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Midsize Sedans 2.0

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Comments

  • lilengineerboylilengineerboy Member Posts: 4,116
    Or it could be like how I bought my 6: Walked into a dealer with the EXACT car color/options/drivetrain that I wanted (Gray/moonroof, no leather/V6 with 5-speed manual).

    So you got a Base Mazda6 S with the moonroof option. This combination didn't even exist in 2007, so I guess you are lucky you got it when you did. Of course, if you use the same cost for the optional sunroof, going from the cloth trim base w/roof to the leather/heated seats touring is less than a grand.
    I guess if you want the cheapest possible bottom line price, that is different then overall value. That upgrade gets better tires/wheels, audio system, and the heated leather power seats, and a few other little things.
    Oh, does yours have the compass mirror? Is that something you were looking for?

    Or, customers have just given up and settled for what they can get at a certain time, or settled for how an automaker bundles options instead of shopping around for other manufacturers that actually try and please their customers, instead of padding their bottom line. Hence the reason why I bought a 6 instead of an Accord.

    Or they are looking for what offers the best value. Its interesting to note that Mazda dropped the manual trans on everything above the base model, so I guess everyone wanted that so now thats how they packaged it. But even Mazda created a package.

    I actually bought the Accord because the Mazda I wanted didn't exist, so I guess that flips both ways.
  • mrsyjmrsyj Member Posts: 77
    "I've seen two Auras on the road (it may have been the same one seen twice). I have seen more 08 Accords on the road (probably 10 so far). There are no Saturn dealers in my local area (40 miles). "

    That may explain it because we have 5 Saturn dealers in my metro area.
  • jeffyscottjeffyscott Member Posts: 3,855
    A navigation system, for a multitude of reasons, can be very handy. The issue might stem from the $2k price, but as that drops under a grand, it will be more feasible.

    I told my kid that my price point is about $50. But then I don't see why one wants this built into the car, particularly given the price premium for this option. I understand the aftermarket ones are now as low as $100 with rebates.

    For $50 it would be handy to have, as a convenience. But what good is a built in system, when you fly somewhere and rent a car?
  • mz6greyghostmz6greyghost Member Posts: 1,230
    So there isn't one option you would have wanted, but the 6 didn't have. Or one option it did have, that you could have easily done without? I find that hard to believe.

    Believe it. When I bought my 6 in '04, I wanted the Bose with 6-CD changer, moonroof, cloth interior, the V6 with 5-speed manual, and the sport package which included foglights and the body kit. The ONLY thing that I'd like would've been HIDs, but they weren't even offered on the 6 at the time.
  • mz6greyghostmz6greyghost Member Posts: 1,230
    No, I've discovered that the type of car that I've bought in '04 isn't possible today. But yes, my sport package did include the 17" alloys (no 18" at the time), as well as the foglights and body kit. The compass mirror, if I wanted it, would've been a dealer-installed option.

    I actually bought the Accord because the Mazda I wanted didn't exist, so I guess that flips both ways.

    I can understand that, since I probably would've skipped on the 6 now due to the bundled packages for '08. I'm hoping that changes when the second-gen is released, since I'm up for a new car in '10.
  • urnewsurnews Member Posts: 668
    I'm not in the market to buy anything this year but judging strictly by the exteriors I think the 2007 Accords look better than the 2008s. Am I in the minority here? I realize this is a next generation Accord but, appearance-wise, I still like the '07s more.
  • mrsyjmrsyj Member Posts: 77
    I agree with you, the 2007 was better looking inside and out. The Accord without navigation looks pretty dull inside which is one reason why all of their press cars are loaded EX-L models. The exterior styling has grown on me but its still not a looker in this class.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    As an '06 Accord owner (they are identical to 2007s) I can honestly say I like the exterior look of the 2008 better. I think my car's interior is MUCH better ergonomically and stylistically however, and it is the interior which I spend all my time looking at, so I'm happy to keep my 06 - I'm not pining for the new Accord at all.
  • smithedsmithed Member Posts: 444
    I thought the new Accord is now full size. Doesn't the Cadillac CTS belong in this forum, or is about price rather than size? :)
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    The vehicles in this discussion are mainstream midsize-ish family sedans. There are a few outliers, such as the non-sunroof equipped Accords and Hyundai Sonata (full-size by EPA just barely), the Pontiac G6 and Subaru Legacy (misses being a midsize by a small amount). These cars are all marketed against each other, however. A CTS is an entry-level luxury vehicle that is priced out of this comparo. It competes more with the Acura TL, Lexus ES350, Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3-Series.

