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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18436 messages,  Last post on Jun 19, 2013 at 12:40 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 1705 of 1844

#17040 of 18436 Re: 2013 Fusion SXT LX EX SX Brougham [cski] by gregg_vw

Nov 01, 2012 (11:58 am)

Replying to: cski (Nov 01, 2012 8:51 am)
GM, like Ford, has its work cut out for it in the next few years as the market gets even more competitive, and all manufacturers continue to improve and expand their offerings. At this time, however, GM is doing very well and is profitable. Their bright spots are the US and China. Like everyone else in Europe (Ford included), operations there suck. However, they have plans to turn that around, and for a company on the ropes not too long ago, they have issued more new product than practically any other company.
 
Now, the 2013 Fusion is a better car than the Malibu, and Ford still sells more trucks than anyone. However, the upcoming Impala is a better design than the Taurus, and the Sonic is better rated than the very good Fiesta. A new Silverado is just months away. Both companies will have to scramble continuously to remain in the fray. The Taurus needs incentives on the hood to outsell the Mercedes E Class, a much more expensive car. Meanwhile, Chrysler is gaining market share and also profitable again. Paid back those government loans and saved a ton of direct and ancillary jobs in the process. Chrysler may even save Fiat now.
 
But there is only so much market. To increase market share, someone else has to lose it. So companies will continue to rise and fall. Both GM and Ford may be healthy 10 years from now, but it is possible that both might be gone, or swallowed up by others. Ford can't seem to get a grip on the luxury market, even while some of their money-losing luxury cast-offs (Land Rover, Jaguar, Volvo) seem to be making a go of it.
 
Another Ford cast-off, Mazda, will have a very competitive and pretty Mazda6 for sale in next year. The mid-size market is the most cut-throat of all now, as soon every entry will be a competient one. I believe the mediocre Avenger will soon be renewed or killed, and the Chrysler 200, the only other non-competitive model for sale, will soon be re-made and kicked up market. It's a great time to be in the market for a good new car.

#17041 of 18436 Re: New cars and quiteness [cski] by mtnman1

Nov 01, 2012 (3:20 pm)

Replying to: cski (Oct 31, 2012 9:09 am)
I have a feeling you are referring to the 2010 thru 2012 model. The 13 has only recently been showing up on lots. I have to say my 2009 Fusion SEL V6 which I bought in October 2008 has been an excellent car. No problems. Very reliable.
 
I just bought a 2012 Toyota Highlander Limited 4wd and already the power liftgate has a problem where the entire tailgate and motor for the power liftgate must be replaced. I mean a new liftgate and motor must actually be ordered into the Dealership, Painted, and installed. There was a TSB issued for the problem but if your one of the unlucky suckers that are not still under the original warranty which is 3 years or 36,000 then you have to foot the entire bill. I have 3500 miles on it. All brands have their issues. Many people (expecially Honda, Prius, and now Volt Owners) will never admit they might have issures when questioned about their vehicles reliability. I think sometimes they feel as though they have to now rationalize their loyalty to a brand or model and why they purchased and continue to purchase. I have no loyalty to any brand. I buy what I like and don't base my purchase on so called reliability ratings of resale value. That is unless they are rated very unreliable. Then I might pause.

#17042 of 18436 2010 Milan/Fusion I4=quiet and reliable by pod

Nov 02, 2012 (10:27 am)

I am 27,000 miles into a 2010 Mercury Milan (aka Fusion with different appearance pieces) with not one issue and it is very quiet (one of the main reasons for the purchase) and economical (average over 27,000 = 31.4 mpg staying in Left lane). It has sync but none of the other electronic doodads which Ford seems to be pushing. A great car with very good handling on Michelins which look like they will give about 40,000+ judging from remaining tread. I hope they maintain a near base version without all the gadgets since I refuse to buy a car with a screen that needs to be read to communicate it's message. I will not take my eyes off the road. I do favor knobs and buttons. I am a bit of a luddite but I am also an electrical engineer and shudder to think of the expensive repairs that could result from a single diode opening somewhere among the thousands of circuit boards that are being given more and more control over how the car drives. There are electronic LSDs on some cars now that "apply the brakes to the outside wheel when cornering to act as a LSD". I don't want to be driving along at 75 mph when that circuit goes haywire. I perceive that a significant minority think Ford is going overboard with the gadgets. Sync was good and they were first to market but Ford should remember they are not Sony. Stick to cars and reliability. Less is more.

#17043 of 18436 Re: 2010 Milan/Fusion I4=quiet and reliable [pod] by ivan_99

Nov 02, 2012 (10:59 am)

Replying to: pod (Nov 02, 2012 10:27 am)
Remember...SYNC is Microsoft...

