2011 Hyundai Sonata

sb2002

Are these cars purposefully hard to find? It seems that Hyundai may be waiting on releasing many of these upper end 2011 sonatas to clear the older 2010 inventory. In the entire midwest region, these cars are few and far between. Does anyone know if there is a new wave of releases happening in the month of April?

jparks8

People who live in the mountain have these things disabled due to errors created by the different presents at different altitudes.

jparks8

Just another small observation with my new 2011 Sonata manual transmission. The tach drops to 1000 rpm when I put my clutch in but unlike my 1999 Honda Accord, when the Sonata comes to a full stop, the tach drops to 600 rpm. Does the same things occur with automatics?

bneuman542

We picked up my wife's black SE with Nav. this afternoon. Love it! It's amazing how many people stare at it... I haven't had a chance to drive it yet, wife took it to work. I did manage to pair both our phones before she left. After pairing her phone and testing it buy calling in and out I went back into house. I added a few more contacts. When she was getting ready to leave I was showing her how to make a call. Brought up contacts and the newly added contacts didn't show up. Is there a way to re-sync? I really haven't had much time to check into this. Just wondering if anyone has seen this?

syitalian25

It only warns you if the pressure is low, but does not read out each tire individually. That would be a nice feature though.

snam

Thanks for reply and pointing that out.
$2000 meant my down payment, so what they are offering is the sales price of $24840. Does this seem okay?

mikemartin

I finally got some seat time in a GLS and an SE version of the new Sonata.

I am completely shocked at how firm the suspension is in both iterations.

Unless Hyundai engineers were thinking roads in this country were all smooth as glass, I can't imagine what they were thinking when they designed, engineered and calibrated the suspension settings.

The motor also sounds louder than the 2.0T Volkswagen, which has valve clatter similar to a diesel motor at idle, and I have heard that DI motors such as the new 2.2 liter used in the Sonata are prone to heavy carbon buildup at premature intervals, and I hope Hyundai did some very advanced engineering to deal with this issue lest there be a lot of unhappy customers with engine troubles returning to the dealers in an unexpectedly short time frame.

Read about the concern over this issue among owners here: http://www.hyundai-forums.com/t46814-st-40-24-gdi-engine.htm

Also, I am 6'2" and hit my head on the roof when sitting in the rear seat.

I do like the instrument cluster and seats, but am disappointed that there is no rear seat vent for the heat/AC in the GLS and SE, and there is a lot of hard plastic surfaces on the dash.

I also do think that Hyundai made a smart marketing move by including so much content as standard equipment, as this will put price pressure on Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford and Chevy.

Still, out of the Camry, Altima, Accord, Fusion, Mazda6 and Malibu, the Sonata has the most "rough around the edges" suspension, IMO.

The dealer I was at had the GLS auto for $19,870 plus TTL and a lease special (which I would never do) for $199 per month for 36 months with $1,899 due at signing (including first month's payment and tax).

syitalian25

lol look who it is. You know originally I thought you just had an opinion, but you do nothing but talk crap about this car. You supposedly do a test drive and go on to point out the couple of things that you don't like about the car, which I'm sure you were not open minded about at all to begin with.

Yet you mention almost nothing you like about it. What about the best power of any 4 cylinder in the class? or how great it looks? or turning equal or better than the Mazda6 in the SE? or how at 60mph it is only at 1750 rpms and easily gets MPG in the 30s? or best in class interior room (especially in the front, you know, where you are 99.9% of the time) and the cavernous trunk? Or how for 20K the GLS offers standard iPod, bluetooth, XM, 8 way power seats, steering wheel controls, and tons of other features that usually cost thousands more and are optional on other models.

There are rear air vents under both seats in the GLS/SE, just not adjustable vents. And it is not a particularly quiet engine, but even MotorTrend said it is still more quiet than a 4 cylinder 2010 Accord - not a particularly loud car. I have driven the Malibu, and the suspension is a joke unless you like driving on a waterbed. The suspension is on the firm side of the class in the Sonata, something the previous car was desperately lacking for anyone that likes to get a bit of enjoyment out of their car. It's still not an overly harsh ride.

The 2011 Sonata is a great car, not the perfect car. Let us know what cars you drive and I will be glad to point out what a piece of crap those are for you, and will have a much easier job doing so I'm sure.

shabadoo25

The phones resync every time the car is started. You should see all your contacts the next time you use the car.

bneuman542

The phones resync every time the car is started. You should see all your contacts the next time you use the car.