    Most cars in this discussion are between $20k and $30k. The CTS is in $30k-$45k territory.

    Perhaps the title of this discussion is misleading; I can see how it would be to some.

    I hope everyone had a very blessed Christmas/Holiday! :)
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    I don't think you can be so sure your 06 Accord is MUCH better ergonomically designed than the 08 Accord unless you spend some serious time in the newer Accord.
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    I think someone was just trying to be a smart pants with the CTS.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I sat in a Gen VII Accord and loved how the things I used every day (CD/AM/FM, Seek, Fan Speed) were right there near the driver, and were quite intuitive.

    Its just my personal opinion, but if someone can get in a car and immediately find all the controls and how they work, the design is more ergonomically sound than in a car where some hunting is necessary.

    The Gen VIII I was in (LX-P and an EX-L) seemed much more scattered and unplanned; less logical in its layout.

    Maybe my opinion would change if the car were mine. I just didn't think the design was as smart, simple, and clean as the previous generation models.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Oh well; I sort of figured it with the :) icon... But there's probably a reader out there who doesn't fully understand the forums - maybe it helped.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Since we are all over the map here, talking about everything from cars that are mid-sized inside and compact outside, to Impalas, to Acura TLs, etc. etc., I could see how someone could think the CTS would fit in here. After all, the base CTS is about the same price as the top-end Accord, Camry, and Altima (and Legacy?). I think you pegged it right with the "mid-sized famlly car" label. It's not just about mid-sized sedans, but about the low-end of the mid-sized spectrum--not near-luxury cars or luxury cars that happen to be mid-sized. (Although some of these "family cars" can get pretty luxurious when loaded up!)
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    "The Accord without navigation looks pretty dull inside which is one reason why all of their press cars are loaded EX-L models."

    Gee, I thought the "press" cars were always loaded models. Your opinion of the Accord's interior is fine but to state it as a reason for why Honda only furnishes loaded models is baseless.
  • mrsyjmrsyj Member Posts: 77
    "Gee, I thought the "press" cars were always loaded models. "

    they are not always loaded. My guess is Honda knows the Accord seems more average without nav and thus they make sure only cars with nav are provided for test drives. The "upscale" interior the Accord has been praised for is hard to appreciate when you see the non nav interior. Doesnt quite seem so acura-like without the big screen.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    It seems to me the magazines test the 6 cylinder versions at least as much as the 4 cylinder versions, when the 4 cylinders sell in much greater numbers. I assume it's because 6 cylinder versions have every possible feature available for comparison (VCM for example).
  • captain2captain2 Member Posts: 3,971
    maybe more a case of the enthusiast mags. being run by enthusiasts and with subscriber bases that tend to be the same way - power sells - at least in terms of the magazines.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    Yes, I suspect the reviewers themselves campaign for the 6 cylinder versions. ;) Why not go all out, especially when your not paying for the car.
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    Yes.
  • mrsyjmrsyj Member Posts: 77
    exactly. when you arent paying for gas you are going to want more power so why not get the V6 version. Its funny that 70%-80% of import midsizers are sold with 4 cylinders but you rarely see an I-4 model tested. edmunds got a long term Accord EX-L V6 with nav even though that car is likely less than 10% of Accord sales. Most people shopping for an Accord are not trying to spend $31k. You can get a TL for a few grand more.
  • captain2captain2 Member Posts: 3,971
    the fact is, however, that the FE premium for some of these better V6s (the Toyota 2GR, for example) is somewhat minimal espeically when you balance that against the fun (and safety) quotients that come with 250hp+. If the average driver is putting 1500 miles/mo. on a Camry 4 banger vs. the same car with that V6 - his additional cost per month is going to end up about $20/month based on a 3mpg overall FE difference and $3 gas. A small price to pay IMO and while there is certainly a premium to buy the bigger engine in the first place, a good portion of that is recovered at trade-in time. I think there is a common misperception that some of these 'overpowered' cars are going to kill you at the gas pumps - which is not necessarily the case.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Did you notice though that we are seeing more I4 mid-sized sedan comparos? The last big one C/D did was I4 models (except for the Aura, which was available only as a V6 then). A couple of years ago, Edmunds did one comparing an Accord, Camry, and Sonata at the same price point, and so it was I4 Accord and Camry vs. V6 Sonata. Then in the recent comparo Edmunds did in which the testers were drawn from the public, they compared I4 versions of the Accord, Camry, and Malibu. Maybe the press is realizing most people buy mid-sizers with I4s, so they should test them that way.
  • jeffyscottjeffyscott Member Posts: 3,855
    In many cases, they like to test the V6 manual, while most people buy the I4 automatic.

