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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18159 messages,  Last post on May 17, 2013 at 9:08 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, Kia Optima, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1417 of 1817

#14152 of 18159 Did my final test drives by andyfromva

Mar 04, 2010 (11:14 am)

After test driving the 2011 Sonata, the Camry, the Accord, the Altima a few days ago I test drove the Fusion and Malibu today.
 
I wasn't impressed with the Fusion. Technically it seemed pretty good - quiet, comfortable, nice ride, but it was butt ugly, both inside and out. Sorry, Ford.
 
I really liked the Malibu. Very attractive exterior and interior, quiet, good ride, very comfortable. Best of all the doors make a very satisfying "thunk" when you close them.
 
So my preferred midsize cars are, in order of preference:
1. Toyota Camry. Still the best car for me, all around. But will not buy it as long as there's substantial doubt as to its safety.
2. Honda Accord. Classy car, but ride is a bit noisy.
3. 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Very impressive car, but is it too sporty for an old guy like me?
4. Chevy Malibu. Very attractive, quiet car.
 
These top four are very close.
 
Bringing up the rear are
5. Nissan Altima. OK car but noisy engine.
6. Ford Fusion. Good car technically but looks like it was designed in the Soviet Union.
 
So at least I'm making some progress in narrowing things down.

#14153 of 18159 Re: If You Had To Buy A Mid-Size Tomorrow, What Would You Buy??? [akirby] by jimbres

Mar 04, 2010 (11:22 am)

Replying to: akirby (Mar 04, 2010 7:05 am)
Last I heard even BMW was only in the 30% range for manuals, maybe less.
 
I'd bet on less. When I bought my 330i, back in 2001, my sales guy couldn't find a single 4-door sedan with stick anywhere between Boston & D.C. I had to order a car from the factory to get what I wanted.

#14154 of 18159 Re: Did my final test drives [andyfromva] by jimbres

Mar 04, 2010 (11:25 am)

Replying to: andyfromva (Mar 04, 2010 11:14 am)
6. Ford Fusion. Good car technically but looks like it was designed in the Soviet Union.
 
Ouch! Not that I'm planning to buy a Fusion, but I still own a few shares of Ford that I managed to buy back in the late 90s at close to its all-time high price.

#14155 of 18159 Re: Did my final test drives [jimbres] by mz6greyghost

Mar 04, 2010 (11:39 am)

Replying to: jimbres (Mar 04, 2010 11:25 am)
Ouch! Not that I'm planning to buy a Fusion, but I still own a few shares of Ford that I managed to buy back in the late 90s at close to its all-time high price.
 
You've got nothing to worry about, my friend. Last month, Ford sales as a whole went up 43% from Feb. '09, with Fusion sales up 116.5%. YTD, Ford sales are up 34% from '09.
 
And for the record, Camry sales slipped to 5th among midsize cars, with the Accord taking the top spot and the Fusion getting 3rd.

#14156 of 18159 Re: Did my final test drives [andyfromva] by midas69

Mar 04, 2010 (11:49 am)

Replying to: andyfromva (Mar 04, 2010 11:14 am)
3. 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Very impressive car, but is it too sporty for an old guy like me?
 
Well I'm 55 and just bought the Sonata Limited yesterday. I don't know if sporty is the word I'd use. Yes, the styling is aggressive. But I think it's very classy looking.
 
For me, I was coming out of a 2007 Camry, so I didn't want another. The Accord, equipped the way I wanted was going to be out of my price range, so I didn't even bother to drive it. Same for the Altima. The Malibu is out because I have a personal boycott of GM products dating back to the mid 90's.
 
So for me it was the Fusion or the Sonata. I felt the same way about the styling on the Fusion, especially the interior. I really wanted to like it because I wanted the BLIS and Sync. But I just couldn't do it after driving the Sonata. I got lucky and found one in white that just looks fantastic and I got a great price on the Limited with NAV. I couldn't be happier.
 
Good luck with your decision.

#14157 of 18159 Re: Did my final test drives [andyfromva] by m6user

Mar 04, 2010 (11:51 am)

Replying to: andyfromva (Mar 04, 2010 11:14 am)
2011 Hyundai Sonata. Very impressive car, but is it too sporty for an old guy like me?
 
You know if you would have said something like that a couple of years ago they would have called the people in white suits to come get you.

#14158 of 18159 Re: Did my final test drives [m6user] by midas69

Mar 04, 2010 (11:54 am)

Replying to: m6user (Mar 04, 2010 11:51 am)
You know if you would have said something like that a couple of years ago they would have called the people in white suits to come get you.
 
That is so true. Matter of fact, while I was at the dealer yesterday there were 2 other people seriously looking at the Sonata. I was shocked that either one of them could get around without a walker.

#14159 of 18159 Re: Did my final test drives [mz6greyghost] by m6user

Mar 04, 2010 (11:55 am)

Replying to: mz6greyghost (Mar 04, 2010 11:39 am)
Fusion sales up 116.5%. YTD
 
That's a big number. I can't remember if I read it on autoblog or cars.com yesterday but it had Feb only sales for the Fusion at about 16k and the Malibu at 15k. It suprised me because I would have thought the spread would be a lot greater in favor of Fusion. Maybe GM just made a big sale to the rental fleets or something to make the Feb numbers pop. Don't know how they stand YTD or last 6 months.

#14160 of 18159 stick shift by shabadoo25

Mar 04, 2010 (2:36 pm)

I'll drive a stick again as soon as I get finished signing up for dial up Internet.

#14161 of 18159 Re: stick shift [shabadoo25] by tlong

Mar 04, 2010 (4:02 pm)

Replying to: shabadoo25 (Mar 04, 2010 2:36 pm)
I'll drive a stick again as soon as I get finished signing up for dial up Internet.
 
You're on the internet now! Congratulations!

Messages Page 1417 of 1817

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