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Comments
2009 vs 2011 Sonata test drive
The bigger difference is comparing a compact car (CC) to a large car (Sonata). The CC is much smaller than the Sonata and only rated at 107 ft3 of TOTAL volume. The Sonata is in the big leagues size wise........
this is not to take away from it. I project maybe in the near future the Azera may be
fazed out. Mostly because all the compeditors are judged against the Sonata or
the Genesis "luxury class". We are on midsize family sedans, the interior looks
is an opinion thing completely. Now If you are talking about power output that is
a whole new dimension. Just for example "extreme but example. Take the little
Mazda 6 grand touring and compare it to a little more expensive car such as the
Cadillac CTS V. What you will is a somewhat difference, more so than against
the I4 Sonata. I will venture to say the 558 hp in the CTS V, would give a slight
advantage, 0-60 on the CTS V is about 3.6 plus or minus. If you want more power
they only start at about $78,000, pretty close right. Like I mentioned IMO!!!
the Sonata, not by a long shot. But price wise MSRP can be more or less from
one area of the country to the other, such as destination fee's, could be a
pretty big difference. Now look at actual OTD price, again could be a big
difference. I can bicker a price with them and they will give me the car just to
get me out of their face. LOL
And as you mentioned, they aren't even in the same class in size so I'm not even sure why the CC is being brought into this discussion. It's a moot point as the cars aren't comparable in size or price. We might as well start comparing a CRV to the Sonata.
average savings on 09 sonata(36 samples)
http://www.realcartips.com/2009-Hyundai-Sonata-Prices
-Average Savings off MSRP 22.54% - over $5000 below msrp.
-this is not a factual proof, and a very small dose, but i'm sure ya'll agree with hyundai's aggressive incentives and dealer discounts. I've read plenty of price paid and buying experiences in here, and sonata can be had 4-5k below msrp. so basically it's closer than 50% than 25% IMO.
new sonata is bit more expensive than last year's, so i would say the difference is about 35-40%. but no doubt hyundai will continue to sell aggressively on sonata much more so than VW every will on CC.
Towards the top of this page you will see the above. Click on "Hyundai Sonata" and it will take you to the main Sonata page. Listed are all the topic discussions regarding the Sonata. You will see a "Hyundai Sonata Prices Paid & Buying Experience" forum. That is where most people go to discuss prices, etc for all years of Sonatas. The discussion right now probably has a lot about the deals on the 2010s but I have started to see discussions about the '11 start to crop up.
I believe the Sonata and Honda both fall into the EPA interior volume as large cars but who ever made interior volume as determined by the EPA the criteria upon which cars fall into this discussion?
To me, both the Passat and CC(actually a larger car than the Passat) are midsized family sedans that are priced on the high side versus some other midsize sedans that we discuss here. Heck, a decked out Mazda6(which somebody just referred to as little???) can approach 35k MSRP. Just a few years ago the typical Camcord was selling, street price, for about 35% more than the Sonata.
I don't even own a VW and have no axe to grind with regards to it but wonder when people want to make arbitrary decissions on what we may or may not compare here or even talk about.
You wrote the above. Do you know that the CC is only 1" shorter but about an inch wider and weighs more than the Sonata? That's hardly smaller by a long shot, it's pretty much the same size. Or are we strictly talking interior volume on this forum?
Destination fees, to the best of my knowlege, are the same countrywide. That is why you pay the same destination fee for a Detroit made car in Detroit as you would in Seattle. Sometimes a regional advertising fee may be added to the MSRP in certain makes but that is very minimal. Now if you're talking docs fees and stuff like that it can be a whole different story state to state but those are not part of the MSRP.
Comparing Sonatas features and build (other than fully loaded) to a CC is apples to oranges given the price difference.
People coming in and saying the sonata doesn't compare well to a car that costs 6k+ more really isn't pertinent to the discussion imho for anyone on a budget. The question is more whether or not the Sonata offers more value for the money than it's competitors that can be had for a comparable price.
Cars can move between price brackets and even size classes. So what's true a few years ago might not be pertinent this year.
Dodgeman said the CC was a compact car so I took his word for it (I don't follow VW much and only visited the site briefly). Still the price point makes it more of a competitor to the Acura TSX than the Sonata. If you're looking to spend $27k or more then by all means compare away.
