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Styling is very subjective.
All makers are essentially on the same level in saftey equipment and protection capabilities.
Engines and drivetrains are maxxed out for most in terms of power needs.
Fuel efficiency can always be improved.
Leather? Sunroof? Power Seats? Sales tools of the 90's.
But everybody is going to be trying to attract new tech-savvy buyers with upscale hightech environments.
Also the debut of this new set of features at CES is a brilliant stroke of marketing.
http://wardsauto.com/ar/hyundai_deal_microsoft/
That is the weakest argument I think I have ever seen (above) Can't you just say that Ford built a darn good car for the money? Lets say that you make the code something you can remember like the first 5 numbers of your phone number :surprise: then I have keyless entry and a sync system that is hands free calling, changing radio stations ect. Hell it will even call 911 if your airbags are deployed and it doesn't cost 1 penny per month service. The 390 watt Sony stereo with the sirius radio isn't bad either. I would say go test drive a 2010 Fusion and you will know what I'm talking about.
In case you haven't noticed, I've made many positive remarks about the Fusion over the years, and in fact recently noted I would own one now had I been able to find a good deal on a used one on Black Friday. But it was not to be.
And yes, I've driven several Fusions and Milans, and I like how they drive. I'm not a big fan of superpowered audio systems in cars, since I can blow my ears out with ordinary systems set at fairly low volume if I want to, but I know those appeal to many buyers.
The Venza which replaced the Solara is not a Camry Venza.
I know the Solara was always the Camry Solara. I didn't say it wasn't. BTW Solara is still marketed though the latest version is '08.
The Matrix is not marketed as the Corolla Matrix, at least not on Toyota's web site.
Re: Venza replacing Camry Solara. How could a 5-door wagon replace a 2-door convertible? :confuse:
Note this situation: I personally had it happen to me. I placed the keys in my jacket pocket, I thought.. actually they fell on the floor. I locked the car with the door lock, and went my way. When I realized what happened, within seconds, as I stood outside the locked car, not finding the keys in my pocket, and not seeing them on the floor or seat.. it was too late. Fortunately for me, my spouse with another vehicle was able to come to my rescue within about 15 minutes, as I went about my business. So it really wasn't a super inconvenience, but involved her (spouse) having to drop what she was doing and come to my rescue with her set of keys. I now try not to lock the car with the door locks, only using the fob. LESSON LEARNED.
Van
That's why you need the Intelligent key like the one in the Altima. You cannot lock the car from outside when the key is still inside the car or trunk.
You're simply wrong about the Corolla Matrix. I've been there since the start. What the website advertises means nothing. It's absolutely marketed as the Corolla Matrix, why do you think that they group the stats together every month? Hellooo???
You can set your own code. Your birthday, your phone number, your social security number, your zipcode, your street address...etc. Its 5 numbers you pick. If that is a big issue, its time to start doing those anti-aging brain teaser puzzles (or too late :P).
That is what VW forces you to do. The driver's door does not stay locked, if you just hit the button on it and close it, you have to use the fob.
To make the sales numbers of the Corolla sound better than they really are, vs. the likes of the Civic, no doubt. Since the Matrix is really a totally different car than the Corolla, except the basic platform, maybe Honda should start grouping the CR-V (based on the Civic platform) with the Civic for sales numbers. :P They might as well, since it looks like they are going to group the Accord and Crosstour--which again are totally different vehicles except for the basic platform.
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Overview-d589-Honda-CR-V.html
Vehicles such as the CR-V, Element and Acura CSX are all based on the Civic's platform.
http://www.wheels.ca/article/782689
And there's others with similar info. So lots of folks in the business have the idea that the CR-V is based on the Civic platform. :confuse: :surprise:
The RAV-4 however is a completely different platform than the Corolla, at least since Gen 3.
And once you use the Ford keypad you don't forget the code.
Another good feature is being able to leave your keys in the car while swimming or doing anything else where you don't want keys in your pocket.
Mainline, I did my Sports first oil change and was really impressed with what is under the car. The subframe completely surrounds the engine with 2" square tubing, the panels under the engine are not just a piece of plastic, but are lined with a sound deadening heat shield, with a cover with 3 bolts to access the oil filter so you can do a clean filter change. The subframe gives it a nice solid foundation for mounting the engine and trans, and along with the covers I can see why its so smooth and quiet. This whole setup is light years ahead of previous gens of cars and is better than the Camry in material quality and design. The Hybrid had cheap plastic panels underneath that caught oil when you changed out the filter, and the drain plug was in a steel pan, easy to strip out, the Sport 3.6 oil pan is aluminum with a rubber gasketed drain plug. (they sure can cram a lot of crap under the hood though)
You also get a plastic credit card shaped "cheat sheet" that shows the 5-digit code from the factory as well as a bar code (don't know what that's for exactly) and instructions on how to use the code. The easiest thing to do, for me anyway, is to change the code to something I will remember. I do this for both of our Ford vehicles and that way my wife and I can access either one with the same code. There's a simple way to revert back to the permanent factory code in the manual too.
Sure beats having to pay the mfr a monthly fee for something that happens very infrequently.
I used to have an early 90s Taurus that served as my railroad station car, & I loved this feature. Arriving at the station in the morning, I'd shut off the car & drop the keys into the center console storage bin, where they'd be out of sight. Then I'd use the key pad to lock the doors. No worries about getting off the train that night, only to realize that I had left the keys in my office.
Also, if my wife came home from the city on an earlier train, she could take the car.
Great feature. Would love to see more manufacturers offer it.
What would have made the Fusion even better is if they had embedded the keypad in the pillar like they did on the Taurus.
I have that on my Flex and be careful what you wish for. The older version with the rubber buttons is much easier to use. The new embedded version is a little harder to get used to and I'm finding that your touch has to be a lot more precise to make it work. I could enter the code on the old rubber version with my eyes closed but you definitely have to take your time and be looking at the embedded version at all times.
You also have to touch it to activate it and then enter the code which is an extra step. Cool to look at, but harder to use IMO.
I've seen where Mustang owners have hidden the aftermarket version behind the gas fill door or under their spoiler so it didn't clutter the door. Pretty good ideas!
I took a look at it the other day and it doesn't seem very functional. It appeared to have less room behind the wheel than the Accord sedan (both leg and head room) and the back area seemed rather small and further compromised by the sloping roofline. Plus it seems like they want another 2 grand for it over the sedan.
BTW re. the other discussion string, I saw the Crosstour while I was picking up my new Accord Coupe. I think it's a pretty sharp design, an exception to what you typically see from Honda.
It was not meant to be insulting! Why would you take it that way??? Usually "fans" of a specific brand are up to snuff a little quicker then the rest of us!
So, to be a little more polite, I guess, does anyone have any accurate info as to when we can expect the new Sonata? How's that??? :P
The answer is... any day now. They are in production in Alabama and should show up at dealers by Super Bowl time, maybe earlier depending on where you live.