New Car Decision: Camry, Aura, Or Sonata

[bombtek]

ummm make sure you look into reviews on the camry. For the 2007's I've read that MANY people are very dissapointed with the transmission (shifts and downshifts at very inopportune times and does it frequently). It deterred me from going out and seriously thinking about buying one when the gas prices started hiking.

[bombtek]

http://autos.yahoo.com/toyota_camry-reviews_user/?sort=mr&modelid=4775&start=11&show=atl

[rjohnstone]

It's the CVT tranny that a lot of people hate. Toyota calls it ETC-i, but it's still a CVT type tranny.
I have one in my 07 Honda as well. This is the first year they put them in the Odyssey.
They don't shift like your typical transmission. Not bad, but hell it's a mini van, not a race car. Mine doesn't shift as frequent as the Toyota though.

[semagic]

Thanks for the links there Ron. I've been pretty much looking on Edmund's site, so other reviews are helpful.

I totally agree the Camry is overrated. I personally feel Toyota has gotten too big, and QC has gone down the tubes. Just like Gibson and Jackson LOL!

When we first started looking, I was pretty much set on a Hyundai Sonata. The Sonata is still in the running. but I'm tired of buying cars that aren't worth shit a few years after owning them. I'd like something that holds its value.

Saturn is still on the list too. My last Saturn was doing great on 205K miles until I drove it head on into a Dodge 4x4 Ram on March 27th. I'm still recovering, but the Saturn was DOA.

just give the TSX a try with all the features they have... handsfree phone, navi (if equipped), xm radio, mp3 hookups, heated seats, power seats(memory on drivers side) keyless entry... 200+ hp plus, 20mpg and has the best resale value of any vehicle out there.

[DonP]

None of the above. I'd get a Mazda 6 with the V6. I love mine. And they're pretty much blowing them out right now, as a new model will be coming out next year.

Before seriously researching, the Mazda 6s was my favorite car for styling. After researching, the reviews weren't too hot, the motor seems to lack power, yet it doesn't seem to make up for it in gas milage. I'm willing to trade power for gas milage, but I don't want to throw away both.

I still think the Mazda 6 is a great looking and handling car (yet to test drive), but I'm afraid the room in the back seat might be another nail in it's coffin. My kids are 12, 10, and 8 now, but in 5 years we are looking at 17, 15 and 13. I'll need the space, if only for those infrequent family vacations.

[DonP]

http://autos.yahoo.com/toyota_camry-...rt=11&show=atl

Excellent! This is what I like, links to reviews from real users. Sometimes I think those magazine reviewers are biased (payolla?)

[DonP]

It's the CVT tranny that a lot of people hate. Toyota calls it ETC-i, but it's still a CVT type tranny.
I have one in my 07 Honda as well. This is the first year they put them in the Odyssey.
They don't shift like your typical transmission. Not bad, but hell it's a mini van, not a race car. Mine doesn't shift as frequent as the Toyota though.

I don't like being the guinea pig for these new CVT trannies. Another reason why an extended warranty is looking like a "must have".

[DonP]

just give the TSX a try with all the features they have... handsfree phone, navi (if equipped), xm radio, mp3 hookups, heated seats, power seats(memory on drivers side) keyless entry... 200+ hp plus, 20mpg and has the best resale value of any vehicle out there.

Acura makes great looking cars no doubt. A friend at work has a new red one with tan interior. I don't know the model, but I think it's one of the smaller ones. I wouldn't mind having one, but the $$$ might be out of my range. I'll take a look.

[DonP]

Used LExus ES330. We wer ejsut looking at one, but mom needs a car with AWD to get to work in the winter. A 2004/2005 runs abotu $24,000. Plus they take regular, unlike most luxury cars.

Never thought of Lexus (too much $'s) but that might be worth looking into. AWD is nice because I'll be going all over the state of Ohio, but gas milage would suffer from the extra weight I've been told.

I've been noting cars that require premium, like the Nissan V6. Most power comes with a price.

[semagic]

you can get a retired loan car w/most of those features in the mid 20's... but only from an acura dealer. good luck

[DonP]

As I read these reviews, my opinion of the Camry is going down. I thought it might be just brand smashing, but I've looked at reviews of the Saturn, Hyundai, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, and it doesn't seem like those guys are being bashed as much as the Toyota.

Edit: Now I'm seeing reviews that are faked. Looking at the Honda Accord reviews, Max from CA, Nick from TX, and Tom from NY seem to all be the same person. Same style of bashing, same type of recommending another brand of car, and same rating (lowest you can get). Also, there is Bret from CA and John from CA that also seem to be the same as the above. Lot's of BS to sift through.

[RacerX]

Accord is a consistent Top 10 C&D winner - including this year:

http://www.caranddriver.com/bestcars/12061/2007-honda-accord.html

[charvelguy]

I've owned a few Toyotas and still have a couple from the 80's that are summer drivers. When I shopped for a new car in 1999, I chose a Mazda as Toyota styling seemed bland and their rep had more reliability problems.
Not like I didn't have my share of alternators going out or exhaust having to be replaced at 75k, but cars now are offering much higher life for parts and better warranties.

I still like Mazda and would consider buying another but my opinion of Toyota changed over the years and I've kinda teetered on whether I would spend 15-20k on a another..course, I haven't bought a new car in 7 years.
I had problems with recall stuff on my Mazda but they took care of it under warranty w/o to much dealer hassle.

[horns666]

I live in Cleveland...hmmmm.. I would go with a Factory 5 Cobra..

It's pretty good on gas and the chicks dig it..

I heard they handle fanatastic in the snow..you can get a top for them..but why bother....just wear a hat..like a Nazi helmet..that's what I do!!

[RacerX]

Here's another comparo where the Accord won and the (previous) Camry came in last:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0512_family_sedan_comparison/

It should interest you because it also includes the current Sonata.