Hyundai Sonata 2005 and earlier

ljharper

I am currently in negotiations on a 2002 Sonata LX w/ ABS/Moonroof plus all the added accessories. MSRP - 20,830, Inv. - 18744 according to Edmunds. TMV without the accessories is currently $19,095. The added accessories inv at $153, retail at $261. We offered $19,245. The dealer came back claiming that invoice on the vehicle was $19275 due to the dealer advertising fee. Has anyone else found this? $531 advertising fee on a vehicle seems steep.

astrol

I wouldn't pay out more than $250-$300 for that. Even Edmunds accepts that ad fees can be legitimate costs but $531 on a single car is outrageous. Did the dealer show you a proper invoice from the factory with this listed? Unless they can you shouldn't pay it. Offer what you think is fair and then walk if they balk.

ljharper

I haven't seen the invoice myself - this dealership is 2 hours away from here. However, apparently there are 2 figures on an invoice, the vehicle invoice price, and the dealer cost. I believe what I am being quoted is the dealer cost figure, which I think also includes such charges as their freight.

I know the Edmunds invoice listings are for the vehicle only and do not include these types of fees, but what about the TMV? I thought that was supposed to indicate the average amount actually paid for that vehicle.

ryster

Hi!

Considering '02 Sonata V6 Auto. I am 6'5" tall. How are these vehicles for taller folks, especially on long drives (I drive 1 hour each way to work). Also, how is the build quality on these cars over the long haul, particularly squeaks and rattles. I do not want to find myself in a "rattle trap" after 20,000 miles or so (I would expect a few rattles here or there after 50K miles, but none before then).

Any comments you can provide would be most appreciated.

Thanks!!

chollie

Well if you are all legs, you'll probably be o.k.; however if you're tall from the waist up, you'll probably be out of luck (and that's without a sunroof).
I take back what I said on my earlier post regarding a nice smooth transmission. The car now has 2000 kms. and seems to have the same roughness shifting from 2nd into 3rd gear when cold but it's smooth as silk when warm.

dougndo

If you go here

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/highway1/la-000028974apr24.story

you'll find an article from the LA Times that shows the Sonata topping all the cars in its class in at least one of the big three surveys.

Good news.

ryster

Well, went and sat in a '02 Sonata GLS during lunch. Very nice! The thing I have noticed, though, as that all dealers I have been to are putting huge markups on them. The dealer I went to at lunch had marked this particular Sonata up $4,000!! The sticker was $23,400 ($19,100 + the markup). That's silly. The other dealer I have gone to has a $1,500 market adjustment markup over sticker. There is no way I would pay over sticker for any car, regardless of what it is.

I am going to search for a Sonata without the sunroof. Being 6ft5in tall it may provide slightly more headroom. Legroom seems to be fine.

dougndo

Yeah, ryster, that's a real bite what some dealers are doing. I've seen mark ups as high as $5k on 2003 Tiburons, but $4k on a Sonata is mind blowing.

In all cases, I basically tell the dealers to blow, and most--but not all--immediately start backpedaling away from their price gouging tactics. A couple make smart-a#$ comments like, "I can sell as many of these as I want at this price," or some such baloney, but my reply is something like "Then I guess you don't need to sell one to me."

Usually, though, they become double-talking speed machines, going on about how they can probably get the car for "close to MSRP" or something equally lame if "they go to bat for me with the manager" etc., etc. This is usually followed by "If I can get it within a couple hundred bucks of sticker, will you buy it?" I admit, I just have to laugh at all this bs since I'm a former VW/Audi/Porsche salesman, and this approach is so pathetic.

Anyway, go in knowing what you want to pay based on your research, not on their gamesmanship. The key to power is to make them need to sell to you more than you need to buy from them. Salepersons and managers get trapped into this mindset all the time. The more time they spend with you, the more they want to close. The better deals I've gotten on cars usually required two or more visits (keep them hoping!), and the last visit usually lasted three to five hours (gosh they want to close so badly and move on to the next customer!). On a $20,000 car, I expect to "earn" at least $600 an hour (in price reductions) for every hour I spend at the dealership, and that's off MSRP not inflated prices.

