I have a 2009 Sonata Limited V6 with over 6000 miles on it and I have never heard any loud noise from any part of it including the suspension. I have never rode in a quieter automobile.
What about unexpected situations, emergency handling, etc.? That's when confidence in the car's suspension matters most to me. So I want them to push the limits, so they can tell me how it handles when it matters.
I've had my 09 Sonata for some time now, and I have never noticed any loud suspension noice. I've driven on smooth roads, rough roads, curvy roads, highways, etc, etc.
Also, we are splitting hairs over some writer's opinion. What that particular writer at cars.com thought was loud, bothersome, etc, someone else may not even notice (or care).
Seriously, think about it: what if this writer had suggested that the Sonata's automatic windows didn't roll up as fast as the Accord's? Would anyone care? Sure, some people would. Some people would argue that when you roll down your window to pay a toll when it's raining, it's VERY important to have a window that rolls up fast to prevent water damage to your interior. Some people, like this guy I'm quoting, may even suggest that it's important to know how fast the windows roll up, because, you know, having fast windows could be make all the difference in an "emergency situation".
Other people, like me, would say 'I don't care how fast the windows are, or if the suspension is louder than other cars', because the Sonata is the best car for the money'.
He's clearly a Honda/TOyota shill making up reasons to disparage the Sonata (KIDDING!)
In fact he's just reporting what many here have reported, but not all people can hear. I've heard it on all but one Sonata I've rented. And for those that don't notice it, that's terrific. Heck, I'd very seriously considered one until I found not only have the parts not been changed, there aren't any aftermarket alternatives that I know of. I would have bought the car and understood that at ~ 6k miles I'd have to replace strut mounts on my nickle- if alternate mounts were available
It's just too bad Hyundai has their collective heads in the sand. :sick:
That's the weird thing. Where's the "rattling" suspension on this car? I just rode and drove my FIL's 2009 Sonata Limited I4 with 800 miles on it around secondary (read: pretty bumpy) roads of central Texas for 200 miles and there was no noise from the suspension at all. Just some muted tire "thumps" now and then. Otherwise very quiet. I've also driven several new and used Gen 4 Sonatas on my personal "torture track" (OK, others use it too) that features washboard roads and sharp curves, and no noise from the suspension then either. Just one Sonata out of over 20 that I've driven exhibited any unusual suspension noise, and it was a muted "thunk" vs. a rattle, over railroad tracks, on a 2-year-old car with 25k miles on it.
Hence my earlier comment: if someone drives a new car and its suspension "rattles" like a car with 100k miles, it's not supposed to do that! Take it in and get it fixed.
suoerm, I know you were joking, but for the record, I can't stand Toyota (most boring and overrated vehicles ever), and I think Honda Dealers are way too proud of cars that have been 'caught up to' by the competition.
I'd never consider a Toyota or a Honda given their attitudes, the cost of their cars, or the general plainness of their products.
I have about 4000 miles on my Limited I4. Having read the posts, I was very attentive to suspension noise on my test drive. There was none, so I bought it, and there is still none. As others have noted, there is some tire noise, but I attribute that to the low-profile tires on the car, and when I replace them, I'll look for quieter tires.
My wife's Elantra did have a loud thumping noise a while back and needed to have the struts replaced. Maybe some Sonatas just have bad struts.
I'd never consider a Toyota or a Honda given their attitudes, the cost of their cars, or the general plainness of their products.
I completely agree with you, Mike. In my experience, Honda dealerships have a large chip on their collective shoulders. Here in Richmond, VA, there are two Honda dealerships that will completely scoff at the idea of the buyer trying to haggle the price. Seriously, give me a break! You would think they are selling the cure for cancer on wheels.
While Hyundai may not be completely on the same level in every category as Honda and Toyota, they are making large strides every year. At the same time, it looks like Honda and Toyota have begun to plateau. I have absolutely zero data to support that 'plateau' comment except to say that there doesn't seem to be the same excitement surrounding Honda and Toyota that there was 5-10 years ago.
Before I bought the 09 Sonata, I owned a 95 Accord. The Accord was a great car! When it was time for me to buy a new car this past spring, I took a serious look at the Accord again. But, I just couldn't justify spending an extra $7,000+ for the privledge of having the Honda name plate on my car. So, the Sonata it was, and I have no regrets. The Sonata has been a great car. In my opinion, for the money saved, the Sonata is an excellent buy.
I'll also agree with the comment about the attitude of Honda dealers. I've owned two in the past ('87and early '90s Accords) and liked them. When shopping for my 2006 vehicle, the Honda dealer refused to let me drive on the highway. The salesperson only let me go around the block. The longest of the four sides of the block had several speed bumps so I don't think I got over 35 mph. The Acura dealer was even worse. I was looking at a used car there. They wanted me to make the deal and sign the purchase papers before they did the certified used car work on the vehicle.
