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The service manager seemed sincere in trying to fix the problem, making sure that I pulled my car into the bay as soon as I told him about it (it was raining bad this morning), and after the techinician checked it, he took the time to explain about the drains, and told me to come back if it still leaked, and that he'd then have it checked by a "water-leak specialist". I'm just trying to avoid any water damage/stains, but I'll take their word for it for now and blame it on my ignorance. I was just wondering if anyone else noticed that the rear part of the gasket got wet or seeped when it rains, mine did not until the car washes, which I no longer use on my Sonata after realizing how much dirt is put back on it by the blow dryer. I hadn't planned on using the sunroof much, but I figured if I don't, then the gaskets won't get the chance to expand, thus wear-out pre-maturely. I'm sure the service manager would've had the guy replace the gasket if it was necessary. I've always suspected that dealers "double-dip" the corporate pockets for warranty work, but most lemon laws require them to give you a new car after 3 attempts at fixing the problem. Not sure if sunroofs fall into that catagory. I'm not going to worry about it anymore unless I see water damage.
Tell them you want all gaskets and seals on the sunroof replaced. This is the only way of nipping this in the bud.
I use only Touchless washes and am always opening and closing my roof before going through just to reset the seal. Sunroof owners should not have to put up with this crap. If the Manufacturer is going to cut a hole in a perfectly good roof so the sun and fresh air can come through then they darn well better back it up properly. There is no excuse for drips or leakage in a modern factory sunroof. Aftermarkets, of course, are another story.
I forget whether you have the leather or not. It certainly makes living with a leak of any kind a little easier but still, a ruined headliner is a ruined headliner and wet carpet is still wet carpet. Tell them you want it fixed now.
Bought a 99 5 speed in 8/99. Now have 43000 miles.All highway miles so car is never abused and in excellent shape. Still love the car but have had the following problems:
TSB valave, as mentioned in previous postings for hard starting after fueling, replaced 3 times.
Both rear wheel bearings replaced at 36000 miles. Dearlership here in Western NY has been great so that really minimized the hassle of bringing the car in so much.
I just got off the phone with someone from Hyundai following up on the service I had done at the dealership on Monday. I gave them a 3 out of 5 (3 = satisfaction), and explained that I couldn't give them higher because the work took longer than expected, the ink pen stains on the driver's seat, and them not explaining about the sunroof drains in the first place. I can forgive the pen marks because everyone makes mistakes, and the second time I went in for the sunroof, they did say they'd put me in a car if it was going to take a while (this was re-assuring since I didn't even buy my car there). They said they'll send me a follow-up survey, which I chose to receive by email. I'm very impressed that Hyundai took the time to check on customer satisfaction, and was interested in the why's.
Tomorrow my baby goes in for window tinting and an alarm/autostart/keyless entry system.
Drive home after service and, of course, the noise is still there. So I take the door panel off and find what little foam padding is in there. Turns out, the door lock rods are coat hanger wire thin and while nicely isolated with catches and some foam---it's not enough. I added thicker foam household weatherstripping to every part that even appeared to vibrate. I strongly suspect that the lock rods actually vibrate against the pseudo dyna-mat that lines the door. All doors, especially those with power windows, vibrate some over certain road surfaces. Mine was continuous over any unsettled, choppy surface. But...
It's gone now! All it took was a little patience (took the panel off three times in all) and a little luck to get it right. Man, am I happy!
Maryland in the Elite Eight and my buzz is no more. It just doesn't get any better.
now my questions: can you tell me anything I should want to know or look for in this car which I have not checked. hyundai's are not a breed am very familiar with but i generally know basic maintainence in any car. do you think $6K is allright. kelly, nada, and edmunds show variable pricing. i thought in general $6K was a little high but it is a 97/98. dealer says its a 98 but the door lable says manufactured 10/97. the message board i encountered messages that commented on TBS problems on the sonata, what does TBS mean. how about the check engine light, could it be caused by low oil. the oil was down about a quart to a quart and a half.
what kind of gas mileage could i expect? what is the rated life expectancy of the 4cyl? Hondas and Toyota's are said to get 200K or more without any major problems except timing belt maintainence. what about the sonata 4cyl.
