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Comments
Do you think that clutches / transmissions "wear-in" over time to become more forgiving and smooth? My experience indicates that they generally don't.
I'm not sure if the clutch adapts to you or vice versa. When I got my latest car it took about a week to get used to. I live in a very hilly area, so that adaptation time was painful as I was always worried about hitting the car behind me.
TEAShea
BTW . . . practically all pumps here at stations are 10% Ethanol. Pure 100% gasoline is difficult to find.
Sadly (for Hyundai), I use my iPod and listen to XM, and these are key parts of my driving experience. With no cassette deck, the only ways to add XM or an iPod (without tearing open the very integrated dash) would be thru a wireless FM modulator...not a viable option if you take your music seriously. (Couldn't wait for next year when Hyundai is supposed to be making XM standard - I lost my car to Hurricane Katrina and had to replace it at this time).
My new Impala provides me with the music options I need, and is equal to the Sonata in every way except for rear seat leg room (the Impala is inferior in this regard), and the bagel spare tire.
-Dave R. in Biloxi, MS
If I may, I would like point a few things out on the Impala you may have missed.
- The Impala has a huge C pillar obstruction and high rear deck (poor vision out)
- The Impala has very small side mirrors. (poor vision out)
- Impala's rear seat is very hard to get out of due to the minimal amount of room under the front seats for the rear passengers feet.
- Impala is not available with Auto A/C
- Impala has shorter warrantee.
I really like the Impala, but these are a few deal killers for me.
At least as of the 2003 model year, Hyundai specifically excluded warranty claims on fuel system damage if methanol blended gasoline was used.
I have to commend GM for making it standard on almost all their '06 models. As far as I know, they're the first mainstream company to do so. I'm sure in a few years it'll be standard (or at least available) on every car. In the meantime, it creates a bit of a conundrum for those of us buying cars right now.
Does anyone have the GL 5-speed? I'm anxious to drive one, but no dealer near me has any in stock at the moment. I've been told they can locate one and get it transferred, but I'd have to put a deposit on it first. Obviously, I wouldn't do that until I test drive it first.
Any thoughts? FYI- other cars I'm considering are Mazda3, Ford Fusion, Honda Civic and (maybe) the Honda Accord VP.
- The Impala has a huge C pillar obstruction and high rear deck (poor vision out)
My Katrina-destroyed car was an '03 Impala with similar C-pillar issue and did not bother me. As to the high rear deck, I'm a high-sitter at 6'3" so it's a non-issue for me.
- The Impala has very small side mirrors. (poor vision out)
I agree with you on this one, but not a deal-killer for me.
- Impala's rear seat is very hard to get out of due to the minimal amount of room under the front seats for the rear passengers feet.
I most DEFINITELY agree with you on this one, and once again, I am fortunate that I seldom carry rear-seat passengers (we have my wife's SUV for that), or this one would have indeed been a deal-killer for me. In fact, thanks to the goofy fot-area bolsters under the front seats on my '06, rear-seat leg and foot room is now WORSE than on my '03 Impala. I also owned a '95 Avalon before my Impala - same story on the cavernous rear seat, and that was a decade ago. Why is it the Asians figured out the rear-seat conundrum years ago and the Americans STILL can't seem to get this one right??
- Impala is not available with Auto A/C
True, but again, not a deal-killer for me.
- Impala has shorter warranty.
Once again, absolutely agree with you on this one. I paid the dealer an extra $1400 to extend the inadequate default 3/36 to 6/75, and I'm not a bit happy about it.
I'll reiterate the point I made on my earlier post: The '06 Sonata was definitely my first choice, for all the reasons you stated. If I were not in a "have to buy now" mode due to my Katrina-totaled cars, I surely would have waited until next year for Hyundai's XM-standard sound system, and gained all the other Hyundai benefits at the same time (and I might have even considered an Azera). This was all about the timing, and at this time, the none of the Impala's shortcomings were deal-killers for me, while Sonata's sound system was. In all other respects, the Impala LTZ is fabulous ride, and a worthy competitor to the Sonata and others in class. I do suspect, though, that despite the improvements Chevy made on the '06 Impala, its shortcomings may be a result of sacrificing some features (the auto A/C immediately comes to mind) to keep the price competitive.
FWIW...
-Dave R. in Biloxi, MS
Is this what others are seeing or could I do better?
Great minds....
Remember, Hyundai Holdback is 2% of TOTAL invoice (including option package price), so don't forget to figure that into true dealer cost. It is easy to tell a person who is not very informed as he/she will always refer to how much he/she saved off sticker price...which does not really matter. What really matters is how much one pays above true dealer cost. I also took advantage of several incentives/rebates including the Hyundai Motor Finance Company $1,000 rebate for financing with them. Paid the car off as soon as I got the first statement...all I wanted is the rebate!
After 1,000 miles (knock on wood) I really like this car. The only complaint I have is the ugly airbag warning stickers on the visors and the weird noise coming from the rear end. After reading many reviews I know both of these are "normal" for this car.