My Hyundai experience with sales and service, while not perfect, has been very good overall. I'll give them first shot when I make my next purchase.
When I picked up my sonata the dealer neglected to deflat the tires from the 60psi that they are inflated to when the car is trucked from Alabama. This gave the car a somewhat "stiff" ride on the way home.... where I checked the tire pressure and bled them down to 32psi.
To the extent that the critics have any point about the deficiencies in the Sonata's suspension, it's the one recurring issue that seems to be the biggest complaint about the car.
Much to some peoples' opinions, I am actually rooting for Hyundai to succeed. I want to see them steal thunder from Toyota and Honda, who have been resting on their reputation for far too long, and have not come up with any significantly better product in many, many years. In fact, I honestly believe both are falling back in terms of quality and especially design and innovation, if anything.
I would buy a Sonata over an Accord and especially a Camry, especially since a comparably equipped Sonata is 5k to 6k cheaper, and comes with a better warranty.
Agree with dovid2 on the tires. people seem to miss that fact that the automakers have gone to low profile tires for improved gas mileage. These tires will always give a harsher ride compared to tires of the past. After driving the Accord and the Camry LE, I had seen what I didn't like. Driving the Sonata I4 SE I found exactly the suspension I was looking for in a 4 cyl. commuter. At 4000, miles no unusual noises, just the slightly stiff ride due to the tires. The Malibu has the overall best compromise of ride, handling and quietness, but I was hitting my forehead on the sunvisors, couldn't live with that ! The Sonata has much more headroom !
Actually you haven't. In one of your rants you indicated that the reviewer laid it into the Sonata for it's suspension noises. Yet if you read the review the reviewer stated that car was solid but if he was hard pressed to find a fault it would be the suspension noise over rough roads.
As for my own experience I just got back from a 3500 mile trip and did not notice any suspension noises. I was actually pretty impressed with how quiet the cabin was at high speeds. Of course this could be because previously I owned Pontiacs which has extremely high wind noise. The outside temperatures was between 97 - 105 during the day but the cabin was comfortable.
In one of your rants you indicated that the reviewer laid it into the Sonata for it's suspension noises. Yet if you read the review the reviewer stated that car was solid but if he was hard pressed to find a fault it would be the suspension noise over rough roads.
The editor in chief of cars.com said "the Sonata has as many rattles and as much noise over rough roads as a car with 100,000 miles on it."
I don't know what part of that you don't get; that's not the picture of a "solid ride," as you put it, to me or anyone else with common sense.
Has anyone of you ever thought that editor's comment is based solely on that particular car he was driving? Especially since most people that own a 09 Sonata do not experience the same concern. I mean c'mon, cars are like people their not perfect or built the same. Some cars do come from the factory with issues and some don't. I have an 06 Sonata LX with 60k+ miles and that vehicle has been to FL, OH and AL driven over numerous kinds of road surfaces and I haven't had any serious problems out of it, heck it still has the original tires on it and I changed front pads at 55k. Now there probably will be some owners out there that might be experiencing the same fortune as me and their are some owners that will not experience this great fortune. Does that make it a bad car?
If the quality is not consistent from one example to the next, within the same model line, then YES, that makes it a bad bet. It also makes some of them--the ones with the suspension noise--bad cars.
Good point, Lashawn. The testers that reviewers get have frequently been put through the wringer, especially as other reviewers want to drive even a family car at the limits. I remember a review of the CTS when it first came out that admitted the clutch was already worn when it was received.
>I'm posting this just as a reference point because some of the people who have >claimed that those complaining about suspension thunks and rattles are trolls or >troublemakers.
>I came across this on the Hyundai Owners' Forums.
Anybody who reads the review will see that it is a very positive review. About the only negative starts out with the phrase "If there's a fault...". Reading comprehension tells me that the reviewer had to grasp at straws to come up with a negative. So this is where I believe you make the attempt to change day into night.
While not having any problems with suspension noises with 15000 miles on my 09 Sonata limited. Just wondering if there any after market struts available and what the price would be?
I am moving on as I noticed Hyundai has really raised the prices on the Sonata, by reducing rebates, and by truly raising the price on the 09.
The Sonata no longer holds any real value proposition to a comparably equipped Camry, Mazda6 or Nissan Altima, quality differences and resale value issues aside.
Given a choice between an Altima or Mazda6 at even a grand more than the Sonata, I'll take either over the Altima all day long, as I won't get slaughtered nearly as badly when I sell my car.
