Hyundai Santa Fe (2006 and earlier)

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Comments

  • pro212pro212 Member Posts: 44
    I bought the series2 Hyundai OEM brushguards in chrome with matching side step rails from hdkautosports.com
    Check out here site as they have about 7 models. Stay away from the pretty but just ornamental models. Nothing more than big hunks of plastic. I paid $249 for the front guard (clearance price), $299 for the rear guard, and $299 for side rails plus about $80 in shipping costs. If you don't need them right away, you might wait for the Manik guards to come out in a month or two. The part numbers are already listed on the Manik.com website but not yet built/available. I have Manik guards on my 2000 Xterra and they are the real thing--tough steel, good looking and formidable.
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    Sound:
    1. Check with all the seat belts especially with the rear seat belts.
    2. The jack stuffs for the car behind the rear seats and under.
    3. The First-Aid Kits in the rear trunk
    4. The roof rack

    Leather Seats Customizing:
    Customizing the the Leather Seats Cover may not fit correctly for the seats. WWW.hdkautosport.com have plenty of variety of choose from. If you get it from this site then there won't be a problem with the heated seats but you have to install it yourself. I know it sounds very hard!

    To Gtmustang:
    I think the Chrome wheels will look very nice and match my car but waste gas and therefore, I did not want to get it now. I will get it in the future after my current tires die. However, I won't use the (275/55/17) but instead of 255/55/17 because I don't do much offroad. The tires will decrease in weight (a little heavier compare to my current), a little lower but the ride will more compare to a sport coupe instead of sedan (turning is the best). However, the rev per miles will go a little faster. *Hint* Even with the tires I mention, the car still have more ground clearance than the RAV4 & CRV.
    Yes! Gold trim will not match my Santa Fe at all since my Santa Fe already have Chrome Door Handles, etc.

    Buying Experience:
    Check the price in the internet and print it out. Call the dealers nearest your location and have them match the price. If they give you the matching price then make a deposit and have them order it & be patient.
  • pro212pro212 Member Posts: 44
    Hung, I wanted to know why you chose the series 6 over the series 2 front guard (series 2 supposedly Hyundai OEM). Both look more or less same to me but series 2 was $100 less, so I ordered front and back series 2 in chrome. Also on side step rails, you bought some not on the hdkautosports site but somehow in stock? What did you buy and why? I'm getting the series 2 side steps (in chrome) but can switch my order if other model is better. Thanks!
  • billbo1970billbo1970 Member Posts: 76
    Air Filter: You have bought 4 of those air filters??? At $149 each???/ Why, are you telling me that they are a disposable item (not cleanable)????

