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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18225 messages,  Last post on May 25, 2013 at 12:56 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, Kia Optima, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1651 of 1823

#16496 of 18225 Re: 2012 VW Passat [m6user] by dash5

May 23, 2011 (6:45 pm)

Replying to: m6user (May 23, 2011 12:29 pm)
Still loving this car. Took a longish trip over the weekend, 4 hours each way all highway. It did about 31mpg doing 80 mph for the vast majority of the trip. Typically MPG isnt very big on my list since I have a short daily commute but 50+ bucks per fill up makes me appreciate it.
 
Definitely has all the zip I need, I still compare it favorably to my old 2004 G35 in that regard, and the interior is far better than the G was. Punch the gas and it moves. Love the power. Bells and whistles are still overwhelming. I'm coming from a 2001 Jetta daily driver, great car but not much in the way of tech features. The SX has things I would never think I wanted but now I find myself using all of it. Used the cooled seats on the long drive this weekend. Used the Navigation to get there and find a place to eat. Granted I could easily have used my smartphone for Nav, and truth be told the Droid nav is a bit easier to use but having the Nav integrated is nice. Automatically lowers the radio when she speaks among other things, and I use the backup cam that comes with it a lot.
 
Liking the push button start. Love the panoramic sunroof, my 3 year old loves it too because he can see planes flying overhead.
 
The bluetooth for the phone is great, it even streams audio which I've used a couple of times. I hook up my ipod to the car every day now. Wife uses the second memory setting on the seats. Tons of room to haul people and luggage. Seat comfort is totally fine on long or short trips. The HID headlights really make a difference too at night.
 
As for looks, I still get compliments on it all the time. It's really impressive in person in a way the pictures simply cant recreate. The SX especially.
 
The only downside I see to it, if you can call it that, is that it's a large car.
Coming from the smallish Jetta, the Jetta was just more nimble and maneuverable in tight spaces like turning around in my driveway. The SX is very maneuverable but it's simply larger.
 
I'd also prefer it to be transmit a bit less road noise. As it stands it's about exactly equal to an Accord. It's not bad, it's just something they could improve. I'm told the tires might be a big factor there but no firsthand knowledge.
 
Are you still in the market for anything?

#16497 of 18225 Re: 2012 VW Passat [dash5] by m6user

May 24, 2011 (1:22 pm)

Replying to: dash5 (May 23, 2011 6:45 pm)
Tks for the update on your SX. Interesting that you feel the interior is better than your '04 G35. I have a '02 QX4 and really think the interior is first rate and have yet to have anything break on the inside. Leather is still in great shape, clock works etc. I would guess the '04 G35 is at least as nice as mine so you saying the Optimas is better is really saying something IMO.
 
Is it the layout and spaciousness of the interior you like so much better or is it the actual quality of materials? I sat in the Optima at the auto show and really wouldn't consider it to be better quality than an Infiniti interior by any means. Was more spacious though and I liked the layout.
 
I don't think I've ever averaged 80 mph on any trip over say about 25 miles. Just don't drive that fast unless I'm in a really big hurry and then it would be for very short distances. You have a lead foot it seems. What do you think you would get MPG wise at say around 65 or 70mph avg? Do you think it would be around the EPA hwy estimate or better?
 
I'm still in the market but am having a hard time deciding if I want to go sedan or CUV. I have a short list for both. I thought I could make a final decision after going to the auto show in February but didn't happen. I tend to keep vehicles for 7-10 years so I get kind of anal about it.
 
Current short lists and in no particular order:
 
Sedans: Optima, TL, Altima, Maxima, possibly new Passat. All with either turbo or v6.
 
CUVs: Q5, Murano, and waiting on the new Infiinti JX to preview in August.
 
I may wait until all the new models debut this summer and fall to make a final decision and buy in Nov/Dec time frame.

#16498 of 18225 Re: 2012 VW Passat [m6user] by dash5

May 24, 2011 (1:41 pm)

Replying to: m6user (May 24, 2011 1:22 pm)
I cant comment on the QX4 but the 2004 G35 coupe interior was what I'd call adequate. Edmunds called the quality "Average" http://www.edmunds.com/infiniti/g35/2004/?sub=coupe&style=100330765
 
Maybe a case of inflated expectations since I was buying an Infiniti, but the interior was just good and I expected entry level lux to be a bit better I think. Meanwhile the Kia strikes me as hitting above it's weight class. It is clean and simple. Note this is the SX model only, the lower trim (including EX Turbo) levels I found to be ok, nothing special for the class. The supervision cluster I just love, it's the one feature that made the SX a must for me instead of just an option over the EX-T. Of course the angled cockpit is a great touch imo. The nice large NAV screen, black interior works for me in this car even though I had been thinking tan before seeing it, and I like the steering wheel. They also put enough soft touches where your hands will make contact for it to feel upscale to boot.
 
Well the 80 mph was a little bit lead foot but I was on the NY Throughway which is 65 posted but 75 is the average. I was keeping up with traffic for the most part. I had it set to 65 cruise on ECO mode for a bit and it was creeping up steadily so maybe a solid mid 30's MPG? Others have posted 42 MPG doing 65 in ECO with cruise on for extended stretches. I personally havent seen that though I dont doubt it.
 
I like your sedan picks although I'm kinda down on the Altima. It's a bit long in the tooth now and doesnt offer as much as the others. Really like the Maxima as an option. CUV's you list I cant speak to but I love the look of the Q5. That is a very sharp vehicle.

#16499 of 18225 Re: 2012 VW Passat [dash5] by m6user

May 24, 2011 (2:22 pm)

Replying to: dash5 (May 24, 2011 1:41 pm)
How do you like the fabric/leather seats? Do you think the fabric will hold up well ? How does the punch compare, say to your '04 G35?
 
