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Comments
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
How many years after WWII did it take for many Americans to even consider purchasing a Japanese car?
Maybe leasing a 2006 or 2007 Sonata is a safer bet since you will be protected from any resale backlash in 3 years.
Just how many Americans were buying Japanese cars prior to WWII?
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
My mistake - your header suggested you were speculating about post-apocalyptic resale value of Korean cars in the event of open hostilities, not a specific comment or question about the cars, themselves. Thank you so much for correcting my misunderstanding. To answer the question you apparently didn't really ask, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Hyundai and KIA resale values would likely remain about where they already are - in the cellar.
This discussion is specifically about the 2006 Sonata. If you don't want to buy a Sonata because of your concern about political issues, that's certainly your prerogative, but this is not the place to discuss those political issues.
I have removed a post and will continue to do so if necessary.
I appreciate your cooperation and understanding in getting back to the car itself. Thanks.
Don't forget the LIMITED badging.
The 2007 is not a different or restyled car with new powertrains, so why would there need to be a dedicated forum for just 2007 models?
Probably not. By then, there will be rebates for the 2007 Sonatas.
Rebates on the 2006 models will almost certainly be continued beyond July 4. The question is "how much of a rebate on each trim level?"
Highs:
* Very smooth and quiet ride on most road surfaces, including back roads and interstates.
* Lots of power available, on demand. I didn't use all that power much (have to set a good example for my teen-aged kids, and I was trying to be kind to the new engine), but when I did it was a lot of fun, if a big drain on fuel economy.
* Velvety-smooth V6, very quiet--noiseless almost--at cruise with a pleasant growl on hard acceleration. Footnote: an embarrassing thing happened when I first started the car at the rental lot. I turned the key. Nothing happened (or so I thought). There was no perceptible noise (this was outside, at an airport) so I assumed the car had not started. So I turned the key again. Turned out the car had started the first time. I am too used to four-bangers I guess.
* Good handling in the twisties (e.g. back roads) for a large family sedan. The car never lost its composure. (If the stability control kicked in, I didn't feel it.)
* Smooth and powerful brakes, with nice feel--not touchy.
* HUGE trunk that easily swallowed the luggage of a family of five with lots of room left over (articulated gas strut hinges helped here).
* Roomy and comfortable interior. The car held five people (including a 6'3" guy in back) comfortably, and six people a couple of times in a pinch (no, don't ask--it was stupid to do that). I was glad we had the cloth interior in the Texas heat.
* A/C coped with mid-to-upper 90s heat and high humidity with no problems, although when the car had been sitting in the sun awhile I had to run it on "max A/C" for 15-20 minutes to cool it down. Footnote: I disagree with the reviews that say the Sonata's center dash vents are misplaced. I think they are placed just fine. Most of the time I had them aimed straight back and up a little. That way they directed the flow towards the back and not to my hands, which is hard to do on some cars. When I was alone and wanted direct flow on me to cool down, that was easy to do too.
* No squeaks or rattles--or gas-sloshing sounds, or rear suspension noises.
* Clear controls and displays, with intuitive radio and HVAC controls. Also the controls had a quality feel.
* Comfy and grippy leather-covered steering wheel--felt good and looked good.
* Car looked sharp in Steel Grey with the standard 17" five-spoke alloys.
* Cruise control was spot-on.
* Good illumination from the low beams and high beams.
* No defects noticed on the car, inside or out. Smooth paint, even seams, interior parts all solidly attached.
Lows (note some of these are really nits):
* Significant wind noise at highway speed (i.e. 70 mph). This seemed to be coming from the A-pillars or maybe the mirrors. It was particularly noticeable because the car was so quiet otherwise.
* Sharp kicks when going over big bumps on the highway. I attribute this at least partially to the low-profile tires. I didn't notice this when I drove a car with 16" wheels last year.
* Really bright "Cruise" and "Set" lights on the dash. They are bright green and overwhelm all the other dash lights at night. And they don't adjust when adjusting the other dash lights.
