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Hyundai Sonata 2006-2007

18889919394152

Comments

  • mtnman1mtnman1 Member Posts: 431
    My 2003 Sonata LX has folding mirrors that are heated. My 2004 Mountaineer has folding mirrors that are heated. Folding mirrors has no effect on whether they can be heated.
    2012 Highlander Limited AWD V6 and 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE
  • kwonc71kwonc71 Member Posts: 245
    Just went to www.toyota.com to look at the new 2007 Camry. Their SE model was about same equipped as LX Sonata. After adding a package with ECS and Stability control, came out $30,300 MSRP. For that price I can get a LX Sonata and a new Accent or Elantra. No way I will pay over $30,000 for a family sedan. Sadly, many people will still buy Camrys over Sonatas.
  • delta4delta4 Member Posts: 138
    "Sadly, many people will still buy Camrys over Sonatas." - Kwonc71

    That is a very true statement. Price aside however, there are legions of Camry loyalist out there and for good reason. The Toyota Camry has one of the most reliable name plates and sells at least 30,000 plus units per month. In S. Florida where I live the new Camrys are already on the road. Contrast that to the Sonata which took several weeks to months to appear in significant numbers.

    Many will purchase SE Camry without additional features already included with Sonata but that just goes to show you how much further Hyundai has to go to prove to a still skeptical consumer that they are as good as or "better than" the top name brands, Honda and Toyota.
  • lightfootfllightfootfl Member Posts: 442
    Having recently purchased a 2006 Sonata LX in FL, I am wondering if I shouldn't have included the extended warranty.
    I have been told that in FL the prices are "set?" high. So I didn't consider it at the time. I haven't been able to find anything much to compare prices with, does anyone out there have any solid info about the warranty? Is it worthwhile, does it not cover anything for the 1st 60months? I am confused about all of the warranty stuff. :confuse: :confuse:
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    You can purchase the extended warranty from any Hyundai dealer, so shop around (you can do it by phone). Also you have until 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first, to buy the extended Hyundai warranty.

    The extended warranty kicks in when 5 years or 60k miles is exceeded, whichever comes first. So you could start using the extended warranty before 60 months if you drive a lot. Also, the extended warranty is transferrable, so it should add to the resale value of your Sonata.
  • silverstone1silverstone1 Member Posts: 7
    Guess I will have to put up with this noise until it is time to change my tires. I was thinking of applying quietcar (quietcar.com) sound proofing material in the trunk and the wheel wells. Has anybody tried this and does it work.
  • lightfootfllightfootfl Member Posts: 442
    Thanks, appreciate your input. Do you know anything about the approximate cost of these warrantys? Also, are the non-hyundai dealer warrantys the same? Like "Warrantys are us" types.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I have seen prices quoted here at Town Hall around $1000 +/- for the Sonata's extended warranty. The best quote I got for an extended warranty on my Elantra was around $900 (I passed).

    IMO it is best to steer clear of the third-party warranties. If the company goes belly-up, you lose. Also Hyundai's warranty has no deductible (I think).
  • jimpimmsjimpimms Member Posts: 81
    I wasn't referring to the fuel requirements. We all know that regular -- 87 octane -- can be used. I was referring to the octane rating necessary for the engines to produce Hyundai's advertised horsepower figures -- 162 for the I4, and 235 for the V6 -- as Kia's website claims 161 hp from the I4 when using premium gasoline. One doesn't buy a Hyundai expecting to use premium; and if one does use regular grade, how much horsepower is lost... 10, 15, 20?

    Something tells me that we're being duped again.
  • johnjjjohnjj Member Posts: 81
    "Kia's website claims 161 hp from the I4 when using premium gasoline. One doesn't buy a Hyundai expecting to use premium;..."
    Does one buy a Kia expecting to use premium?
    John
  • jcm68jcm68 Member Posts: 33
    And who told you that Premium gas = higher HP?

    As far as I know, neither the Optima or the Sonata engines are superchargers or any other kind of High Performance engine.

    The New Optima offers a very vague information, not even mention the V6 HP.

    Regardles of the Octane you select you basically going to get the same performance.

