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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18200 messages,  Last post on May 21, 2013 at 8:30 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 1650 of 1821

#16484 of 18200 Re: BTW [aviboy97] by j2j

May 13, 2011 (7:17 pm)

Replying to: aviboy97 (May 02, 2011 9:38 am)
"Judging by the run sheets I receive from Hertz, Enterprise and National rental car agencies, the vast majority are American cars and Chrysler has by far the most amount of cars available. Toyota and Hyundai seem to have the biggest numbers from the imports."
 
- No, nowadays that would be Nissan, followed by Toyota.
 
Among domestics, the Fusion and Malibu had a fleet mix % of 31.2% and 32.2%, respectively, in 2010.
 
The Altima had a fleet % of 19.1% and the Camry followed with a fleet % of 17.3%.
 
The Sonata had a fleet % of 11.1% and the Accord, 4.1%.
 
In total nos. for the foreign-makes, 56,799 Camrys went into fleet, followed by 43,707 Altimas.
 
21,738 Sonatas and 11,525 Accords went into fleet in 2010.
 
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/01/the-truth-about-the-ten-best-selling-se- dans-of-2010/

#16485 of 18200 Re: BTW [j2j] by aviboy97

May 16, 2011 (2:30 pm)

Replying to: j2j (May 13, 2011 7:17 pm)
That is total fleet sales, not total rental sales. There is a difference.

#16486 of 18200 Re: POST #20 [jeffyscott] by jkobty2

May 18, 2011 (11:03 am)

Replying to: jeffyscott (Apr 14, 2007 4:33 am)
I might have some insight into this, I own the 2009 mazda6 2.5 and also drove a rental ford fusion with the same engine.
I noticed the fusion runs at lower rpm cruising speed, so the culprit might be the transmission/engine tuning. I prefer the how the fusion is tuned. wonder if there is a way to reprogram the mazda to match maybe by taking it to a ford dealer?

#16487 of 18200 Re: POST #20 [jkobty2] by akirby

May 18, 2011 (12:56 pm)

Replying to: jkobty2 (May 18, 2011 11:03 am)
No.

#16488 of 18200 Re: POST #20 [jkobty2] by acdii

May 18, 2011 (2:19 pm)

Replying to: jkobty2 (May 18, 2011 11:03 am)
It isn't tuning, its gearing, the Fords are geared higher(or is it lower, always get them mixed up) so that the engine turns at a lower RPM at certain speeds.
 
My F350 used to be geared at 4:10, and turned 2100 RPM at 65 MPH, I have swapped out the gears to 3:73, and now cruise 651800 RPM. I reduced the pulling power, and off line acceleration, but gained fuel economy. 3:73 it still has plenty of low end power to pull my 2 horse trailer, and that's what I have it for.
 
That's where the differences are with the Mazda and Fords, different transmissions, the tuning would only make a difference at where it shifts, but not at what rpm it turns at a set speed.

#16489 of 18200 2012 VW Passat by mz6greyghost

May 23, 2011 (5:03 am)

Click me!
 
After seeing the article and the pics, it's quite obvious that VW doesn't seem to care about it's German roots and has settled on the lowest common denominator to sell sedans. Just when I thought the Jetta was the worst it could get, I was proven wrong.
 
This even makes the Camry look stylish...

#16490 of 18200 Re: 2012 VW Passat [mz6greyghost] by aviboy97

May 23, 2011 (9:02 am)

Replying to: mz6greyghost (May 23, 2011 5:03 am)
greyghost-
 
I read the review, and it seems to have better driving dynamics, especially in the handling / steering department. Only their diesel engine is impressive. The 2.5L has decent power but, just like the Jetta, it results in ho-hum real world performance.
 
VW made a point to talk a bout how big it was. I remember when Mazda did the same thing for the 09 Mazda6, and sales have not reflected the perceived demand for a large sedan, although the Mazda6 is quite a nice car and is still the drivers choice in this crowded segment.
 
VW has a similar demographic to Mazda in that their buyers look for fun cars to drive. I don't expect this car to be that much of a success for VW.
 
About the Jetta, I do see a good amount on the road in my neck of the woods (CT), but, they are just so horrible to look at. Same goes for the Passat.

#16491 of 18200 Re: 2012 VW Passat [mz6greyghost] by m6user

May 23, 2011 (9:53 am)

Replying to: mz6greyghost (May 23, 2011 5:03 am)
After seeing the article and the pics, it's quite obvious that VW doesn't seem to care about it's German roots and has settled on the lowest common denominator to sell sedans
 
You must have read a different article than I did or are you just saying this because it got bigger? They said it handled sharply(like before) and has a nicely laid out interior with good quality(like before). While the exterior is kind of plain, I like it. You could say the Audi is plain but it's styling certainly holds up well and still looks very classy IMO.
 
I guess I'll wait to really bash it until I see one in person. The Jetta got the same grief and it has been selling better than ever. I also remember all the posts in here bashing the new Sonata as people looked at pictures and called it the ugliest thing they had ever seen. In person it looked a lot better and was a smash at auto shows and dealer showrooms.
 
I just got a different tone from the article than you did I guess. I've always liked the Passat but when optioned to my specs it was up in luxury car territory and was too expensive compared to other midsizers. Maybe now it will be more competitive.

#16492 of 18200 Re: 2012 VW Passat [m6user] by mz6greyghost

May 23, 2011 (10:14 am)

Replying to: m6user (May 23, 2011 9:53 am)
I'll give it the handling that it has (supposedly) retained, although I won't know for sure until I drive it. I'm looking more at the styling (or lack of it IMO) and interior. The gray plastic look cheap in the pics, and the fake wood just looks tacky. I liked the older VW interiors, where even the low-end models had quality plastics and nice controls.
 
I guess I'm looking for something with more style in this class than others. I bought the '10 Mazda6 partly because I liked the looks, both inside and out, and the Fusion was my second choice. Since then, the Sonata/Optima twins have hit the market, and although I don't care for the Sonata's styling, it definitely has character, and the Optima IMO is one of the best-looking in this class.
 
To me, the Passat has lost some personality to please the masses. It's just... generic.

#16493 of 18200 Re: 2012 VW Passat [mz6greyghost] by m6user

May 23, 2011 (11:01 am)

Replying to: mz6greyghost (May 23, 2011 10:14 am)
To me, the Passat has lost some personality to please the masses. It's just... generic.
 
Your generic may be someone else's subtle and classic. To each his own. I think the Mazda6 from the front view looks hideous, you like it. This just proves that exteror styling is pretty much a subjective thing. Like I said, everyone was making similar comments about the new Jetta which looks similar to this new Passat and they are selling very well. I don't think anybody will argue that the interior on the Jetta didn't get cheapened and the drivetrains are pretty much the same. So that leads me to believe that most like the new styling just fine.
 
It will be interesting to see how this new "American made" Passat will fare versus the "Mexican made" Jetta.
 
I agree that the new Optima is very good looking and I think that is because it has a little more Euro look to it.......like the new Passat.

Messages Page 1650 of 1821

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