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Nissan Altima vs Hyundai Sonata

48 messages,  Last post on Jun 27, 2008 at 3:37 PM

You are in the Nissan Altima Forum.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata, Car Comparisons, Car Buying, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 5

#18 of 48 Re: 07 Altima 4 cyl vs 07/08 Sonata 6 cyl [jd10013] by macakava

Jul 28, 2007 (9:14 am)

Replying to: jd10013 (Jul 28, 2007 7:24 am)
Management determines the success of any business. Don't matter what is said, responsible/successful management always pokes its head in every aspect of its business, whether it is supply chain/engineering for cost containment, finance, etc.
 
I am not saying that all Nissan cars are bad. Our 2006 Maxima SL, one of 5 in the family, is holding up very well. Our 2004 Honda Ody just became 3 yrs old and is holding up better and it never needed any warranty service. Good feedback/indicators about vehicle quality and reliability can be had from many sources like CR,C & D, JDP, etc. The last JD Powers rating was Porsche, Lexus, Hyundai, Toyota, Honda in that order. Honda and Toyota have the highest resale value of Japanese cars for those so interested. It took the Japanese 50+ yrs to get to where their quality is today; the Koreans took 25 yrs for similar quality. Toyota and Honda stand on their own feet and are not influenced/rescued from extinction by a bigger/stronger body like Nissan was by Renault. Mazda is in a similar predicament with a Ford rescue - another blind leading the blind...Ford parts(engines) used in Mazda vehicles - USA companies are more aggressive in using common parts for cost containment.

#19 of 48 Re: 07 Altima 4 cyl vs 07/08 Sonata 6 cyl [macakava] by jd10013

Jul 28, 2007 (3:39 pm)

Replying to: macakava (Jul 28, 2007 9:14 am)
Toyota and Honda stand on their own feet and are not influenced/rescued from extinction by a bigger/stronger body like Nissan was by Renault
 
thats the part you don't seem to get. renault doesn't run, influence, or controol nissan. they run thier own comapany, and its always been that way. that is one of the reasons the renault nissan partnership has been heralded as the best ever in the auto industry. two entirely different companies, two totaly different business cultures, that managed to sucsceed precisly because renault understood those differences and didn't get too involved. what nissan and renualt did is entirely like anything else that had been done before in the automotive business. Its nothing like the ford/mazda arrangement, nothing like the mercedes/chrysler deal, or any other.

#20 of 48 Re: 07 Altima 4 cyl vs 07/08 Sonata 6 cyl [jd10013] by maximafan

Jul 28, 2007 (5:36 pm)

Replying to: jd10013 (Jul 28, 2007 7:24 am)
But I thought I read in one of the car mags that vehicles such as the new Sentra share the
engine with the Renault Megane(not sure of the
spelling on that one.)

#21 of 48 Re: 07 Altima 4 cyl vs 07/08 Sonata 6 cyl [maximafan] by starryknight

Jul 28, 2007 (6:48 pm)

Replying to: maximafan (Jul 28, 2007 5:36 pm)
I've been trying to decide on an 07 I4 Altima or an 07 or 08 Sonata V6 and it's been much harder than I thought. I test drove both vehicles. I didn't want the 4 cyl Sonata because I didn't feel it had quite enough power. The I4 Altima seems to be just enough hp and torque to satisfy my needs. The V6 Sonata definately had enough hp and torque. There are pros and cons to each car. Comparably equipped, I can get them both for about the same price. The Sonata has a longer warranty, more standard safety equipment and a little more power but also has lower mpg and higher depreciation. There are other comparision that I have found that make one better then the other that I won't elaborate on now. I am sort of leaning towards the Altima but I am still not convinced it is actually the better car. If anyone else has had the same problem deciding but did end up buying the Altima or Sonata, please explain what was the deciding factor(s).
 
Folks, looks like this discussion has taken a detour. I would appreciate it if the discussions can relate to my above inquiry. What company bought into what company or how good or bad someone's dealer is (unless it's one in the seacoast NH or southern Maine area), is irrelavent for getting the answers I'm looking for. For those of you who gave your choices and why, thanks. It is useful information.

