Hyundai Sonata 2006-2007

jimstrenk

mamamia wrote "Now my headlights are functioning regularly (I leave them on AUTO), but my Fog Lights are functioning as DRL. At night, when my headlights turn on, both the headlights and the Fog Lights are on, for a nice BRIGHT lighting to show me the way....."

And thanks to your BRIGHT lighting showing you the way you'll have blinded me and every other driver going in the opposite direction. You'll know I'm coming your way by flashing my HI BEAMS as a thank you for blinding all of us going in the opposite direction! :mad:

Between those of you that have misaligned Fog Lights and those of you that INSIST on driving at night with just Yellow Market Lights on, I just don't get it! :sick:

cumptrnrd

I don't know about the misaligned fog lights, but aren't yellow lights supposed to be the best at cutting through fog? I guess if it were foggy out, it would make sense to drive with just the yellow lights on...

snakeweasel

Yes the yellow lights cut through the far better than anything else. Not so much as you can see but that others can see you. Thats why I don't understand white fog lights as they will disappear in a white fog as fast as headlights will.

selden1

I can't speak for no options, but for my new GLS-V6 w/ Sport package I got it for $20,213 before rebates. Invoice is $21,350 and MSRP is $23,145. So $1137 under invoice and $2932 under MSRP...before rebates. Mine in April was $1000 and 2.9% 5 yrs.

No trade in, April 26th, Cincinnati area (Northern KY, Alexandria for the dealer).

Hope that helps, Nace!

targettuning

I think he means those who drive in the dark with only PARKING lamps on, no headlights. Nothing to do with the color of the "fog" lamp lenses, although I also fail to see why white lenses are considered "fog" lights. Give me "driving lights" that really illuminate the road ahead. Deer are a constant threat in my part of the country and the farther away I see their beady little eyes the better.

johnap2

Hello,

Do not think of it in terms of "discount off MSRP." MSRP is not what counts; it is how much ABOVE true dealer cost which figures into the deal you are getting. Research the generic "invoice" cost on websites such as this (Edmunds) and start sending emails/calling every Hyundai dealer within a 50-mile radius of where you live. You should be able to get a few hundred below "invoice" in addition to the current rebates. This is possible because "invoice" is NOT what the vehicle ultimately costs the dealer.

snakeweasel

While I will agree that MSRP doesn't count I will disagree that invoice counts. There are many things that count in making up the price of the car but it basically boils down to what the market will bear. If the car is flying off the showroom floor at MSRP than thats what you will pay. If its moving briskly at $500 over invoice your not going to get it for a few hundred under. The dealer will just reject your offer and sell it to the guy behind you who is willing to go $500 over invoice.

In short what matters is what the car is actually being sold for.

mamamia2

"And thanks to your BRIGHT lighting showing you the way you'll have blinded me and every other driver going in the opposite direction."

------ Of course, that's shear and pure NONSENSE. If my low beam don't blind on-coming traffic (which they don't, of course), adding those Fog Lights, which are much weaker than the low beam, and positioned LOW in the fender --- the combination of them is NOT gonna blind anybody. Fact is, I've never noticed anybody flashing at me, since switching to my new system.

I don't know based on WHAT you post your (angry) assertion here, jimstrenk... Have you ever been blinded by an on-coming Sonata driving with both the low beam and Fog Lights on? I believe not...

And why would Hyundai build the Sonata with an option of leaving the Fog Lights to be turned on whenever the headlight are turned on, if it would be blinding on-coming traffic?

But wait, why am I asking about Hyundai?... Why would BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda and MANY other car makers use the same headlights+Fog Lights design for the front of their cars, jimstrenk?

samiam_68

Color of fog lights is not really relevant. Properly installed fog lights are aimed low and their beam disperses very close to the vehicle, mostly on the ground. This is so that when driving in fog, the driver can see objects near the car, such as curbs, lane markings, etc... This enables one to drive slowly and carefully through the fog.
On another note, properly aligned fog lights don't blind anyone - they are aimed low.

snakeweasel

Color of fog lights is not really relevant.

Actually it is as one of the purposes of fog lights is to be seen. A yellow or amber light can be noticed a lot further away than a white one in a dense fog during the day.

desertguy

jimstrenk is correct in that there are alot of idiots out there that have blinding lights. These are not the factory fog lamps but added lights. In the past, we used to call those "driving lights" and most sports car owners would install one or two. There are so many of these additional lights and they keep them on all the time, day or night as if to say "look at me, I've got driving lights." They are often aimed too high and blind oncoming drivers. Factory fog lights would never do this unless you screwed around with them. Some of the new xenon headlights are too bright IMO.

My pet peeve is the little grills people put over their tail lights as a dress up detail. Never mind that the brake and turn signals can hardly be seen anymore!

mamamia2

jimstrenk is correct in that there are alot of idiots out there that have blinding lights.

--- Well, yeah, there is a lot of foolish stuff going on in the after market world, of course.... But then jimstrenk is totally INCORRECT when criticising ME about what I was doing, is he...

ray_h1

"...In the past, we used to call those "driving lights" and most sports car owners would install one or two..."

I remember in the mid or late sixties, Lucas marketed a particularly viscious 150 watt driving light that shot a pencil-thin, high intensity beam that could be seen by residents in the Andromeda galaxy. Great for seeing what the road held, but hell on oncoming drivers' eyes. They were aptly named by the Lucas company: "Flamethrowers"

Amber is definitely a better hue for fog lights. Not only can that color be seen farther by oncoming drivers, it lets the driver of the car with amber lights see farther down the road, too. (Compromised somewhat by current designs being aimed purposely low as mentioned previously. Earlier fog light designs used more of an amber colored headlight whose upper 2/3 lens was designed for "reach" with the bottom 1/3 emphasizing immediate road vision. My '75 Mercedes 300D had them, and they worked very well.) The red and yellow end of the spectrum is much less subject to light scattering from small particulates and droplets than the green and blue regions. If anyone wishes to dispute that, take it up with the teaching staff physiological optics PhDs where I attended optometry school. (SCCO in Fullerton, CA)

cumptrnrd

I don't know if any readers remember, but I found a crack in my windshield about a month ago, and what I thought was a stress crack ended up being from a freakin rock, so I couldn't get it warrantied...

Anyway, so the cheapest quotes I got were $565 from this place that's associated with the dealership I go to, and $480 from Maaco. However, the place where I got quoted $565 uses PPG glass, which is the same as the factory glass, but the guy at Maaco said they use something like Nags or something like that... Does anybody know if Maaco glass is just as good as PPG?

bhmr59

If I remember correctly Nags is a pricing source, not a glass manufacturer or supplier.

Check with Safelite, they are used (at least in the northeast) by many major auto insurers. (Insurance companies wouldn't pay to put in defective or unsafe windshields.

Did you check with your insurance agent/company to see if you have glass coverage with no deductible? At least ask them. While it would be a claim on your record, it is nothing like an accident in which you were at fault and should not cause your rate to increase.

Based on experience from many years ago (things could have changed) I would not recommend Maaco. Again, check with your insurance agent/company for a recommended glass replacement shop even if you don't file a claim.

trpadrs

Hi everyone,

I am buying a new car but still don't know which one to choose. With the 2,500 rebate and additional dealer discount, the price of Sonata LX is comparable to that of Civic LX MSRP. Which one would you choose? And what is the reason?

Thanks for any input.

jaxs1

It depends on whether gas mileage or passenger space is the bigger priority.
Choices are obvious between a Civic and Sonata.
Also, I don't think you really mean Sonata "LX" or you must mean Accord LX, not Civic. Civic LX does not sell for full MSRP anyway, so why compare one car's discounted price when you do not count the discount on the other?
The Sonata LX is the top model with standard V6 and leather.
If the Honda dealer is selling a Civic LX for about the same price of a Sonata LX even after rebate and discount, it must be really be heavily marked up and you should shop another dealer.

lightfootfl

Several states require insurance companies to replace windshields at no cost to the consumer. Florida is one. Just call the insurance company, or ask the windshield installer if the insurance company will cover it.