    Antenna: My wife's car gets excellent radio reception, it is just my Santa Fe that is not getting good reception. And, the plug is nice & tight. I wonder if the window antenna was not grounded properly at the factory? I am considering pulling out that back panel under the window and taking a look....but I am not quite sure what I'm looking for.
  • jajohnson66jajohnson66 Member Posts: 2
    I'm in N. CA and two dealers I've spoken with aren't taking orders or deposits. I'm willing to wait for what I want, but can't seem to get in the queue. Any advice?
  • billbo1970billbo1970 Member Posts: 76
    Hey Hung. I went to your Santa Fe page. Where did you get that climate control from??? Where is it supposed to mount at? Same questions for that cool trip computer!?!?!?
  • chas215chas215 Member Posts: 22
    Does anyone have info on changes expected for 2002 model year. Since SF so hard to get now, is it worth waiting for next model year?
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    Take a look at that message for a totally new engine-tranny setup for the Santa Fe starting in the 2002 model year. They're going to fuel cells for propulsion! It'll be interesting to see what the prices for the different Santa Fe models will be with fuel cells powering them.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • fitnessman42fitnessman42 Member Posts: 21
    Hi! I too have noticed that on the two fastest interval speeds of the wipers they do not have a pause between swipes. I heard or read somewhere that they are "speed sensitive" but I do not know if that is a true statement; especially since the manual does not say anything about it. I tested that theory today. I used both faster speed interval settings at highway speeds and there was not pause between swipes. When I slowed down to something like 45mph they began intermittent operation. Has anyone else had this "problem" other than myself and johnnylofi? And, is it a real problem or are the wipers supposed to operate in that fashion?
  • fitnessman42fitnessman42 Member Posts: 21
    Hi again! I just have over 11,000 miles on my Santa Fe and yesterday I noticed some vibration that rattled the whole vehicle. I thought it was just the road surface making it happen. Today I noticed it once more and thought it was just the road, again. Later this evening it happened again but was even worse than the first two times. It seems to come from the rear of the vehicle and I mean the whole damn car was vibrating. I thought maybe something was loose but if so it should feel that way all the time. I thought maybe speed had something to do with it but it did not happen at the same speed each time either. Now I am worried that something is majorly wrong with my car and I hate to think I am going to be stranded somewhere or worse yet, have an accident because of it. I know some of the earlier AWD models had a vibration problem that was eventually corrected by replacing part of the rear end or something like that. But, I have an LX model and so far have not seen any other posts on these boards about a vibration problem with any LX models. Any ideas out there??
  • gtmustanggtmustang Member Posts: 41
    I heard someone in another Santa Fe Forum outside of this website make a post about the Santa Fe 4 cylinder engine having problems with the timing chain/belt. The problem that is caused is that the timing chain/belt is too big in size for the 4 cylinder engines. It makes the vehicle skip the gears when in 2nd gear. I am not sure if this timing chain problem causes any other problems. He said that there will be a massive recall on all 4 cylinder Santa Fe's regarding this timing chain problem. Hyundai will announce this recall very soon. He also mentioned something about work being done on the tensioner regarding the timing chain/belt problem.
    Does timing chain/belt problem also exist with the 6 cylinder engine on the GLS and LX models? I would think that maybe this same problem with the timing chain/belt being too big for the engine also exists with the 6 cylinder engine too.
    Does anybody here know of this recall that will be announced for the Santa Fe 4 cylinders? And do the 6 cylinder Santa Fe engines have the same problems with the timing chain/belt?
  • pro212pro212 Member Posts: 44
    See my posting #1378 for what the USA 2002 is probably going to be like. It's already available is some countries as a 2001. I'd wait if you can, probably side bags, moonroof, and trip meter will be available, and at least one new color. However, I'd also bet given the demand this year and low supply, prices for all models will go up $900-1500. jajohnson66, if you are in CA, contact drewhyundai.com (in Ca.) they sell on the net and take orders with a (supposedly firm) $700 discount. Otherwise, search the net for dealers with internet sales, or do what I did. Contact the hyundai north america website, list all dealers in your geo area, and call up. When I did this, I found some Santa Fe's just rolling off the truck and ran over to the dealer for a look. Most SF in my area sell in about 1-3 days after receipt by the dealer so you have to catch them rolling off.
  • krcooperkrcooper Member Posts: 14
    I think I've read that the in-glass antenna in the Santa Fe is "diversity" - meaning it's got two antennas in the glass - and there (normally) would be some circuitry involved there that would automatically switch between whichever antenna is picking up the strongest signal. Where this curcuitry is, I don't have a clue - but IF it's in the Hyundai stereo (which you replaced with another manufacturer's radio), your new radio may not be taking full advantage of those two antennas. In fact it may not work well at all - as you say is the case. Check with Hyundai on this possibility!

    And regarding fitnessman42's problem with your interval wiper - just today my interval wiper not only seems to have gotten a mind of it's own - speeding up & slowing down regardless of the speed I'm travelling, but it's begun STOPPING in the middle of the windshield! I have to turn the wiper on continuous wipe to get it to work again - so it looks like I'll be making ANOTHER trek to the repair shop with my Santa Fe. Hopefully this time it won't take another 9 DAYS just to get the part! The problem with this interval-wiper situation is that it's intermittent, it doesn't always happen.Yeah, you figured it out - an intermittent intermittent-wiper problem! My pride and satisfaction of being a Hyundai Santa Fe owner is beginning to become intermittent. I do hope the rest of you readers out there don't have the problems my Santa Fe is having (failing door lock relay, power windows relay, & alarm system module - all repaired a week ago, and now the interval wiper problem). Thank goodness for Hyundai's nice, long warrantee, and loaner car program!
  • gringogripgringogrip Member Posts: 2
    Just a guess, but that sounds like a really bad rear tire. It gets to wobblin and vibrates the rear end. Slowing down stops the vibration - check the tires and wheels.
  • hyundaimahyundaima Member Posts: 197
    What exactly did they do to your car? Any part has been replaced? Can you post the part number? All the stuff you listed is controlled by one computer module.
  • lrchomelrchome Member Posts: 130
    I went to the NHTSA board for consumer complaints looking for complaints regarding the timimg belt, there are no complaints , surely if there was going to be a recall there would have been at least one complaint.

