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Hyundai Sonata Owners Meet the Members

13

Comments

  • deck99deck99 Member Posts: 5
    My name is Ed. I own a 2003 Elantra GLS and now a 2006 Sonata LX. If the new Sonata is as goodas the Elantra, then I am a happy Camper.
  • deck99deck99 Member Posts: 5
    The LX with the leather seats. the seats are hard. and my wife says she doesn't have enough thigh support. I unbolted the psgr seat and put washers under the front seat bolts and changed the pitch of the seat, it did help some. why not a power psgr seat too. this is the only gripe I have. I added a spoiler to the rear and it looks really classy! I love the car, quiet, roomy. Going on a 6000 mile trip. will let you know how it turns out....MPG..etc!
  • bperricobperrico Member Posts: 13
    Don't know if you have solved your engine light problem but what I do is just disconnect the neg. terminal of the battery for about 1 min and they reconnect.you will however need to reset the clock and radio stations but is a lot cheaper than buying equipment or wasting time at a dealer.
  • mbarrowmbarrow Member Posts: 1
    I recently purchased a 2006 v6 Sonata Steel Gray. I love this car! I was not sure at first and I reviewed several other options in the same class as the Sonata(Accord,Camary, etc). I am very pleased with my purchase.

    I was wondering if someone could tell me what fuel seems to be the best to use with the 2006 v6 Sonata?

    Also, what about when operating the back window defroster and listening to the radio. When I have my radio on and then activate the rear window defroster, my station receives lots of static and becomes very unbearable to listen to. Is this common?

    I love my car, but lots of people around here are saying that I did not make the right choice because Hyundai is not a goog brand and that they have poor resale value. Nonetheless, this car is no where in comparison to my previous car (1996 Mercury Tracer)so that is why I am so happy to have this car. :D
  • bhmr59bhmr59 Member Posts: 1,601
    Hyundai recommends 87 octane ("regular") fuel. Can't help you about the radio static/rear window, my Sonata is an '05. I've had it just over a year and everything has been great.

    Pay no attention to those who trash your choice unless they have had a bad ownership experience or have at least driven a Sonata a few hundred miles under different driving conditions. What a co-worker's, brother's, neighbor's former barber has to say about the Hyundai he bought 15 years years ago wouldn't concern me one bit.

    My '05 is light years ahead of the '91 Chrysler GTC convertible I replaced ...and it was a pretty good car for 14 years. The '06 Sonata, according to the 'experts" is a big improvement over the '05.

    Re: resale; in a few years we may find that those who bought an '06 Sonata were ahead of the curve.

    Continued good luck with your Sonata.
  • jo1831jo1831 Member Posts: 2
    Hi - Bought a 2000 second-hand Sonata last year. The engine started to vibrate a lot in 4th and 5th gears - seller (under warranty) said it was the spark plugs and replaced them at a cost. End of problem.
    Now, about 6 months later, under normal acceleration there are loud noises and a thumping under the accelerator pedal. Had a mechanic friend drive and he said it is only running on 5 cylinders and is backfiring in to the air ???? (sorry I'm not at all mechanically minded).
    So basically it is very unhappy to be driven and will be returning to the seller for work soon.
    My questions are: Do you think the two problems so far are related and what do you think the problem is?
    I'd like to have those answers when I take the car in. Just worried about a band-aid fix.

    This forum has to be the bet place to ask.
    Thank you,
    Jo.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Hi Jo. I moved your second message to the Problems & Solutions discussion. There may be people hanging out there who don't read this one. Here's a link to it: jo1831, "Hyundai Sonata: Problems & Solutions" #1122, 1 May 2006 8:17 pm.