    And then also we have the manufacturers, who like to advetise the features and performance of the top of the line V6, but quote the price of the base I4.
  • urnewsurnews Member Posts: 668
    Maybe the press is realizing most people buy mid-sizers with I4s, so they should test them that way.

    I believe the statistics indicate you are accurate, but how many mid-size owners on this forum have I4s? We have a V6 2007 Fusion, for example.
  • urnewsurnews Member Posts: 668
    And then also we have the manufacturers, who like to advetise the features and performance of the top of the line V6, but quote the price of the base I4.

    The manufacturers are also fond of quoting the highway mileage figures for the base I4s in their advertising. Not all that surprising. Just another example of "putting the best foot forward."
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I believe the statistics indicate you are accurate, but how many mid-size owners on this forum have I4s? We have a V6 2007 Fusion, for example.

    elroy has a 2003 Accord V6. urnews has a Fusion V6 AWD. dudleyr has a 4-cyl Accord, as does tankbeans I believe. There are a couple of Mazda 6 V6 owners around too, I just can't remember who owns them.

    At my house, there are three 4-cyl automatic Accords ('96, '02, '06).
  • jeffyscottjeffyscott Member Posts: 3,855
    I4 Mazda6, here.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    For some reason I was thinking you were one of the V6 owners.

    Welcome to the economy club then. ;)
  • mrsyjmrsyj Member Posts: 77
    Honda and Toyota charge high premiums for their V6 engines which I think is ridiculous. On the accord I believe the V6 costs about $2700 extra which is way too much. Toyota has a similar premium. I am all for a V6 but I dont think a V6 is worth over $2500 more than an I-4. Then again, the more I-4s Toyota and Honda sell the higher their CAFE numbers so it makes sense for them to try and scare people out of buying V6 engines.
  • mrsyjmrsyj Member Posts: 77
    "In many cases, they like to test the V6 manual, while most people buy the I4 automatic. "

    magazines are obsessed with manuals in midsize cars even though they are not popular amongst buyers. The Accord sedan dropped the manual with the V6 due to lack of demand. Now the 6 and Altima are the only midsizers with V6/manual combos. I rarely see that combination in real life though.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    You're leaving out the extra equipment that comes with some V6 models.

