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Mainstream Large Sedans Comparison

6854 messages,  Last post on Jul 16, 2012 at 8:08 AM

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What is this discussion about? Buick Lucerne, Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Charger, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Azera, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Pontiac G8, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 12 of 686

#111 of 6854 Re: Where are the American sedan fans? [luvmbooty] by barnstormer64

Jul 30, 2006 (8:02 pm)

Replying to: luvmbooty (Jul 29, 2006 11:37 pm)
When I asked the original question, my purpose behind it was to try to get people to chime in about the Chevy Impala or Chrysler 300 or Dodge Charger of Ford Five Hundred or in an off way about the Amanti.
 
Go climb into a Five Hundred and take it for a spin. Be sure to climb in and out of it, many times. Then go do the same with the other vehicles. Then see which you prefer.
 
If you like to step DOWN into your car, then you probably won't like the Five Hundred. If you prefer to just SLIDE OVER into your car, then the Five Hundred is what you're after.
 
I got mine with the AWD/CVT. Mainly, I wanted the CVT, but I also wanted the AWD. It was possible to get the CVT without the AWD, but not nearly as easy. With the AWD, you *had* to get the CVT.
 
This combo made it a perfect match for my Freestyle (basically, a tall station wagon version of the Five Hundred).
 
I have fully loaded versions of both (2005). Navigation wasn't an option then, so I don't have that. Also, the rear entertainment system wasn't an option on the Five Hundred, so I don't have that. I'd almost certainly leave that off my Freestyle if I did it again. Actually, I had intended to do that, but that particular vehicle never came in . . until about a week after I got the one with the DVD player. LOL.
 
I'd probably forego the moonroofs next time, too. But this was my first time for owning a vehicle with one . . and my first time ever for getting ALL the factory options on a vehicle. Probably be my last time, as well.
 
I love the vehicles . . . just as nice as any Toyota / Lexus / Honda / Acura whatever I've ridden in. And I have many friends and relatives that drive those.

#112 of 6854 Re: Where are the American sedan fans? [barnstormer64] by luvmbooty

Jul 30, 2006 (10:21 pm)

Replying to: barnstormer64 (Jul 30, 2006 8:02 pm)
Great to hear you like your vehicles. I've heard a lot about problems with the Freestyle, have any?
 
What trim and options does your Five Hundred have? Did you buy new? What was the MSRP and final buying price? What was your negotiating strategy?
 
I like the 2006 SE. I don't need to spend on higher trims just to pay for extra options I'll have to pay even more for and a few added decorations. If higher trims came with an engine upgrade like the Impala or 300 I could see the reason.
 
The CVT is supposed to be the better trany. I wouldn't want the AWD, no need in NYC and save a little gas. I like the perfect crash ratings and ergonomics for the family. My desired options would be the safety and security and traction on the 2WD SE trim in gray, black, or silver. Hate the wood grain trim in interior. Would have to be shale interior. I think my target negotiated price would be around $20,000 with the $1,000 rebate. Car isn't selling that well, right?
 
I think it's the perfect family car. Ergonomic, affordability, safe is what I'm looking for. Wish I could add fuel economy into the equation but I'd have to sacrifice a priority or 2.

#113 of 6854 Re: Where are the American sedan fans? [luvmbooty] by barnstormer64

Jul 31, 2006 (8:26 am)

Replying to: luvmbooty (Jul 30, 2006 10:21 pm)
No issues at all with the Freestyle, nor the Five Hundred.
 
Both are Limited trims (2005), and had every available option.
 
I bought both of them new. The Freestyle was bought in Jan 2005 using X-plan pricing (a few hundred above invoice), and there was also a $1,000 rebate program at the time. The Five Hundred was bought in Jul 05 using the "employee pricing", and I believe there was also a $1,000 rebate on that one. The Freesytle was financed for 36 months at 1.9% . the Five Hundred was 36 months at 0%.
 
I live near Houston, so I opted for the lighter leather interior. I, too, would've rather NOT had the fake wood-grain interior. However, it HAS grown on me. The cheap little analog clock on the Five Hundred, though, still annoys me. LOL
 
I have no real "need" for the AWD, either. However, I do think it might (VERY) occasionally "save my bacon" when it's raining. It does cost 2 - 3 mpg and adds a couple hundred pounds to the weight of the car. However, it's a tried and true system (Haldex from Volvo), and the way it's implemented minimizes both extra weight AND the effect on gas mileage. Basically, the car is always in FWD mode unless traction is needed at the rear tires. Combined with the 'traction control', the whole thing is one very slick combo, IMO.
 
Sorry, I don't remember the actual final prices of either vehicle. I do know that the Freestyle was over 30k . . and I think that the Five Hundred was closer to 25k.