They improved the Sonata with the 2009 redesign, but only time will tell how it will fare durability wise, and CR already has marked the Sonata down to just 'average reliability,' negative suspension comments by professional reviewers (and many owners) aside.
I predict Hyundai is fishing in uncharted waters with its pricing that creep ever so closer to the established Japanese mainstays, and it will suffer blowback for it in upcoming sales' numbers.
On one final note, the local Hyundai Dealership had a Veracruz with a 40k sticker price. Are they on crack? Has Hyundai lost its mind? Who would buy that when they can get a Lexus RX350 for a few grand more?
What extra options did that Veracruz have on it to justify a $40k price? My local Hyundai Dealer here is Savannah, GA has a base 09 Sonata on their lot and their asking $26k for it. But in their defense it has 20" wheels, aftermarket leather seating, navigation, rear spoiler(just the right size) and xenon headlights on it.
I bought a 2009 Hyundai Sonata because it had manual mode of the autotran. I really wanted a 5-speed manual car as I have always had, but my wife hates it. So I compromised and chose the Sonata since it had a manual mode. I'm finding the manual mode not very satisfactory so far compared to a real 5-speed with clutch. Does anyone have comments or suggestions on how to use it best?
Lashawn, I just now took in the gravity of your post about the 26k Sonata. That's crazy.
Just back in March, high volume Hyundai dealers were selling new 2009 GLS Sonatas w/automatic transmissions and the other standard goods (MSRP of about $20,650) for as low as $13,400 plus TTL. This was at places like Fitz and Brown's.
At Fitz, the only thing they add to the price is a $99 doc fee in addition to straight up TTL.
Now, those same cars are around $15,200 or $15,300.
This is obviously a direct result of Hyundai taking consumer and dealer cash incentives down to $3000 from $5000.
Regardless as to how anyone feels about Hyundai compared to the Japanese competition, and given resale values (which will not rise as a function of increasing the price of new Hyundais, despite what at least one person has said), it is a fact that Hyundai resale value is far worse than Honda, Toyota, Nissan or Mazda.
So, in order to spark sales again, which are sagging, Hyundai will inevitably increase the incentives. It's only a matter of time.
Consumers aren't stupid en masse (select individuals may be), and they'll response positively and negatively in accordance with corollary moves by Hyundai in pricing their cars appropriately. What one hand giveth (incentives up front for a less expensive car compared to the competition), the other hand (resale values compared to the competition) taketh away.
Also, it would be smart for Hyundai to make their 10 year/100,000 mile Powertrain warranty fully transferable on resale.
I have to believe that the transmission setup on the Sonata is the absolute farthest thing from a manual transmission. I never had an auto transmission that didn't have at least 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions. Since I never really utilized the intermediate positions I must say I don't miss them. I do notice that when utilizing cruise control the car downshifts at the slightest incline. I would have rather it took a 1 or 2 mph hit going up the hill until downshifting, for slightly better fuel economy.
Thank you for your comments. It is as you say far from a real manual transmission. It does have 5 speeds in "manual", but doesn't feel at all like a "real" manual. Besides the saving on fuel of a manual, another advantage is less brake wear than automatic since the engine slows the car when you release the gas pedal. With my old Passat, In 90,000 miles I only had brake pads replaced two times. I also noticed the constant down shifting when in automatic mode with cruise control. I've tried cruise in "manual" mode where that doesn't happen, but since I have the 4 cyl model, it sometimes would not accelerate well on hills.
Do you think real world a manual gives you better gas mileage? I do not think there is much difference any longer. The automatic has pumps that must be driven that waste energy but the automatic gets into the highest gear so as possible. Manual transmision you will probably wind the gears out more and leave it in a lower gear longer than needed. Example you are in trafic would you shift from 3rd and 4th of just keep it in 3rd at 2700 rpm where a automatic goes in to the highest gear as soon as you take your foot off of the gas so the car coasts (Making you use the brake like you said). I believe the manual is more fun since you can "Run it thru the gears" but there is not a great fuel savings.
I know right. Even though that Sonata had all those extras on it, to me that's still too much to ask for on a I4 Sonata. But we all know someone will buy that car some day.
I have an 09 Sonata Limited I4 and routinely drive the vehicle in "manual" mode. Doing that, I get at least a few miles per gallon better then using the vehicle in automatic mode. I also find that my acceleration is a lot better as I do wait a bit longer to shift then the automatic does. I am even in a very stop and go traffic area (Northern VA) and find using the "manual" mode in the Sonata very easy.
I have to believe that the transmission setup on the Sonata is the absolute farthest thing from a manual transmission. I never had an auto transmission that didn't have at least 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions. Since I never really utilized the intermediate positions I must say I don't miss them.