Thus my 2001 GLS Leather stickered a tad over $21,000 but cost me $18,100 and included free keyless remote/alarm, spoiler, and etching (they did that as a "theft-deterrent" on all vehicles and expected me to just pay for it NQA--hah!).

If a dealer can't compensate your efforts at a similar level, move on to find one that can. You can bring these guys down to reality and get the car you want, and they'll still make plenty of money.

riez

Has Hyundai brought over any 2002 MY manual transmission Sonata V-6s? Remember the former Sonata, '99-'01 w/2.5L V-6, could be had with one, but you didn't hardly see any. Has it gotten worse? Or did they just not bring any over? Anyone here have one?

astrol

and two more upper O2 sensors replaced. This is getting to be a habit. Car is running fine however and seems to be getting better gas mileage now at nearly 39.5K miles. At the rate my wife puts on the miles, we're going to have to start paying for these sensor replacements ourselves soon.

hyundaima

Could you take a look at the 2 repair orders and tell me the sensor part numbers?
Thanks.

astrol

Here are the numbers. They may only be my dealers reference #'s or they may be universal to Hyundai America:

on 11/21/01 FP Number=39210-37165---Sensor Assy-Oxygen (assoc. diagnostic codes were P0134 & P1134)

on 04/29/02 FP Numbers=39210-37165 (same one again!) & 39210-37125 (No codes listed but we know what they are)

dougndo

Yesterday I had the unpleasant experience of replacing a tire. The front left Michelin (MVX4plus, I think) picked up a screw and blew. In the process, it developed a 2" radial crack in the sidewall, and that, as they say, was the end of that.

The replacement (same tire) was $170 out the door (mount, balance, new stem, etc.). Ouch! That hurts. I seriously thought about replacing all the tires and getting a more reasonably priced brand, but I was in a hurry, so I bit the bullet (or should I say I took the bullet in the rear?) and got the Michelin.

When these are in need of replacing, you can be sure that I'll shop for something else. I replaced the GoodYear Wranglers on my Dakota with Kumhos and found them to be better in almost all respects. Maybe that's the route the Sonata will take in another 15,000 miles.

Have any of you had Kumho tires on your Sonata?

csandste

They sell for very few dollars to manufacturers as an OEM tire with the specific hope that what happened to your tire will occur at which time it's money in the bank. I have the same question about Hankooks and Kumhos. If the cheap Won gives you a good car for little $, shouldn't it give you a good tire for little $$$?

phil4vers4

Being a former VW/Audi/Porsche salesman, what drew you in to purchase a Hyundai? Also, what is your opinion/experience of the quality of parts used by Hyundai for wear and tear items like belts, hoses etc.
Thanks for your input.

dougndo

Let me start by proclaiming the awesome feeling of piloting an Audi S4 (6 spd, 2.7T, Quattro) around hairpin turns at unbelievable speeds. In the domain of the small/mid sedan, there's not much to compare with it. It's a fantastic machine that delivers heart stopping thrills.

Now, you probably know that VW/Audi shares (or modifies) many important chassis and powertrain components between the brands, but the Audi vehicles generally get the best bits first and they trickle down to the VWs. Audi also benefits from superior looking sheetmetal and interior accoutrements, although some VW fans might want to argue about that and could score many points.

You also probably know that VW has been moving upscale and Audi has been reaching for the high ground for the past decade or so, and the prices for both can be surprising to an unwary buyer. You CAN buy a Jetta for under $20,000, or you can get a really nice one for under $30,000. A really nice Passat is going to be WAY over $30,000. A base A4 (at least if you can find one on a lot) will set you back around $30,000 (maybe a hair less), and it climbs quickly from there.

