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Midsize Sedans Comparison Thread - READ ONLY

12297 messages,  Last post on Apr 13, 2007 at 12:55 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

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

Messages Page 195 of 1230

#1940 of 12297 I see how ya'll do me... by maxamillion1

Mar 31, 2006 (12:28 am)

I show a preview pic of the 07 Altima and not a word is mentioned..JRock brings the subject back up and now it’s all the rage? LOL....I feel so used (Kidding)
 
I usually cheer for the Accord in these forums, but it’s the Altima that I actually drive...
 
Most of the stuff I have heard Jrock has mentioned...
 
The car will keep its 2.5 and 3.5L engines. I REALLY hope they work on the 2.5. I currently drive a 2.5S model and compared to the Accord and previous Camry, the 2.5L is quite thrashy, loud and unrefined. Gas mileage is not very good and the V6 actually gets better hwy mileage than the 2.5 I4 per the EPA. Some thought the Altima might get Nissan's new 3.7 liter, but expect Infiniti models or the Maxima to get it first.
 
CVTs will be used across the board and rumor has it that the manual transmission may be gone (I hope not). According to a salesperson on Freshalloy.com and Maxima.org, the Maxima will ONLY be available with the CVT for 2007, hope this isn't the case for the Altima.
 
Altima's suspension will be totally revised but that the platform will be a heavy overhaul. Ghosn is a cost-cutting fanatic (he used to run the Michelin Tire plant in my native Greenville, SC)...but the new suspension/steering will help to eliminate torque steer and improve driver feedback./.two MAJOR issues for the current Altima.
 
Stuff we can expect to see on this Altima...as Backy stated...Bluetooth, Intelligent Key, Push-start maybe because these features will be available on the Sentra 2.0S and 2.0SL. I have also heard that all models will get the dual-zone tailpipes (a la Mazda6) but don’t know if that’s true.
 
Also expect the car to get more "refinement features" like rear air vents (so I am told) adjustable rear headrest (welcome to the year 2000 Nissan ) and some other features found in the Maxima...S, SL and SE designations will continue...I haven't heard a thing about SE-R models but rumors of a coupe version this time around to compete with the Camry Solara and Accord coupe. Makes since to me.
 
Other rumors I have been hearing are that the Altima will FINALLY get more standard safety equipment ABS, SABs and SACs, VSC on V6 models and that the interior will be all-new and much more competitive than ever before. I drive an 05 and while the interior is a major step up from 02-04s, it’s still cheap. So expect power passenger's seats on SL and up level SE models with leather...dual-zone climate control on SL and up level SE's as well because the competition is doing this. Alloys are expect to move up to 17s on the S and SL and 18s on the SE this go round…SL models will still retain the “chrome” exterior trim (per the teaser shot shown on Autoweek.com)
 
Honestly, Nissan can't live off it's styling or horsepower alone because competition from Honda, Toyota and even Hyundai won't permit it. The styling will be evolutionary similar t1st and 2nd generation Altima sharing the same basic greenhouse but different front and rears. You definitely know it’s an "Altima" just by looking at it…Nissan ain’t gonna mess with success…so I hope they’ll up the ante and all these rumors I have heard so far are true…because the new Sebring/Avenger (with Altima-like styling) and Saturn Aura will all be at NYIAS this year!
 
Half of this stuff I have heard because I have an aunt that works for a large Nissan dealership in my area…and I’ve talked with several people from Nissan (thanks to my college connections)
 
I plan to be in NY for this auto show and I’m going to do a very long, very detailed review of the new Altima compared to the current one.
 
But per Nissannews.com the new G Sedan, Altima and 07 Maxima will all be displayed April 12 starting at 12:05 PM.

#1941 of 12297 Re: 2007 altima is just a refresh [choe13] by backy

Mar 31, 2006 (6:00 am)

Replying to: choe13 (Mar 30, 2006 9:24 pm)
You meant its "slick" engine, right?
 
The 2009 Sonata will be only a refresh of the current design, not a new design. A new Sonata wouldn't be coming until the 2011 or 2012 MY.

#1942 of 12297 Re: I see how ya'll do me... [maxamillion1] by mf15

Mar 31, 2006 (7:55 am)

Replying to: maxamillion1 (Mar 31, 2006 12:28 am)
Glad to see all of these changes might happen in the 07 Altima. My son has a 05 SE V6 5 speed and I love driving it sheer power. Nissan really has to address the lack of standard ABS and extra airbags, they are options but difficult to actually find expecially on a stick. Old Mike

#1943 of 12297 Interesting stuff by alpha01

Mar 31, 2006 (8:29 am)

http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr033006.html
 
Makes sense to me. As long as the audits confirm, looks like the Azera, despite its 4 star NCAP rating, will be rated "Good" in the IIHS offset frontal.
 