I'm guessing you're referring to the typical 1st and 2nd low-gear selections that most automatics have. Although the Sonata does not have explicit positions for those gears, it does not need to as you can just slip the vehicle into manual mode to access those gears.
And I don't understand why you say it is the farthest thing from a manual transmission. Yes, you don't use a clutch (the point of it being a shiftronic manual), but you can definitely control what gear you are in and can shift shift up and down pretty darn quickly. Yes, you can't go right from 2nd to 4th or from 4th to 2nd, but hitting the shift control down twice to go from 4th to 2nd is not much of a hassle.
Coming from someone who loves driving a manual transmission over an automatic, I found that I definitely like the Sonata's shiftronic transmission. I also purchased it as a way of compromising with the wife on the automatic/manual front.
I have a ’09 Sonata with a manual transmission (the REAL manual transmission), and many people often ask me if it truly gets better gas mileage than an automatic. My answer is always “It depends on how you drive it”.
The advantage of MT is that you can control the RPMs at all times. For example, if I know that I am doing to have to stop or break in 50 feet, I’m not going to shift up. I also tend to take the transmission out gear and just coast a lot (down hills, ramps, towards stop lights, etc). Think about it, on the highway I can coast at 55 mph and, as far as the engine goes, it’s just like I’m idling at a stop light. The computer in a AT cannot read my mind, nor can it see the road/traffic lights/etc.
However, for the most part, those are things that you can do with a Shiftronic AT, and anyone can put his car in neutral and coast.
But, one of the advantages a MT has over an AT is price. MTs tend to always be less expensive. There are several reasons for this. Among those reasons are: less technology in the car, and fewer people want them.
Anytime you go to a dealership they will usually have more ATs by a ratio of at least 10:1. In my experience, I have found that dealers are more willing to negotiate the price of MTs than they are ATs. So, you will always save money when you by a MT over the same car with AT.
It’s really all about what you want. If you can drive a MT and want to save a few grand, go for it. If you can’t drive a MT, or think of it as a hassle, then throw up a few grand more and spring for the AT. It’s better to buy a car you like and can live with.
That said, my PERSONAL OPINION of Shiftronic AT is this: lame. If you can’t drive a real manual transmission and work a clutch, don’t pretend. I personally equate the Shiftronic AT to someone getting a temporary tattoo. “Hey, look at me I have a tattoo that will rub off in two days, but I’m still kind of a bad-as*, right?” No, it’s not "cool". It’s a marketing ploy that caters to suburbanites who want to feel "cool", but can’t take a day to learn a real clutch. /End Rant
Ok, whew, I feel better now. Please don’t respond to my personal rant, or flame me. I’m not about to start an argument over the internet. I just wanted to say my piece. If you disagree, that’s cool. Hey, I might even be wrong about the people who buy Shiftronic ATs. Maybe there’s a more pressing reason why people buy Shiftronic ATs. I don’t know, I’ve never asked anyone.
That said, my PERSONAL OPINION of Shiftronic AT is this: lame. If you can’t drive a real manual transmission and work a clutch, don’t pretend. I personally equate the Shiftronic AT to someone getting a temporary tattoo. “Hey, look at me I have a tattoo that will rub off in two days, but I’m still kind of a bad-as*, right?” No, it’s not "cool". It’s a marketing ploy that caters to suburbanites who want to feel "cool", but can’t take a day to learn a real clutch. /End Rant
Sorry, but I have to respond at least a little bit and not in form of trying to start a flame war. I purchased the Sonata Limited I4. I was not able to purchase it with a MT for the basic reason that my wife cannot drive one and there are times she needs to use my car. When purchasing it with the AT, it comes with the Shiftronic AT by default. I didn't have a choice in getting it. That being said, I use the Shiftronic AT all the time as I get better guess mileage and have more control over the vehicle. Is it a true MT? No. Does it get the job done? Yes.
Several days ago, I received an email saying the Sonata engineers would like my feedback on my new Sonata, which I had been hoping I would be asked. There are a few minor things that have bothered me that I wanted Hyundai to know about, even though they're getting the new Sonata ready for production.
One complaint was that the Sonata doesn't have the storage that even the Elantra has; and that the A/C consumes too much gas, among other things.
When I got home the same day, there was a "gift package" from Hyundai which included a sticky pad that I could put on the dashboard to hold a phone, change, sunglasses, etc., and a booklet that reminded me that A/C uses more gas, and not to use it unless absolutely necessary (I don't).
From all this, I deduced that other owners are finding the same problems as I am (although I must say I do love my car). Anybody else have a similar experience?
I Test drove the Malibu and Ford Fusion, then I drove the Sonata. Ford Fusion exterior was awesome but it could not touch the Hyundai's interior.