Now, one final thing. A VW is going to get you a whopping 2 yr/24,000 mi basic warranty (plus some free routine maintenance, roadside assistance, etc.) and a longer powertrain warranty. The Audi will give you 4/50.

So here's how I worked toward a Hyundai: As much as I love the idea of banging a hot AWD sedan around curving roads, I can't see getting to do that more than three or four times a year here in LA, and I won't spend $40k+ for the rare privilege. It's a waste of my money.

Too many of the VWs I sold came back quickly with problems. Some were minor; a few were not. All were annoying and ego-bruising to the owners. "I spent $29,000 on a Passat and the Monsoon sound system burned out! Unbelievable!" "All I did was pull the door shut and the top of the panel came off. What kind of junk did you sell me?" Seeing all that firsthand and with that chintzy two year warranty, I just wouldn't take the chance on a VW.

As for the Audis, they seemed fantastic when they went out the door. Not too many came back with serious problems, but a lot came back with niggling problems: hardware breaking or falling off, electrical glitches, premature wear on seating surfaces or carpeting, paint problems. Certainly some of these can be legitimately attributed to the owners lack of care, but I always hated to point out some passage deep in the manual(s) that required the owner to do this or that, or if they didn't the owner was at fault. A lot of people expected that for $30?$40k they were getting a bulletproof car, which they weren't. They didn't want to work any harder caring for the Audi than they did for the Grand Cherokee they traded in. As for me, I don't want to devote my life to car detailing and defensive maintenance because I'm afraid to harm my "investment."

Plus, I work in a high crime area where there are lots of unlicensed, uninsured drivers. When you add it all up, it doesn't spell Audi.

My Sonata was the perfect fill in. I have virtually all the features I craved in the Audi sedans: power everything, four airbags, remote entry/alarm, ignition cut off, leather, power seat, power moonroof, 4 wheel discs, machined alloys, passenger presence detection, pretensioners, rear headrests, seat anchors, etc. etc. for $12-15k less. (Okay, the stereo was weak, but I got a top of the line Pioneer/Kenwood/ Blaupunkt system installed.)

Sure, the V-6 has fewer horses and the shift(Tip)tronic didn't show up until 2002 (I have a 2001). The engine bay isn't dressed up as nicely, and there is not a full sized spare in the trunk, but overall I got a lot of feature parity. I also got a far superior warranty, excluding the free scheduled maintenance.

For the kinds of driving I do (LA freeway and surface streets), there is no discernible penalty in driving the Hyundai vs. an Audi of similar size. In fact, the A4 is a bit harsh for these battered streets.

In the dependability department, nothing has broken or stopped working except for those darned floor mat clips, but some of my VW/Audi customers had problems with those as well. I measure success by how little I must visit the dealer for unexpected reasons. Right now I'm doing better than my VW customers did and better than many of my Audi customers, too.

Yes, I still get a thrill at the thought of owning the Audi S4, but with the reality of my daily drive, the features I wanted, the security I needed, the value I demanded, and the dependability I'm getting, the Hyundai Sonata is the better car for me.

dougndo

Honestly, it's hard to say. I've had the Sonata for a year and everything looks good. The rubber and composites feel resilient and pliant with no evidence of cracking, drying, or softening. I think another year will be needed to really judge the durability.

As for the comparable Audi parts, there was so much cladding in the engine bay that you couldn't see much of anything. Audi did this to dress up the compartment and also to deter tampering (self-maintenance) by the owners or others. They REALLY wanted you to bring the car to the dealership.

jimbeaumi

I came across your question to dougndo about purchasing a Hyundai. May I add my reasons, even though I drive an Elantra?

When I decided last July that I'd had enough erratic behavior from my GM product (the only one for me; three Mercurys before that), I began looking for small sedans knowing that I had a very low $$ ceiling. Used Escorts and a ZX2 were considered, because of reasonable reliability, as was a 2000 Mazda Protege ES which was at the top of my list and VERY enjoyable. It took me a few weeks to just look at the Elantra, considering their reputation in the 80s and 90s.