    Many high-performance engines are designed to operate with a high maximum compression and thus need a high quality (high energy) fuel usually associated with high octane numbers, and thus demand high-octane premium gasoline.

    The power output of an engine depends on the energy content of its fuel, and this bears no simple relationship to the octane rating. A common myth amongst petrol consumers is that adding a higher octane fuel to a vehicle's engine will increase its performance and/or lessen its fuel consumption; this is mostly false—engines perform best when using fuel with the octane rating they were designed for and any increase in performance by using a fuel with a different octane rating is minimal.
  • carfaxcarfax Member Posts: 43
    Horsepower is not created from using a higher octane fuel.
    High performance motors use higher octane, because the timing and computer sensors are setup for it. This gives you a fraction of a second quicker response time when you stomp on the gas and the motor will run without pinging under load. The Toyota Camry v6 that says you should use high octane are the ones being duped by paying a higher price for fuel that isn't necessary for a family sedan. Toyota can set the Camry up for regular gas and from 0-60 it would be less then a tenth of a second difference and save you a lot of extra money on fuel. Manufactures of cars spend thousands of dollars to rebuild and design motors to get an extra 20 or 30 horsepower out of them. If it was that easy to put a different air filter from the paper ones in to get 20 more horsepower like some people believe, then i'm sure they would do it, because more horsepower sells. Horsepower isn't the total picture when it comes to performance. You have to have the right gearing of the transmission and rear end, plus torque to really make the difference.
  • kwonc71kwonc71 Member Posts: 245
    More Sonatas on the road. Saw 2 golden LX or GLS today on the way back from the work. All I can say is " Those are smart people who try something else other than just follow everyone else". Like my Brother-In-Law who is Acura only guy. Came to see my new born baby all the way from GA to WA and stayed for 3 days. He drove both wife's MDX and my LX. When he had to go some where, he was keep asking my LX's key instead of MDX. He said " I like driving your car than MDX. Especially, after he listen Enter The Sandman in LX,sound of LX's stereo blow his mind. Last Sunday we went to his friend's house who own 94 Audi with turbo-400HP. After test drive his car, he said "If someone give me a choice of free 94 Audi with 400HP or a free LX Sonata, I will take Sonata in a heart beat". What a surprise, he even put in for an Azera sweepstake. One test drive of new Hyundai will change minds of lots stereo type of people, but lots of those people won't even put hyundai on the test drive list.
  • blnewtoblnewto Member Posts: 146
    About the expensive oil change, the deal I went to offers free oil change for life. So that is not a worry for me. Anyway, what is the recommended oil change interval on the LX? Thanks.
    We also got a great deal, $9.99 oil changes for life (original owner) and free car wash during the service visit.
    The manual says 5000 miles, but I go every 4000.
  • meateatermeateater Member Posts: 123
    but lots of those people won't even put hyundai on the test drive list

    There's a reason for that.

    Maybe Hyundai should change their name. Weak reputation.
  • jojoejojoe Member Posts: 81
    Maybe some folks are a little narrow minded and then some folks aren't as happy with their Honda or Toyotas as some people would like you to believe.Don't be fooled,there are lots of happy Sonata owners,old ones and new ones.When Honda sucked a few years back they didn't change their name due to negative comments such as yours,they just improved their product and it didn't happen over night.Hyundia is doing much the same and nay sayers are out in force because for some reason they feel threatened.Hyundia will do well in the future as they are showing now and they don't need to change their name.
  • donatello57donatello57 Member Posts: 8
    Hi Jo

    You took the words right out of my mouth. Most people don't realize the majority of imports started out as bad cars with bad reputations, however they kept the same name. I am a salesperson with Kia in Lakeland, Florida and I am constantly having to handle that objection.

    Donatello
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    There's a reason for that.

    Maybe Hyundai should change their name. Weak reputation.


    The main reason is, they are not car savvy.

