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hmmm... YOU have driven it, Bob? I own an '08 ultimate Black on Black and have about 2500 miles on it, now (yep - drive a LOT). My aunt has an early model '07, and there is a _huge_ difference in the feel and way it takes bumps. No need to take it very slow over speed bumps or diagonally, etc. In fact, the only way you can make the suspension jump is to slow down too much. :shades:
Don
It is a problem at low speeds over rough roads. Impact harshness is felt in the seats and steering wheel.
BTW, a supervisor at Hyundai Call Center told me that the District Service Rep has the option to call me or to not call me and have the dealer or call center call and tell me they are not going to do anything.
Years ago I had a problem with wear on the leather seats on a Masda RX-7 convertible. The service manager made an appointment for me to see the district rep. He looked at it and within a month I had new leather seat seat.
As I told the Call Center supervisor, if the ride was a little better, the car would be a 10.
Now, that sounds proactive, eh? Proving, at Hyundai...customer service is an attitude, not a department.
Still a great car, but I wish it rode a little better over bumpy roads.
http://www.hyundaiaccessorystore.com/Hyundai_Azera_Bluetooth_Kit.html
Is this the OEM bluetooth kit which Hyundai uses for 08 Azeras? The reason I ask is that the store seems to advertize it as if it is a Hyundai accessory & the picture shows the user manual of the unit & it has the Hyundai logo on it. They seem to have the wire harness as well. Quite pricey but if it is indeed the Genuine OEM part & integrates well with the interior & the audio system, then it is something I might seriously consider for my 07 Azzie.
What do you guys think?
The Bluetooth accessory that you show is an aftermarket product made by Johnson Controls called Blueconnect.
It is not an OEM product and does not operate thru the Azera audio system muting the audio system automatically when the cellular phone is being used.
It is sold my many aftermarket retailers.
Since Azera is manufactured in Korea and shipped to US,
I figure American buyers will get these changes soon.
According to the link, key changes are:
Exterior:
- new grill
- new alloy wheel
- LED light added to the reverse light
Interior:
- leather seating in brown color (option)
- blue Internal lighting (LED?)
- new wood pattern
- dashboard upper console design change
Comfort
- Dual display monitor (navigation, TV can be viewed at the same time)
This is an option which I am guessing is splitting the screen in two in the center.
- 3.5" rear viewing display added to the center room mirror
- AUX, USB/IPOD added
Other than above, no major mechanical changes.
Rumor has it that Hyundai will release a 6-speed automatic for 6 cylinder models
August this year.
2008 changes
The only feature listed above I don't see happening is the dual display monitor, as I don't believe TV in the front is legal for the US market. So the Azera refresh should continue to carry navigation without the TV feature.
Thanks for the info!!
On a somewhat related note, Edmunds just finished the long-term testing of the Azera, with some 18K miles under the belt, I was most surprised to hear it had taken a 27% depreciation, which was only 1% behind the long term test of the Camry. And just to be fair, the Camry had an extra 3K on the odometer. Still, I would think this is attributed from the improvement of the brand.
Did the picture of suspension parts early in the video look like a design change?
SEOUL, Korea (AVING) -- Hyundai Motor announced that it completed the development of its in-dash dual LCD monitor which can display two different pictures simultaneously based on one the viewer angle. This means the driver can see the navigation while at the same time the passenger watches a DVD movie. According to the company, the newly developed monitor will be applied to Grandeur.
http://aving.net/usa/news/default.asp?mode=read&c_num=73775&C_Code=06&SP_Num=0
More generally, this looks like a much lighter MMC than the Sonata got. Just the center stack and the tones of the fake wood, basically. Personally, I have mixed feelings about this off-black stuff. Looks less conspicuous, but also less like wood. To some extent, I suppose this is change for the sake of change.
Bob
I have rather limited and indirect experience, but will try to answer your question to fill the gap until somebody smarter does likewise.
I own an old '92 twin-cam Maxima, bought new. It has been a great car. I've always looked down on the '95 and newer Maximi because I've felt they've been somewhat cheaped out. While I haven't driven the current one, it shares an engine with the Infiniti M35x I test-drove last week, and a chassis with the previous-generation Altima I drove for weeks as a loaner. That chassis seemed to have a high roll center and some torque-steer issues, and reports say the same about the current Maxima (which is built off the previous, not current, Altima). As for the engine, it's fast as all get-out but sounds and feels coarse, even in the Infiniti. The interior is a mid-model correction that grafts some traditional luxury-sedan cues onto an overall interior that has some modernistic curves, and doesn't look very cohesive in some places as a result.
Most people who've checked them all out feel that the Avalon and the Azera are the class of the segment. I'm shopping, I've driven both of those, and I'm not even bothering to test-drive the current Maxima. That should give you some idea.
