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Sedans Midsize Sedans Comparison Thread 
12297 messages, Last post on Apr 13, 2007 at 11:55 AM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: m1miata (Jun 19, 2006 5:59 pm) Here is a completely different perspective (my own) from a 2006 Accord owner. I have a feeling my demographic isn't the norm here, so I'll tell you...I'm a college sophomore, turning 19 in August, and am a Broadcast Journalism major (news-anchor degree, lol). As you could probably guess, I, at age 18, could not afford a brand new car on my own, but my parents promised me a brand new car if I managed to get a scholarship...They said they would give an equivalent $ amount to my scholarship into getting me a car. My grandmother also wanted in on it (I'm an only grandchild, so I luckily reap the benefits...I love her lots). My parents were ready to buy a $16,000 car (the amount of my scholarship), and my grandmother had $5k to put in (she insisted I have a bigger car than a compact since I'm 6'4" ish). That certainly opened up a BROAD array of choices to me. I still have the old car that I was used to, a 1996 Accord (fairly small, only modest power). So, I had $21k to spend on a car... I looked at several Honda models (I still like the Civic coupe), the CR-V, Accord EX Sedan and Coupe. I also looked at Mazda6, and even Hyundai Sonata. (I was used to my 4-door, and by this point I had decided I wasn't ready to give up that room and convenience, not even for some style. The Hyundai had a lot going for it in my eyes. I'm always a fan of room, power, and nice styling. The Accord won out for a few reasons, but it wasn't a runaway like some feel like. The Honda had better power from the 4-cylinder (I didn't want a V-6 gas bill to begin with). It was smoother IMO, and the 5-speed Auto is ABSOLUTELY SEAMLESS. The styling was a wash to me, I liked the Sonata's organic shapes, but the Accord seemed a little more agressive, and I am 18, so, go figure there. The Accord, to me, has more interior style in its proverbial little finger than the Sonata has inside. Dashboard, door panels, instruments, the whole thing. Honda, hands down for me. Suspension - Hyundai was closer to Buick, Honda closer to Bimmer. While neither was that extreme, I definitely felt disconnected to the road in the Hyundai compared to the Accord. Finally, the nearest Hyundai dealer is 35 mins away, while our Honda dealer (that my family has known and trusted since I was 3, with our 1990 Accord LX) was a mere 4 miles and 10 mins away. It wasn't a blowout by any means (although the Sonata interior was a turnoff after being in the relatively stylish Accord with its Aluminum accents and great control layout. Hyundai has done its homework, it just got a couple of the answers wrong to pass my test. The Accord was an A+. Hope this makes sense to those who think all Accord drivers bash Hyundai...we really don't!
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Replying to: thegraduate (Jun 19, 2006 6:27 pm) I support everyone and their choices,we will never ever all agree on the same choice and no one is wrong in their personal choice.Anyone who says so is just showing how narrow minded they are.
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1. The sonata has an amazing balance of quiet smooth ride and handling abilities when called upon, unlike the good handling but rougher riding accord(lacks luxury feel) 2. The sonata is the volvo of the non luxury mid size cars now, no question(high rating in all crash tests, std esc) 3. Sonata meets all the nessities of basics any car should be and that is to include some decent sure brakes for example(Accords brakes are not sure enough, stop time is too long for a supposedly top mid size car) 4. Sonata has twice the better exterior styling execution, special hinges to lift the trunk and hood(just plain out convenvenient) 5. Hyundais engine is quieter at idle and has better initial torque(i rather have this then revving too much) 6. Value, price, more ambition than the accord(6 years till a new car is too long) So with that , its a no brainer why i chose the sonata. reliabitliy is not even a question as hyundai is one of the best quality producing car makers right now(3 years straight jd quality at the top 5) and got some of the happiest owners in the world.
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Replying to: joblow (Jun 19, 2006 7:25 pm)  I am more than willing to hear fair, accurate criticism about my car. Statements like "It's a pretender" are just meaningless bashing, and don't help the forum readers learn anything at all. One reason that I don't bash other's cars is that I may want to own one some day. I am not locked in to any particular badge, and would be happy owning any of the midsized cars I have driven and researched.
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Replying to: bobad (Jun 19, 2006 7:53 pm) A-men... I also feel that statements like "styling excution is twice as good as Accord" are useless, since it's in the eye of the beholder. The execution is twice as good? Not to me...the nose of the Sonata is WAY too bland for me. Did that add to the conversation? not really, since styling is completely subjective...unlike engine power, transmission smoothness, and long-term reliability. |
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First it was one of my reason why i chose this car vs the accord i don't know why i have to defend it and also logically speaking, styling can definitely be objective in terms of objects. Honda has already proven my own point by changing their back end once too many times and not for the sake of change.(no confidence) The soanta has put in alot more attention to detail for the exterior, the paint is alot richer, and they do deserve credit for trying and executing |
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Replying to: choe13 (Jun 19, 2006 7:29 pm) According to the IIHS side test, the Sonata received an "Acceptable". I wouldn't call that a high rating. Hyundai has the safety systems down. But their side crash test ratings still need improvement. If you notice, the Sonata is placed lower than the Accord in the rating area. link title I wouldn't call the Sonata "the volvo of the non luxury mid size cars now" Actually, the Volvo S40 is placed at the same area as the Sonata  Hyundai still needs to improve its side safety. The Azera's scores were just released. It too received an "acceptable". link title I was seriously considering a Hyundai as my second car. But with its current crash test ratings, it gives me second thoughts. They're fairly good, but not great. Although, the Entourage's scores are excellent. I am pretty certain they'll improve their side crash results in the next few years.
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The sonata got good for front and back crash test and acceptable for side. The accord for good for front and side and poor for rear crash test. With that i think its pretty even But the sonata goes a step further having more airbags std, esc std everything and brakes that makes it the leader in stopping distance in its class. I think thats alot of effort for safety sakes
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Replying to: choe13 (Jun 19, 2006 11:15 pm) Having more airbags standard? The Accord has 6, the Sonata has 6 too. Is there an airbag I'm missing? I admit the Sonata's big safety advantage is the standard equipment on all models. But that doesn't mean the crash test ratings can be lower. I really hope Hyundai improves their side ratings. The 2008 Accord will most likely achieve a "Gold" rating, after looking at the Civic's impressive scores. It's possible that with some tweaks to the Sonata's structure, it to can receive a "Gold" rating. It seems after looking at the Sonata's and Azera's side scores. The areas where they received "Acceptable"-Torso, and "Poor"-Pelvis/leg are identical. Both their safety structures, received "marginal". They both have the same problems. |
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"They both have the same problems." why bring in the azera into the equation?? do you want me to bring in the entourage vs. odyssey into the equation? Still pelvic poor scoring or not(from safety perspective nitpicking), i would definitely feel safer in a sonata having esc, better brakes and good rear crash rating for the passengers peace of mind.
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