    I don't think people dislike or distrust the Hyundai name. I think it's more about familiarity. Hyundai has an brilliant ad campaign on TV right now. One can tell by watching that they have 2 main goals. 1 is to SHOW THE CAR, which many car commercials neglect. The main purpose of the ads? To repeat the Hyundai name over and over to gain name recognition. It's working. 2 years ago when someone at work was getting ready to buy a new car, the name Hyundai never came up at the water cooler. Now, not only does it come up, but it's treated with respect. It's very clear that Hyundai's goal has shifted. Their goal appears to be doing whatever it takes compete directly with Toyota in sales, engineering, and quality. I think they will succeed in an amazingly short time.
  • meateatermeateater Member Posts: 123
    And the second main goal is....?

    People do distrust the name. Where've you been? Cause if they didn't Hyundai wouldn't have to run its damage control offensive along with buying market share with giveaway prices.
  • pocono35pocono35 Member Posts: 89
    Altho they share the same 4-cylinder. Hyundai is not giving Kia the 3.3 V6, but is only allowing them the 2.7. I believe it it has 173hp and 181 torque. I looked at it the other day and the interior center stack design in the Optima should have been the one Hyundai put in the Sonata...much more ergonomic and aesthetic. I thot the exterior of the car had an Infiniti feel to it.
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    I looked at, and drove, a 2007 Camry LE 4-cylinder this past Saturday. The interior is certainly a step-up over the previous generation Camry, and the engine is fine. But, what I can't get over is the looks. The front-end is - IMO - UGLY, and the rear-end not far behind in that department.

    I fully realize that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," and everyone has a different opinion, but I just can't accept the looks of the new Camry. I will stick with my original decision to buy a new Sonata.
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    "Meateater" seems to be the self-designated Hyundai basher across all of Edmund's forums. This is the same type of person that bashed Datsun (Nissan), Honda, and Toyota when they first hit the American market.

    I've owned a Nissan, several Hondas, and a few Toyotas, but the Hyundai I own now was perfect out-of-the-box when delivered by the selling dealer, and as reliable as any of the Japanese marques. Some pople just don't seem to understand that the paradigm is always changing. I remember the time when people laughed at you in the early '70s for driving a Honda.

    The more things change, the more they stay the same!
  • vhreb123vhreb123 Member Posts: 83
    At how much miles do you really see improvements in MPG?
    Does anybody know?

    Example: Honda motors are usually after 5,000 miles
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,290
    Oh I don't know about that. Hyundai is getting a better and better reputation. I know a few people who are considering replacing their Honda for a Hyundai. Hyundai is making believers out of people.

    Its just that there are some closed minded people out there that won't consider them.

    Test drive one and find out about them.

    I am hoping to put 200K on mine, so far so good.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,290
    People do distrust the name.

    Ah people distrust the name, thats why their sales have been going up.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • bobflbobfl Member Posts: 19
    I also went to test drive a 2007 Camry and just could not get past the looks, It was ugly at both ends and I really did not like the slab sided look with no rub strips. A few weeks in the local parking lots and it will look like h--l! the Sonata looks much better.
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    And the second main goal is....?

    People do distrust the name. Where've you been? Cause if they didn't Hyundai wouldn't have to run its damage control offensive along with buying market share with giveaway prices.


    Name recognition is the second goal, as I stated.

    You sound like a person who has never driven a Sonata. Do yourself a favor and go treat yourself! :D

    --------------
    "Experienced marketing professionals know that 10% of the people like everything, and 10% of the people like nothing".
  • cumptrnrdcumptrnrd Member Posts: 53
    I think my manual says every 7500 miles...
  • desertguydesertguy Member Posts: 730
    Well, to each his own I guess. I think the 2007 Camry is a vast improvement over the 2006! Still, my 2006 Sonata LX is better looking than either Camry IMO.
  • pocono35pocono35 Member Posts: 89
    1. 'People(Do distrust the name)'

    Your logic doesn't equate with market sales figures. More people bought Hyundai's and Kia's in the United States in 2005 than any other import other than Toyota, Honda and Nissan. I suppose that because Hyundai/Kia outsold Suburu, Mazda, BMW, Volvo, Mercedes and EVERY OTHER IMPORT, that 'People' distrust their name more.

    'Buying market share with giveaway prices' - Your alluding to 'dumping', and since the FTC recently approved Hyundai and Kia's license to sell automobiles for 2006 in the US, it makes your analysis inaccurate.

