Hyundai Santa Fe (2006 and earlier)

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Comments

  • pro212pro212 Member Posts: 44
    Calm down gtmustang, you're about to blow a gasket. Get a rowboat and binoculars and head out of the Port of New Jersey so you can spot the first one ever made in history comin'in.
  • mndugganmnduggan Member Posts: 4
    I had a parking lot bumper bump with an Accord about a month ago. My bumper didn't look bad, but took the brunt of the hit where the bumper cover bolts to the bumper, and a crack resulted.

    The bodyshop had a new bumper cover from Hyundai in 3 days. Problem was, Hyundai said there was only one color for the bumpers (there are actually two... warm grey and cool grey). My bumper color is, of course, not the color Hyundai gave the bodyshop, so my bumper ended up "cool grey" (more silver) instead of "warm grey" (more bronze/brown). Obviously, this didn't sit well with me...

    The Sante Fe is going back in tomorrow for a bumper repaint... the bodyshop had to do an electronic analysis of the paint on the damaged bumper cover to get the color right. Hyundai was no help at all... they swore up and down there was only one color for the bumpers. I found this amusing (OK, irritating) since their own brochure shows both bumper colors in it!

    Cost of the whole experience was $511.

    By the way... after 5,000 miles... I still love my sandstone LX. We're actually on a waiting list for a silver GLS to replace our other car.
  • georgefarmergeorgefarmer Member Posts: 98
    My buper is spile and abraded bad so it looks like the whole bumper will have to color. I will mention to then to get the color so thanks for the warning. I was thinking all the bumpers as the same except on the white which has a lighter color of cladding and bumper. My SF is the pewter color I would love to see the bumper in 3 days as all they may need to do is take the old off, bolt on the new on and away I go. I think she was going well in excess of 5mph, maybe 10 or so when she hit me and I got no body damage that I know of. That speaks well for the SF design and materials
  • rsharp83rsharp83 Member Posts: 82
    I have a white LX 4wd w/ TCS and ABS, all the options. Actually it was not really my first choice color but I took what I could get which was a white one because I WANTED A CAR. I find it amusing that people get so hung up on a specific color, especially when there is such a demand for the Sante Fe. If I had not purchased the white one in early January I would just now be getting one loaded as I wanted because the other dealership I was working with called and said they had a loaded LX coming in but I couldn't take delivery until after the Kansas City Auto Show this week. So I would have had to wait for over 2 months if I had been picky about colors. (Even then I would not have gotten to choose the color I would have had to have taken a black one).

    My advice to anyone looking for 4WD with ABS and TCS is to buy the first one you find (any color)! This set of options is a very small part of the allotment of Sante Fes being made. And if you want a GLS with those options (TCS ABS) forget it, there are even fewer of those and for less than $1,000 difference in price why would you get a GLS and not a loaded LX?

    Take any color you can or wait months to get a specific color. That is what I was told in early January and since then demand has only grown. My dealer had 10-12 Sante fes on the lot when I purchased mine. This week I notice they have one on the lot...ONE.
  • gtmustanggtmustang Member Posts: 41
    If a Nordic White loaded LX with 4WD, Traction Control, Anti-lock brakes and Leather is so rare and Impossible to get here from the Port in New Jersey for the New England area, then which colors are easier to get with these options? Why is the LX so rare to get with these fully loaded options? Do they not make many of them for the Northeastern part of the country? I would think that these cars would be easier to get in the New England area where we have brutal winters with snow and ice.
    Why would the 4WD,Traction Control and Anti-lock brakes with leather be so hard to get up here in New England in the LX version?
    I would hate to buy a color which I don't like, especially if I am going to keep the vehicle for at least 4 to 5 years and be paying the loan on it. Color and options are important things when choosing to buy a new $23,000 vehicle.
  • pro212pro212 Member Posts: 44
    I vote:
    For fully loaded LX: Black is classiest

    For 2wd or little optioned: White, Blue is nicest.

