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Comments
At least they are giving you a brand-new transmission--sometimes dealers try to make do with a rebuilt one (but wouldn't be many of those around, would there?). I'm not quite sure why you would expect an entirely brand-new car if only the transmission is defective.
I just thought that I would be entitled to a new one because of this defect. I'm not a car mechanic expert....but I just don't like the idea that you replace a part and other parts might get affected by this replacement. It's liked you moved something and something else is out of place. Plus wouldn't it be more cost effective than order the part...ship the part...all these labors go into it...satisfy an frustrated 1st time Hyundai owner who wants to believe they are on par with Honda or Toyota. If it's a broken radio and they replace it with a new one, OK fine I don't see why they would have to give me a new car. But this is a transmission you are talking about. I would think that's like the heart of the car. Not to mention I only had this car for 2 months.
I guess I consider the engine to be the heart of the car, and if the engine failed I'd be demanding a new car myself. But transmission failures are, unfortunately, pretty common. You might ask (demand) that they reset the bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties on the car, though.
Just be glad the dealer monkeys aren't being turned loose to fix the original tranny. Typical exhange cost, if it was on your nickel, would be around $2,500.00. Since this is warranty, Hyundai ships a new tranny to the dealer and covers the labor charges for the install. Obviously, it does not cost Hyundai any more than the manufacturing cost of the raw tranny as far as the exchange unit is concerned. I have no information what that might be, but even with labor added in, it won't be anywhere near what the cost to a car onwer would bear if he/she were paying. Considering the day you drove your new car off the lot, and you dropped $4,000.00 or more on its market value, it's a no-brainer for Hyundai to limit itself to a transmission exchange. "Reset" the warranties? Don't hold your breath. More than most*, Hyundai's had automatic tranny troubles for as many years as Hyundais have been sold in North America. Looks like some things just don't change even when starting with a clean sheet of paper and years of development work for two all-new automatic transmission designs.
*Honda's had some, too, but they seem to have the latest probs under control now. Honda extended the transmission warranty to 100,000 miles, sent advisory letters to that effect to affected owners, and outright recalled 2003-2004 model year transmissions for partial tear-down and repair, or outright exchange if second gears showed signs of overheating. (backy, you were right on the last point.)
Any car company can sell a lemon, but as long as they are quick to say they messed up and replace it without any headaches it is about as much as one could hope for. I wish you good luck with your new tranny and hope the Sonata turns out to be one of your better cars.
The noises from the rear are inexcusable, though. Supposedly Hyundai did a BUNCH of testing on the Sonata before releasing it, and you think something like this that's showing up in some of our vehicles during everyday driving would have shown up in their more thorough tests. Maybe one of their suppliers messed up a batch of parts. I think we'll see a TSB on it in the upcoming months. (BTW, I've noticed these rear noise issues in both of the Sonatas that I've had.)
This lack of satellite radio capability, as well as lack of an AUX input, is the reason I just purchased an '06 Chevy Impala instead of the Sonata. The Sonata was definitely my first choice in all other respects (although I am happy with my Impala so far - 3 weeks).
-Dave R.
btw, first scratch on the deepwaterblue - what a drag; but mpg is improving, and I'm getting used to the front seat
The best thing I liked over my 02 Accord was the handling - much more neutral! Where as the Accord would just plow through a turn when pushed, the Sonata would hold its line much better and provide better feedback when starting to understeer. If the mileage of the 4cyl 5sp is as good as they say (I am using EPA estimates as relative numbers), this car really has me interested.
Regarding an earlier post, I wouldn't make my car decision based on a (blanK) radio.
2. The other half of the posts are about minor wants/wishes not found on the car; things which aren't likely to cause life-threatening accidents or major vehicular malfunctions (yeah, it doesn't have GPS, satellite radio, or a robotic arm to brush your teeth while you have your hands on 3- and 9-o'clock of the wheel, etc.)