    Good luck. Let us know how the service visit goes.
  • dieseljuicedieseljuice Member Posts: 3
    Hi,
    I just bought my first Hyundai. I never thought I would ever be saying that. It's the second new vehicle I have ever bought. The first was a 1984 GMC Sierra Classic 3500 Dually pickup, but I have been a Ford man most of my life, my last car was a 1996 Lincoln Towncar. My Hyundai is a 2006 Sonata GLS V6, Aquamarine, with grey cloth interior. I love it, and can't stop telling people about it. I bought it at High Point Chevrolet Hyundai. The salesman ( JP )worked for the dealership I bought my first new vehicle from. He gave me a great deal. I was going to go with the Ford Fusion, but they didn't want to talk price. My wife is the one that said lets check out Hyundai. We drove an Elantra, too small for us, then a 4 cyl Sonata GLS, it was ok, but the V6 was just right. We bought the car we drove. When people say, " Oh you bought a foreign car", I can still say, " NO my car is built in America, not Canada, or Mexico"
    Walt
  • randydawrandydaw Member Posts: 20
    Just got a great deal on a very good car. '06 Sonata LX (base LX w/o sunroof or premium sound) -- after discounts and rebates 17,200. I couldn't believe such a car could be had for the money.
    My wife bought a Kia Sorento 3 yrs ago and loves it, no problems, so we felt more confident about buying Korean (although the V6 engine and the final assembly are American on this car).
    I'm pretty sure I got lucky on the price, but the salesman(Freeman Hyundai, Irving, TX) claimed to be able to make similar deals for the immediate future.
    It drives out real nice... had a small blip with an engine light, but it's just a sensor and will be ok come Monday.
    If you're looking at a Camry or an Accord, pay the Corolla and Civic price instead and get a comparable car in a Sonata.
  • rhduke00rhduke00 Member Posts: 129
    Congratulations, you got a great deal. Will your local Hyundai dealer's service dept. be open on Memorial Day to fix your check engine light problem?
  • apeytonapeyton Member Posts: 1
    Bought an '06 Sonata GLS I4, automatic, white, and really do like this little car. We just returned from a 1800 mile road trip, and loved it. My wife has Lincoln Town Car, and wanted to take it on the trip, but I talked her out of it...........now she wants a Sonata. It's very quite, and is surprisingly quick for a 4-banger. It will get 34 mpg, at 70 mph cruising, with a good tail wind, and flat road. I highly recommend this car.
  • bjw1bjw1 Member Posts: 152
    hello, my name is brian and I am seriously thinking about buying a 2006 sonata, and would like owners experience with car, any problems. I heard the redesigned 06 sonata is pretty sharp looking, and much better than previous years. I am thinking about buying in august maybe as early as next month. please share your ownership experience, thanks brian.
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    Brian, you need to go drive the 06 Sonata! It's a revolutionary upgrade in quality, performance, features, and styling from the previous Sonata. It has a standard safety package second to none.

    I have the GLS V6, and we like it a lot. So far, it's been 100% reliable, and a hoot to drive. I think the 06 moved into the same class as the Accord and Camry for many thousands of dollars less.
  • tbear503tbear503 Member Posts: 70
    I own an '06 I-4 GL, recently found a spray wax called Eagle One Nanowax...It's the easiest wax to apply ever! Looks as good as the pastes that require muscle-man effort to use.

    FYI
  • dieseljuicedieseljuice Member Posts: 3
    We just bougt our second Sonata GLS V6. This one is for my wife. She picked a Silver/w grey cloth interior. She used to drive a 1993 Mercury Grand Marquis LS. This is her first Brand New car. The salesman couldn't belive it when I asked him to givew me another good deal on a Sonata.
  • eric39eric39 Member Posts: 15
    Hi

    My name is Eric and on Friday I bought an LX fully loaded. I bought Dark Cinnamon and it is a gorgeous color. I haven't had any suspension noises or creaking noises but since I always have the CD player blasting I can't hear them if they are there :D

    I have owned an '84 Plymouth Turismo :sick: a 1990 Plymouth Sundance which wasn't bad,a 1994 Eagle Talon, a 1996 Galant and a 1998 Altima. The Sonata is an awesome car to own. It looks great, sounds great, is comfortable and turns heads a lot.

    I would highly recommend this vehicle. I live in Baltimore and went to Antwerpen Hyundai and was treated extremely well. They didn't try to sell me any extra warranties or rush me into my decision.