targettuning

Funny that you should ask about that comparison. First, the other poster who thought you must have been trying to compare an Accord LX to the Civic...nope the sticker price on a 2006 Civic EX automatic is only a few dollars shy of $20,000 so lets call it 20K. The LX model is somewhat cheaper (you get rear drum brakes, no sunroof and some other deletions) but still about $18,500 or so and if you think Honda is discounting these significantly in this the era of $3.00 gas, well...anyhow, with rebates and some agressive haggling you MIGHT get the price of a Sonata LX somewhere near, at least, the price of a Civic EX and certainly get the price of a Sonata GLS V-6 there, never mind the 4 cylinder GLS. Anyhow, I happen to have bought a 2006 Civic last fall when gas hit $3.00/gal the first time. It has been my first Honda of any kind and I bought it because of all the gas efficient choices at that time (Corolla-Elantra-Mazda3 were the only others I considered)the style of the new model blew me away...I loved it, and still do. It does get good fuel economy. However that said I am moderately disappointed in the thing. It is noisy (wind and especially road noise) rides as stiff as a buckboard (has 55 series tires), the transmission is programmed to upshift immediately on light throttle for fuel conservation I guess the result being it DOWN shifts at the slightest hint of a grade, especially at low to moderate speed. Fortunately the transmission shifts smoothly but too damn much---up---down 4th gear---3rd gear then back to 5th bah. To me it seems Honda has overpriced it as far as interior materials go, it is a $17K car hiding behind the Honda nameplate which allows a $20K price. OK lets talk about the revered Honda quality perception. The first time I drove the car, which was on the drive home...it should be noted this was one of the first 2006 models delivered to the dealer and if I didn't take it it could have been sold 3 times over so being a color I liked I took it. Anyhow, I noted a right rear suspension noise but since it was new..new..new didn't think much about it that time, besides it only seemed to make that noise a few times over moderately sized bumps. I tried to duplicate it but wasn't always sucessful so I filed it away for future use.Next I found a screw under the passenger seat, nothing you may say but was it a spare screw or fell out from something? I never did find out. Next, when the car was about a week old I received a recall from Honda...throttle pedal could be unattached at the floor and jam the engine wide open wheee!!! Mine wasn't but still this is a HONDA...next, among 2006 Civic owners it became evident a great many of the '06 automatic equipped cars have an unexplained harmonic vibration at 1500 RPM in high gear. Mine does and it is, I feel, a sympathetic vibration something else is vibrating at exactly that RPM and can be induced whenever the engine passes through 1500RPM in whatever gear. Of course owners have taken their cars back to track this down, I didn't yet, but nothing has been pinpointed so it isn't an obvious thing like a heatshield. Honda knows I guess but no solution. Now at 3000 miles we are back to the right rear suspension noise, I didn't drive the car much over winter but we are now. The noise is louder and I feel it is a faulty shock but will have it looked at during the first oil change. I also participate in the Civic owners Edmunds site and found that leaking, broken,noisy rear shocks are fairly common problem on these. They are new cars and Honda's for God's sake!! Additionally several others, not me, have experienced noisy valve trains and in one case a cylinder head was replaced. I had originally been ready to buy an LX Sonata but gas prices deflected that choice so I got the Honda. I have since rented several GLS V-6 Sonata's and couldn't help comparing the two. Sonata =larger...quicker...more, very much more in standard features (traction/stability control, power seats,+ other stuff not available at all on the Honda) quieter..rides better, more comfortable, fairly good fuel economy for the power, much longer warranty. Honda = well I still love the styling, much better fuel economy, handles like a go-cart BUT Honda has positioned this car too close pricewise to much larger cars like Sonata, base Accord and Camry. Now I wish I had bought at least a 4 cyl. Sonata because I am, as I said, moderately disappointed. Well, as for the length of this, you asked!!

jaxs1

So, Civic "EX" then, not LX as originally posted. Honda is not discounting the Civic, but dealers discount them, just not nearly as much as a Sonata since there is no rebate or other dealer incentives to allow massive discounts. The Civics are produced in very high volume and have heavy competition with the Corolla and Mazda 3. Only the Si model is produced in low numbers and hard to find. The Civics with navigation are also temporarily hard to get mostly because the supplier of the nav systems seems to be having some problems and is not able to produce the volume they originally promised. Once the navi supplier fixes their issues, they should start catching up, but the 2007 Civics may be out by then.
So, you should not compare the lowest discounted price of a Sonata and then ignore dealer discounts on the Civic and just point the MSRP sticker for that car.

backy

Let's not doubt this poster--he said Sonata LX. And he said "Civic LX MSRP". With current rebates and discounts, it is quite possible to get a Sonata LX with no options for about the same money as a Civic LX automatic at MSRP. And then the choice, as noted, is pretty simple: room, luxury, and performance vs. fuel economy and historically high resale value.

