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> 2013 Mid-size Sedan Market
Silentwolf
post Apr 17 2013, 10:33 PM
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2006 GLS Hatch
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Bobz: Between Sonata and Optima, I def prefer the looks of the Optima. Even in total, I'd rank the Optima 3rd after the Fusion and new Mazda 6. But driving dynamics?? Unless the Optima is that much different in the steering dept than the Sonata, No way i'd give it good driving dynamics.

And no comments on the Chevy?

As for Mazda reliability, I certainly havnt heard much. My friends absolutely luved and had no issues with their 2009 Mazda 3i. Not nearly as happy in their current Fiesta just waiting riding the lease out.


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Hunter: An 06 5-Door GLS w/ items now too numerous to mention here. Check them out in my garage!

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yjolly
post Apr 18 2013, 08:52 AM
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I'll provide some input in the form of where my money went: I just purchased a 2013 Camry Hybrid LE (base).

As with everything else, there are always compromises, but this car looked like it was in a sweet spot for me. Lots of room, comfy ride, great fuel economy, 200 combined HP with undisclosed amount of torque whistle.gif, relatively accessible pricing (I don't know the MRSP in the states, but it's likely slightly above your 25K limit). There are better looking and better handling vehicles out there, but as far as hybrids go, Toyota has the market and the reliability right now. I wasn't necessarily shopping for a family sedan, and if it hadn't been for the hybrid criterion, I would have preferred the base Optima, but the long term performance of the Li-Ion batteries still worry me, so I didn't consider the Optima Hybrid. Also, its trunk space is noticeably smaller than the Camry's, the fuel economy is slightly worse, and there are conflicting reports/reviews about its operation being somewhat quirky.

I was going to wait until the fall, but Toyota lowered their finance rates for April, had the exact car and color that I wanted in stock, and I figured that it would be easier to sell my HHR in the spring, while the odometer is still under 200K km (I'm at 179K).

So I guess my point is that any ranking will heavily depend on one's tastes and priorities, although there are obvious common trends (as in: most people find the Optima to be a gorgeous looking car). As far as driving dynamics, the Camry's steering is very numb, but the engineers improved the suspension for the 2012 redesign to make it stiffer and more responsive; it certainly doesn't feel "boaty" or "floaty" to me, but it's not the car to go autocrossing with...

I got 42 US MPG on my way to work this morning (mixed city/highway), without trying much; the car still has < 100 km on it, so it should improve somewhat.

Yves



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'13 Dark Grey Toyota Camry Hybrid LE, 2.5L w/HSD transmission. RTX 16" Multi Silver Wheels & Stock Tires. WeatherTech floor mats. I live in Luskville, QC (near Ottawa), Canada
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Bobzilla
post Apr 18 2013, 09:15 AM
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QUOTE (Silentwolf @ Apr 17 2013, 11:33 PM) *
Bobz: Between Sonata and Optima, I def prefer the looks of the Optima. Even in total, I'd rank the Optima 3rd after the Fusion and new Mazda 6. But driving dynamics?? Unless the Optima is that much different in the steering dept than the Sonata, No way i'd give it good driving dynamics.

And no comments on the Chevy?

As for Mazda reliability, I certainly havnt heard much. My friends absolutely luved and had no issues with their 2009 Mazda 3i. Not nearly as happy in their current Fiesta just waiting riding the lease out.


Go drive one of the Sonata's. The steering input is completely different. Just like an Acura TL feels different than an accord. Remember, they are pushing Kia toward the sport side of the equation, and keeping Hyundai on the luxury side.

Wife had 4 teachers in her school with the 6. The last gen, that shared platform with the Fusion (1st gen). 3 of the 4 got rid of them in the first year because they spent so much time in the shop for warranty repairs and maintenance. The 4th actually had hers bought back by the dealer and she bought a second one. She then retired so I don't know what happened after that.


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"Drag racing is for fast cars, and autocrossing is for fast drivers" -Toecutter
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Silentwolf
post Apr 18 2013, 10:28 PM
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2006 GLS Hatch
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U mean go drive one of the Optimas. wink.gif
Just might do that, i really do hope it feels better than the Sonatas setup. Cause there is no denying the cushy warranty, esp if I dont intend (nor need to) do as much to it.

As for the Mazda issues, thats too bad. I just know my friends' 3 was great and they want to go back to one after the Fiesta lease is up.


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Hunter: An 06 5-Door GLS w/ items now too numerous to mention here. Check them out in my garage!

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Alex2013GT
post Apr 18 2013, 11:43 PM
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QUOTE (Silentwolf @ Apr 17 2013, 11:33 PM) *
Bobz: Between Sonata and Optima, I def prefer the looks of the Optima. Even in total, I'd rank the Optima 3rd after the Fusion and new Mazda 6. But driving dynamics?? Unless the Optima is that much different in the steering dept than the Sonata, No way i'd give it good driving dynamics.

I would also recommend you take an SE model out and not a GLS for the Sonata. It has a stiffer suspension and I had absolutely no issue with the driving dynamics of it. Now I certainly wasn't going to take it to a track, but for a family sedan it was fun to take around twisties. It also has paddle shifters. Personally I've never driven an Optima, but from my perspective Kia really hit it out of the park with that car.


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Current Car: 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT, 6 spd manual w/ the style and tech packages
Previous Hyundai's: 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE in Venetian Red; 2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS, 3.3L V-6 in Ebony Black; 2004 Elantra GT, 5 spd manual in tidal wave blue
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Silentwolf
post Apr 19 2013, 12:22 AM
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2006 GLS Hatch
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If only Hyundai/Kia offered anything but black only on the interiors of the sport models. I don't know whoever thought black is/was sporty but I'd luv to kick their arse. Even Mazda and Ford offer black n white or black n red options.


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Hunter: An 06 5-Door GLS w/ items now too numerous to mention here. Check them out in my garage!

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