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Comments
You're right about the dark blue and the black being nearly indistinguishable. The Dark Cinnamon is too dark in my opinion as well. If you are going to sell a red car, then make it look like a red car.
So far I haven't seen a white or beige Sonata in person.
White is white, and beige is beige--you haven't missed much.
http://www.bobaedream.com/board/data/data_view.php?code=national&No=52852&page=1&select=&c- ontent=
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000243037422/
DVD & Navi:
http://car-reviews.automobile.com/Hyundai/review/hyundai-unveils-2006-sonata-in-paris/108/- 1
I have driven two V6's and two 4's. The 6 gets up and go when told and has a lot of kick. The transmission is also smother in the 6 than the 4. If you listen real good the four sounds quieter than the 6 but it is only because of the tires. Also, on a bumpy road the 6 due to the lower tires rides a little rougher than the 4. But, who cares, sacrifice for sportiness is normal.
I test drove the 2005 I4, the 2006 I4 GL Auto, and the 2006 V6 LX (along with many other cars from other makes). My wife and I've decided we want a 2006 Hyundai (and I once claimed I would NEVER buy a non-American car). Since the V6 is from Alabama, I'll get either a GLS V6 or an LX (only reason she's against the LX is she hates leather... she says it scalds her thighs in the summer; if they had a superhigh quality cloth option for the LX, that would be the one, with the moonroof), but I'm waiting a tad (probably spring....) since my wife graduates in September of '06 (she went back to school) and there should be incentives then... plus, all the radios will be upgraded to have XM, supposedly for free in 4th quarter cars. I'm hoping for $2000 or so in incentives, and dealing down the price... but I'll be a '06 Sonata owner by this time next year. My wife likes the Burgundy, I like the Blue.
It has had one owner (well, my wife). We live in a FLAT (and I mean FLAT) area, with high humidity, heat, but mild winters (Hampton Roads, Virginia).
The car is on it's >8th3rd< transmission (1st-76K, 2nd-50miles,3rd- 22K so far, before it melted down earlier this month), and it LITERALLY only came back from the shop on Saturday (today is Tuesday) after a near total meltdown of this transmission, when it blew the pump seal. The car is shifting poorly (hard and high) between 1st and 2nd, and slowly between 3rd and 4th (but smoothly) and the check engine light is now on... repair said that it'll be that way for a few days as the comp relearns the shift points, but that it might always be a little hard between 1st and 2nd now... it has gotten 80% better than when we first picked it back up, though. It's also had an alternator go out (4 years ago) and the power steering pump failed (started failing ~2 years back, finally died last fall, just replaced in January).
Engine is outstanding (it really is). Interior is great (held up to a LOT of abuse there, I have three kids!). Body is great. Transmission is AWFUL (the speedo cable connects to the transmission.... the cable's been replaced four times, too). In other words, for ONE HIDEOUSLY BAD part of the car, I've gone through hell... 13 times, in 10 years (and only 98K miles, remember!).
'95 Taurus was supposed to be well built... it was supposed to be well warrented. Ford DID fix the Speedo all but one of the times for free. But it's never covered the rest of the lemony scented transmission repairs.
I'm buying a Hyundai Sonata next, and trading this in. The warrenty was what got me interested enough to even give Hyundai the time of day; I wouldn't have had to pay YET for a major repair on the Sonata with the exact same issues. Driving the car was enough to convince us the warrenty is just a bonus for a car we'd like to have anyway.
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Let's see... strong, smooth powertrain that's as quick or quicker than any automatic-equipped car in its class; solid road manners; roomy and comfortable interior; excellent equipment and price ($2000-4000 below the competition per C/D). Can you say, "10Best"?
I added a few closer pics of the areas you requested... hope that you can see the detail ok. Just go to the same gallery as I added them to it (use link in the previous post)
Thanks very much!