    And, the difference is $2200 between an EX-L Automatic and an EXL-V6 Automatic Accord. Check out Automobiles.Honda.com for the actual information.
  • captain2captain2 Member Posts: 3,971
    high premiums for their V6 engines which I think is ridiculous
    perhaps so, BUT a 3 year old Accord EX, 4 banger is worth about $1600.00 less than that same car V6 TODAY. Don't know what the premium for the V6 was in 2005, but even if we assume that it was the same as it is today and further that there are no additional options included for that $2700, doesn't that really make the actual cost of the V6 $1100.00? If you are truly appreciative of what a good V6 can do for these cars, consider those costs for what they really are, which using your numbers amounts to right at $50/month (for the first 3 years) and about $20/month thereafter depending, of course, on how much you drive and what happens to gas prices. The Toyotas and Hondas of the world are in no danger of any CAFE violations, and, in fact, lead the industry from a FE perspective. The 4 bangers sell because they are good engines for what they are and the fact that many buyers are like you and have difficulty getting over sticker shock. The other mfgrs. OTH, HAVE to offer their V6s relatively inexpensively because, for example, there is no comparison between the GM Ecotec 4 banger and the Honda 4 banger.
  • mickeyrommickeyrom Member Posts: 936
    " but how many mid-size owners on this forum have I4s? We have a V6 2007 Fusion, for example." I have a top of the line KIA Optima with an I4.Incidently Hyundai now offers their best Sonanta with leather etc. for the first time with an I4.
    BTW, I get all the power I will ever need with my I4 Auto.This alleged need of more power for safety IMO is bogus. :shades:
  • urnewsurnews Member Posts: 668
    The other mfgrs. OTH, HAVE to offer their V6s relatively inexpensively because, for example, there is no comparison between the GM Ecotec 4 banger and the Honda 4 banger.

    What do you mean by "no comparison?" Is one clearly superior to the other? Which one? (I would guess the Honda.)
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    Honda and Toyota charge high premiums for their V6 engines which I think is ridiculous.

    If you think that's ridiculous, you should see the price difference between the Malibu I4 and V6 (over $3000). :surprise:
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Ford charges $2,750 on the Fusion to get the V6, although this includes getting an automatic. Nissan charges $3,850 to go from the 2.5 SL to the 3.5 SL.

    Of course, extra features are typically included with the V6 models.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    Ford charges $2,750 on the Fusion to get the V6, although this includes getting an automatic. Nissan charges $3,850 to go from the 2.5 SL to the 3.5 SL.

    Of course, extra features are typically included with the V6 models.


    Exactly, I got quite a few extras with the V6 Accord in 03, that were not available on the EX I4.
  • urnewsurnews Member Posts: 668
    Incidently Hyundai now offers their best Sonanta with leather etc. for the first time with an I4.

    The Ford Fusion S only comes with an I4 but the SE and SEL models are also available with the 160-horsepower, 2.3-liter four. One year after purchasing an SEL with the V6, I wish that we had ordered an I4 SEL. 20-20 hindsight.
  • captain2captain2 Member Posts: 3,971
    clearly superior to the other? Which one? (I would guess the Honda.)
    well you said it, but I'll certtainly agree, I would further contend that the Honda 4 banger is smoother and quieter than many of the 'American' V6s (esp. the pushrod varieties) never mind something much more mundane like those Ecotec 4s. Honda has led the 4 cylinder pack ever since those CVCC engines back in the 70s, and in the process left the US mfgrs. behind. I would be willing to bet you that the portion of V6 sales for the new Malibu will be substantially higher than what it is for something like the Accord and it won't have a whole lot to do with dollars - more a function of how 'good' the Honda 4 banger is relative to how ' bad' the GM 4 banger is.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I understand what you mean. I don't feel like I "settled" for a 4-cylinder in my Accord, instead chose the economical choice over the more powerful choice.

    It is plenty torquey and smooth (the i-Vtec makes it a very flexible engine) - at least as smooth as the 3500/3900 in the GM cars; I'd probably disagree about the 3.6 "High Feature" in the Aura/Malibu, and don't have enough experience with the new-ish 3.5L Duratec to honestly say.
  • captain2captain2 Member Posts: 3,971
    no, actually I would consider the 3.6HF GM engine at least in the same league as correspondent offerings from T,H, and N. In the XR and the CTS, it does a good job. The only experience I have with the Ford DT3.5 was in an Edge and I didn't find it a whole lot less irritating than its predecessor - except, of course, for the HP infusion. But we were talking about 4 cylinder engines here, and the real point I was making is that the Honda 4 is about the only one I would consider in lieu of what I regard as a selection of really good V6s - including Honda's own.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    It may lower the bottom line, but I'm sure they're plenty of car buyers that would rather have one or two options, instead of having to buy a model with options he/she doesn't want or need just to get what they want. Why should I be forced with a leather interior if I want a moonroof? Or be stuck with an overpriced Nav system just to get HIDs?