* The driver's seat bottom was too low in front for my taste. It had the manual height adjuster, and I had to set the seat fairly low to avoid being tipped forward too much. It was OK when using cruise control, but when my foot was on the accelerator I wanted more thigh support on my right leg. The seatback was uncomfortable too, until I fiddled with the lumbar support--that made a lot of difference. (I have sat in Sonatas with the power seat and like it much better.)
* The trunk lid doesn't pop up when opened remotely. I had to give it a pretty good tug to open it, I think because of the hydraulic support struts. This was not a big deal, but it would be nice if it would pop up on its own.
* Cheap-looking and feeling interior door handles. Hyundai needs to learn to put some money where owners touch the car the most. One of those places is on the door handles. So ditch the painted plastic (incredibly, that is used on the Azera also) and put in real metal handles; e.g. brushed aluminum would be really classy in this car, and different from other mid-sizers that use chrome handles.
* More storage would be nice, e.g. add door pockets with integral bottle holders front and back as on the low-bucks Accent.
* Add a rear center headrest (as on the Accent).
* Make the sliding front armrest available on all trim levels, not just the limited (maybe as part of the basic options package on the GLS and SE at the least). The armrest on the SE was too far back when I had my right hand on the wheel.
Overall how would you rate this '07?
If anyone has any more information on the rebates for 06 Hyundai Sonatas, please reply.
Now, add that power seat adjuster and figure out where that wind noise is coming from, and the 2007 GLS with the 16" wheels and more economical I4 would be just about perfect.
I'm thinking of renting the top model (if they have it).
Seems like you had a great experience with the Sonata
Are you planning to buy one?
So I turned the key again. Turned out the car had started the first time. I am too used to four-bangers I guess.
My brother ALWAYS does that to my Accord.
I have to always remind him before he drives it now :sick:
Same goes with my parents :P
you that the car was a 2007. Was there any documentation in the car to confirm that it is a 2007 and not a 2006?
Highs:
- car just feels good: smooth, high quality and enjoyable to drive
-engine is smooth and power is good. enjoyed manual mode of tranny
-car is very roomy. I had my three daughters across the back and it swallowed them up.
-trunk is huge
-stereo was very good and the more I listened to it the more realized how crisp and clear it was
- car just looks good. loved the interior faux carbon fiber that ran across the front of the dash and the upper part of one piece dash feels soft to touch and there are no rattles in this car at all. Our $35k Honda Pilot, which is an all plastic dash rattles and is annoying. It looks like Hyundai is increasing content while their competitors are de-contenting. I find it tough to pay extra now for the Honda when I see such high-levels of equipment offered and such a smooth and high-quality machine offered plus the idea that Hyundai will take the keys out of my car at 5 years unlimited mileage or bring me gas or give me hotel and food money if I get in an accident more than 50 miles from home. This is becoming a no-brainer now that we know Hyundai's reliability is better than their competitors. Many will continue to dispute this because it takes time to overcome those Excels and early Hyundais but after 3 days in this car, I am really experiencing a paradigm shift.
-Impressive details: Even the trunk, glove box and all compartments that open were dampened to open slowly and with precision. The glove box was lined with thick, soft black felt. The inside of the front seat belt connectors had felt on the inside so no scratching of the inner part of the arm rest would not occur. Listen, when I drive other mid-sizers, there just isn't the attn. to detail.
- this car has gobs of equipment and after pricing it vs. other cars we have rented (we rent every weekend), it is simply more car than anything out there. I mentioned to my wife that Hyundai has a winner in 4 or 6 cylinder cars. If you have never driven this car, I gotta tell you that after spending nearly 3 days in the car, I am extremely impressed. This car completely embarrasses what my wife called the 'plastic Altima' we drove last weekend. Compared to the Altima, altho the Altima was much sportier and had more punch, the Sonata appears like a luxury model in comparison and considering the Altima costs more...wow...the Sonata really embarasses it. The Sonata had trip computer, moonroof, trip computer, fog lights, electronic stability, all the air bags front and rear, etc., etc., and the Altima costs more. Someone has to be getting a knife in the back somewhere for Hyundai to sell this car at this price.
-there are air bags everywhere in this car: front, side head curtains in front and back with active headrests
-the electronic stability control came on once when i noticed the right side of the car hit a water and slippery sand spot on Camelback Mtn. in Pennsylvania. Impressive amount of safety equipment for $18k.