Warranty was a consideration, as was stepping into a new car, and the Mazda guys didn't budge on their price; they kept that car for another three months or so. After reading many good reviews from a variety of mags, I decided to drive the Elantra. A good move. It is quiet, quick, doors close with that nice sound (very un-American), it is very roomy, and standard features are numerous. Also, I lucked out with a very good dealer.

For most Hyundai buyers, I imagine price is the hook, and it was for me. But these days you get a far better car than the price might suggest, and the reviews and test drives I took convinced me.

rhard49

Did Hyundai pull the program of providing loaner cars when your car is in for warranty work? Can anyone confirm this my dealer says hyundai stopped the program and I no longer see it mentioned on the web site

amcree

on 5/ll/02 I measured mpg and only got 15.82. The previous measurement was 17.8. This was around town and I have 3437 miles on the car. I previously had a new 2000 Sonata 6 cylinder and got 22 mpg around town and almost 30 on the hwy. Obviously something is wrong.

On 3/7/02 the dealer put 2 new Oxygen Sensors in. Has anyone else had this problem and what did they do? Right now I'm feeling sorry for myself and, in spite of the leather, temp control, etc. almost wish I had kept the 2000 car.

rhard49

I have a 2002LX 6 months old 11k Miles gets 20 mpg around town 26 on trips never really varies much from that and I've got a heavy foot.

rlastar

After running my windshield wipers yesterday during a rain storm I noticed an arcing streak on my windshield about 1/16" wide. I looked at my wiper blade and there was a tiny pebble stuck to it that caused the streak. I tried just washing the streak off with water, but it wouldn't come off. I then used the teflon back side of my kitchen sponge trying to remove it, but that didn't work either.

Turns out that this tiny pebble scratched the glass.

Now here is the worst part. The teflon back side of my sponge also scratched the glass. Needless to say I was shocked. I just got back from the Hyundai dealer and they told me that it was not covered under warranty.

This has to be the cheapest piece of glass that a teflon sponge can scratch it. Has this happened to anyone else and did Hyundai take care of it under warranty?

Thanks

phil4vers4

I appreciate all the input regarding why Hyundai was the choice for both of you. I know someone else who has a 2000 Sonata and it's been a dream. My main concern would be how it handles wear and tear over 2-3 years. As for the styling it's one of the most exciting looking sedans on the road and the handling is smooth and sweet.

dunn3

the Hyundai sonata seems to handle well. I have a '00 Sonata w/ABS etc. To be honest, in the two years of ownership, I have come to like my car quite a bit. However, reading through previous postings, I can tell that there are some problems which appear common in 99-01 models. I am not sure if these will persist in '02 models and beyond. Some people have reported problems regarding the window regulator -ie your window falls or doesn't come up. This required a trip to the dealer for me. I have had my car stall for a while. It took 4 trips to the dealer before they figured out that there was a problem with the oxygen sensors. Recently, my check engine light came on; and again it was the darn oxygen sensors. The dealer told me that this time it was the front 2 sensors. I am not sure I believe that the Sonata has 4 Oxygen sensors, but I guess it can be true.

Regarding the Michelin MXV4 plus energy tires. The reason they are expensive is because they are hand down the best touring tires out there. They have excellent traction on dry, wet, and snow covered surfaces. The price of $170 is a bit high. Go to the tire rack and you can get them for ~120 USD. Tires with somewhat similar characteristics and at a cheaper price are H rated Toyo Proxes. The last time I checked these were between 80-90 dollars.

