dom

So was bored this afternoon and took out an Optima. EX Luxury with the 2.4. Have to say, it felt much better than the Accord with the CVT in terms of engine/tranny feel. Loved the interior as well. Didn't feel cheap at all, quite the opposite actually.

They unfortunately didn't have a Turbo available for testing, but I'd imagine thats the way I'd want to go. They're currently offering the Turbo as no charge upgrade so why not. Price wasn't too bad either, cheaper than the Accord and Fusion by a considerable margin but I can't shake the feeling its still too much.

Definitley a competitor, but again, Turbo and FE questionable. Need to do some more research into real world results for the Optima and Fusion.

dom

Test drove one and loved it, but I'm having an hell of a time finding one used and new is simply too much. Can't justify close to 40K.

I'm also starting to lean towards a larger car. Jetta is sufficient, but for those days where the minivan won't due I need the space for 3 kids in the back.

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

I definitely LOVE my Optima SX Turbo. (I personally would go for an SX turbo over an EX Luxury turbo, but that's just me.)

Golfe .:R

They aren't anywhere near 40K. 32,000$ tops.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Dom's up in Canada. Pricing is different up there.

Golfe .:R

Oh wow a GLI is 40K up there?

00TL-P3.2

I drove a 6 Touring yesterday. You should definitely check it out. It's a fantastic looking car & drives really well. Not as fast as my TL, but I went into it expecting that & wasn't let down.
My only knocks on it (minor ones at that) were that the shift throws were a little long & the throttle could be a little more responsive.
Feels like a smaller car but was quite roomy.

Performance wise, I think it's pretty well in line with the Accord. I drove the 6MT & have read that the auto is actually quicker. I just prefer to row my own.

dom

What's your FE like? Wife is in love with the car, and with the price

dom

Well. I think I've finally decided to give back the Rabbit. But I have until June 17th to change my mind. New option, the Passat. Looking at Comfortline with the 3.6.

Anyone have any thoughts on the Passat?

charliemike

The new ones are very highly regarded.

1StGenCL

I was coming in here to suggest the Passat. My mom bought a 2013 diesel when they came out and I really like the car and the 46 mpg she is getting. Only downside is that the driver's seat is not very comfortable to me or her but way better than the jetta diesel she bought and sold within two weeks.

I didn't realize how big the car is and it looks like a much more expensive big body car from outside. Inside is typical no frills VW but everything is there. Someone oneline had replaced the headlights with a Chinese market, Audi style light that really upgraded the look of the whole car and made me really love it (i think ill swap hers out since she misses hid from her lexus). She has the DSG or whatever and I honestly don't mind it but I'm sure the gasser is a different feel.

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

Fuel Economy is not quite as good as they claim, but still impressive for a vehicle with 275 hp. I've been getting around 32-33 mpg on my highway trips driving 70-75mph. (For reference, I used to get around 28 mpg with my TL.) I get mpg in the low 20s around town, but of course mileage will vary a lot more around town depending on how you drive.

I'm just surprised because with the TL I got a few miles per gallon over the official EPA ratings. With the Optima, I'm getting a few mpg below the EPA ratings.

But overall, definitely a tremendous value for the feature set. Looks great. Plenty of power with the turbo. I LOVE the cooled seats on long trips. Nav, Infiniti sound, heated rear seats, Bluetooth Audio streaming, USB music support, dual panoramic sunroofs, xenon headlights, LED taillights, sport suspension that handles quite well, the list just goes on and on...

... at a very attractive price point.

dom

Thanks. That FE isn't bad at all. I'm going to start working on my local Kia dealer. Price he's asking is 33,800 which is 29,400 + 13% sales taxes for a EX Turbo with sunroof. If he can come down closer to 32,500 I might jump on it. A lot of value in comparison to the Accord, Passat and Fusion.

