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Midsize Sedans 2.0

13270 messages,  Last post on Nov 28, 2009 at 9:36 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura, Car Comparisons, Sedan


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#10486 of 13270
Re: Mazda6 revs [akirby] by captain2
Aug 13, 2008 (1:19 pm)
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Replying to: akirby (Aug 13, 2008 4:14 am)

actually what happens with a CVT is that the tranny is relying quite heavily on the computer's interpretation of driver intent - meaning how hard and how far you press the accelerator. The engine speed may 'set' at any level the computer deems necessary to provide what IT is estimating you want. The old Ford/Volvo CVT/DT 3.0 application (like in the 500) a really really poor application of this technology and one reason why Ford so quickly discontinued it. A DT 3.0 screaming at 4-5000 rpm or so trying to pull 2 tons around not a pleasant experience. The Nissan CVT OTH as well as the engines they are attached to - quite a different story. And yes it is 'weird' but is also extremely smooth because there are jerky upshifts or downshifts - I could well imagine, however, that the CVT could become objectionable especially when coupled to an unrefined engine.
The CVT is I would guess the tranny of the future in this (and other) classes, simply because it is mechanically simpler and offers less mechanical losses (better FE) than the conventional auto tranny. The driving experience may never be quite the same...
#10487 of 13270
Re: rpms and gas tanks [jeffyscott] by aviboy97
Aug 13, 2008 (1:29 pm)
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Aug 13, 2008 1:08 pm)

That was me!
 
I own a 2005 Mazda5 4 cyl mtx and I spin 3,200 rpm's going 70 mph in 5th
#10488 of 13270
Re: Mazda6 revs [captain2] by akirby
Aug 14, 2008 (4:51 am)
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Replying to: captain2 (Aug 13, 2008 1:19 pm)

There was nothing objectionable about the 3.0L Duratec/CVT in the Freestyle loaner that I drove, even at 4000 RPM. Just the fact that the speed was changing while the engine RPM stayed constant.
 
Ford is going with dual clutch Powershift in their new small cars claiming 10% better economy over a 6 speed auto.
 
Other than Nissan - who is committing to CVTs?
#10489 of 13270
Re: Mazda6 revs [akirby] by jeffyscott
Aug 14, 2008 (5:37 am)
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Replying to: akirby (Aug 14, 2008 4:51 am)

Other than Nissan - who is committing to CVTs?
 
Maybe Mitsubishi??? Not that they are of much significance in the US. When is Ford planning to go to the DSG style automatics in the US? The interweb tells me it is already availble on European Fords.
#10490 of 13270
Re: Mazda6 revs [akirby] by captain2
Aug 14, 2008 (5:44 am)
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Replying to: akirby (Aug 14, 2008 4:51 am)

who is committing to CVTs?
Nissan certainly with the biggest - using the tranny essentially line wide - Toyota and Honda using them in their economy champions like the Prius/Civic. It's not like the CVT is new by any means, but something that has been improved/perfected primarily by Nissan. Would not expect a financially and developmentally strapped Co. like Ford to pioneer or even lead the way in the development of any new technologies. I think you'll find that Ford could not use the Volvo sourced chain driven CVT in the Taurus because it couldn't handle the HP increase that came with the bigger DT and was further problematical from a reliability perspective - something that hasn't been a problem in the Nissans since the Murano of several years back.
Pooh, pooh the CVT if you will - it does present the driver with a different kind of driving experience - but it is a solid choice in all our FE challenged futures given that there are significantly less mechanical losses vs. the traditonal auto.. If Ford is going to claim the efficiencies of an automatically shifted manual tranny - would suggest they look to VW as well as the Italians for advice in how to do it.....
#10491 of 13270
Re: Mazda6 revs [captain2] by thegraduate
Aug 14, 2008 (6:16 am)
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Replying to: captain2 (Aug 14, 2008 5:44 am)

If Ford is going to claim the efficiencies of an automatically shifted manual tranny - would suggest they look to VW as well as the Italians for advice in how to do it.....
 
Yes, because we know VW builds high-quality and long-lasting pieces of equipment!
#10492 of 13270
Re: Mazda6 revs [thegraduate] by captain2
Aug 14, 2008 (6:53 am)
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Replying to: thegraduate (Aug 14, 2008 6:16 am)

point taken, grad but I think you'll find that VWs problems are not really related too much to the DSG but more towards the engine and electonic side of things and even those have improved recently. Haven't driven a DSG equipped VW or Audi yet but by all reports these things will shift ''better" than you or I could do it ourselves.
#10493 of 13270
Re: Mazda6 revs [captain2] by thegraduate
Aug 14, 2008 (7:04 am)
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Replying to: captain2 (Aug 14, 2008 6:53 am)

Still, if I'm having to choose between a Ford and a VW, I'd actually take the Ford. I could afford to keep it 150k a lot better than I could the VW, based on how well the new Ford sedans have been doing.
 
I'm a worrier, and no matter how much more fun the VW would be, the Ford wouldn't make me nervous on a long trip. After seeing two different friends of the family with VWs (2001, 2004) and how they both have POOR reliability, I wouldn't touch one for many years; not with my checkbook, anyway.
#10494 of 13270
Re: Mazda6 revs [thegraduate] by aviboy97
Aug 14, 2008 (7:14 am)
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Replying to: thegraduate (Aug 14, 2008 7:04 am)

I will second that.
 
Many reports have shown Ford making a drastic improvement in dependability. Even CR recommends all of their sedans now. For has also taken a huge step in the interior quality of their vehicles. I drove a Flex today at my Ford store, and while I did not care for the vehicle its self (style or ride), the build quality and materials used were very very good.
 
I think Ford is really about to take off once their Euro designs go on sale here in the U.S.. They wont be in dire straights for too much longer.
#10495 of 13270
Re: Mazda6 revs [aviboy97] by thegraduate
Aug 14, 2008 (7:22 am)
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Aug 14, 2008 7:14 am)

They'd be my first choice of American sedan. Not trucks or economy car, but for me (21 years old [read: cheap] yet 6'5") a midsize sedan is about as small as I will go, and a truck just costs too much to fill up. If the Fusion steps up in FE and power like expected, they could be near the top of my list!

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