I agree that the Hyundai's exterior is a little boring when compared to the competition but when you look at it side by side with the competition it looks better than you initially thought.
Plus when you factor in Hyundai's incentives and rebates it costs a lot less right now than the Mazda, Ford, or Honda.
The biggest complaint that I have with my Sonata is the lack of a cupholder or any type of storage for rear seat passengers in the center console, and the glare off the NAV which makes it hard to see sometimes (Now I know why Honda recessed their NAV into the dash.
Also, go to Edmund's Consumer ratings and research the worst reviews...Honda's worst reviews are a lot worse off that the Sonata's especially when you consider it's price.
Mazda's are betters and the Fusion is either so new that no one has had a chance to review it, or no one is buying it yet.
The manual transmission is a good choice, in my opinion. It’s responsive and shifts smoothly. I really enjoy it.
If I was to say something negative about it, it would be this: the clutch is loose. By that I mean you have to let the clutch out a lot (at least far more than my previous cars) in order to engage the transmission. This is only really noticeable when starting out in first gear. But, hey, all cars are different. You’ll see what I mean when you drive it. You’ll feel like you have to let the clutch out 6 inches before it will catch.
But, other than that minor complaint (which becomes moot – as you will get used to it), the manual transmission is great.
Please let me know what you think after you drive it.
Your post made me smile. When I got that lame “gift” from Hyundai, I thought it was a total joke. I mean, really, they gave us a sticky pad?! Who would ever put that on their dash? So, so cheesy.
Moving on
When I read that about the A/C in the “Super-Awesome Gift Package”, I thought it was kind of ridiculous. The way I figure it, the reasoning for HMA letting us know that the A/C uses more gas is
1.) an effort to be more “green” by letting their customers know how to save gas
2.) they think we are idiots who didn’t know that the A/C uses more gas.
However, your post got me thinking: Does the Sonata use too much gas when the A/C is running? In the sticky, humid summers here in Virginia, I run my A/C all the time. I’ve never noticed that the car consumes a disproportionately high amount of gas when running the A/C. Sure, it uses more, but not much more.
While I haven’t experienced this, Dovid2 raises a good point. Has anyone else here noticed an abnormally high fuel consumption when running the A/C?
I don't know how it is in the 09 Sonata, but my 06 Sonata v6 manages around 20mpg with the a/c on down here in hot/humid Savannah, GA in city driving and around 24-26mpg on the highway at 80mph and a/c on.
I guess I'm just spoiled. My Elantra used to get around 32 mpg in mostly highway driving, and using the A/C only dropped it about 1mpg on the trip computer. I drive the Sonata I4 as far as possible without it (in Atlanta) and it stays surprisingly comfortable for quite a way. But when I do put it on, the T/C seems to show sharp drops in mpg. I know it's a bigger car, but I'm still trying to rationalize buying a bigger car than I needed.
I just took delivery of an 09 Sonata Limites that was traded from another dealer because my dealer did not have my color with options. Lo and behold it showed up with a rear spoiler which I hadn't seen on a Sonata. I didn't much care for it but accepted it anyway because I got 9.3K off sticker including my clunker. Did they make many 09's with a spoiler or is this rare? Linda
Uninstalling it is not the pricey part. You then end up with holes in the top of your trunck that either need to be sealed and then the trunk repainted or you need to purchase plugs to put in then, which doesn't look great. It would probably be more cost effective to just leave the spoiler on.
my transmission slips or jerks at 20 miles after a left hand turn. I had this problem at 500 miles,the car has 5500 miles on it now. LU JACK,in Davenport, Iowa have replaced transmission ,module assembly it did not correct the problem.Lu Jack,s then installed a flight recorder for five days I am waiting to hear if they found the problem. has anyone else had this problem? the car is a 4 cyl 2.4
Its not all bad, my 09 Limited gets 32-36mph depending on highway speed with the A/C on. And for a car this size, it does feel large inside, I really can't complain. Not sure how many miles you have but the car does take some time to break in. I just crossed 10,000 and the car is getting better actually. One year of ownership and no problems.
And I agree the shift-tronic can get you out of a mess quick, drop the gear and the car will take off..... :shades:
car jerks or slips at 20 miles an hour ,started at 300 miles, happens when making a left has 5500 miles now ,lu jacks auto,davenport, iowa replaced transmission, computer assembly,flight recorder on 5 days waiting to hear back, has any one else had this problem?
Comments
I've had my 09 Sonata for some time now, and I have never noticed any loud suspension noice. I've driven on smooth roads, rough roads, curvy roads, highways, etc, etc.
Also, we are splitting hairs over some writer's opinion. What that particular writer at cars.com thought was loud, bothersome, etc, someone else may not even notice (or care).
