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+1
Other than America's tire's website that includes user reviews?
I know a lot of owners who have $0 in non-scheduled maintenance the three or four years up to 50,000 miles. To me it is a big so-what. With any warranty there shouldn't be any dollars associated with non-scheduled maintenance. What is more interesting are the number of warranty repair visits a car requires. (That would be the same number as needing a warranty repair and not bringing the car in for whatever reason) Also interesting is the projected amount spent on dealer scheduled maintenance.
2003 Mazda6s
Scheduled services: 5
Unscheduled services: 0
Repair cost: $0
Total maintenance cost: $443
2002 Camry SE V6:
Scheduled services: 5
Unscheduled services: 0
Repair cost: $0
Total maintenance cost: $750
2006 Sonata LX:
Scheduled services: 5
Unscheduled services: 0
Repair cost: $0
Total maintenance cost: $608
So the Sonata compares very well to two of Japan's best mid-sized cars over 40k miles in terms of number of warranty visits and scheduled maintenance costs (note also the Sonata's costs are in 2006-2007 dollars).
Bottom line, all cars except my Nissans faired well, which is why I stay away from Nissan today.
I don't technically own either car, I basically make financial decisions for our business. He is the one who is still excited about the car he has driven since February.
We do generally keep our cars for ten years, so the depreciation difference, if any, is minimal. "My" last generation Sonata has been great since "we" bought it in 4/05 and I look forward to many more years of reliable service from it, backed by the 5/60, 10/100 warranty.
Both are 6 cyl; as backy said, all '07 Sonata SE's are 6 cyl.
The only sure thing is that you paid $25K (not sure if that was OTD or just for the car before dealer fees + TTL). Our OTD for the '07 Sonata SE was $18,189 (with sales tax @ 6%)-- or at least $7K less than you paid for your Honda Accord SE.
Does your Honda have ABS, ESC, Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution and front & rear head air bags? I'm sure there are other differences in equipment. Remember, we are talking about '07, or earlier, cars. Early this year, I did not care about what Honda may offer for '08.
Yeah, and we all know how often 110 MPH just isn't enough!
My '03 Accord LX V6 had ABS, Traction Control (TCS), Electronic Brake Distribution, and front curtain air bags. It also had 240HP with 30 highway miles per gallon, something the Sonata has struggled to duplicate either.
My 03 EX V6 Accord has side and side curtain airbags, traction control, and a 5 star crash rating (something the 03 Sonata did not have).
It took 4 years for Hyundai to catch up, and with the 08 model the Sonata will be left in the dust again. You can fool yourself into believing the Sonata is in the same league as the Accord, but like many other midsize cars, it's a generation behind.
I thought the EX-V6 was the top Accord...the SE Sonata is the mid-level Sonata.
Loren
I did like the Accord better overall in the interior design and having a slightly firmer suspension (I happen to prefer this) while having a lot less body lean in corners. But it'd be hard for me to pay 4 or 5k more for the accord when the Sonata would be perfectly acceptable especially when considering Consumer Reports and JD Powers rate most of these midsize cars almost identically (on a percentage basis) for reliability over a five year period.
Once again, the Accord lovers in this forum want to make a mountain out of a mole hill and say that the Accord is in a "different league" or that we "fool ourselves" into thinking another car is comparable when really the differences are not that significant. Just a snobbish attitude if you ask me...they are both good cars and are worthy of consideration in this category.
I fully understand how the Sonata can work as a cost saving car, if bought and held for a decade. From an economics point of view, in this case scenario, fine - good enough choice. And if you love or really like some element of Sonata or Hyundai over the rest, then fine too, to each his own, and it is right for you. Ultimately what is right for the person opening up the wallet, is the correct car for that individual.
Everyone has different priorities.
Loren
For comparison:
Chrysler Sebring Touring
117 MPH (173hp, 4-sp Auto)
Honda Accord SE
130 MPH (166 hp, 5-sp Auto)
Kia Optima EX
125 MPH** (161 hp, 5-sp Auto)
Saturn Aura XE
106 MPH (224 hp, 4-sp Auto)
Toyota Camry LE
126 MPH (158 hp, 5-sp Auto)
**All cars are governed to their speeds electronically except for the Kia Optima, which is incapable of going faster (drag limited).
As for speed, was it 2007 model of the Sonata which did not have any speed limiter? I think they do now for 2008. I don't have any desire to go up to 130 MPH, and if I did, I am thinking Mercedes tank, or maybe a larger BMW??? A wreck at speeds over 100 can not be a good thing.
Loren
It is very much possible.
EPA 08 ratings:
2007 Sonata V6: 18/27
2007 Accord V6: 18/26
Call it a tie and move on.
Funny how a lot of people wouldn't necessarily agree with you. Let me say this, the Accord is great, but to say the Sonata (and many other midsize sedans) are a generation behind, that's about an igorant view as you can get. I'd love to hear the reasoning and details why the Sonata (and most other midsize sedans) are one generation behind the Accord.
