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Midsize Sedans 2.0

12752 messages,  Last post on Jun 30, 2009 at 9:17 PM

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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

#11447 of 12752 Re: Say it isn't so! [madpistol] by mickeyrom Jan 13, 2009 (8:56 am)
Replying to: madpistol (Jan 13, 2009 7:00 am) My Optima has 4 seat warmer settings.I can't imagine just an on/off system.
#11448 of 12752 Re: Say it isn't so! [jeffyscott] by thegraduate Jan 13, 2009 (9:06 am)
Replying to: jeffyscott (Jan 13, 2009 7:10 am) Here's how it goes (for me, in Birmingham).   Jeans/long pants come out when high are 60s. Long sleeve shirts/sweaters come out when highs are in 50s, maybe a light jacket. The heavy coats don't come out until lows hit the 30s. Long underwear in the 30s? Nah... maybe on a snowy day/night in the teens.   Seat heaters and coolers should use the Audi/VW design, I think, with a thumb wheel. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Jan 13, 2009 10:02 am)
#11449 of 12752 Re: Say it isn't so! [thegraduate] by aviboy97 Jan 13, 2009 (10:02 am)
Replying to: thegraduate (Jan 13, 2009 9:06 am) Seat heaters and coolers should use the Audi/VW design, I think, with a thumb wheel.   I agree.   Mazda just adapted the thumb wheel for the CX-7 (cloth and leather) for 09. Yes, I know, not a mid-sized sedan, so, all who want to comment on that, just save it!
#11450 of 12752 Re: Say it isn't so! [thegraduate] by tlong Jan 13, 2009 (10:12 am)
Replying to: thegraduate (Jan 12, 2009 10:08 am) With forecast lows this week as low as 8 degrees as far south as Birmingham, AL... I'm beginning to be glad I don't live any further north!!   Heat wave in So. Caliifornia today. It's supposed to get up to 80F!
#11451 of 12752 Re: Say it isn't so! [madpistol] by kirstie_h HOST Jan 13, 2009 (12:06 pm)
Replying to: madpistol (Jan 13, 2009 7:00 am) For me, this is a happy, happy development in the automotive world. My most important features in a vehicle list something like this:   1. Seat warmers 2. Automatic windows/locks 3. Steering wheel 4. Engine   You get the idea. That's the one feature that makes me consciously happy every day for about 4 months of the year. Replies to this message: madpistol (Jan 13, 2009 12:40 pm)
#11452 of 12752 Re: Say it isn't so! [kirstie_h] by madpistol Jan 13, 2009 (12:40 pm)
Replying to: kirstie_h (Jan 13, 2009 12:06 pm) You really appreciate it if your car sits outside during the winter. The last 2 weeks I've gotten up for school (college), my car has been covered in frost. I just go out, start the car, turn on seat warmers, windshield defroster, etc. and I go back inside for about 5 minutes. When I come back out, the seat is nice and warm and I can see out the windows in my car!   I will admit that I'm never going to be able to buy another car unless it has seat warmers now. It's the little things that make people happy.
#11453 of 12752 Wanted - Softer Suspensions by starryknight Jan 13, 2009 (6:09 pm)
I'd like to start another discussion regarding the suspensions in midsize cars. My beef is this.....in recent years, I've found there to be a growing lack of soft suspensions in midsized (and even a few larger) cars. I used to have a 2000 Ford Taurus and that car had a very nice, soft suspension. It soaked up bumps and handled potholes like a trooper and I had no handling issues. I traded it in for a 2007 Accord. What a difference! I knew the suspension was stiffer but thought I could get used to it but, after a year and a half, I'm looking to trade again. Just can't take it any longer. I feel EVERY small crack in the road and forget about potholes. When one of those babies comes along, it feels like the front end is being ripped out (you can't avoid them all). What ever happened to the nice, soft, cushy suspensions like what we could get 20-30 years ago. I understand the newer "sport tuned" suspensions make the car safer and more stable but really now. Family sedans are supposed to be comfortable. I, for one, would like those cars to go back to super soft suspensions and leave the stiff, sporty suspensions to the corvettes of the world. Let's discuss Replies to this message: backy (Jan 13, 2009 6:24 pm) mz6greyghost (Jan 13, 2009 6:49 pm) bpizzuti (Jan 13, 2009 7:08 pm) starryknight (Jan 13, 2009 7:48 pm) thegraduate (Jan 13, 2009 7:53 pm) backy (Jan 13, 2009 8:23 pm) bpizzuti (Jan 14, 2009 4:26 am) and 4 more... explorerx4 (Jan 14, 2009 8:36 pm)
#11454 of 12752 Re: Wanted - Softer Suspensions [starryknight] by backy Jan 13, 2009 (6:24 pm)
Replying to: starryknight (Jan 13, 2009 6:09 pm) Well, you happened to choose a car with one of the firmest, "feel every pebble" suspensions in mid-sized sedan country. But there's hope! The suspension of the 2008+ Accord is softer than the previous generation's. For what you want, I think you'll find it more to your liking. Other mid-sizers with a smooth ride are the Camry (possibly the best in terms of smoothness), the Fulan (very nice blend of ride smoothness and handling), and the Sonata (GLS or Limited trim; SE has a stiffer suspension). The Malibu and Aura are supposed to ride quite nicely also but I haven't driven them. Personally I also like the ride of the Optima; like the Fusion, a nice blend of ride smoothness and handling. I also like the way the Mazda6 rides and drives, but it may be too stiff for your taste--you could try it and see though.   Try some of those, maybe starting with the 2008-9 Accord to compare it to what you have now, then the Camry to compare with a car optimized for ride smoothness above all else.
#11455 of 12752 Re: Wanted - Softer Suspensions [starryknight] by mz6greyghost Jan 13, 2009 (6:49 pm)
Replying to: starryknight (Jan 13, 2009 6:09 pm) The only car up your alley would be the Camry, any model except the SE.   Not to be sarcastic, but have you considered a Buick, notably the LaCrosse?
#11456 of 12752 Re: Wanted - Softer Suspensions [starryknight] by bpizzuti Jan 13, 2009 (7:08 pm)
Replying to: starryknight (Jan 13, 2009 6:09 pm) May I suggest a nice Ford Crown Victoria then?   Soft suspensions went away partially because of the safety factor (as relates to handling and accident avoidance) but also because fewer and fewer people wanted them. Now there ARE some sedans that are softer than the Accord you drove...it's one of the firmer ones, along with Mazda and Nissan (though Nissan is probably a bit softer than the other two). Softies tend to include, as mentioned, Hyundai Sonata (non-SE), Toyota Camry, and Chevy Malibu from what I hear, but even those are firmer than the 20-30 year old cars you're yearning for.   Fact is, the marshmallowy ride is disappearing because most people don't want it anymore, for the very reasons you mentioned: safety and stability. The more disconnected you are from the road, the harder it is to notice when you're losing control (and the harder it is to stay in control in the first place). Replies to this message: starryknight (Jan 13, 2009 7:48 pm) thegraduate (Jan 13, 2009 7:53 pm) backy (Jan 13, 2009 8:23 pm) bpizzuti (Jan 14, 2009 4:26 am) mickeyrom (Jan 14, 2009 5:53 am) imidazol97 (Jan 14, 2009 6:18 am) and 1 more... jeffyscott (Jan 14, 2009 7:58 am) explorerx4 (Jan 14, 2009 8:36 pm)

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