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Two “certified Hyundai technicians” told one paper that the car could not go over 137 mph. Then a Hyundai official in L.A. told another paper that it could go 147 mph. ... In the meantime, a C/D test driver took our long-term Sonata V-6 to the track and — surprise — got a top speed of 144 mph. The section of road where Pargo’s highest speed was clocked, we’re told, is slightly downhill, making his 147-mph speed seem plausible.
http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/12563/the-147-mph-hyundai-sonata.html
So maybe that test track in Korea was on a mountainside, and the Sonata was doing down the mountain?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Sonata
Another guy in the "other" forum stated his I4 was at 6K RPM and around 120 but he was in 3rd. I never looked at what gear I was in. I'll bet the I4 will scream in 4th but I won't try it again. I am passing the torch to you younger folks.
Thanks for your time.
But I don't really think that you have to wait THAT long, 10-15 minutes, to get an accurate oil level reading, pekelopd... Maybe in theory, but not in real life.
This sounds weird. But I don't believe your engine was damaged.
STILL, I suggest that you make a comment on the Hyundai web site where owners can register and post every oil change and other services done to their car. There is a window for comments. There you should write what happened, so that you have some kind of a note on your "file" just in case, for the future.
http://hyundaiusa.com/owners/myhyundai/login.aspx
Go to the Owners tab - Service/Maintenance
That chime is also your "the keys are in the ignition dummy and you aren't here" chime along with the "you're not buckled up and could die" chime. We've all (those with a build date before 10/2006) wanted to disconnect it. I agree it is annoying. After 10/06 I believe they changed the chime. I tried to get my Hyundai dealer to install the new logic and they said no. Someone found that putting foam tape around/in the area by the cig lighter front and sides decreases it. I did it and it helps, kinda makes it bearable. It really is there to remind me I haven't buckled up yet. I know this because I HAVE locked my keys in the car. If you search the forum you find someone has tried and accomplished what you want to do. Good luck.
Man, I direly want someone to convince me that my car isn't screwed up.
Thank you pekelopd and mamamia2 for your advice. I got registered in that hyundai website and wrote down about this event. But it seems to be a journal for the owners. I doubt if Hyundai ever surveys owners' comments in that website. Anyways, thanks for your help.
You people are awesome. Thanks for the advice.
The Sonata won a few awards when introduced in 06. Experts stated Hyundai quality control improved to a point now match/surpass the Japanese.
I have 01 MPV and 93 Protege. Other than normal maintenance, no major reliability issue and very happy with both Mazdas.
My main concern is the recent Hyundai quality improvement is based on the initial quality only. What about long term reliability? What about "You get what you paid for"? This is now the 2nd year, any reported major problems?
Comment please. Thanks
BTW, Canadians get short changed by Hyundai :mad: . Only get 5 yrs power train warranty, stability control only in the top trim GLS V6, no subwoofer sound system.
The Sonata is a better car than the Mazda, in my opinion. Not only are you getting more bang for your buck, but it is an overall higher-quality car. I bought my '06 Sonata when it was first released and now have 35,000+ miles on it. Not so much as a hiccup in terms of reliability. It is much too soon to tell what the future holds, but if it stays the way it has I made one heck of a smart decision.
Sorry to hear Canadians get short changed in terms of the warranty. That was one major factor in my decision to buy...10 long years of power train coverage. The subwoofer thing is really not that big of a deal. It does not add all that much to the stereo. I had an after market system installed soon after I bought it, so I guess it didn't matter what the car came with.
You'll hear over and over and over on this forum about the same common complaints which include the gas sloshing sound, windshield noises, engine noise, front end noise, and rear end noise. Another problem people have reported is the windshield washer pump going out. I have experienced the gas-sloshing sound, but that is only when the tank is almost full. Not that big of an issue to me considering almost everybody has at least one gripe with whatever car they own.
Good luck!
