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Sedans Mainstream Large Sedans Comparison
6844 messages, Last post on Mar 23, 2009 at 12:32 PM
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Replying to: allmet33 (May 13, 2008 9:03 am) now THAT is opinion - I personally regard a 'real' car as one that is something more than an overpowered conveyance that gets us from A to B. Most of what the Germans make, as well as some of what the Japanese make currently meet that 'real' car definition, something that in itself is not related to price (although it seems to work out that way). Keep in mind that this 'overpowered conveyance' idea while they may allow for some 'fun' certainly applies to something more than Sonatas. You and I both drive one! 
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Replying to: captain2 (May 13, 2008 9:28 am) What is your definition of overpowered? I hardly consider the Azera or Avalon to be overpowered at all. If anything...they are like your favorite pair of jeans...just right!
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Replying to: allmet33 (May 13, 2008 9:40 am) how can you not  - both cars will accelerate in times roughly equal to those same times posted by many of those 'muscle cars' in the 60s and use a lot less gas doing it. Furthermore, it wasn't all that long ago that 0-60 in 10 seconds was deemed sufficient. Ask somebody that didn't spend the extra money for the Accord V6 and instead opted for that wonderful 4 banger that they don't consider that V6 to be overpowered. Is a 300 hp 335i overpowered ? Nope - because it properly gets all that power to the ground, and is otherwise designed to handle it. Not the case with our Avalons or Azeras - doesn't mean though that I would likely give you back even one of my 268hp!
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Replying to: captain2 (May 13, 2008 9:51 am) Considering the 335i is a sports sedan, it IS designed to handle 300 hp and it gets it to the ground very nicely. Our cars are hardly overpowered, they just don't use the most efficient method of putting that power on the pavement. However, considering our cars to be family sedans, touring sedans at best...does it really suffer from the drive configuration? Our cars are designed to handle the power they put out, they're not designed to be driven like one would drive the 335i. I can tell you this much, driving anything with less power than my Azera feels funny. My buddy has a Magnum R/T with some custom work done under the hood. It's putting out at least 375 hp, when he stepped on the gas pedal...I was like, "WHY???" The 263 hp in my Azera is more than enough power to get me in LOTS of trouble, where in the world would you get full use of 375 hp??? In my opinion...his Magnun with 375 hp is overpowered.
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Replying to: allmet33 (May 13, 2008 11:14 am) while you and I certainly agree on that and I would even go further to say that the 'excess' HP handled intelligently (the reverse can also be true) makes our cars actually safer than the same cars limited to maybe 200hp or so (like the Lucerne 3.8, the old 500, the 4 banger midsizers etc. etc. - I think 'necessity' is a hard concept to sell, luxury might be a better word. PS the most 'efficient' method of getting the power to the ground is MORE than simply FWD vs. RWD and is also a lot more than engine and/or interior volume specs. - something that Hyundai apparently doesn't understand, and is perfectly illustrated by the Chrysler 300. Toyota seems to understand this - they manufacture perfectly wonderful cars called the Lexus IS, GSs and LSs, likewise Nissan with the Infiniti Gs and Ms - just not Hyundai, who seems to be guilty of having a rather fertile imagination and/or a screwy PR dept.. I haven't had the privilege of specifically driving a 335 yet (really hoping for the 135)- but when I do - I will find a balance, a feel, a cohesiveness, and a singularity of purpose all of which I don't find in things like Azeras and Avalons. |
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Replying to: captain2 (May 13, 2008 12:48 pm) As sports cars, the Azera, Avalon and even the Maxima fall way short. However, as family sedans, the shine quite brightly. Of the 3, the Maxima would probably allow one the most amount of fun on winding mountain road (without an over-indulgence in exuberance). Even the Avalon would provide and exhilirating ride on such a road. The Azera, well...I can't say that much unless you want to drive by the seat of your pants...it's strongest characteristic is highway cruising. I'm not sure why you feel that Hyundai doesn't get the power to the pavement, that's really not the problem. The problem is the fuel efficiency. Considering the Azera is right behind the Avalon in 0-60 time, with 5 less hp...it must get the power down pretty darn good.
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Replying to: allmet33 (May 13, 2008 7:28 am) But I do play basketball, just not in NBA... Since the Sonata doesn't play in the same "league" as the 5-series so IMO that is an useless fact. Another example of useless fact is comparing a .300 hitter in AA to a .280 hitter in the Major Leagues, which is exactly what Hyundai did with the commercial. |
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Replying to: allmet33 (May 13, 2008 1:01 pm) This whole thread is not about Hyundai's 'inability' to get 'power to the pavement', Hyundai does it in a similar manner as almost all the cars we talk about here - it has to do with Hyundai's seeming affliction to represent their products as much more than they are or could possibly be. |
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Replying to: allmet33 (May 13, 2008 1:01 pm) Having driven a Maxima in Montana on winding roads just recently I can tell you that although stiffer and slightly better steering feel the limitations of the weight and FWD show up really quick when taking the curves. I pushed the car through some, that it took nicely, however, my Avalon (softer XLS model, BTW) would have taken them as well just with more body roll and steering that would have you wondering what was going on at times. It was a nice sporty "feel" but no doubt I was reminded what I was driving a few times. OTOH... on some nice deserted straightaways me and the VQ got very well acquainted On another note, if you ever get the chance Montana is possibly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in this country. I was working with a customer and had an afternoon before I left to go exploring. Wish I had more time.
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Replying to: captain2 (May 13, 2008 8:33 am) doing these days is literally copycatting other cars that are on the market today both on the exteriors and interiors, such as Veracruz-Lexus RX350, Azera-Lexus LS, Genesis-BMW 5-Series. While I'll be the first to admit that the Hyundai products are looking much better than they have in the past, they're not being innovative or adding something distinctive, except for maybe some price differences. Ditto, the advertisements coming out from Hyundai haven't swayed me a bit! |
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