2013 and Earlier - Hyundai Sonata Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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Comments

  • xj220xj220 Member Posts: 78
    The factory rebate is now $1000. It was $1500 back in Nov. You should take that into consideration when you compare your deal with others in this forum.
  • trunvestrtrunvestr Member Posts: 32
    In addition to the $500 rebate differential I think most of the earlier post did not have the $300+ differential for XM radio that ther cars now have. On average, the cars were perhaps $800 cheaper in November, I would think.
  • jack47jack47 Member Posts: 312
    $300+ differential for XM radio that ther cars now have.

    Isn't the XM radio an option?

    Who wants it at $300....what with 6 CD changers, i-pods, etc.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Odd that it's only $150 more on the low-end Sonatas and the Elantra. Note however that other automakers charge about $300 for satellite radio--I noticed the other day that it's a $300 option on the Versa, for example.
  • trunvestrtrunvestr Member Posts: 32
    It's not an option on the LIMITED and I presume it's standard on all 2007 Sonata's of recent build. The original invoice price was $21,052 and whe I last looked it was now $21,373. That's an increase of $321 on the invoice price.
    The salesperson at www.Atlanticautomall.com told me if you don't want the XM just don't turn on your radio. Quite crude. I told her that I didn't want the XM that I had to play monthly subscription to. More diplomatic would have been to say that's how ALL of the NEW Sonata Limited cars were being built.
  • grutzagrutza Member Posts: 52
    Maybe what she meant was don't activate the XM.
  • mort4371mort4371 Member Posts: 27
    The XM isn't an option, it's now standard, as far as I can tell.

    On my SE, at least, the added $$ presumably go for more than just the XM; my car has at least two other mid-year adds -- the additional steering wheel audio controls and the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

    Whether these are worth the extra $$ depend on the individual, I guess. For us, it was worth it because we have XM already and wanted it built-in.

    I also suspect that at least a few of the increased $$ represent nothing more than a simple price increase, with the addition of XM making for good 'cover'. :-)
  • sty1sty1 Member Posts: 22
    hmm.... speaking of XM - this is a dumb question - they should still have AM/FM in addition to that built in XM no?

    Also, I notice other cars have auxiliary jacks for ipods while Hyundai doesnt. If I upgrade and eventually decide to change the factory cd-stereo that would defeat the purpose. Anyway... to all iPod owners how do you play your iPOD without the tape deck? I was hoping the Ultimate pkg includes a tape deck but apparently does not (Azera does but am not interested in Azera). I have a cassette adapter that I use to play my iPod with and I don't wanna buy that expensive iPOD "wireless adapater" accessory. Any inputs?

    On the $1000 rebate issue -

    the Hyundai does indeed offer only $1k in rebate. But I just went to the San Jose auto show recently and I have the flyer that includes additional $500 rebate for SONATA ONLY (auto show complimentary rebate) that's available only until Jan 31st. Looks like they are aggressively pushing out old Sonata cars to make room for the new XM-standard Sonatas.
  • cableguy06cableguy06 Member Posts: 299
    Just because the car comes with XM, you do NOT have to activate it. My wifes' Honda Odyssey came with it and we never activated it. After the initial 3-months of free service, we were contacted by mail to solicit a subscription that you are not obligated to take. There are a hand full of channels you will continue to get for free even without activation.

    Your AM/FM will still work as it always has with any other car.
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    For full disclosure: My $16.1 price on the Optima included a $1500 competitive rebate (own a Malibu Maxx). I assume none of these quotes have sales tax or plates thrown in. In Missouri that's a payment that's made 30 days later and plates belong to the owner, not the car. Throwing these costs into reported prices only confuses things since there's so much variation state-to-state.
  • trunvestrtrunvestr Member Posts: 32
    No, the sales rep was just being a wise-a**.

    I balked at the increase in the $300 increase in car price for a radio that I didn't particularly want. She never mentioned that the price increase was not just for the radio but also to reflect new audio controls on the steering wheel or any of that any klunking sound had been taken care of or any other earlier problems resolved. Basically her tone, which you can't hear in this post, was "you're getting this radio if you play it or not". Like I said in an earlier post, the Limited is a beautiful car but Sonata's are down in sales for both November and December over the same period a year earlier. You'd think they would know how to move their product. I don't need to beg anyone to take my money.
  • shiwalashiwala Member Posts: 18
    Sty1,

    I contacted 18 Bay Area dealerships towards the end of the month and told them I was serious about buying. I also referenced their invoice price and holdback so I came across as an informed buyer. I don't think telling them you're paying cash is that important these days.