    'Buying Market Share' - Market share is always for sale

    'Giveaway Prices' - Prior to the onslaught of Japanese dominance, the upstart Japanese such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan/Datsun, Suburu and Mazda were all blamed for 'giving away' their cars, which by the way were autos people chose to purchae and were not forced to purchase, to gain a foothold in the market. These terms were used in the 70's and 80's when marketshare was shifting and change was underway.
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    'Giveaway Prices'

    I don't think Hyundai is giving away cars. I think they decided to use the Sonata to attack that price bracket, which is positioned a tad higher than the compacts but lower than all the other well-heeled family sedans (mom cars). I believe they will keep the Sonata in that bracket permanently. I think the new billion dollar, super-efficient assembly plant in Alabama results in Sonata's low price, not any great sacrifice by Hyundai.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    attests to the buying intelligence of the American people. Kudos to them for not listening to all this crap constantly being spewed out about the Korean automobile product.

    I love the Kia brand and I also am getting quite enamored with the Scion brand from Toyota. Keeping an open mind about cars is the smartest way to go. I'm glad I didn't stay in this funky shell buying American cars only.

    That would have been tragic. And I would not have been Tragically Hip, either. Rock it boys! ;)

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • jeffcjeffc Member Posts: 16
    Does anyone else notice that the ride, especially on concrete roads is a little "jiggly"? I live in the Chicago area, and and on roads like I-355 the car seems to get into a rhythmic jiggle. Maybe this is what Consumer Reports was talking about in their review that there are frequent body motions as the speed increases? I have a GLS-V6. I do not remember this on my 01 GLS, which seemed a little smoother. Tire pressure is kept at 30psi.

    No real problems, though I have only put 2000 miles on it since I bought it in Nov. Just the items mentioned in other posts ( gas sloshing noise, suspension noises etc)I love the car however, and for the price it can't be beat. I still think it is one of the best looking cars on the road ( again, just my opinion).
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    I drive the interstates in the Chicago area quite often, and I find a certain rhythmic "jiggle" as well, but this is with my Grand Caravan ES - a very long wheelbase vehicle compared to my Hyundai. In many cases, I think it's the roads, not necessarily the car.
  • bluzzzzmanbluzzzzman Member Posts: 21
    Yes. DO check the tire pressure. I just took delivery of my Sonata GLS and all tires were @ 50 PSI!! I aired them down to 30 PSI as listed on the label inside the driver's door. The ride is definitely smoother. The dealer is suppose to check this as part of their prep but most do not. The Infiniti M45 I bought last summer also had the tires over inflated. I guess it is better for shipping purposes otherwise I see no reason for it.
  • cumptrnrdcumptrnrd Member Posts: 53
    Anyone out there know where I can get a box of Mobile 1 for cheaper than $5.50/bottle? Or maybe even Royal Purple??
  • cumptrnrdcumptrnrd Member Posts: 53
    And any recommendations on oil filters and where I could get them? Or are the factory ones pretty good?
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    Wal-Mart sells 5W-30 Mobil 1 for around $20 for a 5-quart container.
  • tb88tb88 Member Posts: 242
    ... all tires were 50PSI.

    Mine too... and that is why I am reluctant to trust service... any service... done by dealerships... aside from being exorbitant!
  • 91escort91escort Member Posts: 2
    I had a '97 Sephia that was awesome...great power, comfortable, wonderful car...I got so sick of reading all the industry auto mags trashing Kia...since then, they have improved immensely...unfortunately, my Kia's tranny went because I drove it in NYC, murder on 'em...I always loved that car, and I never will buy into hype of criticisms of Korean cars.
  • joedirtjoedirt Member Posts: 36
    Hey everyone.

    The reason why dealers over-inflate the tires is they are trying to prevent 'flat spotting,' where cars that sit for long periods of time develop bald, flat spots on the tires.

    Make sure to check your tires!

    Also, if the car has been on the lot for a long time - I'm talking many months - have them change the engine oil.
  • mejozamejoza Member Posts: 17
    Did anyone shop '06 Mitsubishi Galant before purchasing a Sonata? What advantage did Sonata have?
  • tb88tb88 Member Posts: 242
    Possibly!

