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Comments
How true. I remember all the "you bought a Hyundai?!?" comments I received from co-workers when I got an Elantra more than 3.5 years ago. Frankly, it was a little embarrassing to admit that I drove a Hyundai. The stigma of poor reliability and shoddy workmanship was definitely dogging the company back in late 2001.
After I test drove the 2006 Sonata I was absolutely floored at how far Hyundai has come with regards to quality and vehicle dynamics. It really does put my Elantra to shame, and my Elantra is not a bad car!
I put faith in Hyundai several years ago, and they have rewarded that faith with persistent determination to build a better car. With the 2006 Sonata, they have succeeded in more ways than I can imagine.
I guess you could call me a Hyundai loyalist.
Did you know that in the Korean version of the Sonata the compartment below the climate control is replaced by a 6-disc CD changer when you get the navigation system? At least that is what it looks like on the Hyundai Korean website. :confuse:
A friend has an '04 Merc. Mountaineer which was back to the Merc/Hyundai dealer AGAIN due to a "clunky" tranny. I drove him down today to pick up his car and saw an '06 Sonata GL ( 4cyl/ stick shift & white). First time I saw the new model in person. But, personally, I like the styling of the '05 better. The '06 has more features and seems like a terrific car. The one I saw had MSRP of about $18,600 incl destination.
Both model years look good. I just prefer the look of the '05. Maybe it's like the look of the '57 vs '58 Chevy. Go ahead '06 guys, beat me up
Those two people who have written comments about it, which CD are u talking about, because i like to read it.
It's the August edition. Just got my copy today and it's titled "Korea's neighbors to the east had better start paying attention" by the C&D editor in chief, Csaba Csere. I just love that piece!
Looks like I hit a salesperson's nerve?...Ouch! Anyhow I was just stating an effective way to get the best price on a new 2006 Sonata. To save him having to settle what I consider inferior cars for the money. Did I drive hundreds of miles to pick up my car? Answer NO. Did I reasearch the best offers out there within 200 miles... YOU BET! Luckily I live near a VERY competitive marketplace...LA!
Its just common sense to treat all three areas as complete and seperate issues and to get the best deal... after all it is the same car anywhere. I didn't take the lowest offer which was $500 below invoice so I could use a more local dealer to help my areas economy.
Point being.. by using the internet and e-mail to my full advantage in a relatively short time I was able to negotiate a fair and equitable price from the comfort of my own home... you know and I know that later on the deal I got will be commonplace after they kick in rebates! It takes two to make a deal, I didn't "force' anyone to do anything they weren't prepared to do! Use common sense... the dealer/salesman still either made a profit or got a spiff because of my purchase otherwise they would not have done it! BTW I paid their $500 bogus advertising fee so there is part of their profit right there. Plus they get great PR from me everywhere I go! How valuable is a satisfied customer... you should know better being in sales yourself. Don't sweat the ones who get the great deals I'm sure their are lots who pay MSRP or above to balance us out.
If I had not been able to secure a deal I would have waited for the rebates but there is no harm or foul for a consumer trying to get the best deal they can to help counter balance the depriciation as soon as you drive off the lot. The internet is here to stay get so used to it and use it to YOUR avantage.
Another example of the power of the internet... I was interested in the Prius. First few offers were "waiting list at least 6 months at MSRP". After a few rounds of e-mail guess what! Magically a loaded Prius showed up in my county at $1000 off MSPR! What a coinky-dinky! That car was still too much even with the $1000 discount (28K OTD). So yes sales people lie... come on from waiting list to here's a $1000 discount. Come on.
Crystal... THEY DID! Figure that one out.
I am a first time Hyudai owner... more fire power for next time. Have a nice evening.
2. Should there be "speed sensitive" automatic door locks? This is where the car locks itself as you drive at speed. My car doesn't seem to do it. The owner manual states "if installed"... since I got a loaded LX (top of the line) shouldn't it be included?
3. What exactly is the MPG reading on the trip computer? Is it an instant reading or an average over the period since reset?
Thanks.
