2013 and Earlier - Hyundai Sonata Prices Paid and Buying Experience

nearphila

tenpin:

PA resident and I bought 09 Sonata a few weeks ago from Stateline Hyundai in NJ. At dealership, I paid for PA tag and left there with a NJ out-of-state resident paper tag (valid for 21 days) on the car. Dealer sent paperwork to Harrisburg and when he gets license plate, will overnight it to me. When I get it, I will have to go get the car inspected (no PA inspection sticker on it at the moment). I chose to have dealer handle the paperwork, mostly due to convenience.

Also, they charged me PA sales tax and they remitted it to PA (again, my preference for convenience).

cosmo15

Anyone know why Towne Hyundai's site says 1600.00 below invoice except for 4 cyl limited, call for pricing. What is their discount for the 4 cyl limited. Im looking for one W/O nav.

2002slt

You might want to give them a call.

mjw76248

I would say that the $1600 below invoice, when combined with the $2000 rebate, equals what people were paying back in May with $2100 below invoice and $1500 rebate.

cosmo15

Towne quoted me 1200 below invoice on sonata 4cyl limited. The usual 1900 has been reduced to 1600 and then 1200 on 4cyl limited's. This does not include the manufacturers 2000 rebate. Sales manager said the demand for 4cyl limited's is through the roof and manufacturer cannot produce fast enough. Im going to try stateline next.

bhmr59

The is no "usual" below invoice price at Towne. That figure changes from month to month, probably based on factory to dealer incentives. $1900 below invoice was June's dealer discounted price. May had a different dealer discounted price. August may have a higher or lower dealer discount.

If the demand for the 4 cyl Limited is way up, which I can believe, it just makes sense from their perspective to offer a smaller discount. It's still a great price, much better than CT prices. It was worth the 100 mile drive when we bought from Town in 2/07.

Let us know how Stateline compares.

sharksoup

Just purchased today 2009 GLS I4 manual - pearl white - no other options. List price of $18,995.

Paid $15,869 out the door from Quirk in Bangor, Maine. Had seen an ad for a dealership in the Portland, Maine area (Rowe's in Westbrook) for $14,995 that included dealer doc fee, destination charge & $2,000 rebate. Quirk's is much closer to me, so called and asked if they would match the price. They came back with $15,900; told them no thanks - I was prepared to drive an extra 200 miles to save $1,000. Was put on hold and a few minutes later was told OK.

Breaks down as $14,995 + $850 tax + $24 title fee. Had I paid sticker, and had there been no rebate going on, calculate I would have spent an additional $4,400.

Met with the salesman, signed the paperwork, wrote out a check, was introduced to the parts & service department, bought a cargo mat for $70, got introduction to the car from the salesman, and was on my way in less than 1 1/2 hours.

sharksoup

I've read that in addition to the $2,000 rebate ($3,000 on 2008's - if you can find one), there is a $500 military rebate (may apply to Guard & Reserves as well), plus an additonal $500 loyalty rebate if you are current owner of a Hyundai.

backy

The $500 loyalty rebate on the Sonata is not available in all states (e.g. not in TX), so check at hyundaiusa.com for your state. But the military rebate on the Sonata is $1000. Very nice of HMA to do that I think.

tkachuk07

What's a good price?

4 cyl, manual transmission, 16 inch tires, pretty standard. It had a sunroof, didn't see any other upgrades that I'm aware of.

Had some hail damage, but they used dent buster to fix it & it looks clean. I looked pretty close & I didn't see any left over damage from the hail. If they wouldn't have mentioned it, no way I would have known.

Advertised with 3 year, 45K mile warranty. Thanks

tkachuk07

Edit: This is a used dealer, not a private owner..

backy

Something strange here... since the car has only 3500 miles on it, it should have whatever is left of the 5-year, 60k mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, that is, about 3 years and 56,500 miles worth. But you said it has only 45k miles of warranty.

