By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
I think that's a little optimistic. It doesn't take much 75-80mph driving to hurt your mileage. The Sonata is a tall, wide, heavy car. It takes a lot more fuel to run at those speeds than a smaller car.
$336 sounds pretty steep for a fuel filter & a "fuel tank air filter?" Even they never heard of it. Good article!!!
My 1 month old 2007 Sonata V6 Limited does not have that suspension issue described and is a joy to drive. I believe that it was corrected since then as 2006 was a first year model which is always prone to bugs.
Window lock (Driver's side)
In order to prevent operation of the
passenger front and rear windows, a
window lock switch is provided on the
armrest of the driver's door.
But this switch also disables operation of other windows from drivers armrest!!! :mad: Why? :confuse: I just wish to prevent my children from playing with their power windows, but at the same time, being able to control their windows from my keys! Is there something wrong with my Sonata wiring? If not, has anybody changed thewiring so that operation is like other cars?
The safety belt alert bell is much too loud. Can't hear myself think when that thing is dinging away. Is there any way of turning in down?
On the other hand, the turn indicators are the opposite & much too quiet. I can't tell you how many times when I make a turn & they don't cancel out, I've left the signals going b/c I don't hear it clicking. Must drive cars behind me nuts.
I'm also having such a hard time activating the remote for trunk. Tried both of them that came with the car. It seems that the signal to the trunk is weak. I have to push it several times for it to open. Also, I don't think the hydraulics on the hinges are strong enough either b/c the trunk doesn't even pop up slightly. I have to push my fingers under the slight opening & really pull up on the trunk lid. Shouldn't have to bear that much weight............should I?
After my trip of some 600 kms, I've noticed that the chrome exhaust are turning slighly yellow. Anyone else experiencing that?
Car came with 17" Michelins. I find on rough country roads & over railway tracks the ride is very hard & rough. I owned an Acura previously. It had 16" wheels & they glided with ease over rough terrain & railway tracks.
I'm sure most of you have this grip, but I sure would have liked to be able to change stations & tracks of music on the steering wheel. Any suggestions as to if this can be changed (without an engineering degree & mucho dollars)
Well, I think that's enough for owning this car for less than a week.
OTHERWISE!!!!! So far I'm a happy camper.
Looks like you got one of the earlier 2007 models, before the steering wheel audio controls were changed to add a station/track selector.
Be sure to check the tire pressures. Sometimes dealers overinflate them (that's how they come off the truck).
You might ask the dealer to check the trunk lid. It should not take much pressure to lift the lid once it's unlocked. But probably more pressure than with spring-loaded hinges that you might be used to.
2.) Trunk release: some brands require two (2) distinct presses to unlatch. Some require a prolonged "press" on the release button. Off hand I don't know what Hyundai requires but I seem to recall a rental Kia Optima required a "press X 2" or two distinct presses. If all else fails read the owners manual.
3.) Trunk pop-up: What weight? the trunk lid isn't that heavy and yes once popped open it is your job to lift it open.
4.) Chrome exhaust tips: they are slightly changing color (not permanently however) due to exhaust heat and exit of exhaust gasses at that point. They should wax clean again. This is a totally normal thing.
5.) quiet turn signal "on" warning? Can't help you there except remembering they are on and cancelling manually.
6.)The low profile 17" tires this car is equipped with ARE harsher due to minimal sidewall construction. The less sidewall the less flex over bumps (simply because there isn't any sidewall there to take some of the harshness out). This has been noted by others and isn't peculiar to Hyundai. About all you can do here is either replace the new tires with ones that have more of a side wall or grin and bear it until they wear out then replace them with tires of another size.
Thanks for the info.
Re: Seat belt warning. I always put my belt on before even starting the car, but occasionally when parked I have to turn around & attend to the baby in the back seat & have to take the belt off in order to reach her. Between her crying & the bell ringing.....yikes, it's stressful.
Re: (3) Trunk pop-up. If you're a man, the weight may be insignificant, but I'm a small woman & when I'm trying to put the baby stroller into the trunk, I can't even get my fingers under the lip to even try to lift it let alone the weight of it.
But, thanks again for your thoughts.
BTW welcome to the club!
Oh yeah stick a cookie in the kids mouth....easier than quieting the chime. :P
The only way I know to shut it up is to fasten your seatbelt whether you are in the car or not.
"On the other hand, the turn indicators are the opposite & much too quiet."
I agree with you on this. My previous car, a Focus had much louder turn signals. This was good when you would be driving. However, when waiting at a long traffic signal, it would become nearly as annoying as the Sonota’s seatbelt bell!
"I'm also having such a hard time activating the remote for trunk."
Most owners have discovered you have to hold down the ‘trunk’ button for a couple of seconds. I suspect this is another Hyundai safety precaution to prevent accidental engagement, say like you’re driving on a bumpy road and the key fob brushes up against your knee.
"Car came with 17" Michelins. I find on rough country roads & over railway tracks the ride is very hard & rough. I owned an Acura previously. It had 16" wheels & they glided with ease over rough terrain & railway tracks."
With that size wheel, I assume you have a V6, which I believe has a firmer suspension that the I4. I think the 17s ride is harsher as well.
Maybe you have a :lemon: .
Anyhow, the trunk, if I remember correctly, has gas assist lifters and only needs a start in the form of...well...a small amount of force to start the process then the lifters take over and hiss their way to full open with no further intervention. Closing is another story.