Leading up to the fill up...
The gas light came on with the range at about 35 miles
When the range got under 30 only flashing dotted lines showed up (----)
I started to freak a bit thinking run out was immenent. I drove about another 5 minutes before I made it to my favorite station.
Like I said before the car took 15.7 gallons or 2 less gallons than it's rated tank capacity of 17.7 gallons.
The lesson... the trip computer is pretty accurate! There is probably an extra safety margin built in (one gallon?). When it starts flashing at below 30 miles you have a little over two gallons left as in my experience.
I'll let you know the real MPG after the next tankfull.
FYI..my salesman said the real break in "no no" is exceeding 4000 RPM NOT going over 55 MPH. When you think of it that makes sense. He said The Hyundai techs reinforced that when they were testing them out at the track.
Though of course driving forward, it will still feel like a front drive car, i think this feature will make this car that much more pleasent to drive and own.
This feature i think could pry alot more customers away, and not sure what honda nor toyota can do to match it , since its patented.
Some planned late additions and rumors additions
Active geometry suspension
Navigation System
Front nose styling and side and back panels all metal strips(think previous Jetta, final revision)
Two or three new colors(Red, silver orange)
Like i have stated i'm 90 percent sold to buy this car, and is waiting for the Active geometry suspension to be the kicker. 10 percent not to buy to see how good the revised accord and camry will be(has to be 2000 dollars worth better) and elantra too(interior almost same size as former sonata rumor korean site)
1. pumps are tested for accuracy at 6 gallons. Accuracy on amounts that aren't a multiple of 6 will vary.
2. some pumps are very inaccurate or out of spec.
3 the rated tank capacity does not include any volume in the fill tube. that tube can hold at least another gallon.
To get an accurate idea of the mileage you are gettting, fill at the same station, the same pump and stop at the first cutoff. Do this a couple of tank fulls. Thats about the best you are gonna do.
At least thats how I consider.
My wife and I love car shopping, and I think thats one god's gift to me,
as I am a automotive enthuasist. I love switching cars.
I'll be honest, I am a "on-budget" car shopper. I can't just go buy
and try out different mercedes and bmws, but I am financially stable
enough to trade in relatively low-cost cars every few months.
So far, me and my wife had alot of Acura/Hondas(I like honda alot).
-Includes 2002 Honda Accord EX V6 Coupe
-2001 Honda Prelude Coupe
-1998 Honda Accord LX Inline 4 Sedan
-1995 Acura Integra GS Sedan
-1995 Honda Odyssey
We also have owned 99 Toyota Camry, 03 toyota Camry, 97 Nissan pathfinder, 93 Eagle talon ESi, 90 Ford Taurus and few others that we don't even care to mention.
Me and my wife currently own the new accord sedan(I4, 7th generation I believe),
and I currently own the new sonata(been 2 weeks now).
What first comes up into your mind when you think of a name "Hyundai"?
Such words as "not fast", "cheap car", "breaks down", "ugly" etc comes up.
It still does in my mind. Until a month ago, I was just like you.
I didn't even consider hyundai as an option when I shop for a car.
However, when I saw the new sonata commercial at movie theater,
I was very impressed with the design. I thought, hey, I should give it a look.
Me and my wife, we fell in LOVE with the way it looks. Even before that,
when we were about to arrive at the hyundai dealership, we saw a silver one
passing by. Boy, that was one luxury, yet classy, but still modern body-lined
sedan that I was craving for.
So we test drove one.
Salesman give me the key, I get close to the car. I see the paintjob, and I
feel it with my hand. Very nicely done. Impressive.
Precise and generous feel when you open the door. Impressive.
Comfortable seat, and relatively fit-free for 6"3 guy like me. Impressive.
Beautifully done interior, controls, and layouts.
something you don't expect from hyundai all the times. Impressive.
Dead quiet start when you turn the ignition on. Impressive.
I put it in reverse, time to drive it out of the dealership and test it.
side views are good, rear view is clear. Nicely positioned elements. Impressive.
