2011 Hyundai Sonata

houdini1

I guess I will just have to drive one for myself and see what I think. I appreciate the discussion so I will be aware of the steering and what to watch for. Hopefully it will not be a big deal.

tmcgrotty

Agreed on the 'mid-level sedan' reference. However, the new Sonata does have a 'race-inspired look'. I'll check out the SE model with the paddles, maybe I'll get converted.

backy

Put a 274 hp turbo and the sport-tuned suspension in this puppy, and it's getting pretty darn close to a "race-inspired feel."

mexjohn

I finally decided to bite the bullet and get a new car after a very successful, no problem 11 years with a 1999 Toyota Solara. Toyota discontinued the model and lost my interest. I saw the Sonata advertised months ago while wintering in the Yucatan Peninsula Mexico and thought then, "Wow, now that's a good looking car." On Tuesday, I picked up my pearl white limited, no Nav (like portables) and absolutely love this car. Sticker was 27+ and I bought for $22,900 plus TTL and the bogus doc fees (not limited in Florida to any reasonable figure) for a total OTD price of $25,727.24 with Lojack installed. I always loved the way the Solara rode, but the Sonata is much better, and much larger inside. I absolutely love the interior, red wine leather. I've heard a lot of criticizing the interior plastics, but I admire the look, and most of it is much improved over earlier years. It just flat looks sleek and elegant. My cousin bought a 2009 in 2008 and is very pleased with that model as well, no problems noted. I was resistant to Hyundai simply because of what I've heard people say, all of them non-owners of Hyundai. Now I'm happy to know I've gotten in before the secret is really out: Hyundai builds a quality product that just gets better and better. Bye Toyota, I loved you, but you disappeared on me.

phill1

I live in Florida too and the fact that there is no max. on those bogus "dealer prep fees" where the vehicle gets a wash job and the purchaser gets a hose job, its a given. The only way to circumvent that "pack" is when the negotiations are over, you acknowledge the line on the purchase agreement that has the (FEE) stated, that the salesperson says cannot be voided because its the Law or the Holy Grail, just insist that the cash amount "equal" to the dealer fee is eliminated by adding that exact amount into the trade in value or cash discount allowance line on the purchase agreement form. They refuse.....you simply walk! Case closed. Another dealership that wants to make a sale without the added profit pack will do the deal instead!

m6user

Why don't you just ask up front what the dealer fee is? Then you just adjust your offer accordingly at the get go and avoid all the drama when the deal is about to close. In fact, I would use the fact that they are getting a huge dealer fee in my negotiations. I wonder why it costs dealers 3 times as much in Florida to complete the same paperwork that other dealers in the country have to do. Are they still using carbon paper or something?

larry134

I live about 60 miles north of the city, a town called Beacon. The dealership is Healey Brothers Hyundai.

norm8_lakes

Does anyone know when in the near future, the accessories will be available at the dealerships. I want to buy the cargo net, trunk hooks and maybe mud flaps.

wrs4

I resolved the problem, dealer here in south FL had $2700 add on. Not going for the deal, talked about me as i went out the door. When i was up in VA got the LTD. No add on. $868 under invoice with $500 loyaty rebate.

midas69

Does anyone know when in the near future, the accessories will be available at the dealerships. I want to buy the cargo net, trunk hooks and maybe mud flaps.

Give your dealer a call. I was able to get the cargo net from mine on Wednesday. .

phill1

WE all know that the dealer is going to offer less then loan value for your late model trade in, (forget about KBB Trade in Values), but besides that "shearing", an additional $500. to $800. dealer prep or doc. fee! Its like adding pin striping (decals) for $$$ or window etching for $$$ extra. Let the buyer beware, otherwise bring your own tube of KY Jell for the buying "procedure"! Using Carbon Paper or a PC has nothing to do with the Florida vehicle purchasing experience. Poor consumer protection laws allow for obscene fees to be added on. I try to stick with Ford vehicles and use their X Plan. It makes new car buying so much easier and stops most of the "drama" with the exception of the Trade-In experience.

schdy

I have spent 3 days driving my new Sonata SE. I previously had a 2006LX. I can tell you the handling is just great, Plenty of power and a pleasure to drive. I can't wait to get up in the morning and drive the car. I'm also getting 6 more MPG taking the same trip I did with my 2006. I would give this car a perfect 10 for the value and performance. Too early to rate the Quality. This is a lot of car for the money. The control of many features placed on the steering wheel should be mandatory by law especially the bluetooth. Great job Hyundai!

syitalian25

Sure, the Sonata SE is not going to beat a Lambo around a turn, but it will handily beat most other sedans you see on the road, with the exception of some uplevel performance sedans like a G37 or M3. It easily beats the handling on any other midsize, with only the Mazda6 even being close. The handling and power are more than sufficient for regular people who want a roomy, nice looking sedan with well above average performance. I would definitely say the handling is designed with performance in mind, especially in the SE.

