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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18218 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 3:51 PM

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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 556 of 1822

#5550 of 18218 Re: Residuals can be deceiving [robertsmx] by m1miata

Sep 16, 2007 (11:02 pm)

Replying to: robertsmx (Sep 16, 2007 9:52 pm)
Never thought of it as the Honda Accord style of '98, but you are right. Does look a bit '98, which is a good thing - right? In looking back in time, some designs were just a bit better looking. It is almost like they are now trying too hard to make something striking, and coming up with the plain ol' weird. What's up with this strange bug eyes on the new Accord? They stick out so much, I wonder if they are a target in a wreck. Gosh, the Sonata may look plain to some, but I am thinking more like it is plainly a better look than many. The front nose of a Camry, is well just wrong, and the side view is not too exciting, as it is looking a bit chunky. But overall, it is something better than the previous Camry, but then again, anything would be. I am thinking Honda and Toyota may be giving the competition a little break these days. The GM Malibu is going to look even better, the Sonata pics, I have yet to see, the Altima is still stylin' but perhaps some, like I am, are getting tired of the look to a degree (still good). Should make the Fusion / Milan look better too. Ford just needs the make a little change or two here or there in the interior to jazz it up, and I guess they get a new V6, so heck may be a contender. Heck, I always liked most of the stuff Honda was doing each year, but the new exterior and interior look sure doesn't do it for me. But then again, I already bought a sedan. So they made a sale. I was shopping several cars at the time, then got it down to Aura and Accord. But this 2008 Accord, would probably not have been in the race. It is all subject, this how good a car looks, but to me a lot of the new redesigns just look garbled, awkward, and less flowing or continuing as a form. The 2007 Accord to some is not a work of art. I realize this, but it seemed to have a smoothness to it, and it worked for me as a car which looked well, front - side & back as I walked around it. And it seemed to look like its own design and not an accumulation of other designs. The nose is simple, but kinda sporty for a sedan.
 
Same thing with the New CTS, it seems to be taking on a corporate nose, which is not fitting to the Art & Science simple chisels, and the side view now looks off too. Something of some mismatches. The trunk and rear doesn't seem to be as CTS or stand-outish. I had a long day of getting my Aunt up and running with a new computer and new ISP service, so the brain is not firing as fast, so perhaps I am not getting this through as in expressing correctly. Maybe it is just me, asI look at the making of a design change as having to actually improve on the previous, or be so much a better replacement, it was worth the effort. The New Accord is kinda like three car designs, we all have seen, grafted together. The interior got more busy, and is now less attractive. The CTS exterior, IMHO, is now way too busy up front, but the interior is nice - very nice. Alas, it too lost a bit of Art & Science along the way, so maybe they could inject a bit of quirky, just for old times sake. Loren
 
P.S. I am not saying the CTS is not attractive in a way. Just saying it is not in a CTS way attractive, as in original theme, and to me personally, no longer has the impact it once did. Many will love the new look and it should sell well.

#5551 of 18218 Re: Fantastically Great Article... for the most part [zzzoom6] by m1miata

Sep 16, 2007 (11:12 pm)

Replying to: zzzoom6 (Sep 16, 2007 10:30 pm)
If you do the math. In retail sales, it was something like 800 or so more cars sold. Nothing earthshaking. Deeper discounts is a likely scenario. Yes, Aura XR is pretty nice little package. Should be very interesting to see how the New Malibu sales are, once it hits the showrooms, and how the G6 and Aura's will fare.
goodnight from the left coast, Loren

#5552 of 18218 Re: Residuals can be deceiving [robertsmx] by ykang

Sep 16, 2007 (11:15 pm)

Replying to: robertsmx (Sep 16, 2007 9:52 pm)
Does that mean Sonata's front end will no longer look like 1998 Accord?
 
2008 Accord looks like current Sonata.

#5553 of 18218 Re: Residuals can be deceiving [ykang] by robertsmx

Sep 17, 2007 (4:39 am)

Replying to: ykang (Sep 16, 2007 11:15 pm)
I don't think so. The only similarity seems to be sharper inside corners of the headlamps, and that is a contemporary design element seen in a boat load of cars. Is it really that different from, say, what you see in TL, TSX, Civic, or several Japanese Hondas? In fact, it isn't too different from 1990-1993 Accord's headlamp with a contemporary touch. But here is the other Honda (Japanese) from which Accord gets its headlamps:

 
They are virtually identical. As for the grill, I don't see any similarity there. As I said earlier, 2005+ Sonata's grill is more like a touched up grill from 1998 Accord. I even see similar "bulge" around the outline of the grill. Take a closer look at 1998 Accord, side by side, and you might see that. If 2008 Accord makes you think Sonata, perhaps it is because there is a 1998 Accord-look in it. "What Goes Around, Comes Around".
 
