2013 and Earlier - Hyundai Sonata Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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Comments

  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    Better to just post the details, say you are happy with the deal you got and leave it at that. Then it would be rude, IMO, for someone to say, "You got a lousy deal!"
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

    When comparing car for car with Accord, Camry, and all the rest the Sonata is a good deal... even at full price.

    I got my car at a good price, but could have got it for maybe $500 less. But the stress level would have been too high, and I may have poisoned my relationship with my dealer and sales lady. They are very nice people, and I WANT them to make a buck and be prosperous. I want them to be there in 3 or 4 years when I need warranty work or a favor. If they should go belly-up, I may have to drive 60-90 miles to another dealer.
  • banman7banman7 Member Posts: 6
    1) For the $799 alarm I think I did get ripped off, but at least it is a different alarm system than the stock one from the manufacturer. It is from a company called Code Alarm. I think the dealer told me they are nationwide.

    2) Vehicles purchased in AZ go at the prevailing sales tax rate of the place/city of purchase, not where you live, as in some states. The sales tax rate of 7.8% where I bought the car was the lowest of the 8 dealers I talked with. I think the highest was around 8.3%.

    3) Vehicle license tax in AZ (tags, etc.) is based on the price/worth of the vehicle and not a set fee. Also, doc fees are not regulated in AZ like other states (CA has state law of max of $45 I believe). Thus every dealership sets their own ranging from around $249-$399. This is not a negotiable fee and is preprinted on all sales forms. You can negotiate the price of the vehicle lower but it will still look like you paid a huge doc fee no matter what you do. I hate that part of the system here in AZ.

    4) I knew that the Hyundai manufacturer rebates for the Sonata GLS V6 were either $2000 or $1000/2.9% so I was confused what the sales manager was offering me and how he was using or getting access to all these rebates, but I wasn't arguing with him about it. But again, part of it was a $1000 dealer rebate/discount and not related to the manufacturer. I also qualify for the college graduate rebate (master's degree) but I understand this was not combinable with the manufacturer's rebates on the V6 so did not get it (or at least several dealers told me so). But maybe if I pressed I could have gotten another $400 off.

    The reason I felt I got a good deal was because of canvassing the entire state of AZ. Not only was there no other dealer who came close to this price on the same vehicle, I had several sales managers of other dealerships telling me that if the price I quoted them was correct ($1500 below invoice) that I should buy that car at their competition. If I tried to negotiate further with the place I bought the car at, and was unsatisfied and tried to walk out, where would I go since I already contacted by fax all 15 Hyundai dealerships in AZ? Go to Vegas? NM? LA?

    The only way I could have gotten a better deal was wait until the last few days of the month. But this month that is a weekend, so less buying power for those who know prices since they can sell to regular, unknowledgeable weekend shoppers. Would have been better last month when March 31 was a Friday - 5 dead selling days before the end of the month. I wanted to buy then but didn't have all of my down payment organized yet. I also needed to buy soon because my old 96 Pontiac Grand AM was on its last leg, so couldn't wait until the end of April.

    So was I satisfied with my purchase? Yes. Are there possible ways I could have gotten a better deal, or somehow was a better negotiator? Of course.
  • blnewtoblnewto Member Posts: 146
    I would like to hear opinions on the comfort and quality level of the cloth seating upholstery on the '06 Sonata.
    We travel quite a bit, had 3 trips over 1000 miles already. I find the drivers seat to be just fine, especially w/ the lumbar support cranked to the max. If you opt for the base GL it won't have the lumbar support, so I'd recommend the GLS. We also tried the LX and I've had leather-equipped cars before. I love leather once it's fully broken in, but trying it out in the showroom it usually comes across as slick & firm, and the LX is no exception. I'd choose leather over cloth most of the time, but if it's not in your budget I think you'll be happy w/ the cloth seats w/ lumbar, the passenger seat w/out lumbar isn't quite as nice over long drives, I think I'd recommend one of those foam lumbar cushions for your passenger (if you like them, that is, lol)
  • miamixtmiamixt Member Posts: 600
    Great reply Banman7. My Deal sounds similar to yours, as I originally purchased a GLS with the Sports package. My Deal was about to implode (the Car which I bought sight unseen was at the body shop, then "missing"). I made a desperate grab for the LX, and I made it clear I was unwilling to pay a cent more. And as things would have it, it was the top LX. I was given all 3 rebates, even though one kicked out as expected. I also was given a generous trade in price based on my purchase of that GLS which had some sort of damage and was being repaired. The Cars on that Lot went though 2 major Hurricanes, Wilma being the most powerful one in the history of mankind!. Anyway they needed to make this Sale, as this hurting dealership had already included it in their monthly total of 28 Cars for February. The next day the new creepy GM fired my Salesman, and his boss, the guy who wrote up my deal. Their loss was my gain, $18.7K out the door. And you are right, the best time and day to buy a new Hyundai is towards the end of the Month, on a day that nothing has been sold. If you see other customers in the Showroom doing deals, drive to another Dealer, or come back another day. This has worked in my favor twice :)
  • carcat3carcat3 Member Posts: 1
    Hello everyone,