    What I didn't like: Sandstone is too brown/boring, I'd prefer more orange in it like the Honda CRV copper or Miata Evolution Orange. Green is too weak, should have made it brighter. Silver is also too weak, should have made it more like dark grey or Pewter to set it off. Red I didn't like. Should be bright red or candyapple red.

    Vote for your best color for fully loaded LX, unloaded 2wd, and what you didn't like.
  • tulpenhamtulpenham Member Posts: 32
    I agree with your explanation about what you don't like, pro212. But, tastes are very different, so what is the use of such a vote, just fun I think? Anyway, the more orange colored sandstone you would prefer is available here in Europe. It is called Copper Orange (colorcode OO) and I have ordered my SF in just that color. As a matter of fact, the bumpers will be in the same color too (and not in warm or cool grey, the two-tone version). So, my vote is clear: Copper Orange including the bumpers!
  • dtruong8dtruong8 Member Posts: 27
    I read earlier that someone got gold badging(which was really unwanted) on his Santa Fe. I'm not sure what is this. Could anyone tell me?
  • hyundaimahyundaima Member Posts: 197
    Hi, repair shops deal with local dealers, not the manufacturer. Also Hyundai does not own any of these dealerships. It's your body shop's responsibility to get the correct color or color code for the bumper. Your body shop seems to have made big deal out of color analysis; well, how do you think they get the correct colors when they mix paints? If you want to know the code itself for whatever reason, you get it from the paint supplier. You can get it from a Hyundai dealer too since there's a TSB on 2001 MY color code; I don't buy the shop's claim that Hyundai told them there's only one color for the body cladding.
  • sofsofsofsof Member Posts: 23
    Picked up my 2WD LX with ABS yesterday. I ended up getting the Green instead of Sandstone.

    Love the car. A few things I don't like on the first day:

    1. The middle console is too short. I would have much preferred if it doubled as an arm rest. The way it's positioned, you can't put your arm there at all.
    (Are there any aftermarket longer ones that would fit?)

    2. Find the clock position uncomfortable.

    3. You know the indentation in the inside door handle? Most cars, at least on their better models, cover the screws. Here, the screws are totally exposed. Looks very cheap...

    Other than that - so far so good.
  • scattershieldscattershield Member Posts: 11
    I'm just stropping the grounds here at Edmunds and look what I came across. A Santa Fe

    I'm in the market for a Solara or Crown Vic. Of course, both have the ability to move nothing but passengers. hmmm. A Santa Fe??...

    Ya know my favorite car WAS my wood panalled wangoneer by Jeep. 'course it needed repairs all the time but it was fun to drive.

    I'm looking for the masses of repair issues for these Santa Fe's but you owners don't seem to have any! At this moment I'm looking at Consumer Report April issue; "Fit and finish are good, and controls are logically placed. The ride is supple and quiet. Handling is sound and fairly carlike , though not as agile as, say, a Toyota Rav 4. The AWD system works seamlessly"....
    Interesting...a Santa Fe. hmmm. Consumer Report rates it fairly far above the Honda CRV, an EX model even. Smack dab between very good and excellent!!!

    National highway and safety hasn't done crash tests yet but this sonata?? has the best side impact ratings in the entire class next to the Lexus. They didn't do frontal but 4 and 5 stars for side impact, driver and passenger. That's damm good! And this Santa Fe is based on that car eh??

    I'm looking at it's picture in C.R. now. Ya know what? It isn't hard to look at. It's actually quite pleasing to the eye.

    Summary:
    Price: 10
    Versatility: 8
    Looks: 8
    Safety 8+??
    Drive Ratings based on consumer report and carpoint 8+

    Interesting. And this week i'll be driving by a dealer. It's worth stopping and taking a look at one.

    A Santa Fe...hmmm
  • parkchesterparkchester Member Posts: 13
    I wanted a silver tiburon a/t package 3. NONE are EVER imported according to Hyundai Corporate in So. Cal. So after switching my search to silver package 4 or 5, I gave up and settled for the more popular white, you know what, it's OK. The silver would have been nice but the white is ok. Yeah, I wanted to buy it right off the truck too, but you know what, a car with 11 miles on it felt new enough...