Now for my question, I read one post a while ago saying the V6 didn't get the 30 MPG on the highway but was more like 24. Has anyone clocked the MPG on the 4 cyl for mostly highway on a long trip?? they say what 24/33 city/highway. I was just wondering cause if the 4 cyl doesn't get over 30 highway, forget it. The new camrys and accords all get mid 30's on the highway. Heck, my 11 year old camry gets 35 MPG on driving highways on a 600 mile road trip. I'd hate to buy a sonata if it gets well below what they state. Thanks for any help on this issue.
also, what kind of interest rates are you getting from the dealer?? the banks charge 5% to 7% or so. I know they are offering 1.9% for the 2005 version but how about the 2006?? I never got any answers from the online manager on price (other than MSRP and geez, I can get that myself) nor any interest % they can get me to buy their car. Thanks
The cd player dash fitting part as seen on page 5 (i believe) in this brochure from the UK http://www.hyundai-car.co.uk/images/brochures/brochure/sonata.pdf
this is EXACTLY what people in the US need if we want to put in our own Navi system. This is the exact dash fitting for a double din opening.
I got 4.5% for 60 months on my new loaded 2006 Sonata LX. $466 per month.
I researched what was the lowest rate I could get in other places
The lowest for myself was my credit union at 4.5%.
I had a faxed out-the-door price of $1996 off MSRP so I was ready to seal the deal if they could finance me rather than having to go through my credit union.
One caveat I have over a 790 FICO score... so for me there was no problem getting 100% financing at this rate (I probably could have got them to go even lower). They wouldn't give me fair market on my trade though so I'm selling it.
Behind me was a younger kid buying his first car. OMG the difference! How much can you put down, interviews with the financing manager....
Keep you credit clean... it pays dividends.
Good LUCK.
The Taurus is on it's 8th Speedometer and 3rd Transmission. Somehow,
that whole phrase became >8th3rd< transmission.... which should make what I was saying clear, hopefully...
BTW, totally OT, but the car IS shifting better... even even had one entire run up the gears with no hard shifts last night (but is still not well... it followed it with hard downshifts when the time came).
Nevertheless, it's being traded in for the 06 Sonata
Equifax Credit Bureau gives me a credit score of 750. This is supposed to be almost A-tier financing. Just under their "excellent" rating. Before my financial situation changed somewhat, I was looking at Elantras. Kendall Hyundai of Eugene offered me 14% on a $10,000. Now I want to buy a new Sonata, something in the $18-22k range, and I don't want to do 14%. Sheppard Volkswagen offered me 5 or 6% on a new Jetta, so I don't understand what would be affecting it like this?
Is there somewhere online I can find out what is affecting it for my Hyundai purchase? I don't want a Jetta!
Most things about the car were just fine. I would not put this car in the large EPA class. The back seat feels smaller than the Camry. Front seat feels about the same.
The V4 was just too under powered for me. The V6 was adequate. I was expecting more power from the V6. The V6 was quiet.
On a smooth road the car is quiet with no wind noise. On rough pavement, there is objectionable road noise. I test drive all cars over the same rough road to compare. The 17" wheels on the LX do add more road noise on a rough road. But, the Sonata is much quieter than the Accord. As a comparison, over the same road, the 2006 Charger is so much quieter than the Sonata.
Placing the vanity lights in the head liner is just stupid. Maybe cheaper to make, but they do not work well there.
There is no way to turn on the interior lights from the dash. No footwell lights. No rear reading lamps.
The LCD radio display is poor in bright light, just like the Camry. This is a feature I just do not understand. The low end Asian brands use crappy LCD displays and the American brands use electroluminescent displays. LCD is cheaper and less readable, but Honda and Toyota buyers never complain.
If I was on a tight budget and when the LX can be had for $20K, this would be a good deal.
But the road noise is the deal breaker for me. You will never hear the road noise unless you have a washboard like roads in my area. Buy the car and enjoy. I am now waiting on the 2006 Impala.