-23.1 mpg in city driving. Not spectacular but again tons of car for the money and I am sure I would get 30+ on highway with restrained driving
- The manumatic tranny is a nice touch and just extra.
-I'll say it again: I have driven most mid-size cars incl. Camry, Accord, Altima and Mazda 6 and this car is IMPRESSIVE!
Major Lows:
-Very few lows but the lows need to be addressed by Hyundai now because they are noticeably important oversights:
-Hyundai has to fix the seat cushion of the drivers seat YESTERDAY! It tips forward and at 6'1, I found myself wanting more length on that cushion and wanting to adust the height of the front of the cushion. I am surprised Hyundai removed the adjustment that they had on a 2005 rental Sonata I had. This may have alleviated the problem.
Minor Lows:
-Tranny is a 4 speeder. Most have 5 and 6 speed. I am not sure there is any advantage to a 5 0r 6 over a 4 but....
-exterior door handles not as substantial feeling as the 2005.
-interior door handles should be chrome
-one headrest missing in rear seat. should be 3 across
-grab handle on passenger side was broken. looked like the exact handle as one in the accord we rented a screw was dislodged. shouldn't be!
And Hyundai gets criticism for having so many rental cars.
I guess Hyundai believes "the more people drive the car, the more people notice it's a worthy competitor". Nothing wrong with that!
Also the previous-gen Civic did have better crash-test scores than the previous-gen Sonata (with the caveat, before somebody beats me over the head about it, that frontal crash tests are not directly comparable between cars in different weight classes), so you may be right that the premiums you were quoted are based on old data.
There are two main components to car insurance: liability (pays the damages you cause others) and physical damage (pays for damage to your car). There is also "medical payments (no fault in some states)" and uninsured motorist injury coverage.
There is a growing trend for insurance companies to take the make/model into consideration as a component of the rate determination for liability. Historically, the make & model only affected the physical damage. Most insurance companies still follow the historical model. But, as stated, there is a trend to consider make/model for liability.
There is a paradox. The "safer cars" can cost more to insure for physical damage. The crumple zones which protect the occupants (minimizing injuries) add to the cost of repairing the car and lead to more "total losses."
If someone hits you..their fault.. and they are adequately insured, you can collect your damages from them. But, if you are at fault, your car is damaged by a hit & run, or if the person who hits you has cruddy state minimum coverage, you have to make a claim against your physical damage coverage in order to be indemnified.
I recently mentioned I was in a bad accident in March in AZ. I had a rental 2006 Maxima. The girl who hit us had the state minimum coverage of 15K per person/30K per occurance for injury and 15K for property damage liability. The Maxima, even with 12K miles, had to be worth at least $25K. There was probably a few thousand $ damage to the car we were pushed into. She didn't have enough coverage. If it were my car, rather than a rental, I would have had to make a claim against my policy. The Maxima was completely totaled, but we were able to walk away with only minor injuries.
If we were in an SUV, maybe the vehicle would have handled the impact better but maybe the occupants would have had worse injuries.
Just noting that car "A" costs more to insure than car "B" doesn't really tell anyone much about the car. Yes, the price to insure (for your residence, usage, age, marital status, driving record, credit score, etc) is something you should consider when buying a car, but it should not be taken as an endorsement of one car over another.
Remember, a car that "is considered poor in collisions" may be excellent in preventing injuries. Also, as any car gets older it's chances of being "totaled" increase.
by the way i hate the car. it's too cute for my taste
What about using a Gold Visa/Master Card, (assuming you have one), which offers additional rental protection?.
The credit card does cover the deductible. Even without the credit card protection, the cost of the damage waiver is exorbitant.
Enterprise did charge my charge car (as if it were part of the rental cost rather than as a separate damage charge). I contacted the credit card company, had to fill out some forms, etc. It took a while to be resolved, maybe 2 months, but my credit card was credited back for the $500.
But now that I write that, how can that be? I've always understood that the insurance is on the car, not the driver.
Sorry, we're getting perhaps too deep into this, but with my own recent experiences I just had to ask.