targettuning

You will not find much discounting, either Honda or individual dealer, on the Civic..why should they, the fact it is a Honda should be enough to sell all they can make.
Why not compare the discounted price on the Sonata..it is right up front and advertised. You MAY get some small discount on the Civic, how much I don't know but even so price will probably still tilt favorably toward the Sonata.
Just to be clear the Civic top model (4dr sedan version) is the EX. it has the following major features as an upgrade over the next lower model the LX
1. 4 wheel disc brakes
2. tilt and sliding glass sunroof
3. 16 inch alloy wheels with P205/55X16 inch tires
4. an "XM" ready (note I said ready the actual XM kit is around $400 + a large installation fee) 6 speaker (verses 4 speaker on the LX) radio.
5. Steering wheel mounted cruise and radio controls
6. remote (key fob) trunk release.
Finally the base model Civic, the DX prices favorably with a nice Elantra but doesn't have a radio (any radio) AC...cruise control...pwr. locks..it is basic in ways cars haven't been since 1954.

trpadrs

Thank you, backy, targettuning, jax for the input.

KJ

tarheel96

baltimore area: buying GLS V6 w/ Premium Sport Package for $16,900 + tax/tags. GLS V6 no options would have been $15,450.

mamamia2

..This sounds a bit too good to be true.... You know someone who actually BOUGHT a car for that price?

snakeweasel

Your right it does sound to good so I will be skeptical about that. I mean $16,900 for a car that stickers at over $23K and has an invoice of $21,350? Even allowing for a $2500 rebate that still means they are selling them for close to $2K under invoice.

desertguy

Ah yes, Lucus electrics. Lucus was known as the Prince of Darkness in the '50s and '60s.

tarheel96

Closing the deal tomorrow. Price does NOT include trade. Best competing offer was $16,031 for GLS V6, no options.

snakeweasel

Are you saying its going to be $16,900 plus your trade, $16,900 less your trade in allowance or there is no trade?

tarheel96

Trade-in allowance not factored into $16,900 price as my trade-in has yet to be assessed. Hoping for about $1,000. So, about $15,900 plus tax/tags (tax to be calculated on the $16,900 though)

mamamia2

Still, sound too good to be true... Please come back when the car is in your posession. We want to read the details.

kwonc71

I even saw 3 GLS V6s @$15,499 after $500 owner's rebate, and 3 GLs for $13,999 in Portland, OR area.

averigejoe

Foglights are aimed low to illuminate the road near the car and to reduce to a minimum the amount of light reflected back into the driver's eyes. Higher aimed lights would make it more difficult to see through the fog from the driver's seat because of that reflected light.
Try this if you can do it safely sometime: Sit in your car in a dense fog with your brights on, then your dims, then your fog lights, then with no lights. You'll be able to see through the fog better with foglights or no lights than with your regular headlights.

averigejoe

I know a car guy who installed an airplane landing light into the headlight housing of his mid 60's Pontiac convertible. It had a very intense pencil shaped long range beam. Great for spotting deer on the road at night when going way too fast.
Deer/car collisions are very common in many rural areas, particularly at night. Better than a moose or elk at least.

miamixt

"Trade-in allowance not factored into $16,900 price as my trade-in has yet to be assessed. Hoping for about $1,000. So, about $15,900 plus tax/tags (tax to be calculated on the $16,900 though)"

Wow that's terrible. I saved paying on Thousands of dollars as my S13K trade was reverse equity and lowered the amount of tax paid. Plus I paid no tax on the rebates. Now that I didn't expect!

Is it OK to post prices here too? I'd post some figures, but from now on I am now keeping them to myself. Seems I bought the lowest priced brand new 2006 loaded LX in the Country

snakeweasel

Wow that's terrible. I saved paying on Thousands of dollars as my S13K trade was reverse equity and lowered the amount of tax paid. Plus I paid no tax on the rebates. Now that I didn't expect!

It all depends of what state you are in. It is my understanding that some states tax on the sales price of the vehicle being bought while others the sales price less the trade-in.

reader0518

I talked to 3 dealers in phoenix area and they all said 07 model won't come out until september or october this year? can someone verify this? they also said that there won't be too many changes in the new model, is this how they move their current inventory or typical of a second year model? thanks.

mamamia2

You don't see any new car model changing its sheet metal in its 2nd year. The investment in designing a new model is too prohibitive. You can expect a few minor mechanical changes, no more.

