Ask the Car People.SM


Midsize Sedans 2.0

18220 messages,  Last post on May 24, 2013 at 7:58 AM

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 1602 of 1823

#16004 of 18220 Accord vs Camry vs Altima....NOT! by trainer1366

Jan 02, 2011 (4:10 pm)

As a former Camry and present Accord owner (only used as an infrequently driven 2nd car) I totally agree with Plekto. The Japanese designers played it safe and designed white bread sedans since 2002. So, in 2004, after realizing that a fully loaded Toyota Camry would require a kidney donation, I switched out and purchased a new 2004 Optima EX V6. Standard features included leather, sunroof, etc for $17,500, $10k less than the Camry. The Optima was not cool looking, but the ride, reliability and features made it stand out.
 
I NEVER thought I would purchase another KIA—I was on point to purchase a CPO 2008/09 Lexus ES 350. Recently, I purchased a 2011 Optima EX with the Premium package. Which features do I love the most? The Blue tooth, panoramic sunroof, cooled/heated seats, red driver angled display, super smooth ride, lumbar support and the crazy, mean looking black grill.
 
Peter S. and the KIA design team dialed up the heat and produced the best looking sedan on the road. Hands down. Accord/Camry/Altima/Mazda 6/Fusion/Sonata/Malibu – all these losers should come hard or go home.

#16005 of 18220 Re: Accord vs Camry vs Altima....NOT! [trainer1366] by suydam

Jan 02, 2011 (6:54 pm)

Replying to: trainer1366 (Jan 02, 2011 4:10 pm)
Hmm, which cars sell more -- Kia or all those other "losers"? Guess not everyone agrees with you. The Altima by the way is a very nice car. I borrowed one while my Maxima was in the shop and was surprised at how nice it is. Drove it on both freeways and in the country roads. I have two or three friends who have them and love them. Great on gas mileage too -- how does that G8 do? And a Toyota Camry hardly costs "a kidney donation" (which by the way would be FREE since it's illegal to sell them).

#16006 of 18220 Re: Accord vs Camry vs Altima....NOT! [suydam] by plekto

Jan 02, 2011 (8:38 pm)

Replying to: suydam (Jan 02, 2011 6:54 pm)
The G8 does quite well, actually. GM builds some of the best cars on the planet. Just not in the U.S. Occasionally we get one from overseas, which is a joy to drive.
 
It gets 17/25mpg, which is commendable considering it drives almost exactly the same as 5 series. It's the right size, has great handling (RWD), and has zero jellybean DNA in it. I drove one and it felt great. The manual equipped version is almost as good as a Corvette. Just with 4 doors.
 
http://www.holden.com.au/latestoffers/commodore-offers/new-series-ii-sv6-commodo- re?region=National
 
It's the #1 selling car in Australia. And something that GM really needs to bring back as a Chevrolet. (note - prices are in AUD and include VAT)

#16007 of 18220 Re: Accord or Altima or Camry? [marysh] by jeffyscott

Jan 02, 2011 (8:45 pm)

Replying to: marysh (Jan 01, 2011 12:33 pm)
My guess is the Sonata would be the most Camry-like ride, so if that is what you are looking for that would seem to be worth considering. On the reliability issue, I think it is supposed to be pretty good, but just in case, it does have a longer warranty.

#16008 of 18220 Re: Accord or Altima or Camry? [marysh] by smarty666

Jan 03, 2011 (11:05 am)

Replying to: marysh (Jan 01, 2011 12:33 pm)
I would give the Altima a look as well. Many people here bad mouth the CVT without even having one and while the 1st Gen Nissan introduced did have some problems, the current 2nd Gen CVT has had very few issues plus, if driven correctly you'll be able to get decent mpg out of it, not if you live in the City of course. Plus, if God forbid something was to happen with the CVT, your covered by Nissan now for 10yrs/120k miles.
 
I have 10 Max and two family members with Nissan CVTs none of us who have had problems and the mpg I have gotten is really good for the power under the hood.
 
Definitely worth a look. Nissan has not stagnated like Honda and Toyota have with their products. As other's have mentioned I would look at the Fusion and Sonata as well. In my opinion, the Altima, Sonata, and Fusion are your best midsize sedans right now.