    I suggest you get on the phone/internet and locate your car somewhere in the US. Buy it over the phone, fly out there and drive it back!
  • explrsportexplrsport Member Posts: 34
    GTmustang - I live few miles from the New Jersey spot where Hyundai has big port terminal and I visited my cousin that works there last week I think it was Thursday.
    Anyway I'm selling my Explorer with 264000 miles and I'm buying a nordic whiTe 4WD 6-engine just like you! It best value today in suv.

    I've gotten the same runaround on no SFs like I want so I asked buddy to do computer search where he puts all the thing I want into computer and it says if any such SF has just come from Korean boat - guess what!!! We're in luck now becose 10 loaded LX like we want 6, 4wd, lether, trakton control, are going to dealers tomorrow monday from port. I asked him where and got dealer names too. So now we can buy them! Glad to help.
  • billtungbilltung Member Posts: 255
    2 days ago when I back up in a narrow parking lot, my rear bumper corner hit the ticketing machine. Resulted some scratches on it.
    I'm afraid my wife will find out, she loves the SF so much, if she find out I scratch her SF she might kill me. I'm going to lie to her when her find out. I'm preparing to say it might be hit-and-run.
    Any good excuse better than this? Pls let me know!
    Thks.

    Recently when I visit the Forum "Hyundai Sante Fe vs Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute". I find some guys really try to scare away SF's buyers. For those whose love their SF please put some positive messages about your SF in that forum to neutralize those almost all negative messages about the SF.

    The one in "Will Hyundai Santa Fe success make SUV price go down?" forum message #17 mention a very scary SF's story. I do not believe it , how about you?

    -Bill

    PS: My SF reach 9000Km today, still running excellent w/o any problem!
  • thor9thor9 Member Posts: 26
    Hyundai of Glendale (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) will automatically remove all the chrome-colored badging (HYUNDAI, SANTA FE, V6, 4WD, and the front grille 'H') and replace them with identical items with a gold-tinted plating.

    All for the low, low price of just $580 !!!!!!!

    This upcharge is automatically added, whether you request it or not, though you can argue to have the badging replaced with the stock items.

    I do not know if the gold-tone badging is created locally by spraying a gold lacquer over the chrome plating, or if these are items they can order from Hyundai.
  • tpa1tpa1 Member Posts: 4
    Well, I was away for the weekend, came back to check the board and found a lot going on!

    As far as post 1388 from Keith: My Santa Fe did the same thing after only 2 days. It was a problem when the dealer filled the tank upon delivery of our vehicle, the cap was not tight enough. The switch had to be reset at the dealership - my removing the gas cap and retightening it did not solve the problem no even if I added more gas. It was a simple fix and has not been a problem since then . . . I do make sure I hear the clicking every time I fill up.

    As far as accidents go: Glad to hear that no one has been injured too badly in these mishaps! I just hope the syndrome is not contagious!

    Finally, about a Nordic White Santa Fe: I, too, agree that this is the nicest color, but it is only my opinion and understand that everyone loves the colors they have purchased and that is what makes us all happy owners. My experience in finding a loaded white LX was similar to gtmustang's. I ended up settling for the GLS with 4WD with Traction Control and gave up the leather seats and silver trimmed door handles as I had was unable to locate the exact vehicle I wanted and was getting nervous that I would lose the White GLS that was available. After about two months of ownership, I did see a White LX available at another dealer that had just arrived - it did not last long. I was a bit disappointed at first as I had searched at this dealership originally and they said that they did not know what they would be getting in or when. I do believe that they didn't know. Overall, my impatience cost me heated leather, but I got an additional 2 months of happy driving. Good luck in your search!

