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Midsize Sedans 2.0

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Comments

  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    If you weren't talking style, may be I missed you point around getting underbody kit, spoilers and 17" rims. What was it?

    What is that real-world selling price then for the Accord with the 17" alloys?

    What is the point of 17" alloys? I thought you didn't care for style. In your words: "Who said style was truly important? You did, not I" :)

    Accord LX-P probably can be had for about $20K (which would be close to its invoice), no less. But Accord LX-S (the base coupe) likely won't be available to even touch for a while much less haggle on it. But that speaks about demand and supply more than anything.

    If Mazda could find 50 year olds who want to feel young, I doubt you would be seeing $5K off MSRP (which I see you're).
  • aviboy97aviboy97 Member Posts: 3,159
    but it seems like the sales horse is dead and bloody

    You are not going to hear me disagree with that...
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    What is the point of 17" rims and tires? I thought you would know this, since you seem pretty knowledgeable on cars, but larger rims and narrower profile tires help improve handling. For example, someone (you?) noted when I mentioned a handling issue on the Accord LX with 16" wheels and tires, that it would probably not be an issue with the 17" wheels and tires. So they are not just for "style." But the 17" rims on the Mazda6 do look quite nice.

    Frankly, I could do w/o the underbody kit and rear spoiler on the Mazda6i VE, but they're there, so I'd take them.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    A BMW 328i handles better in stock form with its P205/55/R16 rims than any of the midsize cars being mentioned here. In fact, that also happens to be the stock tire size for Civic (LX/EX), and lower profile than Mazda6i Sport which wears P205/60/R16.

    Handling is largely a function of tires and chassis set up, and you can see this today between Acura TL and Acura TL Type-S. They both wear identically sized P235/45/R17 rubber. OTOH, Accord Coupe now gets P235/45/R18, but I will be surprised if it can out-handle TL-S.

    A down side to larger rims is added weight (assuming similar manufacturing process). In fact, going from P215/50/R17 (17x7) wheels in 2007 Accord to P225/50/R17 (17x7.5) wheels, about 30 lb of unsprung weight got added to 2008 Accord (some of that compromise may be to increase the profile a bit to improve ride quality with a little more rubber, about 0.2" worth).

    In fact, it might also explain relatively large weight difference between Accord LX-P and Accord EX, which is 119 lb. I would guess about half it is due to larger 17" alloys on the EX compared to 16" alloys on LX-P because it is hard for me to fathom more than 60 lb or so added from additional features.

    IMO, power and handling benefits show exponential improvement (or degradation). At some point, any additional "improvement" becomes meaningless. Unfortunately, that point doesn't garner much attention. People, and magazines are always thrilled to have/print bigger numbers. Whether they can put it to use, or not, is a whole another issue.

    Interestingly enough, when NSX first arrived, it had P205/50/R15 (front) and P225/50/R16 rims. Even as it departed, the rim size never grew past 17".
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Handling is largely a function of tires and chassis set up,...

    I agree. But I am not clear what your point is. Are you saying, for example, that if two cars have identical chassis, but one has 16" high-profile tires and one has 17" lower-profile tires, there won't be much if any difference in handling between the two cars? Therefore I can just buy an Accord LX and get the same handling I'd get in a $30,000 EX V6?
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    Therefore I can just buy an Accord LX and get the same handling I'd get in a $30,000 EX V6?

    The advantage of the lower profile tires would probably be offset by the added weight of the EX V6. Of course the EX V6 would probably have thicker sway bars, different struts, and some other changes that could also make a difference.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    Therefore I can just buy an Accord LX and get the same handling I'd get in a $30,000 EX V6?

    Tire/rim choices aside, being lighter and slightly better "weight balanced", Accord LX is actually better start for good handling. But there are differences in chassis tuning between LX and EXV6 (or EX or or EX-L or EXLV6). The higher trims use thicker rear stabilizer bars and have front shock tower bar that LX/LX-P don't. So, there are more more differences than just tire/rim choices. For that matter, Honda generally tunes Coupe more aggressively than Sedan.

    As my comparison between TL and TL Type-S proves, there isn't a need for larger rim to improve handling. Both TL and TL Type-S have identical tire/rim size. It is the rest of the chassis tuning that makes the difference.
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    As further explanation to curves and lines: I've read that much Japanese design was historically centered on up close detail. Maybe because the country was crowded and beauty was examined up close.