Camry actually isn't a bad value either. Looks like I can get into a SE V6 for about 34k. Just not sure I could drive a Camry but I should at least test drive it.

dom

Long day of test driving today again.

Took out a Mazda 6 GX, then Camry SE, Passat and then Jetta.

The 6 was nice, but again, felt pretty gutless and loud. Just not a fan of a 4 cylinder in these big sedans. Otherwise the car hits all the marks. Beautiful styling in and out and handles nicely.

Was hoping to take out a Camry V6 but strange enough they didn't have any. So I took out a 2.5 SE. Not bad, but meh. Steering was as expected dull and the interior while not bad just feels out of sorts. I may not have liked the Camry as much because of the next car I got into about 10 minutes later which was the Passat...

Took out a 2.5 with Sport package which gives you a firmer suspension and 18"s. Not quite sure what it is, maybe its in my head but the car just feels far more solid, smooth and quiet than the either the Mazda or Toyota and Accord from what I remember. Just something about German enginerring maybe? No idea but I loved the ride, interior and even the power was acceptable. Maybe not hearing the engine buzz and groan while getting to speed had something to do with it? The car is far quieter than my Rabbit with the 2.5. Either way, driving that Passat pretty much scratched The Mazda, Toyota and Honda off the list. Just have to decide if its worth ponying up for the 3.6 and/or if the FE penalty is worth it. While the diesel would be nice, its more expensive and the rates are far higher making the final price considerably more. The FE saving's wouldn't be realized until about 6 years.

Took out the Jetta after that and right away I knew there was no way I was buying that car. I knew the interior was low rent but the ride and noise was night and day next to the Passat. While the Passat was planted, the Jetta was all over the road. Probably only something you notice in back to back drives.

Still undecided, but getting closer.

Moog-Type-S

The Passat is very nice, it will make the 6, Accord, Camry feel like chumps in the handling department. My guess is the fit and finish/materials of the interior are better than the others too.

The Jetta...umm. yea, VW pushed it down market to get more sales, and it worked.
Sad part is what used to be a step up car is now a step down.

How about a VW CC?

Aman

Which model Jetta did you take out? I think only some of them have an independent rear. Might that have affected your perception? Sounds like it's not enough to make it a better purchase than the Passat, though.

Have you taken out an Altima? It seems to be the only one in this class that isn't really being talked about.

Moog-Type-S

^^ dom mentioned Jetta, not GLI.
dom knows the difference.

dom

Yes, it was a Jetta with the 2.5. Only Jetta with the independent rear is the GLI.

Moog, to your point about the CC. Love it but starts up here at 37k.

charliemike

Hey Dom, if you can wait a little bit, VW is replacing the 2.5 I-5 with a 1.8T ... I would look and see when that's happening because the 2.5 is not an engine I would want in the long term.

pimpin-tl

Some cars not mentioned are worth looking into.

New:

Hyundai Sonata (Same car as the Optima)
Chevy Impala (newest one, which is just hitting dealers) very nice http://www.chevrolet.com/impala-spor...or-photos.html

Used:

2012+ Acura TL (maybe in your price range and a great car especially after the cosmetic changes, and more sound deading)
TSX
G37/M37
Hyundai Genesis

Moog-Type-S

^^ Kill that steering wheel with FIRE!!!!

dom

Ya I know and I've been thinking about this. While I don't love the 2.5 I've had one for the last 4 years and its been relatively fuel efficient, 100% relaiable and drives really well. I've been doing some research into this the last few days and I haven't Heard of any issues much less serious or common issues with the 2.5.

The 2.5 in the Passat I drove didn't have any of the harshness or sound issues I have in the Rabbit and it felt more than adequate moing the Passat around. I don't quite get the hate this engine seems to receive.

While I'm sure the 1.8 will be a better engine, it's likely more expensive and it's reliability isn't proven. It's not a slam dunk by any means. I think the perfect Passat would have the 2.0 T. To bad it isn't offered.