    Happy Driving!
  • roadkill55roadkill55 Member Posts: 25
    I also had a minor accident with my SF. But it was the front bumper that had to be replaced. I encountered no problems. I called on Friday and got a Monday appt and had my 'baby' back Tuesday evening. It looks great! Yes, they had to paint the bumper. The body shop told me that they do not paint the replacement bumpers ahead of time. I am guessing that this is because the colors may not match due to different paint lots or dicoloration from the sun (after the vehicle is a year or two old). The total cost was under $500.00 USD.
  • alan2001alan2001 Member Posts: 4
    Sophia,

    Congrats on your new Santa Fe! I am just about ready to take the plunge myself and to start looking for a Pewter or Black LX loaded 2WD here in Southern NJ- hope I don't have as much trouble as some have had on this board in locating one, and at a decent price at this date.

    Interestingly enough, I had also noticed the same small detail (exposed screws in the indentation in the inside door handle) when I test drove the Santa Fe, but noticed also when looking at the Escape/Trib that Ford/Mazda only inserts a little piece of thin foam/plastic into the same door handle well to cover the same screw (not even glued down that I could see)! Oh well, I hope this is the "worst" of the "imperfections" that perfectionists such as us discover!

    Have fun with your new Santa Fe.

    Al
  • f16crewchieff16crewchief Member Posts: 17
    For all of those out there who are being charged for the Gold Badging, I have some info. I owned a Gold Plating business (actually still do just can't do it in Italy) and did jobs for dealers ranging from Ford to Lexus. Here's the scoop.
    1. Santa Fe's do not come from the factory with gold emblems. The emblems are being Gold Plated. The emblems are being plated after market, while ON the car. 95% of them do not need to be removed! Don't let them tell you they do(they try to raise the price for this.)
    2. I would personally charge a dealer about $25-35 per emblem. They then mark up to whatever they feel is fair?????? $500 is WAYYYY to much. Negotiate this price. I would think more towards $300 would be fair for a S.F.
    3. To those of you who do have the plated emblems. Enjoy. But use caution. The gold is ONLY a plating and can rub off. So only polish them with a clean rag and don't rub to much or they WILL fade and go back to a chrome look.
    (the chrome is removed and the gold adheres to a nickel plating under the chrome)
    I am sure by writing this I am going to make most of the gold platers and the dealers upset. Oh well! This is a service and the consumers have a right to be informed. Hope this helps. CIAO
  • big_guybig_guy Member Posts: 372
    Re-closing the gas cap will not turn off the check engine light. Those things need to be reset and the dealership is the best place to do that. It is just like having the service light come on for the 30k mile check up. It won't turn off until the light is reset and that is done when the 30k service is performed.
  • tonyg6tonyg6 Member Posts: 48
    Thanks for the info. I did see gold plating on the SF Hyundai emblems at one dealer. The "H" on the front hood looked good although all the gold plated emblems on the rear hatched looked a bit too much IMHO.

    Your description of how the gold is applied fits in line with what I've been told and I've even seen some of the equipment. I do have one question for you [actaully two].

    You mentioned the chrome is removed before applying the gold. Is the entire process performed with the emblem completely attached or do you loosen the emblem to prevent any damage to the paint surface? If the emblem is not loosened do they insert some sort of film/material between the emblem and paint for protection during the application process?