    Although the last German car I owned was a 71 Beetle, I think you could say that historically German cars were all about comprehensive styling, the overall layout. IMHO the best of the lot were the late nineties (or so) BMW's which were beautifully understated. I can't understand the new BMW complexity, Audi gaping grills, etc.

    Calling the new Accord Germanic is interesting. I don't see it, but then again, I didn't look closely at it with that in mind.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    OK, that's good to know. From now on, I'll put the smallest possible tires on my cars, knowing that larger tires won't improve handling. Thanks, you just saved me some money!
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    From now on, I'll put the smallest possible tires on my cars,

    There's a lot more to it than that. The overall diameter of the tire, the profile of the tire, the width of the tire (and wheel) all contribute to handling, and ride quality.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Are you sure? robertsmx seemed pretty confident that if you put a larger wheel and tire on a car, everything else being equal, handling isn't improved and in fact could suffer (heavier wheels etc.). So for example, I didn't lose anything getting a MPV LX with base 15" rubber rather than the upmarket 16" or 17" wheels/tires. Apparently.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    I think you already know the answer, ;) so I'm not going to explain it to you.
  • jeffyscottjeffyscott Member Posts: 3,855
    Frankly, I could do w/o the underbody kit and rear spoiler on the Mazda6i VE, but they're there, so I'd take them.

    I am an anti-wingite, also. Spoiler is not standard on the Sedan VE, only the hatch. My VE Sedan is wingless :) .

    I thought the same about the "underbody kit" (which is just side sill extensions). I initially thought I'd just as soon not have that, too. But after seeing the car without, I decided I much prefered the looks with it. Of course, even better would be to have the sheet metal shaped to eliminate the "need" for the add-on sill extensions.

    Just the better looks (due to alloys, side sills, smoked headlights,dark tail lights, and sport grill) of the VE made it well worth the $500 or so extra over the base version. Then getting the bonuses of 6 CD and power driver's seat made me wonder how they sold any base models at all...I suppose they were mostly sold as loss-leaders.

    And, yes, the 17 inch alloys look very nice...much better than the standard steel wheels with fake alloy-look wheel covers. 16 inch alloys would have been fine with me, though. I can even live with steel wheels, but just hate the fake alloy wheel covers...wheel covers should just cover the wheel, like these do:

    image
  • aviboy97aviboy97 Member Posts: 3,159
    if you put a larger wheel and tire on a car, everything else being equal, handling isn't improved and in fact could suffer (heavier wheels etc.).

    That is all relative to what tire and what kind of rim. It has been proven that a larger wheel and lower profile tire can improve handling, as long as the tire diameter does not change. With a lower profile tire, there is less yaw in lateral motion = better grip.
  • mickeyrommickeyrom Member Posts: 936
    Could someone explain to me (an old fart) why anyone needs "handling" for a car that will be driven on city streets and straight American highways?
  • jeffyscottjeffyscott Member Posts: 3,855
    Could someone explain to me (an old fart) why anyone needs "handling" for a car that will be driven on city streets and straight American highways?

    "Needs", perhaps not...one could maybe argue for some small marginal safety improvement due to greater ability to avoid crashes, all else being equal.

    I want good handling for everything from changing lanes to going around corners and curves, just because I find it more pleasnt to drive such cars. For the many people, who don't care about these things and would rather float down the highway in a vague handling car...well, I guess the Camry works for many of them. Many GM products also seem to be known for soft rides and vague steering.
  • lilengineerboylilengineerboy Member Posts: 4,116
    Could someone explain to me (an old fart) why anyone needs "handling" for a car that will be driven on city streets and straight American highways?

    The same reason someone needs 280hp in a family car. Also, not every city street is a straight line, nor is every American highway straight and flat. If you live in Kansas, I could see your point but in California (and even in the midwest) there are hills, valleys, mountains (well, not in the midwest so much) and curves.
    It is also easier to avoid a collision in a vehicle that can corner and provide feedback to the driver.
    If you are going to spend $20k on a car, can't it be fun too?
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    If we ignore the fun factor and go for "needs" I'll explain how I felt the need for it in two words:

    Accident Avoidance.

    A crisp handling car can maneuver away from trouble easier than a flabby-handling car can, maybe even avoiding causing a wreck yourself when you swerve/maneuver away from trouble.
  • aviboy97aviboy97 Member Posts: 3,159
    Could someone explain to me (an old fart) why anyone needs "handling" for a car that will be driven on city streets and straight American highways?

    Well, not all city streets and American highways are straight. I live in New England, and no highways are straight, and everyone drives quite fast. When I go into NYC, I get passed when I'm driving 80, and some very narrow highways. Accident avoidance is a big thing, too.