Not all tires are built the same. It also depends on your driving. If one is not an aggressive driver and only goes speed limit and drives extremely slowly when it rains, etc. then a Kumho, General, Good Year, Firestone, etc. etc. will suffice for your needs. However, if you drive at high speeds over a prolonged period, drive agressively, or want a tire that improves your stopping distance and can very well prevent an accident during "panic" maneuvers, then the MXV4 plus energy is a tire for you

astrol

the Energy MXV4+'s are superb and worth every penny. I already warned my wife long ago about the replacement cost and I keep tossing out reminders as the miles add up. The '00 GLS is her car and she wants it to get only the best. Even if I could be sure of an equal or better tire out there it would still be dicey getting it past her.

I think the smartest thing for any any of us to do when our cars reach beyond the warranty mileage protection is to buy up our own personal stock of the 02 sensors. At least when they go, the car's drivability is not affected except perhaps mpg's.

riez

Has Hyundai sent any manual transmission 2.7L V-6s to USA for 2002 MY? Has anyone here seen one? Bought one?

csandste

If you go to Tire Rack you'll find many cheaper tires (some Michelin) which are rated far batter. I think Hyundai (and every other manufacturer) pays pennies on the dollar for OEM tires. Michelin sells them at these prices because if you rip the hell out of it you'll pay big time for a replacement. Also a good percentage of buyers will pay big $$$ to get the same tire as a replacement.

There are several tires made by Yokahama and Dunlop which have far higher Tire Rack satisfaction ratings for a lot less $$$ than the MXV4+'s.

Having said that, I'm not dissatisfied with the MXV4+'s and will stay with them until they wear out.

astrol

I agree that the price is outrageous and that there are better tires for less in objective terms. But what makes for a confidence inspiring, road handling, sweetheart of a ride for one person does not necessarily do it for another. As long as the WAF (wife approval factor) is high on these buggers I'll buy them.

I once switched to Dunlop A2's for my first Sonata and my wife never forgave me. You and I may know that the A2's are highly rated by any objective standard but that means squat when it comes to someone else who doesn't like them for whatever reason. Such is life.

rdeschene

Considering the price, performance and wear of the MXV4+, I would tend to get Michelin X-Ones instead. Even the BF Goodrich Touring T/A's are a better price-performance combination than the MXV4+.

jimpimms

I believe that this engine-transaxle combination is no longer available. If you select Build Your Own on the Hyundai USA website, it only shows the Shiftronic available for the 2.7L V-6, although the Sonata page still shows the auto trans as a GLS/LX option.

dougndo

This morning I put the 2003 DMV sticker on my license plate, marking the approximate one year anniversary for Ebony Star (ebony black 2001 GLS Leather). A few thoughts crossed my mind as the first year of ownership slipped behind me.

1) I drove over 13,000 in one year! Since I haven't put over 10,000 annual miles on a car since moving to CA, I was surprised by this. My daily commute with this car is less than 16 miles round trip. With prior vehicles, my daily commute was 34 miles round trip. Since I got the Ebony Star I'm obviously doing a lot more pleasure driving, but then with a shorter commute I have more free time. Anyway, I'm driving this beauty whenever I get the chance.

2) The car has stayed in beautiful condition. I'm not a slave to car care, but I do put some effort into it. Both the interior and the exterior are in great shape, with no signs of wear. I anticipate long and attractive life for the car. The sole exceptions are some scrapes on the front fascia where a crazy driver drove across it and also the driver's side floor mat with the weak mat clip.

3) Mechanically the car is a champ. I've had a flat tire and a vibration in a rear door panel, plus the above-mentioned floor mat clip as "problems," none of which are really mechanical in nature. Everything just works well. The engine seems to have broken in gracefully and is better with each passing 1000 miles. The tranny is familiar with my driving style and has adjusted itself to a near perfect companion.