    Thanks
    Eric
  • cajuncyclercajuncycler Member Posts: 172
    Hi, My name is Michael and I just purchased a 2006 Sonata GLSv6 in June of this year at Courtesy Hyundai in Lafayette, LA. I can't believe how much car I got for $17,000! The last new car I bought was an 83 Toyota Tercel that I drove till the wheels practically fell off. After that I got 2 hand me down vehicles that I liked but never loved. This is my very first with cruise control and automatic and I don't quite know how to act. I plan to keep this car for a lot of years and was immediately sold on two things about it, the V6 engine and the amount of aminities for the money. I got the silver blue with the tailwing spoiler on it. The trunk is enormous! So far I my only issue has been the arm rest. It needs to slide forward on all the models not just the LX. The padded rest is pretty useless where it now sits. I love the gray interior with the carbon fiber trim. I also prefer my cloth seats to any leather. My first choice for a new car was the Chrysler PT Cruiser. I test drove two models not nearly as equipped as the Sonata and both were priced well above. The cruiser only has 3 versions of a 4 cylinder engine. Once I test drove the Sonata I was sold. I think I am going to have no regrets on this purchase. :)
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    We can't use the Forums to exchange names of sales people - not even hints ...
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    Hey Michael, that's the same dealer that I got my Sonata from. They seem to be real nice folks. Do you live in LFT? I live in Eunice, and I'm starting to see a few 06 Sonata's here. Congratulations, and enjoy the car!
  • cajuncyclercajuncycler Member Posts: 172
    Yeah I live just about 2 miles from the dealer. They tried to give me the run around a little but after they tore up 3 contracts they finally agreed with my price which was the one they originally quoted me. Afterwards I was introduced to the the service and parts department and promised a free oil change when I bring it back in for it's first scheduled service. Over all they gave me less pressure than any dealer I have had to deal with before. I would recommend them again. I hope the service dept. is on the up and up. I plan to go in and have the door lock activation done when the service is done. They told me it wouldn't be a problem. I am curious to see if they do it for free or try to charge me. Stay in touch. I am really curious what other locals think about this car. It amazes me everytime I get in it.
  • bhmr59bhmr59 Member Posts: 1,601
    Tell the service department that you want all the standard equipment functional. You shouldn't have to pay extra for standard equipment to work. Would you expect to pay extra for the power windows or power steering to be functional?

    The car is shipped with the auto locks in a non-activated default so the buyer can select the speed at which he wants them to engage.

    Yes, activating the auto locks is not covered by the warranty. That's because there is nothing wrong with them. They just need to be activated as a part of the dealer prep.
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    Keep in mind that one option is to NOT activate the automatic power locks. That's the option I chose. The fewer cycles on the locking system, the longer things should last. If I felt I really needed them, I would have had them activated, of course.
  • miamixtmiamixt Member Posts: 600
    I would think the Cycles over a period of time would be about the same. Except at first, as with a Rental Car, you never know if you are locked, or unlocked. Let me guess, you live in a great area, and never lock your House at night ;)

    But I'm with you. I want to control the Horizontal. I want to control the Vertical. (Sorry "Outer Limits"!) I want to control my locks!
  • cajuncyclercajuncycler Member Posts: 172
    My wife has a Saturn Vue that locks automatically when the gearshift is engaged in Drive. She likes the feature which is a great protection against carjacking. I myself found the feature a bit annoying but my previous car had no power door locks at all on it. The day I test drove a Sonata, that car had the self locking doors and when I got mine the first thing my wife asked when she drove it was about that feature. It dawned on my that the test drive car had it and mine didn't, so I enquired. I still haven't decided whether or not I want it activated, was just curious.
  • oldvultureoldvulture Member Posts: 4
    Purchased a new (2006) Sonata LX on Thursday, July 6. Put 280 miles on it Sunday visiting granddaughter. Returned to dealer on Monday. Loud knocking sound in right front suspension and terrible AM (premium radio option) reception. My wife gave me as a gag a $10 Chinese made transistor radio several years ago and it has much better reception than the Hyundai's. Probably will last longer too. Not thrilled. Suspension was repaired but couldn't find what was wrong with the radio. The car will remain at the dealer until the radio is fixed while Hyundai pays for my rental car.

