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Midsize Sedans 2.0

13316 messages,  Last post on Dec 02, 2009 at 10:54 AM

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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#12712 of 13316
Choice by cannon3
Jun 21, 2009 (6:46 pm)
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We have some friends who's son (26 years of age) chose a 2010 Ford Fusion, 4cyl manual gear box SE version over a Volkswagon Jetta. He knew I had a 2006 and wanted to compare and talk about them. I asked him why he chose a Ford over a Volkswagon product? His first comments were road feel and the way the Fusion drove. Second was styling. My personal thoughts were, could Ford be turning the corner with the younger crowd with the Fusion/Milan?
 
Any younger on here want to comment? Say the 30 and under crowd?
#12713 of 13316
Re: Toyota owns Subaru [cannon3] by lilengineerboy
Jun 21, 2009 (7:03 pm)
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Replying to: cannon3 (Jun 21, 2009 6:37 pm)

In a Motor Trend article there was an article about Subaru and Toyota. What Toyota will probably do with Subaru over the next 5 - 10 years. Probably going to see more Toyota parts/engines/transmissions/mechanicals in Subaru. Subaru will retain its AWD namesake. Toyota may share more of the AWD systems from Subaru in more of its models. Basically Subaru will become Toyota. Because of less $$ for R&D and new vehicle introductions, Subaru will become Toyota
 
So we have a profitable niche manufacturer that is gaining market share as the number of vehicles sold is plummeting, and Toyota decides its a good time to implement their "one size fits most" policy...very interesting.
#12714 of 13316
Re: Choice [cannon3] by lilengineerboy
Jun 21, 2009 (7:08 pm)
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Replying to: cannon3 (Jun 21, 2009 6:46 pm)

We have some friends who's son (26 years of age) chose a 2010 Ford Fusion, 4cyl manual gear box SE version over a Volkswagon Jetta. He knew I had a 2006 and wanted to compare and talk about them. I asked him why he chose a Ford over a Volkswagon product? His first comments were road feel and the way the Fusion drove. Second was styling. My personal thoughts were, could Ford be turning the corner with the younger crowd with the Fusion/Milan?
  
Any younger on here want to comment? Say the 30 and under crowd?

 
So two college classmates of my sister went from a Probe and a Mazda3 to a Fusion. Interestingly enough, my sister and another classmate still have Mazda3s (and her classmate is thinking of a Fusion Hybrid) and a friend of mine traded an '05 for an '08. These were all people in CA and unrelated to a mfgr.
 
In Michigan, everyone is somehow related to the auto industry - your brother or sister or grandma or aunt works for an OEM or a supplier and an get some type of discount program, which colors the gene pool a bit.
#12715 of 13316
Re: Choice [lilengineerboy] by m6user
Jun 22, 2009 (9:16 am)
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Replying to: lilengineerboy (Jun 21, 2009 7:08 pm)

Don't forget just how much SYNC has impacted Ford small car sales. Focus sales went crazy because of SYNC and now that the Fusion is more competitive from a quality/value/mpg standpoint the lure of SYNC in that vehicle is drawing the younger crowd as well IMO.
#12716 of 13316
Re: Toyota owns Subaru [cannon3] by aviboy97
Jun 22, 2009 (3:22 pm)
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Replying to: cannon3 (Jun 21, 2009 6:37 pm)

A 17% share of FHI is not total ownership or even controling interest. I don't really see Toyota "butchering" Subaru as I guess you put it.
#12717 of 13316
Re: Toyota owns Subaru [aviboy97] by lilengineerboy
Jun 22, 2009 (6:27 pm)
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Jun 22, 2009 3:22 pm)

A 17% share of FHI is not total ownership or even controling interest. I don't really see Toyota "butchering" Subaru as I guess you put it.
 
Things that happened since Toyota got 17% share:
1. Legacy wagon gone
2. Auto-trans only WRX
3. Auto-trans only Outback turbo
 
Definitely heading for one size fits most.
#12718 of 13316
Re: Choice [m6user] by igozoomzoom
Jun 23, 2009 (12:53 am)
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Replying to: m6user (Jun 22, 2009 9:16 am)

My best friend has a 2008 Ford Fusion SEL with SYNC. It's his company issued vehicle- all of which have SYNC now. A Ford rep told me that over 80% of fleet sales have SYNC installed.
#12719 of 13316
Re: Toyota owns Subaru [lilengineerboy] by igozoomzoom
Jun 23, 2009 (1:03 am)
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Replying to: lilengineerboy (Jun 22, 2009 6:27 pm)

Actually, the WRX is still a 5-speed manual. It's the Impreza 2.5 GT that is saddled with the archaic 4-speed automatic.
#12720 of 13316
Re: Toyota owns Subaru [lilengineerboy] by mz6greyghost
Jun 23, 2009 (3:37 am)
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Replying to: lilengineerboy (Jun 22, 2009 6:27 pm)

Things that happened since Toyota got 17% share:
1. Legacy wagon gone
2. Auto-trans only WRX
3. Auto-trans only Outback turbo
  
Definitely heading for one size fits most.

 
I guess since Mazda now doesn't offer a manual with the 6S, nor does Honda with the Accord V6 4-door, they must also have had shares purchased by Toyota...
 
1. How about the possibility that the Legacy Wagon didn't sell? Considering I'm in Subaru heaven living in Upstate NY, and I've seen all of NONE on the roads without a dealer plate in the past 5+ years.
 
2. As long as I remember, the WRX has ALWAYS had a manual option, and still does.
 
3. Gotta knock this down to sales yet again, for pretty much the same reason in #1.
 
The only thing that has happened since Toyota bought shares is the development (and cancellation) of a proposed sports coupe that was to be sold by both automakers.
 
And 17% is less than the controlling percentage of 33.4%, according to Japanese law. Ask Ford...
#12721 of 13316
Re: Toyota owns Subaru [lilengineerboy] by aviboy97
Jun 23, 2009 (7:00 am)
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Replying to: lilengineerboy (Jun 22, 2009 6:27 pm)

1. Legacy wagon gone
 
With poor sales and people opting for the very similar Legacy Outback, there is no reason to have a Legacy wagon. As a member of one of the largest Subaru dealers in the nation, I can attest to the fact that the Legacy wagon did not sell.
 
2. Auto-trans only WRX
 
5-speed manual still offered
 
3. Auto-trans only Outback turbo
 
The Outback is not a car for enthusiasts. For all intents and purposes, it's an SUV according to Subaru. Again, we can point to lack of interest as a reason not to offer a manual Outback turbo.
 
In my opinion, Subaru is headed in the right direction. Outside of looks, the new Legacy sedan seems to offer something for everyone. If you want FE, buy the 2.5i with CVT. If you want a little fun, but the manual 2.5i. Power? 2.5GT or H6. Throw into that the ever popular Outback, Forester (selling like hot cakes BTW), and WRX / WRX STi and you have a popular car line. Outside of the Tribeca, everything is a good seller, in restricted regions of course!

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