looking for something that's upscale and middle-of-the-road, the Mazda isn't it. For those who are looking for a family sedan that's anything but middle-of-the-road, the Mazda 6 is an alternative trip worth taking.
If you can give up some of the room and kid-friendly features available in other sedans, the Mazda 6 could be the sedan that speaks to you, too.
I think that is pretty much what I concluded a few posts ago, in different words.
Keep in mind that when I talk about the Sonata, Accord, Camry, Mazda6 etc. it is as a potential buyer who is trying to sort out the pros and cons of the cars. That is different than someone who already owns one of these cars, who doesn't seem to like it when someone speaks glowingly of a different car, and takes every opportunity to talk up how great his car is--and how bad all the other choices are.
There are so many good cars out there, you almost can't go wrong. But Accords are so tight and sweet(not that kind guttermind) they're so satisfying. The aircraft feel controls and the Indy car handling.
When they're redesigned in a year and a half - watch out!
driverdm, yeah, I know it's tempting fate to say something like that around here, but I figured I'd take the risk. I definitely hope nobody took offense. Look, I didn't dislike the Sonata, I just didn't like it as much. After testing the Accord, I just couldn't picture myself going back to the Hyundai--it would have been kind of a letdown. And given the amount of time I'm going to spend in the car for years to come, I certainly didn't want to buy a car that would leave me feeling that way. The first time anything went wrong on the Sonata, I would have started second-guessing myself. It was worth $30 more per month for the peace of mind. But then that's why there are cars at different price points, right? Different strokes.
$30 per month? If a comparably equipped Accord were only $30 per month more than a Sonata, I would have got the Accord. It was closer to $120 more per month.
One more time - we are talking about the cars themselves. We are not talking about other posters, so please stop that. We are not talking about the manufacturers, so please stop that also. The political comments and the snide remarks about other members have got to stop.
Let me just remind everyone - an off-topic or inappropriate post should not be answered. Whatever is in an inappropriate post does not make it okay for you to also post inappropriately. Don't respond to the post - email me, and I'll get to it as soon as I see your email. Or else just ignore it.
I would really appreciate your cooperation with this.
Well, I couldn't pass it up. Ford sent me a letter for 0% financing on any Ford vehicle for 60months. This pushed me back to Ford and into a Fusion SEL V6 with every option available in silver clearcoat. I really had no reason to leave Ford, all mine have been fine. I purchased from a "Mega" dealer that had both Honda and Toyota. The Ford salesperson was so confident in this Ford product he offered to take me over to both the Honda and Toyota dealerships and park the vehicle side by side and to a complete comparison. The interior of the Fusion is not as bad as some let on. Granted, I admit, some of the plastics could be better. But the $2-3K price difference better? I don't think so. Fit/finish build quality were all right on par with each other. Hood, door panels, fenders, trunk, Interior parts, lights all fit nicely across the board in all 3 sedans. It just reaffirmed to me, its all perception. With the 0% financing my payment is only about $230 a month. This car is loaded with all options. Anyone in the market for a sedan.. The Fusion/Milan deserve at least a test drive and a serious look... See ya on the road..
I wonder why that's true? Do you think it could be because the Accord's and Camry's have been extremely popular for 20 years? I think when the 06 Sonata is 10 years old, you will be seeing a lot of them on the road too. Still not as many as A&C of course, because there aren't nearly as many of them.
I wasn't comparing 6-cyl. models, so maybe the difference is much wider when you compare those. I was comparing the 4-cyl. GLS to the 4-cyl Accord LX Special Edition. That number is based on the figures I was getting from my local dealers. Let me assure you that if the guy had offered me a $170 per month car payment for a Sonata for 60 months, we would have left with a Sonata. The Hyundai guy quoted me a number of $17600 for a 4-cyl. GLS, which almost exactly matches up with Edmund's TMV on that car and is what I thought I'd have to pay when I stepped on the lot. I'm sure everyone has gotten them cheaper, but that's what he told me. I told him he had to go lower--he said he couldn't do that. We talked about what I had read on Edmund's in terms of what others were paying (because he began a conversation talking about Edmund's pricing) and he said no, and began the song and dance about "my gosh I'm not making any money on this deal". I told him his offer wasn't acceptable, and he threw up his hands. I told him we'd think it over, but that we had great offer on a great Accord and were going to go look at the Accord again, and he didn't lift a finger to stop us. On top of that, he wouldn't even match the offer of 5.9% financing for 60 months that I had from Honda.
