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Midsize Sedans 2.0

13335 messages,  Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 8:29 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

#13326 of 13335 This statement is so yesterday... by iluvmysephia1 Dec 03, 2009 (6:20 am)
I think Kia just has a bad reputation. It is the one brand that my kids (ages 20-25) uniformly indicate they would not want to buy "because they are crap". I am not saying this is true, but that is the impression they have of the brand. They do not say this about Hyundai.   Umm...it's not 1998 anymore people! What the? I have owned two new Kia's and found them to be good and reliable vehicles. No expenses sprung on you besides regular maintenance.   You may very well get a recall or a TSB but of course these are fully funded by the vehicle manufacturer. What is different from Ford, GM, Toyota or Honda in that regard, though? Yikes. I thought we had grown up and past that kind of poo-poo attitude towards Kia Motors of South Korea but apparently not.   Really, reliable powertrains are provided, trim pieces don't fall off, things stay together as they should, etc. Public perceptions can be wrong and/or, in this case, just plain wrong as all get out. Replies to this message: stephen987 (Dec 03, 2009 6:45 am) jeffyscott (Dec 03, 2009 7:35 am) jkobty2 (Dec 04, 2009 8:09 am)
#13327 of 13335 Re: This statement is so yesterday... [iluvmysephia1] by stephen987 Dec 03, 2009 (6:45 am)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Dec 03, 2009 6:20 am) Most cars--especially in the midsize sedan class--have reliability and quality far beyond what would've been considered "average" twenty years ago. Manufacturers that couldn't meet these baseline expectations have been driven out of the market. I have seen no objectively verifiable evidence that either the Sonata or the Optima are in any way substandard in these areas. Perhaps not "best in class" but certainly midpack or better. There are a few dissatisfied customers--as there are for any brand--but in the aggregate, both cars are perfectly acceptable when it comes to reliability and assembly quality.   When people complain about Kia or Hyundai quality, they generally are speaking without personal experience--or at least without experience related to the current models from these brands. I would not hesitate to purchase a vehicle from either of these two brands on the basis of reliability or overall quality.   Dealer service, however, is another matter. Hyundai and Kia dealers in my area tend to come and go, with alarming frequency. The same is true of Subaru, Suzuki, and Mitsubishi. Without easy access to a trustworthy, stable and modern dealership, I had to write off these brands in my most recent search, and wound up buying a Honda.   If the dealership situation stabilizes locally, you can bet that I will seriously consider the Sonata and the Optima (and the Fusion, and several others) when the time comes to replace my wife's '02 Accord.
#13328 of 13335 Re: This statement is so yesterday... [iluvmysephia1] by jeffyscott Dec 03, 2009 (7:35 am)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Dec 03, 2009 6:20 am) I'm just reporting what the kids say. Other crappy cars that the youngsters have noted are Saturn Ion and some Dodge/Chrysler cars (apparently they still make cars, who knew... ). Oh yeah and then there is Daewoo.   Their impressions are partly based on cars friends of theirs have had. I do have to add that the one time I had a rental Optima it was horrible and the next time I was renting I said I did not want a Kia, please! I passed on the free "upgrade" and took a Mazda3 . Replies to this message: jkobty2 (Dec 04, 2009 8:09 am)
#13329 of 13335 Re: Nissan adds cheap GPS [m6user] by jeffyscott Dec 03, 2009 (7:39 am)
Replying to: m6user (Dec 02, 2009 9:00 pm) I do have dual exhausts on my '07 Mazda6 I4 with all of about 156hp and man do they make it fly.      It does look nicer with the fake dual exhaust, though. They dropped that from the new 4 cyl, I think.   I probably should have gotten the rear wing spoiler, even though I don't like the look, as that'd make it go even faster. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Dec 03, 2009 1:25 pm)
#13330 of 13335 Re: Nissan adds cheap GPS [jeffyscott] by aviboy97 Dec 03, 2009 (1:25 pm)
Replying to: jeffyscott (Dec 03, 2009 7:39 am) It does look nicer with the fake dual exhaust, though. They dropped that from the new 4 cyl, I think.   It is fake....I love the way it looks on my 2005 as well. I wish the 2009+ Mazda6 has the dual exhaust on the 4 cyl just like the 6 cyl. Looks so much better.   I'm getting closer and closer to pulling the trigger on a new 2010 Mazda6 i Touring Plus. I just wish they made is in the 6-speed
#13331 of 13335 Re: This statement is so yesterday... [jeffyscott] by jkobty2 Dec 04, 2009 (8:09 am)
Replying to: jeffyscott (Dec 03, 2009 7:35 am) I bought s 2009 mazda6 last year when they first came out. I was impressed with the styling, ride and handling and nice interior. I have had no real issues with it after one year. Only complaint is an annoying engine noise (tapping or clicking) on low rpm takeoff, and a light knock at idle. Of course mazda says this is normal. Comparatively my now 11 year old Daewoo Leganza still runs as smooth as day one. the 2.2L engine in the Leganza has better low end takeoff than the mazda, I do not have to push it as hard to get the same acceleration. And even after 11 years it still sounds better than the one year old Mazda. Only scheduled maintenance for 11 years. Changed the timing belt twice right on schedule every 100,000 KM. The most reliable
#13332 of 13335 jkobty... by iluvmysephia1 Dec 04, 2009 (2:47 pm)
my, my, my but look what the cat drug in! Long time no talk to!   You've already answered my real question for you, that being do you still own your Leganza?   How much did that '09 Maz6 run you up there in Ontario? Replies to this message: jkobty2 (Dec 04, 2009 4:51 pm)
#13333 of 13335 Re: jkobty... [iluvmysephia1] by jkobty2 Dec 04, 2009 (4:51 pm)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Dec 04, 2009 2:47 pm) Hey dude. The mazda cost me $29,000 Canadian dollars. I got the GT model with the luxury package which includes the Bose, Bluetooth, nice 18" rims. I know it is probably cheaper in the states even after you factor in the dollar exchange rate. It is a really nice car. I just wish it had a Korean engine in it I wish I had driven the V6 model before I made a decision. But that is also about 3 grand more. The Mazda is our new family car, but I am finding it too big for my everyday work commute. I am thinking of giving it to my wife in a year when her current lease expires, and then get me whatever nice small Korean car is available at the time. My current choice is the KIA Forte Koup SX. It is one hot pocket rocket. The Leganza is currently being driven by my sister. I still think it is the best built car in the 20th century. And it still looks great 11 year later.
#13334 of 13335 I gotta admire your devotion to... by iluvmysephia1 Dec 04, 2009 (4:59 pm)
the 1999 Daewoo Leganza, man. And how well you take care of it. And it is a midsize car that fits nicely in to this Edmunds thread.   Here is the Forte I would buy, but I'd get a red one. Not necessarily with a manual tranny but with a sunroof and capable stereo.   Replies to this message: jkobty2 (Dec 04, 2009 8:29 pm)
#13335 of 13335 Re: I gotta admire your devotion to... [iluvmysephia1] by jkobty2 Dec 04, 2009 (8:29 pm)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Dec 04, 2009 4:59 pm) yes it is nice, but I found a big difference with the attention to detail and material quality between the sedan and the Koup. namely 1. Koup has nicer styling both front and rear especially the sx trim 2. Koup has nicer leather sports seats with red stitching. Looks really upscale 3. The Dashboard in the Koup has softer plastics, also more upscale. 4. The controls and buttons in the koup feel nicer to the touch, also more upscale materials.   You know me, I look at the detail. Plus I am having a midlife crisis, and I need a car that looks sporty.

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