    There was only one complaint it involved a head on collision with no injuries.
  • jericho_avejericho_ave Member Posts: 37
    Hi, I have a tory I'd like to share to everyone.

    I have a 3months/3500Miles old GLS V6 4WD Santa Fe.I was driving in a parkway last saturday nite, going around 60 - 65MPH. It was raining and I was trying to pass so I am at the left most lane. All of sudden, I felt my car losing speed and the gas pedal not responding. I didn't got a chance to go back to the right lane when the car died out on me. I tried starting it a couple of times but nothing happens. I was with my wife, 1yrOld son and a friend. A few (scary) minutes later, a state trooper parked behind us and called a dispatch for a tow truck. I had my car towed to our house instead of the nearest Hyundai dealership because it was probably close and there was no way we could get a car to use to go home. It's about 30 miles away from where we live.
    The Hyundai roadside assistance was responsive enough but only Triple AAA towing company is allowed in the Garden State Parkway, so I had to pay $160 for the service, but Hyundai said I can reimburse it.

    So tonight I'm bringing it to the dealer to see what the problem is. I know this is not the first time, because I've read before on previous posting similar to this problem. I've posted on this board a couple of times back and been
    following it regularly.
    I've been completely happy with my SantaFe prior to this problem. Thank God, no one was harmed and nothing happened to me and my family. I'm still optimistic about the car, and I hope this doesn't open a can of worms where I have to regret buying
    a first year model vehicle and a Hyundai vehicle.
  • billbo1970billbo1970 Member Posts: 76
    Well....... ANY first year vehicle is bound to have a few problems, that is always the chance you take in buying a first year. But those of us who have purchased this vehicle like it enought to feel that taking that chance is worth it. Doesn't it feel good to stop at a light & see people stealing glances at your nice new truck :)?? Look at all the problems the Escape/Tribute owners are having!! I am very satisfied to see that most of us Sante Fe owners are having very few problems, and the problems we ARE having seem to be minor annoyances that can be corrected.
  • jericho_avejericho_ave Member Posts: 37
    yes billbo, I know the risk and i've taken that into consideration when i bought my SantaFe over the problematic tribute/escape. I've also gotten a lot of the stares and nice comments you talk about. It makes me smile and proud of my choice everytime a stranger walks up to me to ask about my new SUV. But you quickly forget that when you're stuck in a freeway, on a rainy night and cars are narrowly avoiding to hit you from behind because my car stalled. Have no doubt that I own a santafe, and that this thing really happened to me. I still have full confidence in Hyundai's warranty and thats one reason I'm not yet worried.

    Also, I'd still recommend the santafe over the tribute or escape to anyone who'd care to ask my opinion.

    Thanks for the concern bro...
  • wmelquistwmelquist Member Posts: 2
    Does anybody know if the availability of the Santa Fe's is going to improve anytime soon.Also I would be interested in a dealer in northern California that will sell the Santa Fe's at less than MSRP. Any input in buying one at a reasonable price would be appreciated.
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    Just from yesterday and today people have question and problem for me already!

    Bush Guard:
    I choose bush Guard no.6 because is protect the car more! Especially there is small metal going across the fog light also 2 stretch corner on the very bottom. No. 2, was better protection on the top grill. Most of the other vehicles rear are lower and will likely hit below the grill anyway. "I like sporty look". Most people does not like this Guard because of the word "FUSION".

    Side Steps:
    The side steps that I have was very similar to the no. 2 but stretch out to the side more and look more sporty. Most people does not like this steps because of the word Mr. Auto label. I peeled it off and leave a word Off-road!

