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Midsize Sedans Comparison Thread - READ ONLY

12297 messages,  Last post on Apr 13, 2007 at 11:55 AM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Subaru Legacy, Saturn Aura, Sedan

#12273 of 12297 Re: Consumer reports on the Aura [scape2] by m1miata Feb 18, 2007 (7:44 pm)
Replying to: scape2 (Feb 18, 2007 1:00 pm) 3.6-liter XR's 6.3-second 0-to-60 Fusion V6 is 7.2 0-60 Yeap, both are quick enough. I have not personally driven the Fusion with a six yet. I did drive the Aura 3.5 and 3.6 and will tell ya, the 3.6 is fast, with lots of torque. The six speed works fine. I believe Intellichoice lists the Fusion SE V6 as worse than average value rating as in cost to own. The Aura is listed as average. The Honda Accord naturally is rated better than average. If I was buying a car, and was sure I would be happy with the car for at least seven years, and the car company is around to back the car, then yeap, no problem. Problems arise if you somehow get a car you wish to back out of, as in selling. Low resale could hurt. I have no problem with the Fusion in most respects. Not the fastest car, yet fast enough - price seems pretty fair when discounted - cornering ability and agility is good - looks pretty nice, and it appears that Mexico is putting out a car with good initial quality scores. The caveat of course is in the years to come, reliability, resale, and Fords health. If I am willing to assume some risk, and the price is right, I suppose I could venture in. A journey into the unknown. I am considering buying the Aura, which is made in USA, and is projected to have average resale value. Once again a leap of faith though compared to buying a Honda. Seems to be a little less with the GM vs. the Ford product, but once again things change. In 2005 I bought a PT Cruiser, which had an average rating for total cost to own. Now it seems to have fallen into a poor zone for total price, as resale is faltering. At least I bought the lowest end one, some I did not dive off into the high water.   It would be good for the US economy of course to see GM and Ford healthy once again. The Fusion though made across the border, throws some money Fords way, as would buying the Aura, which is made here in the States throws money into the GM pot. While I am impressed with the Accord SE V6 and i4 cars I tested, I was also pleased to find a good handling Fusion, with sharp looks, and the Aura having lots of the same attributes of an Accord. The total cost of ownership between the three cars mentioned appears to be all too predictable, and thus some sacrifice is required. -Loren
#12275 of 12297 Ford Fusion Challenge by virus Feb 18, 2007 (8:07 pm)
I'm not quite certain why they didn't test the Camry SE instead of the XLE which is not sporty at all.
#12276 of 12297 Re: Ford Fusion Challenge [thegraduate] by neteng101 Feb 18, 2007 (8:12 pm)
Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 18, 2007 7:23 pm) The fuel economy penalty is usually very small - like 1-2 mpg, and this partly is due to the extra baggage for the AWD drivetrain.   There is reason to believe that VSC is better than AWD as a safety feature while cornering. And Toyota's VDIM is even better than VSC, though its only currently available on some Lexus models. Check out this post that compared AWD+VSC compared to RWD+VDIM...   http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152498   The Fusion AWD will be useful in slippery conditions in a straight line (think traction control operation). It still will never have the ability to correct for cornering forces and compensate like VSC can. The VSC available in the Accord/Camry is a better safety feature IMO. And further evolutions of VSC (such as VDIM) could be better than lower forms of AWD (with VSC). Replies to this message: captain2 (Feb 19, 2007 7:40 am) jeffyscott (Feb 19, 2007 8:15 am) captain2 (Feb 19, 2007 8:40 am)
#12277 of 12297 Re: Awkward... [thegraduate] by backy Feb 18, 2007 (8:12 pm)
Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 18, 2007 7:15 pm) The Optima may be the sleeper here. Recently it's garnered very positive reviews from MT (a finalist for COTY), C/D (third to Altima and Accord, but not by a large margin), and CR. It's been praised for its strong I4, quality interior, and good blend of ride and handling. And it's one of the lowest-priced mid-sized cars. Even fuel economy (for the I4) is decent, with its 5-speed stick or slushbox. The major downsides are Kia's history of poor reliability and resale value, and ABS and ESC are both optional (and not even available on the LX MT). Also the IIHS side impact test scores aren't out yet. Otherwise it looks to me like a nice package. The styling is ho-hum, but nothing that is offensive. Replies to this message: elroy5 (Feb 18, 2007 8:37 pm)
#12278 of 12297 Re: Awkward... [backy] by elroy5 Feb 18, 2007 (8:37 pm)
Replying to: backy (Feb 18, 2007 8:12 pm) My sister has a new Optima. I asked her how she liked it, and she said the only real complaint she has is the seats (not enough cushioning). She sounded satisfied with it, for the price.
#12279 of 12297 Vehicle Stability Control by kyrpto Feb 19, 2007 (4:57 am)
VSC as Toyota/Lexus call it is the next big thing in safety. So much so thst the NIHS is reccomending that it be standard on all vehicles sold in America. It may end up saving more lives than seatbelts. Having owned a Highlander AWD, Tundra D Cab 4WD, Scion xB, and now a Camry, all with VSC, I have personally experienced VSC in action. My '05 Tundra SR5 was ordered with it - now it is standard on all Tundras.
#12280 of 12297 Re: Ford Fusion Challenge [thegraduate] by akirby Feb 19, 2007 (6:55 am)
Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 18, 2007 7:23 pm) Just to set the record straight, Ford's AWD system will shift power to the rear BEFORE slip is detected under certain circumstances such as higher throttle input. It's not just reactive like some of the other systems.   And the difference in the Fusion Challenge vs. all of the other media tests? This one was decided by regular drivers and vehicle owners, not by automotive journalists trying to sell magazines. Replies to this message: thegraduate (Feb 19, 2007 7:24 am) akirby (Feb 19, 2007 8:19 am) 03accordman (Feb 19, 2007 8:29 am) neteng101 (Feb 19, 2007 8:29 am) 03accordman (Feb 19, 2007 8:31 am)
#12281 of 12297 Re: Ford Fusion Challenge [akirby] by thegraduate Feb 19, 2007 (7:24 am)
Replying to: akirby (Feb 19, 2007 6:55 am) And the difference in the Fusion Challenge vs. all of the other media tests? This one was decided by regular drivers and vehicle owners, not by automotive journalists trying to sell magazines.   And paid for and edited by Ford who is trying to sell Fusions, not magazines. I think I'd rather trust a magazine editor than one working for Ford. Or, just make the decision myself. Replies to this message: akirby (Feb 19, 2007 8:19 am) 03accordman (Feb 19, 2007 8:29 am) neteng101 (Feb 19, 2007 8:29 am)
#12282 of 12297 Re: Ford Fusion Challenge [neteng101] by captain2 Feb 19, 2007 (7:40 am)
Replying to: neteng101 (Feb 18, 2007 8:12 pm) There is reason to believe that VSC is better than AWD as a safety feature while cornering actually the systems serve different purposes - a true AWD/4WD will actually improve driveability especially in slippery conditions and one reason why the Subaru is the 'national' car of New England. VSC/Trac can get in the way in those same road conditions and is construed as a safety feature in that it will prevent the driver from exceeding whatever the mfgr (or their lawyers) has decided is that vehicle's cornering limits. Depending on how the system is set, of course, it is more valuable as a safety feature on normal road conditions. You mentioned VDIM which had an interesting effect on the cornering (slalom) ability in the Lexus GS. Slalom speed was reduced because the computer 'thought' that the course traffic cones were impending accidents and the car shutdown before a competitive result could be achieved. The Toyota/Lexus systems, of course, not user defeatable. Replies to this message: jeffyscott (Feb 19, 2007 8:15 am) captain2 (Feb 19, 2007 8:40 am)

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