#22 of 48 Re: 07 Altima 4 cyl vs 07/08 Sonata 6 cyl [starryknight] by bhmr59

Jul 28, 2007 (7:23 pm)

Replying to: starryknight (Jul 28, 2007 6:48 pm)
Starryknight, You said you could get either car comparably equipped for about the same price. Are you comparing MSRP or actual prices available?
 
I did a quick check here on Edmunds, and damn I forgot the numbers, but the most basic Altima had an invoice in the high $17's, I think. The Altima has a $500 rebate according to Edmunds.
 
You should be able to buy an '07 Sonata below invoice and then deduct the $2K rebate. As you noted, the Sonata has a better warranty and more safety equipment. Those items are certainly worth something from a pricing point when comparing "comparably equipped" cars.
 
My 2 man business has an '05 & an '07 Sonata...both 6 cyl and both excellent cars.
 
Check your prices, there may be more of a difference than you think. Then decide, factoring in all the pro's & con's and price.

#23 of 48 Re: 07 Altima 4 cyl vs 07/08 Sonata 6 cyl [bhmr59] by macakava

Jul 29, 2007 (3:15 am)

Replying to: bhmr59 (Jul 28, 2007 7:23 pm)
I got my 2007 Sonata Limited (all V6 in 2007 )a month ago new with only 3 mls on ODO for $19.6K! Fully loaded with all options except sunroof which I don't need or used in my trade-in - just one less thing to go wrong, i.e. leaks or motor.
 
Comparably equipped Accords, Camrys, Maximas, or even Altima would be at least $8K more. Not justifiable to me. Since I keep my cars 10+ years, the Sonata's 10 yr warranty is another plus if I need it.

#24 of 48 Re: 07 Altima 4 cyl vs 07/08 Sonata 6 cyl [jd10013] by macakava

Jul 29, 2007 (3:25 am)

Replying to: jd10013 (Jul 28, 2007 3:39 pm)
Let's wrap up this thread quickly.
 
Sugar daddies (eg Renault) or Johns (eg JuiceMon) do not invest in companies (eg Nissan) or sweeties (eg Sweet Desire) without being concerned about ROI or having their wildest desires fulfilled. You can be assured that they are exerting influence over their subjects.
 
If they don't, then another sugar daddy or John would take over and get what he wants. These are two companies/ entities of different business cultures.

#25 of 48 Re: 07 Altima 4 cyl vs 07/08 Sonata 6 cyl [bhmr59] by starryknight

Jul 29, 2007 (5:30 pm)

Replying to: bhmr59 (Jul 28, 2007 7:23 pm)
bhmr59, As far as price comparisons are concerned, I guess I was thinking of the 08 Sonata as the 07's are in short supply around here if not already gone. All the Hyundai dealers in my area are mostly filled with 08's. The 07 Altima 2.5S I4 with convenience package, mats, mud guards, antilock brakes can be had for about $20,500. None of the lots around here have the basic Altimas. Those are special order from what I understand. 08 Sonata GLS V6 with popular equipment package, mud guards, mats is about $20,967. Each based on their respective invoices and both including their current rebates. If I can get the 07, then I guess the two cars wouldn't be that comparable.

#26 of 48 i see more hyundai's on the side of the road then nissan's by langjie

Jul 30, 2007 (8:58 am)

with that said, quality for both companies have improved since 2001. i have an 07 altima and love it, absolutely love it. i don't mind the hyundai, but it never really interested me...the styling is too bland (and borrowed for that matter) for my taste...but taste is subjective

#27 of 48 Positive long-term test of 2006 Sonata by Car & Driver by macakava

Aug 01, 2007 (5:32 pm)

The September 2007 issue of C & D has a long term test of the 2006 Sonata V6 LX after 40,000 miles. Report was very POSITIVE with NO unscheduled(warranty) repairs and lots of praises for the Sonata. The web link is not available yet - maybe at a later time.

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