    Air filters:
    I bought OEM air filters with the price of $10.99 each. The type of price you are talking about is probably the Generator not filter.

    A/T Climate Control:
    Hopefully this item will be successful within 2-3 months from now. This item will replace the current climate control and comes along with a new panel cover to fit it. Disadvantage if you have wood dash but there is way to do around it. Cut it and let it work similar to a Radio part. Order from HDK for working model. Still working with the Technical guy in Korea and have the electric wire to convert from 2 in-house to 4 in-house plugs. Our current Climate Control have 4 in-house plugs.

    Trip Computer (Digital Multimeter System):
    Also order from HDK for working model! This item will be the next subject. The hard thing about this item is that our current Santa Fe does not have any wire plugs to connect to this piece. This project is hard because we have to steal some wires belong to our current model and work it out. "Most likely will not be successful but we will do our best". Hopefully next year model or after will comes as an option.

    Recall Situation:
    Most likely there won't be a timing belt recall for the V6 Santa Fe. When I look and compare with my father in-law car Isuzu Rodeo. They size for this timing belt is perfect for our V6 Santa Fe. However, I don't know exactly the 4 cylinder looks but it a chance might be recall. "Chance Only". Basically bigger is better and I think the only way to work around is that the dealer/manufacture install a protector to prevent the timing belt from sliding off.

    Antenna Reception: This is part of bumper & bumper warranty protection. Have the dealer check and fix it for you. My reception is excellent. There might be a problem on the window glass antenna or wire problem. Keep on bothering the dealer and you might get something more favor out of it. "Warranty" "Warranty"

    Vibration:
    This suppose not to happen to the Santa Fe. Again "Warranty", "Warranty". Bring it back to the dealer and have them replace the new engine, etc..Not every new pieces (engines) coming out of the manufacture will be perfect. This is very rare and happen on every manufacture. I have seen it on Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, and Lexus as well. "Hint", my 3 best friends are Auto Mechanic and they told me. I meant by "Rare" "Hard to Happen" but still it does happen on some new car. Most of the time happen on the 1st year model. The RAV4 and CRV are even worst on there 1st year model too.

    Wiper Problem:
    This situation was happen to my 1990 Celica GT. Back into those days, this problem oftenly happen but it is really happen on the intermitten situation. The "turning" switch is not as good as the "pushing". Will likely have to replace with another STICK with all the turning power switch. "Hardly happen to any car but does happen". Usually see it happen on older modern of Toyota and BMW. Not a very major thing but major thing if you live in a place that need to use it a lots.
  • billbo1970billbo1970 Member Posts: 76
    Jericho: Just a STUPID suggestion, but.....

    Did you try resetting the fuel-cutoff switch under the hood??? Something may have tripped it?? Let us know what the problem is when you find out!

    krcooper: Yeah, there are 2 antennas. There are always 2 antennas in a vehicle that uses in-glass antennas. There is the one in the rear driver's side window, and the one in the windshield by where the rearview mirror mounts. BUT....if the radio did do any switching, all that means is that my new radio has 2 antennas connected full-time which really shouldn't cause any problems. The use of the 2nd antenna is for AM reception. The in-glass antenna is directional, so every time you turn, you are changing your am reception. FM doesn't care about this as much. I am having problems with my FM reception, which is ODD! I am wondering if the plug coming from the window to the in-car wiring is not plugged in properly? There MUST be a plug, otherwise what happens when you need to replace the window???
  • billbo1970billbo1970 Member Posts: 76
    Hi Hung. I just called the dealer. They are telling me that this is normal for a window antenna. Some areas just don't get good reception with this kind of antenna. I asked about installing a fender mount antenna, he said they don't do that.
  • krcooperkrcooper Member Posts: 14
    When I took my Santa Fe in to have the power door locks/power windows/alarm fixed, they replaced the door lock relay & window relay (both were part numbers 95225-29000 - described as "Y ASSY-POWER") and the alarm "module" (part number 81300-26020 - described as the "Actuator Assembly"). This fixed those problems, but now - a week later, I'm beginning to have a problem with my interval wipers - just stopping dead in the middle of the windshield - as if power is cut to the wiper motor.
    Any ideas, hyundaima? As soon as the problem 'gels' enough to be repeatable on demand, I'll be taking the Santa Fe in to the dealer for repairs.
  • losthat1losthat1 Member Posts: 93
    James Healey in Friday's USA Today has a good review of the SF.