    I am new here. I was just quoted $19,804.75 out the door price for a new 06 GLS V6 cloth interior with the 05 Premium Sport Package. How good of a deal does this sound?

    Thanks.
  • banman7banman7 Member Posts: 6
    Carcat3,

    OTD prices are impossible to compare because of all the variables. The sales tax, document fees, and vehicle license taxes are different for each country, state, and/or local area. Also, the rebates offered for any given vehicle changes each month. Not all people qualify for all rebates as some depend on credit score, military service, college grad, etc. The only thing that can be compared is the relationship of a price offered by a dealer to the actual invoice price.

    For instance, I paid $20,445 last week for the same car, before rebates. This was $1500 below invoice price.

    Without knowing the breakdown of how much you're paying for the actual car before rebates, it's hard to say whether or not it's a good price. I'm assuming the price you were quoted also includes all rebates that you qualify for.

    50 different people in all 50 states could all buy a car at the same price but would have 50 different OTD prices when all the variables are added up!
  • nanz79nanz79 Member Posts: 2
    I got offer of $18600 + TTL for 2006 Sonata LX in Fairfax, VA after rebates.
    Would like to know what other people are paying in VA for Sonata'06 LX.
    Also, Is this is a good price or still there any chance to get better by $500 - $1000?

    Thanks in advance.
  • miamixtmiamixt Member Posts: 600
    Your post above says $18600. And what exactly is an "offer", people use this term. The price you pay when you sign on the dotted line is the Offer

    If you read all 1900 posts here, you will find a few from VA. However this is not important if you really want the Car. And saving $500 or $1000 more, why stop there?. When you make the Deal (a.k.a. the "offer") post back!.
  • tenpin288tenpin288 Member Posts: 804
    If you live in or around Fairfax, check out fitzmall.com. They have a location in North Bethesda, Md which doesn't seem to be too far from Fairfax. Fitzmall's prices are generally very good prices and you could also use their price as a bargaining chip. ;)
  • highland1024highland1024 Member Posts: 2
    Thanks a lot. I will go there this weekend. :)
  • njeraldnjerald Member Posts: 689
    GLS and LX models on EBAY right now.
  • nanz79nanz79 Member Posts: 2
    Finally, Got my Sonata LX (with out any premium package) yesterday. I manage to get dealer @ $17,700 (salesperson initially quoted me $18,900 after Hyundai rebates). I don't qualify for the Loyalty rebate.

    MSRP => 22,895
    Edmunds Invoice price => $20,961 (excluding Deliverycharge)
    -----------
    Negociated price >17,700
    Dealer Handling & Delivery => $600
    TTL (VA) => $998
    OTD => $19,298

    I think it good deal and I'm really happy with my Dark Cinamon color. Any comments guys? What do you think ..is it good deal? I have no problem hearing both side :-)

    Thanks
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    I think it good deal and I'm really happy with my Dark Cinamon color. Any comments guys? What do you think ..is it good deal? I have no problem hearing both side

    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

    That car is an excellent value at $23K. At $19.2 OTD, it's simply a steal. Enjoy it!
  • mattnday1mattnday1 Member Posts: 4
    I would buy one today if I could get that deal.