Maybe more audio controls on the steering wheel, maybe Satellite radio, maybe some improved suspension... But the 2007 is gonna look the same as the 2006 for sure.

averigejoe

Hahaha. Go ahead and post the best ever deals. We all like to hear about them.
And I second the the nomination on your deal, best in the U.S. for a fully loaded LX Sonata (with MSRP of $24,945?).
Congratulations on an awesome deal!

Before tax, license and title that's about 68% of MSRP, on a new desirable car, right?

miamixt

Are you trying to change my figures and make it look like I got a better deal?. It's $24,895 (had to check my scanned documents). Thanks for your true support!

I see you have posted with samiam68. We were pioneer owners of the new 2004 Turbo Subaru Forester XT (thus my name). And talk about Transmission problems, that plus I almost wiped out in it. The Sonata aside from value, power, and looks, offers superior safety. Yet the Forester had Daytime Running Lights, go figure Joe?

djdublm

Found this on Ebay this morning 2006 Sonata GLS v6 for 17800.00 with 13k miles but its listed wrong this is an LX model it has leather, 5sp automatic trans mission and the electronic climate control, its black, has tinted windows and after market cd player its a nice looking car, below is the link...its located in Texas BTW got a set of LX wheels with tires on EBAY and put them on my GLS im quite pleased, i personally like the look so much better, anybody interested in buying a set of 16" wheels with the tires and only 3k miles on them? Looking for about 400.00 for them plus shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hyundai-Sonata-GLS-2006-SONATA-GLS-V6-LOADED-L-K-- - L-K_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ80747QQitemZ4642289326QQrdZ1

nace

i want to purchase a new gls V6 or LX, base models. the dealers i spoke with cannot,or will not come close to the prices that i have read on this forum. anyone have dealer experience in the chicago area suburbs, that can mirror some of the prices on this website? thanks

seniorjose

Fog lights only are in question in some states. Most that I see combine fog lights with low-beam headlights. The fog lights turn off when the high beams are used.

snakeweasel

Have you tried Pugi in Downers Grove? They seem to do real good on their prices. What dealers have you gone to?

mamamia2

I got mine at Gregory in Highland Park On rt. 41 at Clavey. Very decent people. I got a really great deal on an I4 GLS ($15,700 before taxes) Ask for Mark the manager.

4good

The prices on this site are rubbish. You are correct. I did the same thing in NJ and was laughed at. Consumer Reports New Car report ($14)shows Dealer invoice for LX is 19,061 ,including the 25oo rebate. There is a $419 dealer holdback. So their bottom line price, where dealer wont make a nickle, is $18462. So those here claiming to get a loaded LX out the door for 19 may wish to rethink their figures. Im looking at a little over 20k for a LX with the package.

bobad

I hate to be the bearer of good news, but you most certainly CAN get an LX for 19K OTD.

"Invoice" price is NOT the true dealer's cost. Dealers make other monies besides markup above invoice price. Ya, it sounds wishy-washy, but since customers started asking to see the invoice price years ago, that's reality.

4good

19k yes, but not with the package as I said in my message.
People on this forum are stating they are getting an LX with all options for 19k otd. That is questionable. I think I can get an LX w/o options for 18.5. But those claiming to get the LX with the package for 19 is what I question.

bobad

Ah. My bad. You're probably right 4good. While not impossible, it's highly unlikely you can get the loaded LX for 19K OTD. The good news is, the standard LX package is really sweet. The extras don't do that much for the car.

backy

I think it is possible a few people could get a loaded LX for $19k OTD, but all the planets would need to line up for that to happen, with some combination of:

* Current Hyundai owner (for loyalty rebate)
* In the military (for military rebate)
* College/grad school grad (for college grad rebate)
* Dealer offers dealership "loyalty" rebate
* Dealer offers big discount on "one only" and someone is very lucky
* Dealer is very close to making a sales target and qualifying for an extra bonus from Hyundai, so they give an exceptional discount to some lucky buyer(s)
* Car is a demo
* There are low fees and no/low sales tax

In short, I think a lot of getting the best possible deal has less to do with negotiating skills and more to do with where you live, what other cars you own (and where you bought them), when you graduated from school, and timing (i.e. luck).