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Comments
Yes, perhaps that is the case here. I haven't read the article yet, but... while it's interesting to see what others think of a given vehicle, in the end it's only our own opinions that really matter.
Mike
however i would rather get a new santa fe over outdated mdx. and i'm sure upcoming mdx would cost $40-50k easily.
and this is coming from an acura owner.
As you have said in time not this time. What i'm saying is if your going to buy a vehicle right now I have to choose the pilot because of the price!/b> For me I have to weight the pros and cons and it seems that i have to go with the pilot at this time.
I understand the relevance of the Santa Fe's price range in comparison to an MDX but a comparison is not justified. Hyundai leads "its class" in standard features. The luxury market is not Hyundai's focus, yet.
On another note, as an Oklahoma resident, we don't even have any '07s on any lot yet which I don't understand. Alabama isn't too far from here. So all you potential buyers out there who have actually haggled over prices, consider it a blessing to have at least seen one in person.
Hyundai seems to be shifting their market focus as well with the upcoming additions of a larger and possibly more luxurious crossover (Mesa) and a rear wheel drive sedan w/ maybe a V8 (Equus). Although, I do hope they change those names before production.
It seems that Hyundai overproduced the 2006 model. This release is at best awkward. I've only seen a couple at dealerships in my area.
I agree with you completely. This release is relying more on informal marketing channels, word-of-mouth advertising, blogs, and forums, to reach its value-conscious market. This is very strange for a vehicle that defied tradition and looked upmarket to benchmark its standards (Go ahead and brag about it!).
Furthermore, the surplus of 2006 models, as stated in this forum may times, may lead to better pricing for the outgoing model. This could help minimize buyer's remorse. Honestly, if I purchased a 2006 Santa Fe and 31 days later saw a 2007 model, I'd be upset. :mad:
Consumer perception for Hyundai is beginning to change. I use my older family members as a litmus test. When 80-year old die-hard Chevy fans recognize the transformation of Hyundai, the perception must be shifting in Hyundai's favor. Just check out Business Week's review.
New Hyundai Santa Fe Sets Class Standards
Final word: I'd like to retract my statement about Oklahoma not having any Santa Fe's. I've found 2 so far. I'm test driving one as soon as possible. My review won't be as good as Mike B's but it will have to do. 'Til next time.
I test drove the 2wd limited on Sat and loved it.
I have 2 questions if anyone can help.
1) Can you hit a button on the 2wd to make it awd?
2) I live in Chicago and never plan on off-roading. What real benefits would I receive from the awd? Does a 2wd suv slip around much in the rain or snow?
Any advice would be great.
It should be santa fe vs. pilot. and if your researching the two vehicles the only major feature that pilot does'nt have is the AC on the third row (I'm differentiating the Pilot AWD EX-L with RES vs. Sta. Fe with DVD or whatever package is that)but when you look at the price difference with the same feature the santa fe is just way too much right now. :P They should price it the way they used to...
Hyundai can't really control what the dealer decides to offer consumers. If people really didn't like the vehicle, then dealers couldn't get what their getting.
I think Honda is trying to move the Pilot faster to bring out the next generation. It's due for a redesign for the 2008 year. When Honda brings out their new Pilot, I'm sure the same thing will happen. Then people will be making the same argument in the Santa Fe's favor, but buying a Pilot now would be like buying at 2006 Santa Fe. You'll just be disappointed when the new one comes out.
2) The benefits of awd would be better traction in the rain and snow, but the 2wd Santa Fe is front wheel drive which does pretty good in the rain and snow, compared to rear wheel drive. Awd would grip the road better in those conditions though.
Now, there is a button on the dash of AWD-equipped Santa Fes that will lock the front and rear wheels into a 50/50 power split. This feature can only be used at lower speeds, however.
As for advice on whether buying a vehicle with the system is necessary (or even that desirable) in Chicago, I personally would say no. Considering that all of the 2WD models still have stability control, are forward balanced, and front-wheel-drive, I'd have a hard time rationalizing the extra 176lbs in curb weight and $2000 in price for a feature that is unlikely to be used. In the end, though, it's totally your call.
Mike
I agree with you when you say that they are trying to move out Honda Pilot because of redesign but their redesign will be out in 2008 which is a 2009 redesign. The only gripe that I have is that Hyundai just overpriced their car. How can they do that when that car is already made here in the US. :confuse:
Joe in Texarkana
Joe in Texarkana
Horsepower: 242 @ 6000
Torque: 226 lb-ft. @ 4500
Lb. per HP = 15.9
Lb. per lb-ft = 17.0
For comparison, the Pilot LX FWD is rated thus:
Horsepower: 244 @ 5750
Torque: 240 lb-ft. @ 4500
Lb. per HP = 17.5
Lb. per lb-ft = 17.8
With these numbers in mind, the Hyundai is very likely a touch quicker, in addition to being more fuel efficient.
Mike
If their going to do that they should at least set the new standard in SUV by leapfrogging the competition like putting a 6 or 7 speed transmission producing around 23-32 mpg city-highway driving. Don't get me wrong they did a good job on the redesign on this vehicle and I give them credit for that, that's why I'm on this forum.
What I'm saying is Hyundai is not doing a good marketing strategy on their santa fe right now. Hope they would find a way out of it.
My problem lies less with the price of the Pilot. It's more that I think it is pretty ugly. I tend to lean to the more curvy look or something like the pacifica. If I wanted a fully traditional SUV look, I'll buy an Trailblazer. For a difference of 2mpg, less than $1000 MSRP, and more than 45hp, I can tow over 6200lbs and get a real 4wd system.
The driver plays the most important part in accident avoidance, but if your vehicle is not capable of what you tell it to do, you are likely to wreck it worse, maybe even roll it. A more capable vehicle helps erase some driver error.
Just make sure about that trailblazer of yours that it really hold up that EPA rating, a lot of people complaining that it only gets 10 miles to a gallon! :mad: (check the actual mpg of trailblazer forum) and that reliability issue on american cars...
Walmart puts serious dents in any market they decide to get involved in. I am not a Walmart flag waver, just an observer of marketing. They take no prisoners and Hyundai shouldn't either.
Joe in Texarkana
I say they don't really have a very good marketing strategy by looking into the future. It's going to affect their market share and image to the consumers. They don't really look like a wal-mart right now its more like a K-Mart. :P
Santa Fe competition better consists of the Buick Rendezvous, Ford Edge, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mazda CX-7, Mitsubishi Endeavor, Mitsubishi Outlander (2007), Nissan Murano, Subaru B9 Tribeca, Toyota Highlander, and Toyota RAV4.
As far as pricing is concerned, the only real issues here seem to deal with the LIMITED models. I personally feel that the GLS and SE models are priced very competitively -- especially the SE. However, I do admit that the option packages (most notably the Touring + Ultimate) did raise my eyebrows a bit.
:surprise:
Mike
I'm not just saying honda, toyota is doing 2.9% financing on their cars right now and some incentives, they could have easily taken those sales from those two manufacturers if they were aggressive on the market earlier. How can they win toyota-honda followers in the market this way? When those people still see hyundai as a copy cat?! Even if the people here and magazine editors will say that it's doing well right now the resale value is holding up and blah blah blah, they won't listen to that especially with the price like this! Over pricing this car is not the way to go...
Hyundai just didn't do their homework right, trying to hype the vehicle on the internet early (EARLY I mean since last year it already appeared on the internet!) by showing off the car and not doing some marketing on the old car?? :confuse: I don't know what their thinking, they just messed up BIG TIME!!
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/200528/new_car_honours_2006.ht- ml
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hyundai-Santa-Fe-GLS-New-2007-GLS-V6-Santa-Fe-FWD- -All-New-Design-L-K_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ80746QQihZ009QQitemZ190007288260Q- QrdZ1
'07 Santa Fe Sets Class Standards This apparently means Hyundai will be revising their 5/10 warranty. Or does it?