18215 messages,
Last post on May 23, 2013 at 2:16 PM
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Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Kia Optima, Car Comparisons, Sedan
#17368 of 18215 Re: 2014 Mazda6 [aviboy97]
by ivan_99
Jan 25, 2013 (8:41 pm)
Buying a diesel is like buying a hybrid. It takes years before the total cost of ownership equals out when comparing to a regular gasoline engine.
There are other 'values' of a diesel other than mileage, i.e. torque. In heavier vehicles like our mini-van I'd prefer a diesel even if the fuel savings were minimal.
Sometimes manufacturers add 'gimmicks'...vtec may be nice in a sports/sporty car but for some people, especially minivan drivers and laid back drivers, revving to 4500+ rpm to gain the 'gimmick' feature means you don't take advantage of the feature.
Similarly, some people who drive a Mazda 6 may not want to rev to 5k all day. The commute in stop and go would be better served with a small diesel.
Not that I'm opposed to revving and driving like you stole it...years past, I recall driving a Civic Si for 14 Hours straight at over 5K rpm. I was going pretty fast. Luckily I didn't get a ticket...hopefully I've gained some wisdom over the years
#17369 of 18215 My take on diesel & fuel efficiency
by nyccarguy
Jan 25, 2013 (8:49 pm)
Unless you are a taxi driver that puts 100s of thousands of miles on your car, one may never see the financial benefit of buying a hybrid or diesel. But if you think of diesel as an engine upgrade, then the extra fuel mileage is just a bonus.
Just a small point of reference. I drive a 2011 BMW 328xi sedan (230 hp/200 lb ft of torque). I average about 21 - 22 mpg with it. I had to bring it in for service and was given a 2011 335d (265 hp/425 lb ft of torque) as a loaner car. This diesel BMW was an absolute monster. A rocket taking off from stop, effortless passing on the highway, quiet & smooth. Oh yeah, I averaged 32 mpg with it by just driving how I normally drive (75-80 mph on the highway).
#17370 of 18215 Re: My take on diesel & fuel efficiency [nyccarguy]
by stickguy
Jan 25, 2013 (8:54 pm)
good point about engine upgrades.'
again, look at your 3 series. You could have gone with a 335 instead, and paid many thousands of $$ for a bigger, more powerful engine. Even after you adjust for different equipment, there is a pretty hefty premium for an engine upgrade.
#17371 of 18215 Re: My take on diesel & fuel efficiency [stickguy]
by nyccarguy
Jan 25, 2013 (9:00 pm)
True, but look at the price difference of the Passat (2.5) & the TDi. Drive the 2 cars back to back & tell me the TDi isn't worth it.
There was NO WAY I was going for a 335xi. I had to pull out the heavy artillery to convince the wife we should ditch our perfectly fine 2010 TSX (which was 1/2 paid for) in order for me to lease my 2011 328xi.
#17372 of 18215 Re: My take on diesel & fuel efficiency [nyccarguy]
by pegasus17
Jan 25, 2013 (9:05 pm)
The Passat is a completely different (and much better) car with the TDI engine versus the anemic 2.5. Unfortunately, the price difference (approx. 5k) is too high (for me)...
#17373 of 18215 2013 Nissan Altima VS 2013 Ford Fusion, which one would you choose?
by hill02
Jan 26, 2013 (11:23 pm)
At this point I've read a ridiculous amount of bias online reviews concerning the 2013 Nissan altima and the new Ford Fusion. "Ford haters" that seem to comment on EVERY fusion review claim the vehicle is basically..well crap, just because it's a Ford(American made watch out!).Those who claim they've recently purchased the new altima complain about the car shaking, along with seating and steering issues. Both cars have great safety ratings and there's really no price difference with the vehicles being stripped or fully loaded. I've personally seen both vehicles interior and exterior in person and in the looks category the Ford Fusion wins. Pictures do this car no justice! My only problem with purchasing this vehicle are the recent recall scares(specifically the engine fires!) leaving me to believe that if this car already has 2 recalls in the past few months it has been out, will there be more later? This led me to go for the safer option, which is, the Nissan Altima. The updated altima is safe and attractive in a Nissan way, but is that all the car has to offer? I want something new and fresh! So the point of this is, I need some more views people have on my personal debate between the Ford fusion and the Nissan altima. Which car would you choose and why? Tell me about your experience with driving or owning one of these vehicles! In the end I know the decision is only mine, but I would like to be completely aware of any issues to look out for before choosing a car!
#17374 of 18215 Re: 2013 Nissan Altima VS 2013 Ford Fusion, which one would you choose? [hill02]
by benjaminh
Jan 27, 2013 (4:56 am)
Why are you limiting yourself just to those two?
What about the other good choices, such as Passat, Optima, Sonata, Accord, Mazda6, etc.?
My 2 cents....
Ford does have some quality problems with the Fusion right now. I personally wouldn't buy one in the first year.
The Altima is also made in America. It's probably a better choice right now in terms of quality and reliability.
The Passat, Optima, Sonata, and Accord are also made right here in the USA.
What are you looking for in a car? For instance, how would you rank these things in terms of most important to least important: quality/reliability, style, interior room, safety, handling, acceleration, visibility, resale value, etc. What are your top 3-4 out of those—in order? That would give the people here a better idea of how to try to give you advice.
#17375 of 18215 Re: 2013 Nissan Altima VS 2013 Ford Fusion, which one would you choose? [benjaminh]
by backy
Jan 27, 2013 (6:25 am)
Seconded, especially the new 6 with the Skyactiv powertrain (high FE and gorgeous) and the Accord. The others are good also, leased a Sonata GLS for my wife last November and she loves it, but it's now one of the oldest designs in the mid-sized class (hard to believe).
#17376 of 18215 Re: 2013 Nissan Altima VS 2013 Ford Fusion, which one would you choose? [hill02]
by benjaminh
Jan 27, 2013 (6:26 am)
Also, in terms of the Fusion being American made, that's actually not always the case. I think about half of the Fusions sold here are made in Mexico, and about half are made in Michigan. You'd have to look on the window sticker of the particular car to see where exactly it's made.
In other words, an Altima, Passat, Optima, Accord, or Sonata might be more "made in USA" than a Ford Fusion.
#17377 of 18215 Re: 2013 Nissan Altima VS 2013 Ford Fusion, which one would you choose? [benjaminh]
by akirby
Jan 27, 2013 (7:44 am)
All Fusions are built in Mexico until later this year when Flat Rock comes online in Michigan.
I just bought a 2013 Fusion. This is my 3rd new vehicle and all were new models purchased within the first few months of production. My 06 Fusion was the 2nd one off the truck at the dealer and the only thing I had to do to it over 7.5 years and 60K miles was replace one door handle and change the oil, filter and tires.
The quality problems with the 2013 Fusion are assembly errors or parts being out of spec or defective from the supplier. Once corrected those problems won't reappear. For example the major delay last October was due to a headlamp problem where the supplier didn't cure the plastic properly. These problems, like the 1.6L fires, appear almost immediately and are fixed just as quickly.
I don't have any long term reliability issues with any of the current crop of midsized sedans. The worst vehicle today is better than the best vehicle 20 years ago.