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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18218 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 3:51 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 828 of 1822

#8270 of 18218 Re: Are we done yet? [urnews] by lilengineerboy

Dec 25, 2007 (6:46 pm)

Replying to: urnews (Dec 25, 2007 5:02 pm)
...And by bundling items into specific packages with items some consumers don't want or need, yet they STILL have to pay for them. How exactly does it become cheaper for the consumer?
 
Because the cost of those options bundled together is considerably less than having a different wiring harness for each application, a different vehicle architecture for each application, and different trim pieces to cover all the holes where the switches and buttons for the options not chose reside. The automakers call it give-away when its cheaper to bundle then to have separate parts. An example of this is automatic climate control and automatic headlamps. They need the same sensor anyway, why not bundle them?
 
It doesn't, of course, but it sure makes for increased profits for the manufacturers. Had I been ordering our 2007 Ford Fusion from scratch I probably would not have chosen AWD but the SEL on the lot had all of the other features we DID want: V6, six-speed automatic, heated leather seating, moon roof, upgraded radio/6 CD audio system, anti-lock brakes, traction control, etc., black interior, Oxford white exterior.
 
I think you are illustrating my point. The vehicle you picked had no trim level based package. On the Accord DX/LX/EX there are NO options (Nav, V6 and stick/auto are all different models, not options). You get what you get. If all the cars were equipped the same, your decision would've been that much easier.
 
The other thing you could've done was ordered the car as you wanted it, or had the dealer done a swap or trade.

#8271 of 18218 Re: Are we done yet? [mz6greyghost] by elroy5

Dec 25, 2007 (6:52 pm)

Replying to: mz6greyghost (Dec 25, 2007 4:21 pm)
Besides, I would rather decide what I want in a vehicle that I'm paying with MY $$$. "Market research" can't (and won't) make that decision for me.
 
In fantasy world it could happen this way:
A customer decides what options he/she wants, the dealership orders it, then the customer waits months for the car (equipped exactly the way he/she wants it) to come in.
 
Because customers are not willing to wait months for their car, and production costs would rise because every car would be specially made, it just will not work.
 
Hence the guessing game is the only way.

#8272 of 18218 Merry Christmas! by pat

Dec 25, 2007 (7:02 pm)

Merry Christmas everyone!
 
Let's have some eggnog - or whatever your wassail of choice might be - and remind ourselves that this discussion is about the cars themselves, not the manufacturers. As I look around, it appears that the Christmas grinch made off with a few posts - though he clearly missed a few candidates in his haste.
 
Let's send him off to some other where while we toast the season and ensure that we stick to the cars and let the Auto News discussions continue the other debates about the manufacturers' philosophies and actions.
 
Happy happy! Enjoy the season.
 

#8273 of 18218 Re: Are we done yet? [elroy5] by mz6greyghost

Dec 25, 2007 (8:26 pm)

Replying to: elroy5 (Dec 25, 2007 6:52 pm)
In fantasy world it could happen this way:
A customer decides what options he/she wants, the dealership orders it, then the customer waits months for the car (equipped exactly the way he/she wants it) to come in.
 
Or it could be like how I bought my 6: Walked into a dealer with the EXACT car color/options/drivetrain that I wanted (Gray/moonroof, no leather/V6 with 5-speed manual). Dealer had none in inventory, but found said exact model 150 miles away at another dealer. Customer waited 2 days for car.
 
Because customers are not willing to wait months for their car, and production costs would rise because every car would be specially made, it just will not work.
 
Or, customers have just given up and settled for what they can get at a certain time, or settled for how an automaker bundles options instead of shopping around for other manufacturers that actually try and please their customers, instead of padding their bottom line. Hence the reason why I bought a 6 instead of an Accord.

#8274 of 18218 Re: Are we done yet? [mz6greyghost] by elroy5

Dec 25, 2007 (8:48 pm)

Replying to: mz6greyghost (Dec 25, 2007 8:26 pm)
Or it could be like how I bought my 6: Walked into a dealer with the EXACT car color/options/drivetrain that I wanted (Gray/moonroof, no leather/V6 with 5-speed manual). Dealer had none in inventory, but found said exact model 150 miles away at another dealer. Customer waited 2 days for car.
 
Believe me, you are one of a very small percentage of customers who got exactly what he wanted. For instance, does the 6 come with leather seats with manual adjustments? I don't think so. I would still have to stand outside the car while the seat slooowly moves back so I can get in.
 
So there isn't one option you would have wanted, but the 6 didn't have. Or one option it did have, that you could have easily done without? I find that hard to believe.

#8275 of 18218 Re: Are we done yet? [elroy5] by csandste

Dec 25, 2007 (10:07 pm)

Replying to: elroy5 (Dec 25, 2007 1:41 pm)
I got excellent add on leather for my Optima for an additional $500 at purchase. Looks as good as factory installed.
 
http://www.roadwire.com/

#8276 of 18218 Re: Are we done yet? [csandste] by thegraduate

Dec 25, 2007 (11:17 pm)

Replying to: csandste (Dec 25, 2007 10:07 pm)
I'm assuming it is made to accomodate your side airbags?

#8277 of 18218 Re: Are we done yet? [mz6greyghost] by lilengineerboy

Dec 25, 2007 (11:32 pm)

Replying to: mz6greyghost (Dec 25, 2007 8:26 pm)
Or it could be like how I bought my 6: Walked into a dealer with the EXACT car color/options/drivetrain that I wanted (Gray/moonroof, no leather/V6 with 5-speed manual).
 
So you got a Base Mazda6 S with the moonroof option. This combination didn't even exist in 2007, so I guess you are lucky you got it when you did. Of course, if you use the same cost for the optional sunroof, going from the cloth trim base w/roof to the leather/heated seats touring is less than a grand.
I guess if you want the cheapest possible bottom line price, that is different then overall value. That upgrade gets better tires/wheels, audio system, and the heated leather power seats, and a few other little things.
Oh, does yours have the compass mirror? Is that something you were looking for?
 
Or, customers have just given up and settled for what they can get at a certain time, or settled for how an automaker bundles options instead of shopping around for other manufacturers that actually try and please their customers, instead of padding their bottom line. Hence the reason why I bought a 6 instead of an Accord.
 
Or they are looking for what offers the best value. Its interesting to note that Mazda dropped the manual trans on everything above the base model, so I guess everyone wanted that so now thats how they packaged it. But even Mazda created a package.
 
I actually bought the Accord because the Mazda I wanted didn't exist, so I guess that flips both ways.

#8278 of 18218 Re: Are you folks nuts? [elroy5] by mrsyj

Dec 26, 2007 (6:43 am)

Replying to: elroy5 (Dec 25, 2007 2:56 pm)
"I've seen two Auras on the road (it may have been the same one seen twice). I have seen more 08 Accords on the road (probably 10 so far). There are no Saturn dealers in my local area (40 miles). "
 
That may explain it because we have 5 Saturn dealers in my metro area.

#8279 of 18218 Re: Navigation systems [lilengineerboy] by jeffyscott

Dec 26, 2007 (7:32 am)

Replying to: lilengineerboy (Dec 25, 2007 3:24 pm)
A navigation system, for a multitude of reasons, can be very handy. The issue might stem from the $2k price, but as that drops under a grand, it will be more feasible.
 
I told my kid that my price point is about $50. But then I don't see why one wants this built into the car, particularly given the price premium for this option. I understand the aftermarket ones are now as low as $100 with rebates.
 
For $50 it would be handy to have, as a convenience. But what good is a built in system, when you fly somewhere and rent a car?

Messages Page 828 of 1822

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