Another thing to watch out for is the low mileage. Find out why it's so low. Could be it was driven by a little old lady only on Sundays. Or could be something else not as innocent.

Since new GLS sticks with full warranty are going for around $14-15k, and this car is two years old and has had body damage repaired, I wouldn't pay more than $10k for it if it were me, and I'd shoot for less.

samvij

First of thanks to all for contributing without which I would have paid at least $2k more than I was able to get this car for.

This forum helped me get armed with info about the best prices available for this model with and without navigation system. I was almost ready to get one from NJ (Towne or Stateline) - but 482 mile drive seemed excessive. I agree that the savings potential ($2000) was also tempting.

I sent emails and called local dealers with my "reference price" (the one available online from Towne/Stateline) and made it clear that if they could meet or beat this, I was prepared to make an instant deposit.

Most of the sales people did not entertain the notion that it is possible to buy at this price, however, I persisted.

One Internet sales team of Bob Dunn Hyundai, of Greensboro, NC - did entertain my proposal seriously, and promptly responded to my queries, and agreed to offer a price $700 less than invoice (when you add $500 loyalty discount, this becomes $1200). Towne and Stateline were ( at least a week or so ago) offering $1900 less than invoice - so I paid $700 more than I would have paid in NJ. But driving/traveling to NJ (about 500 miles) to get this baby was not very attractive either.

To my pleasant surprise - when I arrived at the dealership - the car was ready for pickup - I did not face any "bait and switch" issue. The numbers were exactly as agreed by email.

The final price I paid for 2009 Sonata 4-cylinder Limited Edition with Navigation, is $21035(+3% Tax+$138 Tag).

The sales person I worked with is Lee ( I am leaving out last name intentionally).
So far, this has been my most efficient and pleasant car buying experience.

If any one needs any more details, please respond to this post and I would be happy to share my any additional details about my experience that may help others.

backy

Congrats on your new Sonata!

FYI, the loyalty rebate is effective in NJ also, so you could have gotten that at Towne or Stateline (for example), in addition to whatever discount they offer off invoice and the general rebate (now $2000).

reggc0

I recently purchased a Hyundai and chose a color (silver) that the dealer did not have available on their lot. They assured me I would get one in that color, but I also asked that if it was going to come from a great distance and put several hundred miles on it to call me and I would concede the color for another option. When I spoke to the GM several days after the purchase, again I mentioned to him to let me know where it would be coming from. He said they hadnt located a dealer trade yet and that it may have to come from the port, which would take 10-12 days. Two days later I get an email that my car is at the dealer and to come take delivery. When I went to the dealership it had 660 miles on it and traveled the state back and forth. I was absolutely disgusted that I wasnt informed in advance where the car was coming from. Am I making too big of a deal of this?

backy

No, I don't think you are. But you can simply say "no, thanks" to that car and either have the dealer find one for you with low miles, or find a different dealer who is more accomodating to your wishes.

nhphd

If they locate a dealer far from you, it does not mean that they drive to that location. They should carry it with a truck no matter the dealer is 20 miles or 300 miles. I guess that car you got might have been a show car or a test car. I think the mileage has been due to the several test drives and not the shipping . The car that I bought was also shipped from another dealership 50 miles away from the place that I bought and it had 100 miles when I bought. Now that you have bought the car, don't think about it. you should have been informed about the car's mileage that you are getting. I was told mine will have 120 miles on it but it had 100. It also depends on the price that you got. If you got it in great price, don't worry.

backy

This is a good lesson for others. Never, never, NEVER make a binding commitment to a particular car without seeing it and driving it first. Typically, when a car is "located" by a dealership, the buyer makes some sort of deposit (e.g. put $500 on a credit card) on the car. There should be a written agreement that the deposit is refundable in full if the car is not what the buyer asked for, e.g. wrong color, wrong equipment, damaged, or... 660 miles on it.

reggc0, have you actually taken delivery of the car? If not, you can refuse delivery because it is not what you paid for--or, hopefully, put a deposit on. If you put the deposit on a credit card, the credit card company can intercede in your behalf if there is any problem refunding your deposit.

