HELP! '13 Optima vs '13 Accord vs '13 Mazda 3

[bourne]

Originally Posted By: BigBuck


How close to 20k can you get?


We paid $19,599 for her GT , standard equipment, no options

Leather, Bose, Nav, Sunroof etc and all the goodies were standard. Bi-xenon and Blind spot monitoring was part of the optional package. The 2013s are loaded even better, and have a slightly bigger nav screen. Puts a grin on my face as big as its got, everytime I drive it. Black/Grey exterior color minimizes the silly grinning front end syndrome.

 

[Bladecutter]

If she's considering the Accord, why isn't she considering the new 2014 Mazda 6?
It would wind up being the same money, and she would get better economy and power from it compared to the Accord.

That's what I would buy.

BC.

 

[k24a4]

I am biased toward the Accord. 8+ years of ownership, no major issues, and drives like it did new.

I think the '13 will be quite a step up from her '12. Mpg, nvh, and standard features have improved, and safety is top notch. Considered a very good value in the lower trims (lx, sport)

The new CVT is getting rave reviews for shifting like a traditional automatic, and without the "rubberband" affect of many CVT's.

Only concerns for me would be first year teething issues, and unproven DI engine. Really anticipating the first UOA on this engine.

On a side note the fact that your girlfreind, "doesn't get tired of what she has" bodes well for you. She sounds like a keeper. Best of luck.

 

[BigBuck]

So we test drove several cars.

200 Limited
Optima EX
Accord EX
Sonata SE and Limited
Camry SE

She fell in love with the Optima. She is pretty dead set on getting one of these with the premium package. She felt spoiled with all the options the car had, at the price point that they are willing to sell at.

Her order of preference was Optima, Sonata, Accord, then the Camry. She didn't like the 200, although I am a fan and enjoyed the 3.6.

The Accord only had a blind spot camera on one of the rear view mirrors and we both thought it looked kinda dopey. I don't know why they didn't add one to each side, but hey, Honda didn't ask me.



She seems set on the car. I am trying to get her to test drive a few more, such as the Mazda3 she was interested in before, but I think she found what she was looking for. I'll keep you guys updated.

Any questions?

 

[Vikas]

It does NOT matter what you (or we) like! Buy what *she* likes if you want to be happy!!

 

[hypervish]

Glad to hear she found something she likes! At the end of the day, she's the one driving it.

 

[97tbird]

Originally Posted By: BigBuck
So we test drove several cars.

200 Limited
Optima EX
Accord EX
Sonata SE and Limited
Camry SE

She fell in love with the Optima. She is pretty dead set on getting one of these with the premium package. She felt spoiled with all the options the car had, at the price point that they are willing to sell at.

Her order of preference was Optima, Sonata, Accord, then the Camry. She didn't like the 200, although I am a fan and enjoyed the 3.6.

The Accord only had a blind spot camera on one of the rear view mirrors and we both thought it looked kinda dopey. I don't know why they didn't add one to each side, but hey, Honda didn't ask me.



She seems set on the car. I am trying to get her to test drive a few more, such as the Mazda3 she was interested in before, but I think she found what she was looking for. I'll keep you guys updated.

Any questions?


you / she should have test driven the new 2014 Mazda 6

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: BigBuck
So we test drove several cars.

200 Limited
Optima EX
Accord EX
Sonata SE and Limited
Camry SE


You should drive a new '13 Fusion. You're overlooking the best looking and best handling car in the segment, IMO.

 

[SteveSRT8]

^^^Good point, the new Fusion is a good looker IMO.

I don't know about the best handling though. I have yet to drive a new gen model, I sure hope it is a huge improvement from the last version!

 

[Hokiefyd]

I think the best-handling car award likely goes to the Mazda 6, the new one.

We have two previous-gen Fusions in our stable at work. They're nice cars, but I wouldn't call them stellar in the handling department.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I think the best-handling car award likely goes to the Mazda 6, the new one.

We have two previous-gen Fusions in our stable at work. They're nice cars, but I wouldn't call them stellar in the handling department.


They "Malibu-ized" it similar to what happened to the Volkswagen Rabbit when they started to build them in Westmoreland, PA.

They didn't carry over the suspension tuning, transmission programming...etc... from the Mazda6. (also didn't carry over the wagon and 5-door body style). They made a mainstream car that was good enough to compete against the Camccord. In that aspect, it was a success. But they really did strip a lot of the good out of that platform along the way.

 

[Bladecutter]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
They "Malibu-ized" it similar to what happened to the Volkswagen Rabbit when they started to build them in Westmoreland, PA.

They didn't carry over the suspension tuning, transmission programming...etc... from the Mazda6. (also didn't carry over the wagon and 5-door body style). They made a mainstream car that was good enough to compete against the Camccord. In that aspect, it was a success. But they really did strip a lot of the good out of that platform along the way.


And what little of Ford's contribution to the old Mazda 6 has now been completely stripped out, and only Mazda now remains.

I've sat in the new Mazda 6, and it is a really nice place to spend time.

BC.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
We have two previous-gen Fusions in our stable at work. They're nice cars, but I wouldn't call them stellar in the handling department.


Good thing the new Fusion is nothing like the previous gen Fusion.