    His last comment reads-
    "Overall: Delightful if you're a consumer, frightening if you're a rival automaker"

    Isn't that the truth! I don't think there is anything else on the market that compares price to price, looks to looks, feature to feature, warranty to warranty etc. on the market today. Happy driving!
  • re34240re34240 Member Posts: 3
    I notied on www.hyundaiusa.com they had a brief page on a college graduate program but they have no specifics on the details. All they say is "your degree is your good credit". Im assuming that you can get a lower interest rate. Does anyone have any experience with this college graduate program or at least some more detailed information? i graduated in Dec. 2000 and im very interested in getting a Sante Fe.
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    Show them prove. Drive the car to the dealer on the Weekend or the day that you are off. Have them compare the with your car and the car in the lot. If they are the same then is normal but your is different then tell them to fix it. No prove if you call on the phone.

    Yes! There will be more good test going on the new when the Sacramento Fuel Cell Santa Fe is approved. There is a test going on in Sacramento now.
  • bironbbironb Member Posts: 63
    Also mentioned in the review:

    "The only serious gripe: The front end felt sloppy in the test truck, a well-furnished GLS all-wheel-drive model priced $21,494. It bounded when mildly provoked by bumps, and ran way too wide in turns, requiring stern reaction to hold the proper lane. Hard to forgive."

    "Power: Insufficient. Even the optional V-6, while smooth and pleasant-sounding, couldn't catapault the SUV with sufficient confidence at demanding moments."

    I personally could not ignore these two issues. Otherwise, yes it's a pretty good vehicle.
  • losthat1losthat1 Member Posts: 93
    I suspect it depends on what you compare the SF with. I don't find it underpowered. I'm taking it up to the mountains in April and maybe then will change my mind. For everyday driving I think the power is fine. I don't find the front end sloppy or that it overreacts to bumps or runs way too wide in turns either. I was just pleased with the review, as James Healey is brutally honest and accurate in his reviews...much more so than some of the car magazines that favor specific labels. The Boston Globe also gave the SF a very good and accurate review over Washington's Birthday weekend. I passed both reviews along to a friend who is considering a purchase just to back up my own subjective views.
  • hyundaimahyundaima Member Posts: 197
    The second part number doesn't show up in the parts catalog(www.hyundaiusaparts.com/consumer)...there's no separate alarm module in SF(burglar alarm function is integrated into the ETACS(Electronic Time & Alarm Control System) module), so it's got to be the door latch & actuator assembly(81310-26020)...which side has been replaced? Driver-side? the fix doesn't sound right, but you no longer have the problem, so...
    ETACS controls the intermittent wiper interval, so if it acts up intermittently, there might be some bad connection in the ETACS...
  • krcooperkrcooper Member Posts: 14
    It sounds like you work for Hyundai - how else would you seem to know so much about the Santa Fe?
    In any case - yes - the parts they replaced did fix the problems, at least for now - but if that "ETACS module" is causing my interval wiper problems now, that tells me that maybe they DID replace it - but this 2nd one is also defective - only in a different area than before (interval wiper now - burglar alarm then).
    As for the door latch/actuator assembly - from what I can see on the repair sheet, I see only one actuator assembly listed, and it must control ALL the doors - because ALL the doors locks weren't working. Does this "ETACS module" have anything to do with the door locks?
    PS to hyundaima...you can reply to me personally via email at k.co@gte.net - if you feel this discussion might bore, or won't aid other readers of this message board.
  • guyfguyf Member Posts: 456
    I too read the USA today review. I have been driving my GLS for over 2 months now and I dont understand James Healey comment that the SF understeer. In fact, on snow or ice it leans toward oversteer rather than understeer.

    The suspension is on the soft side and long travel but well controlled. This type of suspension (similar to CR-V)is exactly what we need for our broken-up roads in Quebec.

