New Models Better Than Old?

[charbaby]

Maybe this should be in the "Vehicles" section, IDK!

I think that we all know what happened to the Honda Civic in 2012 with it's new updated model and how it was not well recieved by the PRESS! The 2013 updat is much, much better!

Now, what vehicles that replace the outgoing modes are also not as good as the model it replaces? For example:

How are these vehicles doing compared to their out going model. Are these vehicles the same or as good/better/worst than the models that they replaced?

We all know that fuel economy has improved accross the board(maybe not) so, if MPG is the only item that has improved but, not the driving experience, how should the vehicle rate then?

Here's my take in a +, - or = scale to the out going version...from what I've read in the press.

=Altima
+Accord
++Cruze...way better than Colbalt
+Fusion
+Focus
+Mazda3
+Mazda6
-Malibu
+++Impala
=Jetta
=Passat
++Sonic...way better than the moded it replaced, IIRC, Aveo??

Please add your own that I have not! How about some PU/SUV?

 

[R80RS]

I have to concur on the Imapla. My company's CEO and I took one on a 700 mile road trip over 2 days last month and both of us came away impressed. It's saying a lot for him to have something good to say about a domestic.

 

[GumbyJarvis]

++Dart over Neon
+Avenger over stratus

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
++Dart over Neon
+Avenger over stratus


Honestly I have to say I would take the older variants without thinking twice. I miss my 01 Neon R/T all the time, it was a great car.

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby


I think that we all know what happened to the Honda Civic in 2012 with it's new updated model and how it was not well recieved by the PRESS! The 2013 updat is much, much better!




I don't see why so many people disliked the 2012 Civic, I think it looks much better than the 2013-2014 design and there isn't anything significant about the newer ones that would cause me to spend the extra money over a 2012. One of the cars I'm considering to replace my 2006 Civic in a few years is the 2012 model actually. I would definitely avoid the 2014 Civic, I don't like the idea of the CVT, I prefer the 5 speed automatic.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: Patman
Originally Posted By: Char Baby


I think that we all know what happened to the Honda Civic in 2012 with it's new updated model and how it was not well recieved by the PRESS! The 2013 updat is much, much better!




I don't see why so many people disliked the 2012 Civic, I think it looks much better than the 2013-2014 design and there isn't anything significant about the newer ones that would cause me to spend the extra money over a 2012. One of the cars I'm considering to replace my 2006 Civic in a few years is the 2012 model actually. I would definitely avoid the 2014 Civic, I don't like the idea of the CVT, I prefer the 5 speed automatic.

It wasn't the style of the 2012 that the press didn't like(Beauty in the eye of d'B-holder), it was the cheap interior materials, poor steering feel, noisy cabin, floaty ride(unHonda-like), lack of decent handling/so-so ride and just overall cheap feeling! The Public actually did like the style and it didn't hurt sales much, if at all!

Most of the shortcomings were addressed by Honda the very next year('13) and the Civic went from a car(2012) that wans't even in the Top 10 in it's catigory to a car(2013) that was in the Top 3-4-5(depending what you read).

The 2012 redesign wasn't even as good of a car at the previous generation('06-'11) that it replaced...said the PRESS

And for the first time in over 30 years, CR Mag didn't recomend the Civic...Shock waves went out through the halls of Honda Motor Co. The 2013 now is what the '12 should have been from the start.

In typical(or was) Honda fashion, updates/changes/improvements should be made every 2 years to the redesign until another complete redesign is in the works after about(used to be 4 yrs) now, 5-6 years!

 

[charbaby]

I am reading mixed reviews on the Altima and Malibu, some saying that they too aren't as good as the models that they replace(mostly in the driving experience). Others saying they are and in some ways, better!

The Accord and Mazda 6 seem to be getting high marks for their improvements over the models that they did replace. And the real shocker comes from Chevrolet with the Impala

MiniVans seemed to have dropped with their last redesign(in 2010-11) compared to the models they too replaced...IDK!

The new Acura RL and Infinity Q are getting only so-so reviews. Acura lack of too many things for the price and Infiniti with it DBW Steering

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
I am reading mixed reviews on the Altima and Malibu, some saying that they too aren't as good as the models that they replace(mostly in the driving experience). Others saying they are and in some ways, better!

The Accord and Mazda 6 seem to be getting high marks for their improvements over the models that they did replace. And the real shocker comes from Chevrolet with the Impala

MiniVans seemed to have dropped with their last redesign(in 2010-11) compared to the models they too replaced...IDK!

The new Acura RL and Infinity Q are getting only so-so reviews. Acura lack of too many things for the price and Infiniti with it DBW Steering

The previous Impala was sub-par compares with others in its class, only now it is compatible with the best sellers in its class.

 

[mclasser]

Mazda is always slept on even though their line up is quite attractive. Nissan's stuff from the past few years has really disappointed me. The new Maxima and Altima look almost identical and the rest of the line up lacks the soul Nissan used to be famous for. IMO, the last great car Nissan made was the 5th gen Maxima. Detroit is really coming out with good stuff, especially Chrysler. I love the Charger and the new Ram. Ford struck a home run with the current gen Mustang and their Ecoboost engines are solid. GM's latest Lamda cars look great and the new Impala is sweeeet.