"You'll hear over and over and over on this forum about the same common complaints which include the gas sloshing sound, windshield noises, engine noise, front end noise, and rear end noise." --- That's a bit of an exageration, Johnap. I have NONE of the above. Except the ONLY ONE typical complaint -- the gas sloshing, which is really a non-issue (I filled up last weekend, and have not noticed it at all throughout the week... Last fill up I heard some sloshing noise). All the rest? Typical here and there to ANY car model... Just visit the Accord or (even worse...) Camry forums... The new Sonata has been as reliable and problem-free as any of its main competitors.
Do what Mama said. Visit the Camry forum and read their horror stories. Gas sloshing and an occasional k-thunk is nothing compared to tranny issues. Or better yet, visit the Mazda 6 forum and look around for yourself. You won't regret the Sonata and with the money saved you can take a very nice vacation cruise.
I noticed no anomalies (read: delays) in the Drive-By-Wire throttle response, nor in transmission shifting with the 5-speed automatic. The Camry in each case was a LE 4-cylinder automatic. And, the cruise control was much improved over the one we rented last June. From what I experienced, admittedly short term, it seems like Toyota has the initial teething problems sorted out on the Camry.
The GLS V6 doesn't have the delay on request to downshift. Power delivery seems to be more linear than the M6. Of course ride is softer compared to the M6, but the test V6 vehicle only has the 16" wheel. At high rpm (ex, forced downshift), engine noise sounds unrefine compared to the M6. At cruising, tach shows ~1900rpm @ 100kph, 2250rpm @ 120kph.
Asked about the "machined chunks of steel lifter" in the Lambda engine, no one knows, asked for the service schedule, not listed. I hope will not be an issue since US gets 10yr warranty, only 5yr for us :mad: .
Hyundai Sonata 6 cylinders or 4? Post #22
I scored a deal on a new loaded to the top GLS V6. Hope I will not regret . Still need to finalize the color. Unfortunately, I will be away on business trip for the next 3 weeks :mad: , so pick up upon my return.
Questions:
1) Is there a particular manufacture date I should avoid, believe pre Sept 06 has the k-Thump noise, although there is a fix for it.
2) Few stocks have the 225/50 17" tires, most down sized to 215/55 17", both by Michelin. Manager offered to swap the the tires but reluctant to accept as the VIN# no longer matches the options, not sure when and why Hyundai down sized the tires. Any comment? I know the 50 series will (should) give a firmer ride which I prefer. Are the size interchangeable with TCS and ESC ?
3) Do the metallic and mica based colors both have the SAME layers of clear coat on top? With a preference on beige followed by grey leather, avaliable and perference exterior colors are Golden Beige (mica), Dark Red (mica), Crystal Silver (metallic). Which one is easier for paint touch up?
4) Took the $3k cash rebate incentive, expire end of March 07. But after a longer thought (at home), it will be more economical to take the 0% 60mth finance and use the alloted purchase cash to make money over the 60mth. To switch over to 0% finance now (assunming it is still possible), will it be as simple as adding the $3k cash rebate plus tax to the final price?
I also got mine (same Arctic White, they also call it Noble White, btw) from the dealer, for about $10, but have not used it yet (waiting for warmer weather...).
Is GM's the same kind of a "pen"?
I could hear humming sound and feel a little vibration too.
The humming noise starts weakly at 25mph and the biggest point is 40mph. It comes any type of road and weather, even neutral gear. So far I drove smooth, rough asphalt roads and concrete freeway, and rainy day.
When I drive freeway at 60~70mph, I hear the humming noise continually. Also when I touch reflectors to change lane, there is short humming resonance sound after natural bumpy ride.
Actually I have been dealership for two times to clear this. The first time, the service manager who is specialist of the dealer said that it was humming noise. He tried to pin point the problem, and checked every bearings, shaft and entire underbody, but he couldn't find where it comes from. I just went home.
After few months, I asked to fix this again, this time DPSM from Hyundai Motor test drove my car and he made a conclusion that comes from tire. But I didn't agree with him because a friend of mine has LEXUS ES330 and I drove it already. It has the same Michelin tire(Energy™ MXV4® S8 P215/55R17 93V) and doesn’t make sound like that. But the DPSM said that the ES330 is higher level car than sonata, and has different structure. In my view, if tires are the same, the result should be the same on every cars.