    I would say in my neck of the woods, I find it a necessity.
  • goodegggoodegg Member Posts: 905
    Could someone explain to me (an old fart) why anyone needs "handling" for a car that will be driven on city streets and straight American highways?

    Wants and needs are totally separate emotions.

    Not sure how much time you spend in your ride, but considering I spend more time in mine than my living room, I want the upper end of amenities in my car.

    You don't really need cushions on your couch, do you?
  • urnewsurnews Member Posts: 668
    Could someone explain to me (an old fart) why anyone needs "handling" for a car that will be driven on city streets and straight American highways?

    I'm with you. The "handling" aspect of a mid-size sedan is a greatly overstated positive aspect that has very little practical application in everyday driving.
  • captain2captain2 Member Posts: 3,971
    while it is generally true that more rubber on the road = better handling and braking it is almost too easy to screw things up by upsizing your tires/wheels - because the weight or inertial (diameter) increases can and will hurt braking (especially), ride (most of the time). Whenever I see one of those coke can exhaust 'rice rockets' on the road with those 18 or 20" wheels and some 30 or 35% tires, I can't help but think of all the damage that owner has actually done to his car (even to the point of making the car unsafe). The point being that if you want to improve the dynamic character of yor car, do it with better tires - not by monkeying around with your tire/wheel sizes too much.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Interesting that you bought one of the best handling cars in the class then, if you feel that way! A softer ride may suit you better!
  • zzzoom6zzzoom6 Member Posts: 425
    One aspect of handling that I think is taken for granted too often is good brakes. On more than one occasion I've had to slam on my brakes b/c of some unsafe driving by other drivers... I've read in several tests done by car mags that my Mazda6 has some of the best brakes in this class, and in some instances, if I had been driving a different midsize sedan, I'd probably have had to deal with insurance issues and possibly some injured passengers. I know seatbelts and airbags save a lot of lives, but I also believe that avoiding an accident is my best bet and good brakes (which I think is an important compenent of handling) are critical.
  • aviboy97aviboy97 Member Posts: 3,159
    but I also believe that avoiding an accident is my best bet and good brakes

    Brakes, suspension, and steering responsiveness all contribute to great accident avoidance. Mazda calls ABS, Able to Brake and Steer. The Mazda6 is one of the best at accident avoidance, and handling because of the total package of all three systems.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    In the end, you’re going to do what you want to, and that’s fine. But don’t go too far. Keep them big enough so you don't lose the ability to lap those Indy cars with tiny rims. In fact, go 24", Michael Schumacher will salute you, and you will be every Ferrari owners' envy. :D

    To me, just like everything else, there is a balance to be found, a sweet spot. Going overboard has never been my way. Give me 16" alloys on my family sedan, and I'm okay, as long as the chassis is tuned right. Besides, I don't mind being (at least) $150 richer every time I replace the tires.
  • urnewsurnews Member Posts: 668
    Interesting that you bought one of the best handling cars in the class then, if you feel that way! A softer ride may suit you better!

    The superior handling characteristics of our 2007 SEL AWD Ford Fusion were an added bonus, to be sure, but, yes, I would prefer a bit softer ride. The 17- by 7.5-inch alloy wheels and 225/50/17R Michelin tires are a bit much in my book.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    Handling is important, and so is power. But, there is a sweet spot that many manage to overlook in favor of the endless more. A good handling car is a good communicator. It will inform the driver of everything good, and bad. It will also respond to the driver’s inputs and keep unpleasant surprises away.

    Ten years ago when I was shopping for my first new car, Passat and Accord were the finalists. Both offered things most others didn’t, and that was good communication with good ride quality. The Passat did it slightly better than Accord, but I was wary of longevity with the VW and its turbo engine, premium fuel and fuel economy. So Accord was it. Power wasn't the top priority, as both cars were rated at 150 HP, which was actually the lowest of the bunch I test drove.

    I had test driven the two a few times, and during one of the drives in an Accord, the sales person took the car to an empty two-lane back road with curves. The speed limit was 30 mph. He warned me to hold tight, accelerated to 40-45 mph and at a point right after a curve, braked hard while steering the car to the inside lane. He asked me to take note of everything the car did. I was impressed, and more so, after he had me try the same.

    Of course, I didn’t buy my Accord from him since I didn’t want a unit that was abused like that. :P (but there was actually another reason to it, a competing dealer offered better price). At that point I thought it was a good thing to have something I might never use, a car that stopped flat while affording excellent steering ability and ABS worked impressively.