    HID and NAV are two luxury items. Which means they are not necessities. Why would you create more combinations simply to offer them exclusive of each other? To keep it simple, think about just one engine, two transmission, five exterior colors and five interior colors. How many combinations can you imagine from just this? Now, consider features, and how many do you end up with?

    This is why automakers prefer to bundle options. Some do it in simple packages (Honda's DX, LX, EX, EX-L trim levels) and some "allow" a build your own option. However, the latter rarely allows customization. You're still led to a package. Try building an Altima 3.5SE/CVT. It starts at $25,205 (MSRP+Destination).

    Next, you're offered stability control as a $900 option. Add it... what happens? You're forced to buying Tech Package which takes the price tag to $32,305. This happens because even with build you own, you are basically getting a package.

    "Fewer parts, reduced complexity"? Not if someone has to deal with a integrated Nav system just to play a CD. "Increased reliability"? I doubt that too, especially when said Nav system breaks down, and takes out the radio with it.

    Not quite. In case of Honda/Acura NAV systems, you get voice (and touchscreen in some cases) to control audio/AC etc. But these functions are available separately as well. You are not forced into using NAV for it.

    Besides, if one is wary of NAV system breaking down, no luxury item is worth considering. Including HID. If I have to replace halogen bulbs in my Accord, it costs $12 or so. If I had to replace HID out of warranty, I wouldn't bet on it costing that little. But thats part of opting for "luxury" features.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    My guess is Honda knows the Accord seems more average without nav and thus they make sure only cars with nav are provided for test drives.

    There isn't a whole lot of difference between NAV and non-NAV models, especially since the screen has been moved out from the main cluster. In fact, you couldn't tell the difference if the NAV wasn't lit.
  • karsickkarsick Member Posts: 312
    ....4-cylinder devotee chiming in here with a vote.

    Just picked up a 4cyl, 6speed manual Altima today to replace our 250,000 mile, 4cyl, manual tranny G20.

    If a carmaker refused to offer simple, roomy, well-made sedans like this with simple engines & three pedals (GM...are you paying attention??), we won't give them the time of day.

    175hp routed through a clutch & 6 gears is plenty for me (but then I grew up driving VW vans, diesel Rabbits & 36hp Honda 600 hatches :P ).

    I'm enjoying the discussions here.

    Who else here is a gearbox retro-grouch that refuses to cave to the slushbox onslaught :confuse: ?
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    If I wasn't such a noob at driving a stick, I'd have chosen one. I can drive from town to town without stalling, but I'm not practiced enough to want to risk messing up a clutch on a brand new car. I find driving a stick LOADS of fun when I'm in my granddad's '99 Frontier 4-cyl.
  • mz6greyghostmz6greyghost Member Posts: 1,230
    HID and NAV are two luxury items. Which means they are not necessities. Why would you create more combinations simply to offer them exclusive of each other?

    What's "luxury" to you is a "necessity" to somebody else. What if someone wants HIDs (a "necessity") WITHOUT the Nav (a "luxury")?
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    HIDs are not a necessity, no matter how much you want it. Studies have shown (CR) that HID does not necessarily mean better.
  • captain2captain2 Member Posts: 3,971
    There is definitely a comparison between the Accord 4 and the ecotec. Once coupled witTh the 6 speed auto the ecotec will really be able to perform and exceed the mileage of the Accord I4.
    Well, let's see - they both have the same number of cylinders, spark plugs, camshafts, valves etc. - there is more that goes into good engines then what the specsheets tell you.
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