Well, I could go on, but I'll spare everyone the agony. Suffice it to say I have been happy with this car, and not a day goes by that I don't think about my good fortune in finding the Ebony Star.

jonbgood

My wife and I spent the afternoon looking at autos. Looked at Mazda Millenia, 626 ES/6cyl, Maxima GLE, Acura TL, and Sonata. The TL was in a class of its own. Given the rest of the bunch my wife and I agreed that the Sonata actually looked the best on both the inside and outside. We looked at the top of the line Sonata. I drove it and was impressed. I was looking for problems shifting and noted none. The only downer is they sell everyone they get (according to the salesman) at full MSRP. It makes sense - he did admit to discounts on the XG 350. My wife continually says the nicest looking sedan she sees when kid hauling is someones black Sonata.

csandste

for one. In fact I paid quite a bit under the Edmunds TMV price. This is St. Louis, not California where prices are even cheaper. If you have a jerk dealer who won't deal on a Sonata, find another dealer. Or try an Optima.

rhard49

The latest TCM reprogram seems to have fixed the 2-3 shift problem. I would recommend anyone still having the problem get it done

goodtime11367

Is there any word/preview of 2003 sonata's? Also, does any current 2002 owners know if their models have Electronic brake force distribution?

hyundaima

http://www.hyundai-motor.com/eng/innovation/safety/ebd.html

heartrn

I have been eye balling these cars for several years and they are getting nicer and nicer. Personally, I am inside doing the driving so color and style really are low on my list. I do favor a moon roof, power locks and windows and a good sound system. Great gas mileage is a must too. For these necessities in my life I have chosen to drive mazda 626 (I have 2) The prices of such animals are just too costly! My husband thought he can convince me to buy a Camary, I nearly fell from my chair! We cautiously went to the Hyundi dealer and to my surprize, the sonatas were affordable and nice to look at. Unfortunately they didn't have my favorite color , green, but the car had all the stuff I like while driving. I think I have made up my decision on a 01 GLS. It drives like a dream, I will be taking it out again in the morning just to be sure before signing the deal. I am very impressed with the 6 cylinder motor. The newer Mazda 626s dragged in comparison to my 97 madza and the 01 Sonata. My husband says that I won't complain about the gas milage as much with the 6 clynder. So that left me to check out the computer to get some opinions. This site is great, how fun it is to compare and swap mostly good ideas and stories. Now I am far from any one that knows anything about cars, so forgive my ignorance. My job is to fill it drive it, buy new tires when my husband tells me too and take it to get fixed when ever it breaks. I must say, the mazdas almost never had any mechanical problems, just standard stuff, breaks, tires, cluch(5 speed)oil and air filters. that is about it.
So please direct me on the wears of theses cars. I am happy that the dealer is 1 mile from my house. How do they hold up? Do on the high ways? tolerate the elements? I live in AZ-120 degrees in the summer.
I see some mention about a buzzer thingie for lights? A non key entry? I don't think this car has an alarm, how much should I expect to pay for one if the dealer puts it in? I would assume that it has a fancy car computer like the Japanese cars? What else should I know or look for before I sign on the dotted line? The car I am looking at is a 2001, Sonata 6 cylinder GLS ( like I know what any of this means!) it has approx 16,000 miles and I am paying what appears to be about 13-14,000$ for it. It is difficult for me to tell all the fiqures with the trade in and tax, title etc. My husband says I got a steal and over 6,000$ for my trade in. All I know is that it is a payment I can afford. Please advise. Thanks

astrol

Does this mean you're a cardiac nurse?

Welcome to the forum. It's refreshing to find a loyal driver of another brand coming to the Hyundai Sonata.

Gas mileage depends on use but Hyundai is generally quite accurate with the EPA's...expect about 25mpg's on average but highway is 30+ and city can be down to 18-20 depending on congestion.
Just can't predict without knowing your driving patterns.

My wife has driven a loaded GLS since July '00 and loves it. It does have all the modern niceties you would expect and in terms of engine management...there are computers...and they work rather well.

We have had a series of O2 (oxygen) sensors go bad on us but all that this does is make the 'check engine' light glow...this may temporarily affect mpg's but it does not affect drivability. We have also had our brake rotors replaced and the new ones even resurfaced but this is likely due to my wife's driving habits.
In terms of the little niceties like the sunroof, the Stereo system, the power everything that makes for pleasurable driving...we have had no problems.

