Hyundai Sonata 2005 and earlier

dreamwind

The test done by the IIHS is very fishy. In other countries, the Elantra did very well, but in the United States government test, Elantra did poorly.

This is very fishy--I am also considering that the Americand did this on purpose to give Koreans a bad reputation, because come to think of it: if a Elantra beats a Neon, why would anyone buy a domestic?

csandste

Elantra did very well in government tests. It failed IIHS test because of late firing seat belt, loose seat tracks, and also some leg injuries. The leg injuries would be the only thing tied to body structure and design, the others are because of malfunctioning equipment. Basic structure of the car held up well. Many of us Elantra owners are waiting for a voluntary recall.

liljonson

i owe hyundai my life, so i don't listen to crash test ratings, me and my brother got nailed on the side by an expedition 4 years ago going 50 in the middle of two lanes(i still don't know why) but our little 88 excel saved us, it was totaled beyond belief and every cop and paremedic said that no one can survive it but we actually walked away from it, i was playing basketball that same day with my friends, so forget the leg injuries, as long as your alive, who cares.

dreamwind

Hyundai says again and again that they have found NOTHING wrong with the Elantra.

So in the meantime, expect no recalls.

monty185fl1

If you are looking for a price I paid
for a 2002 Sonata LX V6 at the end of
August. See my post #1227,dated 8.30.
2001. Osvaldo Pls for give me, I
didnot forget you. Will leave this
machine right now and get the info
you want. Sorry

monty185fl1

OSVALDO
My son just put his child seat in the back seat of this car, also put in
his other son booster seat without
any trouble.The car ia belted for
five people.He push both front seats
up as far as possible,and put the
back rests up. This gave him 41in.
from the front seat to the rear seat
In the rear seats from window to
window it is 57in. Plenty of room to
work in. My dealer doesnot have the
sonata 02 brochures in yet. Iam sure
you will try the childrens seat out
before you buy the car. I dont see any problems. Sorry about the delay.

diploid

Another review of the 2002 from Down Under

http://www.autopoint.co.nz/reviews/reviewstory.asp?ID=3401

diploid

While the front is attractive, I think they shamelessly copied Mercedes. Although that's not bad, it would've been nice if Hyundai did something original, like the Santa Fe.

tb88

> >..., I think they shamelessly copied Mercedes...< <

So what? Some people like to have a Mercedes, but can't afford to buy the real thing!

osvaldo

Thanks for checking Monty. I did try the seats and they are a problem for me because I have 3 kids in carseats (2boosters and 1 babyseat). I will check if the older ones can use the seatbelts safely. The rear seat is plenty wide its just that the backrest curves outward and causes the seats to turn into the center seat. Still love the car but may hold out for a used Chrysler LHS or other low mile vehicle.

nuancegls

One thing that i must say is.... that the Japanese have copy most or all American Technology and have made it better....
Hyundai So..what if they did?! they are just learning from their parents the Japanese.

tb88

>>...that the Japanese have copy most or all American Technology...>>

Actually they first copied the German technology. after WWII : (cameras, electronics, cars ...).

.

dreamwind

That sounds like Japan owns Korea or something.

Since I am Korean, I will have to take that quote personally. I demand you apologize for insulting the Korean people as a whole.

Thank you.

maxamillion1

where can I find more pics of the 2002 Sonata? Hyundaiusa.com doesn't have any yet.

bluewinds

You can see the pics of 2002 Sonata here.....

http://www.hyundai-motor.com/eng/cybermall/showroom/passenger/sonata/index.html

diploid

That was my point! It's just that it would've been better had they went and did something of their own and made it a trademark look (like Mercedes' amoeba headlights, or Acura's penta-grille).

They were approaching that sort of theme with the curvaceous Tiburon and Santa Fe.

fangio2

Hyundai will step in and manage DAEWOO.Since you are in Korea see if you can talk to someone about that.Also see if you can get them to warranty my Leganza for 100,000 miles.I,m counting on you to take care of this for me.Thank you in advance.

tb88

> >...They are learning from their parents the Japanese? > >

> >That sounds like Japan owns Korea or something.

Since I am Korean, I will have to take that quote personally. I demand you apologize for insulting the Korean people as a whole. > >

I don't think he meant it that way...

He is probably not aware of the past conflicts between the 2, or the occupation of Korea by the Japanese during WWII.

fangio2

I believe KOREAwas even annexed by Japan around 1910.I seriously doubt there is anything the Koreans want to learn from the Japanese.In the case of cars I think this speaks well of the KOREANS.
So say you are sorry.

dreamwind

Japan and China and Russia have been trying to get Korea ever since the 9th century, or even before.

The Japanese finally beat Russia and China in the late 19-century, and they finally annexed the Korean peninsula officially in 1910.

May I also note that during the 9th century Korea conquered almost all of Manchuria? That's long over, but anyways.

It's a fact--Koreans have learned a lot from the Japanese: effective farming system, more advanched medical system, etc., but Korea also learned bad things from the Japanese: porn material, violence, etc.

Koreans lean more towards the Europeans when they build cars--a Sonata is a good example, so is the new Elantra.