Seriously, think about it: what if this writer had suggested that the Sonata's automatic windows didn't roll up as fast as the Accord's? Would anyone care? Sure, some people would. Some people would argue that when you roll down your window to pay a toll when it's raining, it's VERY important to have a window that rolls up fast to prevent water damage to your interior. Some people, like this guy I'm quoting, may even suggest that it's important to know how fast the windows roll up, because, you know, having fast windows could be make all the difference in an "emergency situation".
Other people, like me, would say 'I don't care how fast the windows are, or if the suspension is louder than other cars', because the Sonata is the best car for the money'.
/end rant
In fact he's just reporting what many here have reported, but not all people can hear. I've heard it on all but one Sonata I've rented. And for those that don't notice it, that's terrific. Heck, I'd very seriously considered one until I found not only have the parts not been changed, there aren't any aftermarket alternatives that I know of. I would have bought the car and understood that at ~ 6k miles I'd have to replace strut mounts on my nickle- if alternate mounts were available
It's just too bad Hyundai has their collective heads in the sand. :sick:
Hence my earlier comment: if someone drives a new car and its suspension "rattles" like a car with 100k miles, it's not supposed to do that! Take it in and get it fixed.
I'd never consider a Toyota or a Honda given their attitudes, the cost of their cars, or the general plainness of their products.
My wife's Elantra did have a loud thumping noise a while back and needed to have the struts replaced. Maybe some Sonatas just have bad struts.
I completely agree with you, Mike. In my experience, Honda dealerships have a large chip on their collective shoulders. Here in Richmond, VA, there are two Honda dealerships that will completely scoff at the idea of the buyer trying to haggle the price. Seriously, give me a break! You would think they are selling the cure for cancer on wheels.
While Hyundai may not be completely on the same level in every category as Honda and Toyota, they are making large strides every year. At the same time, it looks like Honda and Toyota have begun to plateau. I have absolutely zero data to support that 'plateau' comment except to say that there doesn't seem to be the same excitement surrounding Honda and Toyota that there was 5-10 years ago.
Before I bought the 09 Sonata, I owned a 95 Accord. The Accord was a great car! When it was time for me to buy a new car this past spring, I took a serious look at the Accord again. But, I just couldn't justify spending an extra $7,000+ for the privledge of having the Honda name plate on my car. So, the Sonata it was, and I have no regrets. The Sonata has been a great car. In my opinion, for the money saved, the Sonata is an excellent buy.
My Hyundai experience with sales and service, while not perfect, has been very good overall. I'll give them first shot when I make my next purchase.
When I picked up my sonata the dealer neglected to deflat the tires from the 60psi that they are inflated to when the car is trucked from Alabama. This gave the car a somewhat "stiff" ride on the way home.... where I checked the tire pressure and bled them down to 32psi.
Might just want to check yours.
To the extent that the critics have any point about the deficiencies in the Sonata's suspension, it's the one recurring issue that seems to be the biggest complaint about the car.
Much to some peoples' opinions, I am actually rooting for Hyundai to succeed. I want to see them steal thunder from Toyota and Honda, who have been resting on their reputation for far too long, and have not come up with any significantly better product in many, many years. In fact, I honestly believe both are falling back in terms of quality and especially design and innovation, if anything.
I would buy a Sonata over an Accord and especially a Camry, especially since a comparably equipped Sonata is 5k to 6k cheaper, and comes with a better warranty.
As for my own experience I just got back from a 3500 mile trip and did not notice any suspension noises. I was actually pretty impressed with how quiet the cabin was at high speeds. Of course this could be because previously I owned Pontiacs which has extremely high wind noise. The outside temperatures was between 97 - 105 during the day but the cabin was comfortable.
The editor in chief of cars.com said "the Sonata has as many rattles and as much noise over rough roads as a car with 100,000 miles on it."
I don't know what part of that you don't get; that's not the picture of a "solid ride," as you put it, to me or anyone else with common sense.
>I'm posting this just as a reference point because some of the people who have >claimed that those complaining about suspension thunks and rattles are trolls or >troublemakers.
>I came across this on the Hyundai Owners' Forums.
>http://www.canadiandriver.com/2008/10/01/test-drive-2009-hyundai-sonata-limited-- - - - - - four-cylinder.htm
Anybody who reads the review will see that it is a very positive review. About the only negative starts out with the phrase "If there's a fault...".
Reading comprehension tells me that the reviewer had to grasp at straws to come up with a negative. So this is where I believe you make the attempt to change day into night.
On that note, I'm going to troll the Accord forums and start a fight! Who's with me?!