I take a quick right, give it a slight gas while taking the turn to see how it handles.
stock tires grips pretty well, and steering is tight. Car noses-in pretty steady w/o
too much understeer unlike usual FWD boring family sedans. Body roll is minimal. Impressive.
Road noise is quiet, suspension keeps the ride firm and steady. Impressive.
I get out of the car, me and my wife gave each other a look and we immediately
began signing paper works.
2 weeks later now, I absoutely have ZERO complaints. One complaint though,
my wife keep telling me to drive the accord sedan and let her drive the sonata.
but thats happy-worry we have right now. I am so impressed with hyundai,
and I don't know what to do. Me and my wife even said this could be one car
we might actually drive it for awhile.
Those worrying about reliability and having lemon, that happens with ANY brand.
Hondas are known for reliability, but they have there own issues. ALOT too.
Any brand makes mistakes, and no one is perfect. No car is perfect.
Knowing hyundai is backing up my sonata for 10 years, I feel safe anyway.
This sonata running/looking like a charm, hyundai will be a STRONG
contender everytime I shop for a new car from now on. Two thumbs up for hyundai.
Anyway, here's what he had to say with respect to the Active Geometry Control System. (I had inquired as to the black leather interior I had seen of a Korean Hyundai, AGCS, and 'solar glass'.) Here's his complete answer:
"If we do offer the black interior, it will be for the 2007 model year; it's not our usual practice to introduce major running changes like that in the middle of the model year. It's not that it can't happen, but it typically doesn't.
As far as the Active Geometry Control Suspension, yes, that is indeed offered on Korean-spec cars, but not here. Why? Quite frankly, we were so pleased with the standard suspension's handling that we could not see any perceived consumer benefit in offering AGCS. The standard suspension is excellent, offering great ride and handling characteristics - and AGCS would simply add cost without any real perceptible benefit. Have you test driven a new Sonata yet? I think you'll be really impressed by the car's responsive handling and in particular its very accurate steering. We definitely don't see a need for AGCS given the standard suspension's impressive performance.
You also asked what solar control glass is. That is basically a heat-reflecting glass that helps keep the interior cooler. Such glass has been very common in buildings in the Sunbelt, and it has recently starting making its way into mainstream cars and trucks. It's standard in all V6 models.
Hope I've answered your questions! If you haven't driven one already, I encourage you to do so. Have a great day!"
So, there you have it.
When I've checked the tires against the Michelin website, the tires aren't even commericially available! (It says the standard 16 in tire on the Sonata is no longer manufactured.)
According to Michelin, they have a tire that's a 9 and 10 in every category. Is that the 17 in standard Sonata tire?
Or, is is common practice that cars come with lousy original tires and then you have to switch them out a few years later for sweet tires?
1. The button for the air quality sensor allows you to turn the sensor on or off. If the button is lit, then the air quality sensor will automatically switch to recirculation mode when it detects "bad" air, and then switch back to normal mode when "good" air is detected. If the button is not lit, then the air quality sensor is disabled. You breathe what comes through the vents regardless if it is good or bad. :P Don't know why Hyundai gives you the option of disabling the AQS. Maybe the button's only purpose is to allow you to use fresh air only regardless of the air quality if that's what you want/need to do.
2. This may be a feature for foreign market Sonatas only. There are several features other countries can get that the North American market does not, reverse backup sensors being one of those options I can think of off the top of my head.
3. If the trip computer is anything like the one I have in my Elantra GT, then the MPG reading is an average over the period since reset. If you reset it you'll see the numbers change wildly at first, then slowly settle down. I remember going for the longest time without resetting the MPG reading and it came to a point where it never moved up or down. I now reset it after every fill up.
Hope that helps!
Does anyone know if this feature will be added?
Also, please be sure to check your entire car. I test drove a LX sonata with sunroof and upon inspection of the car I noticed that the stereo system was not upgraded but was the base radio with steering wheel controls. When you get the LX Sonata with sunroof the upgraded stereo is an included feature and it should be a 6 disc changer with sub.