I own a '95 of that series (95-98) 2.0 I4, auto which now has 111K. I have had an oil leak from the valve cover gasket since replaced but otherwise this engine is sound as a dollar. The trouble area you should be watchful of is the auto tranny, if anything. Mine has been replaced once at 36K but it was running perfectly before getting screwed over during routine 30K service so I didn't fault the tranny. However, the replacement started acting up at about 90K and currently will not go into overdrive so it runs as a three speed. It could be something as simple as the overdive solenoid (which I strongly suspect) or complex as a valve body overhaul or replacement. I would give it a good long test drive and try to put the drivetrain through its paces. Also, see the paperwork on the timing belt job, if you can, to verify.
TSB's are Technical Service Bulletins from the Manufacturers. You can find them listed at:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/
Reading those from the 98 Sonata should give you some guidance. Also, read the reported consumer complaints to get a (sometimes) real world idea.
The car is a '98 model with that manu. date.
Gas mileage is pretty decent with the auto. I believe the original EPA's were 21-28. I have routinely gotten 26-27 (before its' current 3-speed status)(now getting about 22-23) in suburban and low 30's on strictly highway.
The low oil would usually be a cause for concern for many reasons but if it hasn't been detailed and all you can find is what was described, it doesn't sound too bad. I would recommend a compression test if in any doubt.
This is a very good engine and should last for 200K or more with little trouble if reasonably maintained. Since you don't know the true story of the first 81K, it has been my experience with cars in general that the longevity expectation should be lowered, say to 150K.
Good Luck!
Suspension rate (not suspension design though) and legroom is better than Accord/Camry, but what good is that with a broken engine and/or transmission?
V-6 manuals are hard to find. I bought mine in 5/00. Had to do a 10-state locate and found one in Illinios. Omaha area dealer arranged an inter-dealer trade and trailered it to me. My local dealer has never ordered a '99-'01 V-6 manual. Service tech has only seen two, mine and someone who moved into Omaha area from somewhere else.
Even though they are hard to find, it is possible. You gotta work at it, but it is worth it. Ask dealer to do a zone & regional locate. Try to use an internet or other type buying service. See if your dealer will order a new one.
It is weird how the Leganza topic activity just dried up. I'm sure it is temporary. Sometimes we go for many days here without a post, as well.
Thanks,
L8_Apex
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V-6 as it is not necessary. The surge is simply the fattest part of the torque curve which in the 2.5 does not make itself much known at lesser RPM's.
The previous Sonata 3.0 V-6 had a much flatter torque profile peaking at 2500. It was great for trundling around town between lights but became rather breathless at higher speeds...something which some reviewers still claim about the 2.5 but with which I strongly disagree.
I am not aware of any special engine management 'tricks' applied to the Sonata V-6 anywhere in the RPM range. There is a Sonata forum over at:
http://www.t-h-c.org/
and a Hyundai tech named Duke who posts there. He would be able to help you.
Absolutely! I believe in keeping every engine 'on the cam'. And because I've driven only automatics the last few years it is imperative to do so. For me, any low-end deficiency is more than repaid through the outstanding mid-range on this car. Anticipation is the more important half of driving anyway so it's a relatively easy task. Much simpler for you 5-speeders though...all that instant gratification!
Getting back to engine design, I'm wondering what
a kick the 2.7 would be like in the Sonata. We know the hp and torque increase...throw in a final drive anything like the Hondas (auto or manual) and these buggers would truly sing. But since Hyundai is a ways behind in fuel management I don't think we'll see it anytime soon.
Notice also the fine results obtained by most reviewers of the XG300. Proper engine design and execution is a thing to behold. Have you driven it? I simply didn't feel like I was moving that heavy a car.
I don't think the American market is prepared for this wave of Korean products and their long-term effects.