#17044 of 18436 Re: 2010 Milan/Fusion I4=quiet and reliable [pod] by mtnman1

Nov 02, 2012 (1:24 pm)

Replying to: pod (Nov 02, 2012 10:27 am)
That's kind of why we chose the Highlander over the Edge or Explorer. We wanted the limited, but since it was my wife's vehicle I felt uncomfortable with her using the MyFordTouch. You can use voice command to change radio presets and to change the Temp. We were not going to get the Navigation. Actually, my wife would have never figured it out. She can't even use the buttons on the steering wheel of our Fusion or the Highlander. She still reaches over and uses the knobs and buttons on the center stack. She is pretty much the opposite of Tech savvy. Also the Highlander did ride a lot smoother than the Edge. The Explorer was more vehicle than we needed with no kids left at home.

#17045 of 18436 Re: Test Drove 2013 Accord LX [jvbeattie] by thegraduate

Nov 02, 2012 (2:08 pm)

Replying to: jvbeattie (Oct 26, 2012 12:11 am)
I heard no mention of the new "Fusion". I drove the 2013 accord and Fusion and the Fusion is much more quiet and better sounding engine (1.6L ecoboost). Accord has better ergonomics though.
 
I like the looks of the Fusion, but quality concerns as of late and a particularly high sticker price for the equipment level I'd want leave me cold. I'll likely drive one soon enough, but the Ford dealer wasn't in the area where I was that particular afternoon.

#17046 of 18436 Re: Test Drove 2013 Accord LX [ctl] by thegraduate

Nov 02, 2012 (2:13 pm)

Replying to: ctl (Oct 29, 2012 4:47 pm)
noises was/has been the biggest show stopper on Accord for my wife. Really thought Honda has finally put its acts together in this generation... very disappointing!! although we will also test drive in person to confirm, but if it is much noisier than 2009 Sonata...
  
You mentioned to have also driven 2013 Altima, the new Altima was claimed to be Camry-level quiet, how does that Altima compared with your Sonata in terms of noises? granted the Sonata is a V6.
 
I drove a 2012 Altima SL, not the new design 2013. It didn't stand out to me as particularly noisy. However, the day I drove the Altima, I drove a 2011 Fusion Hybrid. That car was such a trip (in a good way) that noise levels don't stand out to me on the Altima.
 
To Hyundai's credit/detriment, my V6 Sonata seems to have bested the comparable Camry in terms of isolation from noise and vibration, at least in comparison to the LE V6 I drove of the previous generation. As a result, it's pretty dull to drive, but very serene on a trip or my long highway commute.

#17047 of 18436 Re: Test Drove 2013 Accord LX [stickguy] by thegraduate

Nov 02, 2012 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Oct 30, 2012 1:58 pm)
I always found my 2005 EX-L 4 cyl to be quite quiet, except for some tire noise on certain road surfaces. Other than that, very peaceful.
 
I did too until I bought my Sonata. In comparison, the Honda has loads of road noise. Was a good car though!

#17048 of 18436 bold and cold by cski

Nov 02, 2012 (7:06 pm)

WHY IS EVERYTHING IN BOLD NOW? IS THIS A TRIAL?
 
LOL LMAO.

#17049 of 18436 I pledge the whole truth and nothing but the... by cski

Nov 02, 2012 (9:24 pm)

Truth. The truth is when we can quibble all day about which car is better and which one costs the least/most, which is fastest or most fuel efficient or both. Then, we can all argue and fight about why we like what we purchased, or are about to purchase. I have a list of my top 10 reasonably priced cars, if anyone cares to keep fighting!
 
10) ACURA ILX 2.4 6 speed manual (200 hp, and yes it is a gussied up Civic) Price? $25k!!
 9) Mazda Miata MX-5. Love everything about it, except that I can't fit in it. We all want what we can't have, and I CANT!
8) 2000 Acura Integra. Drove like it was on rails. Really. Fantastic, light, Civic-based gold standard for handling in a sleek, sexy package. Price? $19,999. 2 door, black, tan interior, and with the wing on the back. 5 speed manual only of course. The 4 speed slushbox killed it's direct control charm. It is also a Civic underneath...not a bad thing...just a footnote. Acura made a fortune on them.
7) 1995 Mazda RX-7. OMG. Fast, direct, screamed like a banshee, Engine has ONE moving part. ONE!
6) 2007 Shelby Mustang GT, (Nuff said)
7) Camaro SS 305 HP LT1 Awesome! (until it breaks down)
5) Firebird Formula (same as Camaro + a beluga whale as front clip) fast though!
 
TBC tomorrow!

Messages Page 1705 of 1844

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