~alpha

#1944 of 12297 Re: The review [kdhspyder] by explorerx4

Mar 31, 2006 (4:14 pm)

Replying to: kdhspyder (Mar 30, 2006 6:14 am)
i think the audience is DISCERNING, and that is why there are the questions.
what is the difference between a top of the line camry and an avalon? i haven't seen a new camry, but the pictures look similar to the avalons which i have seen.

#1945 of 12297 Re: The review [explorerx4] by kdhspyder

Mar 31, 2006 (5:06 pm)

Replying to: explorerx4 (Mar 31, 2006 4:14 pm)
scape2 posted:
The review of the 4 sedans is causing quite a stir across the internet. Edmunds has lost some face here and I sure hope they see this and this is getting back to the management/editors. The Camry is way, way over priced. And to say at the end "we believe you get what you pay for"?? what is that? Why not put a BMW in and I'm sure it will win and Yep, "you get what you pay for". Fact is this segment is very price sensitive. Price does matter. I believe for most a $5K difference is going to be a deal breaker. Looks to me Edmunds has forgotten what the average salary is in the U.S. for a working family... I sure hope the price of Camry comes down really fast. With 22K Fusions/Sonata's/G6's/ ect to buy.. this will hurt Toyota..
 
By discerning what I meant is that this review is directed to the top segment of each of the 4 models. There are those who will only shop the top models and price is not all that important. IMO this comparo is not directed to the bulk of the 'working family's' as scape2 wrote. It was directed to those who shop for top of the line vehicles.
 
This comparo was simply a comparison of the 4 premier trims in each product line and the Camry came out on top. OTOH last year's comparo of the 'standard' versions of each model favored the Sonata ( some adjustments might be made for the new Camry model ).
 
The discerning reader/shopper will recognize the differences in the two comparo's. Each was directed at a different audience.

#1946 of 12297 Re: The review [explorerx4] by kdhspyder

Mar 31, 2006 (5:13 pm)

Replying to: explorerx4 (Mar 31, 2006 4:14 pm)
what is the difference between a top of the line camry and an avalon? i haven't seen a new camry, but the pictures look similar to the avalons which i have seen.
 
A Camry XLE V6 $31500 is much more vehicle than a base Avalon XL $28000. Same engine & performance but the Avy rides cushier and is larger.
   
The Camry XLE has:
S/Roof
Heated Leather Seats
Navi + BT
all the Airbags
VSC/Trac
6 Disc JBL 440 watt
268 hp 3.5L V6
 
The XL Avalon has:
268 hp 3.5L V6
it's wider and has much more room everywhere.
Full spare and huge trunk.
 
The Limited Avy is ~ $38000

#1947 of 12297 Re: The review [kdhspyder] by kwonc71

Mar 31, 2006 (6:21 pm)

Replying to: kdhspyder (Mar 31, 2006 5:13 pm)
Question is, Can I afford it? No. With second mortgage? Yes.
Can you afford $31,000 family sedan? Do you want to spend $31,000 on a family sedan? If it is truly for the family, I would buy a van or 7 seater 4x4( I bought used MDX with 47,000 miles for $25,000 for my family). If it is for myself with excuse for the family, I would look at base BMW for that price. I choose Sonata LX for myself because thats fast,good looking, and has long warranty under $20,000. Ask yourself. I like to talk for majority of people, not for 1 in the 100s.

#1948 of 12297 Re: The review [kwonc71] by bobad

Mar 31, 2006 (6:29 pm)

Replying to: kwonc71 (Mar 31, 2006 6:21 pm)
The top '07 Camry price is at a point that all but disqualifies it as a "family sedan". For that price, you can get a beautiful, very powerful, very prestigious, excellent handling Euro sedan. It looks like Toyota has delusions of grandeur.

#1949 of 12297 Re: The review [bobad] by kwonc71

Mar 31, 2006 (7:28 pm)

Replying to: bobad (Mar 31, 2006 6:29 pm)
Today, my company announced 3.5% wage increases over last year. Depends on how much we make, it will vary. Average wage increase is about 55 cents more an hour which will be about $60 more a month after tax. Stop by a gas station to fill Sonata up on my way back home. $2.60 for 87 which was about 20% more price than couple weeks ago, Twice more than 3 years ago. We will spend that extra $60 just for fill gas up. How about all other stuff that also cost more as gas price goes up? Mid income family's income just can't catch up with real life cost of living. If someone can afford $31,000 mid size sedan, that person is in a wrong forum.

Messages Page 195 of 1230

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