Thanks...the car was re started an hour after I added the new contacts. That's when I found the newly added contacts weren't there. I'll have an hour window to play with it today...

larry134

Stop sitting in the rear seat when you are driving this car!!!

syitalian25

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P3Tf7JPA2A&feature=related

moontrain

I am thinking that there are a lot of other car companies having a shi? fit over how good the new Sonata is. Thus all the bad talk. I would not want to own a Toyota now.

bneuman542

The wife reports new contacts showed up last night when she left work...It seems fine now.

dash5

Nice video thanks. The red and the white both look really sharp in that video.

Anyone have any new information on the Turbo that I may have missed? Price and/or expected release?

spyderone

I guess I am still confused. Based on the numbers you gave with a sticker of 26200 and 2000 down, add in 2178 and 437 you should be financing 26815 unless they added something else. Based on prices I have seen on this forum you should be able to get a better deal. Try contacting some internet managers at other dealers in and around the area you live in. Good Luck!!!

2011 Sonata Limited
26200 MSRP
24840 Sale Price
-2000 Down Payment
+2178 O.C. Sales Tax
+437 DMVs
27455 Total Amount Financed
2.9% for 36 months = 797
2.9% for 48 months = 606
2.9% for 60 months = 492

dbatow

"Stop sitting in the rear seat when you are driving this car!!!"

My FAVORITE comment of the day!!!

dash5

Forgetting about MSRP, down payments or anything else... if the price they are offering is 24,840 then that looks to be about 500 over invoice. Not a bad price. Again though, the numbers you put there are confusing. It should look more like this:

24,840 - Car price
-2,000 - Down payment
+2,178 - Taxes etc
+437 - DMV charges

25,455 - Total.

Kirstie_H

and it's not the place to cast your vote to banish people from the island. Several posts have been removed - other people are not the topic of this forum. If you wish to refute the issues stated, you are welcome to do so, but personal comments aren't welcome.

shabadoo25

So it's ok for a poster to put up the same negative comments over and over again?

andyfromva

I am completely shocked at how firm the suspension is in both iterations.

I'm "completely shocked" that anyone could characterize the ride on the GLS as "firm".

I can't comment on the SE but I've owned my GLS for over a month and driven 1500 miles. Take my word for it - the ride's as smooth as butter.

exit123

jaimz - yes, the website lists the MSRP, but when you get there they ALL have $2999 added on (some $3999). For that much the 2011 Sonata is no bargain, and there are a lot of other cars I have to consider.

syitalian25

I got my SE for $1000 below MSRP before rebates and all that other good stuff - it's time to find another dealer. try cars.overstock.com

meik

meik

The motor also sounds louder than the 2.0T Volkswagen, which has valve clatter similar to a diesel motor at idle, and I have heard that DI motors such as the new 2.2 liter used in the Sonata are prone to heavy carbon buildup at premature intervals, and I hope Hyundai did some very advanced engineering to deal with this issue lest there be a lot of unhappy customers with engine troubles returning to the dealers in an unexpectedly short time frame.

Read about the concern over this issue among owners here: http://www.hyundai-forums.com/t46814-st-40-24-gdi-engine.htm

Thanks for your concerns about carbon buildup. I am looking at the forum as well. However, don't forget that Hyundai is offering much longer power train warranty than VW, BMW or Audi.

piper5ul

Am looking to lease in the Mass. area for the SE + Nav package and am getting initial quotes of 318/month with $2500 down. for 36/15k. Residual of 15.7k

I was wondering if there is someone who can recommend a dealer that can work with me to get close to the ~300/month, with 0 down.

Thanks.
ps: please be gentle, this is my first post.

norm8_lakes

On the 2011 Sonata Limited, does anyone have problems keeping the car in the lane on highways. The steering feels unnatural. You have to be very alert on the road because of this. The car seems like it's floating from side to side.

busterbrit

I'm having the same problem. I notice it more at higher speeds. Is this something that can be fixed?

larry134

I am picking up my new 2011 sonata today in about 2 hours. I bought the Sonata Limited without the navigation system. I use my garmin and I keep the 6-cd player! The color is Radiant Silver With black interior. No two-tone for me. Price paid is $24,600 out the door. This includes new york state tax 8.125 and tags!!

norm8_lakes

I hope they can fix it, because I love the car accept the steering.
Maybe some of the technicians from Hyundai plant in Montgomery is reading this forum.
Maybe there will be a huge recall on this problem.

syitalian25

I have also noticed that it tends to drift to one side or the other, which I've heard is pretty common with electronic steering systems. Once I knew it was not misaligned it really hasn't been a problem though.