If it is too late, that is, you have already accepted delivery of the car, then you might talk with the sales manager about the situation and see what they can do to make you satisfied. I was in a somewhat similar situation a few years ago when I bought a 2004 Elantra GT that turned out to have come from the regional auto show circuit.... and not from a dealership a short distance away, as the salesperson claimed. I talked with the sales manager and he asked me what he could do to make me happy. After some discussion, we agreed on a free 3-year maintenance package, retail value of $400.

reggc0

In this case the vehicle was not transported on a trailer but rather driven. The dealer I purchased the vehicle from were the original receivers of it, they traded it to a dealer 290 miles away and then traded for it back another 290 miles. Thats why when I picked it up it had 660 miles on it.

Yes, I have taken delivery of the vehicle and for my disatisfaction at delivery was given a lousy 3 free oil changes. Perhaps I should bargain for something more. Ive been thinking about for 2 days, I love the car, just really irritated at how it all went down.

If I may add two additional points. I was advised the vehicle would be ready for delivery at 4:15. I arrived at the dealer at 5:30. I did not leave the dealer until about 7:40, because it wasnt ready until well after 7:00. When I took the keys and pulled out the lot, I noticed it had a 1/4 tank of gas. Already irritated, I had to turn around, go back and in and kindly ask that they at least fill the tank up. Ridiculous? Yes, I think so.

nhphd

Did they clean the car for you? I was about to mention in my previous email that if I were you, I would ask them to take $200 off the price but I was not sure that you took the delivery of it or not. In my case I specifically mentioned them that I want "0" mile on my car and they said it is impossible and it will have about 10 miles on it and since they did not have the car they located the car in another dealership and they told me it will have 120 miles on it but when I got it it was lower and it was 100 miles but since I already mentally had accepted the mileage I was OK. I also got free mudguard that I was not asking for it. Go and tell them that you are not happy of the situation and you have two more friends that they want to buy the same car but you are hestiant to refer them to the dealership as you were not treated well and ask for more gas cards, cash,free oil change,...

jfritsch

After you accept delivery you have a done deal. You can complain about the items and say you would be really inclined to give a good score on any manufacturer dealer satisfaction surveys that come your way for a $300 gas card or so. Much less I don't know how much effort its worth. At some point when you're debating 100 vs 120 miles on the odometer you have to think you may need some psychological screening for OCD or something. 20 miles you may rack up on the drive home.

Avoid the oil change stuff as most people go where they want to nearby oil change stations. The dealer survey deal is the best thing you have after you have lost most leverage after signing.

tkachuk07

I have a flooding hunch. I was able to use the Hyundai site to determine the original dealership in Sherman, TX & now the car is in Illinois. Well that area had big time flooding in the summer of 2007 as shown in the youtube link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmIVls2tZq4

VIN : 5NPET46C07H278013 ,if anyone has easy access to more detailed history with no $$ spent. Thanks

backy

Good detective work!

tkachuk07

Yep flooded... Carfax offers a free flood search.

VIN: 5NPET46C07H278013
Year/Make/Model: 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS
Search Results: 5 records found in our database
Flood Advisor: Flood Damage records found

gondalguru

I am looking for sonata 2008 limited for my dad. Called multiple dealers but no body has it. So now decided to get Sonata 2009 GLS. What will be considered a resonable deal. There is 2000$ rebate to customer. How much below invoice should I aim to get the car before the rebate -- 500$ /750$ / 1000$ ?? I am in South Texas.

nhphd

Read the last 20 pages of this thread. You should get around 1600-1900 below invoice.

gondalguru

Thanks nhphd. I did read all last 15 pages. I have visited towne dealership website with they internet ad of 1600 $ below invoice offer and thats what I will aim for.