It sounds like touching a spinning shaft slightly to me.
So I asked the service manager again to find out the problem. During the car was dealership, he changed new tires and drove my car. Then he heard the same humming noise too. Not surprisingly he made a conclusion that comes from tire. It was disappointing.
After that, I drove at 40 mph my home, I found that humming noise has been decreased about 50%. But it doesn’t come from left front any more. I don’t know where comes from. Actually he didn’t do for my car anything but changing other tires and reconveying them. May be he switched tires.
The humming noise is still on my car at 25~70 mph.
My question
1. Does anyone have experience like this?
2. Michelin tire (Energy™ MXV4® S8 P215/55R17 93V) makes humming noise?
3. How is your sonata?
Obviously Michelin doesn't have a bad DESIGN, but one bad TIRE. It happens.
I would suspect the guy swapped your tires, and put the noisy one IN THE BACK. So you go back to him and say "hey, this is still making the noise, but now it's somewhere else. I need you to get me a NEW tire." Let them deal with it till they actually SOLVE the problem.
Is it better to have Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS) as Hyundai has them built in. Do we really need it?
I am trying to decide which car would be good for me as I trying to save some money, but still I would like a long, reliable car with little worries.
Thanks.
oil.You should see an improvment in your gas consumption.Also check your tires,the dealers don't when they deliver a car.
Highs
sweet sounding V6
adequate accleration
somber but handsome exterior
well assembled interior
quiet at highway speeds
Lows
poor interior ergonomics
Inadequate legroom
flopy suspension
spastic shifter
easy to find cheap feeling plastics
questionable interior design
Bottom line
A car with potential, but a huge number of flaws.
These would be my gripes about the interior
Stereo and center console are strangely bloated like some form of cancerous tumor.
Interior Door latch feels flimsy and poorly made
Drink holder lid feels flimsy and poorly made
Layout of center console is a mess
Edge of unaturaly wide center console digs painfully into my shin while driving
Seat is terrible, it feels like the thing is leaning forward, the only height adjustment makes this forward leaning feeling worse? and the seat length is rather short leaving much of my thighs unsupported, the lateral support is lacking, and the whole thing feels rather cheap and hard, like im siting ontop of it and not in it.
Footwell Seems cramped, and the gas pedal seems to me like it's placed way to close to the center stack, leading to an akward driving position
Fake Carbon Fiber looks down right fake and cheap.
Low Rent Fabrics, even compared to the ones in my Sentra.
Other complaints
The Shifter seems easily confused, Several times while giving it gas to merge on the freeway it has spent a good 1~2 seconds hunting for a gear, making several wrong shifts before it finaly selects a gear.
The suspension makes loud clunking and thumping sounds while going over speed bumps, it also shimys from side to side, something no other car I have ever driven has done, Bouncing up and down I can understand but shaking a bit side to side with it after a speed bump?
considerably more steering boost than I like. and with a vague not quite on center dead spot.
Positive Thoughts
The dark grey and tan scheme looks good on the interior, it creates a sort of bright welcoming feeling.
The V-6 sounds nice and pulls strongly as long as the transmission finds the right gear.
The Stereo sounds fairly good, not as good as the 300 watt Rockford Fosgate in my Sentra, but still very nice.
I realy like the way this car looks, it's not flashy, there is no screaming look at me, but it's quietly handsome, and not at all mishapen like some cars I can think of, *Cough 2007 Sentra Cough* I suspect it will age well, like many Audi designs.
Well anyways those are my random observations, I would rate this car around a B- if I could sit in it for more than 10 minutes with out limping for half an hour because the edge of the center stack digs into my leg, That brings my rating down to a C- overall. Honestly I can see a lot potential but there are tons of things that need to be fixed, the only good news is that most of them are not exactly major issues, and could easily be fixed in the first major refresh of the car.