The Sonata no longer holds any real value proposition to a comparably equipped Camry, Mazda6 or Nissan Altima, quality differences and resale value issues aside.
Given a choice between an Altima or Mazda6 at even a grand more than the Sonata, I'll take either over the Altima all day long, as I won't get slaughtered nearly as badly when I sell my car.
They improved the Sonata with the 2009 redesign, but only time will tell how it will fare durability wise, and CR already has marked the Sonata down to just 'average reliability,' negative suspension comments by professional reviewers (and many owners) aside.
I predict Hyundai is fishing in uncharted waters with its pricing that creep ever so closer to the established Japanese mainstays, and it will suffer blowback for it in upcoming sales' numbers.
On one final note, the local Hyundai Dealership had a Veracruz with a 40k sticker price. Are they on crack? Has Hyundai lost its mind? Who would buy that when they can get a Lexus RX350 for a few grand more?
Wow. Just wow.
Cheers to all and good health and luck to you.
Just back in March, high volume Hyundai dealers were selling new 2009 GLS Sonatas w/automatic transmissions and the other standard goods (MSRP of about $20,650) for as low as $13,400 plus TTL. This was at places like Fitz and Brown's.
At Fitz, the only thing they add to the price is a $99 doc fee in addition to straight up TTL.
Now, those same cars are around $15,200 or $15,300.
This is obviously a direct result of Hyundai taking consumer and dealer cash incentives down to $3000 from $5000.
Regardless as to how anyone feels about Hyundai compared to the Japanese competition, and given resale values (which will not rise as a function of increasing the price of new Hyundais, despite what at least one person has said), it is a fact that Hyundai resale value is far worse than Honda, Toyota, Nissan or Mazda.
So, in order to spark sales again, which are sagging, Hyundai will inevitably increase the incentives. It's only a matter of time.
Consumers aren't stupid en masse (select individuals may be), and they'll response positively and negatively in accordance with corollary moves by Hyundai in pricing their cars appropriately. What one hand giveth (incentives up front for a less expensive car compared to the competition), the other hand (resale values compared to the competition) taketh away.
Also, it would be smart for Hyundai to make their 10 year/100,000 mile Powertrain warranty fully transferable on resale.
It is as you say far from a real manual transmission. It does have 5 speeds in "manual", but doesn't feel at all like a "real" manual. Besides the saving on fuel of a manual, another advantage is less brake wear than automatic since the engine slows the car when you release the gas pedal. With my old Passat, In 90,000 miles I only had brake pads replaced two times.
I also noticed the constant down shifting when in automatic mode with cruise control. I've tried cruise in "manual" mode where that doesn't happen, but since I have the 4 cyl model, it sometimes would not accelerate well on hills.
- Merg
I'm guessing you're referring to the typical 1st and 2nd low-gear selections that most automatics have. Although the Sonata does not have explicit positions for those gears, it does not need to as you can just slip the vehicle into manual mode to access those gears.
And I don't understand why you say it is the farthest thing from a manual transmission. Yes, you don't use a clutch (the point of it being a shiftronic manual), but you can definitely control what gear you are in and can shift shift up and down pretty darn quickly. Yes, you can't go right from 2nd to 4th or from 4th to 2nd, but hitting the shift control down twice to go from 4th to 2nd is not much of a hassle.
Coming from someone who loves driving a manual transmission over an automatic, I found that I definitely like the Sonata's shiftronic transmission. I also purchased it as a way of compromising with the wife on the automatic/manual front.
- Merg
The advantage of MT is that you can control the RPMs at all times. For example, if I know that I am doing to have to stop or break in 50 feet, I’m not going to shift up. I also tend to take the transmission out gear and just coast a lot (down hills, ramps, towards stop lights, etc). Think about it, on the highway I can coast at 55 mph and, as far as the engine goes, it’s just like I’m idling at a stop light. The computer in a AT cannot read my mind, nor can it see the road/traffic lights/etc.
However, for the most part, those are things that you can do with a Shiftronic AT, and anyone can put his car in neutral and coast.
But, one of the advantages a MT has over an AT is price. MTs tend to always be less expensive. There are several reasons for this. Among those reasons are: less technology in the car, and fewer people want them.
Anytime you go to a dealership they will usually have more ATs by a ratio of at least 10:1. In my experience, I have found that dealers are more willing to negotiate the price of MTs than they are ATs. So, you will always save money when you by a MT over the same car with AT.
It’s really all about what you want. If you can drive a MT and want to save a few grand, go for it. If you can’t drive a MT, or think of it as a hassle, then throw up a few grand more and spring for the AT. It’s better to buy a car you like and can live with.
That said, my PERSONAL OPINION of Shiftronic AT is this: lame. If you can’t drive a real manual transmission and work a clutch, don’t pretend. I personally equate the Shiftronic AT to someone getting a temporary tattoo. “Hey, look at me I have a tattoo that will rub off in two days, but I’m still kind of a bad-as*, right?” No, it’s not "cool". It’s a marketing ploy that caters to suburbanites who want to feel "cool", but can’t take a day to learn a real clutch. /End Rant
Ok, whew, I feel better now. Please don’t respond to my personal rant, or flame me. I’m not about to start an argument over the internet. I just wanted to say my piece. If you disagree, that’s cool. Hey, I might even be wrong about the people who buy Shiftronic ATs. Maybe there’s a more pressing reason why people buy Shiftronic ATs. I don’t know, I’ve never asked anyone.
Sorry, but I have to respond at least a little bit and not in form of trying to start a flame war. I purchased the Sonata Limited I4. I was not able to purchase it with a MT for the basic reason that my wife cannot drive one and there are times she needs to use my car. When purchasing it with the AT, it comes with the Shiftronic AT by default. I didn't have a choice in getting it. That being said, I use the Shiftronic AT all the time as I get better guess mileage and have more control over the vehicle. Is it a true MT? No. Does it get the job done? Yes.
- Merg
My local dealer has a Sonata GLS with the five-speed manual. I plan to test-drive it later this week.
Since you've had a lot more time to get to know the Sonata with the manual, what are your overall impressions of it?
One complaint was that the Sonata doesn't have the storage that even the Elantra has; and that the A/C consumes too much gas, among other things.
When I got home the same day, there was a "gift package" from Hyundai which included a sticky pad that I could put on the dashboard to hold a phone, change, sunglasses, etc., and a booklet that reminded me that A/C uses more gas, and not to use it unless absolutely necessary (I don't).
From all this, I deduced that other owners are finding the same problems as I am (although I must say I do love my car). Anybody else have a similar experience?
I agree that the Hyundai's exterior is a little boring when compared to the competition but when you look at it side by side with the competition it looks better than you initially thought.
Plus when you factor in Hyundai's incentives and rebates it costs a lot less right now than the Mazda, Ford, or Honda.
The biggest complaint that I have with my Sonata is the lack of a cupholder or any type of storage for rear seat passengers in the center console, and the glare off the NAV which makes it hard to see sometimes (Now I know why Honda recessed their NAV into the dash.
Also, go to Edmund's Consumer ratings and research the worst reviews...Honda's worst reviews are a lot worse off that the Sonata's especially when you consider it's price.
Mazda's are betters and the Fusion is either so new that no one has had a chance to review it, or no one is buying it yet.
The manual transmission is a good choice, in my opinion. It’s responsive and shifts smoothly. I really enjoy it.
If I was to say something negative about it, it would be this: the clutch is loose. By that I mean you have to let the clutch out a lot (at least far more than my previous cars) in order to engage the transmission. This is only really noticeable when starting out in first gear. But, hey, all cars are different. You’ll see what I mean when you drive it. You’ll feel like you have to let the clutch out 6 inches before it will catch.
But, other than that minor complaint (which becomes moot – as you will get used to it), the manual transmission is great.
Please let me know what you think after you drive it.
Your post made me smile. When I got that lame “gift” from Hyundai, I thought it was a total joke. I mean, really, they gave us a sticky pad?! Who would ever put that on their dash? So, so cheesy.
Moving on
When I read that about the A/C in the “Super-Awesome Gift Package”, I thought it was kind of ridiculous. The way I figure it, the reasoning for HMA letting us know that the A/C uses more gas is
1.) an effort to be more “green” by letting their customers know how to save gas
2.) they think we are idiots who didn’t know that the A/C uses more gas.
However, your post got me thinking: Does the Sonata use too much gas when the A/C is running? In the sticky, humid summers here in Virginia, I run my A/C all the time. I’ve never noticed that the car consumes a disproportionately high amount of gas when running the A/C. Sure, it uses more, but not much more.
While I haven’t experienced this, Dovid2 raises a good point. Has anyone else here noticed an abnormally high fuel consumption when running the A/C?
- Merg
problem at 500 miles,the car has 5500 miles on it now. LU JACK,in Davenport,
Iowa have replaced transmission ,module assembly it did not correct the
problem.Lu Jack,s then installed a flight recorder for five days I am waiting
to hear if they found the problem. has anyone else had this problem? the car is
a 4 cyl 2.4
And I agree the shift-tronic can get you out of a mess quick, drop the gear and the car will take off..... :shades:
a left has 5500 miles now ,lu jacks auto,davenport, iowa replaced transmission,
computer assembly,flight recorder on 5 days waiting to hear back, has any one
else had this problem?