We'd all love to have gotten our LXs (mine's a V6 GLS with premium package, but who's keeping track anyway) for X dollars with automatic nose-wipers and passenger mute buttons (oh wait, it doesn't have those!), but really if that's all we have to say on this forum...
I think the greater indication of the car is in what remains unsaid. It gets you from Point A to Point B, reliably, in style, and for a bargain too.
I love my Sonata (but not in the kind of way where I put my chair back in "sleep mode" and leave questionable stains).
That's all for now. Happy 2006 everybody, and enjoy your Sonatas.
Believe it or not, yes, the radio was the deal breaker for me on the Sonata, and the deal-maker on the Impala.
On my personal scorecard, the Sonata out-pointed the Impala on safety, warranty, interior space, and overall "value proposition". The Impala is equal (in my opinion) on handling and accel/performance. And, the Sonata is CLEARLY superior on rear seat legroom...WHY is it that the Asian manufacturers have figured this one out for years, and the American mfrs still can't seem to get this one right??
However, the sound system is an integral part of my driving experience, and I'm not a big fan of customizing the factory radio if I can help it. The Impala radio has a fabulous feature where you can mix-n-match radio presets - it's not "a set for FM, a set for AM, etc." This is a feature you truly don't appreciate until you have it (I believe Acura and a couple of other higher-end mfrs have been offering this for a while). And, most importantly for me, it has XM and it has a front AUX input (for an iPod etc - which I use) - no need for convoluted solutions to either of those, or having to (would be) tear open the Sonata's very integrated dash for a wired solution.
I've had my Impala for 3 weeks and about 1K miles now, and I'm very pleased with it. Fortunately, I seldom carry rear-seat paseengers - if I did, then the Impala's rear seat would have been the deal-breaker and I would have had to explore 2 other alternatives: (1) What would would it take to customize the Sonata radio to my needs, or (2) Dip into my pockets for a few thousand more dollars...for a Toyota Avalon (although I hadn't yet researched the radio on that one, either).
-Dave R.
The fact of the matter is that the saleperson found the only thing that he had an advantage on, and attacked it. You will find out truely what the best deal was when you look at the resale value of the 3yr old vehicle with XM radio is, with no warranty.
The price and the looks of the '06 Hyundai Sonata and the Long-Haul Warranty are all I would need to make the decision between a '06 Chevy Impala and a '06 Sonata.
Did I mention looks yet? Hyundai has sculpted the best looking mid-size car available on the market and priced it affordably. The goods just keep coming from the boys of South Korea.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
First of all, I previously owned an '03 Impala which I did customize (after-market) to include XM, and I also added the iPod capability via a cassette adapter (FM transceiver does not provide good enough sound; I also attempted a wired AUX input solution but was unable to successsfulyl get it to work correctly). I am quite familiar with places called Best Buy and Circuit City, thankyouverymuch. (And: do YOU want one of those kids who works there to mess with the dash and radio of a brand-newly-designed vehicle? At least my '03 Impala had been around a few years already with established procedures for the radio and dash.)
I lost my '03 Impala to Hurricane Katrina, requiring a new vehicle purchase now. I would have preferred to wait until Hyundai had the XM ready, but that's not until next year (and at that point I would have also found an alternative solution to the iPod issue).
So, buying a new vehicle now, I decided I wanted a vehicle with the features I wanted now.
As to your comment re salesperson seizing an advantage, once again you presume incorrectly. As a long-time Edmunds reader/user, as well as many, many other research sources, once I had test-driven and researched the Sonata and researched other vehicles, I didn't need a salesperson to help me differentiate among features and content. I was able to make the determination on my own, thankyouverymuch.
Finally, debunking yet another presumption you made, I'm a keep-my-cars-8-to-10-years kind of person. If not for Katrina, I'd still be happily driving my '03 Impala and we wouldn't even be having this discussion. I don't sweat resale value...I sweat my own personal driving enjoyment, and feature and function that is important to me.
