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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18220 messages,  Last post on May 24, 2013 at 7:58 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 1747 of 1823

#17454 of 18220 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 18220 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.

#17456 of 18220 Re: Jan. midsize sales [mf15] by backy

Feb 03, 2013 (11:39 am)

Replying to: mf15 (Feb 03, 2013 8:11 am)
What I am wondering is, how many of those Camrys sold in January (and other months) were fleet sales? There's tons of Camrys in rental fleets, e.g. Hertz. Accords, almost none. That, plus the fact Camrys are heavily discounted and Accords still going for premium prices for the all-new model likely account for most of the difference in sales.
 
One other thing I wonder about... the new Civic is a pretty nice car and plenty roomy for four people. I wonder how many buyers go into the Honda dealership, see the high prices on the Accords, and gravitate to the Civic instead? Not as easy to do for Camry shoppers... the Corolla is a sorry excuse for a small car (yet still manages to sell pretty well). Similar thing could happen to Sonata shoppers (real good prices on Elantras now), Passat shoppers (Jetta is humongous inside for a compact car), and maybe Altima shoppers (new Sentra is quite nice inside and out and more roomy than before).

#17457 of 18220 Re: VW [stickguy] by backy

Feb 03, 2013 (11:44 am)

Replying to: stickguy (Feb 03, 2013 11:35 am)
... but I find the Sonota to be too overdone and awkward.
 
Well, first of all, there is no mid-sized car called the Sonota. There's a Sonata, and IMO it's still a head-turner, especially in Ruby Red (which my wife has). I give Hyundai points for at least trying to spice up the usually boring mid-sized family car class. The Optima is also quite sharp, in a different way than the Sonata--more European. The Passat? Well, if you liked the old Impala you'll like the looks of the Passat. Although the tail lamps are kind of Audiesque. The Fusion is quite a looker, although I'd trade some of the looks for more back seat room.

#17458 of 18220 Re: VW [backy] by ivan_99

Feb 04, 2013 (4:17 pm)

Replying to: backy (Feb 03, 2013 11:44 am)
Funny thing...
 
I liked the Passat better than the Sonata and my wife hated the Passat. She used to work in law enforcement and said it looked like a police cruiser, inside and out.

#17459 of 18220 Re: VW [ivan_99] by backy

Feb 04, 2013 (6:01 pm)

Replying to: ivan_99 (Feb 04, 2013 4:17 pm)
Yeah, maybe because a lot of those police cruisers were Impalas!
 
People who like simple lines on cars would tend to hate the Sonata, though. The Passat, Camry, or Accord would be much more to their taste.

#17460 of 18220 Re: VW [backy] by ivan_99

Feb 05, 2013 (12:40 am)

Replying to: backy (Feb 04, 2013 6:01 pm)
I like the Sonata too
 
I lean more towards the Optima because of the more angular lines, but the Sonata really is a looker in the category.

#17461 of 18220 Re: In the Market [benjaminh] by bb49

Feb 05, 2013 (5:15 pm)

Replying to: benjaminh (Feb 02, 2013 7:12 am)
The bland dated and uninspired styling is precisely why Honda has lost my sale. Honda continues to make boring appliances. I just tried the new Fusion, the styling is just so much more attractive that placed side by side the Accord looks dated. I tried the rear windows in te Fusion, and they do roll all the way down.

#17462 of 18220 Re: In the Market [bb49] by benjaminh

Feb 05, 2013 (8:22 pm)

Replying to: bb49 (Feb 05, 2013 5:15 pm)
I like the style of the Accord better than the Fusion.
 
But obviously everybody gets to pick their own favorite.
 
Congrats on the car!

#17463 of 18220 Re:Sonata and Optima by cski

Feb 06, 2013 (7:02 am)

Replying to: ivan_99 (Feb 05, 2013 12:40 am)
The following is for potential buyers who may be viewing this site:
 
I also loved the Sonata when it came out. A neighbor came home with a 2011 black SE 2.4 with dual exhaust and fogs. We talked for 1/2 about it. 3 months later I bought the 2012 Optima version. ($24,260 EX base in Spicy red).
 
I found that the Optima was more to my liking as well. It looks a lot like the Lexus GS 250/350; a great looking entry level luxury sedan.
 
14 months later, I still love it. Not one thing has broken after hundreds of commutes into DC. I would recommend it to anyone.
 
However, there are a ton of fresh faces to choose from in this segment. The Fusion, Altima, Mazda6, Accord and Passat should be seriously considered and test driven before making a decision on ownership.
 
Happy hunting!

Messages Page 1747 of 1823

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