    A few months later, I ended up in a situation that required a maneuver like that, and this was on a freeway, going around 65 mph in traffic (going far enough in history, you may find my post on Edmunds on this incident). One of several cars in front had hit something in the middle lane that sent a Jeep off the highway (and I was surprised it didn’t flip over) and panic struck. I had little place to maneuver with cars all over. When we all stopped, there was a Volvo to my left, the (original culprit) Crown Victoria to the right in the middle lane and I was between them. Not even a scratch. The driver to my left and I looked at each other and smiled, and went about our business. I haven’t had to use it again, but that only increased respect for the car I was driving.

    Besides handling as it is understood in the traditional way, there is another important aspect of it that is not talked about as much. And that is in how chassis settles after going over bumps at high speeds (or even low). If you take an Accord over a bump at high speed, the chassis will only bounce once. It will settle immediately after. Another car will bounce and re-bounce, and sometimes the wheel angle will unsettle that there is some loss in control (and worse, many of these cars isolate the driver so much that they may not know what is happening). You can actually observe this while following different cars and how they respond. The less the rebound, the more control the driver has.

    Yet another example would be from my experience from a few years ago at a slow exit ramp. I prefer not to slow down too much when getting off freeway to allow the rest of the traffic to continue instead of having to brake behind me. Depending on the ramp, I will brake a bit or let the car roll to a reasonable speed thru it.

    My rental Avalon was doing its job until the entry at which point it started to understeer. To correct, I applied the trick that works in my Accord, brake slightly and steer inwards. The Accord’s rear suspension would rise to the occasion providing a gradual passive rear wheel steering to rotate the car and the steering provides enough feedback. But in the Avalon, the understeer changed to snap oversteer and I almost lost control. There was absolutely no feedback from the steering either (which was overboosted to begin with). The suspension wasn’t firm on the ground but doing cha-cha.

    The interesting thing about all this is that nobody would confuse an (American) Accord for a sport sedan. But, its chassis tuning does those little things very well. It will understeer, but it will get out of a situation like that even with throttle applied, rotating the car. And another area where it excels would be cross winds.

    Take a Camry and an Accord on an open stretch with plenty of cross winds, and you just might see how much difference chassis can make. Backy doesn’t like it, and has heard me say this a few times, but I have an unforgettable memory of being overtaken in a Sonata by a minivan while carving the canyons over a freeway in Oregon. This is another story that might still be around in Edmunds from my postings in 2002. Speed limit was 70, and I had the throttle all the way down. I felt like going 70-75 mph only to realize moments later that cars and minivans were overtaking me (I’m not a slow driver). I looked at the speedometer and it was showing 65 mph. There were two problems. One, the engine didn’t offer much (which was a disappointment since it was a 2.7/V6), but more importantly, the car felt faster than it was traveling and that goes down to the car’s handling aspect.

    A good chassis can provide a hunkered down drivability with good maneuverability. I couldn’t care less for more, because I also care for good ride quality. So, handling and strong chassis are always a good starting point, but not the end.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Backy doesn’t like it, and has heard me say this a few times, but I have an unforgettable memory of being overtaken in a Sonata by a minivan while carving the canyons over a freeway in Oregon.

    Yes, I recall your talking before about this experience in a car that hasn't been sold in the U.S. for 2-1/2 years and was designed in the mid-'90s. But I'm still not clear on its relevance to this discussion. :confuse: If you want, I could wax poetic about my experiences driving underpowered cars--including Toyotas and Hondas. But since that was years ago, I won't bother you with them.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    But that car is new enough to be still under warranty (in fact, just half of it). :)
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    If it was a rental car in 2002 (meaning it may have been older than MY 2002), it's probably no longer under warranty. As if that matters at all.
  • pinehurst2pinehurst2 Member Posts: 13
    The superior handling characteristics of our 2007 SEL AWD Ford Fusion

    Superior to what? There are cars in this class I'd call preferable to the others but none of them start with the letter F. Even then I wouldn't use the term superior in describing their attributes.
  • aviboy97aviboy97 Member Posts: 3,159
    There are cars in this class I'd call preferable to the others but none of them start with the letter F. Even then I wouldn't use the term superior in describing their attributes.

    We all have our own opinions, however, the Ford Fusion does have far better handling to that of Camry, 2003-2007 Accord ann 2002-2007 Altima. I am not sure about the new Accord or Altima. Plus, the Fusion is offered in AWD. There have been numerous comparo's done to prove this. C&D's sticks out in my memory.