backy

That's fine to aim for $1600 under invoice, but don't be surprised if your local dealers won't go that low. You'll know it's too low if you start driving away and they don't follow you, or they don't call you back in a day or so.

kravon

WOW! Talk about great customer service!!! Im sure you are just itching to refer people to them.

colorstamps

I read one guy got a deal of $15500 plus tax and fees for Sonata GLS Auto and I asked around for that price. No dealer even comes close to that price and they all suggest that for that price the dealer is losing 1000+ dollars. One offered me $18000 OTD (including 5% tax and other fees) and another offered me $16800 plus tax and fees. How do you guys think of these prices? I live in Iowa. Thank you!

mocitytx

I have been pricing the GLS w/ auto trans in the Houston area. Best deal is $17,420 out the door. I shopped that price around to the other six dealers in the area, and none could beat it. Next best price was $17,8xx OTD.

Don't think I'm going to hold out for $1600 under invoice. $17,420 is terrific compared to the Altima and Accord quotes I've gotten.

gondalguru

I am trying to get the same car -- GLS with automatic v4 (with option package 2)-- the best deal i am getting locally is invoice - 500$ - 2000$ rebates plus TTL (around 1350 dollars for me)
In your deal how much below invoice you getting (excluding 2000$ rebates). What dealership in houston you are getting this deal. Thanks.

backy

$16,800 is a few hundred below published invoice, including the $2000 rebate. So that is a decent price, especially when you consider your area. One option is to check with the bigger dealers in Chicago, MSP, or KC (whichever is closer to you) to see what kind of deals they would offer. If it's a lot less, you might consider going there for a better deal.

mocitytx

Off-hand I dont remember how much below invoice it is, you can look it up on edmunds to see exactly, but I think it's around $300-400 below. It looks like nation-wide there are better deals, but in Houston I have yet to find one. The dealer is Champion, on 45 and beltway south. I'm not adding any options other than the floor mat deal that seems to be mandatory.

moocow1

Generally in most places, anything over $1000 under invoice is going to be very hard to get. I think the main exceptions are fitzmall and towne hyundai. Personally I just recalculated my deal from a while back and I got $1264 under invoice in california. That's not bad considering I haven't heard of any awesome deals here. I think realistically, $1000 is a good goal if nobody is biting on $1600-1900. $300 under invoice sounds pretty poor though, you should be able to get at least another $500.

kingpcgeek

Are saying $1000 below invoice + $2000 rebate for $3000 below invoice, or $1000 below invoice and that's it?

jlindh

Check with the internet department at North Freeway Hyundai. We can't give names out on the forum, but think "fishing or "ale".

colorstamps

Thanks for all the comments and opinions. I guess in Iowa, dealers have less competition and probably I should check Chicago dealers for best deals.

Another question though. If I buy from some remote dealer, do I have to drive there again for first service or any tuning after purchase or I can do it at my local dealer without charges? Thank you.

2002slt

"Another question though. If I buy from some remote dealer, do I have to drive there again for first service or any tuning after purchase or I can do it at my local dealer without charges?"

You can take it anywhere you want. Mine is never going back to the dealer I bought it from. Their service department looks to be about 10 years behind the times.

njalan

My shopping of a new Sonata or Azera is put on hold due to family & business issues. Yesterday I received an email from Lester Glenn Hyundai (Toms River, NJ) inviting me to take advantage of their promotion: matching factory rebate of any new car. For example, the 2009 Sonata has $2000 factory rebate. They would either mail you a check of $2000 after you buy the car or allow you to use the $2000 to buy the car. In this case, the savings would be $4000. In the case of a Santa Fe the matching is $3500 for a total of $7000. Plus, they offer free oil change for life.