So, again, I'm not saying I didn't like the Sonata, but double-checking my numbers, that isn't even $30 per month less than my Accord payment--more like $23. I got the Accord for $750 below invoice, and had a really good experience throughout. If the Hyundai dealer thought I was just bluffing, I'm not sure what else I had to do to make it clear to him that I wasn't. Short of calling him from the Honda dealership and putting the Honda salesman on the phone, I felt like I gave him a fair chance to come back with something stronger.
I fully acknowledge it very possibly was just what I encountered on one day, so maybe I ended up in the worse car and got suckered by Honda. But I doubt it. When I compared them, the Accord offer felt better, and I'm pretty comfortable with it.
$4000 more for an Accord adds $78/mo to a payment (60 months 6.5%). But the Accord will be worth $4000 more in 5 years. You can bank on that.
It was closer to $6000 more for a similarly equipped Accord. That was my local dealers and rates of course. YMMV.
As for resale value, I'll take my 6K up front instead of gambling on 4K down the road. I keep my cars 10 years, and take good care of them. I have no problems getting top dollar for them.
The Sonata's exterior is better in every way (front, rear, profile) than the Accord's
Ok - I'll enter this foray. Even Honda's aging Accord design is sleeker and more distinctive than the Sonata. Hyundai design isn't gonna win over many buyers looking for an eyecatching vehicle. You get plain ole Jane.
Well, I think you got a good deal and made a good decision. If the price of your Honda was even close to the Sonata, don't even look back! There's not much to dislike in any of the current crop of mid-sized sedans. I wish I could own 1 of each.
Thanks bobad. I agree. And I hope Hyundai keeps up the good work. It's good for us consumers to have another great choice, and if Hyundai wasn't out there, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have gotten an Accord below invoice.
The Sonata's exterior is better in every way (front, rear, profile) than the Accord's
Ok - I'll enter this foray. Even Honda's aging Accord design is sleeker and more distinctive than the Sonata. Hyundai design isn't gonna win over many buyers looking for an eyecatching vehicle. You get plain ole Jane.
To go a step futher, i seriously doubt anyone in the midsize market is looking for a distinctive vehicle, and if you think the accord is distinctive... LOL, the camcords are the plain janes of the midsize market and always will be. The sonata's styling does not offend and will lure buyers in search of a affordable, safe, and value packed sedan. I dont think hyundai had any other mission for the sonata. And it seems to be working just fine.
LOL i used to own a 03 accord coupe. i bought it because it was a honda, but i just couldn't stand the looks of the front end. i traded 10 months later. maybe it is just me, but it is really ugly to me. i had no problem with everything else, but the front end really bothered me. they should've refreshed the front, not the rear. i would rather have the rear before the refresh.
anyway, i didn't care about the looks when i bought it because my 325i was literally dying and i desperatedly needed a reliable car.
i think the new accord will be a looker because i'm liking their new design direction.
come talk to me when accord can do this. 'boring' hyundai could look like this. and yes, i care about the aftermarket stuff. didn't accord/civic buyers used to be the leading buyers of after market products? i wonder what happened to them. i miss older accords.
This is a pretty good demonstration of beauty being in the eye of the beholder, and that's why they sell different cars with different looks. To each his own, right?
That loyalty letter is very similar to Hyundai's loyalty rebate (without a letter).
It's a very competitive market for the mid-size. All these cars have something for everyone.
Just saw a Lacrosse up close today in a parking lot. Beautiful car. Although the rear seat leg room does seem kinda short. Body integrity was very good and interior was attractive.
Exterior dimensions seemed a little large for a mid-size car...it is mid-size isn't it?
i think the new accord will be a looker because i'm liking their new design direction.
Is that a spy shot of the 07 Accord? It's a beauty! I admit it looks better than my Sonata, but my Sonata is not "boring". I get many compliments on it from strangers.
subtle tweaks make sonata an instant head turner. it looks shockingly good. hyundai should offer these simple bodykits as a sports package option. young college kids would be all over this. also, hyundai should bring the black interior.
I bought a 92Honda Accord EX auto sedan in 1991. I had that car for 12 years. As the years went by the car never seemed to get old. Everything still worked like it did when it was new, and nothing broke or came apart. The more I drove the car, the more I liked it. All the cars I had before and after (chevys, fords, nissans, toyotas) started feeling "old" after about five years. The Toyota did hold up the best out of those cars. There is a certain "solid" feel to a Honda that I didn't get from those other cars. I could not bring myself to sell it until after I bought my new Accord EXV6. I put a for sale sign on my old Accord, and within 2 hours it was sold, for $500 dollars over the kbb value. I realized after, that I could have sold the car for more than I got. I still miss that car, we were like best friends. It never let me down. I expect the same from the new Accord. I'm hooked on Honda. You would be too.
