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Midsize Sedans 2.0

13272 messages,  Last post on Nov 29, 2009 at 9:13 AM

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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

#11202 of 13272 Re: [baggs32] by thegraduate Nov 20, 2008 (3:05 pm)
Replying to: baggs32 (Nov 20, 2008 10:33 am) Personally, I'm not a fan of either one, but what I do like about it is that the speedometer is seperate from it, as in the Civic. Replies to this message: stephen987 (Nov 20, 2008 7:10 pm) baggs32 (Nov 20, 2008 7:34 pm) thegraduate (Nov 21, 2008 11:49 am)
#11203 of 13272 Re: [thegraduate] by stephen987 Nov 20, 2008 (7:10 pm)
Replying to: thegraduate (Nov 20, 2008 3:05 pm) That's what I like least, actually. I hate that upper rim with the digital speedo in it. I'd always be looking at the tach, dead center, and wondering why it wasn't giving me MPH. Replies to this message: baggs32 (Nov 20, 2008 7:34 pm) thegraduate (Nov 21, 2008 11:49 am)
#11204 of 13272 Re: [stephen987] by baggs32 Nov 20, 2008 (7:34 pm)
Replying to: stephen987 (Nov 20, 2008 7:10 pm) I'd always be looking at the tach, dead center, and wondering why it wasn't giving me MPH.   Driving with a stick tranny would be a hassle too. Too many levels to look at. With an auto it wouldn't be as bad for me but I see where you're coming from. It's great if you love tech but could be annoying to those who don't. I'm guessing that's why the "youngster" Hondas have it and not the "old fart" Accord/Pilot/etc.   My dad's '87 Taurus had an all digital dash and I loved it. But it did have the tach as a rising meter that ran up and around the speedo which was less confusing IMO. Replies to this message: thegraduate (Nov 21, 2008 11:49 am)
#11205 of 13272 Re: [baggs32] by thegraduate Nov 21, 2008 (11:49 am)
Replying to: baggs32 (Nov 20, 2008 7:34 pm) Interestingly, my dad liked the Civic design better than I. He'll be 52 this year. I'm 21, and have the old fart Accord ('06 model). To be fair, it is an automatic, so RPM isn't something he's looking at often. I've driven the Civic for more than 5 hours at a time, and its really no big deal to adjust to; takes a few minutes, but everything becomes second nature pretty easily.
#11206 of 13272 Ford tops safe car list. by TheUkrainian Nov 27, 2008 (1:28 pm)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081125/ap_on_bi_ge/safe_cars   Good news for Ford. They need to market this, or at least make it poster sized at dealerships. The 2010 Fusion is amazing in both safety and technology. Looks are subjective, safety is not. I personally love the new redesigned Fusion, it looks more sporty and aggressive. I currently own a 07 Fusion I4, and I'm pretty sure that the new Fusion will be my next vehicle.   Before I got my Fusion I test drove a Camry. Hated it. The suspension was too floaty, the interior was not appealing, and the exterior looks are bland. Toyota salesman tried to steer me away from the Fusion based on reliability. Since it's launch, I don't believe the Fusion has had any recalls. Since I've owned mine, I haven't had any issues, just 25,000 happy satisfied miles.
#11207 of 13272 CR tests 2009 Sonata, Malibu, Mazda6, Aura, Jetta TDI by backy Nov 29, 2008 (5:06 pm)
The CR January issue has tests of the cars listed in the title of the post. Spoiler alert: do not read further if you don't want to find out how they scored!   Of the cars tested for January, the Sonata GLS I4 and Limited V6 were the top-scoring mid-sizers in their respective groups (which are $20-25k and $25-30k). However, the top-scoring car that CR tested, as a sidebar to the other tests, was the Jetta TDI, which CR put just one point behind the top-scoring car in its $20-25k sedans class, the Altima 2.5S.   The relatively poor showing of the all-new Mazda6 was surprising, since it is the newest mid-sized design. Also, the comments about the Mazda6 were pretty positive, with the only knocks being about road noise and the fuel economy of the V6 (20 mpg measured), and quibbles on some of the interior trim on the 6i Sport and head room in back. It could just be a reflection of the fact that the mid-sized sedan class is pretty darn good across the board; e.g. only four points separated the Sonata GLS from the Mazda6i, and only 2 points separated the Sonata Limited V6 from the 6s Grand Touring.   Just kind of interesting though that CR would rank cars like the Prius and Optima (pre-2009 model) ahead of the Mazda6, refreshed Sonata, or even the Malibu. Probably shows that CR weights fuel economy pretty highly in its rankings (cf. Jetta TDI and Prius).   Rankings of cars tested for January issue:   Jetta TDI: 84 Sonata Limited V6: 83 6s Grand Touring: 81 Sonata GLS I4: 77 Malibu LT I4: 74 6i Sport, Malibu Hybrid (tie): 73 Aura XE I4: 67   I guess we'll have to wait until sometime next year to see how the refreshed 2009 Optima and 2010 Fusion, Milan, and Legacy fare. Replies to this message: mickeyrom (Nov 30, 2008 5:17 am) backy (Nov 30, 2008 7:15 am) mickeyrom (Dec 06, 2008 11:28 am)
#11208 of 13272 backy... by iluvmysephia1 Nov 29, 2008 (6:39 pm)
can you recall what it was they didn't like about the new Saturn Aura XE I4? Bad gas mileage, perhaps? Replies to this message: backy (Nov 29, 2008 8:35 pm)
#11209 of 13272 Re: CR on Aura XE I4 by backy Nov 29, 2008 (8:35 pm)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Nov 29, 2008 6:39 pm) They basically said it isn't as good as the Malibu--sound but unexceptional handling, rear seat not as good as the Malibu's (bottom is hard, flat, and low, and back is angled rather steeply), worse fuel economy (but just 1 mpg less) and noise isolation. They also mentioned a cheap-feeling, creaky center console that robs knee room and some complaints about the front seats and seat belts.   Odd thing, though: CR did not recommend the Aura because it said the four-cylinder model is "new." But the Aura has been around awhile, and the powertrain is the same as in the Malibu LT that they also tested--and recommended.
#11210 of 13272 Re: CR tests 2009 Sonata, Malibu, Mazda6, Aura, Jetta TDI [backy] by mickeyrom Nov 30, 2008 (5:17 am)
Replying to: backy (Nov 29, 2008 5:06 pm) Hi Backy, As I remember,my 06.5 Optima score 87 at that time,so does that mean it's better than the new models? Replies to this message: backy (Nov 30, 2008 7:15 am) mickeyrom (Dec 06, 2008 11:28 am)
#11211 of 13272 mickeyrom... by iluvmysephia1 Nov 30, 2008 (7:10 am)
your '06.5 Kia Optima is sound as a pound, man. You have a nice car, remind me what color you chose for your Optima. The refresh of the Optima that is your year has an interesting headlamp design, it gives the car sort of a Jetta cum Audi look to it. Definitely unique and refreshing IMO.   And the '06.5 Kia Optima has been mostly treated fairly by the automotive press, too. Replies to this message: mickeyrom (Dec 06, 2008 11:24 am)

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