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Midsize Sedans 2.0

10959 messages,  Last post on Oct 11, 2008 at 2:53 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, Saturn Aura, Car Comparisons, Sedan

#8021 of 10959 Re: MPG on winter gas [thegraduate] by urnews Dec 11, 2007 (11:27 am)
Replying to: thegraduate (Dec 11, 2007 8:52 am) Urnews only got 21 MPG or so in his Focus, so 15 MPG in his V6 Fusion AWD isn't bad at all. Both are a good 2-4 MPG below the city estimate. It's just because his style/commute is different.   You have a good memory, Graduate. We still have the 2000 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, Zetec Focus station wagon (about 21 mpg all-city driving) and a 1997 3.8-liter, V6 Ford Thunderbird (about 13-15 mpg all-city driving) in addition to the 2007 3.0-liter V6 SEL AWD Ford Fusion (15 mpg all-city driving).   Before I die I hope to have a car, any car, that will deliver 30 mpg in all-city driving. The last one that I had that did that, religiously, was a 1958 VW Beetle, which didn't even have a gas gauge, just a 10-gallon tank with a 1-gallon reserve activated by flipping a level to lower the intake nozzle. (Ah, those were the days!)   Except for the gas mileage, my wife and I have zero real complaints about the Fusion after one year's ownership and almost 6,000 miles. It is a fine automobile that handles and rides superbly, looks sharp and has its fair share of bells and whistles. It should for a $27,105 MSRP. That's almost $10,000 more than the $17,995 starting price for an S model with a 2.3-liter I-4 and 5-speed manual with 16-inch wheels.   I think FoMoCo really produced a winner in its 3-car mid-size trio, Fusion, Milan, MKZ. According to what I've read on the Internet, there are now about a quarter-million Fusions on the road now and they continue to do very well in the reliability department.   I still believe the Camrys and Accords are the benchmarks in this class, but our Fusion is definitely a top-notch contender, one that has exceeded expectations.   Anybody know why (hosts are you reading?) the Chevy Malibu is not represented in the reviews at the right side of this page? Shouldn't it be included? I would like to read owners' reviews of this car. Replies to this message: thegraduate (Dec 11, 2007 11:31 am) robertsmx (Dec 11, 2007 11:41 am)
#8022 of 10959 Re: MPG on winter gas [urnews] by thegraduate Dec 11, 2007 (11:31 am)
Replying to: urnews (Dec 11, 2007 11:27 am) Anybody know why (hosts are you reading?) the Chevy Malibu is not represented in the reviews at the right side of this page? Shouldn't it be included? I would like to read owners' reviews of this car.   IIRC, the max number of cars allowed in a comparison on the side of the page is 9. Before now, the Chevy wasn't worth talking about much.
#8023 of 10959 Re: Motor Trend article [aviboy97] by plekto Dec 11, 2007 (11:35 am)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Dec 11, 2007 7:37 am) Having a base RX-8 compared to a BMW with leather, Xenons and such is not a direct comparison. The RX-8 GT has leather, moon roof, Bose Audio, xenon lights, DSC, limited slip. That is comparable to the BMW, in terms of equipment. The moon roof is not far back. I dunno where you get that. Plus, there are hardly any 2007's left. There are no rebates on 2008's. ***   The Base with the sport package has limited slip, xenon lights, traction control, and so on. The ONLY thing you don't get is fake leather and a sunroof. Oh, and the Bose audio, which a good set of four Kenwood speakers will obliterate for $160 at Best Buy. BT,DT - there is no bigger ripoff than factory sound in cars.   In both cars, the sunroof is useless bling to break and does nothing for the performance of the car, which was the original poster's question - what car gets the most performance for the dollar.   Vinyl formed to look and feel like leather isn't leather. So it's a total waste of money on all of these cars. Or if you're lucky, it's leather powder and epoxy that's sprayed onto a backing and a pattern is applied. I'm not paying $2000 for that junk.   So saying a car doesn't have "leather" isn't a valid comparison IMO. Fake is fake.   There are tons of RX-8s left. I used Cars Direct because you can buy a 2007 from them today for that price.
#8024 of 10959 Re: MPG on winter gas [urnews] by robertsmx Dec 11, 2007 (11:41 am)
Replying to: urnews (Dec 11, 2007 11:27 am) I used to have a car that did that. It delivered 31 mpg with very little highway driving... 2000 Civic EX. I never got to see its all-highway potential since the 98 Accord got picked everytime. Interestingly enough, the supposedly "more realistic" new EPA ratings applied to the 2000 Civic is only 24/32 mpg. (IIRC, the original rating was 28/35).   Since you get only 15 mpg in a Fusion, it might be quite a challenge for you to get 30 mpg in any car. Perhaps something like Accord Diesel will get you closer to that target. I won't rule out hybrids either (Civic, Prius, Camry, and Altima). And there is another on the horizon that should do really well in that regard... the expected sub-20K hybrid from Honda (likely based off Fit).   I just read about a 2003 Civic Hybrid which has 595K miles on it, while getting 48 mpg. The owner works as a courier in Phoenix (which would indicate plenty of stop and go driving). He drives 10K miles/month. At least that is something you may not have to worry about. IIRC, you drive only 5K miles/year.