    Many places gave me high OTD prices. The only reason I got a good deal at Concord was they were trying to close out a few cars to meet their monthly numbers- that's the dealership you want to find. If you can, wait two weeks and try again on the 29th. This is a good month since it ends on a Wednesday. Do your homework during the waiting period and get the contact info for all the other dealerships.

    BTW, my deal was $964 below invoice and before factoring in the $1500 rebate for the limited w/ultimate.
  • sty1sty1 Member Posts: 22
    Hope you had a great holiday season. You've been gone forever :)

    Did you deal with the Concord CA female internet manager with R.B. as initials (I won't name names hehe)? Wasn't your $23K OTD price already had the $1500 rebate factored in?

    As you might have already read from my earlier post- I inquired for and got a $25K OTD price from the internet manager, then I counter-offered $23K OTD without factoring in the factory rebate and she sound miffed :) I am thinking if I could refer back to your OTD figures you posted here last December since theyre the same dealership?
    Whaddya think?

    I am thinking of getting the car this month because I just got the "$500 auto show discount" (and it's good ONLY for Sonata) which is good till Jan 31 only. I can use it on top of the $1000 hyundai discount they are giving for Sonatas.

    I listed the bay area dealers but only got half of the 18 that you mentioned you contacted. I got the Hyundai dealership list from the bayareahyundaidealers.com.

    My mind is already racing to "buy buy buy". So I'm sending out the inquiries now (its the latter half of January) so I could have time to accumulate the responses and compare them.

    So a few more burning questions for you Shiwala :

    - did you just demand the OTD price or did you ask for the breakdown?

    - did you ever mention the invoice price to them?

    - is the OTD price "take-it-or-leave-it" price? how can I "gracefully" ask them to waive part of the holdback and advert fees (after they already gave the OTD price)?

    Sorry its too long.
  • sty1sty1 Member Posts: 22
    I'm holding off sending the inquiries - will send them after hearing from you hopefully! :)
  • xj220xj220 Member Posts: 78
    There are still Sonatas available without XM (and without the $300 increase). I've seen a few in my dealer's lot. Still I think the new models are worth it because of the new steering controls and (I hear) a tire pressure monitoring system.

    Sales have gone down mainly because Hyundai is cutting down on fleet sales, which make for a good chunk of Sonata sales. The decrease in rebates is further proof that Hyundai doesn't want their cars to be seen as second grade to the Japanese. I wouldn't take it as Hyundai struggling to sell Sonatas. My dealership seemed pretty busy with lots of people when I was there.
  • shiwalashiwala Member Posts: 18
    Sty1,

    No, if you go to their website and click the "our team" link, I dealt with the top three people listed under "sales team". :)

    Yes, my price was with the rebate factored in. I listed the $964 below invoice but before rebate so you can compare to your deal regardless of what the rebate is at the time.

    We may have bought from the same dealership, but please remember that the dealership that gave me the best price yesterday may give you the worst price today. That's why you really need to contact other dealers. Here are the dealerships I contacted...

    Hayward Hyundai
    Doten Automotive Hyundai
    San Leandro Hyundai
    Sunnyvale Hyundai
    Bob Lewis Hyundai
    Stevens Creek Hyundai
    Sunnyvale Hyundai
    South County Nissan Hyundai
    San Rafael Hyundai
    Cammisa Motorcars Hyundai
    Concord Hyundai
    Team Hyundai
    Hyundai of Fairfield
    Tracy Hyundai
    Go Hynudai
    Fireside Hyundai
    Senator Hyundai
    Salinas Hyundai
    Folsom Lake Hyundai
    Lithia Hyundai of Fresno
    Manly Hyundai

    ...and actually, I guess I contacted 21 instead of 18 like I said in my last post. I heard back from 16 of them and another one called me back in December. I sent out my faxes/emails on a Monday morning and bought the car on Thursday.

    I asked for the OTD price including everything, but many dealerships sent me a breakdown which was ok. Make sure they know your zip so they can figure in the right taxes. Hopefully you're not screwed like me with Alameda county's high sales tax.

    Yes, I definitely mentioned invoice price. In fact, I itemized it with the price of the car and the options I wanted. They need to know that you've done your homework.

    OTD is not take-it-or-leave-it. As soon as I had all my offers, I called the dealerships from highest to lowest and let them know my lowest offer. Some said they couldn't go lower, others lowered their price a little (but not enough). I knew I was doing good when I got a few "oh...WOW...we can't go that low! They're losing money on that one" responses.

    Looking back at my offers, they ranged from 23,222 to 25,488 OTD.
  • chuck1chuck1 Member Posts: 1,405
    Do you really feel it was necessary to shop that many dealers?

    I would think 5 or so would have been more than enough.

    If I understand your post - you purchased from the same (low-price) dealership as somebody else.

    So - wasn't it a point of diminishing returns - and what price is your time worth?

    Personally, I would have gone in to the closest three dealers with what I know would have been their TRUE COST, put a profit for the dealer on top of that, and told them "take it or leave it".

    I don't think you need to shop twenty plus dealers for this. But I guess for those who wish to minimize the negotiation process the above is what you end up doing!
  • shiwalashiwala Member Posts: 18
    I was using the fax attack and the more dealers you fax, the more likely you are to get a response. Sending the faxes took less than an hour. I would've wasted more time driving to dealerships.

    I purchased my car from the dealer offering me lowest price. Now sty1 is trying to purchase from the same dealer assuming they will give him the same low price as me.
  • sty1sty1 Member Posts: 22
    Shiwala, I am in Alameda County as well (sigh) somewhere in Tri-Valley area (its freezing out here).

    But anyway, the original quote Concord Hyundai gave me was $25,300 OTD - so its not really bad considering the factory rebates are not deducted yet- though its higher by about $700 than the one they offered you. But since I "bungled" with this internet manager I will use another yahoo email and this time will send quote request to one of the "sales team" as you suggested.

    Wish me luck!:)
  • sliggsligg Member Posts: 109
    What happens if you don't subscribe to XM radio? Can you still play the XM as a standard AM/FM radio?
  • shiwalashiwala Member Posts: 18
    Sligg, I think so. I bought a sirius-ready mp3 deck a few years back and never subscribed- it works just like a regular radio.
  • shiwalashiwala Member Posts: 18
    Good luck...hope you get a hot deal in this cold weather!
  • sty1sty1 Member Posts: 22
    An internet dealer mentioned to me that he could offer a lower price than the Edmunds TMV. So I have the following questions:

    - is TMV the same as Out the door price (guess not)

    - if not so, how do I assess/estimate the out-the-door price relative to the TMV published in the Edmunds website?

    - given that the dealership mentioned that they could offer below the TMV price, it goes to show that the Edmunds TMV price may not be really that low. Are there any other car sites I can compare TMV values with? I think Edmunds is a helpful site and I do not expect all Edmunds info to be accurate, or in this case assume it has the lowest TMV.

    Also, he told me to go to the lot and check out the car and discuss the price. But anyway, the dealership doesn't have my color scheme so I am not going to pursue it further.

    when I sent the email asking for the OTD quote, I did not say anything except that "I researched the internet". Until they come back with the OTD price did I mention the OTD price I am looking for. I asked if they could offer below $25K for the OTD and he said he'd lose money on that, but he was amenable to $25200 OTD price that I told him Concord Hyundai was offering me. How would they know if I was bluffing about the other dealerships' offer?

    - Lastly, should I assume that the OTD quote DOES NOT YET include the hyundai factory rebate? God I hope they didnt include them yet.

    I felt that if I was straightforward and just give them the OTD price I want, they wouldn't entertain you (especially if my offer is "ridiculous" - well that is for them). Thats why I'd want to wait until they give me a figure.
  • sebzx79sebzx79 Member Posts: 53
    You'r nuts if you are going to pay 25k out the door for a Sonata. Go get your self a left over 2006 Azera for about the same money. If you dont mind the cloth interior you can get it for around 19.2k plus tax.
  • sty1sty1 Member Posts: 22
    Sebzx, I have a $1,500 hyundai rebate that I can use to apply to the OTD price. I just hope but am feeling pretty sure that the OTD price typically comes out of the invoice price computation with TTL and does not yet include the Hyundai customer rebate of $1500 (Hyundai currently offers only $1K but I have an auto-show $500 extra rebate. Both expire on 1/31 so I'm thinking about buying soon).

    If anyone dealer in bay area is reading this and can offer $24900 OTD OR LESS , WE HAVE A DEAL :)
  • craigbrookscraigbrooks Member Posts: 420
    I would think OTD means OTD and would include any rebates. I agree with sebzx79, go get a left over or slightly used one and save THOUSANDS!
  • sty1sty1 Member Posts: 22
    I just saw a post in another forum that rebates are "customers' money" that aren't included and can be applied on the OTD price. Just saw Shiwala's note again and actually he did mention that the rebate wasn't included in those OTD quotes. However, I was confused when in his later posting he said that his OTD offers were between $23222 and $25400-something. That is a $2000 difference and I'm wondering if the Hyundai customer rebate of $1500 (WHICH he had) was applied to the lower range of his quotes.