    Thanks
  • hyundaimahyundaima Member Posts: 197
    Hi, the ECU has the ability to turn the light off if it determines that the fault condition is no longer present. It even can remove the fault code from the memory.
  • bobinuk1bobinuk1 Member Posts: 3
    Hi to all in US, just orderd SF V6 after test drive and on the reports on this board over last few weeks.We only have choice of one model v6 and 4 colors (not BLACK OR WHITE) it comes with leather, no heated seats though,air,sun roof,and a steering wheel on the other side.
    We also get the chance to pay £18,000 for it
    68p=$1=$26470.58.How dose this compare with your price.No discount given off as its only just released on this market 1st march.
    Going to florida first 2 weeks in may, would like to see US model where would be closest dealer to
    KISSIMMEE.Will be interested to find out if
    same problem with petrol cap over here as you have. Let you know in 2 weeks when I pick it up.
    BOB
  • wbdavewbdave Member Posts: 11
    Ask your cousin to check if he see's any black GLS w/ ABS's coming in!!!!!! Thanks.
  • kbeckerkbecker Member Posts: 17
    Bill, you should tell your wife the truth. Sure, she'd get really, really mad. But she'd also come to realize that it's just a car. My husband drove my two-month-old SF LX into the side of the garage in December, with me in it! I blew my top, and I didn't speak to him for days. But now I just shrug it off. He's my greater love than the car. In short, tell your wife and get it over with.
    -Kathy
  • whitesantafewhitesantafe Member Posts: 3
    If your engine light is coming on take it to your dealer. You may be having problems with your spark plugs. I have had this experience. If it comes on in the morning and then goes off later, more than likely, this is your problem. This has been my only problem and I have 8000 miles on mine. I own a ax Nordic White 2wd Santa Fe. Has anyone towed anything yet. I have a five hundred pound jet-ski that I want to tow.
  • gtmustanggtmustang Member Posts: 41
    I saw the post that "Explrsport" wrote about there being 10 fully loaded Santa Fe LX's at the port in New Jersey ready for shipment to the dealers. I am wondering if these 10 LX's are all one color or if they are various colors. I just spoke to a Hyundai dealer this evening and he told me that he just did a search and that there were NONE of the loaded Santa Fe LX models at the New Jersey Port. He currently doesn't have any LX's in stock, even fully loaded ones.
    I think that these Hyundai dealers are not telling us everything that they know about what's available at the port in New Jersey in the fully loaded LX model.
    Does anybody here have any information or input on this? I would like to find out more about this problem. There's got to be some "inside information" about the secrets of the stock that is available at the New Jersey Port on the fully loaded Santa Fe LX model. There should also be information on how many of these LX vehicles are currently at the New Jersey Port and what colors they each are, as well as when the next shipments of these vehicles are due in the New Jersey Port. If we knew all this information, then the dealers would not be jerking us around like they do saying that there aren't any of these vehicles around. I would like to know if anybody here knows the answers to all these questions in "detail".
  • billtungbilltung Member Posts: 255
    Thanks Kathy for your advice! Actually I was doing exactly what u are saying (honestly told her the truths) before, but it always make her angry, because I love her, that why I don't want to tell her before she find out, Thank god it is just a little bit scratches no one will notice if look from 10 feet away.

    BTW, my lovely wife's name is Kathy too!

    - Bill :)
  • pvalerypvalery Member Posts: 19
    I picked up my SF Lx 4wd w/ ABS & TC in pewter yesterday evening. I waited 3 moths for it and it was completely worth it.
    I wouldn't have done it without the help of Hugh the regional manager here in the mid west.
    I'm in chicago and I'm very excited.
    But I just realized once I saw how good the car looks that not having a garage is going to be a problem. I would hate to see that beautifull shine fade away
  • pvalerypvalery Member Posts: 19
    I would like to remove the name Hyundai and 4wd on the back on my sf and only leave "santa fe"
    Has anyone here done that and would this leave a hole?
  • sofsofsofsof Member Posts: 23
    Got my new car on Saturday. I had the paperwork mostly signed ahead of time on a Sandstone that I wanted, LX with ABS. The Internet salesman I made the deal with wasn't there, which I thought wasn't really cool at all, but left all the paperwork with someone else. When I was taking possession, I noticed that the Santa Fe had 40 miles on it. From everything I read and from what my mechanic told me - it shouldn't have had more than 10-20.
    Silly as it may be I didn't like the fact it had 40 m on it AND didn't like that I wasn't disclosed. They said "all our other cars have the same mileage." I asked the guy to show me some "other cars," and every car we looked at had only 8 or 6 or 10 miles on it. So I decided to switch.
    The funny part is this - when I was originally looking for a Santa Fe - I would tell every dealership I called, that I'd consider any color except for Green. When I was picking a substitute for the Sandstone with 40 m. on it Saturday - it was raining and very overcast. The salesman had only two ABSs. He showed me another sandstone and then this very nice color car. Again, it was overcast. I asked, "Is it blue?" The guy said it was blue. I said I'd take it. They had to redo all the paperwork and install the cross rails, which took a couple of hours. The weather cleared up by then and suddenly I saw that my new New blue car was GREEN! LOL.