    Previous car was a 2000 Olds Intrigue purchased new. Thousands of dollars in warranty work and $1500+ out of my pocket in 62000 miles and things still weren't right. History repeats itself.
  • bhmr59bhmr59 Member Posts: 1,601
    Is your AM radio reception problem intermittent? I ask only because my prior car, a '91 Chrysler, and my '05 Sonata get crummy reception in certain locations every day. The problem is worse in the warm weather. Mostly this happens near certain traffic lights. There's another couple areas on my daily drive that "knock out" the AM reception. I guess my experience, with two cars, is caused by electro magnetic frequencies, or whatever it's called, emitted by some traffic lights and overhead power lines.

    I'm not a radio frequency expert, but suspect the problem has something to do with the electronic tuning.
  • oldvultureoldvulture Member Posts: 4
    Reception problem is not intermittent. We live about 50 miles from a 50000 watt AM broadcast station. Normally reception of this station extends to at least 120 miles with a competent radio. My daughter lives 190 miles from the radio station and can receive it with her 2004 Sonata.

    High voltage power lines will kill reception (none near us) but only for a short distance. Traffic lights are insignificant.
  • bhmr59bhmr59 Member Posts: 1,601
    I'm in S.W. CT, about 50-60 miles from NYC. WABC (50K watts) usually comes in fine on the radio. On certain stretches of my drive to work the power lines (not high voltage) mess up the AM reception. Most of the traffic lights in our area have many lights making up the green, yellow or red "full circle" in the light. Most don't mess up the reception, but a few do. One in particular doesn't affect the radio north of the light but raises heck for a couple hundred feet south of the light.

    It might be your radio, might not. Have it checked & good luck.
  • cajuncyclercajuncycler Member Posts: 172
    More than likely the problem is not the radio but the antenna connection or cable. FM is less bothered by a poor cable or connection than AM is. Also I am sure the back antenna embedded in the glass is more tuned for FM reception than it is AM. So far I haven't noted any problems with either my AM or FM. I am a big talk radio fan and use AM 50% of my listening time.
  • doodadooda Member Posts: 2
    Hi, I'm DooDa Dave and I traded in a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart on a 2006 Sonata GLS 4 cyl, on 6/30. I wanted a bigger, quieter, safer and more comfortable care that got as good or better gas mileage as the Lancer Ralliart. Got a good deal on a leftover as 07's were already on the lot and the gorgeous '07 Santa Fe arrived while I was at the dealer. Coming up on 500 miles and I'm very impressed so far. The quality seems better than my wife's '05 Altima, although I'd take the 2.5L engine in the Nissan over Hyundai's 2.4 any day. I also think the Nissan has it all over the Hyundai in handling. However, the quality, features for the dollar, warranty and safety of the Hyundai have it all over most competitors. It's also as quiet as my dad's Lexus. When I saw Sonatas at the NY auto show back in 1995 when I was selling Saturns, I said if they can get the quality up, everyone else would have to watch out. Well, it happened. My mission seems to be accomplished. :)

    AM reception in cars has always been hit or miss. One thing you do have to be careful of with glass mounted antennas is adding window tinting. A lot of metalized tinting films can interfere with reception. Certain cars are more prone to that than others.
  • oldvultureoldvulture Member Posts: 4
    Finally got the car back this evening (July 21). cajuncycler was right. The antenna cable was kinked during assembly. The poor mechanics tried three different radios before they nailed the antenna problem. Wonder if the quality control inspector will get his pay docked for this one.

    Here's a picture of the car:

    http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/zens/hyundai.jpg
  • cajuncyclercajuncycler Member Posts: 172
    Glad to see they found and fixed the problem. Radio reception can usually be linked to either the antenna, the cable or somehow the tuner was not impedience matched to the antenna at installation. Rarely have I found the latter to be the problem. Beautiful car by the way, ok I'm biased, I do have one after all! ;)
  • dora83dora83 Member Posts: 5
    pat, thank you for redirecting my question reguarding the vin# not reflecting my purchase of a Hyundai Sonata LX (but as a GLS) to smart shopper. I thought vin#s were like upc bar code or social security#. I was very confused when my when my 2006 LX came back on my insurance as a GLS. After looking at messages posted on the forum and talking to my dealership I am more at ease but still confused. My vehicle is a LX by all that it has on it (and are not an option on the GLS) with out a doubt but I still dont understand why they dont have the vin# reflect it accurately. The dealership made it sound like no one has ever asked this question. I had to call my insurance company and have the policy ammended to reflect a LX not a GLS as the vin# showed.I have not purchased a car in 6 years. Is this a new thing? I can see problems down the road for vehicle replacement value with insurance, trade in value to a non Hyundai dealer, or selling the vehicle on my own if the new buyer checks the vin#. Am I over thinking? Hyundai often changes their trim names from year to year and a GLS in 2007 is their v4 to my understanding. I think this could be a problem down the road.
  • bsancatbsancat Member Posts: 27
    My 2006 Sonata is an LX model with the six disc in-dash CD player/Radio. It has a rear shelf mounted sub-woofer. When the front-rear fade control is set to the center position, the rear sub-woofer can barely be heard. Only when the fade control is set more to the rear can you begin to hear the sub-woofer. Anyone else have the same results?

