- #9168 of 13232
-
Re: V6 vs I4 maintenance [karsick]
by busiris
-
Mar 19, 2008 (5:20 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: karsick (Mar 19, 2008 3:55 pm)
I see where VW also uses an inline 5 cylinder in the Beetle and Jetta...How does that engine compare to the VR6?
|
- #9169 of 13232
-
Re: V6 vs I4 maintenance [busiris]
by karsick
-
Mar 19, 2008 (5:46 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: busiris (Mar 19, 2008 5:20 pm)
It gets mighty confusing 
The US VW 5cyl is strictly an inline 5, like the 80's Audi 5000.
However, VW also sold a VR5 in europe in the late 90's, basically a VR6 minus one cylinder.
The VR5 sounds sweet, like a cross between a 350z and an Audi quattro rally car 
|
- #9170 of 13232
-
Re: rented a Mercury Milan [busiris]
by akirby
-
Mar 19, 2008 (7:38 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: busiris (Mar 19, 2008 1:39 pm)
Audi has been (and still is) using longitudinal engines with FWD.
In fact, someone claimed that Audis had to be RWD, and posted a picture of the engine compartment as proof. He was laughed off the forum.
|
- #9171 of 13232
-
Re: Engine Refinement [karsick]
by waygrabow
-
Mar 19, 2008 (8:32 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: karsick (Mar 19, 2008 12:55 pm)
I own an Explorer with the 4.0 SOHC V6 engine. Before I bought the Explorer, I read a magazine review which critcized the harsh noise of this engine under heavy acceleration; so I knew what I was getting. Today that Explorer has 105,000 miles and is running very well. The engine has been almost flawless. Gas mileage has been in the 17 to 19 mpg range (unless towing). If I had it to do all over again, I would make the same choice. So what if it makes noise when I floor the gas pedal; in every other aspect it has given great service. Besides, I view the Explorer as a truck, not some luxury sedan.
|
- #9172 of 13232
-
Re: V6 vs I4 maintenance [elroy5]
by targettuning
-
Mar 20, 2008 (3:01 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: elroy5 (Mar 19, 2008 3:04 pm)
It isn't the oil filter or air filter that makes a transverse V-6 a maintainence problem. It is the need to remove the intake manifold to change the rear bank of plugs. My 95 V-6 Stratus is old enough to have a distributor and plug wires too and all these are only accessible with the intake removed. I would imagine newer V-6's have coil on plug type ignition systems but still, as infrequently as newer cars require plug changes someone, sometime is going to have to do it. Additionally, probably certain hoses, sensors, wires, and other things are hidden behind that rear bank of cylinders and present more potential maintainence headaches.
|
- #9173 of 13232
-
Re: V6 vs I4 maintenance [targettuning]
by elroy5
-
Mar 20, 2008 (3:35 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: targettuning (Mar 20, 2008 3:01 am)
Changing the spark plugs in my 03 V6 Accord is described in the "owners manual", and is far from a major operation. There is a world of difference between a 95 Stratus and an 03 Accord's V6 engines. I don't anticipate a lot of problems with it. Even changing the timing belt (at 105k miles) doesn't look like a major problem, and I will be doing that myself also.
|
- #9174 of 13232
-
tough decision/dilema
by hp6130
-
Mar 20, 2008 (10:32 am)
-
|
|
We are in the market for a new car. I am letting my wife make the final decision since she will be driving it 95% of the time. We have looked at 4 cars,(all 4cyl.) 09 Sonata GLS, 08 Accord EX-L, 08 Nissan Altima 2.5 s and 09 Camry XLE. Of the 4 only the Sonata has been eliminated. I feel there are pro's and con's to each car, but one thing, like Mack says, they are definetly getting cheaper , especially with the interiors. We are Camry people, my wife is currently driving an 03 XLE, this is our 3rd. camry. But Mack I agree with you, our 94 le, was in a class by itself, our 98 le was ugly and used cheap materials, (but gave us 100,000 trouble free miles) our current 03 is somewhere in between, I'd give it 8.5 on a scale of 10. We are not real impressed with the 09, but each of our 4cyl Camry's has given us trouble free service. Mack, you tell it like it is, what kind of feedback are you getting from your current Camry customers? Are they satisfied? We have numbers on each car except the Camry. This is a question for isell, on the 4 cyl. Accord w/ 190 hp. are you customers complaining about the mileage they are getting? Isell, we have an offer on the new Accord EX-L for $400 over invoice ($24063+400=$24643) any car we choose will be a straight sale, no trade. Isell, is this a fair offer? Doc. fee is $50, tags are $150, Pa. sales tax 6%. I plan on getting numbers on the Camry XLE and SE, 4 cyl. tonite. On Mon. my wife will drive all 3 cars again, right now it looks like the camry and accord are running neck and neck, w/ the altima a close second. What sucks for me is, I know the salesman and mgrs. at all 3 dealerships,I have helped family and friends purchase several cars at all three dealerships, 2 altima's, 2 tsx, 1 s2000, 2 accord and 2 camry, 1 rav4. Mack and Isell, opinions please. This is my first post, hope it's not to long.