What I would suggest is first get the carsdirect.com price on the Sonata trim you want... there is your ceiling. Then e-mail every Hyundai dealer within a 200 mile radius stating you a a ready and willing buyer (within 72 hours) and that you are looking for a certain color.. let them know you already have an offer $___BELOW invoice on another Sonata but it is the wrong color etc.(Just state it a fact and that you are a busy person who is looking to buy within days) Once you get some bites contact the dealer directly and ask for a fax quote or have them e-mail you all the specifics that will serve as solid quotes with again another ceiling to what you will pay. IF you don't get good results with the 200 mile radius branch out nationwide and ask for quotes in competitive markets (ie Los Angeles). A quote is still ammunition to deal with your local dealers.
Realize som dealers will deal off MSRP and some won't... its your job to find the most motivated dealers they are out there...it may be a 150 mile drive but it'd worth it to save $$$$.
Do not mention APR or trade yet! Get them to give you their lowest price on the car you want first! Mine was $400 UNDER invoice on a new LX.
Then after you have confirmed the price... look on the internet for the best loan rates you could qualify for. Start with costco and credit unions (almost everyone is eligable to join some credit union might just be because you live in a city etc.) All these places list their rates online. Print these out and when you go to buy your Sonata, tell them that you can get these rates but you would rather use Hyundai Financing so you don't have to wait a couple days to line things up.
Then talk trade (if you have one) make sure you try to negotiate private party prices if the dealer low balls you, keep your car a sell it on your own.
Once you are ready to talk only deal with the dealers "internet" or "fleet" managers thes are the ones who have the leeway to offer you the below invoice deals.
TREAT ALL THE ITEMS AS COMPLETE AND SEPERATE NEGOTIATIONS (PRICE, FINANCING, TRADE)
Never let them talk "payments" you don't care! As long as you get a good price and good APR the payments will fall in line.
My last 3 cars I have NEVER paid more than $100 over invoice. It can be done and done fast if you are smart and persistent about it. The internet is wonderful , I emailed about 20 Hyundai dealers (all of So. Cal) and got back about 5 legit offers all way below MSRP. It took me a grand totl of three days to nail down what I though was the best offer I could get with the Sonata being so new.
One last point... the LX Sonata is a wonderful car it puts the fun back into driving and looks great. Trust me even at MSRP this car is worth EVERY penny... GOOD LUCK!
If the EPA says this is in the large vehicle class, then it sure has to be in the large vehicle class. EPA classification is based on the total vehicle interior volume and not just the back seat.
the 2006 Charger is so much quieter than the Sonata
Did you use instruments to measure the decibel levels or were you just playing it by the ear, which experience has shown can be subjective and misleading?
Sonata is at the very bottom of the large EPA class. Camry is at the very top of the mid size class. Only real difference is in advertising value.
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"Did you use instruments to measure the decibel levels or were you just playing it by the ear, which experience has shown can be subjective and misleading?"
I drove both cars over the same rough road. Very noticeable difference. Charger rides great, you just can not see out of it. Consumer reports does just this type of comparison. The Sonata is a very nice car, it just is not that quiet over rough roads.
I have not driven a Camry over this same rough road so I can not comment. But I can compare Accord, Sonata, Charger, 500, Uplander, Explorer, Grand Marquis, LS and Escape. Grand Marquis is by a good margin the quietest. For such good road manners, the LS is pretty quiet.
...and Road&Track and Car&Driver both now have extremely positive reviews of the Sonata.
Road&Track says
-"...the rear seat feels almost as spacious as a Lincoln Town Car's--and impressive achievement for a car 2 feet shorter."
-"Inclusion of the standard stability control allowed the development team to signifcantly improve handling. Double-wishbone front suspension is rare in the category, and the considerable lack of understeer is in stark contrast to other cars in this segment."
Car&Driver says
-When talking about Shiftronic; "Such a sporting detail might seem like overkill in what is intended as a mainstream family sedan, but the new Sonata's chassis willingly accommodates spirited driving if you are so inclined. This Sonata doesn't float, dive or roll very much even when you are charging hard on a mountain road. Furthermore, the Sonata corners without the excessive understeer that plagues many front-drivers."
