Hyundai Sonata 2006-2007

billward

I've had to do a few claims on windshields in the past; if the windshield is defective to not passing inspection through road hazard, my insurance (State Farm) pays 100%, does NOT mark it as a claim (I'm still getting "No claims" deductions after them) and will handle it for you; in our local area, I told them where the car would be, and they dispatched someone to do it on site. The only issue (and it's not an issue here, IIRC) is that they may not cover the added cost if you have an embedded radio antennae in the glass. Otherwise, the glass is exactly as safe as the OEM glass (has to be by law).

Hope that helps.

mamamia2

You also have to live in the right state (and county)...

Here in IL the Doc Fee can't go above approx. $58 by law... I read (here on Edmund's) about Florida car buyers who're paying $450 and more for Doc Fee, and some posters from other southern states (Georgia and North/South Carolina) paying also hundreds of $ for Doc Fee.

That's making quite a dent in your car purchasing experience, does it...

miamixt

Documentation fees in Florida are one of the few pre-printed items on my Sales order. I see $99.00

And a word about the DMV here. Fees are reasonable. About $60 to register a new car, as long as you have a plate. $36 a year to renew. In Arizona to renew would be about $500 a year, based on the value of the Car.

averigejoe

Incredible deals have been made even if you have never made one. I don't even post some of mine here because you guys would never believe them anyway.

Purchase prices between 50% and 60% of MSRP with no trade-in nor dealer add-on shenanigans is possible on new, perfect condition, no miles, current model year, desirable cars (plus tax and license of course).

Only when you have $$ in your pocket and are ready to buy, go make some offers! Don't ask the dealer how much $$ he wants. Who cares what he wants anyway?

snakeweasel

Purchase prices between 50% and 60% of MSRP with no trade-in nor dealer add-on shenanigans is possible on new, current model year, desirable cars

Yep and Elvis is still alive, the world is flat, we never went to the moon and Bush is responsible for every bad thing that has happened in the world since Eve ate the apple.

averigejoe

Dirty Harry told me its not luck if you can do it repeatedly.

averigejoe

Sorry.
On second thought, yeah, you are right. It's mostly luck. Pay the dealer a fair profit. Let him and his salesman earn good livings. Make the buying pleasant for everyone. Enjoy your new car and your future relationship with the dealers.
Be nice or it comes back to bite you later.
Peace, out.

averigejoe

Hahaha. I knew it!

averigejoe

and then maybe I can get an even better deal next time...

Hahahaha!

backy

Nice sarcasm.

If you really are as successful at buying new cars routinely at 50-60% of MSRP as you say you are, you would be filthy rich by publishing a book (and of course a fee-based web site) that teaches others how to do it. Who would not give you a nice chunk of change to learn how to save thousands of dollars buying a new car? Assuming it is a repeatable process, and not mostly luck and/or good timing.

So, what is the title of your book or URL of your web site?

Or better yet, please tell all of us how to go about buying a loaded Sonata LX for no more than $15,000 + T&L. In the city in which we live. Today.

mamamia2

Maybe it's Canadian $15,000 ??

mamamia2

Documentation fees in Florida are one of the few pre-printed items on my Sales order. I see $99.00

------ I can only post here what I've read a while ago in the Accord (or maybe the Civic)forum... There were $400 and even $500 Doc Fees that posters claimed to be paying in Florida and in several other southern states, I specifically remember the Carolinas.

bhmr59

In CT, where I live, doc. fees are preprinted on the sales order also. However, each dealer sets his own doc. fees (uniform for all cars the dealership sells?). This fee is NOT regulated by the state and varies from dealer to dealer. It's just another dealer add-on at 100% priofit.

I bought my '05 Sonata in Naples, FL in April, 2005. The doc. fee, preprinted on the sales order was $479.50. So the doc. fee apparantly varies from dealer to dealer also in FL. For my price comparision between dealers I included the doc. fee in the total price paid to the dealer and disregarded the doc. fee as a component. (If one dealer said $16,500 plus $500 doc. fee, that made the price $17,000, while another dealer might offer $16,700 plus $100 doc. fee for a total paid to the dealer of $16,800.

