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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18160 messages,  Last post on May 18, 2013 at 11:15 AM

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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 2 of 1817

#9 of 18160 Re: I guess I'll start? [mike91326] by perna

Apr 13, 2007 (1:24 pm)

Replying to: mike91326 (Apr 13, 2007 1:05 pm)
I have actually driven the CVT, and honestly it felt faster "seat of my pants" than any other car in this list did (of the ones I've driven). I didn't even notice the lack of shifting, I was having so much fun driving it.
 
My daily driver is an '03 Maxima, and the '07 Altima does feel faster than the Max, though not by a ridiculous amount. It's pretty clear to me that the new Altima is the true successor to my car, and not the "redesigned" '04 and up Maximas.

#10 of 18160 Re: A few others to add [plekto] by lilengineerboy

Apr 13, 2007 (1:27 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Apr 13, 2007 1:18 pm)
I wouldn't consider the RX-8, G35 coupe, or Saturn ION coupe to be midsized, no matter how many doors they have. I don't think the S40 is midsized either, being the same size as a Mazda3 or Focus.
 
I think since "sedans" is in the title, the Compass (which is too small to be midsized anyway), wagons shouldn't count, gloried as a wanna-be SUV or not.

#11 of 18160 Re: I guess I'll start? [perna] by lilengineerboy

Apr 13, 2007 (1:32 pm)

Replying to: perna (Apr 13, 2007 1:24 pm)
My daily driver is an '03 Maxima, and the '07 Altima does feel faster than the Max, though not by a ridiculous amount. It's pretty clear to me that the new Altima is the true successor to my car, and not the "redesigned" '04 and up Maximas.
 
Its interesting how that happens. There is no real successor to the Contour, and I think the Mazda6 (V6/MTX) is the closest thing available from Ford.
 
I personally found the Altima to be great looking but a bit pricey.

#12 of 18160 Re: A few others to add [plekto] by perna

Apr 13, 2007 (1:33 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Apr 13, 2007 1:18 pm)
P.S. the CVT in the Altima has to be driven like a motorcycle. You need to floor the pedal until you reach the speed you want and ease off. Very binary behavior - and the opposite of a normal transmission. If you ease into it progressively harder, like you are used to, it accelerates like your grandmother.
 
Heh, maybe that's why I didn't notice a problem with the CVT. Typically, in rush hour traffic you don't really notice it, but when I'm going up an entrance ramp, for example, I will point the Maxima in the direction it needs to go, give it just a bit of gas so I don't spin the tires, and ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM. It's a lot like an airplane turning onto a runway for takeoff. That's how I drove the Altima, and the CVT must be a pretty good match for my driving style.
 
I see people driving Maximas and Altimas like Buicks, and just shake my head. It's like, why didn't you just save $10k and buy an Impala?? They're four door sports cars, and I have the insurance tab to prove it (despite having zero accidents or tickets in my 15 years of driving).

#13 of 18160 Re: I guess I'll start? [lilengineerboy] by perna

Apr 13, 2007 (1:39 pm)

Replying to: lilengineerboy (Apr 13, 2007 1:32 pm)
Its interesting how that happens. There is no real successor to the Contour, and I think the Mazda6 (V6/MTX) is the closest thing available from Ford.
  
I personally found the Altima to be great looking but a bit pricey.
 
I really, really like the Fusion. More than the Contour, that's for sure! I just couldn't get over the Fusion's lack of power compared to what I was used to, and could Ford put any more basic of a stereo into that car?? The car drove VERY well, and I really liked the interior/exterior of the thing.
 
I suspect that when I go to replace my Maxima in a few years, I will get sticker shock. I got a tremendous deal on it since the redesigned '04s were like 2 weeks out, and the dealer wanted to get rid of the '03s BADLY. The Altimas are much more popular cars, and I'm sure my discount won't be nearly as nice. Then again, maybe I will be able to swing a G35 by the time my Maxima needs replacing.

