Midsizers of the 90's!

[2o6]

Let's say it's 1997. From a logical standpoint, which midsizer would you end up buying? Would you save money and get a Hyundai or Kia? Would you buy a tried and true 1997 model? Or would you buy the latest gen 1998 model? (I'm including the 96' Camry, even though it's a little old)


Choose!

























That'd better be all. Let me know If I've missed something.

[2o6]

CRAP. I wasn't done posting them all.

[CALL_911]

I'd be torn between a Legacy 2.5GT and a Passat 1.8T.

[TBR]

'98 Passat.  No question.

[2o6]

Don't Vote Yet! Not done with the choices!

[the Teuton]

I'd be torn between a Legacy 2.5GT and a Passat 1.8T.

The Legacy is a lovely car, but it really is a compact. I'm not sure what I'm going to vote for.

[2o6]

Now you can vote.

[the Teuton]

iVoted...

...and it wasn't for the Legacy, as much as I like that car.

[2o6]

iVoted...

...and it wasn't for the Legacy, as much as I like that car.

Maxima, eh?

[CALL_911]

Wow, the 97+ Camry doesn't look bad in that picture.

[CALL_911]

Passat it is.

[the Teuton]

Maxima, eh?

That car was just right in every way.

[2o6]

Wow, the 97+ Camry doesn't look bad in that picture.

I think that gen of Camry is actually attractive.



And surprisingly, the Leganza looks good. 

[the Teuton]

The Daewoo was designed by a bunch of Italians. It ought to look good.

[ifcar]

Daewoo didn't come to the US until 1999.


In 1997 I'd have picked the Malibu, because I wouldn't have known yet that it would turn out to be a reliability nightmare.

[2o6]

Daewoo didn't come to the US until 1999.


In 1997 I'd have picked the Malibu, because I wouldn't have known yet that it would turn out to be a reliability nightmare.

It didn't?


Oops.

[the Teuton]

Daewoo didn't come to the US until 1999.


In 1997 I'd have picked the Malibu, because I wouldn't have known yet that it would turn out to be a reliability nightmare.

That car cemented Motor Trend's terrible place in the bowels of COTR history.

It's good they've improved since then.

[TBR]

I think that gen of Camry is actually attractive.



And surprisingly, the Leganza looks good. 

I always liked that generation of the Camry. Plus it was available with a V6 and 5MT. Still, the Passat was a really great car and didn't seem to have all the reliability problems of the previous car (which I actually prefer in some ways).

[ifcar]

That car cemented Motor Trend's terrible place in the bowels of COTR history.

It's gotten they've improved since then.

It wasn't their fault. The Malibu was a breakthrough car for GM, until it broke.

[Onslaught]

If the Maxima and Altima can be on the list then I'd take a Mazda Millenia S. It cost about the same as a Maxima.

[2o6]

It wasn't their fault. The Malibu was a breakthrough car for GM, until it broke.

Then vote for it.

If the Maxima and Altima can be on the list then I'd take a Mazda Millenia S. It cost about the same as a Maxima.

I'll add it.

[the Teuton]

It wasn't their fault. The Malibu was a breakthrough car for GM, until it broke.

The Malibu is an odd one.

The first one was a remarkably competitive product that unfortunately had lousy reliability and large fleet sales.

The second was a competent product that was boring, in and out, and had non-competitive engines.

The third...is overall a pretty good car that's pretty forgettable.

I almost feel bad for GM.

[ifcar]

"The second was a competent product that was boring, in and out, and had non-competitive engines."

The 3.5-liter V6 in the 2004 Malibu got the same gas mileage as a 2004 4-cylinder Camry while outrunning a 3.0-liter Camry. The engine wasn't the quietest, but non-competitive it was not.

[2o6]

The Malibu is an odd one.

The first one was a remarkably competitive product that unfortunately had lousy reliability and large fleet sales.

The second was a competent product that was boring, in and out, and had non-competitive engines.

The third...is overall a pretty good car that's pretty forgettable.

I almost feel bad for GM.

Forgettable? This car is putting GM back on the map. It has it's shortcomings, but people do like it.

[Cookie Monster]

I voted '98+ Accord. EX 5MT for me, please.

2nd choice would be the Maxima.

[sportyaccordy]

Maxima for sure, just for the engine alone. The 5 speed is rubbery and the clutch has the throw of one in a UPS truck, but even my dad, a total non car guy, gushed about the engine after every road trip he took it on. In SE/GLE form it's pretty luxurious, and it is roomy as hell too. Plus IMO it has a very attractive dash, especially in black. Most of the other cars on the list (besides the Passat) have pretty ugly interiors.

[Tave]

Man this thread is depressing. I don't want any of them, but if I was forced to chose, either the late Accord, the Maxima, or a Grand Prix GTP coupe.

[Payman]

Toss up betwixt Maxima and Passat... I voted Maxima.

[Cookie Monster]

Man this thread is depressing. I don't want any of them, but if I was forced to chose, either the late Accord, the Maxima, or a Grand Prix GTP coupe.

What would you get now?

[The Pirate]

Maxima (in SE 5-speed guise) for me, please.  I do really like the B5 Passat, but have heard some less than nice things from VW service advisers.

Second choice would probably be a Mazda Millenia.  It was such a gorgeous car.