Mainstream Large Sedans Comparison

Replying to: gamleged (Mar 23, 2009 6:55 am)

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• tjc78 (Mar 23, 2009 7:27 am)
  • allmet33 (Mar 23, 2009 7:36 am)
    • tjc78 (Mar 23, 2009 8:31 am) and 2 more...
    • gamleged (Mar 23, 2009 12:28 pm) and 1 more...

Replying to: allmet33 (Mar 23, 2009 7:09 am)

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• allmet33 (Mar 23, 2009 7:36 am)
  • tjc78 (Mar 23, 2009 8:31 am)
    • allmet33 (Mar 23, 2009 8:41 am) and 1 more...
  • gamleged (Mar 23, 2009 12:28 pm)
    • allmet33 (Mar 23, 2009 12:32 pm)

Replying to: tjc78 (Mar 23, 2009 7:27 am)

Waiting on the heating element for the driver's seat to come in. I took it in to get a few things taken care of actually. I was getting a creaking noise from the strut on the front passenger side, they already replaced that (under warranty). They looked at the fog light that was taking on water, but it was determined not be covered by the warranty (I can order a new one for around $40...so no big deal) and of course the seat heating issue.
 
They had ordered the part for me before, but when I finally took it to them to get it done...they found out that the wrong part had been shipped, so they ordered a 2nd one. It comes in...and again, the wrong part. The part number on the packaging was right, but the part inside was wrong. So...they had to take pictures of the part taken out of my car, send a few emails and wait for the part to be shipped, from Korea once again, before they can install it.
 
The poor little Sonata they gave me as a loaner truly makes me miss my Azera. However, on the bright side...we picked up an '04 Audi A6 about a week ago that has eased my mind a bit.

Replies to this message:
• tjc78 (Mar 23, 2009 8:31 am)
  • allmet33 (Mar 23, 2009 8:41 am)
    • joe97 (Mar 23, 2009 10:39 am)
• gamleged (Mar 23, 2009 12:28 pm)
  • allmet33 (Mar 23, 2009 12:32 pm)

So I've fallen for the G8, to the point where I'm waiting for a nice used one to fall within my tight budget to replace my 08 Accord for it.
 
Admittedly I haven't driven one, as I know it will be hard to stay rational if I do, but I spent a great deal of time at the local auto show going over one.
 
I'm a big guy so interior space is a concern and an area that my 08 Accord really excels at. I wanted to see how the G8 fared.
 
There were 2 different G8 GT's at the auto show. Very nice salesman from Dartmouth Motors in Newport NH answered every question I asked. He was anxious to get me in for a test drive but I tried to convince us both I was just looking.
 
Both cars had performance & sport packages with the 19" summer rubber. The black one had a sunroof, the white one did not.
 
Interior space is about equal to my 08 Accord, great elbow, leg, hip and shoulder room front and rear. I can comfortably sit behind myself. Biggest difference was headroom. The G8 roof line is lower and that, coupled with the black headliner tightens things up both physically and visually. THe Accord gives me signifigantly mroe headreoom and a generall "airyness" that isn't present in the lower slung G8.
 
The black car had a sunroof which eats a bit more as well. The white one I sat in had no sunroof and it made a noticeable difference. Given how tiny the sunroof is anyway, I wouldn't want one.
 
I thought the interior plastics were of good quality, nicely textured with decent gaps. It's no Audi, sure, but it's not a early 90's Saturn either, it did not feel "cheap" by any stretch, very much on par with my Accord.
 
The red and black leather was of good quality and looked fantastic. The seats were very comfortable, with more bolstering then my Accord seats, but not so much that they felt too tight even for me. The center console comes up higher in the G8 then in the Accord so that holds you in as well. Trunk is large enough for my needs.
 
The white really did nothing for me but in black, this car is so fantastic looking, wheel gaps were small, short overhangs, and the overall shape was very sporty. The wheels were a bit bland but fit the overall design well. Brake disks look HUGE behind them. One minor concern I could dig for is the low front clip. I've already scraped up the lip of my Accord and it is easily twice as high off the ground then the G8. Deal breaker? Nope, but a consideration with my area's plethora of crappy roads, steep dirt driveways, and 5 month winters.
 
Overall I was very impressed. For a non-driving review it met or exceeded my expectations. Frankly the only thing keeping me from buying one right now is price and a general fear about the economy. Not that it's not a great value (these were "special priced" at $27.5) but just that I don't car-shop much over $20k, just not in my budget. But I can REALLY see me looking at used ones a year or so from now.
 
http://twitpic.com/2bnfj http://twitpic.com/2bgaf

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• allmet33 (Mar 23, 2009 8:10 am)

Replying to: sporin71 (Mar 23, 2009 7:43 am)

Replying to: allmet33 (Mar 23, 2009 7:36 am)

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• allmet33 (Mar 23, 2009 8:41 am)
  • joe97 (Mar 23, 2009 10:39 am)

Replying to: tjc78 (Mar 23, 2009 8:31 am)

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• joe97 (Mar 23, 2009 10:39 am)

Replying to: allmet33 (Mar 23, 2009 8:41 am)

Congrats on the A6. Glad you are enjoying it

Replying to: allmet33 (Mar 23, 2009 7:36 am)

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• allmet33 (Mar 23, 2009 12:32 pm)

Replying to: gamleged (Mar 23, 2009 12:28 pm)