I agree, Hyundai's "value proposition" is superior (overall package, including what you get for the money, feature, function, and warranty). However, I found the Impala's shortcomings (rear seat room, bagel spare, and shorter warranty) to be areas I could compromise on, while the Hyundai's shortcoming (inferior radio system) not compromisable. This is what is important TO ME - your mileage may vary. On all other fronts I consider the 2 cars to be comparable. So, I bought an Impala.
I'm not denigrating the Sonata, nor anyone on this forum who purchases(ed) one. Quite to the contrary, I posted quite clearly that the Sonata was my first choice. I just believe that since I did make an alternative decision, it was worth posting to readers here the whys and wherefores...isn't that part of the purpose of these forums?
-Dave R. in Biloxi
Thanks.
May none of us have to go through hurricane's like those two again!
Enjoy your '06 Chevy Impala and please add your input in here as often as you like in the future. Yours is an example of a "real-life" need overtaking a "want", in this case the "want" being a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. Enjoy!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I have found two ... one is Blue and one is Cinnamon. If you are having trouble finding a 5-Speed Manual, feel free to contact these dealerships:
Brad Benson Hyundai (South Brunswick, NJ) -- Blue 5-Speed Manual GL
Freehold Hyundai (Freehold, NJ) -- Cinnamon 5-Speed Manual GL
I most recently dealt with Brad Benson Hyundai ... they have a website from which you can search for the 5-speed model and get contact information. Feel free to mention my name if you like.
1> sluggish initial accelerator feel with the drive-by-wire system (look for this to be dealt with at the dealer level eventually with a software download - it's happened before with Hyundai and other makes)
2> unexpected vibration at the first start out (perhaps related to ABS self-test)
3> rattles in the sunroof when closed
4> rattles in the rear - some think it's suspension related, but no clear case for that
5> body weld depressions ("indentations") that haven't been properly dealt with at the dealer level
6> uncomfortable front seats and/or poor front seating position
How would you expect a dealer to fix or repair that? :confuse:
I consider indentations a normal part of the weld process and they are usually located in areas where most people won't notice them at all. These welds are usually done by robotic machines on the structural components of the body and chassis.
You will find these weld indentations on just about any make/model of car, so I don't understand why that would be an issue on the Sonata.
You might want to wait for the Hyundai Azera which is suppose to be release this fall. It's on Hyundai's web site and looks very interesting, except for the probable higher cost.
John
kwonc71, "Hyundai Sonata 2006+" #2490, 13 Oct 2005 12:01 am
After having my wife drive the vehicle while I stayed in the backseat and listened I believe the noise is from the fuel tank. I put my ear to the rear seat and could clearly hear the "suspension" sound amplified at exactly the times the car started and stopped. The fuel inside the tank is moving around with each start and stop, creating the sound. I have never experienced this in any other vehicle, but the really strange part is how the sound mimics a suspension squeak. Once I realized where the sound was coming from I drove the vehicle and reproduced it quite easily. It sounds different in the front seat than the rear which explains why it was so difficult to pinpoint.
Hopefully Hyundai will improve undercarriage sound dampening in the 2007 model year.
First, I'm hoping that the 2007 model will make improvements on the following shortcomings.
Back end noise (suggested as: cavernous trunk echo; fuel-in-tank echo [I doubt this...]; shipping blocks still on springs. Regardless, poor noise damping.)
Road noise/vibration noise. Similar to the 'clunking' sound. Drive the Sonata on a less than perfect road, and it's just not bearable (considering it's a new car).
Too short/sloping front seat. Volvo has anti-submarining front seats. Apart from the seats being too little and sloping for comfort, I wonder if this would lead to submarining in event of a crash (sliding under seatbelt).
Non-breakaway side mirrors. This is a safety issue as well as a potentially expensive fix that could be lessened with mirrors that bend backwards--rather than snap off--if they hit a bush, etc.
