Sedan quandry

[andrewg]

I think the SHO Taurus is a really nice looking car. That would be high on my list if a sedan was in order. Performance is supposed to be really nice.
As others said....test drive all of them.

 

[Spazdog]

I really like the current Taurus. I think it is a very tastefully styled car. (which is something I have never said about any of the previous generations.) It's fit and finish leads me to believe that it kept a good portion of it's Scandanavian DNA.

The only downside is that it doesn't seem to manage it's interior space as well as the Honda Accord and Mazda6.
The Accord and 6 seem smaller on the outside than the Taurus but every bit as big on the inside...maybe larger.

 

[ls1mike]

For the prices you are looking at a Cadillac CTS would be a nice choice. They can be had at very similar prices as the SHO, CC and Genesis.
The new Genesis starts at about 35,000 as does the CTS. I think the CC is a bit cheaper but that is what 4 cyl. The couple of SHO I have seen have been right around 40,000 and up.

 

[97tbird]

I'd try and avoid cars with tiny, gangster windows...which might be hard to do...That's why I think the Fusion is good...it still has normal size windows, and good visibility, IMO.

 

[flacoman]

OK kids :
We spent Saturday out kicking tires and test driving cars

Hyundai : Sonata ..Underpowered, transmission never seemed to keep the engine in the powerband. Azera more of the same, chassis way too soft. Knucklehead salesman couldn't get it through his head what we wanted and showed us a Genesis 3.8; less bad but still crippled by the transmission's insentience on too tall a gear and then a series of downshifts.

Ford: Taurus too big for the wife's daily driver, Fusion Sport seemed pretty good, but iffy rear vision. Salesman decided we should roast alive on the lot rather than be inside; Why don't these guys get it?

Buick (yes Buick) : I'd heard of the new Opel(Regal) and decided to take a peek. Interior looks and fells first class; no Turbo models available, but will report back if/when they show up.

Nissan: No Maximas to be seen , but tried out an Altima with the 3.5 /CVT combo. Smooth thrust whenever demanded , tons of electronics; the killer is only the black interior for that drivetrain in my area... why is that?

VW: cc was smooth composed and VERY German. Good electronics package,and the 2.0T has better low end than the Sonata and would run neck-and-neck with the Fusion 3.5. Flat out really nice car.

Hopefully we can try the Passat and Regal also

 

[CBR.worm]

I have a G35 that I had the bug to replace last year. I went and test drove all the cars you are looking at as well as the M35/45 Lexus GS, Lexus IS, BMW 3 series, etc.

The taurus SHO looked good until I drove it. It felt big, cheap, and no visibility. Not very strong compared to the other cars in the group.

The M35/45 aged me 20 years just sitting in it. The new M56 looks awesome, but $60K

The IS and BMW 3 were just too small. Although the 335i engine pulled like a train - ridiculously strong.

The CC I liked a lot, but having just been burned by an audi, I couldn't do it.

The Fusion and Altima were nice, The new Accords are very nice, but after all was said and done, I preferred driving away in my 100k mile G35. The only car that really caught my eye was the '011 G37 - nicer interior, better exterior and fast. But for $40K+ optioned the way I wanted it, I just couldn't justify it. Maybe when there are some low mileage two year old ones floating around.

The car that I really liked, but felt cramped in was the lexus GS. Excellent fit/finish, very smooth and quiet, not as much road feel as the G35.

Another car that i liked driving was last year's acura TL-S, but it felt like too much of a kids car.

A couple year old low mileage CPO BMW 5 series or Mercedes E350 can be had for 30K with a decent warranty. A lot of car for the money. They will probably have some 'character'. Our BMW has all maintenance covered until 50K, warranty 'till 100K. They come pick it up and drop off a loaner whenve it needs an oil change or a light bulb.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: flacoman
Hyundai : Sonata ..Underpowered, transmission never seemed to keep the engine in the powerband. Azera more of the same, chassis way too soft. Knucklehead salesman couldn't get it through his head what we wanted and showed us a Genesis 3.8; less bad but still crippled by the transmission's insentience on too tall a gear and then a series of downshifts.

If you think the Hyundai vehicles are bad when it comes to being reluctant to downshift, the new GM 6-speed automatics are even worse!

Originally Posted By: flacoman
Nissan: No Maximas to be seen , but tried out an Altima with the 3.5 /CVT combo. Smooth thrust whenever demanded , tons of electronics; the killer is only the black interior for that drivetrain in my area... why is that?


The Maxima doesn't drive much different, but the interior is much, much better and more comfortable IMO. You can get a stripped Altima V6 for about $21k-- which is what we paid for our Altima V6. We have the blonde interior, and here's a picture of it:

The blonde is SUPER light, so it is very difficult to keep clean. If you want the blonde interior, your dealer should be able to preference one for you in their allocation.