The email does not mention any other incentive, e.g. $$$$$ below invoice, etc. Good luck, folks.

mocitytx

North Freeway Hyundai Internet Dept gave me the run around. Totally elusive on price, and three different people there replied to my request for a quote - with three different quotes. Look at their dealer reviews on this site -- it's ugly. I'm not sure I want to do business with them.

jlindh

Send me an email at the address in my profile with your phone number, I'll call my guy and set you up. You'll probably have to go in to get a final price. If you don't go in, they may not take you seriously.

For reference, my guy beat the Fitzmall price when I bought.

moocow1

Of course I mean 1000 + rebate, $1000 under invoice straight up is a terrible deal. But rebates are different for each. Personally I got the $500 owner rebate too, so you have to calculate your own values.

Also I bought my car from one dealer, but I plan on servicing at a dealer that I would not buy a car from. Funny how that is. Basically the service guy at the not so good to buy dealer is awesome. I think for every single person, you should find which dealers are legit and which service guys actually care and stick to them. I think it helps everyone to go to legit dealers and service managers, gotta promote the good guys.

moocow1

Hmm, I assume all those discounts are from msrp. Which makes it a decent deal, but nothing amazing. Basically the Sonata would be around 1100 under invoice I think. Santa Fe may be more...but uh it's an suv and suvs don't sell well now

sudha22

Thought it will help someone.
Bought a Hyundai Soanata GLS in Southfield, MI.
17,908 OTD with a license transfer.
Deal was made after dealer offered $500 gas certificate. So it is 17400 OTD.
Terrible gas certificate deal though. :mad: :sick: Have to mail gas receipts every month to get $25 gas card every month with lots of catches.
Best part is sales guy tried to hide the details until the last minute..
Realized the working of the gas deal only when I got home..
I was expecting some kind of transparency from the guy..
My suggestion. Don't deal with amateur sales guys..

If you don't mind driving, I would suggest this link. No bargaining required. Also I would suggest, do a one-way fly and drive back the car. Still worth it. Also, these guys offer $500 gas certificate. Pl check all details bf4 you buy.

http://www.fairfaxhyundai.com/ou/fairfax-hyundai/console.do?page=f_new

mocitytx

Nice price at Fairfax, too bad that's about a 26 hour drive from my house.

I wonder if the area economy affects the availability of bargains. In Houston, the economy is strong, maybe car sales aren't as bad here as in other parts of the country. Then again, you'd expect Detroit-area to be a cheap car market, but 17,908 is $500 more than I would pay here.

reggc0

Anyone know who the largest volume Hyundai dealer is in the US?

colorstamps

fairfaxhyundai' price is really low. When I asked my local dealer about the price, he emailed me,

"the VA dealer is including Owner Loyalty rebate of $500 (do you own a Hyundai?) and probably not including the freight charge that is listed on the window sticker and charged to every dealer, and then adding it back on when someone makes the purchase. We see it all the time."

Is there any truth to that? Anyone bought from Fairfax before?

backy

Well, someone is trying to mislead you. Wonder who? Here is text directly off the Fairfax Hyundai web site:

PRICE SHOPPING?

IT HAS COME TO OUR ATTENTION THAT SOME OF OUR COMPETION HAS BEEN TELLING CUSTOMERS THAT WE ADD EXTRA COSTS TO OUR INTERNET PRICES...

THAT IS FALSE!

WE HAVE INCLUDED:
· FREIGHT
· DESTINATION
· DEALER PREPARATION
· ONLY REBATES THAT APPLY TO EVERY WEBSITE VISITOR

ADDITIONAL SAVINGS IF YOU ARE THE FOLLOWING:
· RECENT COLLEGE GRAD
· CURRENT ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY
· CURRENT OWNER OF HYUNDAI VEHICLE

That looks pretty clear-cut to me.

bhmr59

Thanks for the info, backy.

The only thing not clear is whether they add a doc. fee (which is different from dealer prep.).

Depending on various state laws, documentation fees can be significantly different. They may include, or may not have a doc. fee.

Towne, last I knew, had a $189 doc. fee to be added to the quoted price.