MSRP 18,795
Price Reduction - $1,400
Active Military Rebate- $ 500
College Grad Rebate- $ 400
Owner Loyalty Rebate- $ 500
"Finance for $ 15,995"
Looks like one of these deals where you can only put 5% down and pay 9.9% interest, although you can pay the whole thing off with no penalities if you have the available funds.
http://info.detnews.com/autosconsumer/autoreviews/index.cfm?id=19850
Hyundai as well would have never made such add on , if it didn't enhance the car in any way, how would that make any sense business wise. In my educated guess it will make the car a better handler and give it a better ability for a higher speed 90 degrees turn
BUT i agree with him that passively he is saying, in most cases a family buyer won't care about that feature compare to other things, and that the current suspension system is as good as any mid size car out there.
Lastly it will be out later this year, as mentioned on the websites etc. Otherwise that be called false advertisement. I'm being defensive about it because i would love to get that add on, even though if it didn't come out for reals i would still get the car. And that i know how salesman talk and they are full of bsing
So...while I would certainly be skeptical of a dealer saying this stuff, if indeed choe13 was speaking to the Hyunda USA guy, then he can probably be believed.
Most parts of the V6 are sourced here.
Take a look this supplier map.
http://www.hmmausa.com/popup.cfm?id=61
A/C, engine, fuel pipes, glasses, muffler, headlamps, etc. all come from the U.S. factories.
It's programmable, but can be done only with the dealer scan tool.
More info in TSB No. 05-90-006 on www.hmaservice.com
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/how_tested.shtml
Good Luck to you all who bought 2006 Sonata. I wish I could have bought it. I have a Ford olide and decided to invest in a small property rather than buying a new car, when i pay off the property in six months, I might decide to look at the 2007 Sonata
Regards,
Dave
Whoa, look out! Each new generation of cars coming from Hyundai is a major step better than the last one. This Sonata is a pleasure to drive, with a willing and flexible V-6 that does not need a ton of downshifting, spins the wheels at launch, and runs to 60 mph in 7.00 seconds. That's quicker than a Jag X-type 3.0 or a Mercedes C230 Kompressor. Not bad company. Better yet, the Sonata rides comfortably and steers accurately, even at loony speeds in the mountains, where only the all-season tires and the comfy shock valving smear quick left-right transitions. I think the car's design and finish are good too. This for 23 grand. I repeat. Look out.
Some instrumented stats.:
Interior Sound Level
Idle ..........................................38 dBA
Full throttle acceleration ............74 dBA
70-mph cruising.........................67 dBA
Handling
Roadholding 300-ft-dia skidpad.....0.79 g, which is higher than most competitors.
BTW can anyone access that site? I tried to sign up but haven't received a confirmation e-mail yet.
the hancok tires usually only last about 8k to 10k miles
First the sonatas --- I tested a GL (obviously 4 cyl) 2006 sonata today for about 20 miles. It was peppy but the engine was noticeably loud. Brakes worked great. stereo wasn't bad. Wind noise wasn't too bad but with the michelin MXV4's, there was road noise. Manual seats were okay once you got set. AC was powerful. there wasn't any engine vibration through the steering wheel. I like the view in front and rear in this car. It feels sporty. Nice engine layout, easy to get to oil canister (has a instert, not a spin-on like most cars do but it's easy to access). The oil plug is a little far back on the back side of the oil pan. Most likely will have to raise vehicle or drive on ramps (the 1994-1996 and 1997-2001 versions you have great access to the oil filter on the engine top side and the drain plug has easy access, you don't have to raise the vehicle to do this. The 2004 accords I have to drive on ramps to access the oil filter on the upper back side of the engine - sucks). Anyway, not a bad car. It ran at about 2500 RPM's at 70MPH and when I compare to the camry, I seriously doubt the 4 cyl sonata will achieve 33 MPG on the highway. MSRP was 19500. The car has a donut spare (that sucks).