Is this a wrap around warranty? And if so, is it for the powertrain or for bumper to bumper? I suspect powertrain.
The scenario you posit is an interesting one. Much would depend on what, if any, arrangements for service were made by a sinking Daewoo. I believe you would at least receive the percentage of coverage from the warranty company as per your original agreement. Most of the warranties I have checked into seem to split the cost on a percentage basis with the manufacturer even before your original warranty has expired. I don't know about Warranty Nation specifically.
Maintenance wise there are no special heads-up except for the necessity for removal of the intake assembly to reach the 3 plugs in the back. Because of this and also for the enhanced performance many here have bit the bullet and either installed or had installed the Bosch +4 Platinums. I highly recommend it. There are no other special needs.
Recalls can be found at:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/
There is only one involving the Sonata. It was relatively minor and well-handled for the most part.(meaning service got it right the first time)
As for expense, you already know of the great warranty. These are basically gas and go cars now.
If you go with a '99 be aware that was the first year run of a new design. There were more small owner complaints as expected. Things seem to have ironed out since then. Also, try to get a loaded model if you have the budget. The combo of Safety, Equipment and Value cannot be beat.
Time of purchase is an individual thing. Be sure to drive a very hard bargain on a leftover untitled '00. You would be taking quite a hit when you drive it off the lot.
As I've said before, in terms of price you can buy the car anywhere---you only need locality for service.
Where are you located? Some of us here might be able to point you to decent dealers.
I was just re-reading some of the archived stuff on the various Korean cars and comparisons. In the Sonata vs. Leganza topic you stated Korean maufacturers use auto trannys from Aisin. I'm curious about Hyundai---does the GLS V-6 use an Aisin? If so, is it a stock design or modified? Lastly, what would be the tranny differences, if any, between the Leganza and the Sonata?
Many thanks.
SK
I don't have the owners' manual handy, right now, but I'm certain the interval has been raised to 70-75K. It was one of the first things I did---check the maintenance schedules and compared with my older '95 Sonata which did require 60K but I got to 75K before doing it.
Can't be 100% on this without the schedule but I'm pretty sure of the change. I know something fairly important got moved back.
As to the replacement itself, it doesn't cost nearly what it used to at most places nowadays. I prefer timing chains myself, but you notice they are primarily on 4 cyl. cars. With a V-6 upgrade engine almost everyone goes to the belt.
Thanks!
I think you already know the answers. I mean, look at these posts. Read 'em all. Go back to Fall of '98 and follow the history. What do you find?
Recall involving MAF sensor, gas cap needs 3 clicks, very few tranny problems of any kind, some noises here and there. I mean, jeesh...look at the other topics.
If you haven't bought yet, you might want to wait until the '02 comes this fall. She looks even prettier but the mechanicals should be the same so you get all the advantages---none of the headaches of a complete re-design. Of course, there will be the new Shiftronic to watch out for.
These are Yoons pics. He loves White cars.
The server seems to be running slow so if you have any probs. let me know. Give me an e-mail and I can shoot even more.
http://www.fxtreme.org/forums/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=9&t=000008
Look at the C-Class lights---the Jag hood curves, the jag/5-series rear. And the grille which unifies it with the Elantra and the XG . I think it's a knockout.
Some of the shots you can't see are of the interior and it looks like we might get a gauge bindle like the Kia Optima with the accessory gauges in top center of the cluster.
Can you imagine driving a car that looks like that for the money they ask? With the quality we here all know about? The warranty? Think of the frumpy competition. It's a no-brainer.
Now, with the Korean offerings, there is no sacrifice. You can have your cake and eat it too. I'm extremely glad I bought my Optima and quite sure my next new car purchase will be Korean as well.
This kind of styling, warranties of 100K miles, standard features that read like luxury options list, dealerships and service depts that will stand by you, and all for prices that can't be beat. The decision is a no-brainer! A real Seoul Experience. -Serpent Ki
Second, since the warmer weather is near what type or brand is the best to wax my sonata? Thankyou for your recommendations, landnman.