Comments
Heh...if I want a racing heartbeat, all I have to do is ride shotgun with my missus. :P
All seriousness aside, I like to run up the tach once in a while or challenge some twisty roads. My Sonata is reasonably competent at both. I especially like the 50-80mph performance. It has a 3rd gear that just won't quit.
You mean you can appreciate a $36000, 215hp 325 with minimal amenities (compared to TL, G35, IS350), expensive maintenance, and a tight cabin? Dang, your Sonata club probably wouldn't endorse that move.
Now if you're talking about an M3 for $60,000 - OK then.
I won't need an expansive cabin once it is just the wife and I at home. As for expensive maintenance... I sure hope so! I want to live the complete BMW ownership experience after driving these boring, reliable Hyundais for many years.
Anyway, I probably won't be paying $36k for a BMW. I'll probably get a 2005 or maybe a 2006 325Ci. In 2013. I'll look at the 2007 G35 too, it looks like a good update.
Too bad, the new Optima looks like a classy car with really a nice design that should do well in sales.
Take a Mazda6 and do both and we'll talk again. The Sonata can do it, the MAzda makes it look easy. And in there lies the difference between one being aimmed at your modern everyday driver and one being aimed at a performance/fun to drive niche.
-Zoom Zoom 4 Ever
No problem--you can buy one today at your local Kia dealer. Have you driven it? What are your impressions?
Small correction - my friend who purchased the Sonata is actually a girl
Anyway, she knows the resale value for Hyundai are not as good as the ranks of comparable models such as Honda or Toyota. However, because the upfront savings realized, she took the difference between what she would have paid into investment, and based on what I know, she's getting a great return. I figure, the money she saved + investment gains > lesser resale value, if she decides to sell the car past five years (but I am not sure if she would). Plus, she got an amazing deal since she knows the manager of the local dealer very well
As for the new plant in Georgia, construction will be delayed but no confirmation as to Optima would be built there (although likely). At this time, Optima will continue to be imported from S. Korea at its normal pace.
Now for me, the things you mentioned as not tops on your list are tops on my list. I need something more than just a regular drive from A to B. I need to be able to enjoy the experience. I need to be able to drive the car. For anyone who says that the Mazda6 is a glorified normal sedan, but thinks the BMW 3 Series is a performance sedan, I'd say take a look at the numbers. The slalom, the 0-60, the breaking, the interior space, the suspension set up, and get back to me. It is a delight, every single morning when I am rushing to work.
sharp handling - Mazda6
great stopping power - Mazda6
great styling - Mazda6
performance - Mazda6
Room - Anything else
Interior quality - Many others
Zoom Zoom 4 Life
I'll say it one more time: I drove the Mazda. I admit it handled a tad better than the Sonata in hard maneuvers. However, the Sonata's engine is smoother and had a more pleasant exhaust note under hard acceleration. The Mazda's suspension was obviously tuned for sporty handling, which is a nice way to say it rode rough. My wife drives 20 miles to work every morning, and she doesn't need the bumpy ride and cabin noise of the Mazda6. Our goal was to buy a safe, quiet, comfortable, reliable car at an affordable price. If our goal was to autocross, I would have bought a Subi or EVO.
here, yet again there is a difference in opinion. Performance and acceleration are two seperate but connected things. In acceleration the Sonata is better, but no one would say it is a better performer. When you talk performance, you talk slalom, steering feel, braking, acceleration, handling, etc. And the Mazda is a definitely better performer in those criteria.
The bottom of the post you replied to was comparing the Mazda6 and the Sonata, but not the 3 Series. I understand that would have been hard to decipher since I didn't write it before listing the comparison. Both you and I would drive a 3-Series over the Mazda or the Sonata as well as out impressions on the interior of the two.
PS. I have not driven at the legal limit since before September 25, 2004 when I brought the Mazda home from Boston at 90mph.
Zoom zoom 4 ever
A tad better bobad? Are you serious? You also said
"The Mazda's suspension was obviously tuned for sporty handling, which is a nice way to say it rode rough."