#16009 of 18220 Re: Accord vs Camry vs Altima....NOT! [plekto] by suydam

Jan 03, 2011 (11:06 am)

Replying to: plekto (Jan 02, 2011 8:38 pm)
17/25 is not my idea of great. the Altima is more in the 30s which is what I'm looking for. And RWD -- no thanks! I live in snow country.
 
Sounds like the poster is looking for something Camry like -- which would be soft ride, good gas mileage, and FWD. It may not be your cup of tea but for a large majority that would fit the bill nicely. I think most of the cars people have suggested would be fine.

#16010 of 18220 Re: Accord vs Camry vs Altima....NOT! [suydam] by cincyhoya

Jan 03, 2011 (2:21 pm)

Replying to: suydam (Jan 03, 2011 11:06 am)
I drive a 2011 Sonata SE with a 2 year old and 7 month old - at 6'5", I can drive comfortably with a kid behind me which was rare when shopping in this class. Obviously, I'm biased to my choice, but paddle shifters, leather trim, firmer suspension (probably not your sister's choice) and 18" wheels (again, not what you're looking for, but you'll see my point) and experienced 30mpg for $22k was too good to pass up. I'd suspect she'd like the Limited model for around $25k or a nicely trimmed GLS for $21k. Both have softer suspensions and higher profile tire and offer a lot for the $$ (bluetooth, Ipod integration).
 
That said, my favorite other car in test drives was the Fusion. I came thisclose to a Sport, but in the end couldn't justify the extra $5-$6k (the 4 cyl. felt under-powered to me - the V6 was outstanding). Depending on how dead set on new vs. used she is, she could pick up a Fusion for a steal and it's a really comfortable and enjoyable ride.

#16011 of 18220 Re: Accord vs Camry vs Altima....NOT! [suydam] by plekto

Jan 03, 2011 (9:00 pm)

Replying to: suydam (Jan 03, 2011 11:06 am)
5mpg difference is not much. A few hundred dollars more in gas per year. But not having to deal with a slushy transmission, mediocre bland interior, handling that rivals a Buick, and styling that screams "rental car" isn't my idea of something worth spending $20K on, new or used.
 
I suspect that the vast majority of readers here would agree. The Camry and most of these entry-level mid-size sedans are what you *settle* for when you have no other reasonable choice and just need a car(tm) to get from point A to B.
 
Considering it has the same engine as a CTS in it, that's worth a few mpg in my book. For the price of a basic 4 cylinder Camry? Yeah, I can sacrifice a few mpg.

#16012 of 18220 Re: Accord vs Camry vs Altima....NOT! [plekto] by backy

Jan 03, 2011 (9:26 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Jan 03, 2011 9:00 pm)
I suspect that the vast majority of readers here would agree.
 
5 mpg is significant in these days of ever-rising gas prices. Most current mid-sized sedans have smooth-shifting 6-speed ATs with manual control--some even have 6-speed sticks. Some have nicely executed, interesting interiors. "Handling that rivals a Buick" is no longer a bad thing, with the Regal representing this class for Buick. As for styling that screams "rental car", nothing screams "rental car" more than a Pontiac... back when Pontiac existed as a brand. It wasn't good enough to survive, though.
 
If all you need is a car to get from point A to point B, there's lots of cheap G6s and Grand Prixes out there to do that job. If you want something more, there's lots of great choices in the current crop of mid-sized sedans.

#16013 of 18220 Re: Accord vs Camry vs Altima....NOT! [backy] by plekto

Jan 04, 2011 (6:26 am)

Replying to: backy (Jan 03, 2011 9:26 pm)
So go online and get some replacement/original Holden badges from Australia. In the looks department, the G8 stands out as much as a Mustang or a Camaro - it's immediately clear that whatever just passed you was not a cheap rental car and likely had a big V8 in it. (the V8 version sacrifices 1-2mpg but sounds so nice)
 
I just can't stomach the idea of driving such a bland jellybean. Note - the Accord V6 would be fine, but front wheel drive is a sin in something that large. If you had $20K to spend on a new or used 4 door car that could fit 4 or 5 people, what would you choose? Life's just too short to drive mediocrity.

Messages Page 1602 of 1823

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement