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Midsize Sedans 2.0

14373 messages,  Last post on Mar 19, 2010 at 10:08 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


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#13090 of 14373
Re: Suzuki Kizashi [acdii] by akirby
Oct 19, 2009 (6:13 am)
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Replying to: acdii (Oct 19, 2009 4:50 am)

the engine hit the rev limiter almost instantly, and the Ford does a strange thing, it doesn't upshift if you hit the limiter. I guess it does that to protect the transmission from damage.
 
Not strange at all - my 2000 Lincoln LS did the same thing. It held the gear you selected no matter what until you came to a stop in a higher gear - then it would downshift automatically. It's a design choice that allows the driver to choose when to upshift - similar to what would happen in a manual. You're asking for manual gear control by using the selectshift - why would you want it to automagically shift when it doesn't need to?
 
Some mfrs upshift at redline which is fine 99% of the time. I just prefer that manual mode really means manual mode and not manual most of the time except when the computer thinks you should upshift.
#13091 of 14373
Re: Suzuki Kizashi [mz6greyghost] by imidazol97
Oct 19, 2009 (6:21 am)
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Replying to: mz6greyghost (Oct 19, 2009 3:48 am)

>Those 3800s were something else. Despite their "outdated" pushrod design, performance was very good compared to the SOHC/DOHC designs of the day, fuel economy was comparable, and reliability was excellent.
 
Let's be clearly honest here to wit that some people mocked and ridiculed the 3800s by GM. However, as said by the previous poster, I can take either of my 3800 leSabres, pack the trunk with luggage and stuff for a trip to stay a few days with long time friends, add three adults, add a cooler with snacks and drinks on the back seat, and get 31-32 mpg for the entire trip on regular fuel at 65-70 with the AC on from Dayton to Nashville via interstate. We arrive without being beaten by the road roughness, having driven in relative quiet with the CD or radio on, talking at normal volumes without fighting road noises and wind noise, and sit in comfort on supportive leather seats. All this in easy room for 6.
 
Where do I find a midsize car to replace that? The laCrosse 2010 would be my closest choice, so far.
#13092 of 14373
Re: Suzuki Kizashi [imidazol97] by stephen987
Oct 19, 2009 (6:39 am)
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Replying to: imidazol97 (Oct 19, 2009 5:21 am)

As far as I know, with the demise of the 2009 LaCrosse, the option of six-passenger seating is no longer available in any midsize sedan. While I generally prefer individual seating and a center console, I wish the option still existed.
 
As for the cross-country midsize/midsize+ sedan, I think the 2010 LaCrosse is the closest replacement. The Lucerne, though only a few years old, is suddenly looking outdated and irrelevant with the upmarket move by the LaCrosse.
 
The 2010 Taurus looks like another good bet for a cross-country road trip--not to mention a direct competitor for the LaCrosse in the subcategory of slightly oversize midsize sedan. (Shall we call them "relaxed fit" midsizers?)
 
Any other recommendations out there?
#13093 of 14373
Re: Suzuki Kizashi [stephen987] by backy
Oct 19, 2009 (8:02 am)
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Replying to: stephen987 (Oct 19, 2009 5:39 am)

Why not a car like the Fusion/Milan or Camry for a cross-country trip? Both have smooth rides (Camry probably a little smoother but handling is not as good), roomy interiors (for 4 + 1 anyway, typical for the class now), and good-sized trunks. Also very good highway fuel economy for such large cars.
 
If you need to take a long trip with more than four adults, the middle rear seat passenger won't be happy even in a car like the LaCrosse or Taurus. Might as well get a minivan or 7-8 seat SUV in that case.
 
Also, unlike the LaCrosse and Taurus, the Fulan and Camry are actually mid-sized sedans.
#13094 of 14373
Re: Suzuki Kizashi [stephen987] by m6user
Oct 19, 2009 (8:35 am)
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Replying to: stephen987 (Oct 19, 2009 5:39 am)

The 2010 Taurus looks like another good bet for a cross-country road trip--not to mention a direct competitor for the LaCrosse in the subcategory of slightly oversize midsize sedan. (Shall we call them "relaxed fit" midsizers
 
Where do you get the idea the new Taurus has anything to do with midsize sedans? It is larger than the Impala and almost a foot longer and half-foot wider than a Malibu and is clearly the Ford replacement for the Vic/Marquis. I think Ford even markets it as a full size car.
 
The '10 Lacrosse is less than two inches longer and less than a half inch wider than the Accord. I don't think those dimensions push it into a new or subcategory.
#13095 of 14373
2011 Hyundai Sonata- Game Changer? by deltheking
Oct 19, 2009 (8:47 am)
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Will the 2011 Hyundai Sonata be a game changer?The looks are good and the interior seems very nice and Hyundai`s reliability is massively improving. It definitely is much better than the Fusion/Malibu. And unlike GM it`s going to be in business for a while. Especially the interiors look very good. I like comfy rides and prefer my Lexus/Toyota and cant stand the road noise in the Accord but this Sonata can push the Camcord. Helps keep Toyota/Honda on their toes.Competition is always a good thing for the buyer..Also helps keep prices in check.
 
