18173 messages,
Last post on May 19, 2013 at 7:39 PM
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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
#17444 of 18173 2012 Optima EX.
by cski
Feb 02, 2013 (11:06 am)
Test
#17445 of 18173 Re: Jan. midsize sales [cski]
by benjaminh
Feb 02, 2013 (11:20 am)
cski wrote:
"...I think the Passat looks fine; but you really have to lux-it-up to match the levels of equipment in some competitors. Why would I buy a 5 cyl engine with 30 horsepower and 15 torque's less than a four? MPG of 22/32 is ok, but that 5th cylinder is costing you at least 4 mpg hwy and 2-4 city based on competition. Also, it costs 26,800 for the Automatic. vs 20-24 for competitors. a 5 speed manual is std on the SE. (where is the other gear?? all competitors who offer a manual trans have 6 speeds)..."
Agree with all of this. The Passat is a nice looking car. And I think VW has significantly improved quality and reliability. But to cut costs they cut some things that are now making them less competitive. I read somewhere that for the 2014 model year the Passat is going to have a more advanced engine, and maybe they'll get a 6 speed manual with that.
For now, however, VW is blowing them out the door with 0% financing for 66 (!) months. Good deal on a good car!
http://www.vw.com/en/models/passat/gallery.html
Feb 02, 2013 (11:24 am)
KIA has some great deals on the Optima too.... 0.9% for 36 months, or $199 lease, or $2000 bonus rebate if you own a competing car!
http://www.kia.com/#/optima/offers
Feb 02, 2013 (4:33 pm)
Not to correct you but the new Mazda 6 has a 2.5 liter. If you can find a dealership with one test, drive it. The gal that went with me encouraged me to stuff it into corners and rocket out of them. I was pleasently surprised. Being a Motorcycle nut I am ready for a fun car to drive. Now just waiting for some current magazine road tests. If the new 6 truly returns near 38 mpg it's a lock.
Also regarding the 2.5 - 5 cyl. Passat, they have been making that motor since 2005. No wonder it does not measure up in performance and economy.
#17448 of 18173 the 2.5 doesn't deserve the critical comparo remarks it seems to be getting
by gimmestdtranny
Feb 02, 2013 (5:14 pm)
Yes, it is not the as fuel efficient as some of its so-called 4 cyl competitors, but they do not have the smoothness (perhaps Honda's effort is close) and I doubt any of those higher hp/torque 4 cyl efforts from....Korea..as an example, feel as strong off the line. And I absolutely assure you NONE of the 4 cyl ones have as rewarding an exhaust note. And let's get some miles on those DI 4's before we further condemn that 5 cyl and its longevity/$ investment potential.
As for FE being your primary beef..ya gotta pay to play/enjoy..
Feb 02, 2013 (5:53 pm)
VW 2.5 - 170HP 177 ft. lb. torque - 0 to 60 9 seconds - fuel economy 22/31
Mazda 2.5 - 189 HP 189 ft. lb. torque - 0 to 60 7.6 seconds - fuel economy 26/38
It may "feel stong" off the line but the numbers tell a different story. Already reading about VW dumping the 5cyl. for 4cyl. for next year.
Cheers
#17450 of 18173 Bye Bye 5 cylinder VW engine
by pegasus17
Feb 02, 2013 (10:33 pm)
Not a bad engine, just outdated and outperformed by newer higher tech engines. Sort of like Windows Vista (i used it for many years without any major problems) compared to Win 7.
If they were changing the engine this year, the Passat would still be on my shopping list. Can't wait for the 2014 model this fall; my lease is up in 2 months
Feb 03, 2013 (6:39 am)
VW isn't exactly known for quality and reliability...I personally wouldn't buy one. Not to mention the Passat is a pretty boring looking car, both inside and out, when you stack it up next to most of the competition. Probably the only cars more boring in that class are the Camry, Malibu, and Legacy.
#17452 of 18173 Re: Jan. midsize sales [benjaminh]
by mf15
Feb 03, 2013 (8:11 am)
Accord december sales 29,428,jan sales 23,924 ,while camry sales are up
accord drops. Must be all about the buck, no honda finance deals,no cash poor lease support. December had for a short time 500 cash if financed.
Seems that crash test results have little effect on camry sales,if the general public knows about them.
I suspect honda will have to lay out some form of support soon.'
Old Mike
#17453 of 18173 Re: Jan. midsize sales [mf15]
by wayne21
Feb 03, 2013 (9:22 am)
Seems that crash test results have little effect on camry sales,if the general public knows about them.
I suspect honda will have to lay out some form of support soon.'
Perhaps many people don't worry so much about a new crash test as they do the new technologies in honda. Honda has a long history of transmission problems (well known to most, but denied by isellhondas) and coming out with a new CVT transmission (i.e. a first year effort) for the 4 cylinder probably isn't very soothing to many consumers. And the 6 cyl honda with its VCM leaves a lot to be desired, too. There seem to be no shortage of complaints over the 6 to 3 / 3 to 6 cyl changeover AND it also got a new transmission (a 6 speed). And if you want to have homelink (i.e. if you don't want to have a garage door opener on your sunvisor) you have to buy a 6 cyl accord as it's not an option on the 4 cyl. IF I were looking for a car I would forego the accord this year myself.