There is a whole new Maxima coming in less than a year from now. It's reportedly a return to the "4-door sports car" philosophy, with a low-slung sedan roof over the chassis of the current Altima. Of course, expect the price to rise accordingly.
Very well, I'd say. Time has marched on, and the Azera has a lot of enhancements your Maxima didn't. Just a partial list:
Electronic stability control
A better stereo with more power and a subwoofer
That distinctive powered rear sunshade
More horsepower from a smoother and more refined engine
Four-wheel independent suspension
Eight airbags
Memory seats and mirrors
Power tilt and telescope wheel
Non-cargo-smashing trunk hinges
Autostick transmission with the ability to learn the owner's driving style
Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls
I think you'll be all right.
Many thanks for your replies last week, I appreciate them. Tony ... my '04 Maxima had Traction Control, a great Bose system, side and curtain airbags, memory seats and mirrors and steering wheel, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, steering wheel mounted audio controls, 'autostick' transmission, etc. ... so the Max had a lot of the stuff that is also on the Azera.
I did end up trading the Max in on the new '08 Azera Limited with the Ultimate Package, which I picked up a week ago today. I only have 310 miles on it now, but so far, I am liking the new Azera very much. I will come back in and give some of my opinions very shortly. By the way, it was the first '08 Azera my local dealer got in ... was taken off the truck the day I looked at it and test drove it.
Again, thanks for the replies from the two of you fellas.
Regards,
Bob
I now live in CA (Merced)..just ordered my new Black/Beige 08 Limited..traded in my 07 V6 Sonata...I'm excited as a bear in a honey store...L
Regards,
Bob (NY)
Thanks for the help!
On my way to buy either a Maxima or M35, I was encouraged to stop by and see/test drive an Azera. My wife and I walked away more than impressed. Unfortunately all the local dealers are out of stock on the 2008 Limited with nav. and it will be some weeks before any are available. One dealer indicated that it has been difficult getting 08's, especially with navigation, but have seen brisk selling of their remaining 07's. As it is now the middle of the calender year, it seems strange that there are very few current year models available. I would like to get some feedback from forum members who are currently using the model with nav and bluetooth. Are you generaly happy with the performance of both? Lastly, the only problem I had driving the car was reading the information display. It was difficult to read in the daylight. Is this adjustable and is anyone else having difficulty in reading the information on the display? Thanks for any response.
My Dealer stated that the Azera will not be discontinued because of the Genesis. Maybe in several years it may happen as it will depend on sales of both lines.
I'am waiting for the coupe in 2010.
I believe the almost invisible, notably late "soft" launch of the '08 was not only because of the Genesis, but also because it was virtually unchanged from the '07. I personally expect that the '09 will be introduced with somewhat more fanfare, maybe in summer '08 just before the Genesis so the car has one more chance at the spotlight. The '09 has already been publicized for months in Korea, with restyled wheels and some cosmetic tweaks inside. For my money, the improved appearance of the interior's fake wood and the matching blue of the Veracruz-like center stack make it a worthwhile change on that basis alone.
In other words, "buy this baby now".
For whatever reason, '08 Azeras are hard to come by, especially Limiteds WITHOUT nav.
It could happen that the Genesis will replace the Azera, but I doubt it. RWD is not popular in the snow belt.
http://www.koreanautoimports.com/store/. i removed all the Azera badging from my new beauty, added the laser grill and more chrome (trunk, window channels) and also installed the complete dash kit available. It costs about $1500 and makes the car look 20K better then i bought and put Genesis Badge on the back. i had all four salesman at my dealership convinced it was a 'test" Genesis from California, despite the fact they sold it to me 4 days earlier. hilarious
Secondly, since the car doesn't appear to have changed since 2006, should I buy a pre-loved versus new and just keep the cash? No car payments sounds tempting. I live in Connecticut so as much as the Genesis is tempting it's only rear wheel. Thanks.
And that is in the city cycle only. The highway estmates are the same at 26 mpg.
You will be happier with the extra torque of the 3.8L over the smaller 3.3 L motor.
I doubt if the average person will be able to record better fuel economy with
the 3.3L because they will find that they will have to "lean" on
in more to get it to perform as well as the 3.8L.
Also, when it comes to buying either model used, you may be able to get the 3.8L fully
equipped just the way you want because there will be more of them available.
Good luck. You will really love this car.
And that is in the city cycle only. The highway estmates are the same at 26 mpg.
You will be happier with the extra torque of the 3.8L over the smaller 3.3 L motor.
I doubt if the average person will be able to record better fuel economy with
the 3.3L because they will find that they will have to "lean" on
in more to get it to perform as well as the 3.8L.
Also, when it comes to buying either model used, you may be able to get the 3.8L fully
equipped just the way you want because there will be more of them available.
Good luck. You will really love this car.