    I heard that the main reason for 50 PSI is to help prevent the underside of the car from hitting the ground during loading and unloading by Transportion (Cargo) trucks!
  • kwonc71kwonc71 Member Posts: 245
    No comparison. Sonata is too good to compare with Galant. Just buy Sonata.
  • jcm68jcm68 Member Posts: 33
    Uffff where to start?

    LX vs GTS

    1)Electronic Stability Control (not available on the Galant)
    2)Side Head Curtain Airbag (not available on the Galant)
    3)Automatic Locking Retractor
    4)Air Filter (just optional on the Galant)
    5)Electrochromic Mirror (not available on the Galant)
    6)Homelink (not available on the Galant)
    7)Cargo Area Power Outlet (not available on the Galant)
    8)Subwoofer (not available on the Galant)
    9)Front Manual Lumbar Support (not available on the Galant)
    10)Second Row Folding Seat (not available on the Galant)
    11)235 HP vs 230 HP
    12)Fuel Economy 20/30 vs 18/27
    13)MRSP $22,895 vs $26,999
    14)Remote Fuel Door Release (not available on the Galant)
    15)Shiftronic? Manually Interactive Transmission (not available on the Galant)
    16)AT 5speed vs 4speed
    17)Interior Dimensions (Sonata better on 9 of 10 areas over the Galant)
    18) Aluminum engine vs cast iron

    There no doubt you get a lot lot lot lot more for less money w/ the Sonata. The Sonata's Fit & Finish is by far more superior and much more comfortable and quite ride. Lets recap................much much more standard equipment, more safety features, faster w/ better fuel economy, better quality materials, better ride...........at a better price.

    The Sonata is in the Camry/Accord league, while the Galant is fighting w/ the Ford/GM rental cars.
  • mamamia2mamamia2 Member Posts: 707
    Mitsubishi is a great name in electronics. Their computer monitors are superb, and so are their many other products.

    CARS? No way. If there is ONE Japanese auto maker I won't even consider, it's Mitsubishi. Just do some research... Check Consumer Report.... This is one comapny that has been accused too many times of cutting corners and building unsafe cars.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    yes, you do know what I mean then! I absolutely loved my '99 Kia Sephia. You know when it really got fun to drive that Sephia? When I got some 70,000 mile Yokohama tires and Konig Diva wheels put on it. It improved the car's ride and handling so much. Sephia brake issue that you may have heard of before?

    Solved by a good local mechanic who simply popped in new rotors and a heavier-duty brake pad (evidently the OEM Kia brake pads were a tad under-tough). Never had a brake problem. Really, the '99 Sephia was running like a champ when I traded in for the '01 Kia Sportage 4x4 in late September of 2001. I just traded it in because I could and the Sportage 4x4 has been a great little SUV to own and drive.

    91escort, I'm curious, are you in the market to buy a 2006 Hyundai Sonata? Have you already bought one? Thanks for your upbuilding Kia comments. There are literally skads of us Kia-ites in America now but not everyone participates in forums like this and adds their input. Really nice to see, yes it is! :D

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    Mitsubishi is a great name in electronics. Their computer monitors are superb, and so are their many other products

    My 19" Hyundai LD90 monitor is not chopped liver! I compared the pictures and prices to many top brands, and it won out by a good margin. It's been faultless for over a year. It had nothing to do with my decision to buy my 06 Sonata... or did it? :)
  • kingrkingr Member Posts: 62
    All good points, and one last thing - The Galant requires Premium Unleaded Gas!
  • mtnman1mtnman1 Member Posts: 431
    The Galant requires Premium Unleaded Gas!

    I noticed that the Endeavor also requires premium when I was shopping for an SUV a couple of years ago. It was one of many reasons I didn't buy one. Very cheap cheesy interior was another. Very odd placement of the Audio and Climate controls on Steering wheel. Very flat leather seats. I could go on, but I won't. If the Gallant is a cheap and cheesy, I say without a doubt go with the Sonata. Even if they were the same price it would be a no brainer for me.
    2012 Highlander Limited AWD V6 and 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE
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