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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18205 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 3:13 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

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

Messages Page 1158 of 1822

#11563 of 18205 Re: Sonata [cannon3] by thegraduate

Feb 15, 2009 (4:32 pm)

Replying to: cannon3 (Feb 15, 2009 4:08 pm)
Fact is the only thing the Accord/Camry has over the Hyundai is resale value.
 
Pretty strong opinion there, which is good; but it's not a "fact" as you call it.
 
Driving dynamics, powerplants, and the overall driving experience is pretty different from car to car, so to say the Sonata is just "better" really doesn't fly. To me, the Sonata was a little boring to drive, but had a more compliant highway ride than my car. To me, the Sonata didn't drive as well, but to you, it might be better.
 
That's why the best advice here, I'd say, is to drive them yourself, form your own opinions and take everything you read here, including my posts, with a grain of salt.
 
EDIT: Cannon3, you mention in your post that resale beyond 5 years is pointless; I beg to differ.
 
I compared a 2004 Sonata LX V6 Automatic (the most expensive, in order to find competetive prices with a lower-model Accord) with a 2004 Accord LX I4 Automatic (the next up from the base model). Both with 75,000 miles, and standard equipment per Kelley Blue Book. The results might surprise you:
 
Sonata LX V6 - $5,750 in Good condition, $5,125 in fair condition
Accord LX I4 - $8,175 in Good condition, $7,325 in fair condition (Worth ~43% or $2,200 - $2,425 more)
 
To show that it isn't just with the Sonata, but with the brand, let's compare Elantra and Civic. I chose an Elantra GT (the top model, including leather seating) to compare to the Civic LX (the mid-range model), both with automatics. That way starting prices are competitive.
 
Elantra GT - $5,940 in Good condition, $5,340 in fair condition
Civic LX - $8,210 in Good condition, $7,410 in fair condition (Worth ~39% more, or $2,070-$2,270 more)
 
If the 5 year resale value is pointless, can I have $2300 please? You won't miss it.
 
Best regards,
 
TheGrad

#11564 of 18205 Re: Sonata [cannon3] by backy

Feb 15, 2009 (4:37 pm)

Replying to: cannon3 (Feb 15, 2009 4:08 pm)
Price-wise, the Fusion/Milan and even the Malibu are pretty close to the Sonata. I frequently see Fulans and Malibus equipped comparably to the Sonata GLS for around $15-16k + T&L, which is about the going price for a Sonata GLS. And some other cars are pretty close, e.g. I saw a big ad in this weekend's paper from a local dealer offering a minimum of $4000 off any Altima, and a well-equipped 2.5S for about $18k. Big discounts are available on Camrys, Accords, Optimas, Mazda6's, Legacys etc. too. A great time to buy a new mid-sized sedan for those in the market! Good deals on slightly used ones, too, but that is another story.

#11565 of 18205 Re: Sonata [thegraduate] by fushigi

Feb 16, 2009 (6:38 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 15, 2009 4:32 pm)
Grad, you're only telling half the tale. To understand if the higher resale was indeed a better value you need to also look at the price difference when the vehicles were bought new. The Accord's higher resale is only a benefit if the purchase price difference is less than the trade-in price difference. So if the Accord was under $2200-2425 more than the Sonata when purchased new then the higher resale paid off, but if the Accord cost more, then you've simply paid more for the Accord.
 
For instance, my car has a trade-in value about $2K less than a Camry of equal vintage (when equipped as similar as possible, same mileage & condition rating). But based on sale prices of the time I know I paid at least $3000 less than an equivalent new Camry. So in my case the higher Camry resale price is more than negated by the higher initial price; it indicates an approximate $1000 "Camry tax".

#11566 of 18205 Re: Sonata [fushigi] by mickeyrom

Feb 16, 2009 (6:55 am)

Replying to: fushigi (Feb 16, 2009 6:38 am)
I think it comes down to two things.Which car do you like better and when do you want to save the money.When you buy,or when you sell.After owning both a Sonata and an Optima,I would like to add that the Accord does handle the bumps better,but on the interstate it's hard to choose between any of the mid sizes.

#11567 of 18205 Re: Sonata [mickeyrom] by plekto

Feb 16, 2009 (7:15 am)

Replying to: mickeyrom (Feb 16, 2009 6:55 am)
Exactly. It's not like we're comparing a RX8 to a Buick here. All of these things are plain vanilla commuter-sedans and that's really all they're good for. Pick one you like and drive it until the wheels fall off or you get sick of it. Because there's very little difference between any of them.

#11568 of 18205 Re: Sonata [fushigi] by thegraduate

Feb 16, 2009 (10:10 am)

Replying to: fushigi (Feb 16, 2009 6:38 am)
I beg to differ with ya; I was upfront with the vehicles I chose. Lower model Accords compete with upper level Sonatas on price. Same with Elantra/Civic.

#11569 of 18205 Re: Sonata [thegraduate] by robbieg

Feb 16, 2009 (10:59 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 16, 2009 10:10 am)
I agree that most midsized cars are pretty good these days. If I was buying a 4 cyl. car with just the basic options I would probably buy a Fusion or a Sonota, or maybe a Malibu if it was priced the same as those two. The reason for this is that they are a pretty good deal if ordered in base form. However, I probably wouldn't buy a loaded Fusion, Sonota or Malibu and would instead look at the Camry, Accords and Altima and even the new Mazda6. I guess I am reluctant to pull the trigger and spend 25-27k on a loaded Chevy or Ford. For what its worth I drive a Subaru Legacy which I love in spite of its relatively modest size. I view it as a funky alternative to a Honda Accord.
 

#11570 of 18205 Re: Sonata [robbieg] by akirby

Feb 16, 2009 (11:31 am)

Replying to: robbieg (Feb 16, 2009 10:59 am)
What is the difference between a loaded Chevy or Ford vs base models?

#11571 of 18205 Re: Sonata [akirby] by thegraduate

Feb 16, 2009 (11:43 am)

Replying to: akirby (Feb 16, 2009 11:31 am)
Perhaps the greater amount of up-front investment versus resale value? The Hondas and Toyotas of today aren't worlds ahead in quality like they used to be, but the resale (especially that of Honda) is still a fair amount better.
 
Just speculating; not speaking for robbieg.

#11572 of 18205 Re: Sonata [thegraduate] by m6user

Feb 16, 2009 (12:05 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 16, 2009 11:43 am)
I think comparing a V6 model Sonata to an I4 Accord just because they are closer in price is spin. Just compare similar drivetrain/amenities and see what the difference in resale is. Also, add in the interest on few thousand difference over 5 yrs. Also add in the less sales tax(plus interest over 5 yrs) and the total diffence would be quite a bit more. Also, I think there would be some value to two additional years of warranty for the Sonata but it would be hard to quantify.
 
Also, Hyundai has made great strides in quality(and the perception thereof) over the past 5 years, so the future resale values of cars bought today may be closer than the previous 5 years. However, that is just my opinion and I can't say it will be that way.
 
Let's stick with apples to apples and consider the whole picture when making comparisons especially if you're going to go through the trouble of looking up all the numbers in the first place.

Messages Page 1158 of 1822

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