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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

#41 of 12297 Re: Hyundai Sonata: the Safety problem [bklynguy] by backy Apr 27, 2005 (5:51 pm)
Replying to: bklynguy (Apr 27, 2005 5:29 pm) Honda has already announced that side bags and curtains and ABS will be standards across all models in the U.S. by the end of 2006, but did not include ESC in that list. The Accord has standard SABs and SACs (and ABS) now.
#42 of 12297 i stand corrected... by brozhnik Apr 27, 2005 (7:45 pm)
..and informed, thanks. Good news about the the '06 Sonata (news to me, that is); as for the Accord, will ESC be an option?    I actually got a Passat in '03 instead of the then-new Accord because I wanted skid-control and head-airbags; it came down to Passat vs. Camry and I was drawn to the Passat - preferred its handling and seats. (So far, at 30K miles, it's held up fine.) Next time (hopefully a long way off) who knows. I'll for sure check out the Sonata. Replies to this message: bklynguy (Apr 27, 2005 8:00 pm) gsemike (Apr 29, 2005 4:43 am) oldjoe (Aug 01, 2005 12:12 am)
#43 of 12297 Re: i stand corrected... [brozhnik] by bklynguy Apr 27, 2005 (8:00 pm)
Replying to: brozhnik (Apr 27, 2005 7:45 pm) yep, the new Sonata should be at dealers soon.   http://www.hyundaisonata.com/   I've read that VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) will be available for the MY2006 Accord (at least for the EX). A few other features are possible such as LED taillights according to some unconfirmed reports along with a refreshed front/rear. Replies to this message: gsemike (Apr 29, 2005 4:43 am) oldjoe (Aug 01, 2005 12:12 am)
#44 of 12297 Good looking but derivative by gsemike Apr 29, 2005 (4:43 am)
Replying to: bklynguy (Apr 27, 2005 8:00 pm) Wow... that car looks like an Accord from the back. Might look a little better than the Accord. The front is a little Lexus IS300. I'm looking forward to seeing it in person. I corss shopped the Sonata when I was in the market in 03. The car was quite a deal, but I just liked it alot more from a distance than up close. The test drive left me cold even with a V6 model. I ended up with an Altima 2.5 S. Replies to this message: oldjoe (Aug 01, 2005 12:12 am)
#45 of 12297 first-year question re Sonata by brozhnik May 02, 2005 (6:49 pm)
This thread has got me interested in the 2006 Sonata redesign. Which brings up an eternal question: should one buy the first model year of any car? Or wait until it's had a few cycles to work out the bugs?    True, Hyundai has the best warranty I know of. Maybe that takes care of this concern. Or not. What do you think? Replies to this message: tenpin288 (May 02, 2005 7:07 pm) backy (May 02, 2005 7:17 pm) oldjoe (Aug 02, 2005 9:35 am) spinzero (May 04, 2005 8:51 am)
#46 of 12297 Re: first-year question re Sonata [brozhnik] by tenpin288 May 02, 2005 (7:07 pm)
Replying to: brozhnik (May 02, 2005 6:49 pm) FWIW, I bought a new 2005 Hyundai Tucson (a 1st year model) back in November and I have not had a lick of problems with it. While there are always going to be some concerns with any first year model, the problem is not anywhere near as bad as it used to be 10-20 years or more ago. I also owned a 2001 PT Cruiser (another 1st year model purchase) and again, no problems to speak of.
#47 of 12297 Re: first-year question re Sonata [brozhnik] by backy May 02, 2005 (7:17 pm)
Replying to: brozhnik (May 02, 2005 6:49 pm) I bought one of the first '01 Elantras, a redesign, to hit the U.S. in 2000. I've had good luck with it, no major problems. But an added element for the Sonata is that it's being made in a brand-new factory, by people who have never made a car before (at least most of them). Hyundai has reportedly gone to great lengths to ensure the quality of this car, but a new car from a new factory does give something to consider. The engines on the Sonata are new also. Note that the 4-cylinder cars are being shipped from Korea, where they have been making the new Sonata since last fall.   In my life I've bought four cars in the first year of their design. The others were two Toyotas and a Honda, all in the 80s. I had few problems with any of them, including the Elantra. All that being said, I don't know if I would be brave enough to be the first one on my block with a '06 Sonata, especially the V6. Replies to this message: oldjoe (Aug 02, 2005 9:35 am)
#48 of 12297 I think it will be FINE by maxamillion1 May 03, 2005 (12:13 am)
Hyundai has certainly made some serious strides in quality as of late...   I am sure the Sonata will be fine throughout its first model year
#49 of 12297 Re: first-year question re Sonata [brozhnik] by spinzero May 04, 2005 (8:51 am)
Replying to: brozhnik (May 02, 2005 6:49 pm) I read somewhere that 4-cylinder versions will still be made in Korea, while V6 versions will be built in the new Alabama plant.   Assuming this is the case, I would wait for a while for V6 versions until the new crew gets used to the new factory, and for I4's I would just get one right away. It's been on sale in korea for over 6 months now.   Although I have to say at least in terms of MSRP, V6 gives you a way better deal compared to Camry and Accord.
#50 of 12297 Controlled Collision Impact Testing... by ray h May 05, 2005 (7:39 pm)
is, at best, merely a rough indicator of projected injury severity. In the real world, vehicle collisions are anything but controlled. (Once a big SUV tangles with an Accord, Altima, Camry, or Sonata, it's anyone's guess which car's occupants are maimed worse (or killed) once the last metallic tinkle has faded into silence. Since the insurance industry sponsors these tests in whole or part, guess who's really benefitting from the results - and don't say, "the car occupants". (Hint: it's a clever way for the insurance companies' underwriters to jack up premiums under the guise of standardized psuedo-protocols. Obviously, regardless which make "wins", owners of the "losers" will keep the underwriters happier - regardless who the following year's "winners" and "losers" are.) Replies to this message: alpha01 (May 06, 2005 9:44 am)

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