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Comments
I saw on the news last night where the federal government will require ESC on all cars starting in 2012.
So the Sonata (and other Hyundai models) is six years ahead of the game since ESC has been standard equipment since 2006.
The V6 Sonata really excels when you compare it to any other $18,000 car. For that price, you get a very nicely equipped, roomy, safe, V6 Sonata. No other car in that price range comes close. For that price, you normally get a very small, uncomfortable car, steel wheels, no ESC, and 4cyl engine.
There's always a better car. You can easily spend $7-8K more for a car that has the same features and options. But wait! If you spend $25K, why didn't you spend $32 for a "better" car? It has to end somewhere. My search ended happily at $17600.
Obviously a Sonata is not your cup of tea. You are free to shop elsewhere.
Hyundai did a good job with the engine it dosnt feel cheap or lawnmower like at all. The interior is assemebled very well, tight seams, no buzzes or anything. But I feel they have a long way to go before anyone is feeling any actual heat. The Acura TL was another car I never liked, The RSX was about the only thing in their lineup that interested me, and it was basicly a very well done Civic with better seats, and high quality soft touch materials everywhere I cared to look. It was also very nicely priced, and I had intended on buying one before they did away with it.
A sensible person, not given to hype and prestige, only thinking about long term reliability and peace of mind (less trips to the mechanic) will definitely consider Sonata - why not? there is a 10 year powertrain warranty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There's your answer!
When you choose a car dispassionately and objectively, you can easily end up with a Sonata. If you are the enthusiast type that gets emotional about cars, you will probably never be satisfied with a Sonata. It's just a good, solid, competent car, with tremendous value. It's not a legend. Not yet.
Actually, the Legend wasn't all that great a car.
I do not see where you are getting the 18,000 figure from. My dealer has a SE V-6 for $22,995? If your using a discount price that other people cannot get its not a valid comparison. I agree its a good value but when you quote a price that isn't feasible through out the country it invalidates your post. A more valid comparison would be a 25,795 Honda Accord. My point is compare apples to apples. Dont quote a stripper 4 cycle model price for a v-6.
I paid $17,600 for my car, a 2006 GLS V6. It's not stripped down by any means, and I used commonly available discounts and rebates.
My point is, for the price of a Sonata, the competitors offer a smaller car with lesser options. I think that's still true for the 07's.
So no a Honda Accord at $25,975 is not a valid comparison.
I guess maybe you are looking at sticker prices. But who in their right mind pays sticker price.
Funny, the official sticker price for the SE V6 with XM radio is $1,500 LESS than what your dealer is quoting.... Check http://hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/sonata/sonata.aspx
But who in their right mind pays sticker price.
Amazingly, MANY do just that. I'm sure it won't be an exaggeration to claim AT LEAST HALF of car buyers pay sticker price. Especially older people, young people, new immigrants... But I've read posts from quite a few (here, on the Edmunds forums also) who didn't feel the urge or the need to get into an "ugly" negotiation with the dealer.
People who buy cars at sticker price are mostly IGNORANT of the fact that a car dealership is not another business like Sears or Best Buy.... And a few of them feel more comfortable not getting into the "confrontational" style of negotiating a price. I admit, not every person is mentally built to deal with those con-artist car "stealers"...
Though I wonder how did he get away with the Monroney sticker on the car's window, which is glued there by the manufacturer, with the official sticker price....
I was standing at the local dealer asking them to price match the internet price which they would not do. My cell phone rang from the internet dealer telling me me he had located the color I wanted while I was standing at the sales managers desk. I told the internet dealer he had a deal and walked away from my local dealer. He followed me to my car and wanted to make a deal. I told him "you had your chance".
I made the purchase at a dealer about 125 miles from my house. I gave them a credit card deposit over the phone and went to pick up the car the next day. No haggling, no hassle and they had the paperwork ready when I got there. In todays internet world you don't even have to look at a saleman except maybe to do a test drive.
I guess you would have to know how to use the internet or at least have a friend that does.
In the United States, all new automobiles are required to include an official form listing certain information about the car; this window sticker is commonly called a Monroney sticker in the industry (or simply a window sticker), named after Almer Stillwell "Mike" Monroney, the Oklahoma senator who sponsored the Automobile Information Disclosure Act of 1958.
The sticker is required to be affixed to the side window or windshield of every new car sold in the United States. A fine of US$1,000 per vehicle is applied if the sticker is missing. The sticker is not required, and the act does not apply, for vehicles with a gross vehicular weight rating of more than 8500 pounds (3856 kg).
The sticker must include the following information:
* The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP)
* Engine and transmission specifications
* Standard equipment and warranty details
* Optional equipment and pricing
* City and highway fuel economy ratings, as determined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
However, the destination charge is not an add-on. Check Edmund's and any reliable pricing service.
Some dealers add an additional sticker to the official window sticker for things such as "regional adjustment", "added dealer margin" and dealer installed options.