I ordered an aftermarket strut bar to improve handling even further, I will let you guys know if I notice the big difference others have reported. It was only $92 on SharkRacing.

dash5

"I ordered an aftermarket strut bar to improve handling even further, I will let you guys know if I notice the big difference others have reported. It was only $92 on SharkRacing. "

Sorry if this is an obvious question but what is it supposed to do in terms of improving handling? Better road feel?

jparks8

I got better than the advertised gas milage on the highway before my 2011 manual Sonata was broken-in.

jparks8

I got better than the advertised gas milage on the highway before my 2011 manual Sonata was broken-in.

keyman2

I'm buying the 2011 Sonata SE hopefully next month,I like the Red?Indigo Blue?did anyone see these colors?I live in NYC.I want to tint the windows too,I don't know if dark or light colors matter.

denp3

My Limited came with the cargo mat and net as included options.
So they should be available.
I ordered mud guards from sharkracing.com, they came today and look like they are actual Hyundai parts. They were $45.00 including shipping from Korea.

jparks8

I bought a manual a couple of weeks ago. It's terrific! I am getting better than advertising gas milage on the highway before it was broken-in. It has more power than I will even need and truly is quiet.

I hear they are going to retrofit all the automatics with clutches, to disengage the engines when they start racing on their own (common from several companies as well as Toyota). And, for those people who can afford it, Mercedes has car with an automated manual transmission. A computer chip clutches but the mechanism is direct contact gears. It's the best of both worlds.

mtnman1

I live in Columbus, Ohio and I saw a Red SE that was being shipped to a dealership up in New York State somewhere because the salesman said it was a hard color to come buy in the SE trim. Absolutely gorgeous! I am not in the market for a new sedan because I just bought a new Fusion about 18 months ago. Wanted to take one for a test ride, but thought that if I did I might be hooked and want to buy it. Kind of the same feeling when you meet a beautiful woman that's interested, but you are married. You don't want to take a test drive for similar reasons.

jf092055

I too am having this problem except my horn does sound when pushing the panic button but it does not sound the familiar "chirp" we are all used to hearing for confirmation that the vehicle is indeed locked. The lights should also flash quickly and then go off but that doesn't happen either. The good thing is that the doors do lock but you have to check them manually to confirm. I took it back to the dealer today and its a mystry to them so I have to bring it back on Monday since I couldn't wait around the dealership today.

longhaul

Well, my title says it all -- I broke the left shift paddle off the steering column.

Was in a rush getting into the car this morning with a 1 sick kid and another kid lugging 2 bags & musical instruments. Guess I was paying too much attention to them. Got in the car, went to move the steering wheel (Hubby was last to drive & we each use a different position) and somehow got purse caught on the padle & snapped the plastic right off. :sick:

This happens 2 days after husband broke the back of the drivers seat -- I had a lap top & carry bag on the floor of the rear seats, he got in to drive & didn't realize it was back there, moved the drive seat back and next thing you know the hard plastic back of the drive seat popped off.

We are a mess -- our prior family car was 12 years old & we never broke anything on the interior. :mad:

The dealership will look at it next week.

jjx456

link

schdy

I have the red SE and it is an eye turner. The Sonata comes with solar glass which is tinted and adding a darker tint will void the warranty. It is one of a few cars with the solar glass. My opinion is the tint is fine and you will be happy with it.

longhaul

I got the RED and love the color. It is a real eye-turner. I am constantly getting compliaments on it.

It isn't a bright red, nor is it the maroon like of the Santa Fe.

The Indigo Blue I didn't get to see in person.

schdy

How long after you placed the order did it take to receive the mud guards?
I tried to register on their website to check on my order and i received a notice from my Microsoft Essentials to immediately close my browser as this was not a safe website.

denp3

I ordered them the day my car came in, which was the 7th of April and I received them today, 4-16. I have yet to put them on, need a short stubby phillip screwdriver. The rear have 2 screws, the front has 3.
I had no problem ordering, I did not register at first, did that after placing order.
Had no problem with website using IE.
They do say to allow 10 -15 days, but I got mine in 9.

garcia81

yes i see it red is beautifull but its hard too fine i get ltd in white and black interior and i love it!!!!!

denp3

I got the Harbor Gray with the gray interior, love the gray exterior.

syitalian25

I was having the same problem, it turned out to just be a lose fuse under the steering column. A quick push and everything was back to perfect

shabadoo25

The lock chirp is from a speaker near the left front tire, not the horn.

andyfromva

yes i see it red is beautifull but its hard too fine i get ltd in white and black interior and i love it!!!!!

I haven't seen the red but I have seen the pearl white - it's beautiful. I've got black with a gray interior. The black is very classy, but I wouldn't call it beautiful.

moontrain

How long after you placed the order did it take to receive the mud guards?
I tried to register on their website to check on my order and i received a notice from my Microsoft Essentials to immediately close my browser as this was not a safe website.
I
I had the same message from firefox. I hope this is a safe site, I too would like to get some mud guards.

exit123

I crossed this one off my list. I don't want to wait until the prices come down. I'm sure the 2 local dealers here can find enough people to pay MSRP+$2999 right now, but I'm not one of them.

It's a nice car though ...

snam

Hey thanks for reply.
I did more searching here and 24,840 seems to be too high. The best I have seen was 23,800 and American express Auto Purchasing Program is showing 24,200 for certain dealrs in my area. Wish me luck!
Thanks.

darkhelmet16

I don't know if this will help anyone, but after going through overstock.com's car buying program and getting different dealers to bid against each other, I was able to get a quote for a Limited in Indigo Blue Pearl at $23,498 -- including destination and all manufacturer fees, not including TTL. I'm in Chicago, the dealer that quoted me that was Grossinger Hyundai; it seems people on the east coast are getting slightly better deals, while other regions are having to pay MSRP or more. Good luck!

moontrain

$23498 and did that have NAV for that price?

larry134

Update to previous message. Picked up my 2011 sonata Limited on wednesday.Color Silver with black interior.
Reail for $26,150 (sticker sheet) + attached sheet that read $995 for appearance and protection package (I believe that is the pin strips and door edge guards)
The car cost me $23,834.28
OUT THE DOOR PRICE was $24,693.00 This includes $500 rebate for my car
The difference $858.72 was for the following
Privancy compliance fee $24.00
New York State Tire Tax $12.50
Inspection $10.00
New York State Sales Tax $ 677.22
Dealer Fee $75.00
Registration $60.00
Overall a GREAT price for a GREAT car !

bobad

C&D recently did a comparo on an Accord, Legacy, and Sonata SE. The Sonata took top honors. C&D has always been squarely in the Accord camp, this is the beginning of a new era perhaps.

Click for C&D Comparo
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.
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mbholla

Can anyone tell me if the ZUNE will link to the Sonata Stereo like the i-pod I know they are two different things but just wondering if the stereo is intelligent enough at least to recognize the device

schdy

I thought the NY sales tax is 8.5%. How did you only pay $677.

syitalian25

Probably a trade-in, then you only pay the tax on the remaining balance.

syitalian25

Hey everyone,

Someone posted this link to a C&D review in the 2011 Sonata forum. The Sonata came out on top, finally unseating the Accord which had been a C&D favorite forever.

You can read it over here - http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/10q1/2010_honda_accord_ex_vs._20- 11_hyundai_sonata_se_2010_subaru_legacy_2.5i-comparison_tests

m6user

Isn't this the 2011 Sonata forum? :confuse: :confuse:

neile457

Yeah, but in Motor Trend's 7 car shootout, it finished 3rd. Behind the Fusion (ok), and the Camry (????)

bobad

am not in the market for a new sedan because I just bought a new Fusion about 18 months ago. Wanted to take one for a test ride, but thought that if I did I might be hooked and want to buy it.



Good thinking! I've actually chatted with several Sonata owners that were ambushed by a test drive. I went and sat behind the wheel of an SE, but refused a test drive for the same reason as you.

denp3

Installed the mud guards I ordered from sharkracing.com today 4-17-10.
Looks like they are actual Hyundai accessories, packing in Hyundai wrapping.
Installing is a little tight, someone said they used a stubby screwdriver, I picked up a set of offset screwdrivers from Lowes that worked fine.
This is the Lowes link: http://www.lowes.com/pd_239435-16878-60276_0_?newSearch=true&catalogId=10051&pro- ductId=1067965&Ntt=offset+scredriver&N=0&langId=-1&storeId=10151&Ntk=i_products&- ddkey=http:CategoryDisplay

schdy

I'm waiting for mine. How do they look?

denp3

They look good.
I wonder why they are not available here when they are actual Hyundai parts.
$45.00 isn't bad with the included shipping from Korea.

syitalian25

haha I had both open at once and thought I was putting it in the Midsize sedan forum - oops