But must say I was surprised with the Malibu.Probably b`cos it is such an improvement over the previous version. Even the interiors are pretty decent.Definitely a step in the right direction. But with BK, no funds--tough to improve a product even though you have ideas. This is GM`s biggest problem and will not go away. Hence GM needs a miracle.
 
Fusion`s interior and drive was mediocre. Surprising that it is so popular and is selling well. Malibu is definitely better than Fusion. But at it`s price with good reliability- a decent deal. A used 1 or 2 yr Fusion is a great bargain.
 
And finally the Altima-- the most overrated sedan out there and very pricey for its very average quality.Cheap plastics everywhere , squeaks and rattles in a new car and the drive and handling are very overrated.The car seat material and the fit and finish are so pathetic.The Accord drives much better but has lots of road noise though. Also Nissan`s reliability is very average nowadays with lots of brake and hardware problems. Just cant see how it is worth paying 22k for an Altima which is a POC in my opinion.Very disappointed with the Altima.
 
Hoping the 2011 Sonata delivers.Can shake up the mid size sedan category putting pressure on Camcord/Malibu/Fusion which is a good thing for us buyers!!
#13096 of 14373
Re: 2011 Hyundai Sonata- Game Changer? [deltheking] by m6user
Oct 19, 2009 (10:03 am)
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Replying to: deltheking (Oct 19, 2009 7:47 am)

Fusion`s interior and drive was mediocre. Surprising that it is so popular and is selling well.
 
This is defintely your opinion and certainly not any kind of consensus that I've read. I think the vast majority of owners and professional reviewers would disagree with your assessment and is probably the reason, as you say, "it is so popular and is selling well."
 
I tend to agree with you on the Sonata though. From what I've seen of the Korean market model, if they don't change it a lot or eliminate some of the bells and whistles, it will be a much bigger contender than it already is when they start selling it here.
#13097 of 14373
Re: Suzuki Kizashi [m6user] by phaetondriver
Oct 19, 2009 (10:34 am)
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Replying to: m6user (Oct 19, 2009 7:35 am)

Just a little FYI for those that didn't know this bit of trivia.
The Taurus is the same car that Ford tried to market as the "500" which was a full size sedan. Ford used the "500" on cars back in the 60's with the Galaxy and Fairlane names.
For some reason Ford sales of the "500" were really bad. Marketing decided that it was just the name that turned off buyers so they renamed the "500" the Taurus, because the Taurus models sold well.
#13098 of 14373
Re: Suzuki Kizashi [acdii] by phaetondriver
Oct 19, 2009 (10:43 am)
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Replying to: acdii (Oct 19, 2009 4:50 am)

I had that problem, reaching redline/limiter immediately too. So, I did my burnout in 3rd gear, and use a patch of water to get it started,. Just about 3 seconds is enough to soften the tires. Makes a big difference in the launch and in the first 60 feet which equated to at least 0.5 seconds in 0-60 times. Of course you start out in 1st for the timed runs, if that wasn't clear.
 
You do have the ability to start in any gear wit the Ford don't you?
#13099 of 14373
Re: 2011 Hyundai Sonata- Game Changer? [deltheking] by 8babies1dog
Oct 19, 2009 (10:47 am)
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Replying to: deltheking (Oct 19, 2009 7:47 am)

I think the pressure is already on, other than Sonata's big change f/ 2009 the only
car in the midsize class that I can think of maybe the Mazda6, 2010 or 2011 may
see others follow suite another change f/ Hyundai is in the works. According to
auto industry stats I have seen and read about, show slump in sales for all the
car makers midsize sedans, except 1, their sales actually jumped up 15% f/2009.
Which prompted them to hire more people to step up production in Alabama. I didn't
hear about that company getting a hand out of our tax money to stay afloat. The company I bought all my vehicles from since early sixties must not take very good
care of their business. They got a big chunk of the tax money bail out and still have serious financial problems. Since 1995 I stopped buying their cars they have dropped 2 of their car lines completely (the kind I bought) and 2 more that has been
put on the discontinue or get rid of list. So my conclusion is, if they don't want them
I deffintly don't want them either!! Imagine if you have one of those and the dealership closes you got it from and the nearest one is kind of far away who will
work on it if needed especially under warranty. Well I have been there with that deal
and sorry but not again. I will stick with growing carmakers that put their customers
wants on top of their list, and really want to stay in business. I am not that crazy
about buying from a foreign company, but at least the 1 I just bought is engineered
and built here in our USA and their job looks secure for the near future not like what
is going on with some suppose to be BIG DOG companies here. Thanks Hyundai
for stepping up your game.

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