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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18437 messages,  Last post on Jun 19, 2013 at 6:38 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 860 of 1845

#8584 of 18437 One Year and 13,500 miles with a 2007 Accord LX 5-speed by benderofbows

Jan 25, 2008 (8:57 am)

Following the tradition of the Edmunds Long Term Test wrap-ups, here is some information on my Midsize Sedan.
 
What I Purchased & Price Paid
 
One year ago I purchased a brand new 2007 Honda Accord LX Sedan with a 5-speed manual. Silver with a black interior, straight off of the local dealer's lot. The new 2008's were on the way, so I was able to fairly easily negotiate a price of $300 below invoice, or $17,825 (invoice was $18,125). MSRP was $20,125.
 
Why I Bought It
 
I looked at other vehicles, including sedans, which had the Accord beat in some areas. Other choices had more features for the dollar (Hyundia Sonata), handled better (Ford Fusion), could carry more (Mazda6 5-door), etc... but in my opinion the Accord was the option that did everything well, and the smooth engine and excellent manual transmission sealed the deal. The Mazda6 came in a very close second.
 
How It Drives
 
For me, the manual transmission really gives the Accord a good driving personality. The gearing is low for great acceleration, and closely spaced pedals are perfect for heel-and-toe downshifts. The ride is firm enough that you can feel the road, but not too harsh as to be uncomfortable. The engine is a masterpeice. This exact configuration was tested by Car and Driver as going 0-60 in 7.5 seconds, about average for the class but very good for a four-cylinder. They gave it high praise all around.
 
In my opinion the handling is above average. There is one section of road on my commute with a very sharp curve; the speed limit on the road is 35 mph, and a sign warns of the turn and recommends 25 mph. On the outside of the curve, the ditch and tree line is scarred from the fates of cars whose enthusiastic drivers tried to carry extra-legal speed but failed to negotiate through properly. I can take this curve at 45 mph without much tire noise and the car gives great feedback about how much grip is left. I don't see any need for increased handling, but when I replace the tires I have a feeling that a more sport-oriented tire will give less body roll and improved grip.
 
Other Experiences
 
The cabin is comfortable with four adults on board, the trunk is large and the rear seats fold flat, and I have been surprised at the amount of stuff I have been able to carry inside the vehicle including bicycles, misc. lumber and 10-foot peices of moulding, a Labrador Retreiver, and enough luggage for my wife to take a weekend trip (not all at once, of course). This flexibility is one of the primary reasons I chose a midsize sedan.
 
Maintenance and Operating Costs
 
The Accord has been very inexpensive to operate, averaging 29 mpg to date. The worst observed tank was 24.5, and the best observed tank was 35. Two oil and filter changes as recommended by the "maintenance minder" system (which monitors driving habits, other operating conditions, and accumulated engine revs) were $25 each at the local dealer, and the car has not required any additional service, scheduled or otherwise.
 
Residual Value
 
After one year and 13,500 miles, on average Edmunds TMV (and other pricing guides including the "Real World Trade In Values" forum) estimate the Accord is worth about $15,500 private party. This equates to 87% of the price I paid, and 77% of MSRP, or a first year depreciation of 13% and 23% respectively.
 
Conclusion
 
Any negatives? Well, it would have been nice to have iPod connectivity, which I fixed with an FM transmitter. Plus, the styling is nice but sometimes I wish it stood out more. Overall, at this time I'm still very pleased with the Accord. It has been very economical, it appears to have held its value very well, has had no major issues, has met all of my needs, and is fun to drive.

#8585 of 18437 SVT Fusion? by baggs32

Jan 25, 2008 (11:18 am)

SVT is still around to an extent but this news from MT makes me wonder if they've been working hard somewhere top secret.
 
The EcoBoost engine, which is currently scheduled to debut in a performance version of the Fusion, could be the more fuel efficient alternative for Mustang in the long term. Depending on spec, the EcoBoost is capable of up to at least 415hp, and has the torque to match a regular V-8.

 
415 HP in a Fusion? I doubt it. But I think that motor makes something around 340 out of the box IIRC. Couple that with AWD and, well, you can do the math.