    I am trying to get $18000 after rebates but before TTL. I have loyalty and have had no luck so far
  • dc_in_txdc_in_tx Member Posts: 5
    I believe in Texas we have a "cooling off" period in that 1-3 days after the sale, we can bring a vehicle back and null the deal. I know a year or two ago I purchased a Camry and the dealer was going to install a sunroof after the sale and after I really got to thinking about it, I just didn't want to trust in one that didn't have a sun roof from the manufacturer. So I took the car back and got a different Camry at a different dealership. Were they mad, just a tad, but in the end, it was something I didn't want.

    I know I asked if I got a good deal on here after I purchased my Sonata and it sounds like I got a fair deal. Maybe not the best, but certainly not the worst. Honestly, if I didn't get a good deal, I'd want to hear about it because in the end, it's a major purchase. If I'm getting taken for $2000 more than what others are paying, I want to know.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I bought new cars in Texas and I don't remember a 1-3 day cooling off period. But there are some dealers I know who have a 3-day, 500-mile return policy.

    The time to tell you if you got a lousy deal (and the time to ask that question) is before you close the deal. Afterwards, all it can do is make you unhappy, which a new car owner should not be.
  • miamixtmiamixt Member Posts: 600
    However I has possession of my new Sonata for almost 2 weeks before the Deal was finalized. I did have the option of returning it as my financing kicked out, but I wanted this Sonata! The end result, they ate the rebate.

    I'm looking at buying a new car within the next few weeks. My friend told me that after I buy a car, I can always legally return it within three days if I decide I don't want it. Is this true?

    No. There is no three-day right to return a new car. If you sign a contract to buy a car, it's yours. Your friend is probably getting car sales confused with door-to-door sales. Texas law does allow a "cooling off period" that permits someone to return items they bought from door-to-door sales within three days.

  • believer1believer1 Member Posts: 2
    Great job!! That's an AWSOME price. I got a similar deal on a GLS V6 in powder white pearl w/premium sports pkg (post 1898). Other posters have questioned why members would post re:price/deal after the fact. Come on, everyone wants reassurance or even a little pat on the back after closing the second largest purchase most people ever make ;). Banman7 does make a truly valid point though, there are just too many variables that go into each transaction for a straight OTD price Vs. OTD price comparison, ie; rebates received, sales tax %, state lic fees, ect. IMO, if you walked out of the dealership feeling good about your deal and you're happy with the ride, look & feel of your new ride, then +/- $500 probably wasn't going to be THE deal breaker (although it's nice when it's on the minus side).
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Other posters have questioned why members would post re:price/deal after the fact.

    I don't think anyone questions why members would post re price/deal after the fact. That's what this discussion is all about (and before-the-fact too). The question was about people who ask, after the deal is done, "Did I get a good deal?" As long as they don't mind hearing, "No, you got a rotten deal, you knucklehead" or words to that effect, go right ahead.
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    HA! Everyone post-shops for deals. Everyone. It's that "buyers curse" we have all experienced. No matter if you buy a bottle of wine, a lawn mower, or a car, the curse ALWAYS dictates that you will ALWAYS find a better deal within a week or 2. :cry:

    The only way to avoid the curse? Don't buy anything.
  • alamocityalamocity Member Posts: 680
    I am in the market for a new car and am considering the Sonata either in the 4 or six cylinder with automatic transmission. Would appreciate any price information from people who have recently purchased a Sonata in the San Antonio/Austin and Corpus Christi area. I have gone to dealers in the local area and have learned that the prices often listed in the newspaper are not what you actually pay as the dealership adds things such as window etching, etc which often drive the price up by as much as $1,000.00 so would like to hear what others have actually paid in this area.
  • bae146bae146 Member Posts: 10
    Well I finally bought a new Hyundai. I bought a 2006 Sonata GLS Premium. (Same car as the LX in the US). I paid 29,600 all fees etc included, with 5 years 0% financing. I would have got the car for 26,600 if I hadn't financed it. All prices are in Canadian Peso's. I went to 3 dealerships and got them to knock of 1500.00 of the price of the car and that was all I could do up here in Canada. Yo folks in the states get some really good discounts but the 0% financing for 5 years helps make up for the highter price. I can't wait to get it, 3 days and counting!!!!!! :)
  • bhmr59bhmr59 Member Posts: 1,602
    By my way of thinking, the $3,000 difference in Canadain Peso is actually a finance charge. What is the current exchange rate between US & Canadian $.