I have a nephew that works for VW and he has recommended to me in the past to stick with Asian brands if I really want infrequent and reasonably priced repairs. However, that was a few years ago before Ford really starting putting out some better product so I would think he would recommend them as well.
I currently have a Civic and one thing I don't like is the headlights aren't very bright in my opinion.
I won't be seriously car shopping until June but gotta make sure my opinion going in doesn't hurt my ability to give an honest evaluation.
Right now I think Sonata is probably the top of my list followed by Fusion and Altima.
On a separate note, it will be interesting to see how much more the Hybrid and Turbo version of the Sonata will cost when they come out. Based on fusion hybrid price, I'd guess 26-27k for the sonata hybrid unless they really want to undercut the competition.
Also, most turbos require or at least recommend premium fuel.....that is another quantom leap which I feel the average Hyundai buyer will be hard pressed to make. Not impossible but kind of a mindset change IMO.
Backy, just saw your post when I hit "post my message". Pretty much saying the same thing about the GLS/hybrid combo possibilities. I think the Turbo will come in pretty competitive pricewise but the possibility of premium fuel may seem a little strange.
So far for me, hybrids have fallen in 3 categories:
1) ugly (prius, insight)
2) too much of a price premium over nonhybrid version (ford fusion)
3) weak (civic hybrid)
Granted the fusion comes with more features but I'm not looking to spend that much. One thing I have heard is that cold weather hurts mileage for hybrids. It's cold where I live at least 3 months of the year. It would it tough to recoup the extra cost of a hybrid.
Anyway, hopefully they do a hybrid GLS like you mentioned. That would be sweet. Of course, if it comes in after July, I will most likely already have a new car.
That's what I like about these forums, one is constantly reminded of a myriad of points of view.
I
trouble keeping accurate time. LOL
Why,because we love cars "all of them". A man after my own heart, very nice to
meet you!!
IMO, "SE" excellent choice!!
Try finding a 2011 Sonata for $16K or $17K.
A 2009? Yeah you're right - not a problem there......
Test drive a CC and you'll see how small it is. I'm 6' 2" and 230 pounds and the car was claustrophobic and had a tiny trunk. A true compact.
It is mid-size by European standards though.......
I.V. is where the "EPA" gets their ranking. Sonata is about 122 cuft v/ about
107 cuft in the CC. I will be more than happy f/ my larger size be inside, IMO
was about the "2011"
Don't bother to reply.....I can't stand the sarcasm.
I can't remember when I went out of my way to insult anyone, if I did I do I appologize.
Maybe just give someone the bennefit of the doubt. What if I actually thought "I"
clicked on the wrong subject, would that be the same in your opinion? I'm sorry if
my choice of words offended anyone, mybad.
Test drove the limited car today - for anyone who doesn't need the car to be especially sporty, the interior destroys everything under $30K. The quality and comfort of the leather Hyundai used was unbelievable.
Of course it wouldn't be the same. If I thought you thought you actually clicked on the wrong topic I wouldn't even have replied in the first place. It's not my opinion, you were very clear. Spin it as you wish.
The CC comes with 207 torque compared to 184 in the Sonata, but the CC is 130 lbs. heavier, same HP. Most of the things the CC lacks are not even options, so not only do I think this is a stupid comparison but I think the Sonata limited could win hands down if one of the Autorags decided to compare the two more scientifically. About the only thing better about the CC is it has a little bit more power. I got all my info on both cars from Cars.com and the Sonata book I got from the dealership.
need to use it to attack people for no reason. Your opinion about something I will
respect, but in turn it would be nice if you would extend the same courtesy.
I'm not really sure what "spin it as you wish means" but I'll take it as a good
thing. Thanks...
For whatever reason, Hyundai is great in many areas (fit and finish, interior designs, fuel economy), but they haven't been able to produce competitive suspensions.
The 2006-2010 Sonatas all have an incredible amount of complaints about suspension issues and noises when driving over less than billiards table smooth road surfaces.
Thank you.
answer to your question on the 2011 suspension may take a while to fully
surface. I've heard many complaints about the 07, 08, & 09 noise, there is
no doubt an issue. I have the 2009/2010 "SAME CAR EXACTLY" mine is
the SE V6 version. The under carriage and suspension on the SE is made
completely different than the GLS and the Limited. Maybe my car is the
only one, but all I hear from under neath is the 17" HP Kumhos. What I'm
really getting at is, has the a new suspension been adopted for all the 2011's!
