Help in Choosing a Mid-Sized Sedan.

• bear_bear_sg

  20 Jul 05, 18:56

  Currently driving a 1.6 small sedan - unfortunately, quite noisy at high speeds. Assessment that most 1.6 cars unable to achieve the sufficient balance of drive comfort, size and power.
  
  Thinking of upgrading to 2.0l mid-sized vehicle. (probably sedan but open to other types / options)
  
  Frustrated by the lack of technical details on the various dealer websites, (especially when providing Singapore-specifications) but no time to visit showroom after showroom...
  
  As such, keen to tap on collective wisdom of forum.
  
  Selection Criteria:
  
  Value-for-money - Cost is of primary consideration. So 'premier' European models are out. Not going to mention budget as I'm looking for something that has most/all of the required functionalities for the least amount of dollars;
  
  Reliability - Good reliability, in particular major components such as engine, transmission, etc. Not brand conscious.
  
  Silence / Quietness - Very low NVH at high speeds of 110-140km/h;
  
  Fuel Consumption - Good FC. Prefer VVT engine for low FC;
  
  Safety - ABS, EBD, Brake Assist must-have. ESP - good to have. Driver airbag must have. Additional airbags good to have;
  
  Others - Have cruise control as part of package to help in long trips up north.
  
  Thanks in advance for your input.
• bear_bear_sg

  20 Jul 05, 18:56

  Currently driving a 1.6 small sedan - unfortunately, quite noisy at high speeds. Assessment that most 1.6 cars unable to achieve the sufficient balance of drive comfort, size and power.
  
  Thinking of upgrading to 2.0l mid-sized vehicle. (probably sedan but open to other types / options)
  
  Frustrated by the lack of technical details on the various dealer websites, (especially when providing Singapore-specifications) but no time to visit showroom after showroom...
  
  As such, keen to tap on collective wisdom of forum.
  
  Selection Criteria:
  
  Value-for-money - Cost is of primary consideration. So 'premier' European models are out. Not going to mention budget as I'm looking for something that has most/all of the required functionalities for the least amount of dollars;
  
  Reliability - Good reliability, in particular major components such as engine, transmission, etc. Not brand conscious.
  
  Silence / Quietness - Very low NVH at high speeds of 110-140km/h;
  
  Fuel Consumption - Good FC. Prefer VVT engine for low FC;
  
  Safety - ABS, EBD, Brake Assist must-have. ESP - good to have. Driver airbag must have. Additional airbags good to have;
  
  Others - Have cruise control as part of package to help in long trips up north.
  
  Thanks in advance for your input.
• casshern

  20 Jul 05, 22:15

  which 1.6 car u driving now??
  
  Go Borneo Leng Kee try out the camry.
• bear_bear_sg

  20 Jul 05, 22:36

  Driving a Mazda 323 Protege now.
  
  But does Camry 2.0l have cruise control? No mention of it in website. Had thought about it before but not sure if it is value-for-money due to relative high price.
• fondue

  21 Jul 05, 01:01

  Originally posted by bear_bear_sg:

  Driving a Mazda 323 Protege now.
  
  But does Camry 2.0l have cruise control? No mention of it in website. Had thought about it before but not sure if it is value-for-money due to relative high price.

  Not many 2.0l car with cc. You'll have to look to the 2.3-2.4l range for more choices
• AF1

  21 Jul 05, 07:48

  Originally posted by bear_bear_sg:

  Driving a Mazda 323 Protege now.
  
  But does Camry 2.0l have cruise control? No mention of it in website. Had thought about it before but not sure if it is value-for-money due to relative high price.

  If I am not wrong, the Camry 2.0 does come with Cruise. The Cefiro 200JK has also been recently equipped with Cruise. You might want to try the Accord 2.4 or the Peugeot 407 2.0 too, although the 2.2 might be a better choice but of course with a heftier price tag.
• bear_bear_sg

  21 Jul 05, 10:42

  And if i give up the cruise control function? What other car models can be considered based on the rest of the criteria?
  
  If not mistaken, Camry is 90k, think quite high priced... any other options can offer better for lower?
• MCY

  21 Jul 05, 11:11

  Driving in Singapore (with so many cars and traffic lights), your CC can't really put into good use unless you travel often to Malaysia.
  
  By the way, changing from a 1.6 to 2 and above car, you will also need to consider the road tax and insurance....
• bear_bear_sg

  21 Jul 05, 11:21

  True... maybe cruise control is something good to have rather than must have...
  
  Anyway, i have to spend almost 1.5 hours everyday on the road, usually on the expressways which arent very jammed (unless there's an accident)... which explains my desire for a low NVH vehicle.
  
  Already mentally prepared to spend that extra 2k per year for incremental road tax and insurance. Not willing however to spend more than necessary... which is why i think camry may be relatively overpriced as compared to other 2.0 vehicles.
• nOrmalbOi

  21 Jul 05, 11:49

  Originally posted by bear_bear_sg:

  True... maybe cruise control is something good to have rather than must have...
  
  Anyway, i have to spend almost 1.5 hours everyday on the road, usually on the expressways which arent very jammed (unless there's an accident)... which explains my desire for a low NVH vehicle.
  
  Already mentally prepared to spend that extra 2k per year for incremental road tax and insurance. Not willing however to spend more than necessary... which is why i think camry may be relatively overpriced as compared to other 2.0 vehicles.

  just casually wondering..
  
  how many cars can u come up with... in the 2.0l class... that costs less than 90k?
• bear_bear_sg

  21 Jul 05, 13:47

  Well... off hand... from my prior research...
  
  Ford Mondeo, Mazda6, Hyundai Sonata... Not sure about all their specs as they keep pretty lousy and minimal information on their websites.... And the problem is that while their websites in the US offer pretty comprehensive info, they are all US specs... which are not offered here in Singapore.
  
  Anymore models that anyone can add?
• nOrmalbOi

  21 Jul 05, 13:50

  well then maybe the mondeo then.. it would prolly be decently specced as its nearing the end of its model life.. not sure abt NVH tho
• nOrmalbOi

  21 Jul 05, 13:54

  u might also wanna try to get the is200... old model.. new model coming out very soon..
  
  so if they still have stock.. u might get lotsa stuff thrown in.. for a price that might just be within ur budget.. worth a try
• bear_bear_sg

  21 Jul 05, 14:11

  Sorry... what is "is200"? Have not come across this before...
• nOrmalbOi

  21 Jul 05, 14:12

  lexus....
• AF1

  21 Jul 05, 18:38

  Don't bother trying the IS if the Camry's price is already an issue. The last price I got from the IS was 108k. You might want to consider the Subaru Legacy 2.0 but not the GT version. I'd say the Mondeo would be a good choice if you are looking at the above 80k but below 90k category of cars.
• AF1

  21 Jul 05, 18:41

  repeated post
• AF1

  21 Jul 05, 18:41

  repeated post
• AF1

  21 Jul 05, 18:42

  repeated post
• Theatre Of Dreams

  21 Jul 05, 18:47

  Originally posted by bear_bear_sg:

  Driving a Mazda 323 Protege now.
  
  But does Camry 2.0l have cruise control? No mention of it in website. Had thought about it before but not sure if it is value-for-money due to relative high price.

  yes camry does have cruise control
• bear_bear_sg

  21 Jul 05, 19:01

  Yes... Lexus is out of budget.... too flashy for me! Didnt know that the Mondeo is nearing product end... thought it is new! (In the US, thought it is called the "Five Hundred")...
  
  Any other options? Which one of the options would be best based on the criteria? Any other choices?
• w2k_83

  21 Jul 05, 19:06

  U can opt for a Subaru Legacy, its 80+k now... Closer to 90k maybe an Accord?
• AF1

  21 Jul 05, 19:16

  Originally posted by bear_bear_sg:

  Yes... Lexus is out of budget.... too flashy for me! Didnt know that the Mondeo is nearing product end... thought it is new! (In the US, thought it is called the "Five Hundred")...
  
  Any other options? Which one of the options would be best based on the criteria? Any other choices?

  Yea the mondeo and the 500 are quite similar in terms of design. However, the 500 is a totally different car as compared to the mondeo. Size wise, the 500 is much bigger. The 500 is quite similar in terms of size to the Chrysler 300 which is quite popular in the states.
• AF1

  21 Jul 05, 19:19

  Originally posted by bear_bear_sg:

  Yes... Lexus is out of budget.... too flashy for me! Didnt know that the Mondeo is nearing product end... thought it is new! (In the US, thought it is called the "Five Hundred")...
  
  Any other options? Which one of the options would be best based on the criteria? Any other choices?

  Yea the 500 and the mondeo share quite a similar design. However, the 500 and mondeo are totally different cars. 500 being a larger car and targetted at the american market. The 500 is quite similar in terms of size to the Chrysler 300 which is very popular in the states.
• bear_bear_sg

  21 Jul 05, 19:20

  Well... Camry, Accord can be considered... again, not sure if it is worth the extra 10k in price....
  
  Though affordable, I would be constantly wondering why I'm paying the extra 10k for... which is why I had considered the 90k Camry to be high priced.
  
  Aiming for best value for the buck...