    It certainly understeer much less than the CR-V I have been driving for 4 years (120,000km)

    The V6 is also has much more power than either a CR-V or 4 cylinder Accord. No, it's not a rocket, but if you floor it or use the shiftronic, it will go.

    As for the rest of the review, I certainly agree. Only a few months ago I would have laughed at the proposition of buying a Hyundai and here I am. We will see more great cars from Korea in the future...
  • hyundaimahyundaima Member Posts: 197
    No, I don't work for Hyundai. I get all the info from the Hyundai WebTech site(www.hmaservice.com).

    The ETACS module also has a remote receiver built in. It receives signal from the remote and "actuates" the power door lock. One door latch/actuator assembly in each door. There's no way the ETACS module in your SF has been replaced since the dealer gets reimbursed for only the items listed on the repair order. I can't imagine the dealer fixing your truck at their own expense.
  • big_guybig_guy Member Posts: 372
    I have to agree with the review on the steering and engine response. It all depends on what you are used to driving and if you have test driven anything else in the same time period as the Sante Fe.

    I have test driven the Sante Fe 3 separate times. The first time was right after test driving a Tribute. The steering in the SF felt kind of numb and the acceleration noticebly slower in comparison to the Tribute.

    The second time I test drove the SF was during a lunch break with no other test driven vehicles. The steering response and acceleration felt better but the leather wrapped steering wheel felt too slippery and made the vehicle feel like it was understeering considerably. I suspect that the dealership detailer used a bit too much cleaning fluid on the steering wheel which made it slippery.

    The third test drive was just before a second test drive in the Tribute. This time, the soft ride in the SF made the ride in the Tribute feel harsh, but the steering in the SF still was rather numb in comparison and the V6 engine in the Sante Fe just didn't give that satisfying kick in the pants as you mash down the accelerator.

    I find the Sante Fe to be a very appealing little SUV. The looks are good, the warranty outstanding, The interior is nicely appointed, the general feel of the vehicle is very nice and performance is pretty good too. The steering and acceleration of the vehicle are not bad on their own but when test driven side by side with a vehicle that is tuned to have a "sportier" feel, you do notice the difference. There is a part of me that wants to emphasize the "sport" in the Sport Utility Vehicle and the Tribute/Escape and the Forester fit that description better than the Sante Fe. That having been said, IMO, I still find the Sante Fe to be the best value of the small SUV's and it remains on top of my list of potential new vehicles. I am still waiting for the Saturn VUE to give it a spin and compare it to the other small SUV's.
  • squiremarcsquiremarc Member Posts: 16
    Test drove both the Santa Fe GLS and the Tribute LX back to back over the weekend. We went to the Hyundai dealer first, where the sales manager let us take the Santa Fe alone. We gave it a good run on the highway, and then went through a small village, then went to the church parking lot so my wife could practice backing up into a parking spot. She found it easier to back up than our mini van. I found the power to be more than adequate, the handling seemed fine, but I did find the brakes a little soft. This was my second time driving the Santa Fe, and I have to say I'm really impressed. We then went to the Mazda dealer and asked to test drive an LX Tribute (first time),as we were comparing it to another vehicle. The salesman came with us and sat in the back seat, answering our questions as we drove. I was expecting the Tribute to be MUCH more powerful than it was, I did not find it a lot more powerful than the Santa Fe! In fact, I found it drove and handled a lot like our MPV (sorry). I think my wife was more impressed than I was, she found the LX clothe interior as nice as the GLS leather (?) We both agreed that the Tribute's brakes felt better, and it was a little peppier than the Santa Fe. We haven't made OUR final decision yet, but I think I have.
  • georgefarmergeorgefarmer Member Posts: 98
    My SF went in shop today to fix the damage from being hit in rear at a stop light. The insurance co. gave me a rental 2001 Ford Explorer XLT to drive so I went straight from the SF to the Explorer. The Explorer drives and feels terrible compared to the SF! The ride is harse, the steering vibrated a lot (17,000 miles on it), the acceleration was less than the SF. I am sure that is not what the tests say but it sure the way I felt. If i would have given the same amount of gas to the SF on the Interstate I would be going 80 ans the Explorer was barely doing 60. The doors have a tinny sound when closing, unlike the solid thunk of the SF. I am sure the Explorer coast at least $25,000 plus too. It did have rear air vernt and radio contraol and of course more cargo room. The SF is a joy to drive, the Explorer is just something to drive. I had a Jeep GC for 7 years before the SF and it was much better then the Explorer but still not as fun and well built as my SF.
  • billbo1970billbo1970 Member Posts: 76
    No, comparing my truck & my wife's car at the dealer won't refute his statement. The Santa Fe has a window antenna. My wife's Nubira has a regular mast antenna. So, the fact the my truck is getting bad reception & the car is getting good reception will only prove to him what he is saying: That "the window antenna does not get very good reception when compared to a regular antenna". I will need to buy an antenna somewhere and have it professionally installed.
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    Air Vent:
    Did you know that the Santa Fe have air vents in the back too. Both of that air vents is hidden under the front seats.