    It actually grew on me very quickly, it seems to change color depending on the light, so I'm happy.

    Now, driving back from San Diego to LA, I did, as pro212 suggested: 55-65mph for 20 minutes, and then about 40mph for a while. There were no side roads, so I had to stay on the freeway.
    I can tell you that pulling hair and extracting your own teeth must be easier. It was soooo tedious, not to mention - a little scary. But I would put my emergency lights on and slow down in the slow lane. The cars were honking, giving me a finger, but like a good Santa Fe soldier, I persevered.

    After a couple of hours of this slow torture I see red lights flashing behind me. It's nighttime by now, so all I can see is the flashing red lights. I figured: it must be an ambulance, I am already in the slow lane with my emergency lights on - he will pass me. But the lazy ambulance driver kept behind me, and then even stupidly turned on his sirens. Well, the stupid ambulance driver turned out to be a cop....

    He cited me for driving too slow and said that in the old times engines were indeed made like that, but since a lot of people were getting rear-ended, the manufacturers make them now, so you CAN drive at normal freeway speeds, as long as you alternate slightly.
    So now I am ticketed and confused in my new blue, oops, green Santa Fe.
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    To: Tsemo (Pvalery)

    Removing the Emblem is very easy. Just use the hair dryer and heated and peel it out slowly. How simple is that.

    However! You should not remove the word 4WD instead of removing the number "4" and take the "A" from the HYUNDAI and replace is with the "4". The car is really Full-Time AWD (not 4wd).

    This is what I have on my car (Santa Fe AWD-V6). I am going to a Car Wreck Place sometime soon to find the emblem with the word "LX-special ABS+TC". The word LX-special usually made by Honda & Acura and the letter T from GT and C from CE, A from AWD, S from LS or SE, and B from BMW or BTi. Hopefully I will find these emblem in Chrome Plated.

    Does Anyone know where we can buy the Emblem Letter?
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    Today's modern engine's are not dependent on vehicle speed for break-in, but more so on engine speed. By this I mean that you only needed to vary your engine speed (revs) and not the actual vehicle speed. What you could've done is simply drive like normal around town and on the highway, but not use the cruise control, so that the revs are not fixed around one spot. You should also take it easy on the brakes during the break-in period.

    Please refer to your owner's manual for the proper break-in procedure for your vehicle.

    Good luck!

    Drew
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
  • debwdebw Member Posts: 1
    my clock in my santa fe flickers sometimes, and at highway speeds with head lights on when I used my blinkers it flashes with the blinkers. I have appointment in two weeks, anyone else having trouble with clock? otherwise love my santa fe traded in 98 V-8 explorer that had been in shop 13 different times a total of 25 days with less than 40,000 miles on it. all ford want to do for me is give me a $1000 customer appreciation certificate towards new vehicle and charge sticker for the new vehicle! big deal, especially after we had purchased four ford vehicles since 1991. but they did me a favor santa fe rides better and gets better gas milage. let me know about any clock troubles or fix please.
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    There is nothing to worry about Break-In period. The Santa Fe manually said you don't have to do a Break-in period but if you like you can. Have any dealer's salesman told any SF owner to drive like a break-in, please post.

    The place where I bought the SF was 35 miles away from my home. When I got the SF, there was 43 miles on it. I don't mind even if the car have 500 miles on it. I drove the car home on freeway without traffic and hitting 70 plus. Hell care! Actually the higher the mile you drive the break-in period go faster. However, don't (rev) rpm to high. Start acceleration and brake slowly each time and that should be good.