    I'm still hoping that I'll get a sub $25000 OTD offer. That would mean $23500 final price after my Hyundai $1500 rebate is applied.
  • elvisluvselvisluvs Member Posts: 29
    I don't know if this helps- I went to a certain online Cars shopping site- 2007 limited w/package #8 is showing up as $22677- may not include freight,you may be eligible for owner loyalty if you own a hyundai. Never bought there so YMMV-Gl
    PS- I picked a san fran zip for locale
  • sty1sty1 Member Posts: 22
    Thanks Elvis! which car site did you get the info?

    So given the 22677 price tag, I will compute the OTD price with Shiwala's formula

    MSRP: $25,630
    Invoice: $23,464

    Cash price: $22,677
    Documentation: $45
    Sales tax : $1988.17
    License: $218
    CA tire fee: $8.75
    Subotal: $24,965.18

    If I factor in the rebate that would be 24965.18 - 1500 =
    OTD price $23465.18

    With that price range, I will take it. I think that would be a reasonable rate.

    Don't know if they could waive the advert fee. I read from online that "HOLDBACK" is a touchy issue so I'd not go there - yet.
  • sty1sty1 Member Posts: 22
    I got another email quote just a while ago from another dealer and here it is:

    - special limited time offer of $700 below dealer total invoice cost unitl January 31st

    He mentioned too that "you also can get a $1000 factory rebate to increase the savings" then he said the following:

    - using the option pkg 8 (ultimate) no accessories at MSRP $25,345.00, it is sale right now at $22,027.00 "after rebate and Internet incentive" to total $24,323.43 OTD @ 8.75% Alameda county tax rate

    "After rebate with internet incentives"
    It looks like he already applied the $1000 customer rebate. I believe that is for us customers to use to bring down the final selling price (OTD)- dealers aren't supposed to do that, dont you think? How would I put t "delicately" and ask him if he did or didn't include the Factory rebate in his final quote?
  • craigbrookscraigbrooks Member Posts: 420
    Here's how I would do it.....

    Did you include the factory rebate in this price? :P
    Cause if you didn't I want another $1000.00 off.

    Too bad you don't live in Montana you could buy it for $22075.00. No tax.......yet.
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    Since sales taxes vary so widely and are collected in so many different ways, putting taxes into a reported price only confuses things IMHO.
  • hotrod54hotrod54 Member Posts: 82
    Agree on sales tax...it is a locality issue and regardless of where you buy, you will pay for your jurisdiction. By the way, sales tax here in Va. was only $638 on my 07 Ltd. It seems like you folks on the left coast and those up in New York Have bandits yanking money out of your back pockets. By the way, what is a "tire fee". :( :confuse:
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    That's about half of what I'll pay next week when I finally pay my sales tax. And your car is probably more expensive than $16K. Did you get a $600 better deal than I did? That's why putting sales taxes in the deal is nothing but misleading.
  • sty1sty1 Member Posts: 22
    Got to hear back from my 'favorite' dealer. I quoted Edmunds $23300 OTD for a 2007 Sonata Limited with UP option that was sold late last year (which included the THEN $1500 HYUNDAI rebate). I asked him if he could give me $23800 since Hyundai currently offers $1000 rebate for January.

    He gave me the following response:

    24900 + FEES - $1000 rebate and could do it for a DIFFERENT color.

    Dang different color. But I thought its a nice alternative.

    what the heck is the fees? I know it should be just a few hundreds.

    I wonder why he DIDN'T spell out the OTD price or just say "ok you can have it for $23800 otd", whats up with the equation? I did shoot off an email asking again for the final OTD.

    Any thoughts? I didnt bother to ask for the odometer of the alternate color he's offering (why would he be willing to sell a different color with my OTD quote and not the one I like?)
  • jack47jack47 Member Posts: 312
    Fees....document fees that the dealer charges you for his drawing up the paper work. It's a farce and some charge as much as $300-$400. :P In some states the law does not allow them to charge more than $50. In NY, e.g., it's $49.

    But why accept an alternate choice for something that costs 25 grand?

    Would you take a brown suit if you went out to buy a blue one?

    But, to each his own.
  • sty1sty1 Member Posts: 22
    well the color I wanted was steel gray, they have a silver for it. So I am amenable to it.
  • sonataguy07sonataguy07 Member Posts: 12
    Hi guys, new here and have been looking at this forum. I am interested in the 2007 Sonata limited as well. I tried you guys' approach and sent to a few dealerships.

    Here is one of the dealers' reply:

    sale right now at $22,027.00 after rebate and Internet incentive to total $24,323.43 OTD @ 7.75% county tax rate.