    Maybe you should have offered to pay in renimnbi.
  • fullofbeansfullofbeans Member Posts: 33
    Was wondering your noted price of $29,600 Canadian for the GLS Premium Sonata, is that all inclusive? - Including the taxes? Which city / province? I'm in Ottawa and I'm considering the same model. tx.
  • bae146bae146 Member Posts: 10
    29600 is the price out the door excluding GST. This price includes metalic paint, pdi freight etc, tire tax, AC tax, documentation fee (registration, lien registration), also included were front and rear mudflaps and a block heater. I am located in Calgary AB. I went to the carcost Canada website and found the dealer price and negotiated from there. I bought it at precision Hyundai and if you need the salesmans contact info I could e-mail it to you outside this forum. As far as the financing at 0% what a DEAL!!! Even if I put the purchase on my line of credit at 5.5% for 5 years it would cost me 4500 in interest, so it was the only way to go. Even if you had cash you would be silly to finance as the rebate is only 3000 for cash only. Let me know if you need any more info.
  • njeraldnjerald Member Posts: 689
    Give me the $3,000 anyday!

    At just 10% interest, I'll be ahead after 5 years.
  • bae146bae146 Member Posts: 10
    You really should review your math. 3000 dollar rebate vs 4500 dollars in interest!!!!! HMMMM which is the better deal. At 10% interest it would cost you almost 7000 dollars. I wish I was your banker.....
  • njeraldnjerald Member Posts: 689
    You said took a 0% interest rate instead of a $3,000 rebate or at least that is how it seems to read.

    If you had taken the rebate you would have had to finance elsewhere and pay $4,500 interest over 5 years, according to you.

    So on a $30,000 car, you are paying at 0% interest, $30,000 over 5 years.

    I pay cash and get it for $27,000 and invest the extra $3,000 at 10% and it be worth $4,830 in 5 years. Out of pocket after 5 years, $30,000 - $4,830 = $25,170.

    Yes, you can get a better deal at 0% interest than 5.5% interest but not a better deal than cash with a rebate.

    Number 1 rule of finance - Never borrow money on a depreciating asset.
  • new_carnew_car Member Posts: 7
    I am planning to buy a Sonata GL Auto. I am lacated in Ft Myers, FL. The dealer quoted me $17,995 before the $500 rebate. Do you think I am getting the correct price. Please reply. I am looking to close my deal by the end of this week. Please let me know what should I pay?
  • 94hawkskin94hawkskin Member Posts: 116
    Number 1 rule of finance - Never borrow money on a depreciating asset.

    This is not always true. What if you can get a loan for lets say 5%. Then you can take the money you had planned on for the car and invest it at 10%. Seems like a net of 5% to me.
  • new_carnew_car Member Posts: 7
    I am planning to buy a Sonata GL Auto. I am lacated in Ft Myers, FL. The dealer quoted me $17,995 before the $500 rebate. Do you think I am getting the correct price. Please reply. I am looking to close my deal by the end of this week. Please let me know what should I pay?
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    That is right around invoice before the rebate so not a bad deal at all. You could counter lower and see what happens; Hyundai wants to move a lot of Sonatas now. (Does it include the mats? If not ask the dealer to "throw them in", you will want them.)
  • new_carnew_car Member Posts: 7
    Thanks for your reply...and yeah it includes the mats...

    Can you please advice me what price should I start my quote to them?
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    That is personal preference, about how hard a negotiator you want to be. Personally I don't like trying to squeeze every last dollar out of the dealer. But this being the end of the month (and you may want to wait until Friday night or even this Saturday to do this), there may be some special incentives on the table that allow the dealer to go below invoice and still make a profit. There is also the dealer holdback on the car which is a few hundred bucks. Using the principle of buy low, sell high, you could try offering them $17,000 before rebates and see what their reaction is (don't be surprised if they laugh). You can make it clear you are willing to buy immediately for that price, even have a check written out to them for that amount (need to add T&L later) if you can do that. If they don't budge, you can move up. At around $17,500 you could shake hands and walk out if they don't bite, and if they don't follow you you know they really won't go that low.

