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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18437 messages,  Last post on Jun 19, 2013 at 6:38 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 1679 of 1844

#16777 of 18437 My take.. by dc_driver

Apr 14, 2012 (9:39 pm)

I spent numerous days driving lots of cars. Ford (Focus and Fusion), Mazda (3), Toyota (Camry V6 SE), and the Hyunda (Genesis Coupe, Sonata Turbo models).. Current car is a 2006 Mazda 3 bought new with zero issues. Had a very bad experience with a Nissan Altima SE previously (mechanical issues that Nissan would not standby), and ruled out VW to similar bad history with reliability and customer service. As a current happy Honda Odyssey owner, I was not really impressed with the Acccord at all just looking at it and did not bother test driving based on the prices I was seeing.
 
For me, I really liked the Hyndai Sonata. The fit and finish were excellent, and the turbo with the SE suspension and tuning is fun to drive. Lots of features for under $23k, and a great warranty. Great gas mileage. On paper the Sonata turbo has almost 130 more horsepower than my Mazda 3 and gets better gas mileage! Nothing not to not like, and the exterior styling is very masculine and attractive.
 
I really wanted to test drive the Kia Optima EX turbo, but there were literally none near me in stock. They are flying off the lots. My dealer had to get the SE 2.0T from another dealer because they sold them all this week. There were several Sonata Limited turbos, and I did drive one, steering was just too loose for me. The SE has much more engaging steering, but you definitely have a firmer ride and feel the road more, but I prefer that to loose and numb.

#16778 of 18437 Re: My take.. [dc_driver] by jeffyscott

Apr 15, 2012 (1:51 pm)

Replying to: dc_driver (Apr 14, 2012 9:39 pm)
Haven't been here for quite a while, happen to have just spent 7 days and 1200 miles in a brand new (about 650 miles on it, when we picked it up) Sonata rental last week. (Enterprise, insanely, let me do this for only $128 , and $50 of that was taxes and fees)
 
The car drove better and was more comfortable than I had expected, but the ridiculously low front passenger seat would put it off the list immediately, were I shopping. I guess it'd be an okay car, if you don't care about the passenger side seat or your partner has a very long torso .
 
While the seat was comfortable, I'd prefer a longer seat cushion as in the Optima. I'd also prefer a bit more telescoping of the steering wheel.

#16779 of 18437 Sonata by benjaminh

Apr 15, 2012 (3:54 pm)

dcdriver: Yeah, the Sonata turbo is a quite amazing car, esp. for the price. I've heard the rear visibility in the Sonata, right behind the driver, is only so so. Any observations there?

#16780 of 18437 Re: Sonata [benjaminh] by dc_driver

Apr 15, 2012 (7:34 pm)

Replying to: benjaminh (Apr 15, 2012 3:54 pm)
I use my mirrors a lot and have not noticed any issues with rear visibility.

#16781 of 18437 press request by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

Apr 16, 2012 (11:07 am)

An automotive organization would like to speak with used car buyers who bought cars that they later found out were not up to date on recall repairs. If you are willing to discuss your experience, please email PRedmunds.com no later than 10 a.m. Pacific /1 p.m. Eastern Friday, April 20, 2012 with your daytime contact information.

#16782 of 18437 Re: My take.. [dc_driver] by naatz1

Apr 17, 2012 (2:52 pm)

Replying to: dc_driver (Apr 14, 2012 9:39 pm)
I also test drove ten new 2012 mid sized cars in late Feb & early Mar before settling on a Camry XLE. Close runner ups were Sub Legacy, Passat TDI diesel (can't get 'em especially premium models 4-6 mon wait) and here too the Optima EX w/premium pkg were flying off the lot (drove one once, it fit the bill despite a smaller interior but they never could get another one in stock). Did not look at a Altima due to prior bad experience w/a rental. Chrysler 200, Buick Lacrosse, Hy Sonata, Chevy old style Malibu, and Honda Accord also missing too many things we wanted like big trunk, b/u camera, dual/auto climate ctl. I was ok with the Fusion but wife didn't like it at all compared to the Camry. In fact I am not "dinging" any of those other cars, they all had pluses/minuses and half will be doing refreshes in the next year so this sub-set of the market is wildly competitive !
 
So far with over 1500 mis on our new Camry in a month we are still very impressed with the interior room, quiet, and features plus the MPGs are above the EPA figures. There are a few minor design misses compared to our many years of driving mostly Chryslers, but not enough to ding the car about (small side mirrors, auto lites don't come on w/wipers), especially if the reputed reliability holds up since we bought this to be a 10 yr 150,000 mi "road car".

#16783 of 18437 Replying to dc driver by gene84

Apr 17, 2012 (6:14 pm)

Don't worry about your Camry XLE hybrid lasting 150,000 miles. My 2004 Prius has over 196,000 miles and is going strong - it's boring meaning no major maintenance problems; no belts, no hoses, no transmission service, no brakes, no shocks, no CV joints, no nothing except a water pump last month (forgot two light bulbs & a sunvisor). MPG is still great.

#16784 of 18437 Re: Replying to dc driver [gene84] by akirby

Apr 18, 2012 (5:44 am)

Replying to: gene84 (Apr 17, 2012 6:14 pm)
If you have 196,000 miles on a 2004 vehicle and you haven't changed the belts or hoses you're just asking to be stranded.

#16785 of 18437 Re: Replying to dc driver [akirby] by stickguy

Apr 18, 2012 (6:21 am)

Replying to: akirby (Apr 18, 2012 5:44 am)
especially odd if you just had the hoses off to do the water pump. Same labor, and hoses don't cost that much.

#16786 of 18437 Replying to dc driver by gimmestdtranny

Apr 18, 2012 (7:11 am)

It would seem that if a Prius was the car-equivalent of a loaf of bread, it's not only sliced, but homemade and hot.. fresh outta the oven.
 
Although..I guess the metaphor breaks down.. in that one lasts and the other doesn't.
 
It's hard to imagine Toyota getting this car so right on so many levels so early in its life. I guess it's not nearly as complex a build as I had presumed and obviously built with stellar components.
 
Too bad the same can't be said for all generations of the Camry. Specifically, the one previous to the new one.

Messages Page 1679 of 1844

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