New Car Decision: Camry, Aura, Or Sonata

[DonP]

Which would you chose between these three?

Camry SE with V6 and Leather
Aura XR loaded V6 and Leather
Sonata Limited with V6 and Leather

I have three kids, 12, 10, 8, so it needs to have room in the back seat.

I drive Cinci to Cleveland and back each week, about 550 miles a week, so good gas milage is a plus as well as a comfortable seat for the 4 hour drive.

Camry has the most power, speed, and good resale value, but bad warranty, financing, and price. Currently this is my first choice.

Aura is fun to drive, tightest back seat (least amount of room), slower and eats more gas compared to the Camry, better warranty and financing.

Sonata has the most room, same issue with power and milage as the Aura when compared to the Camry. I'd call it equal to the Aura, just trade offs, more room but not as sport or as good styling.

Both the Aura and Sonata have better warranties (important with the amount of driving I'll be doing), better financing (it will be 60 months financing), and are more willing to wheel and deal. Toyota is a bit pompus, because they know they have the best car and so they aren't as willing to deal.

Help?

[Top Jimmy B]

I'd be choosing the Camry from that group. Having been in the car business for ten years I can tell you that the Camry is your best bet, hands down. Look at some extended warranty options if you're not happy with Toyota's factory coverage - the price is negotiable - the ECP plans are pretty damn good.

Best of luck. Have you looked at Accord or Altima?

[AfterForever]

Toyota > Hyundai

I've never heard of an Aura before.. must go under a different name in Euope.

[Top Jimmy B]

It's a Saturn, therefore a GM product.

[rjohnstone]

I own a Toyota Highlander and a Honda Odyssey...
Toyota's are not what they used to be.
Mine has never had any major issues, but a lot of stupid crap that should have been caught in QC.

My Honda rocks... plenty of power, killer warranty (10 year/120k miles and yes I paid for it), and great financing.
Just eats gas like a pig (16mpg in city), but I expected that with the weight.

If I had to choose from the 3, it would still be the Toyota.
You can always add an extended warranty. I did that on my Highlander and it's come in handy a few times.

Have you looked at the Honda Accord?

[ABSOLUT CHARVEL]

tough call. with the high milage, you are going to take a beating with resale on any of them. the toyota is a better car, warrenty or not. maybe you should get a used certified toyota and save there. i like the honda accord more than the camery, plus it is a nice ride for al the hours you put behind the wheel.

[chrisolson]

I'd recommend the Accord as well, but the Camry is a good car. I have a Pontiac Vibe (same as the Toyota Matrix), and it's been one of the better cars I've owned to date...

Hyundai has really upped their reputation as well, but still have some growing pains.

[CharvelRocker]

Warning on Hyundai; our mechanic said they need special spark plugs they can't get after market, so they have to buy from Hyundai, so they cost more. I believe they said the air filter is the same way. The Toyota is nice too and will last a long time. The Saturn are really good, long lasting cars too, but Saturn doesn't deal.

[Shawn Lutz]

the Acura would get my nod

Also look at the Honda Accords

[mudkicker]

If you are concidering Saturn take a look at the VUE. I have one and my triplets fit in it just fine. If you get the AWD model, it has a Honda engine and transmission. Peppy little 250hp sleeper. Get an after market dvd player.

[charvelguy]

Acura is very similar build to the Honda Accord. Man, if you're looking at a Sonata limited.. thats a pretty high end Hyundai and you should still be able to find one new from 2006, therefore substantial markdown. I know they had one in the lot in Roseville, MN for about 26k still new. I think they only come in silver though.
I was quite impressed car shopping recently, my g/f bought an Accent and that thing is roomy and quite peppy for 1.6L getting an avg low 30mpg city/hwy.

[quiksilver]

How about a Honda Civic?

[Joe_Steeler]

I hear great things about the Camry everywhere.

[Top Jimmy B]

the Acura would get my nod

Also look at the Honda Accords

It's the Saturn Aura, Shawn. I thught he meant Acura, too, but I figured there was no way he missed the "c" everytime he wrote it and did a search. lol

[Shawn Lutz]

It's the Saturn Aura, Shawn. I thught he meant Acura, too, but I figured there was no way he missed the "c" everytime he wrote it and did a search. lol

lol Jimmy...thanks for pointing that out....I'd still take the Acura tho :ROTF: