Midsize Sedans 2.0

thegraduate

Right; I'm after a leftover 2010 Sonata for a rock-bottom price.

shabadoo25

Your first post referenced a "brand new" Sonata. Many of us interpreted this to mean you meant the 2011.

thegraduate

I do mean brand-new, but I referenced 2010 in the subject line.

Either way, all responses are welcome and appreciated. I'm wondering because the pics aren't clear; do GLS models have audio controls on the wheel?

tenpin288

according to the info posted on Hyundai News, yes they do, at least on models with PEP. Can't say for sure on the very base GLS, though. Still looking.

http://hyundainews.com/Media_Kits/2010_Models/Sonata/Press_Release.asp



Just found for sure, optional on the GLS, standard on other versions.

http://hyundainews.com/Media_Kits/2010_Models/Sonata/Features.asp

thegraduate

That's very useful, thank you for digging that up.

I'm not sure I can give up my audio controls on the steering wheel. I'm already struggling with the thought of not having a moonroof. Might have to try and find a PEP model.

m6user

Why would you think he would want a SUV/CUV? Just curious.

tallman1

You'll have to share why you are getting rid of the 06 Accord at some point, grad.

thegraduate

Well, I like my '06 and don't really seek to unload it for any other reason than I can get a brand new car right now, including selling my '96, with little out-of-pocket cost. The '06 has maintained its value quite well. The warranty is up soon (powertrain, that is) and the b2b is long-gone. I can see the nickels and the dimes starting soon. In 58k miles I've had

CD Changer Replaced
Rear-View Mirror Replaced
Gas-Flap Broken
A rattling rear strut tower that is driving me nuts

Now, my horn is broken. I'm just not confident that this will be nearly as solid as my '96 has been, and feel like it might be a fairly prudent move to get a leftover 2010 Sonata, while they are bargain-basement.

A big part of me really craves a stick-shift.

backy

You will notice a distinct difference in ride. The '06 Accord has a much firmer ride than the 2010 Sonata GLS, with more precise handling. If you love how your Accord rides and handles, you may not like how the Sonata rides and handles. It is smoother and quieter, but doesn't have as precise handling.

Lots of good stuff on the Sonata though--the std ESC (which your Accord doesn't have unless it's a V6), very nice dash, more interior room, bigger trunk.

thegraduate

Things I forsee with the Sonata:

1.) No audio controls on steering wheel, maybe a deal-breaker. Part of my motivation for car shopping is to move to a stick-shift. Finding a Sonata with a stick seems impossible enough, but one with PEP and stick just isn't happening. Its sad, because if I'm shifting gears, it'd be nice to be able to have one hand on the wheel that could adjust audio functions as well.

2.) Front-seat room must be at least as good as my Accord. My girlfriend has the latest-gen Santa-Fe and I feel cramped in it from head-to-toe. My Accord is fine if not ideal. I'm 6'5".

3.) I know the Sonata rides better and handles softer, but in reality, all of these cars are within a narrow margin. I do forsee missing little details that my up-level Accord offers, and for that reason I may not even make a move. Can't hurt to look though.

Question: does anybody know what RPM the stick-shift turns on the interstate? I'm hoping nothing about 2,200 or so at 60 MPH. My 5-speed auto Accord turns 2,000 RPM at 60 MPH.

syitalian25

If you are looking for a 2010 for $16K, you don't want to just spring for the other $2000 or so and check out the 2011? More HP, better handling, steering wheel controls/XM/Ipod on all trims, and better fuel economy with the 6 speed manual instead of the 5 speed in the 2010. Plus the old generation of any car takes a pretty big depreciation hit (look at a 2006 Maxima compared to a 2007 - ouch!)

thegraduate

Here's the thing:

I'm willing to spend $1,500 out of pocket combined with the net from selling both Accords ('96 and '06). I don't want a car payment if I can help it. If I can't get what I want for that, I'm not buying. I think I can get $3k for my old one and I'm hoping for at least $11,000 for the new one.

I need OTD for $15,500, were this to be the case. That's going to be hard to do on a 2010, much less a 2011. I'd like to test drive a 2011 to at least see what I'm missing, and whether or not I should put $ away for that instead of buying the 2010.

I'm not so much worried about depreciation because part of the reason for buying a 2010 for cheap is because the depreciation hit has sort-of occurred already.

jeffyscott

$1500 plus $3000 from selling the '96 (really? for a 14 year old car?) would give you $4500. That'd pay for a lot of repairs on the '06. :shades:

xmech

Have you test drove a 2010 Sonata, yet? I hated the electric power steering on it. There was like NO feedback and I thought way too light. It was like a joystick more than a steering wheel. Really, try it out.

backy

No audio controls on the wheel a deal-breaker?? Okee doke...

How about a nice Optima? Same I4 powertrain as the 2010 Sonata, firmer ride than the Sonata (more like the Accord's), audio controls on the wheel, and even lower priced than the Sonata.

plekto

For $15K, you can get a couple of year used Lexus, let alone a new econobox. The smart money is to get a nearly new $25K car for $15K and let the other owner eat the initial depreciation.

fushigi

Because iluv has liked his Lancer, both the styling and the equipment, but apparently wants something a little bigger with AWD potential. The Outlander Sport would let him stay in the Mitsu family if he wanted to. Besides what should be better fuel economy than the Kizashi, he would also get a loyalty rebate when purchasing, potentially making it a more lucrative purchase.

Both Mitsu & Suzuki are small players nowadays, but Mitsu sells 4-5 times as many vehicles and is a more likely long-term player in the US market.

lilengineerboy

How about just picking up a 2007 Accord EX with a manual transmission? I know where you might find one. :P Seriously though, what is your motivation for a new vehicle? The new car smell? More warranty? You really like that particular make/model of car? Just need a change of pace?

kdshapiro

OK I'll bite. Smart money says buy new rather than inherit someone elses headache. I'd rather drive a new econobox than an x year old Lexus...but that is just me.

iluvmysephia1

Why would you think he would want a SUV/CUV? Just curious.

it's that I love the Lancer GTS and the Suzuki Kizashi GTS so much more. I really liked our 2001 Kia Sportage 4X4, but don't know that I loved it. It was a very competent little SUV. Saved my butt 2 or 3 times getting out of stuck ice and snow situations. Which is why I even brought that up about going to Pullman, WA. It gets a bunch of snow.

First things first. I first need to get the job over there then I'll shop more seriously for a Kizashi. And I may very well just postpone it for a while. I got all excited about the 2007 Suzuki SX-4 then bought a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS.

So I will change my mind about what I want. It's just that an SUV is probably not going to fit in to our plans for the future. I have come to like the feel of sitting down lower in the pocket and steering through all the large pick-em-up trucks and SUV's. The Kizashi seemed to prop me up a tad higher from street level than our '08 Lancer GTS does.

plekto

Wow, that's incredibly myopic of you. What makes you think that a 2-3 year old certified vehicle that has $5-10K more in raw materials and tougher parts in it isn't going to still be better off than a new budget-mobile?

I'd take a 3 year old *Buick* over a brand new Yaris or Fit. It's like comparing a slightly used Seiko to a new Timex. Except cars depreciate so fast that it's often possible to find a 3 year old car for half the price it was new. Even certified with a warranty if that makes you happy.

mz6greyghost

Wow, that's incredibly myopic of you.

And how is his preference of buying new over used myopic? It's not. It's a preference. Personally, I'd rather take new over used if I had the choice myself. I'd rather get the vehicle that I want, without worrying about depreciation, previous issues, etc. I don't care how much my vehicle's worth if I enjoy driving it.

Maybe Grad has looked into the option of buying new or used, and ended up with the '10 Sonata as making the most sense for his specific financial and preferential situation. Is that so hard to believe?

Even certified with a warranty if that makes you happy.

Right. the $1500 "warranty" with a 20-page Terms & Conditions booklet typed in 6-point font that ends up not being used, or not covering anything..

gooddeal2

Wow, that's incredibly myopic of you. What makes you think that a 2-3 year old certified vehicle that has $5-10K more in raw materials and tougher parts in it isn't going to still be better off than a new budget-mobile?

I'd take a 3 year old *Buick* over a brand new Yaris or Fit. It's like comparing a slightly used Seiko to a new Timex. Except cars depreciate so fast that it's often possible to find a 3 year old car for half the price it was new. Even certified with a warranty if that makes you happy.

Well, as we've been talking. If you buy an American or a Korean, you can find good deals on those. You cannot get a 2007-08 Accord LX, an Altima 2.5S, or a Camry LE w/ a reasonable mileage for 9K. If it's certified, the price will be almost the same as the new car.

thegraduate

$1500 plus $3000 from selling the '96 (really? for a 14 year old car?) would give you $4500. That'd pay for a lot of repairs on the '06.

Re-read my post, selling both '96 and '06.

As far as the other posts go...

Yes, my Accord is starting to have that nickel and diming feel to it with rattles, etc. I do love it though, and won't buy a car unless I find something which I love more. I went to test drive a 2010 Sonata yesterday, but all they actually had left on the lot were V6 Limited models, stickers over $28k. The dealer's sales manager acted like he'd do me a favor, telling me he could sell me one of them for $25k. I laughed.

While I was there (pardon the unrelated-ness) I did test two Elantra Touring wagons, one with a stick, the other with the 4-speed. The stick-shift was peppy, but boy was the automatic a dog. I guess asking 138 horses to move 3100 lbs is just not a nice thing to do. My '96 Accord felt zipper than that auto. I did like the size, though. The salesman, about 5'11", could sit behind me without his knees hitting the seat. It was about the size of the last Accord Wagon sold.

I still plan to drive a Sonata, but now I'm more confused than I was before. A piece of me wants to drive the Forte or Optima, but silly as it sounds, I still have a hard time believing I'd have any sort of decent resale, especially if I don't drive the wheels off of it. Couple that with our one dealer having a bad rep (you know, the cheesy sleazy) and I don't get a happy feeling about Kia. Are Optima sedans available with bluetooth? I know Fortes come with them standard.

I really appreciate all of the advice and thoughts towards my decision here on the baords. I've been a member for quite awhile, and still enjoy it! :shades:

tenpin288

There is a message posted over on the Sonata prices paid board that has a fantastic deal someone just got on a 2010 GLS. Maybe you should try to get in touch with him for some info and dealer location.

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef040b2/6775#MSG6775

thegraduate

I'll fill-in the gaps in this discussion.

What first started me shopping was that I was seeing transaction prices for brand-new 2010 Sonatas at used-car prices. Best of both worlds there, because in a way, the large part of the depreciation hit has occurred already, but I don't have to give a thought to what the previous owner did to it or why they traded it in with such low mileage. Now that I've shopped, I'm interested in seeing what I can get for my dollar. In the end, I may just keep my dollar!

thegraduate

I just posed that question on those forums. Thanks a bunch, tenpin!

stephen987

Grad,

I like the Elantra Touring as well. I decided against for the same reason you decided against Kia--the local dealership's reputation is sleazy. Have you looked at the Fusion yet? Its feel reminds me a lot of the mid-'90s Accords.

jeffyscott

What first started me shopping was that I was seeing transaction prices for brand-new 2010 Sonatas at used-car prices.

That is the best way to do it, when the car is one you really like. In the last 10 years there have really been only 2 models of cars that I really liked and in both cases great deals were available at the time I considered them.

Back in 2000, I discovered the Contour/Mystique, just as they were disappearing. I ended up not buying a new one. But at one point a dealer offered to sell me a new Mystique for $12,500, I did not buy because it was white. I also walked out on a deal on a black one somewhere else when they changed the price by $500 over what I thought had been agreed to, I'm not sure, but think that one was going to be about $14K. (I ended up buying a couple cheap used ones each of which I drove for a few years and then passed on to kids when they graduated HS)

In 2006, I discovered the Mazda6 and decided I might like to buy one, rather than another used Contique, if the price was right. When I did finally buy my 2007, I think it was pretty close to used car pricing at nearly 25% below MSRP.

thegraduate

Have you looked at the Fusion yet? Its feel reminds me a lot of the mid-'90s Accords.

Yep; I really like the Fusion. They're priced a little beyond my reach currently though.