Every BMW is faulted for the same exact thing. The ride is not as soft as other vehicles. It is a trade off. Now we all know the Sonata's ride is very soft. So how is it that the Sonata's ride is set on soft while the 6 is on sporty, and the 6's suspension is better suited for the curves, and the 6s steering is set so extremely accurate, but it is only a "tad" better in handling manuevers?
Also how come in every comparison, the Fusion is sighted as the best handler in the group. The Fusion is based off the 6 but handles and drives even softer than the 6. Now if in every comparison, no matter what magazine the Fusion is sighted for handling better than the Sonata by a significant margin. Wouldn't the 6 have to be even better than the Fusion and thus far better in handling than the Sonata.
Zoom Zoom USA
There's a procedure for that now, isn't there? Can't they just copy the front end of the Accord to fix it? They copied the rear of it.
It comes down to what you are looking for in a car. For someone like you who likes to drive around at super-legal speeds at all times and therefore needs sharp handling and braking, the Mazda6 is a good fit. For someone who wants a lot of interior room with strong performance, but canyon-carving isn't a priority, the Sonata is a good fit.
In terms of style, I technically liked the interior more on the new Camry, particularly the attractive translucent dials on the center console. But the Toyota dealers wouldn't budge on price, with the Accord coming in significantly lower. It just fell out of my budget. I really like the Mazda6 styling, but not more than the Accord's. I liked the Fusion styling in general, but loathe that same stereo brick that they put in every vehicle. I know I can replace it, but that's not really the point. Their choice to stick that tired unit in a vehicle that they are marketing at least partly on style says volumes to me about the company. Style is a completely subjective thing, and I don't begrudge anyone their choices. With that said, the Sonata did exactly nothing for me in interior styling. I tested the Sonata a few hours after the Honda, and I felt like it was night and day. Where the Accord felt very well put together, clean, stylish and contemporary, with all the interior styling kinks worked out through lots of experience and trial and error, the Sonata was nice but very much felt like a car that hasn't been able to benefit from that same experience. And for me, that ended up counting for a lot. It was worth paying more.
In terms of performance, the Mazda6 may have been the most fun to drive, but I also liked the Accord and Camry. Sonata not so much. Might have been the particular car I drove--4 cyl. GLS--but the steering was very loose, and there was a hesitation in the accelerator that I didn't feel in the other cars. Again, might have been that car. Fusion was nice, but felt heavy. Plus it had poor rear visibility and blind spots.
Finally, proven, long-term reliability was the big deciding factor, and that leaned toward Camry or Accord. Again, Camry didn't meet our price point, so that left Accord. Fusion is a Ford, and I couldn't buy the first edition of a new Ford model. Too many question marks. Same for the Sonata. As much as I liked the warranty, the bumper to bumper only lasts 5 years, and the years I'm worried about are years 6-10, when the car crosses 100K miles.
So, it all led us to Accord. We're excited. I appreciate all the comments people have posted here that helped me do the research to make the purchase. This forum has been a big help.
When Ford modified the Mazda6 platform, if I recall correctly, they improved the body stiffness. This can allow them to tune the suspension a bit softer without giving up handling characteristics. Thus it is conceivable that Fusion could handled even better than Mazda6 without punishing you on rough roads.
Get the best of both worlds, good handling without a punishing ride with Fusion/Milan. Also a V-6 Fusion can be had for about $1K-$2K less than the lowest price V-6 CamCords as well, maybe not matching Sonata in price, but not out of line either.
Second Opinions:
Senior Road Test Editor Ed Hellwig says:
Hard to believe that Mazda managed to make a family sedan so fun to drive. Whether you're just darting around town or out on the open road, the 6 is always ready to play. Granted, the manual transmission on our test car gave it an unfair advantage against its competition, but there was more to it than just being able to row through the gears. The suspension transmits liveliness through the wheel that no other car in the class can match. It's only slightly lighter than the other cars but it feels as though it weighs several hundred pounds less. If you like to play when you get the chance, this is the only family sedan that will satisfy your urges.
Apart from the ride and handling, the 6 is only average compared to the competition. The interior materials aren't top-notch, the controls could use some straightening out and even the Bose stereo is far from impressive. I've done long stints behind the wheel and never found it uncomfortable, but I wasn't sitting in the backseat, either. None of those gripes would be enough to deter me from buying the car, but if you're looking for something that's upscale and middle-of-the-road, the Mazda isn't it. For those who are looking for a family sedan that's anything but middle-of-the-road, the Mazda 6 is an alternative trip worth taking.