Oh,by the way,was that killer 300 watt Rockford Fosgate stereo a standard item in your Sentra??
Frankly there are things that can and should be fixed in virtually every make and model vehicle out there and the Sonata isn't an exception but I find it to be a great first effort. Since Hyundai is quick to act on complaints I expect refreshed versions to be better yet.
Anyways I will try to bring it down.
Thanks.
Fact is, more and more car makers are adopting ESC (or however they call it) for their mid- to upscale lines. This is not something that you USE, it's there for EMERGENCY, for that SPLIT SECOND when you're in trouble... This safety feature is HUGE!. And while you have to pay extra for it in most, if not all of Sonata's competitors, the Sonata has it as STANDARD.
And if the Sonata gets a C -, I'd give the Sentra a D -, worst car I ever owned. Never could find the problem and got rid of it 2 weeks after the 3 year warranty expired. WhooHoo!
The Sandman
The 300 watt Rockford Fosgate stereo with 6 disk changer, was part of the SE package. that also included 16" aluminium wheels, a spoiler, fog lights, a leather wraped steering wheel and shifter (automatic)it was a $500 option on the car. My car is fully loaded, power windows, locks keyless entry, AC cruise, ect. The only option I dont have is the sun roof. I paied $14,500 with 60 month finacing at 1%. I actualy do not like my Sentra that much it's had constant problems, has been into the shop I belive this will be the 19th time. Mostly lots of little things breaking over and over, I had 4 trips for the power window not going up and down, though Nissan tell's me that fails to qualify for the :lemon: law.
Anyways With the seats all the way back the Sentra seems to have about the same leg room as the Sonata for the driver. However the footwell is much better, the center stack dosn't intrude into my leg space at all on the Sentra, and The pedals are pushed out a bit further from the center stack which I find more comfortable. The spec's would indicate that the Sonata has a lot more leg room than my Sentra, 43.7 inches vs 41.6 inches, However I fail to see the difference, I have driven a 350Z rated at 42.6 inches and it has considerably more leg room, The RSX with 43.1 inches had some of the best front leg room I have encountered. The 2005 Lancer I test drove is speced at 43.2" of leg room but it also felt like it had a lot more actual room than the Sonata. This is because in the Sonata my knees are mabey 3 inches from the dash, and I have to drive bow legged, Which is about the same case with my Sentra, I am 6'1" with fairly long legs for my height incase you are wondering.
As for the accleration, I timed about 8 seconds to hit 60 with the Sonata, My Sentra will do it in a little under 10 seconds so clearly the Sonata is considerably faster, however I have driven tons of cars that are faster. Heck I timed my moms last SUV at around 7 seconds for 0~60, a 2003 Nissan Murano, and her current car a Hybrid Camery also times around 8 seconds to hit 60, but feels a bit quicker than the Sonata.
The fit and finish inside are ok, the fit is excelent, but I have seen better finish from less expensive cars, If you don't belive me wander down to your Scion dealer and check out a tC, My only complaints there consisted of the door's feeling a bit flimsy in the area between the bottom of the arm rest, and the top of the door pouch, and the silly flip down visor thing for the Stereo. The soft touch materials feel a bit thin, and there are still plenty of hard touch materials to find, some of them like the rubberized feeling area around the controlls on the door's arm rest are actualy nice upscale touches. And I liked the padded arm rest as well, The finish is clearly a step up from whats inside my Sentra "all hard plastics" but it's hardly world beating or anything.
Again I feel the car has some potential, Hyundai just needs to iron out a bunch of flaws. And mabey hire some better interior designers.
Having spent 5 to 10 times this on repairs post-warranty and pre 10 year 100000 mile line for our 1999 passat I am really tempted.
Opinions?
I bought it (when purchasing my Sonata, at $700, a year ago) 'cause I thought that $700 covering 10 years is a small investment to make. After all, it's very easy to rack up HUNDREDS of $ in repairs... Check how much would an A/C compressor cost, or an Alternator, or a fuel pump...