Hyundai does have their own "trademark": the "waterfall" grille. Can't you see it? The "waterfall" grille was used in British cars long time ago.

The truth was told above. I want an apology because you spread around false material about Korea.

pat

My observation is that we are responding to a misunderstanding, or perhaps it was just a poor choice of wording.

Dreamwind, I appreciate your recent post - I'm sure it is educational for lots of us. I understand your sensitivity to the wording chosen that started this conversation, but honestly, it strikes me to imply just what you said in your post - one group of people "learning" from another - and we are all, including within this discussion, learning from each other. I think if the intent was to convey false material about Korea, you have effectively shown us that it is indeed false, so let's call it a misunderstanding that you have cleared up for us, and let it go.

Now, I need to ask everyone to move on. This discussion is about the Sonata, and the Town Hall is not a political forum. This conversation cannot continue here - I'm sure there are other places all over the internet which are far more appropriate. You also certainly have the option of discussing these issues off-line with other via email.

We cannot and will not continue this here, however.

Thanks - I appreciate everyone's understanding.

Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board

dougndo

Having owned Asian-made (Japan, Korea), American-made (US, Canada, Mexico) and European-made (France, Germany, England) vehicles, I'd have to agree that a car like my 2001 Sonata is more European than Japanese. I can't speak for all Korean cars, but the two Hyundais I've owned were much more Franco-Anglo-American in spirit that they were Japanese. Of course, one of Hyundai's biggest mistakes was using Japanese powerplants, which they wisely discontinued some time ago.

Now that DaimlerChrysler and Hyundai are connected, we'll likely see more "Europeanization" of their cars. Many folks will say the new Tiburon (AKA Tuscani) or Sonata is the proof of this, but if you look at the Elantra, Elantra GT, or last generation ('99-'01) Sonata, you can see it already. (See my post #1146.)

There's no question that Japan's brutal annexation and occupation of Korea for 35 years influenced the way most Koreans feel about Japan. Additional years of division and conflict left the country divided and devastated. The Japanese had a decade's head start and more generous aid programs (from the US and others) than Korea got when the dust of occupation, war, and division had settled. Japan also had more resources, more people, and more international trade capabilities.

Yet, despite all this, South Korea has developed an educated, motivated, technically savvy, and strong country. Its industrial giants stand tall in international business, and, yes, those that can't adapt or modernize their management fail, too, just like everywhere else.

South Korea's rise in the last four decades is a much more compelling story than Japan's, and while it's filled with the kind of hubris and corruption that all such stories contain, the Korean people have much to be proud of and deserve to be honored for the accomplishments which are their own and no one else's; not Japan's, not China's, not Russia's, not the IMF's, and not ours (America).

Companies like Samsung, LG, Hanjin, and Hyundai have made my life as an American much better than it would be without them. Everytime I look at the beautiful LCD screen on my Apple PowerBook or drive my beautiful black Sonata, I know that Koreans should be proud of their accomplishments.

Yes, I'd have to say there may be places where my Sonata doesn't match up to a Camry or Accord in some "quality measurement." On the other hand, it has something that I have a hard time finding in the Japanese cars I've owned: soul.

dougndo

We posted at virtually the same time. Sorry if it looks like I disregarded your instructions.

So, for the record: I love my Sonata.

pat

But *no* more of the tensions between Korea and Japan need to be discussed here, nor any other political sorts of issues.

I realize dougndo was composing this post as I was making mine. That has to be the last one, though, and I'll have to remove any others after this.

Thanks again, I do appreciate your cooperation in this.

(yes dougndo, and we just did it again - thanks!)

Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board

diploid

The headlights don't look anything like a Mercedes in real life, though.

It mimicks the overall shape, but there's just something different about it. However, as I was looking at it (it was going in opposite direction) through my rearview mirror, it really looks like a Jaguar from the back. And I especially loved the lights.

dreamwind

heh, yeah..

yeah i agree with you, diploid.. it looks more like a Jaguar because of those lines.

volfy

Copying the styling cues of successful marques is nothing new to the automotive world. Even the Europeans copy from each other. When Lexus first came out with the LX400, you could've slap a three-pointed star on the hood and sold it as a Mercedes. Is anybody snickering at Lexus now?

For an upstart brand (or one on an up-market move) imitation is the surest way to gain instant classiness. As long as the cars have good mechanicals and reliability to back them up, the company will eventually gain enough respect to flex its own styling muscles.

diploid

Some of you may have very reliable Hyundais, but the mass percentage of people out there still think of the days of the Excel when they hear the brand Hyundai. To have it looking like an expensive brand car makes it seem as if it's trying to "fool" customers. Although its power is adequate, when compared to other cars in this very competitive car segment, it just doesn't stack up so well. The mass percentage of people do not think that Hyundai has the mechanicals or the reliability to back up its reason for looking like a Mercedes.

backy

Just took a look at the new Sonatas today. Though I think they look quite classy, especially in pearl white, does anybody else think that the rear half of the car resembles the Sable?
Combined with the resemblence (to me) of the 2002 Spectra sedan (renamed from Sephia) to the Taurus, at least from the rear, and the resemblence of the 2002 Rio Cinco wagon to the Focus wagon (upswept rear profile), could this be part of some plan at Hyundai/Kia to mimic Ford styling--at least in the rear?