    Can dealers apply the rebate BEFORE the OTD price? Isnt that supposed to be for us customers to use to bring down the final price?
  • chuck1chuck1 Member Posts: 1,405
    No! Most states want as much sales tax as possible. They want the taxes on the highest amount possible.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    It appears your state allows taking rebates off before sales tax. That's the way it works in my state, MN.
  • sonataguy07sonataguy07 Member Posts: 12
    How do I get that kind of information - about some states taking rebates off before sales tax and some don't? I am in Fremont California.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I found this very helpful article right here at Edmunds.com:

    http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/117494/article.html

    Look like in CA, you pay tax on before the rebates are deducted. :(
  • shiwalashiwala Member Posts: 18
    Sounds like you and sty1 are shopping the same dealer. Double check your tax rate...Fremont is 8.75%.
  • sonataguy07sonataguy07 Member Posts: 12
    Shiwala, could you provide me the Concord Hyundai contact person? That way I can refer them to your quotes when I talk to them about the Sonata Limited. Cause the internet manager on the same dealership just quoted me $26k last Thursday.
  • sty1sty1 Member Posts: 22
    Hey Shiwala - and listen up sonataguy!

    I just called the Concord dealer today - I showed the dealer the breakdown you have in your quote - even to the EDMUNDS link:

    2007 Limited Sonata w/Ultimate package (w/pearl white powder exterior and floor mats):

    2007 Sonata with
    Cash price: $22,500
    Documentation: $45
    Sales tax (8.75% - Alameda): $1972.69
    License: $218
    CA tire fee: $8.75
    Subotal: $24,744.44
    Rebate: -$1500

    OTD: $23,244.44

    Heres what the dealer says:

    1) Shiwala did NOT buy the 2007 Sonata at that price
    The dealer told me it is 'WRONG'. First of all they allege that the $23244 PRICE is for 2006 SONATA Limited. Is that TRUE? I'll understand if you inadvertently posting "2007 Sonata" - instead of 2006 Sonata if thats what you really bought per the dealer. Nobody's perfect.

    The dealer says the 2007 Sonata price has gone up (due to inflation) compared to the 2006 model. Can you refute this please?

    I see that Sonataguy was asking for your Concord Hyundai contact. I'd like to see it as well. Thanks!

    Sonataguy could very well just follow my misadventures as I go along.
  • sonataguy07sonataguy07 Member Posts: 12
    Good luck sty1, I will be following your misadventures with bated breath.

    I hope Shiwala is a real buyer, and not someone working for the dealership incognito trying to lure customers to their store. God I hope not!
  • chuck1chuck1 Member Posts: 1,405
    What do you think the answer is?

    I am in California as well!

    Why don't you guess and I will let you know if you are correct.

    You have a 50/50 chance.
  • xj220xj220 Member Posts: 78
    Here is the cheapest quote I saw in my area for LTD Ult Package. Unfortunately, it's in Maryland (Fitzgerald Auto Mall) and it doesn't have the floormat option. But you can show the dealer this info and see if s/he can at least give you a better offer.

    BTW: If you're getting the 2007s with XM, expect to shell out about $300-$400 more than the below price. Floor mats would be an additional $50 or so. But if your extra $500 rebate still holds, then that should more than make up for these charges.

    LTD with Ult Pkg and 1k mfr rebate: $20,727
    Dealer Doc Fee: $99
    Sales tax (8.75% - Alameda): $1972.69
    License: $218 (are you including title?)
    CA tire fee: $8.75
    OTD: $23,026

    So, yes, I can see how shiwala got one for $23,245. Also, don't be too upset if the dealer won't match this price.
    Remember, there are many things to factor in when dealers set a price for any car. This particular car has been in the lot for at least 2 months and has over 350 miles tached on. Also, Fitz seems to make their money on sales volume to compensate for their low profit margins. Your dealer may not be as big.
  • shiwalashiwala Member Posts: 18
    sonataguy07- if you look at my responses to sty1, I told him how to find the people I contacted. I'll narrow it down by saying that I didn't speak to the general sales manager. I faxed him my request but the other two people took over from there.

    sty1- short of scanning in my paperwork, all I can say is I most certainly bought a 2007 Sonata Limited w/Ultimate package for the price I said.

    And no, I'm not a dealer trying to lure people anywhere. I've been saying time and time again not to expect Concord Hyundai to give you guys the same price they gave me and that's turning out to be true. Shop around and/or wait for the end of the month!
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    If you'll look back at #3545 you'll notice I answered this question for sonataguy07, with help from an article by Edmunds.com.
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