    Thanks
  • somanycarssomanycars Member Posts: 12
    bsancat, I was test driving an '07 Sonata and was puzzled :confuse: about the placement of the rear speakers. ie. in the rear door instead of behind the rear seats like most cars. My first impression was that the sound did not 'fill' the car as well as a Camry or Accord. :( Did I get the wrong impression ?
  • bhmr59bhmr59 Member Posts: 1,601
    There's plusses an minuses for either location.

    Front seat passengers like the rear shelf mounted location because they hear it better. Rear shelf mounted speakers can be a problem for rear seat passengers; affecting their ability to converse with front seat passengers. Or worse, rear seat passengers can suffer hearing damage from the shelf mounted speakers.

    Speakers in the rear door are more passenger friendly, even if the driver has to set the front to rear balance higher in the rear.

    I've got pretty bad hearing loss...can hear noises but have a difficult time distinguishing what people are saying. After recent audiology test, both the audiologist and doctor asked if I'd been exposed to real loud noises, such as combat military. (I wasn't) We also hear about musicians losing hearing due to the volume of their music. A lot of them now wear ear plugs while performing.

    Back in '71 my wife & I went on a trip from CT to FL with my parents in their new Caddy, with FM stereo (pretty new at the time and I was 22 yrs old, presumably no hearing problem then). Mom & Dad were in the front seat. Every so often Dad would turn up the radio and I had to keep asking him to change the balance more to the front because I couldn't hear a #%@* word they were saying. Those speakers in the rear shelf were only a few inches from my ears. If the speakers had been in the door panels I'm sure the situation would have been different.

    I'm not trying to say my hearing problems were caused by rear shelf speakers. Just that they can be an annoyance to rear seat passengers.

    Think about the distance from rear shelf to front seats compared to the front speakers. Naturally, you'll need more of the sound coming from the rear to balance it to the front occupants' ears. Then consider rear seat passengers' distance from rear shelf speakers to the front speakers. Front passengers are further removed from front speakers than rear passengers are removed from rear shelf speakers. Over a prolonged period, rear passengers could damage their ears with rear shelf speakers.

    And, those boy-racers with their amplifiers (the ones that shake your car) are asking for hearing problems down the road.
  • cajuncyclercajuncycler Member Posts: 172
    I work in an industry where hearing protection is mandatory. I already suffer from tinnitus, ringing in the ears at age 54 after being exposed to high noise levels for years. Remember hearing loss is cumulative. It's not just being exposed to loud noise and music but the amount of time you do. Over time your hearing will suffer if you are constantly exposed to loud music or noise.
  • elationelation Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2000 sonata but i live in england and there aren`t

    many of these over here. I have a broken indicator stalk

    but cannot get a second hand one.Does anybody happen to

    know if a stalk of another hyundia will fit or even one

    of a Kia magentis. Thank you
  • jacknzonejacknzone Member Posts: 82
    Hi KarenS Good to see Sonata Club,

    My name is John Live in New Zealand and love my Hyundai Sonata 2004 . In 2003 could not afford a new Sonata so had to wait for a used on to come up for sale As they were not a big seller over here , but Hyundai is making head way now . Now I am a happy owner of a 2004 GLS 2.4 lt . There were a couple of things that I was not happy with. So I got on the net to look for an answer for them and I like to say , I have found it here Thank you . The car great to drive ,it looks great ( The guys at work think I should be in a suit not overalls) , :D Cheers
  • lostwrenchlostwrench Member Posts: 288
    V4? In a Sonata? No such animal.
  • van_akenvan_aken Member Posts: 5
    I live in New York State, and tried 5 dealerships- no one sells manual transmission, GLS.