dreamwind

I don't see any Ford-influences.. but in my opinion, the rear of the 2002 Leganza replacement Magnus looks like a Ford Focus.

spiritz

Heh Heh...
I have to agree with ya both.

rhard49

I picked up my 2002 Sonata yesterday and I gotta say the 2002 is a pretty car. I am getting tons of the "thats a hyundai" from people and a lot of finger pointing as you pass 2001's. I bought the LX V6 with Traction/ABS and a moon roof. Sticker 20,569 I was looking for 1500 off sticker and thats what I got 19069. Only got 100 miles on it so far but I gotta say its a hell of a lot a car for the money. Only thing that pissed me off was having to fight the dealer for floor mats. 19 grand for a car without floor matts give me a break. Oh yeah they gave in but its the principle.

dreamwind

Well, I had to pay 80 something dollers for floormats when I was buying my 2001 Camry.

Heh, I've never seen a car that comes with floormats standard.

dreamwind

Heh, you're Korean

maybe you could give us some tips and your knowledge about korean cars?

c'mon! i need your brain, NOW!

diploid

You've squeezed ABS, traction control, V-6 engine and a moonroof from a 19k car, and you want floormats too? You just can't please some people...lol

rhard49

Actually I'm very Pleased :P

acelink

I think most dealers would give in to the demands of handing out free floor mats to go along with the purchase of new or used vehicles rather than losing almost-done-deals. I bought a used 240sx from a Nissan dealer back in 95, which interesting enough, came without floor mats (previous owner must drove his/her brand new car without floor mats or the dealer must have burnt them so he could sell me the new ones). In any case, since I knew that I was paying a bit more than what is deemed to be a fair price for the car, I demanded that they throw in new oem floor mats free as part of the deal. At first, the general manager said no but gave in after I told him that I am going to walk out the door to never come back. Afterwards, the sales person who worked me through the entire deal congratulated me for my effort and on my "free" floor mats. Still, as I exited the dealership, I couldn't help but feel that I was still being ripped off with my purchase. My conclusion from that experience -- no matter what the dealers say, they are in the business of making money and indeed, they do.

har1bush

It looks like people are able to get a fully loaded LX for a tad over 19K... what a great deal! However, at this time of the year, I think people considering the Sonata should also look at the remaining base XG300s as well, which you could probably get for 20K or less w/o any options. The two cars seem like much better alternatives to the 4-cylinder competitions (Accords, Altimas, Camrys).

diploid

The V-6 engine only has 10 more hp than the V-6 in the Sonata. Before the difference was much more.

har1bush

yeah, sure its "only" 10 more horses for the Camry V6, but look at the torque figures (or at least estimate that the Sonata will have about 180 lb ft). That difference is almost 30 lb-ft, which is very significant in real life driving.

diploid

The V-6 equipped Sonata with a 4-speed automatic tranny weighs in at 3107 lbs., while a V-6 equipped Camry with a 4-speed automatic tranny weighs in at 3362 lbs.

The Camry's 30 extra pounds of torque is carrying an extra 255 lbs. of weight.

diploid

The Camry would still be faster to accelerate because for every lb-ft or torque it's carrying roughly 16 lbs., while the Sonata is carrying roughly 17 lbs. for everyone lb-ft of torque.

csandste

This is from memory, but isn't the Optima slightly faster than the Sonata (2001) but with poorer EPA mileage figures because the transmission's geared lower?

diploid

I was only looking at torque to weigh ratios.

sammy35

let's start talking about more practical topics that can help one another live better more confortably rather talk about"who's is bigger" which have no relevance since we all have Sonatas.
simple questions about mechanics, repairs, car care, troubleshooting experiences, dealer exper., etc.

One simple question I like to know is with nice carpeted trunks how do men keep their tool boxes in place and avoid sliding around?

Question two a couple of messages back some one mentioned their remedy for the weak particle board base that does not withstand alot of weight around the spare tire, any other recommendations??

rhard49

I carry computers in the trunk all the time and your right they seem to slide all over the place in the sonata. I was considering a cargo net.

aniryu

I dont really think a lot about trunk size.. i dont carry a lot of things anyways on my camry--i would just use my rx.

majorthomecho

I saw my first 2002 Sonata on the street yesterday. I had previously seen the car on a turntable at the March KC Auto Show. The car I saw on the street still had dealer plates and no temporary tag in the back window so I guess it was a salesman driving the car.

Anyway.

It was a shade of white. The head lights don't look as bad in person as I thought they did in photos. I still don't like them though. I must admit that I did not remember the turntable Sonata's headlights looking like that.

Also, I definitely see a Jaguar resemblance in the back end. The side looks something like a Mercedes.

Not a bad job at putting together disparate influences.

diploid

They're not just the regular red lens- they have circular patterns. You'll see them better at night from behind- looks very upscale.

majorthomecho

I saw it in broad daylight as the Sonata was going one way and I was going the other. Thus did not get a chance to closely examine the tail lenses.