The new Camry 2012 isnt impressive at all according to one Taiwanese review.
Or maybe really its the Japs that aren't impressive at all these days.

I reckon the Mondeo should have less "known" issues compared to the 508.
Being so popular with the Brits, even has been nicked "Mondeo Man" to represent the "Toyota Man" of the asians.

What is really worrying for the Mondeo is their parts pricing and also SC, which could be just a tad worse than Peugeot? But if the problems are really also relatively lesser than 508, I could bear with it.

Somehow looks of the 508 just doesn't click with me. The 308 looks more coherent, but the 508... Also, Peugeots designs doesn't really "last" to my eyes.

I havn't test driven the 508 yet, but the Mondeo has REALLY impressed me. I feel that it is actually a softly sprung car, but with firm dampers. The steering is very crisp and responds very keenly with a small nudge of the steering. Perhaps I'm leaning more towards the driving edge. I also find it very hard for any other car to beat the Mondeo on comfort overall (ie potholes and spirited driving). The composure feels better than the Golf TSi I tested, though just a bit less nimble.

For those who have noticed, the Mondeo also has "all round" quality dash, the soft touch extends to below the transmission tunnel, something many manufacturers omit (cost cutting?). Stereo is the weakest part of dash, but there are good aftermarket replacements. Sound staging and mid-bass was also surprisingly good with the 8 speakers!

Yeah, the design of the rear end of Mondeo is mediocre, but I can live with it. Somehow the 508 design looks old to me... flamboyant but old.


For those pondering with Citroens, please please please just read up on forums first. If and ONLY IF you can bear with the issues and running costs, don't go the Citroen route. I absolutely swears by the absolutely stunning interior of new C4, it is relatively cheap at RM125K OTR CBU, but the notorious history of maintenance entirely changed my mindset. Gearbox issues are so common, my neighbour even had to change the whole gearbox on his previous gen C4.

My 2 cents.

Only problem is BMW/Audi/Merc doesnt want to tarnish their image, and only produce high spec cars.

If they come out with a basic 1.6 with normal spec car below 100K, imagine...

Hi, mind to share based on what you rate them such?

Reliability... I thought Ford has been such a reliable car in Europe.
Also Mondeo been in the market since like what... 07 or 08?

Perhaps after sales support wise, I agree with your ratings.

Just went to check out the interior of 508 in detail this time.
Design wise is great, centre tunnel is very upmarket.

However, the dashboard and door panel color looks a bit cheapish, grey.
It would've looked classy in deep black.
Also have to live with a lack of cubby holes, or should I say lack of useable ones
Front cupholders also.....

All in all, it wasnt a really memorable experience for me.
The Passat has more substance.
The Mondeo has more quality material bar the centre console.
The 508 has more features and style, both in front and elsewhere throughout the car, but the color theme and some plastics are so so.

And I thought all Peugeots should come with their signature panoramic moonroof? Could be for the better, can save some cost. I absolutely love the integrated window shades.

Taiwan already have specs of the Camry 2012.
If not mistaken, I don't see anywhere stating 10 airbags.
Not even 7 airbags if not mistaken.

2.5 DVVTI is so... yesteryear...

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Added on December 31, 2011, 6:18 pmI tested the Mondeo twice recently.
First test was with wife and daughter, did not turn on sports mode

At reasonably fast pace, the car was utterly stable, while being so... waftable as some put it. Potholes and humps were taken with superb poise.
Also, the steering had lots of feel and feedback, with rather immediate direction input. Not to mention a quick steering too.

On my second testing, I was trying to "play play".
Sports mode on, throttle response was much sharper and faster turbo spool up, I'd say turbo kick was earlier than Golf TSi which I also tested recently.
It also rev higher up the rpm meter, and all these while, feeling very composed inside.

The manual shifting was a bit odd, push forward (up) for downshift, push backwards (down) for upshift.
At 7.9 seconds dash, probably faster to let the electronics to handle the shifting? At least till I get familiarized first...

But the most impressive feat was how it handled our bad roads.
I tested it at the federal highway showroom, and the industrial roads were bad.
The comfort of the car is much better than my Estima 3.5

This post has been edited by teewan: Dec 31 2011, 06:18 PM

1. Mondeo power corrupts absolutely
2. Mondeo or Passat, with Mondeo having a more sporty handling
3. Not sure, all are competent
4. Not Mondeo, probably Passat

This post has been edited by teewan: Dec 31 2011, 07:18 PM

I didn't test drive the Passat before.
The price and also rear design + overall design was a put off for me.

One review I read had high praise for the Passat in terms of good handling, but mentioned it was a bit numb to drive.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/gr...gen_passat.html
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstD...-160-SE/259305/

Argh, this thread not meant for K5 lah bro...

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Added on January 2, 2012, 1:52 amFor those comparing the Passat and Mondeo, this clip has some insight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR6Bb5WsaME&feature=fvwrel

This post has been edited by teewan: Jan 2 2012, 01:52 AM

The sport mode is activated via the gearbox.
The "neutral" position for activating the manual gear selection, ie in between the + and -
Once slotted there, the dash displays "S".
If you want to further play with the gears, just push up or down.

But it must be reminded that even though a car is turbo-charged, it doesn't mean it will be fuel efficient!

I think the torque curve will tell you a lot about fuel efficiency.

Even then, ask around and you will be shocked that a Mitsu Evo 2.0 turbo consumption is about the same as a Toyota 3.5 NA in normal driving.

The most efficient currently is still a turbo charged direct injection diesel I think.

Please don't test drive the Mondeo...

Coz everything else will be like... no syiok liao

For me, might wait for the new Mondeo, perhaps late 2013.
Or maybe the new Focus rumoured to be released this year.
But the new Focus has already been scrutinized to be less of a handler than the current one.

Hi, there is rumor of Ford bringing in the Mondeo with Volvo S60 T5 bashing variant featuring 240ps and 340nm (rough ballpark figures, since I heard from conversation). I'm gonna go check out the showroom...

This sounds like specs similar to the Mondeo Titanium X.
Priced around RM190K+, it'd better be upgraded specs as well, and not just higher engine tune.
If equipped like the Titanium X, it will come with integrated spoiler, GPS, higher engine tune, heated seats (probably removed), alcantara.

But here comes my crucial question again: is Ford Malaysia trying to capitalize on a soon-to-be-obsolete model, and pocketing the profits by buying cheaper models which sales would have plummeted overseas, and charging us the full price? New Mondeo/Fusion will be introduced maybe end 2013 or 2014 in right-hand-drive. Or Ford Malaysia may go a whole year or two late, and only bring them in 2015?

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Added on March 11, 2012, 5:13 pmHi, I have confirmed the arrival of the new variant of Mondeo, at the port it seems.

Ford Malaysia's marketing team is still working on the launch (perhaps also working out how to maximise profits )

This post has been edited by teewan: Mar 11 2012, 05:13 PM