However, the Altima is approaching the end of its lifecycle so the car is starting to feel dated. But since it has been out for a few years, it should be more reliable. Still, I got an ext warranty for mine since I got it for a great price and I don't have full confidence in the long-term reliability.

Originally Posted By: flacoman
VW: cc was smooth composed and VERY German. Good electronics package,and the 2.0T has better low end than the Sonata and would run neck-and-neck with the Fusion 3.5. Flat out really nice car.

If you have APR reflash the CC, it will probably beat the Fusion. And the reflash may improve fuel economy.

 

[flacoman]

Just looked online
South Florida Auto Show is Nov 5-12 . GM will have a ride and drive; Hopefully others will also

 

[flacoman]

Well kids , went and tried the N/A Regal... The only thing Buick about it is the badge. It was a tick soft on power,but I expected that.The transmission seemed to give me what the powerplant had without fighting me like the Hyundai did.It would drop one gear pretty readily and two if you really romped on it; revs were held to 6700-7000 RPM. Turn in was quick, with little roll and good transients (lane change). Shock and spring tuning were way firmer than the G35, but didn't beat me up. All in all a very convincing package.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: flacoman
Just looked online
South Florida Auto Show is Nov 5-12 . GM will have a ride and drive; Hopefully others will also


That is always a awesome show...I have been going there every year for years.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: flacoman
Fusion Sport seemed pretty good, but iffy rear vision.


The Fusion has a severe rear vision problem. It's one of the only cars I know of that has built-in auxiliary convex mirrors in the side rear view mirrors. A nice touch to be sure, but also a necessary one.

Have you considered an Acura TL and/or a Lexus ES350? Also try the Lexus GS/IS350.

 

[flacoman]

Wifey has a Honda-phobia ( big crash, folded up ) Toyota cars seem to be too limply suspended, but it's on the list. Lexus dealers here in S. FL are a obnoxious bunch; they have a "status car" and they know it.

 

[sciphi]

New Regal...drool. Out of the cars listed, the Buick would be my pick. Something more fun than a lot of other cars sounds good, even if it is a bit down on power.

 

[flacoman]

I'd like to see if a rental company has them... maybe Avis?

 

[Spazdog]

Quote:
Have you considered an ...IS350.


If he's looking for a roomy car, it's not the IS.

I remember the first time I tried to cram my 6'+ frame in the back of an IS, I remember thinking, "Man, an RX-8 is roomier than this!"

Then I checked:

rear leg room IS350 30.6
rear leg room RX-8 32.2

Real headscratcher there - how an RX-8 with only a half of a suicide rear door has more rear seat room than a Lexus with real rear doors.

Otherwise, I like the ISes they just have a tiny toy backseat.

 

[flacoman]

One less for the test drive! 3-series BMW got axed for that too:-(

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: flacoman
VW: cc was smooth composed and VERY German. Good electronics package,and the 2.0T has better low end than the Sonata and would run neck-and-neck with the Fusion 3.5. Flat out really nice car.


If you liked the CC, then you should also check out A4. Interior is very nice, and it's well put together. Also available in AWD, but becomes pricey with all the options. But even the basic trims have good features.

I like the new G35/G37 from a performance perspective, and the interior is really nice, but the exterior is blah...

 

[Pesca]

What do you think about the Maxima? Just popped out of my head.

The Regal sure is a great looking car, good to know it is a great driving car too.

 

[flacoman]

Well kids ,I'm back from the auto show
Got a few test drives and looked at a lot of different models...
Suzuki's kizashi isn't as tiny as I first thought and looks extremely well made inside and out. their display happily shows and points out the vendors and engineering i.e mentioning Akebono brakes, KYB shocks and struts and a chain driven cam . Loaded to the gills , it stickers for 27k .
Buick was there in force and we test drive a Regal again (no turbo there ,drat it!). The surprise was the Lacrosse, very well composed,spacious and with the same well-connected feel that the Regal has ..hmmmm According to some of the GM folks at the booth, turbo regals are supposed to ship from the plant on the 17th of November ,who knows? Maxima was quite nice ,but 41k sticker kinda wanders into Genesis territory. FINALLY got to test drive a genesis 4.6 smooth ,solid and quick;one small quirk in the powertrain though, nailing it from a gentle roll produced about a second of "who? me? " from the computers before it dropped two gears and opened up the throttle.The genesis ,from a standing start,accelerated cleanly and without hesitation. The regal, in a rolling test did what I asked without hesitation , but really needs the turbo to get it off the mark. More questions than answers as, usual but thinking that we need to drive the kizashi also.
Thoughts all?

 

[Spazdog]

Suzuki is an outstanding engine builder and I've often wondered why they haven't entered this segment before. Perhaps it was GM's stewardship? I don't know.

I'm really pleased that Suzuki has improved it's interior quality. My CAMI built Swifts had good drivetrains but terrible interior parts.

As for the style? It's still a bit too much like an Asian MkV Jetta for me.