There is an inexpensive buzzer for the light switch which is available at Wal-Mart. It is made by 3M and installs fairly easily.

Generally Sonatas heat up or cool down fairly quickly but with those temps and non-CFC air conditioning I don't have to tell you to park wisely. My wife or I will crack the Sunroof an inch or two under the deflector when weather is good.

I would price the alarm/keyless entry out at the dealer first. It's difficult to say what he might want to charge. The dealer will most likely install the Hyundai system using a sub-contractor. It may well pay you to take the car elsewhere and have the work done by an install shop. You would get a better selection of systems but that would not be warrantable through Hyundai...only the shop.

Actually, it sounds like a pretty good deal. Without knowing exactly what options are on the car, it's difficult to say for sure. Good Luck.

andil1

My CEL light came on and the first thing I checked was my coolant. I didn't see much in there, so I checked the book to see how much to add. The book says there is a low and full indicator, but I can't for the life of me find any markings or words. Which side of the reservoir is it on? Is full considered the entire reservoir, up to where the neck for filling begins? Thanks.

astrol

The CEL is likely related to something else like an O2 sensor. The spill reservoir has a low line some 1-2 inchs from the bottom...the high line is not quite as high as the bottom of the neck. It is routine for this level to vary over time. Just don't overfill.

pat

The Town Hall is about to take on a new look in an effort to make content more easily searchable and accessible.

Have you seen the Letter from the Town Hall Manager on the Town Hall Welcome page? If not, you might want to follow that link to have a look.

And hang on to your seats. Change is never easy - for any of us - but resolving the Search problems we've had will be worth the pain.

Pat
Sedans Host

jimpimms

While the Michelin MXV4 Energy Plus tires (205/65R15 94H), at $125 a pop at Tire Rack, seem over-priced, the X-Ones are NOT the answer, as rdeschene (post 1881) would suggest. The X-Ones are T-rated (118 mph), whereas the MXV4s are H (130 mph) and V-rated (149 mph). The OE tires on the Sonata are H-rated, because the tire's speed rating should ALWAYS exceed the vehicle's maximum speed (125 mph). Michelins are superb tires, but French arrogance has priced them far beyond their worth. Better choices would be a Bridgestone Potenza RE950 ($73), or a Dunlop SP Sport A2 ($62).

jzarli

Jimpimms, I just happened to be see your post regarding tires. I can't agree with your reasoning. It seems to me that a tires speed rating must well exceed the maximum speed that the vehicle will be operated. I drove over 100mph once when I was young and reckless. Anyone driving over 100 mph on public roads should not worry about their tires.

heartrn

HeartRN<~~~yes, cardiac nurse. I just replaced the 02(nurses know that this is oxygen, thanks)sensor on the Mazda, 360$ Isn't that nice?
Well the Sonata is mine. I am an official convert. I drive 23 miles to work in the lovely city of phoenix and the drive is smooth. I am not much of an AC user, but even with it full blast is doesn't change the driving any. I was pleasantly surprised about the radio/CD player. The sound is wonderful. Thanks for all the information.

jmcroteau

All four shocks were replaced at 50K on my '99 Sonata, with Hyundai parts. My front struts are leaking again, at 58K. Anyone had that kind of problem? I will have the dealer replace them again, but maybe I should offer to pay a little extra for aftermarket parts. Any name to suggest?

dougndo

My girlfriend and I went to Las Vegas for five days, taking Ebony Star (2001 Sonata GLS Leather) for the trip. As usual, I checked tire pressure before leaving and, not unexpectedly, found the tires 2-3 pounds overfilled by the enthusiastic techs at the local lube shop. I guess 32-35 PSI is their internal mantra on tire pressure. However, since my last oil change, I had the MVX4+ replacement on the front right, so imagine my amazement when that tire checked out at 41 PSI!