    I bought my last car way back in 1987, (stick), my wife bought a stick shift Subaru in 1999 no problem, I testdrove a 2007 Mazda6 with stick, other manufacturers make a stick shift....why not Hyundai on the east coast?

    If you bought one I'd be interested to find out what state, what month.
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    van_aken - GLS models are available in the midwest with the manual transmission. I live in Illinois, and I've seen them on the dealer's lots here.
  • yeayeayeayea Member Posts: 4
    I own a 2005 Sonata GLX, am having problem with the clock. It dose not keep track of time, this happen after I took the car in to have the trim around the driving light painted. When I pick up the car the clock was not working, return the car the following day, dealer say it need a new clock, this has been going on for about a month. Has anybody have this problem?
  • hejamadahejamada Member Posts: 5
    Hi All,
    Just purchased a slightly used 2006. Have used this forum to research it, and thanks to you all, getting rear "thump"(shocks) fixed, and had dealer acknowledge timing tensioner ticking problem and will fix. Now if i could just have one of you long time Sonata owners tell
    me where i can find the model tag, i sure would be grateful.
    Want to order some custom seat covers for it, and need
    correct model to insure proper set to order. Dealer didn't put model on slaes contract, but it must be located somewhere on the car. Thanks to any/all in advance.
  • tuggles1tuggles1 Member Posts: 5
    Hi,

    Just to add my troubles to the mix, I also have a slightly used 2006 LX. Mine sounds like a diesel at low RPMs and makes an awful roaring sound when I start it. I presume that is the timing chain tensioner problem you are referring to- is that right? I also have the gas tank sloshing and thudding sounds and my ambient temperature gauge was over the actual temp by an average of 20 degrees (recently fixed). As a family, we also own a 2006 Kia Sedona which has had a few recalls so far. I've owned many Optimas, Sedonas, and Sonatas due to their value, style, and comfort. I'm trying to become one with my 2006 Sonata, so I hope I can get these issues resolved once and for all. I really love my 2006, but I can't spend 1/2 my time in the shop as I did with my 2001 Sonata GLS. Oh, and I've been getting an average of 21 mpg while burning regular unleaded (87).
  • hejamadahejamada Member Posts: 5
    Hi Tuggles:
    Thanks for the howdy. No, i can't say mine sounds quite like that(Thank goodness). As far as the gas sloshing goes, i've gone through 1 and 1/4 tanks, and haven't heard it yet.
    The timing chain tensioner noise i'm refering to is just an audible ticking sound at start up when cold.(nowhere near
    diesel sounding,) and i drive a diesel for a living. I think if it sounded like that, i probably would be driving something else already. My own personal biggest concern is
    the suspension sounds on this thing. Yes, they are willing to replace rear, but the front (struts/shocks/plates) are
    alot more loose sounding than they should be on a basically
    "NEW" car.(8896 miles). How did you determine yours to be the LX model?
  • bhmr59bhmr59 Member Posts: 1,601
    The model number is included in the first 10 digets of your VIN. (The 10th diget actually represents the model year). The LX has several unique features. The quick & easy answer is "does it have leather seats?" If "yes" it's an LX. If "no" it's not.

    The dealer should be willing to at least check out your front suspension under the warranty.
  • hejamadahejamada Member Posts: 5
    Hi,
    Thanks for the get back. No to leather seats, sooooooo, guess that means it's the GLS?????(it is the V6, with QZ
    trim). Guess that should allow me to order the "right" seat covers for it. Thanks again!!!
  • craigbrookscraigbrooks Member Posts: 420
    FYI
    You know these cars have side airbags built into the front seats. Owners manual states not to put seat covers on the front seats.
  • neelapalaneelapala Member Posts: 2
    Hi all,
    I just brought a 2000 sonata yesterday with 87000 miles.
    Since I am new to Hyundai's. I would like to know if there are any issues I should be aware of with these models.

    Any Hyundai Sonata owners in the Northern Va area?
    thank you. :)
This discussion has been closed.