    Tribute Comparison:
    More than 5 recalls have been issued. The more power the more waste of gas. I found the Santa Fe is perfect in power already. The options on the Santa Fe is more and cheaper than the Tribute. I went to test drive the Santa Fe first time was on a Hyundai/Subaru/Mazda dealer in Sacramento on Florin Road (run by same owner). I told the salesman that I want to test drive the Tribute and the Santa Fe. I also told him that I want to drive a full-time AWD similar to the RAV4 AWD. So he take me to the Santa Fe and I was very impress. The salesman did not recommended me the Tribute at all. All of the tribute have been shipped back to the manufacture for recall situation. However, I have see the Tribute in the Moscone Car show. I found that the Tribute look bore inside and outside as well. The Santa Fe have the rear trunk with hidden storage and also the Shiftronic which I like because I can drive A/T and/or Manual. The exterior was nicer than the Tribute and therefore I did not bother to test drive the Tribute because of the Full-Time AWD that I want.

    Brake:
    The Santa Fe brake is the same as most of the luxury car. I drove on the Lexus ES300 and is the same as the Santa Fe. The reaction of the brake was to prevent the brake from warn out and also apply to ABS situation as well. The braking pattern on the Santa Fe is the same as most luxury car and it suppose to be that way. Any different than this you will have the problem in the future. The pattern on the RAV4 that I used to have was start braking right away (Sound like on the Tribute). This have been a problem on the brake all the time. Every 7000 miles I have to have my friend help adjust it.

    Leather Seat:
    The leather seat in the Santa Fe is suppose to be a good quality. You will find it hard in the beginning but after for many uses the leather will stretch and it will be good and comfortable in the future. Beside that it will last longer. Example: This leather can handle heated seats and so you know what I mean.
  • pro212pro212 Member Posts: 44
    Quick thanks to Hung for all his helpful and thorough comments to anyone who asks. You should be #1 in the new Santa Fe Club! Unfortunately, due to some special circumstances (my SF is in another state), I must have a Hyundai dealer install the series 2 front and rear guards, series2 side step rails, hood deflector, and front and rear mud guards for me. Since you did it yourself, can you give me an estimate of labor time so I can negotiate costs with an out-of-state Hyundai dealer (who never put any of these accessories on before).

    Also, in one posting you said that if a Hyundai dealer installs the poewer moonroof it will have a lifetime guarantee. Is this really possible now? Is the lifetime guarantee written anywhere?
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    I found out that the ride on the Santa Fe was kind of bumpy on little bumpy road. The problem was the tires. The BFGoodrich tire that was using on the Santa Fe was an okay kind only. Especially that used the 30 psi. I believe the 28 psi will do better but the ride does not bother me so I don't care. I notice the Santa Fe is wider than most if it competitors and it suppose to used wider tires to solve the ride problem. I will change the tires and rims when my current tires die. As I mention before, I will change it to 255/55/17 tires (Dunlop) or 250/55/17 (Pirelli). The Pirelli do better than the Dunlop. Check out the tires in www.tirerack.com and you know what I mean. Click on survey.....
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    Labor:
    Dealer will charge you more no matter what. Order the parts and have it deliver to you and then ask a friends or relatives to help figure out and install it. Give your friends or relatives a good dinner or money if he prefer. It is a fun thing to do it yourself because you will learn much more about the car. When it comes to accident, you may need to know how to uninstall and so on... It takes 2 people to do faster but I did it myself about 6 hours total with all the item you have listed. Hood Deflector and mud guards was about 20 minutes for both. The other 3 items are easy too but the time involve when I have to figure out where the Screw/Bolts go on the car.

