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Buying a Midsize Car
Septus
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So I'm looking to buy a midsize card soon, ideally within days but my current car runs and there's no real rush. I've done a fair amount of internet research and test driven a few cars, some twice, most of it today.
I drove: Ford Fusion SE, Hyundai Sonata SE, Nissan Altima SV, Honda Accord LX,Sport, and a Volkswagen Passat.
I'm thinking about a Ford Fusion or Hyundai Sonata, but maybe there are things/cars I overlooked or didn't consider, and I'd appreciate being informed about them.
Also, I was planning on putting down a large $10,000 downpayment, but is there any reason why I wouldn't put down 0 if I was offered 0% financing for 60 months?
I drove: Ford Fusion SE, Hyundai Sonata SE, Nissan Altima SV, Honda Accord LX,Sport, and a Volkswagen Passat.
I'm dumb and shouldn't have wasted my time on the Passat because it's too expensive and I didn't realize that Jetta was actually a midsize, and yet I've not seen it mentioned in any of the "top midsize car" articles I've read.
The Accord was initially promising for its price and roominess, but upon second look it's a bit too plain without a steep enough discount to be worth it.
My impression of the Altima could be spoiled by incompetent salesmen, but the rear seats seemed tight, the CVT a bit loud, ABS that kept kicking in when it seemed it shouldn't, unwanted forced add-ons like nitrogen tires, and the complete inability to actually dial my contacts via bluetooth.
I liked the Sonata for its only moderately tight rear legroom and ample headroom, good instrument panel even without a big touchscreen, very nice turning radius and moderately quiet ride, lower price and seemingly awesome warranty.
I liked the Ford for the best-looking interior and exterior, a similarly nice if somewhat cluttered instrument panel(if I don't get MyFord Touch), another quiet ride and seemingly powerful acceleration(though not in the first second or so). One of my few complaints aside from price is a very large A-pillar that obscures a bit much of my vision when turning left.
Tl;DRThe Accord was initially promising for its price and roominess, but upon second look it's a bit too plain without a steep enough discount to be worth it.
My impression of the Altima could be spoiled by incompetent salesmen, but the rear seats seemed tight, the CVT a bit loud, ABS that kept kicking in when it seemed it shouldn't, unwanted forced add-ons like nitrogen tires, and the complete inability to actually dial my contacts via bluetooth.
I liked the Sonata for its only moderately tight rear legroom and ample headroom, good instrument panel even without a big touchscreen, very nice turning radius and moderately quiet ride, lower price and seemingly awesome warranty.
I liked the Ford for the best-looking interior and exterior, a similarly nice if somewhat cluttered instrument panel(if I don't get MyFord Touch), another quiet ride and seemingly powerful acceleration(though not in the first second or so). One of my few complaints aside from price is a very large A-pillar that obscures a bit much of my vision when turning left.
I'm thinking about a Ford Fusion or Hyundai Sonata, but maybe there are things/cars I overlooked or didn't consider, and I'd appreciate being informed about them.
Also, I was planning on putting down a large $10,000 downpayment, but is there any reason why I wouldn't put down 0 if I was offered 0% financing for 60 months?
PSN: Kurahoshi1
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Fusion is great, maybe look at Kia Optima also? Those look awesome in white, IMO
Relatedly, it does not appear that you are looking for hatchbacks, but I got a Mazda 3S hatchback that is on the low end of your price range and am loving it. Not the world's best engine but I enjoy the torque and go fast when traffic permits.
If you want more performance the mazdaspeed 3 is priced around that sonata model and has as much horsepower as the sonata.
They are roomy (I'm 6'2 200 lbs and find it comfortable) and let me haul furniture as well as friends. You'd have to check out the back for yourself but I've fit 5 people in it (including 2 members of a womens college basketball team and one crew girl) without too much whining.
I actually have a Hyundai Santa Fe (which is an SUV, I don't care if they call it a crossover) and from what I've seen the Tuscon doesn't look bad on legroom. I learned to drive in a Ford Explorer, and always felt cramped (6'2"), I got a Sonata as a rental when travelling and found that despite being made by tiny Korean people, they give a shit about legroom. Ended out buying a used Santa Fe and have been pretty happy with it.
When it comes time to replace it, I may check out an Impreza hatchback. Have you looked into them at all?
Probably a little too boat-like for me, but the large trunk and good passenger compartment is nice. My (tiny) 2008 Accent has given me no problems either, just not a lot of features - Hyundai has certainly improved.
Hatchbacks might be great for functionality, but I just don't like the look, and the same for SUVs and crossovers.
I did notice that the Sonata was one of the longest mid-sized cars, and yet it's turning radius seemed impressive, though perhaps I'm not quite as aware of width as I should be, for more difficult parking.
I'm looking at the Jetta a bit, and finding it difficult to see much difference between it and the Passat, other than maybe a few luxury touches lost and a tad bit less room, for $1,000 less, plus generally less glowing reviews than the Passat. The latter actually looks barely in my price range online(with delivery), so I'll have to look into why the sticker seemed to be another $1,000 on top of that.
What I'm struggling with right now is mostly over what creature comforts I want. I think my two or three choices are close enough in handling, but I can't tell how much I want the extra trim. Like, generally does climate control work very well, actually staying pretty close to the degree set? MyFord touch seemed a bit slow to respond, yet for $1,000, and the only way to get climate control, perhaps just worth it.
The ford also seems to be my only cheap way of getting remote start, at $300, though I'm not sure how far the actual range of these tends to be, and whether they'll go through a wall or two.
At least take a look at it
we also talk about other random shit and clown upon each other
On the Mazda 6, you may want to drive the old model as well, because they should be heavily discounting it if they are already pushing and promoting the new model year.
(Canadian prices, btw)
Same platform - are you sure? As I understand the new Mazda6 is a whole new thing with both engines, platform and all.
I've heard good things on the Sonata too, I'm just not a fan of it's looks. To each their own, I guess.
The new Mazda 6 sounds like it's going to be pretty nice too, but I probably won't see one up close until the NAIAS in a couple weeks.
Depending on how you feel about looks, I'd say choosing between the Fusion and Sonata would be a matter of personal preference, price point, warranty, etc. You should be happy with either one.
Also, if you get 0% / 60 months, your best bet is to put the minimum down. If nothing else, put your down payment in a savings account and make your payments out of there. It costs you nothing to do it that way, provided you have the discipline not to waste it.
I guess not? Information is thin on the Mazda, but no one is saying it is CD4. I had assumed since the Fusion and the 6 were both all new that they would continue some platform sharing but Ford looks to be distancing itself from Mazda.
I know a few rental car people who also say that the fusion has a fantastic interior. Solid construction, looks good, comfortable, lots of gadets.
The tire price issue might just be an issue of geography. I live in Baltimore now, and everything is more expensive than at home in Michigan.
Plenty of room for both the drivers and passengers (a surprising amount actually for back seaters, I was stunned that it almost identical to a camry which is a longer car). The exterior is obviously sleek and stylish. I have no complaints so far, and the car is really starting to grow on me.
I didn't look into tire prices, so hopefully that won't bite me in the ass.
At 6'3 I had no problems in the front of any vehicle, but the rear of the fusion, as opposed to the sonata, was pretty tight.
I couldn't say, I'm only 5'11" and no one in my family is tall, so I can't really give an accurate assessment of the height situation. But as a professional basketball player, I am sure you can afford a number of much larger luxury sedans
Congratulations! I've loved mine since I got it last year, and I'm sure you'll be happy too. One of the best things, like you mentioned, is the ample leg room in the front. I'm only 5'10" but I'm always cramped in cars. This has been a nice change.