Finally test drove a GLS-V6. It was quieter, a good bit faster as expected with 235 HP vs. 162 HP. Very nice but the engine compartment is jammed packed and it will get less MPG than the 4 cyl (okay, I stated the obvious). I like to work on my own cars for minor things and the 6 is 10 lbs of poop in a 5 lb bag. I won't get the 6 cyl but it was really nice. Those who don't do their own maintance or care about less MPG, then that's the better choice. MSRP was 22,500
The camry was a 2005 LE for MSRP 20,800. It was a lot quieter (both wind and road noise but it had bridgestone tires vs. the michelins on the accord and sonata) than the sonata 4 cyl and still better than the 6 cyl sonata. Beats the accord in that catagory also. The brakes being only front disc, sucked really bad. The car was a tad smooter over bumps then either sonata but the 6 cyl came pretty close to the camry there. The radio sucked eggs in the camry. The view in front was tight vs. the sonata (I like the sonata way better in this). the view out the back was obstructed some with the middle head restraint in the camry. The engine was quieter on acceleration vs. the 4 cyl sonata and I believe comparable to the V6 sonata. The power seat in the camry was nice. The AC sucked in the camry. The steering wheel vibrated some which is a problem with camry's. They have soft rubber motor mounts to dampen the vibration but when they go, they go. I had problems with this with both of my 1994 camrys at 6 years of age and 120K miles. The camry has a full spare which is nice. The camry had a 2100 RPM at 70MPH which I know will get the 33-35 MPG on the highway.
On price, the camry guy said the 20,800 MSRP could be had for 17500 in a heartbeat (before taxes and tag stuff for an extra 650 in SC). Not bad but the brakes and driver's view really bothers me. My wife hates the camry due to the boring dash and stereo and no wood grain trim (I hate wood grain trim).
On the sonata pricing, the GL at 19500 MSRP was offered to me at 19200. I said some dealers are offering the same price but some were going at 200 over invoice (18000 invoice for this car). I WONT pay 19200 for a sonata period. At that point, I lost all interest and just walked out of the showroom.
He said that the LX's are going at 250 below MSRP and no lower. Fine. Don't want a 6 cyl sonata.
I thought about this more at home. I can get a camry with the side air bags, JBL stereo, 4 wheel disc brakes, wood trim (an SE or XLE version) and sunroof and with the discount of about 3500-3800, I can get it for 19200. And I wouldn't have to worry about it breaking down.
All in all, I believe the sonata GL or GLS has a very slight edge over the camry (and accord since we own an EX-L 4 cyl 2004). That is only at a hundred or two over invoice, not 1200 over invoice. So, I guess I'll have to wait for the fall for rebates and interest incentives to entice me back on the lot. Hyundai says they're selling strong but every time I've been to my dealer, there might be one or two people talking but at the toyota place, there are at least 1/2 dozen or more looking or talking to buy.
Sorry Hyundai. You're going to have to drop the price to interest some people. That's my 2 cents.
As we pull out, the car fuel light goes on, so the salesman puts in two gallons.
On the highway, it's kind of loud. My buddies in the back seat say, "It's really loud." This at 52 mph, 60 mph, 65 mph, 70 mph. THEN...we cross the county line (from Snohomish County to King County, on I-5 [Seattle area]) onto the rough King County I-5 roads (snow tire damage). TOO LOUD!
My buddies keep hearing a 'thumping' sound. I feel like I'm in an uncomfortable echo chamber. I thought this was supposed to be a really quiet car!
Apart from my buddies reporting the rear floor carpet could be moved by one's heal, and the LOUD NOISE (too loud, one buddy said), they thought it was good. They LOVED the rear seat room.
The salesman suggested the LX would be quieter because of more sound dampening. The internet salesman disputed that later. (I've not heard of this. Is it true?!?!?)
I'm really disappointed by the road noise. Not just road noise, but wind noise, too.
Also, the local FM public radio staion had interference. Lousy radio!!!
I was really psyched out about this car. But, because of the road noise, I may have been psyched out.
Again-- bring me that beautiful photo-chopped Sonata wagon at the same price as the Maxx and I'd be in that camp big time.