Take a look at the Hyundai I30 revealed at Frankfurt just a few days ago. When I saw that grill, I thought "Civic". Perhaps, in a few years from now, if Honda maintains/evolves the Civic that even remotely mimics 2006 version, people will be saying... that looks like a Hyundai!
 
Of course, 1998 Jaguar S-Type looks like a 2000 Hyundai Sonata too.

#5554 of 18218 Re: Residuals can be deceiving [m1miata] by robertsmx

Sep 17, 2007 (4:45 am)

Replying to: m1miata (Sep 16, 2007 11:02 pm)
What's up with this strange bug eyes on the new Accord?
 
I agree. It is a carry over from similar effect on CR-V and Odyssey. Some other cars (Lexus GS) have it too. And I think it is limited to sedan only. Accord Coupe has it conventionally styled (Honda Stream, pictured above, doesn't either).

#5555 of 18218 Re: 2008 Accord - TheGrad's Impressions [zzzoom6] by jeffyscott

Sep 17, 2007 (5:31 am)

Replying to: zzzoom6 (Sep 16, 2007 10:38 pm)
I love those round vents in the mazda6. Disappointing to seem them dropped from the center dash in the new version. I like that I can instantly see where they are aimed and if they are open or not, with just a quick glance. I also think they are a little quicker and easier to change the aim on or shut off than the conventional type.
 
The Mazda6 has rear seat heat ducts...but, I am not even sure where they are.
 
My wife's Jetta, not quite in this class, has rear vents in the center storage area. Based on that, I assume that the Passat would also have that feature.

#5556 of 18218 Re: 2008 Prices Online! [louiswei] by targettuning

Sep 17, 2007 (6:52 am)

Replying to: louiswei (Sep 14, 2007 2:30 pm)
Although I didn't read all the replys between this post by you and the most current posts I will "stick up" for urnews in as much you post several pictures and tell us it from "so-and-so" year and model. We are supposed to see certain faults with fit and finish (I guess) and while I do see some gaps I cannot tell without seeing the whole dash, or whatever total piece this snippet is supposed to represent, if the parts fit well or not. I cannot tell the overall design and therefore cannot tell if certain gaps are faults...or not. Further I cannot feel the plastics, if that is what your beef is. As far as I know you could have visited 10 dealers and looked at 100 cars to find a flaw to prove your point. You cannot post a snapshot of something that could be a 57 Ford and use it as "proof" a Camry or Accord is wonderful. I don't even care for the current crop of Chrysler cars but I see flaws with your reasoning in using this as some sort of proof.
 Having read all the posts in between it seems this photo as proof thing has faded into the past. Therefore my post is old news. Sorry I really should not post first and read later....

#5557 of 18218 Re: Fantastically Great Article... for the most part [andres3] by mz6greyghost

Sep 17, 2007 (7:21 am)

Replying to: andres3 (Sep 16, 2007 7:19 pm)
The Aura's increase in sales were due to deep discounting and big time rebates, not the comparison.
 
Let me know when you get some ACTUAL evidence of this.
 
My sister, who is a CPA, went to a local Saturn dealer, just to see what the comparison was about. She was amazed that for slightly more than $21K, she could get a well-equipped Aura XE with a V6, compared to a 4-cylinder in the Camry and Accord. She was just as impressed with the fit-and-finish, interior materials, and the drive/ride of the Aura as with the Accord. Two days before, she was able to talk down a '07 Accord V6 to $24K (including the $1K rebate from Honda), similarly equipped, and was ready to sign the papers until she bought the Saturn.
 
Oh, and for the record, Saturn did NOT offer any "deep discounting" or any "big time rebates". And IMO, after driving her new Aura a few times, they don't need to.

#5558 of 18218 Re: Fantastically Great Article... for the most part [mz6greyghost] by robertsmx

Sep 17, 2007 (7:45 am)

Replying to: mz6greyghost (Sep 17, 2007 7:21 am)
If in-store comparison helped Aura, why would GM not continue it. They had also announced to do it with the new Malibu but suddenly retracted (and interestingly enough, this coincided with the launch of the new Accord). Given the timing of events, I conclude that GM didn't think it was a good idea to pit the new Accord against Aura and new Malibu. The comparison worked well using a model that was four-five years old.

#5559 of 18218 Re: 2008 Prices Online! [targettuning] by robertsmx

Sep 17, 2007 (7:50 am)

Replying to: targettuning (Sep 17, 2007 6:52 am)
I cannot tell the overall design and therefore cannot tell if certain gaps are faults...or not. Further I cannot feel the plastics, if that is what your beef is.
 
I posted the pictures (not louiswei). That said, if you can't tell the difference, or get a feel for it from it, then let us agree upon one thing... our standards for quality is different. I won't settle for something like that in anything above $15K, and won't be happy with it even in a car that costs less.

Messages Page 556 of 1822

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