Doc. fee is just another way for dealerships to confuse buyers about what they are really charging for a car.

snakeweasel

Actually he could do a buying service and get the cars for people at 65-70% and pocket the rest.

tarheel96

Picked-up my Black GLS V6 w/ Sport Package last night. Price was 16,900 + tax/tags just as I had stated.

Details:
GLS V6 w/ Premium Sport Pkg: 19300
Freight: 600
Pin Stripe and Door Edge Guard: 995 (Can you believe that?)
Wheel Locks: 199
TOTAL PRICE w/ Options: $21,094
DEALER DISCOUNT: ($1,194) - for the Dealer add-ons
SELLING PRICE: $19,900
GLS V6 REBATE: ($2500)
OWNER LOYALTY REBATE: ($500)
FINAL SELLING PRICE: $16,900

billward

It would be even cheaper at $15,000CDN. Isn't the Canadian dollar only worth something like $.80US?

miamixt

You are absolutely correct. The $599 pre printed Dealer Fees, and the $99 Documentation fee are 100% Dealer profit. However keep in mind there are actual costs involved in doing business. With that said you know I really didn't pay these fluff fees, or did I? :shades:

""These charges represent costs and profit to the Dealer for items such as inspecting, cleaning and adjusting vehicles, and preparing documents related to the sale"

mrdisco33

no our dollar is closer to 0.90 US and possibly heading towards par by the end of the year.

alamocity

I am in the market for a new car and have narrowed my search down to either the Sonata GLS or Accord LX model with automatic transmission. I had read earlier reports that compared the Civic and Sonata and while the responses were helpful I'm interested on reading responses to vehicles more comparable in size and style in addition to price.

rayela

I purchased my new 2006 Sonata GL last August. Before that, I had driven my '96 Honda Accord LX for 10 years. My Mom has a 2006 Honda Accord which I have also driven alot.
Basically- the Hyundai Sonata feels and drives almost exactly like the Honda. The differences I notice include a much larger and more spacious interior and trunk in the Sonata, and slightly more comfortable seats(matter of preference, of course)for the Accord. The real benefit of the Hyundai is apparent in the price and warranty. I paid 15,500+tags/tax for the Sonata GL. The comparably equipped Accord is 4-5K more(remember to compare the safety features). I think the GLS option on the Sonata would include more features than the LX Accord- and if I had to do it over, I probably would go with the GLS option because of the increased seat adjustments. If you are price conscious, you will be happy with the Sonata! I think the only benefit of the Honda is reputation, but with a warranty like Hyundai offers, and the great reviews of the new Sonata- I am quite happy with my decision.

bhmr59

""These charges represent costs and profit to the Dealer for items such as inspecting, cleaning and adjusting vehicles, and preparing documents related to the sale"

Unless things have changed, the above cost items are included in the "real" price the dealer pays to the manufacturer.

Additionally, what other business charges the buyer an extra amount above the salesprice to make sure the product is fit for sale and to process the paperwork involved in the sale? i.e. go buy a birthday card. The store doesn't charge you $2.95 for the card plus an add-on for costs involved in doing business (rent, utilities, payroll, dusting the shelves, etc.)

bobad

I'm interested on reading responses to vehicles more comparable in size and style in addition to price.

Other cars that sells at Sonata's price will be quite a bit smaller.

rayela

I forgot to mention that I think the Sonata has an excellent, smooth ride(especially on the freeway) and is really quiet!
The Accord gets slightly better gas mileage- maybe as much as 5 mpg better.

backy

With the Accord you will get crisper handling, at the expense of a firmer ride, nicer gauges, a little better real-world fuel economy, and Honda's reputation for reliability and strong resale value. The main advantages of the Sonata have been noted. If you like how both cars "sit" and drive about equally well and don't mind driving a car that does not have the long-term reputation of the Accord, you can buy based on price.

Consider also that right now the price of the GLS V6 is about the same as the I4, due to $1500 more rebate on the V6.

alamocity

I would have preferred the 4 cylinder model on the Sonata as it's my understanding the six cylinder's gas mileage in city driving is not very good but as you pointed out the price is lower than the four cylinder model so guess it's a trade off in that regard. I test drove the new Camry tonight and will also consider the Camry LE model as to my surprise it is in the same price range as the other two. The only complaint I had with the Sonata was the gauges, hard to see in sunlight though not a deal breaker.

miamixt

"Additionally, what other business charges the buyer an extra amount above the salesprice to make sure the product is fit for sale and to process the paperwork involved in the sale? i.e. go buy a birthday card. The store doesn't charge you $2.95 for the card plus an add-on for costs involved in doing business (rent, utilities, payroll, dusting the shelves, etc.)"