Poor stereo sound/lack of MP3 input/lack of satellite mapping/lack of satellite radio. While I don't care that much about the XM radio, I do care about the satellite mapping. And I REALLY care about the poor stereo (no excuse for that!). Audio jack input would be nice. [I understand Hyundai is working on the input, and that Hyundai is looking for an affordable satellite mapping solution.]
LACK OF TUNING CONTROLS ON STEERING WHEEL! Hyundai is well aware of this one, and I feel confident they will have fixed it by 2007. THIS FEATURE ALONE made me not buy the car this year, as I'd feel like a chump if I did. How they overlooked this feature is beyond comprehension...
Black leather interior (without the garrish red stitching). Backup assist (it's hard to see what's behind me in the Hyundai). Daylight running lights (at least as a option that one can turn on or off, much like ESC can be turned on or off.) Rear middle headrest (I understand the 2007 will definitely have this.) Turn signal indicators on the side mirrors.The Korean and Australian models all have these as options. Why not the U.S. version? I don't get it... If I'm going to plunk down $20,000 to $24,000, I want the option of putting down another $1,000 or $2,000 to have just the car I want. Plus, since Hyundai still represents a 'higher risk' than Honda and Toyota, they HAVE to woo me with more features for the money. Otherwise, I'll just buy a Honda or Toyota or even a used Mercedes.
Second, if I wait until next year, the competition may match many of the desireable Hyundai features (such as active front head restraints, ESC, good crash-test ratings). Again, Hyundai still represents a higher risk, especially in light of all the quality control issues that all of you have been reporting (gaps in seams; uphoelstery; paint; brakes; tranny; etc.)
Third, hopefully all the bugs of the 2006 will have been worked out by the 2007 model (both design and manufacturing).
The sounds I'm hearing from the back seem to almost go away when it's warm outside (around 75-80 and up). Did you notice the same thing in your car as well, or have you not had a chance to drive it around in warmer weather?
Of all the features you speak about here, the Australian version has only got the rear middle headrest and the backup assist, ..........the turn signals are on the side fender to the upper-rear of the front wheel arch (certainly not on the mirrors), daytime running lights are not available here either i dont believe, we certainly dont have the black leather interior as an option, (its grey or beige only).
Still it is curious how many options become available or not depending on the country of sale, why all options are not 'options' is most strange.
At this stage V6 Sonata Elite's (similar to US LX build) are still rare as hens teeth in Australia...they are simply not available in the country yet in any quantity and im still waiting for mine to arrive from Korea after what is now a four month wait!!!!!
Quote from the Hyundai Australia website:
"Helping to better restrain occupants during an impact are front seatbelt dual pre-tensioners (ie one on each side of the seat base) and load limiters as well as anti-submarining front seat steel pans and rear seat ramps."
I believe the Aust. model is made in Korea but would assume the US model would have the same seats etc.?
Thanks,
BSANCAT
How often do you need to fully roll down only one rear window while at highway speed? It's just as easy, for example, to press both rear window buttons at the same time and roll them down a few inches to improve fresh air flow when the A/C isn't on. I use that configuration a lot. Another configuration that works well for my cars, when I want a lot of airflow but without a lot of noise, is to fully lower the right front window and lower the left rear window a few inches. You could experiment with this on your Sonata.
It's not a design flaw - many cars exhibit this phenomenon to some degree. What you experienced was the result of an interior pressure node resonance which was relieved when you lowered another window. In effect, you were inside a very large bass-reflex enclosure activated by the rushing air past the open window (instead of an internally mounted speaker pumping air). Or think of it as bieng inside a wierdly shaped organ pipe. Same difference. backy and I rarely agree. Mark your calendar - this was one of those times.
This is a very accurate explanation of the dynamic at work caused by unequal air pressure in a confined space. It is not however exclusive to Hyundai Sonata. I have found this to be the case with Hondas, Toyotas and BMW just to name a few. By the way a visit on other auto forums within Edmunds and others at large have owners questioning this disquieting annoyance. You mentioned that Hyundai asked you to have the dealer examine your car it would be interesting to learn what their findings are. Please post back if you can.