    Break-in period depend on the RPM not the actual mile.
  • fordjffordjf Member Posts: 4
    Is there any way to search messages in one specific group? When I do a "Board Search" it returns all the messages in the groups that match not individual messages.

    Thanks
  • losthat1losthat1 Member Posts: 93
    While visiting over at Epinions (looking for a mattress) I checked the Santa Fe epinions site and found an interesting story "It's gone now" about someone who totaled out their SF on the highway. This happened in Canada and he writes about how the side air bags probably saved his life. SF was rolled and totaled, but could still be driven. Do all Canadian SFs have side air bags?
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    Some dealers have side airbag installation for the Santa Fe. However, it is very rare to find one. Because they only installed it when you bought the car from that dealer only.

    Personally I think the side airbag is a good feature but it does loose lot of space in the car. I prefer NOT to install this option my Santa Fe.
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    The side airbags go directly into the front seats themselves, so there is no lost of space whatsoever. The side airbags should be factory installed and not aftermarket (since those would be dangerous; not even sure if aftermarket ones are possible).
  • tonyg6tonyg6 Member Posts: 48
    I also read that story and questioned the side airbags. Someone else in Canada responded and said there are no side-airbags in the SF's in Canada [either standard or as an option].

    I called my dealer here in the US [NJ] and asked him about side-airbags as an option he told me unless they come from the manufacturer installed they DO NOT touch them nor can they ADD them.

    In Europe , however [and I believe parts of South America], side-airbags are factory installed on some trim levels.
  • guyfguyf Member Posts: 456
    I don't know why this guy would make up this story but there are no side bags or side bags options available in Canada. Airbags must be factory installed; it is not something a shade tree mechanic or even a dealer can install afterward.

    Visit www.hyundaicanada.com and you will see that no side airbags are offered.

    Buy the way my Silver Santa Fe is going great with 5,000 km on it. I smile everytime I see a RX-300 or an Infiniti QX4 and think of how much money I saved.
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    When I look at the website: The side airbags was popping out from the side of the door. I am not sure what type of airbags are we talking about here. I have send you a picture of the Santa Fe airbags and please confirm on your email.
  • georgefarmergeorgefarmer Member Posts: 98
    Side air bags may well save you life. However, there are some reports of permanent hearing loss from the noise, not good in a more minor accident.
    ABS can help if you understand how to use it. Most do not and therefoe accidents rates are the sme with or without. Deaths are actually higher with ABS as many people are steering themselves into head on traffic instead of the more normal uncontrolled brakes locked slide into whatever pulled out in front of them. Bottom line, technology cannot always save you. Dive safe & be prepared for the avoidable To load up with these safety options and then drive like a bat out of hell is a big mistake.
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    Found out some of the sites talk about the side airbags problem as well. The sensor may not work properly and not perfectly approved yet. Yes! Government law does not required the side airbags. However, most of the Luxury car in the future will be available Standard as well as available in the Santa Fe, according to my prediction. Problem causes in a minor accident and sometime the sensor does not work and may pop out instant when driving. I hope everything will work well in the future.

    Do not worry or concern about the Side Airbags for now. Just simply drive carefully with good precaution and everything will be find. When I drive myself I don't pay attention 100% on the road but when there is someone in my car I do. You know what I mean.
  • billtungbilltung Member Posts: 255
    Most Tribute & Escape owners criticize SF slow acceleration in those magazines SUV reports.
    They probably don't know SF come with Shriftronic gear shift, it is true when using automatic D shift, SF is accelerated slower than Tribute & Escape, but if you start accelerate manually using shritronic, I find it accelerate much much faster..... That is the way why I win over so many Tributes & Escape & V8 on road(How many seconds from 0-100km is greatly depend on the driver experience & response.

    Anyone have time how many seconds from 0-100km using manual shifts(shiftronic)? please post.