Tires, tires, tires.
I had an uncle shop for an elantra a few years ago and the dealer would deal at all. That turned him off real quick.
Sorry, out of town for the weekend. As far as the comparison with the Accord, I said it needed better tires. Then I did an example of how tires and brakes are related, based on my experience with a Ford Contour.
I concur that the brakes on other cars can be stronger, although the Accord brakes seem like they are a bit "touchy."
I don't like to skimp on tires, but I have found a number of anomalies where you don't always get what you pay for. I have been very happy with the Kumhos on the old Accord (more so than the Bridgestones on the new one). I agree with the idea of bumping inflation pressure a lil bit to get some handling out though.
It seems like the thread was about crummy tires as opposed to cheap ones. Whats worse is the Accord has a weird 16" size making it difficult to find upgraded tires.
Our 2007 SEL AWD Fusion is definitely not "a generation behind" any Accord, even the 2008 when it debuts. The Accord is, no doubt, a fine mid-size automobile but its relationship to the rest of the field is more a matter of splitting hairs.
For example, our Fusion has all-wheel drive, something not even offered on an Accord at any price.
Although his wife initially loved the car, she realized some time later that she wanted something a bit larger for carrying all of her friends to luncheons, etc. During its tenure in their family, she had absolutely no problems with it, it was in perfect "as new" condition, and it had only 9,400 miles on the odometer. To make a long story short, he just sold it (privately) for her through a listing in the local newspaper's classifieds - the selling price: $12,500. A year and a half of ownership for $1,000 - not bad in my opinion. Of course, it helped that the buyer was looking for a pristine 2006, and not the current generation.
Ok, I'll give it to you the way I see it (you may see things differently). Many other midsize cars were introduced at least 3 years after the Accord. Yet the Accord wins MOST comparison tests (CR, C&D, among others) competing against these recently redesigned cars. The current Accord has been around since 03. The Sonata 06, Fusion 06, Camry 07, Altima 07, Aura 07. The Altima is the only car that is close, and it took Nissan 4 years to do it. And who's to say the next generation of these other cars will be able to best the current Accord. Well, that's my opinion (of course opinions are like mileage, and will vary widely). You can call it ignorant if you like, but that's my reasoning.:P
First, I wish my Accord had the hatchback from the Mazda6.
Second, the 6-speed manual from the Altima (my 4-cylinder Accord is but a 5-speed manual).
Third, an auxiliary hookup for the stereo (iPod, etc.) I think several competitors have this.
I bought my Pilot for $29k and the msrp on it was $35,600. That is $3500 below invoice. Honda gives dealers cash to move vehicles even though incentives aren't advertised. Hyundai's aren't the only vehicles sold at invoice or below.
For comparison:
Chrysler Sebring Touring
117 MPH (173hp, 4-sp Auto)
Honda Accord SE
130 MPH (166 hp, 5-sp Auto)
Kia Optima EX
125 MPH** (161 hp, 5-sp Auto)
Saturn Aura XE
106 MPH (224 hp, 4-sp Auto)
Toyota Camry LE
126 MPH (158 hp, 5-sp Auto)
**All cars are governed to their speeds electronically except for the Kia Optima, which is incapable of going faster (drag limited).
BMW 335i
150 MPH (300 hp, 6 speed man.) Electronically Limited....
noisier at top speed than a Sonata....darn it.
Wonder what the Korean word is for oh sh** :surprise:
Loren
I believe the proper translation is "Daewoo."
Sonata
I am afraid, however, that they will increase prices significantly with the new model as it is supposed to be larger, more powerful, etc. I hope they don't price themselves out of the market as they have been known to do lately. Witness the huge rebates/discounts and/or slower than expected sales on Mazdaspeed6 and RX-8. IMHO, both of those cars were priced too high to begin with.
Currently, Mazda6 V6s are moving in the low 20's right? This is a couple grand less than Japanese competitors. When the new model comes out, are you going to be able to find a Mazda6 V6 in the low 20's? If they price themselves the same as Accord and Altima, IMO they will continue to have sales troubles.
If you think that 3 mph top speed difference is the only performance variant between a 335i and a Sonata, then you have never driven nor would likely appreciate the difference. As kdshipiro said, you aren't the target demographic. Some things are worth the extra cost, imho.
Back on track with the topic, I think the Sonata is a fairly good car, just boring. The car I would most likely pick out of this group would be the Subaru Legacy Spec-B.
I'll be the first from the "Honda crowd" to say that I like it.
However, from this angle, I see some similarities to the current generation Accord, notably the shape of the hood and the "haunches" over the front wheels, plus the rough shape of the headlights and the grille.
Look at this picture of a current generation Accord (with a Mugen lower bumper and some JDM details)
Absolutely. I just wanted to point out the styling cues I picked up from that shot. When we get to see additional pictures I'm sure it will have its own unique look. It will certainly be more aggressive, likely handling sharper and riding tigher than the current Accord.