 

[charbaby]

: The previous Impala was sub-par compared with others in its class, only now it is compatible with the best sellers in its class.

_________________________
'94 LS400
'00 E430
'04 S2000
"Consumerism has accustomed us to waste. But throwing food away is like stealing it from the poor and hungry" Pop Francis

Indeed! The Impala was infact critisized often in the Press! I drove several of family members and they're OK! But, I didn't have to own them as they seems to need repairs often. As-far-as the drive in a straight line, it was fine. Pushed hard into a corner, which is uncalled for, they didn't do so well!

The Impala's interior lagged behind others in it's price range and the resale valued dropped like a rock, making the Impala a decent used car choice but, the LeSabre was a better used car choice, IMHO! The LeSabre being quiet a good/reliable car with no resale value

But, anywaaaaay!...The new Impala is getting quite high marks with the Press and customes as well

 

[Cujet]

As a 50 year old, that started my driving career with mid 1960's cars, I've got to say the overall trend is very promising.

Yes, there are occasional setbacks. But the general trend is towards a better and better driving experience. From simple items like today's really comfortable seats, to the complex suspension designs of today.

And don't forget all the cool things automotive electronics provide. Examples include VW's digitally controlled, magic DSG transmission and Ford's Ecoboost engines.

 

[charbaby]

Indeed! Technology has certainly come a long way and it's getting better by the day! Though, there are some vehicles that have not done well, not as well as the model that it replaces. I am just curious as to which newly redesigned vehicles don't score as well as the models that they replace.

My SIL/BIL rented a new '13 Altima in CA while visiting their daughter & family/grandchildren. "It was horid" the said, having driven my 10yr old Altima as a comparison and liking mine! The '07-'12 being even better but, the '13 taking a big step backward??? IDK! I read mixed reviews as well

I used the Civic as my starting point for this thread, not to bash it for not moving forward. I don't want this to be a Honda thread but, a thread of all vehicles. I have always been quite fond of Honda vehicles(& Chevy, Pontiac, Olds and Chrysler) and have owned many Honda's, with great success

As the press used to say about Honda vehicles...they used to be, "revolutionary" now, they're only "evolutionary"!

So, I'll stop here and continue to read what others have to say

 

[hattaresguy]

New doesn't always mean better, it just means new.

We have been conditioned as consumers to always assume the latest product is better so we should acquire it.

Personally I don't really see much of a difference between a lot of the FWD cars mentioned above. I'm pretty sure I'd be just fine driving say a 10 year old Accord vs any of the new ones on the list. Where are the big upgrade? They all have what you need, ie AC power windows and locks, they all have 4 bangers with sufficient power, and they all get anywhere from 20-30 mpg depending on how you drive.

 

[charbaby]

I do see many inprovements in Safety...a good thing! And improvements in MPG from heavier cars(> 3000 lbs) and decent power in 4 cyl engines. I'd like to see improvements in metal/rust protection too! Just to name a few things.

 

[jimbrewer]

The trend is definitely upward. I think you have to be careful about generalizing though. Some more upscale cars use the same name as what were formally a more downscale car. Look at the Impala and the Taurus. they aren't in the same market niche they formerly were in.

I'd say that Detroit still has a distressing tendency to de-content a good car into junk over a few years. Its hard to believe now, but the Dodge Neon was meant to be a direct competitor to the Honda Civic when it came out, and it was a well-put-together car that was zippy and handled marvelously. By the time it ended it was as bad as anything Chrysler made.

The manufacturers don't do this with their pickup trucks and they consequently have steady sales, loyal customers and big profits off those lines. Why don't they get a clue?

 

[The_Jeff]

I rented an 07 impala and thought it was pretty sweet and awesome on gas. Then I rented a dodge charger and was mostly horrified. Drove good and looked awesome but visibility was awful and the interior was meh.

There are more 07 impalas around here now, than there were in 08! I think the used car dealers are shuttling off-lease or off-rental cars up here by the 100s.

The people in 07s though never take care of them, wash them, fix dents, replace hubcaps, etc.

 

[dlundblad]

I can honestly say I perfer older models better.

The older grand cherokee, lincoln cars, acura tl... to name a few. Built better too IMO. Newer cars tend to be made "as good" with less materials which in my opinion makes them appear lacking.

 

[charbaby]

At one time in the Asian culture, it was manditory for the auto maufactures to improve each model with it's successor. Or at least, try! Continuous Imporvement. Now, even the major players seem to be trying to stay alive!

I remember when I first noticed some cost cutting. Where it didn't matter much or at all. For example, I don't care if the underside of my hood and trunk lid are not clear coated! I do want quality where it counts!

Certain interior materials today just don't look as nice as they did for a while with, even lower end vehicles having that leather-looking dash pad and inside door panels. Now, everything looks like rubber and had plastic. Maybe it's better!

Sound insulation has gone by the wayside. I think that some older vehicles were quieter(inside) than some newer vehicles. Drivetrains have gotten smoother/quieter though!

Trucks have gotten much quieter in their interiors today! I want my cars to be this quiet