    While you may not like Ford as a whole, the Fusion is a huge step in the right direction. SO I ask, "Have you driven a Ford lately??" ;)
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    SO I ask, "Have you driven a Ford lately??"

    If you haven't looked at Ford lately, look again!
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    May be not THAT car, but unless rental cars are purposely built to different specs, any other 2002-2003 isn’t going to be any different. And I'm guessing quite a few of them are still on the road as they are new enough to still have half of the original warranty (that Hyundai advertises in big letters). If it were a car from the late 90s, much less from early 90s, then I won't be bringing it up.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    What is the point of comparing a car from 2002, which was designed in the mid-'90s, to today's standards? If you want to go down that route, we could for example compare, say, a 2002 Accord to a 2008 Altima, or even a Sonata. But to what purpose?

    Funny though how you bring up the Hyundai powertrain warranty now. I didn't think you thought much of it.
  • pinehurst2pinehurst2 Member Posts: 13
    "Have you driven a Ford lately??"

    Actually yes. And not just "driven" one - I bought one. A F150 for my business. On labor day weekend.

    Its a fine truck, but I wouldn't call it superior to the competition, as the guy with the Fusion says of his vs. whatever he's comparing it to.

    I test drove the Fusion - twice - in 4 cyl and 6 cyl form, and found it less desireable than the 06 Accord or Altima I also tested.

    I didn't weave it thru a slalom but after driving for 30+ years, I think I have a good feel for "superior" handling in a vehicle.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    If I couldn't talk about a car from 2002-2003, talking about my 1998 Accord makes it worse, right? Interestingly enough, that Accord was about as old in 2002-2003 as the 2002-2003 would be today, and served as a fine benchmark (and still does today). In fact, it feels quite young. :D

    PS. The original intent was to illustrate the point of handling performance. When something feels faster than it is, then there is a problem.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    the Ford Fusion does have far better handling to that of Camry, 2003-2007 Accord ann 2002-2007 Altima.

    Uh...

    I am currently driving a Fusion SE rental car right now for 2 weeks since an 80-year-old decided I have to sideline my car for a while. Anyway, the fusion's handling is nothing to write home about. It is marginally better than my mom's 1999 Camry but worse than the 2007 Camry SE I had on my last trip and much worse than my old 1997 Honda Accord.

    I am not trying to knock on the Fusion, which is a quantum leap compare to the old Taurus. However, comparing to the 10-year-old Honda Accord, asides for a few modern gadgets that it has the '97 Accord is a much better car IMO.

    I would also pick the Camry SE over the Fusion. For all those people knocking on how bad the Camry handles, go try the SE version and it'll surprise you dearly.
  • aviboy97aviboy97 Member Posts: 3,159
    the fusion's handling is nothing to write home about. It is marginally better than my mom's 1999 Camry but worse than the 2007 Camry SE I had on my last trip and much worse than my old 1997 Honda Accord.


    According to many authors, they feel the Fusion SEL AWD handles better. Like I said, C&D's artice trally sticks out in my mind.

    I have driven a Fusion, and it does handle nicely. Last time I drove a Camry, MY 2002-2006, it felt like a grandma mobile. Very comfortable, but, not meant to hit the corners. I used to own a 1991 Accord, and it handled nicely as well, but, it was smaller then the current Civic! My father owns a 2004 Accord coupe, and it has nice power, but, I never really tried to hit any corners with it. The 2006 Accord LX sedan I have on my lot is really nothing to write home about. Very basic. Not great in the corners.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    What if I don't need AWD since where I live rarely (if not never) snows. Why do I need to get AWD for better handling since other FWD sedans in the same class offer better handling? Why can't Ford puts better handling into the FWD Fusion if Honda can do it 10 years ago?

    Too many unanswered questions.

    Fusion is a decent effort from Ford but close, no cigar yet.

    Last time I drove a Camry, MY 2002-2006, it felt like a grandma mobile.

    Didn't you read my post before replying? I did say that the Fusion handles better than my mom's old Camry but the one I said that's better is the 2007 Camry SE.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    Handling is nice, but not most important. The suspension a car has, can make a big difference to me, in other ways. Some cars are not very stable at speed. They handle bumps very well, but will feel floaty or jittery, even when the road is smooth. In some cars, if you want to take a turn quickly, the front of the car feels like it dives, and the car leans a lot. I do appreciate a smooth ride, but not at the expense of everything else. I also can appreciate good handling, but not if the ride is harsh, and everything in the car vibrates and rattles. It's a fine line, and my Accord rides it very well.
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    As Mickyrom knows, we're both old farts with Optimas. I haven't read all the responses but I'll make a case for the joys of 60 series and handling mediocrity.