    These are just some general suggestions, there's lots of ways to approach this. It takes some time and fortitude. At worst, you can accept their original offer.
  • new_carnew_car Member Posts: 7
    Thanks a lot...

    I was thinking of offeric them around 17.5K before rebates.
    If they agree then I think I should take it if not I am thinking their initial offer is not bad either since I am going to get 500 rebate and also 400 graduation rebate...
    What you all think???
  • readonlyreadonly Member Posts: 25
    Too expensive. Last month, we got a GLS model instead of your GL
    for $14875 out of the door, even considering our $2900 rebates.
    You could do a better job after shopping around.
  • new_carnew_car Member Posts: 7
    How did you get 2900 rebate???

    Did you get GLS V6???
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    What you are telling us then is that you got your Sonata for at least $1500 under invoice, assuming a price before T&L of about $14k. That is great if you can find a dealer desperate enough to sell a car that low (and I'm assuming it was a new car, not a demo), but in general it's very hard to find that kind of situation.
  • miamixtmiamixt Member Posts: 600
    Personally I don't like trying to squeeze every last dollar out of the dealer

    I don't get you Backy. This guy can buy a GLS or an LX for $17.9K, and you are telling him it's a good deal?. Remind me not to go Car shopping with you anytime soon.
  • 94hawkskin94hawkskin Member Posts: 116
    Lets not forget that the rebates are down considerable from the month before. If the best the guy can do is 17,000 on a GL then let him buy it at that price if he considers it a good deal.

    Right now the rebates are slanted towards the V6 models, but with the price of gas it will be hard to justify.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Yes, IMO it is a deal I could live with if I couldn't find a dealer who would go lower. As I explained, I would try to get a better deal than that.

    Also, he said he was looking for a GL, not a GLS. I can walk into a local dealer today and get a GLS V6 with moonroof for $17,995 with no negotiations needed (including owner loyalty rebate). With negotiations, who knows? But that is a different car, different rebates, different story.
  • paradimeparadime Member Posts: 5
    You said you got them to knock 1500 off the price of the car. Is that the Car Cost Wholesale Price or the MSRP?
  • philliplcphilliplc Member Posts: 136
    for comparison here are current oregon advertised prices after standard rebate (but excluding any financing, loyalty, or college rebates):

    GL auto $14500-15000
    GLS V6 $16500
    LX no options $18900

    $17k is way too much for a GL. that's almost into camcord price range for base models.
  • paradimeparadime Member Posts: 5
    What is this 10% investment you guys are talking about? No such thing without a whole bunch of risk attached. A risk-free bond gives about 5%, you pay more to borrow. So the guy is probably better off taking the 0% financing than the 3000 cash rebate.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Oregon is a long ways from Florida.
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    njerald wrote: "Number 1 rule of finance - Never borrow money on a depreciating asset."

    Well, I guess 100% of those folks who finance a vehicle purchase are breaking the rule. Unfortunately, not everyone is in a position to pay cash for a new vehicle. I know it's best, and have done so a few times, but sometimes financing is unavoidable.

    If everyone strictly adhered to that rule, not only would GM and Ford be out of business, so would Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, and everyone else! Not to mention the financial hit felt by the banks and credit unions around the country . . .
  • miamixtmiamixt Member Posts: 600
    I found the post from philliplc to be very accurate indeed. And besides new_car from Fort Meyers can take the two hour drive to Miami, and save about $3000 at Doral Hyundai. No one in their right mind would consider $17,995 for a Sonata GL a reasonable price in any State, Backy.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Have you considered starting a car buying service to share your expertise with the world?
  • njeraldnjerald Member Posts: 689
    That's one reason why the majority of Americans are not ready for retirement at any age....

    .....but they do keep the auto companies, banks and credit unions afloat for 40-60 years of their lives.
  • readonlyreadonly Member Posts: 25
    $500(Hyundai)+$1000(HFMC for last month)+$1000(loyalty)+$500(graduate)
    This is for GLS I4, not for GLS LX. My apology
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