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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18198 messages,  Last post on May 21, 2013 at 5:27 PM

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 1753 of 1821

#17515 of 18198 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [nyccarguy] by bb49

Feb 16, 2013 (10:29 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Jan 29, 2013 5:44 am)
I own a 2001 Odyssey and have had to replace the transmission 3 times already. It is well documented that Honda designed transmissions prone to failure in my Odyssey and the 5 speed automatic that replaced it. Since the Accord's CVT is a new design for Honda, I would wait a few years to see if Honda has worked out any potential "bugs" in it given the fact that Honda does not have the best reputation with transmissions.

#17516 of 18198 Re: Motorweek comparison test [bb49] by benjaminh

Feb 17, 2013 (5:09 am)

Replying to: bb49 (Feb 16, 2013 10:20 pm)
The style of the Optima may excite you, but it does come at a cost. There's a whole thread in the Optima Forums .com site about the blind spots bc of the huge rear pillars, "ghost cars" coming out of nowhere since you can't see them, adjusting your mirrors perfectly to minimize problems, etc. Here's one post from an Optima owner:
 
"Today was the last straw regarding "ghost cars" appearing out of nowhere. I am aware that it is due to the wide C-pillars and the steeply raked rear window design, which makes the trunk taller, hiding even large cars. It is the price I pay for style I guess. However:
 
It is so bad that I am getting paranoid. I must have looked three times before changing lanes this morning, but a Civic was there. This is the third time it has happened this month...."
 
http://www.optimaforums.com/forum/5-optima-general-discussion/4964-blind-spot-da- - - - - - - nger.html
 
The Accord V-6 also blows the Optima Turbo out of the water when it comes to acceleration. Does anyone need to go that fast? Probably not. But as Hans Solo once said about the Millenium Falcon, "She may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts kid.”
 
The Optima is a great car—quality, style, value, made in usa, etc. But like other cars it's not perfect. The Honda Accord has its issues too. Some owners are reporting some software glitches sometimes with their electronics, although Honda has promised a fix soon. And the style of the Accord, which seems clean and functional to me, is dull to you and some other folks too.

#17517 of 18198 Cost to own? by otis12

Feb 17, 2013 (6:18 am)

I see the Optima turbo requires an oil change every 3500 miles, per the owners manual. Not a super expensive cost but some of the competitors go for 10,000 miles before a required oil change with regular (not synthetic) oil.

#17518 of 18198 Re: Motorweek comparison test [bb49] by akirby

Feb 17, 2013 (7:59 am)

Replying to: bb49 (Feb 16, 2013 10:20 pm)
I rented an Optima over Christmas and I just bought a 2013 Fusion. The Fusion has better materials, better controls and FAR better seats. I drove 3 hours in mine and it felt like I had been sitting in my recliner for a few minutes. 1 hour in the Optima and my legs and back were killing me.
 
I'd put the Optima ahead of most of the others but not the Fusion or the Accord.

#17519 of 18198 Re: Motorweek comparison test [benjaminh] by cski

Feb 17, 2013 (2:22 pm)

Replying to: benjaminh (Feb 17, 2013 5:09 am)
Ben, You are right about the Optima blind spot. 100%. "Ghost cars" appearing out of nowhere has happened to me at least 5 times. I will look, look again. and look a third time while SLOWLY merging and BAM!!...a car will be there. It's maddening. I guess those little round mirrors are in my future. Really, really near future.
 
Anyone considering purchasing a 11-13 Optima, (and this info is coming from an owner), I would check out the Accord and it's improved sight lines if a family sedan is what you are after. The problem with the Accord is that with all of the options that I have in my car, a comparable Accord is close to $30,000. $6k more, and 40k less warranty.
Also, on the performance issue: 2013 Accord V6 0-60 is 6.1.
                                                         2012 Kia Optima Turbo 6.3.
 
When my car is paid for, based on my current mileage, I will still have 40 thousand miles under full warranty!. (I did pay $900 to extend the basic 100k powertrain warranty to full bumper-to-bumper warranty).
 
Anyway, to me, the contest is between the Accord, Mazda-6, Altima, Optima, Fusion.
The Altima looks great from the side and the back, but the front end looks like it was stung by bees. It's all "puffy". A bit of a re-style in the front would be a slam dunk for Nissan.

#17520 of 18198 Re: Motorweek comparison test [akirby] by cski

Feb 17, 2013 (2:28 pm)

Replying to: akirby (Feb 17, 2013 7:59 am)
Hey Kirby. The Optima you rented was an LX. It's interior materials are cheap compared to any other trim level. The EX has leather in all the door pockets and dark ebony wood everywhere you touch. The steering wheel and shifter are leather as well. Outside, the only diff is 16" rims instead of 17" with better tires.
  
If my only exposure to the Optima was an LX rental, I would feel the same way . How are the sight lines on your Fusion? Also, how is the 1.6T EcoBoost in real world acceleration and passing? Curious.

#17521 of 18198 Re: Motorweek comparison test [benjaminh] by cski

Feb 17, 2013 (2:37 pm)

Replying to: benjaminh (Feb 17, 2013 5:09 am)
Oh, Benjamin, the article you quoted was written by me on Optima forums. I get around. LOL.

#17522 of 18198 Re: Motorweek comparison test [cski] by akirby

Feb 17, 2013 (5:59 pm)

Replying to: cski (Feb 17, 2013 2:28 pm)
I still think the Fusion SE is nicer on the inside than the Optima LX even though mine is a Titanium 2.0L EB.
 
I'm used to the Fusion's higher trunk so I don't have any issues. The 2.0L EB has plenty of power - more than my old 3.0L - and is returning 2-3 mpg better fuel economy in the winter before it's broken in. I'm very happy.

#17523 of 18198 Re: Motorweek comparison test [cski] by benjaminh

Feb 17, 2013 (7:43 pm)

Replying to: cski (Feb 17, 2013 2:37 pm)
funny!!++

#17524 of 18198 Re: Motorweek comparison test [cski] by benjaminh

Feb 17, 2013 (7:46 pm)

Replying to: cski (Feb 17, 2013 2:22 pm)
Well C & D got an Accord to go 0-60 in....
 
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-honda-accord-sedan-v-6-test-review
  
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.6 sec
 
And so if that's true, it did blow the Optima Turbo's 6.3 out of the water.
 
But was it a weird test? An error? Even they seemed amazed, and noted that the 2013 Accord V-6 was a shade faster than a brand new BMW 328i with a manual....!

Messages Page 1753 of 1821

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