|
- #9175 of 13232
-
Re: V6 vs I4 maintenance [elroy5]
by targettuning
-
Mar 20, 2008 (11:05 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: elroy5 (Mar 20, 2008 3:35 am)
I'm sure that there is a "world of difference" but doesn't the Honda have its plugs on the rear bank covered or impeded by the intake manifold? If not it will be the first transverse V-6 I am aware of that doesn't.....OK I forgot the Vulcan 3.0 liter Ford V-6 had the plugs in the relative open. Even though they were accessible it was difficult to bend your wrists at the angles required to remove or install them and God help you if one was "stuck". Further, just because you may be mechanically handy doesn't mean everybody is and for them (myself included) changing the plugs on an engine with one of those "impeded" designs means paying someone else to do it. In an I-4, as I'm sure you know, changing plugs is straightforward and I would do it myself. I don't do timing belts either...  By the way that "old world" 2.5 V-6 in my Stratus has 202,456 miles with only a timing belt and water pump changed (the original was on it when changed at around 186,000 miles). It still runs pretty well for a technological antique. 
|
- #9176 of 13232
-
Re: tough decision/dilema [hp6130]
by targettuning
-
Mar 20, 2008 (11:28 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: hp6130 (Mar 20, 2008 10:32 am)
Why have you eliminated the Sonata pretty much out of hand, it is at least equal to the others for less money. If money doesn't mean anything to you then consider the warranty (and no it won't be needed any more than the others, maybe less). If the long warranty doesn't mean anything to you consider the impressive amount of standard features the Sonata has that is either optional or N/A on the others. If none of this means anything to you you are probably buying by familiar brand name(Toyota) without much regard for a new and different brand, Hyundai. However, it seems clear to me from your history with Camry that you are probably only going through the motions of evaluating the others. Just go buy another Camry and you will continue to be happy thinking you got the best car for the money. Your message seems aimed to a "Mack" person....I am not he but this is my opinion none the less.
|
- #9177 of 13232
-
Re: tough decision/dilema [targettuning]
by backy
-
Mar 20, 2008 (11:40 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: targettuning (Mar 20, 2008 11:28 am)
One thing I'd add is be sure to compare apples to apples. For example, a Sonata GLS is the base trim for that car, comparable to the Accord LX or LX-P. Yet the Sonata was compared to a top-of-the-line Accord EX-L and the top-trim Camry XLE, and the mid-trim Altima 2.5S. I'd prefer the Accord and maybe even the Camry under those circumstances too! To be fair, cars with comparable trims should be compared, so in this case, the Sonata Limited, which like the Accord EX-L has leather and moonroof, should be compared. And the Camry XLE with leather and Altima 2.5SL with leather. Or else compare the base trims, e.g. Sonata GLS to the Accord LX (or Sonata GLS with the power seat package vs. the Accord LX-P if you want a power seat), vs. the Camry CE (or maybe the LE, and be sure to add VSC which Accord and Sonata have standard) and Altima 2.5 or 2.5S (which don't have ESC available!).
Also, if you drove the Sonata GLS with no options, try one with the option package that adds power driver's seat, leather wheel with audio controls, woodgrain trim, trip computer, and a few other niceties. Those features add a lot to the car IMO for not a lot more money.
|
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans 
