Topic: 09 Camry VS 09 Sonata

[Carzzz]

Same price: $23400
which one would you get?

[Mitlov]

Personally, the Sonata, due to the looks and the warranty.  But you won't go wrong with either.

[Schmengie]

The Camry, 11 times out of 10.

[rrocket]

Why was the new Sonata rated lower than the old Sonata in that 24 sedan shoot out??

[Mitlov]

Why was the new Sonata rated lower than the old Sonata in that 24 sedan shoot out??

Not sure what you're talking about.  There was only one Sonata in the test.

http://ifcar.net/reviews.comparisons.familysedans.htm

In some tests (Edmunds, maybe C&D if my memory serves me), the Sonata has edged out the Camry.  In other tests (Ifcar, for example), the Camry wins.  You really can't go wrong with either car.  They're two of the strongest midsize family sedans on the market right now.

[dorin]

Same price?  Then I'd take the one I like to drive more.  If there is no noticeable driving difference between the two of them then I'd buy the Camry because, as good as the Sonata is, the Camry will still likely have better resale value.

[rrocket]

Not sure what you're talking about.  There was only one Sonata in the test.

You sure?  Why don't you check out 4th place and 12th place and get back to me....


(no need to apologize)

[Mitlov]

You sure?  Why don't you check out 4th place and 12th place and get back to me....

(no need to apologize)

For the record, they only included one of the two on the index of included cars on the right...

EDIT:  To answer your question of why they ranked the 2008 higher, it was price and price alone.  They thought the 2009 was nicer, but couldn't ignore the deals on the pre-facelift version.

Unlike the 2009 model, which is smoother-riding and quieter, and has a much nicer interior, the 2008 Sonata is simply a highly capable family car that sells with luxury equipment at a fantastic price.

[rrocket]

^^^^Ok..who cares?  I still want to know why the newer car placed so far back compared to the old one.  Seems like price only?  Everything about the 09 seems better...including the slightly better looks...Unless they are just splitting hairs?

I do take that review with a grain a salt anyways....(thought I wouldn't argue the Azera is a tremendous car for the $$)

EDIT: You fixed yours while I was writing mine.  So indeed it is price.  Not the best way to rate a shootout IMO with such an emphasis on price and price alone.

[Mitlov]

EDIT: You fixed yours while I was writing mine.  So indeed it is price.  Not the best way to rate a shootout IMO with such an emphasis on price and price alone.

Any shootout which contains everything from a TSX to an Azera is going to have some pretty arbitrary results.  Not much in common there.  Why not ask whether an STI is a better sedan than a Lexus LS?  They both, after all, have four doors and a trunk... 

[quadzilla]

Same price: $23400
which one would you get?

Neither.

[UmroAyyar]

Same price: $23400
which one would you get?

These are pretty close, safety equipment wise (Camry has the knee bolster), safety ratings, reliability point. Camry would definitely have better resale. It will come to your personal preference, aesthetics, accessibility, comfort level.

Drive the cars back to back and  pick one.

[mmret]

Camry resale ftw.

[ArticSteve]

The Sonota will come with more goodies.  It's the work of Satan. BEWARE. 

[mmret]

The Sonota will come with more goodies.  It's the work of Satan. BEWARE. 

[Serniter]

Camry resale ftw.

True.

[loser40]

Niether...

Get a pre-owned VW Passat or Jetta, Audi A4, Mercedes C Class, or BMW 3 Series, ideally with AWD.

Sure your maintanace costs will be a little higher if you use a Franchised dealer, but if you used an independant garage specialising in your make of car it will probably be a bit less.

... & depreciation will probably be the same, and you'll have the benefit of owning a prestige desirable car etc etc.

M.

[Mitlov]

Niether...

Get a pre-owned Audi A4, Mercedes C Class, or BMW 3 Series, ideally with AWD.

Sure your maintanace costs will be a little higher if you use a Franchised dealer, but if you used an independant garage specialising in your make of car it will probably be a bit less.

The maintenance costs on any of those cars are going to be significantly higher than the maintenance costs on either a Sonata or Camry.  German cars are pretty expensive to maintain, even with independent shops, even if you're tooling around in a Jetta instead of a Merc.  And that's not even factoring in the potential costs of unscheduled maintenance, and none of the German brands get superb reliability ratings nowadays.

... & depreciation will probably be the same, and you'll have the benefit of owning a prestige desirable car etc etc.

...which is actually no objective, tangible benefit at all.  If the original owner was interested in "prestige," I'm sure he would have said so.  On the other hand, the Camry and the Sonata offer tangible, objective advantages--roominess and fuel economy.  Given the cars he's looking at, I suspect he's not interested in either sporty driving dynamics or prestige.  In that case, a midsize "transportation appliance" sedan is a really rational, smart choice.

[Leviathan]

Don't worry about resale if you intend to hold on to it for a lot of years.

[loser40]

Hmmm...

Well it must be different in Canada.  Here in the UK I get my VW serviced at a specialist garage which is cheaper than my old Ford dealer (we used to have a Focus) .

And when I mentioned depreciation, I was just pointing out that going the pre-owned premium root would probably have the same depreciation cost.

I agree with you though, if a car is just seen as a basic "transportation appliance" then go ahead & be boring and buy a car just like your neighbours and work colleagues.

I was just suggesting an alternative to the hum-drum.

Mitlov - BTW, have you bought a 3-4 year old pre-owned premium car recently and experienced first hand the costs incurred ('cos I have & I don't regret it), or are you just presuming that the myth that premium cars = trouble is true. 

If you buy wisely you really can end up with a great owning & driving experience (and a much nicer interior and fit & finish) for the same total capital cost outlay as a "transportation appliance", even if you do have to pay a few extra bucks a week for gas & insurance.

M.