    I have the Michelin 50 series tires that came with the appearance group. The dealer was all out of 60 series tires and gave me an excellent deal.

    I think the handling is definitely better but the comfort certainly isn't. I find my 05 Malibu Maxx with 60 series tires to be more comfortable. Plus, replacement costs will be a lot higher on the Optima.

    Then again, I'm not 25 years old and I'm not Car and Driver.
  • zzzoom6zzzoom6 Member Posts: 425
    Although the US will likely only get the 2.5 liter and a new v-6 (3.5 or 3.7 liter...don't know for sure yet), it seems pretty much everything has improved. I'm glad mazda hasn't softened the Mazda6 too much while increasing the quality of the interior, the size of the interior and HP and reducing weight and road noise. Of course I'd still would like to know more about the US version, but this will have to do for now.

    My favorite quote:

    The biggest compliment we can pay the car is that it's totally consistent. Whatever you do with the accelerator or steering won't upset it.

    With taut body control, strong, progressive brakes, minimal tendency to run wide in hard cornering and even the ability to tuck tighter into bends if you ease off the throttle, it's predictable, but enjoyable to drive.

    Japanese style with European dynamics? It works.


    2009 Mazda6 preview
  • mz6greyghostmz6greyghost Member Posts: 1,230
    I would also pick the Camry SE over the Fusion. For all those people knocking on how bad the Camry handles, go try the SE version and it'll surprise you dearly.

    I have. A 2007, to be exact. Handling is good, and leagues better than the regular Camry.

    Better than the Fusion? Not really IMO. Both the Milan and Fusion have very good handling, and the SE feels about the same, with a slightly softer ride.

    Most impressive in terms of handling was the Altima and the Aura. The Altima has always handled well, but the '07-up is more refined. The Aura was a BIG surprise, taking corners with great confidence and a smooth ride.
  • jeffyscottjeffyscott Member Posts: 3,855
    Not to mention one has to pay an extra $1200, over the Camry LE price, to get the SE. Many other cars come with good handling standard on all trim levels.
  • lilengineerboylilengineerboy Member Posts: 4,116
    PS. The original intent was to illustrate the point of handling performance. When something feels faster than it is, then there is a problem.

    Its more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow, given that it would be basically the same speed.
  • aviboy97aviboy97 Member Posts: 3,159
    Didn't you read my post before replying? I did say that the Fusion handles better than my mom's old Camry but the one I said that's better is the 2007 Camry SE.

    Yeeeees. I was adding my own .02 Am I allowed to do that?
  • lilengineerboylilengineerboy Member Posts: 4,116
    Some cars are not very stable at speed. They handle bumps very well, but will feel floaty or jittery, even when the road is smooth. In some cars, if you want to take a turn quickly, the front of the car feels like it dives, and the car leans a lot.

    This was one of the reasons I went with the EX vs the VP, as the VP lacks the rear sway bar, which adds stability in crosswinds. It also has a slightly larger footprint as each tire is 10mm wider (of course the size and style of tire kind of neuters the car, but thats neither here nor there). My Accord has gone back once to have the suspension checked because I couldn't believe the amount of body roll, I thought a sway bar end link had been damaged or not connected or something.
    In hindsight, I could've gotten the VP and added a suspension kit and aftermarket tires and wheels and still come out ahead, but bygones.
  • captain2captain2 Member Posts: 3,971
    there is definitely a relationship between a 'tightened' 'go-kart' type suspension and the perception by the autobuyer that this in itself is indicative of 'good' handling, which may or may not be true. One reason the Mazda6 doesn't sell well is that it is simply too tight for the average US autobuyer, the ride/handling compromise that Honda has generally done a good job finding, and that Toyota has usually been on the 'soft' side of. The Camry easily outsells the other cars in this group because this is what American drivers have shown to prefer - with their pocketbooks. Nissan has done the best job attacking the other end of the market as also evidenced by sales numbers, ever since inventing the term '4 door sports sedan'. So diss the 'soft' characteristics of a Camry LE or XLE if you will - Toyota seems to know something about buyers of cars in this class that we don't. A soft boulevard ride sells better (at least in this country) than perceived (or even real) handling qualities. It simply matters more to the guys who count, the autobuyers.
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