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Mainstream Large Sedans Comparison

6844 messages,  Last post on Mar 23, 2009 at 12:32 PM

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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


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#6292 of 6844
Re: Not sure how to look at it... [allmet33] by captain2
May 13, 2008 (9:51 am)
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Replying to: allmet33 (May 13, 2008 9:40 am)

I hardly consider the Azera or Avalon to be overpowered
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!
#6293 of 6844
Re: Not sure how to look at it... [captain2] by allmet33
May 13, 2008 (11:14 am)
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Replying to: captain2 (May 13, 2008 9:51 am)

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh...my good Captain, the power of yesteryear is not the power of today. With car companies throwing 200 hp in some compacts and a lot of mid-sized sedans...250+ in large sedans is a necessity.
 
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.
#6294 of 6844
Re: Not sure how to look at it... [allmet33] by captain2
May 13, 2008 (12:48 pm)
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Replying to: allmet33 (May 13, 2008 11:14 am)

...250+ in large sedans is a necessity
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.
#6295 of 6844
Re: Not sure how to look at it... [captain2] by allmet33
May 13, 2008 (1:01 pm)
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Replying to: captain2 (May 13, 2008 12:48 pm)

The funny thing here is...if you drive the Azera, Avalon or Maxima as it was intended...you will find a balance, a feel, a cohesiveness and a singularity of purpose. If you try to drive any of them in a manner as you would say a 335i...then no, balance, feel and purpose are out the window.
 
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.
#6296 of 6844
Re: Not sure how to look at it... [allmet33] by louiswei
May 13, 2008 (1:19 pm)
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Replying to: allmet33 (May 13, 2008 7:28 am)

So...since you don't play in the NBA...you're right, the information is useless
 
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.
#6297 of 6844
Re: Not sure how to look at it... [allmet33] by captain2
May 13, 2008 (1:21 pm)
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Replying to: allmet33 (May 13, 2008 1:01 pm)

a 750iL or a S class etc. are every bit as much as a spacious 'family' sedan as Avalons or Azeras, yet for the extra 40 (or 50) large offer much, much more without any confusion with those particular cars being a 'sports' anything - as they should. My God, the things can weigh close to 5000 lbs. and be equipped with about every (malfunctioning) doo-dad known to mankind (and beyond), and almost demand a chauffeur and/or one of Bill Gates' computer programmers!
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.
#6298 of 6844
Re: Not sure how to look at it... [allmet33] by tjc78
May 13, 2008 (5:22 pm)
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Replying to: allmet33 (May 13, 2008 1:01 pm)

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
 
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.
#6299 of 6844
Re: Not sure how to look at it... [captain2] by maximafan
May 13, 2008 (8:58 pm)
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Replying to: captain2 (May 13, 2008 8:33 am)

I agree wholeheartedly with you on this, Captain. All Hyundai is
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!
#6300 of 6844
Re: Not sure how to look at it... [tjc78] by maximafan
May 13, 2008 (9:02 pm)
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Replying to: tjc78 (May 13, 2008 5:22 pm)

Montana is beautiful country!! I'll never forget the trip me and my
dad took out west in 1991. We took my 1988 Mazda RX-7 that I was driving at the time all the way out to Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota. It truly is God's country out there! I would love to do that trip again some day!
#6301 of 6844
Re: Not sure how to look at it... [allmet33] by maximafan
May 13, 2008 (9:08 pm)
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Replying to: allmet33 (May 13, 2008 9:03 am)

"But they have a pretty strong foothold on that, and the Azera, Veracruz have proven it."
 
 If that's true, then how come I hardly see any of these two particular cars on the road where I live(Tampa, Florida, by the way), especially the Veracruz???

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