Kirstie_H

Please note that this is not the "for Sonata fans only" discussion. People are welcome to share their experiences, both positive and negative, as long as they refrain from engaging in negative, personal debates. Having re-read the post that started the complaint, I believe that some have chosen to ignore the positive comments in the post. Those would be the ones that start with "I do like..." There were basically two complaints and two positive comments.

If you wish to frequent a forum in which only positive comments can be made, I'm afraid you're in the wrong venue. Allowing multiple perspectives permits those considering this vehicle to make a choice based on ALL opinions.

If you have further questions or concerns, please direct them to me by email rather than posting within the discussion.

mwhitworth

:P

tmcgrotty

All cars that I have purchased new have been manual transmission. I am a bit disappointed that the new Sonata is only available in manual on the base trim. That said I can always get after market alloy wheels, heated seats and a few other add ons to spiff it up a bit.

Fore some reason the 6 speed manual was not readily available in MN until recently so I only got to do a test drive this week. The car ran and felt great but I had a hard time figuring out / sensing if I was in 4th or 6th gear at times without having to check the instruments.

1) How are others that have the stick shift finding it after a couple of weeks use?

2) Anyone know if the talked about Turbo version coming out later in the year will come with a manual option?

Thanks in advance for your input.

T

shabadoo25

Manual transmission currently make up 2% of new car sales. Chances are good in your lifetime that they will be phased out.

andyfromva

On the 2011 Sonata Limited, does anyone have problems keeping the car in the lane on highways. The steering feels unnatural. You have to be very alert on the road because of this. The car seems like it's floating from side to side.

I felt the same way at first but, after almost 2,000 miles, including about half on the highway, I've gotten used to it and no longer think it's a problem.

The unfamiliar "feel" comes from the car's electronic power steering, which is used in many brands of cars these days as it increases gas mileage. It's not bad once you get used to it.

shamrock13

Just following up to my previous post regarding the sharp deceleration I experienced when taking my foot off the gas during a test drive of a Limited. I drove another Limited last night along with an SE, and neither had this issue. It must have just been a problem with the initial Limited I drove.

houdini1

Well, I really like this car but haven't had a chance to drive it yet. This business about floating from side to side really bothers me and I am afraid would be a deal killer for me. That is just something that I would not want to get used to.

andyfromva

floating from side to side

That's not what I experienced. When driving on the highway every car needs to be nudged left or right. Electronic power steering just has a different feel than hydraulic steering. If you don't care for electronic power steering make sure it's not in the car you intend to buy.

syitalian25

It only drifts ever-so-slightly if you completely let off the steering wheel at high speed (60+ MPH).. if you are holding the wheel with even one hand you wouldn't even notice. It's not a big deal IMO. I have never driven a car with electric steering but I really don't find it to be any worse than Hydraulic steering on other cars.. Hyundai did a good job making sure the steering wheel provides a bit of feedback.

tmcgrotty

2% may be the case here in the US but over in Europe (where I came from) manual transmission account for 50% or more of the sales. It's an individual choice, I happen to prefer the superior control and better performance you can get with a manual.

Is there anyone on here who owns or has tested the GLS Manual and would like to give some input.

20tmaybe

Can anyone confirm that the 2011 Sonata uses a timing chain (instead of a timing belt)?

Many thanks.

syitalian25

Yes, this is true. The transmission also never needs maintenance such as flushes under normal conditions.. a big savings in the long run on both accounts.

syitalian25

Probably more like better MPG since gas is so expensive over there.. most modern automatics (including the Sonata's) are faster than the manual counterpart. The control part is easily solved with shiftronic/paddle shifters.. IMO unless I got a Porsche or something it would just be a hassle to get a stick these days.

andyfromva

I get over 40 mpg on the highway with my GLS 6 speed auto, so who needs a manual?

pianotu

That's a great deal. I live in NYC as well. Could you post which dealership you went to? Are you buying or leasing? Much appreciated!

shmohawk

Haven't found it a "problem." Did felt that I had to be more engaged in my driving when moving at high speeds compared to a heavier vechicle (my SUV). Figured it was the weight along with the electronic steering.

meik

Yep. I am getting 29 MPG on the local up to 35 mph. Also I still have a "manual mode". I don't need one any more.

shabadoo25

Bully for you. However, I was just trying to answer your question as to why stick isn't available in the higher trim levels. It's because no one buys them here.

poodog13

I happen to prefer the superior control and better performance you can get with a manual.

Comments like this always make me laugh a little bit when made in reference to a mid-level sedan. I'll buy the arguement of personal preference or cheaper cost, but that's it. Today's auto trannys are more efficient than manuals in many ways, and I don't think this car was meant to have a race-inspired feel.