    Moonroof:
    Most of the dealers will send the car to a special place to do moonroof. Almost every places are lifetime and you don't really have to have the dealer do it. Find a special place located near you and do it. Hint: "Yellow Pages".
  • pro212pro212 Member Posts: 44
    from your forum friends.
  • roadkill55roadkill55 Member Posts: 25
    Does the dealer have any Santa Fe's on the lot? If they do, attempt the comparision that Hung suggested with that vehicle. If the reception is the same then okay. Otherwise, have them get it to work. I think that the reception in my SF is great. In fact, the reception is better than the car I traded in and my current second vehicle. So, I suspect that there must be something not right in your SF....Good Luck
  • gsogymratgsogymrat Member Posts: 97
    I read that the FWD Santa Fe is considerably peppier than the 4WD. Has anyone else noticed that? I have no desire to get a 4WD and hope that the FWD will not feel underpowered, as some of the reviews have mentioned. I would love to test drive a Santa Fe but the dealership here never has any in stock.
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    The Santa Fe built in a luxury sedan ride and therefore you shouldn't not worry about the ride. FWD is faster and save more gas. 4WD/AWD do better on any road and ride a little smoother than the FWD. Whatever meet you then get it.

    Here is a big reason why I like about the Santa Fe.
    Exterior: Rear-top "LED" brake light-especially inside the window, 2 more reflector light on the rear bumper which can be convert into brake light for less than $20, The rear license plate also have it own light, the vehicle skid metal plate protector-WoW! My favorite was the rear convenience trunk window work independence. The CRV & Rodeo type work dependent! Mean that you have to lift the window in order to open the door. But the one on the Santa Fe was different, you don't have too. Beside that the window is heated/defroster, tinted, and still have the wiper to work with it. Amazing. Can't find that on other SUV.

    Here the Interior part:
    Nice overhead console box compare to any other SUV, Extra cargo bin under the front passenger seats, Heated seats for front driver and passenger, Lumbar back support on the driver seats, Driver seats have manual control for moving leg and butts support "UP" & "Down"-Wow! Here is best part! The rear hidden cargo bin. You can hide almost every important back-up pieces-which I did it was: jumper cable, rope, wiper blade, headlight bulb, auto tools, etc...All hidden under the rear trunk. Never get bore on this SUV (Santa Fe). Excellent build and can not find on other SUV, especially when it comes to price. Amazingly cheap.
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    image
  • hunter36hunter36 Member Posts: 29
    Hung: I've put this out before and nobody responded so I'll ask you! Do you have any special technique for getting a full tank of gas before the thing 'clicks off'? At some pumps, the nozzle clicks off 40-50 times before I get a full tank in.

    Gsogymrat: I have a FWD and I think the SF goes very well! I didn't bother driving an AWD so can't compare but the critics of the power with the FWD are clueless in my opinion. Most of the reviews are with the AWD but I'm sure the 0-60 times for the FWD are in the mid 9 sec. range.
  • viperuviperu Member Posts: 17
    Has anyone installed the running boards that are available from HDKAutosports?Has anyone bought and had installed other brands besides those?I've found 2 websites that say they have nerf bars for Santa Fes but there doesn't seem to be a way to install them on it and the local truck accessories shop says no way also.How about fender trim?Anybody put some on besides the one available from Exotic Dash that doesn't seem to fit?Answer here or email me direct.Thanks.

    Steve
    viperu@peoplepc.com
  • lrchomelrchome Member Posts: 130
    I have a LX-FWD and when filling it I noticed it shut off at about 15 gallons every time.

    Then I started filling it 1/2 way , then reducing the fuel flow rate to 1/2 velocity all the way to full, by doing this ir filled completely up, the entire 17.9 gallons.
    I hope this helps.
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