-"In the segment, the engine's output is second only to the Nissan Altima's 250-hp, 3.5 liter V6. As a result, the Sonata, despite weighing 3540 pounds, is plenty quick, accelerating to 60 mph in seven seconds flat and covering the quarter-mile in 15.5 seconds at 92 mph...the only quicker comparable sedan is the Altima V6 with a manual gearbox."
One thing I did notice, however, is that in the Road&Track review it says that the car already comes with an XM-ready radio that comes with a three-month subscription. Was this only because they were driving a pre-producation car, or do all Sonatas already have the service installed? I thought otherwise.
YOU ARE UNBELIEVABLE, ITS SO FUUNIE HOW PEOPLE THINK CAR SALESMEN LIE AND LIE AND LIE YET YOU JUST GAVE A LONG SPEACH AND A LESSON ON HOW TO LIE. THE BEST WAY TO BUY A CAR IS TO FIND OUT WHAT THE INVOICE IS AND OFFER 100.00 OVER INVOICE OR IF THERE IS A REBATE OFFER INVOICE MINUS REBATE THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN BUT A NEW SONATA IS IF YOU ARE A HYUNDAI CUSTOMER AND YOU QUALFIY FOR THE 500.00 DOLLAR LOYALTY MONEY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE LOYALTY MONEY KNOW ONE IS GOING TO SELL IT FOR 400.00 UNDER INVOICE. ABOUT NOT MENTIONING THE TRADE THE ONLY ONE THAT HURTS IS YOU BY NOT MENTIONING THE TRADE YOU PROLONG THE PROCESS OF BUYING A CAR, SO THERE IS THE TRUE 101 ON THE REAL WAY TO BUY A CAR. HERE AT MY DEALERSHIP WE SHOW YOU ALL THAT INFORMATION BEFORE YOU EVEN SAY YOU WANT TO BUY A CAR. IM SORRY YOU HAVE HAD BAD BUYING EXPERIENCES. TO BE HONEST AND STRAIGHT FORWARD IS THE ONLY WAY NOT TO MENTION THE RIGHT WAY. GOD BLESS YOU
CRYSTAL
Their average highway miles so far is 27 MPG
City 22 mpg stop and go traffic.
Complaints
The leather seats are designed for standard man/woman but not for heavy set/American butt.
Suggested it will be nice if they make seats like Camry little wider and cushioning and offer synthetic cloth heated seats like Volvo does as an n option or alternative.
LCDs on the radio are some what less visible on a bright day. Some of my coworkers planl to buy one in September October period expecting better prices and being a new car in a new factory all teething problems, quality control issues will be over.
All cars without are purchased with out the hole in the roof to save some $.
Price isn't everything when buying a car.
Granted, in the current car market, most dealers will do business at invoice or below. Some are crazy enough to give up some of their holdback. Yes, there is big money in the financing side of things. Shop around or bring your own financing - it's easy to do.
But to play dealers off against each other looking to get that last dollar is a bit much. It may be worth something to have bought from your local dealer and build a relationship with him and the service department. I for one, think it's worth spending a couple hundred bucks extra on a car and know that I'm a valued customer if I have a problem in the service dept. Faxing offers and counteroffers from 20 dealers to try to save a $100 bucks? Having to drive several hundred miles to pick up your new car? Nuts!
FWIW, it's interesting that someone shopping for a Sonata also looked at the Mercury Grand Marquis. If thats not apples and baseballs, I don't know what is.
It may surprise some folk that Hyundai, yes Hyundai, is indeed creating some loyalists through continuously improved products. The 2006 Sonata is competitive in a lot of ways for sure!
Let's say you are only driving highway, which is common here in Florida, so you are loosing 3 mpg on each tank. That's 10% of the advertised mileage. So for a 15 gallon tank that equates to $3.37 lost per tank (at $2.25 per gallon, $33.75 to fill up).
So if you were smart enough to buy an LX at invoice you saved $2000. But those bastards are slowly getting it back from you. Your $2000 will be stolen back from you over 597 tank refills! You'll be going in the red after 241,785 miles!
I'd start filing those class action lawsuits right away.