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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18175 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2013 at 4:45 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 1746 of 1818

#17446 of 18175 Optima by benjaminh

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

#17447 of 18175 Re: In the Market [cski] by tundradweller1

Feb 02, 2013 (4:33 pm)

Replying to: cski (Feb 02, 2013 10:23 am)
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 18175 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..

#17449 of 18175 In the market by tundradweller1

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 18175 Bye Bye 5 cylinder VW engine by pegasus17

Feb 02, 2013 (10:33 pm)

Replying to: tundradweller1 (Feb 02, 2013 5:53 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Not a bad engine, just outdated and outperformed by newer higher tech engines.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

#17451 of 18175 VW by romil01

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 18175 Re: Jan. midsize sales [benjaminh] by mf15

Feb 03, 2013 (8:11 am)

Replying to: benjaminh (Feb 02, 2013 6:17 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 18175 Re: Jan. midsize sales [mf15] by wayne21

Feb 03, 2013 (9:22 am)

Replying to: mf15 (Feb 03, 2013 8:11 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.

#17454 of 18175 Re: VW [romil01] by gregg_vw

Feb 03, 2013 (10:52 am)

Replying to: romil01 (Feb 03, 2013 6:39 am)
The Passat, like any car, is perceived differently depending on the observer. To some, the design is stately and classy, looking more expensive than it is. There is almost an Audi look to it. In any event, it doesn't tread into "dowdy," like the old Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Sable that preceded the 2010 makeover of the Taurus.
 
VW's quality had been in place for a long time (with some exceptions) and reliablilty has improved. The TDI models have had great reliability at least since the early 2000's. The TDI Passat is a gem: quiet, powerful, economical. It is more expensive, but you will get that back on trade-in, even if you keep it 10 years.
 
To my eye, the new Accord, though an excellent all around choice, is a more boring looking car. The only standouts really are the Mazda6, Optima, and Fusion. The Sonata was on introduction, but no one much looks at them for their looks anymore.
 
None of the current crop is awful, although the 200 styling certainly borders on it. The Malibu actually has reasonably good styling. The 2014 will address the rear legroom complaint a bit. The Malibu is certainly is more attractive than, say, the Legacy, although that may be damning with faint praise. I note Consumer Reports rates the Malibu just a hair higher than the Fusion, although that could flip flop soon, as Ford sorts out some of the complaints with what is otherwise a nicely styled, great handling car.
 
It will be interesting to see if the new 200 coming will be a game changer. It is supposed to take Chrysler styling in a completely different direction.

#17455 of 18175 Re: VW [gregg_vw] by stickguy

Feb 03, 2013 (11:35 am)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Feb 03, 2013 10:52 am)
I still think in this class, most people are more interested (or at least fine) with a simpler design (call it classy, understated, vanilla, or what not). Comfort, room, reliability, economy all are top items.
 
sure, a flashy design gets a lot of attention, but it can get old fast, and will turn some people off. Especially if the style cuts into function.
 
I personally think the Passat and Optima are 2 of the best looking in the class. And the new Accord also looks sharp now the Fusion is sharp, but I find the Sonota to be too overdone and awkward.

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