#8586 of 18437 Re: Who will buy a midsize sedan [andres3] by advequityguy

Jan 25, 2008 (1:18 pm)

Replying to: andres3 (Jan 25, 2008 1:06 am)
Car sales down for 2008? Sir, apparantly you didnt read the posts above yours. There are posts from a private buyer who was talked in to buying a Dodge Sebring "The Darling of the Rental Car Fleet", complete with a pricey radio. That gives me plenty of hope for the coming year.

#8587 of 18437 Re: One Year and 13,500 miles with a 2007 Accord LX 5-speed [benderofbows] by advequityguy

Jan 25, 2008 (1:26 pm)

Replying to: benderofbows (Jan 25, 2008 8:57 am)
Wow. That's a whole lot of review for a basic, practical, appliance-like car. At least you got a 2007, before they went to the new "god awful" design.

#8588 of 18437 Re: One Year and 13,500 miles with a 2007 Accord LX 5-speed [benderofbows] by backy

Jan 25, 2008 (1:40 pm)

Replying to: benderofbows (Jan 25, 2008 8:57 am)
Thanks for the detailed review! Have you driven the 2008 Accord, and if so how do you think it compares to your car?

#8589 of 18437 Re: Who will buy a midsize sedan [advequityguy] by colloquor

Jan 25, 2008 (1:47 pm)

Replying to: advequityguy (Jan 25, 2008 1:18 pm)
Car sales will be down in 2008, as we're not about to enter a recession, we're already in the leading-edge of one. Washington is always late responding to economic indicators of a recession. The only question now is how deep will it be? It could be a bad one, and if so, it doesn't bode well for those auto manufacturers who were already having problems.

#8590 of 18437 Re: Who will buy a midsize sedan [colloquor] by advequityguy

Jan 25, 2008 (2:12 pm)

Replying to: colloquor (Jan 25, 2008 1:47 pm)
It's time to cull the heard anyhow. Let the consumers decide who lives and who dies. Many will go the way of Deawoo, but the ones that remain will be stronger.
 
.......I still say though, that if there are people out there willing to pay hard-earned money for a Dodge Sebring, the market cant be all that bad.

#8591 of 18437 Re: One Year and 13,500 miles with a 2007 Accord LX 5-speed [benderofbows] by dave8697

Jan 25, 2008 (3:54 pm)

Replying to: benderofbows (Jan 25, 2008 8:57 am)
The recent comparo between the new Malibu, new accord, and Camry, all with 4 cyl automatics had the Malibu at 9.5 secs, the Accord at 9.3 secs and the Camry fastest at 9 or 9.1 secs for 0-60. Does the manual make that much difference or is the '08 that much slower or is the '07 C&D car modified?

#8592 of 18437 Re: And the NACOTY is... [tedebear] by lilengineerboy

Jan 25, 2008 (4:32 pm)

Replying to: tedebear (Jan 25, 2008 1:25 am)
Anyhow, you're the one who initially said the MyGIG was basically an iPod that isn't portable. I was just pointing out how different they are.
 
Oh, I wasn't saying MyGig was basically a stagnant iPod, I was just saying an iPod has most of the features and functionality of MyGig and doesn't require storing the same information in a bunch of places. Beyond that, most other manufacturers support connectivity of the iPod (or in some cases, other MP3 players as well) where you can rip your music to your iPod in the comfort of your home (unless you just like sitting in the car) and then bring it with you.
Hard drives in cars for music have been around since VW did the music-keg in the 90s. Amazingly, they still haven't caught on that much...
I am glad the system meets your needs and you are enjoying your car, that is really what its all about.

#8593 of 18437 Re: And the NACOTY is... [baggs32] by lilengineerboy

Jan 25, 2008 (4:35 pm)

Replying to: baggs32 (Jan 25, 2008 6:06 am)
Wouldn't it be easier if they would just make the car a wireless device so you could see it on your home network? That way you could copy music, movies, pics, etc directly to the hard drive in the car while it sits in the garage.
 
Then you would still have to be copying your music again and again. With an iPod, you only have to do it once and its with you from then on.
 
It is pointless to me to have to copy songs to my iPod then again to the hard drive in my car. One or the other is fine, but not both IMO.
 
Yeah most systems allow you to access and charge your iPod in the vehicle, I think its ridiculous to have to keep copying your files from one place to another. Starting with the system in the BMW, you just access your files directly on the iPod, with no copying of songs or files.

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