I would think all Business pass on their cost to deliver the product to you. The Safeway has to pay for Electric, Rent, Workers, plus everything mentioned before. Even Chain stores charge different prices, for example, stores in a bad neighboorhood, or Beverly Hills...

The key to help your great deal is to not pay any fees, built into the Pre printed form. Yet fees come in all different schemes, I just read someone here paid $999 for the 3M package, incredible!. Did my car have that exact package on the "ADD A TAG sticker", sure it did. Some people will pay those "Official" Aftermarket stickers. And the guy a few weeks back who purchased a $799 Alarm for his Sonata, I wonder what they did with the one that came with the car?. I have learned a lot from this forum, and in actual practice too. Was I armed with all these figures when I bought my Sonata, no. On a really good day, when the dealer is having a bad month, you can pick up a GLS or LX for a Song, this I know for sure!

snakeweasel

I would think all Business pass on their cost to deliver the product to you.

That they do, but they have that in the price they charge for the item, they don't add on fees to cover them.

The Safeway has to pay for Electric, Rent, Workers, plus everything mentioned before.

Yep, what they do is they collect your money that you paid for their product pay for the product and what ever is left they use to pay for these things. If they make enough they have a profit, if not they have a lose. Safeway doesn't add on additional fees over what you pay for their products.

backy

If you can get a Camry LE for the same price range out-the-door as a Sonata, either your local dealers aren't giving very good discounts on the Sonata, or your Toyota dealers are offering great deals. If I were in a situation where the Sonata GLS I4, Accord LX, and Camry LE were all the same price, I would probably go with the Camry (although I need to drive the '07 Camry first). But in my market the Camry and Accord are considerably more than the Sonata. The price difference is bigger with the V6s.

miamixt

I really didn't know where we were heading with this. To get the best possible Sonata you might try the following

1) Line up your financing in advance, but apply for all rebates.
2) Go for more Sonata than you think you need or can afford, and then deal down. I was put in an LX at a GLS price. Mix it up with them!
3) Take discounts off of MSRP. Take rebates off of Invoice
4) Don't pay Dealer fees whenever possible
5) Tax rate & registration is non negotiable. This factor is not going to make or break your deal.

alamocity

In the 4 cylinder model all three are roughly in the same price range (within 500.00 or so of 18,950.00) though the six cylinder Sonata GLS can be had for $17,000.00 and to my surprise both the Honda and Toyota dealers were more forthcoming with price quotes than the local Hyundai dealers.

mamamia2

In the 4 cylinder model all three are roughly in the same price range (within 500.00 or so of 18,950.00)

--Not so sure where you got that info from... The 4 cyl. Sonata is MUCH lower than $18,950... You can get a GL or GLS in the $15,500 - 16,500 range...

alamocity

That may be true in other parts of the country but here they are pushing the 6 cylinder models so if you purchase the four cylinder Sonata you basically get the $1,000.00 rebate and loyalty discount and that's it. The six cylinder by virtue of the larger rebate is cheaper as the GL model runs $16,990.00 and that is what the dealer's tell me is their best price.

bhmr59

With the V6 being $1800 or so less expensive than the I4 in your area, you should consider the V6. The V6 is smooth, quite and obviously has more power. IF the V6 gives you 4 MPG less than the I4, it will take many miles before the extra gasoline cost adds up to $1800. If you drive 20,000 miles per year, kinda high, at average 22 MPG you'll use 909 gallons; average 18 MPG and you'll use 1,111 gallons. That's 200 gallons a year. If gas stays @ about $3/gal it'll take 3 years, based on the above miles and MPG, before you start paying more for gas than you save in the purchase price.

The highway MPG differential between the 6 & the 4 should be closer.

alamocity

After reading the postings on the real world MPG area I'm getting the impression the gas mileage in stop and go driving drops down to 17 MPG which does concern me if true that is why I am looking at the four cylinder model.

jaxs1

3 years ago $3 a gallon was not considered a realistic price scenario. Who knows what gas prices will be in 2 or 3 years.
More likely to be higher than lower.

averigejoe

It can be done. It is not routine. I cannot teach others how to do it and would not if I could.
Most car buyers are routinely unlucky.
A very few are not.
Even fewer are lucky repeatedly.