Yeah, the Altima is due this year for a complete redo. I haven't seen one spy photo or anything of the 2012 Altima so I'm beginning to wonder if the redo will happen this fall or not. I'm kind of leaning to the new TL now that it gets 20/29mpg with a six speed auto trans. They toned down the angles just enough to make it look pretty sharp IMO. Before it was just too angular for me.
 
It will also be interesting to see what Toyota will do with the 2012 Camry. Will they bite the bullet and improve the interior greatly, add a little styling and tighten the steering/suspension a little? If they could do all that they would attract not only their die hards but people that actually compare. The drivetrains on the Camry are great and the v6 is a screamer for a midsize car.

#16500 of 18225 Re: 2012 VW Passat [m6user] by acdii

May 24, 2011 (6:59 pm)

Replying to: m6user (May 24, 2011 1:22 pm)
Check out the Flex SEL with Ecoboost. So much HP under the hood, yet quieter than a Lexus RX400H. Lots of room inside, and seats 7, comfortably, 6 if you get the captains in the second row like I did.

#16501 of 18225 Re: 2012 VW Passat [m6user] by dash5

May 25, 2011 (7:21 am)

Replying to: m6user (May 24, 2011 2:22 pm)
TL is one of those cars where when I catch the profile I'm always doing a "nice, what is that?" Yeah the new one looks pretty good now I agree. Inside is nice too.
 
Fabric in my Optima seems like it's quite durable on the seats, i dont foresee any issues with it. Stylistically it seems unnecessary but i don't notice it at all other than as an "at a glance" when taking in the whole interior. In that context it looks good.
 
The SX accelerates just as good as the G did, power to weight ratio is virtually identical. Plenty of passing power is available. It's not going to pin you to your seat like a Corvette but it's great to have that power available.
 
I'm curious what the new Camry will look like too. For me I can appreciate everything about the current one except for the god awful interior. Not expecting that to change much, but maybe I'll be wrong!
 
No interest in the new Malibu?

#16502 of 18225 Re: 2012 VW Passat [acdii] by m6user

May 25, 2011 (9:12 am)

Replying to: acdii (May 24, 2011 6:59 pm)
To me that is a full size CUV. Lot bigger than my other choices and I really don't need that much HP(16-21mpg on prem. fuel), passenger capacity, cargo space. etc. Not sold on the Mytouch either. I like the techy stuff but like my interface with it to be more traditional I guess.
 
The standard engine engine with 262hp MPG and price matches up to the Murano pretty well(still not as good though) but overall it's way more vehicle than I need.
 
In addition, the styling is for sure different and adventerous for Ford but it's exterior styling is not that appealing to me. I rode in one and it was a very nice ride and everything but just the not for me.

#16503 of 18225 Re: 2012 VW Passat [dash5] by m6user

May 25, 2011 (9:33 am)

Replying to: dash5 (May 25, 2011 7:21 am)
Since the interior of the Camry has been slammed continously and Toyota knows it has to step it's game up I would think that would be a no-brainer but who knows. I would expect them to upgrade it but they do some strange things sometimes.
 
I forgot about the Malibu because I don't think it's going to be on sale until spring next year and I may have a new vehicle by then. I like the new styling except for the "camaro" tail lights. They may look good in person but they remind of the Camaro a lot and I'm not real fond of the rear end of that car either. The drivetrains that have been described sound pretty interesting. Another car that I will take a good hard look at this fall will be the Buick Verano turbo.
 
I'm a little put off by GM and it has nothing to do with political crap or loans etc. It just seems that new GM models have tons of recalls. They also spend so much time in development and tease so much that after the they arrive in US dealerships they look kind of old already. I used to be a pretty devoted GM buyer for about 25 years but the quality really faded in the 80s-90s and I jumped ship. It will take some good product to get me back.
 
GM cars/trucks owned:
1960 Chevy Biscayne
1963 Pontiac Tempest
1971 Pontiac Lemans
1965 Buick LaSabre(paid $325 in 1975, had two years and sold for $350)
1980 Chevy Malibu
1984 Olds Cutlass
1987 Olds Cutlass Ciera
1987 Pontiac Bonneville
1992 Pontiac Grand AM
1993 Buick LaSabre Ltd.
1995 Chevy S-10
 
A few of these were actually company cars but I drove em for couple years each and maintained them so I count them in my "car owning" experience even though I didn't have to pay for them.
 
Anyway, yeah, I'll check out the new Malibu even if I already purchase something. Don't we all?

#16504 of 18225 Re: 2012 VW Passat [m6user] by m6user

May 25, 2011 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: m6user (May 25, 2011 9:33 am)
Reply to self.
 
The 1965 Buick was an Electra 225, not a LaSabre. Had a 455 engine and flew. What a boat.

#16505 of 18225 Re: 2012 VW Passat [m6user] by tlong

May 25, 2011 (3:33 pm)

Replying to: m6user (May 25, 2011 9:33 am)
Since the interior of the Camry has been slammed continously and Toyota knows it has to step it's game up I would think that would be a no-brainer but who knows. I would expect them to upgrade it but they do some strange things sometimes.
 
You would think so, but look at GM and C going 20+ years with crappy interiors before they got the message that it might be important to buyers! Honda has been getting slammed for declining interiors, yet the new Civic is worse than the previous one. I wonder if Toyota will slip more?
 
GM has gotten the interiors message and has been improving in this area big time. They just need to get it together with reliability/mpg/power tradeoffs to be competitive. Perhaps the new Malibu will be a home run, as the previous one was a base hit after many years of pop flys.

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