Obviously I'm way too naive about trusting tire shop employees to inflate brand new tires correctly. I know, I know, I should have checked the pressure sooner, but at least I had the good sense to check it before a major trip.

Since I made the LA to LV sprint in under four hours (287 Mi.) through desert temps that exceeded 105 degrees, I can only imagine the possible consequences had I not checked. Of course a side benefit is that handling and ride improved noticeably when the tires were all at the correct pressure.

BTW, the Sonata handled the trip wonderfully. The temp gauge never wavered, even up the 4200 and 4700 ft. passes where more than a few cars were pulled over with the hoods up. Of course dropping the trans out of OD allowed me to climb with aplomb while most everyone else fell behind, lugging along in OD with their accelerators to the floor and their trannies madly shifting back and forth.

All in all, it was another triumphant event for the Ebony Star, reaffirming my belief in the car. Now let's see how it holds up in year two.

elbee4m

The first time I seen the 02's, I feel in love with them, unfortunately, they are a bit more than what I can afford. BUT I WANT A SONATA. So now I'm looking at the 01's. I've read a lot of reviews of the 2001's and I've seen a lot of positive discussions. Does anyone have any suggestions on some of things I should look for or even expect on a used 01. Any help would be appreciated.

dougndo

elbee4m, there are certain things I'd look for in any used car, such as odometer reading (no more than about 1000-1200 mi per month), service records (oil changes every 3000-5000 mi), repair records (if available; did anything break in the first 10,000-15,000 mi? often the sign of a hard driver), and cleanliness (like between the seats and console or heavy cigarette smell. etc.).

On a Sonata specifically, I'd look at a couple of simple things like the condition of the driver's floor mat and the clip that holds it, the condition and operation of the console cup holders, and the operation of the glove box door. This'll tell you the level of care given by the owner.

After that, check the condition of the transmission fluid (or have someone who knows do it for you), look at the condition of the tires/wheels/brake rotors (sometimes a source of trouble), and inspect the travel/adjustability/comfort of the driver's seat (as Americans put on more weight this becomes more important, believe me, especially if someone extra heavy used the car for 18 months before you buy it).

Finally, start the car and drive it. Check the operation of the transmission both from a gradual acceleration and a spirited one. Be sure to test reverse, too. It's better if you can test the car cold and have the engine and transmission warm up as you drive. If there's any sustained shift flare or abrupt shifting, avoid the car unless you can get warranty service for it (anything from a simple reprogramming of the computer to complete replacement).

Of course, during your drive you'll be checking out all the whistles and bells, Make sure everything works, including the AC. If it's not cold enough, it could be a simple cable adjustment, or it could be something more difficult and expensive. Usually in a Sonata it's just an adjustment, though.

If any warning lights are on or come on and stay on (like the infamous CEL: "Check Engine" light), make a note of it. Be sure it can be fixed under warranty. The CEL is usually a simple fix like an oxygen sensor or simply putting the gas cap on correctly. (I've never had the problem on my Sonata, but it's been a pest on my girfriend's Tiburon.)

I know I keep saying "under warranty." With a 2001 you ought to be able to have a decent warranty still in effect if the miles on the odometer are in line. Make sure you're clear about what you're getting. The best thing about the warranty on my 2001 is that I've never used it, but it''s great to know it's there.

tamu2002

Hi y'al,

I've been following this board for quite a while and I find all the info very helpful. My wife and I are both hugh Hyundai fans, and we've had our eyes on the Sonata for a long time. Now finally we'll soon be able to afford one, hopefully in 2 to 3 months.

We're relocating to South Bend, IN. Could any of you recommend a good Hyundai (or Kia) dealership in the vincinity? Thank you!

agnostos

You'll find lots of good hyundai information at the following sites.

http://www.t-h-c.org/cgi-bin/THCMF/UltraBoard.pl?

http://www.t-h-c.org/cgi-bin/forums/YaBB.cgi