4good

Not to sound pompous, but driving about 12,000 miles a year, the difference between the gas cost of the 4 vs the 6 is about the cost of a nice dinner out on the town (less than $200).
When I look at it that way...Ill get the 6!

bobad

When I look at it that way...Ill get the 6!

I have to agree with you!

backy

OK, thanks for confirming that the process you follow to get the best price is not teachable, meaning it is not repeatable and is based on factors outside your control.

lawrence45

Have 4000+ miles on my Sonata GLS I4 and am still getting between 14 and 15 mpg in NYC (about 31 on the thruway at 65 mph.) Would the extra speed on the V6 (5 vs. 4) have a large effect on mileage? Also, has anyone had any problem with the gas gauge? When I fill up the indicator sometimes doesn't go to zero but stays where it was and then begins to move towards zero gradually stopping somewhere in between.

ray_h1

Certain maintenance jobs on transverse-mounted V6 engines are more difficult/expensive. A spark plug change on the 4-cyl. motors is an easy 20 minute job. With the V6, unless the owner is willing to tackle removal of part of the intake manifold, it's a $250.00 dealer or independent mechanic job because of the labor involved to get to the firewall bank of spark plugs. Fortunately, not a frequent occurrence, but prospective owners should be aware.

mike91326

From what I have been reading it appears very likely that Honda will offer their 2.2L diesel in the new 2008 Accord. I would love to see Hyundai put their diesel in the Sonata ASAP.

miamixt

"OK, thanks for confirming that the process you follow to get the best price is not teachable, meaning it is not repeatable and is based on factors outside your control."

What happened to the alignment of the Sun, and the lucky charms, pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, and green clovers...

That's why I didn't publish my book as you suggested. If I had to do my deal over again, there is no way I could duplicate the series of mistakes & lies which yielded my sub 18K LX. (*Now plus Tax & Fees*)

corvette

The maintenance schedule calls for replacement of a "Fuel Tank Air Filter" every 30,000 miles. This is a separate item from the air cleaner filter (engine air filter), HVAC pollen filter, oil filter, and fuel filter.

What on earth is a fuel tank air filter, and how hard are they to replace?

backy

Looks like a typo--probably meant "fuel tank filter".

bhmr59

What make & model are you talking about? I know this is the Sonata 2006+ forum but your post doesn't mention the Sonata and your other posts have been about other cars.

Was your post about the 2006 Sonata or was it accidentally posted on this forum?

miamixt

I read the discussion at another place. Do a Google search, or better yet, have your Dealer service the Sonata?.

bhmr59

Thanks. I tried to Google "sonata fuel tank air filter" and didn't find it. What words did you use in your search?

johnap2

If any of you have an active lifestyle and like to be able to put a hitch-mounted bike rack or tow a small jetski with your vehicle there is a hitch available for the '06 Sonata. I installed my Hidden Hitch today and it was the biggest pain in the a** to put on when compared to my experiences with mounting hitches on other vehicles. There are only 4 bolts, but the two largest bolts do not line up without putting significant upward pressure on the hitch. I used my 3-ton Craftsman jack on one end of the hitch and had to practically lift the car off the ground in order to line up the hole. In case any of you install your own hitches I thought I would post this for useful advice....use your jack!

miamixt

"Finally, I found a reason for shelling out $150 bucks for the 06 Sonata Shop Manual.

Even the dealer scoffed at the idea of a fuel tank air filter.

However - if you check pages EC4, EC5 and page FLA-757 in Vol. 1 of the shop manual, you will see for your own eyes this rare animal. It is located on the rear of the car - apparently just inside and down below the fueling door. It would appear to be fastened to the pipe leading to the gas tank. Page FLA-757 renders the best depiction. The FLA chapter is devoted, appropriately enough, to the subject of fuel delivery.

If you should choose to replace it, it would also appear that the best mode of access would be either by an acetylene torch (make sure the car is insured) or with some sort of hammer and cutting chisel.

I think this is one sleeping dog that I will let lie".