I know for a fact some things on the new 2011 SE are different for the
others..
I recall reading on this forum (somewhere) that Hyundai just provided test vehicles to the various media outlets at the beginning of this month. Not sure what kind of turn around time they have on reviews. I really hope it's soon!
I thought it might help to know that I ordered a black on black 2011 LTD on Super Bowl Sunday, and my Atlanta area dealer told me it showed up in his inventory yesterday, meaning it should be delivered in the next couple of days.
If the transaction completes successfully, I'll give out his contact info to anyone who wants it. I was able to negotiate $2.5k under MSRP, including $500 owner loyalty.
Test drove the limited car today - for anyone who doesn't need the car to be especially sporty, the interior destroys everything under $30K. The quality and comfort of the leather Hyundai used was unbelievable.
Nice congrats. I'm thinking black myself. What interior did you get? Why the SE over the limited or GLS if you dont mind my asking? Just curious what factored into your decision.
I would expect a slew of reviews to start pouring in later this week. The Chicago auto show just started(biggest in North America) and Chicago is a good market for Hyundai so they may want to piggyback each other but I really don't know.
Bottom line: Look for reviews to start popping up any day now. I too think Hyundai dropped the ball and should of had these reviews out two weeks ago but I guess they must have some method to their madness.
You got a great discount. Congratulations.
I live in the Atlanta, Georgia area, and bought from a very high volume, well respected dealer here in the area.
After what I have read after the fact, I am over the moon about the price I negotiated. As for the speed of delivery, it doesn't hurt to be 3 hours from the manufacturing plant in Montgomery, AL!
of course you can't find it right now. it just came out!
but when hyundai starts to sell aggressively sonata's OTD price will be
17.5k-25k
vs.
CC's
28k - 36k+
the real world price difference between CC and sonata will be at least 8k.
i expect the new sonata's actual price paid is about a grand more than last year model. don't let the great design, and upscale look fool you. hyundai will sell their bread and butter very aggressively this year especially because what happened to toyota.
combo's, though I,m not really a black car man but not because how they
look. If you have not seen one in person yet, be prepared to hit the floor.
I will describe it like a woman a "KNOCK-OUT" believe me. Very good choice!!
This bad boy is going to turn some heads for sure. One of their SB ads claimed that the paint quality was better than a similar Mercedes.
I am also having a hard time understanding the value of the SE model. What are you getting for the additional dollars? Seems like the bulk of the increase is to pay for the 18 inch alloys/tires (which will cost a bundle to replace someday). The two extra ponies (200hp) are merely the result of the dual exhaust providing a lower back pressure for the same 2.0 I-4 GDI engine in the GLS/LTD. What am i missing???
I liked the limited also, but I am more inclined towards sportier types of vehicles so I chose the SE mostly for the suspension/performance advantages. The limited was $2,700 more MSRP and about the only thing extra you get is the upgraded stereo, duel climate, a sunroof, and heated leather. But you go back to the basic suspension (which is still nice), lose duel exhaust, lose performance tires, and go down to 17''. They are both beautiful cars, I think it just depends on if you'd rather drive a Cadillac CTS or an Infinity G35, if you get my comparison. I almost got the SE w/nav package which includes sunroof, upgraded stereo, and of course the nav and would bring the price almost up to the limited's, but then you lose iPod input, which I plan to use every time I drive and would not like giving it up.
Here is a list from kickingtires.com of the additional features you get with the Sonata SE over a GLS w/popular equipment package, which is $20,945.
Sonata SE automatic transmission - $22,595
* 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 200 hp/186 lb. torque (both up 2 from the base)
* Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters
* 18-inch Hyper Silver alloy wheels with performance tires << note you get better tires, not just bigger. I have performance tires on my 2004 Sonata, trust me they are worth the few extra bucks if you like your ride to be sporty.
* Dark chrome front grille (GLS is body colored) * Chrome exterior door handles * Sport-tuned suspension and steering * Sport seats featuring leather bolsters with cloth inserts
* Proximity entry with push-button start
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
* Front fog lights
* Dual exhaust
I would be interested to know other people's thoughts on the value of the SE vs Limited and which they would prefer.