I think that is pretty much what I concluded a few posts ago, in different words.
Keep in mind that when I talk about the Sonata, Accord, Camry, Mazda6 etc. it is as a potential buyer who is trying to sort out the pros and cons of the cars. That is different than someone who already owns one of these cars, who doesn't seem to like it when someone speaks glowingly of a different car, and takes every opportunity to talk up how great his car is--and how bad all the other choices are.
When they're redesigned in a year and a half - watch out!
One more time - we are talking about the cars themselves. We are not talking about other posters, so please stop that. We are not talking about the manufacturers, so please stop that also. The political comments and the snide remarks about other members have got to stop.
Let me just remind everyone - an off-topic or inappropriate post should not be answered. Whatever is in an inappropriate post does not make it okay for you to also post inappropriately. Don't respond to the post - email me, and I'll get to it as soon as I see your email. Or else just ignore it.
I would really appreciate your cooperation with this.
That's sad. How ironic that I'm still seeing a lot of 10+ years old Honda and Toyota with a much shorter warranty.
Another case of the Hyundai club not allowing anybody to say something derogatory about the Sonata. The counterattacks don't change another's opinion.
Yea I think the Sonata's front end is 10 years ago. Cause it is. But at giveaway pricing it becomes more attractive.
Huh?
$4000 more for an Accord adds $78/mo to a payment (60 months @ 6.5%). But the Accord will be worth $4000 more in 5 years. You can bank on that.
Hm. Didn't know that there was a universal survey that allows for the basis of this statement.
"The counterattacks don't change another's opinion."
Glad you recognize that. Apply it to yourself.
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We have an Accord, we DON'T have a Sonata. The Sonata's exterior is better in every way (front, rear, profile) than the Accord's.
So, again, I'm not saying I didn't like the Sonata, but double-checking my numbers, that isn't even $30 per month less than my Accord payment--more like $23. I got the Accord for $750 below invoice, and had a really good experience throughout. If the Hyundai dealer thought I was just bluffing, I'm not sure what else I had to do to make it clear to him that I wasn't. Short of calling him from the Honda dealership and putting the Honda salesman on the phone, I felt like I gave him a fair chance to come back with something stronger.
I fully acknowledge it very possibly was just what I encountered on one day, so maybe I ended up in the worse car and got suckered by Honda. But I doubt it. When I compared them, the Accord offer felt better, and I'm pretty comfortable with it.
It was closer to $6000 more for a similarly equipped Accord. That was my local dealers and rates of course. YMMV.
As for resale value, I'll take my 6K up front instead of gambling on 4K down the road. I keep my cars 10 years, and take good care of them. I have no problems getting top dollar for them.
Ok - I'll enter this foray. Even Honda's aging Accord design is sleeker and more distinctive than the Sonata. Hyundai design isn't gonna win over many buyers looking for an eyecatching vehicle. You get plain ole Jane.
Brother - just buying a Hyundai is a gamble! Good luck.
Ok - I'll enter this foray. Even Honda's aging Accord design is sleeker and more distinctive than the Sonata. Hyundai design isn't gonna win over many buyers looking for an eyecatching vehicle. You get plain ole Jane.
To go a step futher, i seriously doubt anyone in the midsize market is looking for a distinctive vehicle, and if you think the accord is distinctive... LOL, the camcords are the plain janes of the midsize market and always will be. The sonata's styling does not offend and will lure buyers in search of a affordable, safe, and value packed sedan. I dont think hyundai had any other mission for the sonata. And it seems to be working just fine.
anyway, i didn't care about the looks when i bought it because my 325i was literally dying and i desperatedly needed a reliable car.
come talk to me when accord can do this. 'boring' hyundai could look like this. and yes, i care about the aftermarket stuff. didn't accord/civic buyers used to be the leading buyers of after market products? i wonder what happened to them. i miss older accords.
It's a very competitive market for the mid-size. All these cars have something for everyone.
Just saw a Lacrosse up close today in a parking lot. Beautiful car. Although the rear seat leg room does seem kinda short. Body integrity was very good and interior was attractive.
Exterior dimensions seemed a little large for a mid-size car...it is mid-size isn't it?
Is that a spy shot of the 07 Accord? It's a beauty! I admit it looks better than my Sonata, but my Sonata is not "boring". I get many compliments on it from strangers.
check more pics at
http://media.cars.ign.com/media/765/765716/imgs_2.html