I enjoy every time I get behind the wheel because of its comfort, torque and ride quality.
ON THE ROAD
The Sonata has more than adequate acceleration off the mark before powering into mid-range revs and beyond. The cruise control is a necessity, as it feels like you are traveling at a much lower speed because of the engines torque and low interior NVH levels.
It is interesting to compare the steering to my previous sportier 2002 Honda RSX and 98 Porsche Boxster. The RSX had very good directional feel, and the Boxster was of course exceptional. The Sonata has less feel of course, but its steering is comparable to current larger luxury sedans. A comparison mentioned previously on this forum. It certainly handles twisty and narrow mountain roads with confidence, where other family sedans cars are vague, and may leave the driver a little stressed and fatigued.
The brakes certainly pull up the nearly 1600Kgs with precision and gusto, without the whiplash effect of some makes. The accelerator responds with precision and gear changes are facile.
The suspension is smooth. I have only detected the rear vibration reported on this forum on one occasion. It was on my test drive - and it was on a poorly constructed concrete road that suffered a grooved surface. Any vehicle would have felt its shudder.
INTERIOR
The car has class leading interior and legroom space, and I need it, with a baby due next week. There's even room with the baby capsule in lay-down rearward position. Most mid sized car occupants are forced to forward their front seats to accommodate the capsule in this position. Not so with the Sonata. I just wish they could make the interior vomit proof! Maybe that's a big ask?...There's also heaps of places for storage. The glove box is HUGE! The boot is also cavernous and low enough to not make putting the pram in a arduous exercise.
The seating position is nicely varied, enabling the driver to sit in a myriad of positions, both high or low. The seats are comfortable and have adequate lumbar support. The electric drivers seat is particularly helpful.
The interior layout is well considered, with controls and switches in logical positions. But I believe that Hyundai should look at different textures and finishes around the CD/radio to improve its aesthetic. A DVD/navigation system would also be a handy option. The Korean Premier model has had one since June 04.
EXTERIOR
The hindquarter view of the vehicle has most people saying Lexus, Audi or of course '05 Honda Accord. I think it looks less frumpy and better proportioned than the Accord. There is even a hint of current E-class curve in the upper boot lip. The designers have done an exemplary job with the Sonata's curvaceous and well proportioned behind. There is no doubt a Audi A6 silhouette when viewing the LX from the side. The nose is a bit heavy. I'd like to see a raked front, more in line with the Mazda 6, but fitting that big Lamda block in may prove to be a tight squeeze.
Panels are well put together and gaps are comparable to the more revered car makers. I have to say that the 2006 Acura TSX I test drove had a more polished and luxurious feel to the interior. Front panel plastics, textures and finishes are one area that the current Sonata needs improving. Brushed metal window controls would have been a better choice than the cheap black plastic switches.
IMPERFECTIONS
My car had two minor faults. A very slight rattle in the overhead sunglass holder and a small acidic paint glitch on the hood of my black vehicle. Hyundai will send a company quality control person to investigate the cause of the later. I compared the Sonata Silver color to my 2002 Acura RSX and feel that the Acura has a more lustrous paint finish. This is one area that Hyundai should address.
MAYBE?
On a personal level, in addition to a DVD/Navigation option, I'd like to see chrome trim around the doors and front grill. It would certainly give the Sonata a touch more panache. A six speed auto shift and memory seats would also be a bonus, but this would add cost, and the Sonata's price is its primary attraction.
CONCLUSION
Korean engineers benchmarked the Audi A6 for quality and the Lexus 300 for interior NVH levels. They certainly aimed high and produced a vehicle that is accomplished and well appointed for the dollars.
One Australian car web site, Autoweb described it as "The best value car we've ever driven". That's a big call. But you can rest assured that you are getting extremely good value for money. In fact, even if the NASDAQ soared to its 90's heyday points record and I was cashed up again, I would keep the Sonata as my family car of choice.
Anybody post that yet? The new interior looks a lot better IMO. That was the one thing about the Sonata I didn't like too much and now they've fixed it.
Make sure to copy and paste to see it.
The car is new. I doubt there will be any change for a few years. That's probably a Korean version of the interior.
Funny how gas has gone to $3.00 a gallon for 87 octane but they are still charging only $3.10 and $3.20 for 89 & 92 Octane.
johnap2 will find out for certain soon enough if he gets a dunning letter for unpaid minimum interest... (He didin't refinance - he paid off the note.)
I have not experienced any other unexpected nosies and the squeeking in the centre consol was all but elliminated with a spray of WD 40.
The car sounds good, feels good and continues to thrill.
There should not be any problems because there are no penalties for paying this loan off early. I am surprised more people have not thought of this to save some serious $$$
Although I like the small cars I would be real interested in a new Sonata if I wanted a larger car. One thing I didn't realize the Sonata had (or didn't remember from research starting several months ago) was dual exhaust. Very cool by Hyundai.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
The only way you will finds out what the "catch" is...Go into the dealership and find out.
-Dave R. (age 41)