#8025 of 10959 2008 Malibu by aviboy97 Dec 11, 2007 (1:12 pm)
Just saw one today. A dark gray Malibu was driving behind me. Looked pretty nice. It is overcast today here in CT, but, it did have some nice lines. It had the bigger wheels and tries as well. Very nice. I'm not sure if I am a big fan of the front end. Very close resemblance to thew Cobalt.
#8026 of 10959 Accord is Number One by andres3 Dec 11, 2007 (11:00 pm)
Business as usual at Honda as they take first place in Edmunds' latest midsize comparo!   Nissan sneaks in to take sucky number 2. Chevy Malibu has to settle for a distant third. Camry has to move back to 4th place.
#8027 of 10959 New marketing for the new Mazda6 by zzzoom6 Dec 11, 2007 (11:17 pm)
At least in european market anyway, it's less of the child persona surfacing in the adult saying "zoom-zoom" and more about elegance, style and emotion. As you can tell, I'm getting pretty excited about the new Mazda6! Never was a Mazda fan until I bought my 6 a couple years ago...used to be a Honda guy, then a Subie fan, and now this thing with Mazda. As my passion for cars grows, I'm more attracted to cars that strike chord that balances sophistication and an engaging focus. Or something like that....    Anyways, check it out. It's got a dramatic sci-fi feel to it. Oh yeah, turn up the volume and your surround sound too!   new Mazda6 marketing Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Dec 12, 2007 8:42 am)
#8028 of 10959 Re: 2007 Ford Mondeo [lilengineerboy] by zzzoom6 Dec 11, 2007 (11:47 pm)
Replying to: lilengineerboy (Dec 07, 2007 8:40 am) It sounds a little big to me (and 3600lbs), but other than that I like it. I like the interior layout, the driver information system in the cluster and the lack of clutter. I like the exterior look as well (which is a lot more subjective), I think the front is just edgy enough not to be boring.   I've been following the Mondeo for about a year now and have liked it alot. Aesthetically, I agree completely with you lilenineerboy, it's so much better than what I see being done with other Ford products. And I really like it's headlight assembly...one of my favorites of all cars in fact. The reviews in europe have been very positive noting that it's suspension is both very compliant yet firm. And the comments in the Edmunds article about steering feel leave me wishing we had a chance to have it here. Especially if they could drop a 3.5 liter in it with a 6 speed manual w/ AWD....drool!   What I don't really understand though, with the extra capacity that Ford has now, producing these cars stateside would utilize unused factory capacity while leveraging the weak dollar. And they could make a few extra for North America and sell it as a lincoln or mercury... well that would make too much sense though.
#8029 of 10959 Re: MPG on winter gas [thegraduate] by targettuning Dec 12, 2007 (5:55 am)
Replying to: thegraduate (Dec 11, 2007 6:27 am) Sure, they are for comparison purposes but they also place "numbers" out there in bold print stating that this particular car/SUV/truck should get "X" mpg under the following situations...city driving, highway driving and a combination of the two. Most buyers take that as gospel and God forbid that they don't get that "advertised" economy. All I am saying is that it is now easier for Joe citizen to achieve something approaching those large bold EPA numbers so prominently displayed on the side window. Less complaining more accuracy and yes I do believe they are far more accurate now. Replies to this message: lilengineerboy (Dec 12, 2007 7:40 am) akirby (Dec 12, 2007 8:34 am) lilengineerboy (Dec 12, 2007 9:13 am) and 14 more... jeffyscott (Dec 12, 2007 8:34 am) targettuning (Dec 12, 2007 9:24 am)
#8030 of 10959 Re: MPG on winter gas [robertsmx] by targettuning Dec 12, 2007 (6:23 am)
Replying to: robertsmx (Dec 11, 2007 10:58 am) Like I said, there will alway be the "robertsmx" take on all things, including fuel economy, and then there is the majority of people most of whom complained that they could never achieve the "advertised" economy. I have a small insight into how you drive based on other posts and it isn't as conservative as many but you still get exceptional fuel economy...good, no, GREAT!! for you. Most don't do that. Must be the vehicle which is a Honda, no??  I do not think the EPA tests are perfectly designed (but they are much much better), I never said that. What I actually said is that I believe they are now more realistic...and they are. More "real world" more "hey I can get that mileage" for the masses and if it turns out that 75% of all drivers get those new improved numbers well, that make it more accurate too doesn't it?. And you?, well you will probably always exceed any EPA estimate old..current and future and once again..congratulations for your stellar achievment in the fuel economy field. Replies to this message: robertsmx (Dec 12, 2007 1:44 pm) akirby (Dec 12, 2007 2:03 pm) robertsmx (Dec 12, 2007 2:29 pm) and 11 more... targettuning (Dec 13, 2007 6:21 am) thegraduate (Dec 13, 2007 9:55 am) and 1 more...

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