#114 of 6854 Re: American sedan fans? Buying Hyundai Azera [barnstormer64] by wamba2000

Jul 31, 2006 (3:49 pm)

Replying to: barnstormer64 (Jul 29, 2006 1:18 pm)
Barnstormer, the ingress/egress was one criteria, but with my past Ford experiences, it was a non-issue. Plus the Azera content and style has it over the 500 IMHO

#115 of 6854 Re: American sedan fans? Buying Hyundai Azera [wamba2000] by barnstormer64

Jul 31, 2006 (4:45 pm)

Replying to: wamba2000 (Jul 31, 2006 3:49 pm)
All Fords are NOT created equal. Neither are Toyotas, it would seem.

#116 of 6854 What will happen when... by luvmbooty

Aug 01, 2006 (6:54 am)

In another year I'm thinking I'll buy the new car. But I think WITHIN the next 10 years, there will be a transition to an alternative fuel source. I'm afraid of buying a new car unless I knew it could use the alternative fuel.
 
I know about the Chevy Impala. Would it really be a mistake to buy the E85 version? It has the ability to use E85 or gasoline, right? Hybrids are just too expensive right now for me to consider those. My next vehicle I'm trying to keep out-the-door under $25,000. I don't think that would be possible since all hybrids are going for sticker price and according to Edmunds some cases over sticker! Looks like the cheapest hybrids is also the smallest, the Civic which MSRP is $22,150. The Camry Hybrid's MSRP is $25,900. Imagine how much a Avalon Hybrid would run!
 
Large sedan hybrids would be out of my price range. So what's left as an alternative fuel source? E85, diesel, or hydrogen maybe? VW Jetta has a diesel version which starts at $22,680, but VW's are all expensive. That's why I'm considering the 3.5L Impala. The alternatives right now are too expensive or just aren't out yet.
 
The only other new alternative I think is left is 4 cyls. The only large sedan that has a 4 cyl is the Hyundai Sonata, which reviews aren't bad.
 
Otherwise I'll buy used. So when the time comes for the transition I won't lose too much money replacing it with a sedan that isn't too expensive and uses the future fuel source. Imagine if you bought a Toyota Avalon and in 2-5 years gasoline became too expensive. What would happen to residual values? I think they would be nonexistent because no one would want to buy one. Of course this would be the same for any vehicle that runs on gasoline. These are scary times for new car buyers my friends!

#117 of 6854 Re: What will happen when... [luvmbooty] by captain2

Aug 01, 2006 (10:22 am)

Replying to: luvmbooty (Aug 01, 2006 6:54 am)
No, you buy the Impala because you like it, the price is right or whatever - not because it can or cannot run on alcohol. E85 will not be available in sufficient quantities or at a cheap enough price to make it an alternative within any reasonable lifespan of the car you intend to buy.

#118 of 6854 Re: What will happen when... [captain2] by luvmbooty

Aug 01, 2006 (8:40 pm)

Replying to: captain2 (Aug 01, 2006 10:22 am)
Do you really think that gasoline prices won't jump to some ridiculous price like $12 a gallon within the next 5 years or so given the number of fuel thirsty vehicles out on the road today. Not to mention do you think that the number of cars on the road will increase or decrease? Also the usage of all these cars will increase or decrease? While all this fuel consumption is going on for 5 to 10 years down the road, what will be left of the diminishing fossil fuels? We will have no choice but to change to an alternative. I just hope it's one that will benefit everyone.

#119 of 6854 In the news by luvmbooty

Aug 02, 2006 (5:14 am)

GM sales down 22%: trucks down 31.2%, cars down 2.7%
 
Ford sales down 35.2%: trucks down 44.8%, cars down 6.7%
 
Chrysler sales down 37.4%: trucks down 40%, cars down 23.5%
 
Toyota sales up 11.7%: cars up 19.8%, trucks up 1.3%; Toyota out sold Ford by 17,000 vehicles!
 
Honda sales up 6%: cars up 6.4%, trucks up 6.8%; Company was unable to keep up with sales for small cars.
 
Nissan sales down 19.5%: trucks down 24.9%, cars down 14.5%
 
To GM, Ford, and Chrysler the key words are FUEL ECONOMY!

#120 of 6854 Re: In the news [luvmbooty] by captain2

Aug 02, 2006 (7:00 am)

Replying to: luvmbooty (Aug 02, 2006 5:14 am)
To GM, Ford, and Chrysler the key words are FUEL ECONOMY
Well, yes and no - the current variety of G,F,C cars while generally underpowered are more competitive when it comes to FE. Just like loyalbuickfan's Lucerne - 28mpg highway (his number) on a car that size and weight pretty darn good and in the same neighborhood as most other V6 cars in that category. Two reasons for the sales drops: 1) people don't trust US branded cars and, 2) given a choice between power and economy, people want both - a technology issue that the 'US' makers are not equipped to handle!
Keep in mind also that a much, much larger portion of the 'US' mfgrs. 'sales' end up in fleets and the rental car lots - places where car are not sold, but rather acquired from the lowest bidder.

Messages Page 12 of 686

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