    -Bill :)
  • big_guybig_guy Member Posts: 372
    Where did you find the numbers for a 5 speed manual Tribute? I am assuming that this is for the 4 cylinder engine since the V6 is only offered with an automatic tranny.
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    I was accidently copy each line by line but forgot to replace the word "manual" with the Modern such as XLT on Ford Escape-A/T, and ES on Tribute-A/T, and LX on Santa Fe-AM/T, and Limited-SE on Sequoia-A/T. Sorry for the confusion. Here is the correct information list below:

    Toyota Rav4-L Manual with I-4 engine
    0-60=10.4, 1/4-mile=18.0@77mph, Top Speed=107mph
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    Mazda Tribute-ES A/T with V6 engine
    0-60=9.1, 1/4-mile=17.1@77mph, Top Speed=107mph
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    Ford Escape-XLT A/T with V6 engine
    0-60=8.9, 1/4-mile=16.8@83mph, Top Speed=107mph
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    Hyundai Santa Fe-LX AM/T with V6 engine
    0-60=9.5, 1/4-mile=17.3@80mph, Top Speed=110mph
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    Example of V8 - Toyota Sequoia Limited-SE V8 Engine
    0-60=9.4, 1/4-mile=16.8@75mph, Top Speed=105mph
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    Car & Driver Reports:

    As you see there isn't any much different of speed according to these cars. As normal ride they all perform the same in speed. "Santa Fe" is not a weak car.

    However, there is plenty of sport upgrade pieces available for the Santa Fe at www.hdkautosport.com.
    1. Turbo Charge
    2. Muffler Flow Upgrade
    3. ECU
    4. Suspension
    5. Air Power Flow
    6. Ultra Spark Plug Wires
    7. Cyclone Power Charge
    8. NK Manifold
    9. DOHC Camshaft
    10. Strut & Sway Bars

    **If you install all of these products then the car become a real racing sport car** According to my estimate: 0-60=4.0 to 5.5 second. 1/4 miles can be around 9 to 12 second. So far I only add the Front Strut Bar and already made a different in "CORNERING". I can turn fast in relatively high speed. Can not imagine the Turbo Charge!!!!!

    However, the Santa Fe is fast enough for me right now, I MAY install the ECU, Flow Muffler, Air Flow in the future for higher RPM acceleration. *This will probably get me into a Celica GT speed*
  • pro212pro212 Member Posts: 44
    Sorry about your ticket. You got one thing wrong on my advice for break-in, you don't have to drive for 40mph on the highway! After 55-60mph for 20-25 minutes, just let up on the gas until the car reaches 38-40mph (only a minute or so), then accelerate again up to 55-60. You don't need to ride on the freeway with warning lights at 40mph. The cop was only half right. Most mfgs. say "no special break in is necessary" but recommend frequent speed variation (below 40 and above) during the first 2-3000 miles. (as noted by Drew-host) with limited steady speed driving (eg highway driving is fine as long as you vary speeds over and under 40 mph). Sorry about your ticket due to misunderstanding but sounds like you have a nice green SF. By the way, my new Black LX had 80 miles on it (it was the only SF on the lot for 2 days) and some customers took test drives. But I checked out the car, all was perfect, and so I bought it with a $500 discount off sticker.
  • hudson8hudson8 Member Posts: 1
    Hi, we have been reading these posts for several months now, and have narrowed our decision down to the sante fe. How ever, as many of you have mentioned, they are going to be hard to get in certain areas. I talked again to our salesman today, and he said these are alot worse to get than the p.t. cruiser. I am going to get a moon roof in mine, when they find one, he said they send them off, to have them installed, and you get a lifetime warranty on them. We test drove a jeep grand, a toyota highlander, we liked them both, but soooo expensive, you just can't beat sante fe's price and warranty. Lisa
  • pro212pro212 Member Posts: 44
    Who has one? Does it increase wind noise at speed? Do you have to drill into tailgate to install? Does it look good or dumb on the car? I need an answer today on an order, thanks!!
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