What's bugging me about the Passat is a lack of a back up camera. I'd have to get the tech package with Navi to get it. No interest in Navi. It's standard on every other car I've driven. Not the end of the world but one of those things I think I'd love after having used it even though I've never had one on another car I've owned. Keyless entry/push button start would be nice to. Have to get to the top trim Passat for that.

dom

Could never stand the styling of the Sonata. And with the Optima available I'd see no reason to buy one based on styling alone.

I'm guessing the Impala will be expensive up here just from my research into the Malibu. But I'll look into it, it certainly looks good, except for that steering wheel.

I've actually looked into used 2012 TL's as I don't mind the styling anymore. Still a bit expensive though. But I'd love an SH-AWD.

Not a fan of the latest TSX.

Never looked into either a G37 or Genesis, not sure why. Will give those a look used. Thanks.

dom

Now that I've read a bit about the new 1.8 I'd like to wait. But I can't because my lease is due back Monday. I can be without a car for a couple of weeks but not much more than that.

As it stands right now I'm down to the Passat 2.5 and Optima EX Turbo. But I can't get the fact that an all new engine is due in the Passat out of my head so I don't want to buy it now. The 3.6 in the Passat is an option financially but it requires Premium. According to my math that's about an extra $400 per year, no thanks. Not to mention the not so hot FE.

The Optima looks like the car for me if they can come down in price in a bit more.

If the Accord had decent financing rates I'd be all over the V6 and this decision wouldn't be so hard. I could keep the Rabbit but I hate to pay for it only to sell it or trade it in in a couple of months.

Damn this is hard.

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

if you want to bridge the gap, have you thought about lease busting a car for a few months until the new 1.8's arrive at dealers? leasebusters.com I've been tempted by this before to get a car I can't afford for just a few months sometimes you can find ones with 3-4 months left, might be worth checking out.

charliemike

Dom, is the Passat TDI too expensive too?

Moog-Type-S

Passat 2.5 and Optima EX Turbo both good choice.

Both have pros and cons.

Tick-tock!

Moog-Type-S

I can't believe the CC is 37 large in Canada?!?!?

Wow!

charliemike

The CC ain't a cheap car. R-Line is $33k and the VR6 4Motion is $41k in 'Murica.

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

you should see the mrsp's on any car here in canada it's brutal.

Fibonacci

Eh~ Sexy lady
Op op op op oppan style...

dom

looking through the site now, quite a few sort term leases left actually. My only concern would be the return and having to pay for scratches, tires etc after the inspection. I was dinged about $500 on the Rabbit for scratches and a missing fog light.

dom

Ya, it's actually more than the 3.6. Looking at about 37K on the road.

dom

Forget the Optima......

Costco

bummer to hear about the 6 and Accord. I'd initially have those before the 2.5 Passat. The 3.6 on the other hand...

dom

I love everything about the Accord except the CVT. I've driven it 3 times and each time I came away shaking my head because I couldn't stand the CVT. I'm honestly considering driving the Accord I4 again and possibly biting the bullet and settling on the Sport.

But then the Optima, which is only about 1.5k more is far better equipped and more powerful.....

My wife thinks I'm over analyzing this and should make a decision already.

Found a dealer with 4 EX-L V6 Demo Accords with low mileage. But they're asking 35K out the door. If I can get them down a couple of K I may jump on it.

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

Not that I've done it (yet) but I've done some research in regards to this and the consensus seemed to be that you go to the dealer that holds the lease before hand and iron out any fees based on the current condition and the owner would pay. It's a bit of an extra step but basically gets you a long term rental.

Sarlacc

You can't go month to month on your lease?

dom

Condition of the vehicle has to be determined by a 3rd party, not the dealer. That's not to say the dealer can't give you guidelines. But ultimately its the 3rd party that determines what the fees are.

dom

Nope, asked about that as well. They'll only do that if another vehicle is purchased and on order.