#14 of 18160 Re: I guess I'll start? [mike91326] by jd10013

Apr 13, 2007 (4:29 pm)

Replying to: mike91326 (Apr 13, 2007 1:05 pm)
What do you think of the CVT in the Altima? I've heard some people say that it feels slow off the line even though it's not.
 
depends how you drive it. Its computer controlled with 300 or so algorithms progamed into it. It kind of adapts to you. Personaly, I think it's incredible. But, you don't need to "stomp" on the gas to get it to go. durring the break-in period, I found myself having to watch the RPM's so as not to go over the 4000 the owners manual says to stay under. If you were to give it full acceleration, you'd go over 5000 rpm's and hit 60 mph in about 6 or 7 seconds. But, because it's so damn smooth and quiet, it doesn't feel like its moving that fast. But a quick look in the rear view, will show you how fast it's actually going.
 
But in addition to that, you get much better acceleration at higher speeds, and it will employ engine braking on it's own when going down a steep incline. It deffinitly takes a couple hundred miles to get used too, but the CVT is undoubtly the future of transmissions. look for everybody to swithch to them in the next 5 years or so. The cvt will do to automatic transmissions what fuel injection did to carburators.

#15 of 18160 Re: A few others to add [plekto] by backy

Apr 13, 2007 (5:01 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Apr 13, 2007 1:18 pm)
The LaCrosse is a step up from the mid-sized sedans in this group. The Passat should qualify. The S40 is a compact car, on the Mazda3 platform. The Jeep Compass is a cross-over SUV. You would probably get laughed out of the Jeep dealership if you called it a "mid-sized sedan."
 
I agree with other posters that the Malibu should certainly be mentioned in the banner of this discussion, and DC should be represented by the Sebring at least, if not by its Dodge cousin (even though I personally think they are woeful vehicles).

#16 of 18160 Don't sell the Sonata short by bhmr59

Apr 13, 2007 (7:08 pm)

Our 2 person business jsut bought it's second Sonata. The '05 is GLS "special value" (an LX without leather or power seat). The '07 is an SE w/XM and floor mats. A couple less features, but a lot more safety features and some additonal goodies.
 
My brother drives the '07 and almost everyday remarks about this feature or that, the power, the comfort, gas milage, etc. He says, "Beats the (stuff) out of the '94 Olds 98 all around." Better everything. His nose was down on Sonata unti I made him take one for a test drive.
 
Everyone in he mid-sized market should consider Sonata. Sonata has come a long way since it was first introduced, how ever many years ago?

#17 of 18160 Gotta wonder by scape2

Apr 13, 2007 (7:18 pm)

what started this HP war in family sedans?? and where its going to stop. The Fusion which has the lowest HP/torque ratings in this class still does 0-60 in 7.0 seconds. Not bad for what is supposed to be a "family sedan"?? Bragging rights is what manufacturers are after. My family sedan can do 0-60 in 4.8 seconds.. for me, so what? I would be willing to bet most of us are stuck in traffic that doesn't go much more than 60mph.. I look for value/content when looking at a vehicle. I want more safety, more comfort, more substance for my $$.. Nice to see this room finally open by the way..

#18 of 18160 2 Cents worth for the Aura (XR) by phaetondriver

Apr 13, 2007 (7:52 pm)

I have read one or two comments here about the Aura and they were that the writer hadn't driven one.
I have had my Aura XR for about a month now. My first GM car since 1972 (Vega Kahmback )
I am very impressed with the car in every aspect I buy a car for. I can only compare it here to the Chevy Impala and Malibu. I was within a day or two of buying a Chevy when I read about the 2007 Car of the Year. When I read about the Cadillac 3.6 L V6 producing 252 H-P and 252 Ft/lb of torque I was interested. Then I read it was connected to a 6 speed auto with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. I knew I had to drive one before I bought a chevy.
One drive and I knew this was a way better car than the Malibu or Impala with either of the Chevy V6's 3.5 or 3.9 L engines. The Chevy's don't have Traction control, Stability control or half as many air bags as the Aura.
So I was most impressed with the ride, handling, and the Oh My God acceleration. (hold on tight when you punch the 3.6 as the torque-steer will just about yank the steering wheel out of your hands.
 
Ok! I lied, this was a nickels worth

Messages Page 2 of 1817

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