Our car had an official (Monroney) sticker of $22,080 including destination. Purchase price was $16,651 plus $189 doc fee plus taxes, title and registration fees. OK, the dealer also made a few bucks on the title and registration paper work. Our OTD was $18,189 including 6% sales tax on the pre-rebate price. Dealer price before doc fee & TTL was $1800 under invoice and we also got $2500 in rebates.
--- True. This internet technology is replacing lots of old ways of doing business. Sure, since the dealer KNOWS that this potential customer did his homework in front of the screen, he KNOWS HE MUST BE COMPETITIVE and come as close to the lowest price he could accept. Even THEN there is still something to haggle (much less than before, though), as you yourself described here ("He followed me to my car and wanted to make a deal.").
"what a individual paid for their car is their problem because they are making the payments you are not, we all got to remember that."
--- That's true too. After all, I have no complaints that you WASTED MY MONEY, but that you've wasted YOURS. Though I admit I've been using some HARSH words ("idiot" is not the appropriate word here), I also made the point that most of those paying sticker price are doing it out of simple IGNORANCE. Those who are not aware of the "unique" kind of business car dealers run...
Doing your homework before approaching a dealer is very good, but I don't think that you absolutely must know the true INVOICE price of a car before you enter a deaership. I actually never knew it in the past when going into a dealership. I simply used my sense of smell... If (say there are no rebates involved) the dealer wants me to pay Sticker minus $500, I say no way, I am willing to pay Sticker minus $2,500 ("cause my uncle bought it for that price just a month ago" I lie to the guy) and we start this little game.... Which, I admit, is not something to be expected of everybody.
I saw a current generation Sonata today with a spoiler.
Are they offering this as an option now, or is this just through some 3rd party?
Thanks
But one of the reasons for this (and many similar) site, OR ACTUALLY THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON -- is giving and getting information and guidance.
So, with all due respect, if even one reader gets the notion here and today, that purchasing a car at a dealership is quite different than purchasing a TV at Best-Buy, this site has done its job, saving THOUSANDS OF PRECIOUS DOLLARS for that reader...
...And the many others who will read the same info here, later.
I tell my salesman that I know the rock-bottom prices that dozens of owners paid, and I offer him around $300 above that. He is so relieved that I don't ask for the rock bottom price that he treats me real nice. So,,, it costs me ~$300 for a no-hassle, no-stress buying experience with everyone smiling.
No, there was nothing left to haggle about when the dealer followed me to my car. I had accepted the other dealers price and told him to get the car. Deal done, and any further haggling was moot. I stand by my deal and conversely expect the dealer to do the same. Would it have been fair or ethical to continue to haggle with my local dealer for a better price at that time and/or call and cancel the deal I had just made.
The out of town dealer had made a good faith offer that was the best deal I could get.
flc2006
No one is trying to tell you how to spend your money. As long as YOU are satisfied with the price you paid that is all that counts. Like you said you learn by doing and also learn car buying skills.
...Which means, with car dealers you NEVER know. They give you a price and call it "absolutely bottom line" and then once you get up to leave, they'll run after you with a better offer.
Haggle----What a word.
One of my friends is buying an Azera from the same dealer we bought a Sonata from in late February. One of his co-workers said he might also be interested. My friend asked if there was any additional benefit for buying two cars. The dealer politely informed him that their internet price was "rock bottom." I believe him. He was straight forward on our deal and $800 lower than Fitzmall for the same car.
And they are all hurting.
Now car dealers are REALLY appreciating those who come of the street, look at the car's sticker and take out their check book.
Here is the latest information on how to successfully upgrade a 2006/2007 steering wheel audio remote control as mentioned in Post #6766 of this thread which is discussed here:
acelink, "Hyundai Sonata 2006+" #6766, 16 Dec 2006 7:34 am!keywords=allin%3Amsgtext%20limit%3A.ef30611%20steering%20wheel
Here is the Hyundai Sonata Forum discussion with DIY instructions.
http://www.hyundai-forums.com/t15923-06-to-07-sonata-radio-remote-success.htm
The upgrade can be successfully done if you have a 6 CD changer.
I've been reading of complaints on the rear k-thunks that people have been getting. I currently have a 2002 jetta with the same problem and want to avoid it for my next purchase. Are the sonata k-thunks coming from the 4-cylinders or the 6? or both?
thanks.
But if you're about to purchase a new, '07 Sonata, don't worry about it. The newly assembled Sonatas are already equipped with the updated suspension.
Some of the better dealers would order the new parts and do the fix for their customers' '06 cars. All under warranty, of course.
Others would do it only to the affected '07 -- the early '07 V6 Sonatas assembled before Hyundai came up with the fix.
As I mentioned before, eventually, Hyundai would probably fix ALL of the (NF) new generation V6 Sonatas.
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