I checked the assembly date on my 2007 Sonata GLS Premium & found out is WAS assembled on July 16, 2006! I just bought it last mth.(July 31/07). How can they say this car is NEW & a 2007 model? It's a year old now!
You mentioned that mine is an "earlier" model before the audio controls were changed. Do they change features on the same year models? If so, if one buys a 2007 car, shouldn't it have all the features of the most recent off the assembly line? I'm really confused.
I feel like I've been taken advantage of in their selling me an "old" model car.
What's your thoughts?
How can they say it's new? Was it ever purchased by someone, or titled? If not, it's new. I see some dealers (not Hyundai dealers) in my area advertising "new" 2006 models! They are in fact "new" cars. But they depreciate quite a bit the minute someone drives them off the lot, so they're heavily discounted.
Sometimes new features are introduced mid-way into a model year. This is true for the XM radio and the beefed-up audio controls on the wheel for the 2007 Sonata. When Hyundai announced the 2007 Sonata, they said that the XM radio and audio controls were "late availability", meaning that the early 2007 cars (like yours) didn't have those features. But you know what? There was a price increase when the XM radio and additional audio controls were added. So it's not like you paid for something you didn't get.
You were only taken advantage of if the sales rep or someone at the dealership told you your car had XM radio and the newer audio controls, when it didn't. And in that case there are legal remedies, if you want to pursue them. Otherwise, why not just enjoy your new Sonata?
Do features change within any given model year? You bet!! Read the fine print on any manufacturers brochure and it will say to the effect..."Specifications are subject to change". Hyundai as well as others make what is known as running changes during any model assembly cycle. They can modify...add..subtract any component of the car they deem necessary.
Have you been taken advantage of? Nope!! you bought a new 2007 car (unless there are details yet to be forthcoming)and that is what you got. The fact you got an early version doesn't really count unless you know about "running changes" and absolutely wanted the "latest and greatest" and were willing to check build dates to get it.
This may be a silly question, but why would a "new" 2007 car, built in July, 2006 still be sitting in the dealer's lotat the end of the car season? Don't they sell the oldest ones first? This dealer only had 2 GLS Premium Sonata's left when I bought mine. I chose mine by colour of the two. Didn't even consider the assembly date.
...But, what's done is done. The car is new, and titled as a 2007, not a 2006 -- which is in YOUR interest for resale value. Just get over it, and enjoy the car...
Most of the sitting may not have been at the dealer. Hyundai's Alabama assembly plant has a parking lot the size of a small town where cars wait to be distributed. Your car may have been manufactured several months before it got to your dealer.
When I was dealing for mine, it had 3 miles on it, and I noticed the "born on date" was Jan 29 of 06. We drove it home on Feb 18 of 06. I hope you enjoy yours as much as we have ours.
Thanks,
Thanks for the info.
I shud tell you that I did not "choose" the 17" tires. That's the way is came & I didn't know there was any option, nor did I know that 17" tire had such a hard ride.
My question now is, why do they put 17" tires on in the first place?
You can find Hyundai Service (I think it's hyundaiservice.com) on line. You'll have to register-it's free.
Or simply call you Hyundai dealer to tell him about your problem and that you understand that this is an issue covered by Hyundai's warranty.
I have the 16" wheels on my 06 Sonata. If you wish, perhaps we could swap my 16s for your 17s. My wheels are in great shape, no dings of any kind.
Because some folks put more value on style that comfort.
Personally, I can hardly notice the difference between 16's and 17's. But then, I'm not very style conscious.
I've only had my car for less than 2 wks. I think I'd like to stay with the 17" tires for now. I just didn't realize that 17" tires had such a hard ride & the reasons for it.
Thanks again.
The Sandman
You indicated that earlier 2007 models did not include the station/track selector. I went to my Dealer who advised that he understood that as of June, 2006 this feature WAS included. My car was made July 21, 2006. He's currently checking with Hyundai to find out why.
I've since noticed that the telescopic steering wheel & the rear air/heat vent features are not included in this vehicle either.
My criteria to the Sales Mgr. when buying my car was I wanted a 2007 Sonota GLS V6 Premium with EVERYTHING that was available on this car. Unfortunately, the 2007 brochure gives "detailed" specs. on the GLS V6, but specific details on what is included with the "Premium" was not printed anywhere. So I don't know "exactly" what's included. I thought my criteria would cover everything.
Anyhow, can anyone tell me why I didn't get some of those items? I'll ask my Dealer eventually, but I'm afraid of getting shafted by the Mgr. or a Sales Rep.
Thanks. :confuse:
Thanks for the feedback.
Isn't the "Premium" the name of the fully loaded GLS V6? What then, is the "Limited"? I thought that term was used on the 2008 rendition.
The Limited is the top trim line for the 2007 and 2008 Sonata. Comes with leather and auto climate control standard, for example. And a telescopic wheel.
Buying tip for next time: Don't trust what a sales rep tells you about the equipment on a car. They could be wrong, accidentally or intentionally. Verify for yourself that the car you are buying has the equipment you think it has.
I just bought an 07 SE 2 wks ago. I already have to go in to get a minor problem checked out. There seems to be insulation/weather stripping that is sticking out where the dashboard meets the window.
Anyway, I didn't opt for the extended warrant, but has anyone researched 3rd party warranties? Or know where I can get more information. I checked Warranty Direct.com, but their rates were pretty high. Thanks :shades: