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OK, two albums, both have same pictures of Equus, enjoy
My volume comes from the local library, I'll be keeping a watch for the 2006 edition which I think will cover the Lambdas. I've also had trouble in finding mechanical details on the Lambdas.
A few observations about Hyundai's current valve train thinking: the old "Delta" V6 uses hydraulic tappets which are acted on directly by the camshaft. The tappets, in turn, act directly on the valve stems (no "rockers"). If the "Lambda" V6 follows this practice, then the workings should be good indefinitely if the owner practices sane oil maintenance intervals. Hyundai builds a very similar V6 engine for the newly introduced Optima line - the new "Mu" 2.7L V6 (NO relation to the previous "Delta" 2.7L V6 I own, other than exactly the same 2656 cu cm listed displacement. Visually, the "Lambda" and the "Mu" are identical under the hood. (I went to the trouble to compare a 2006.5 Optima's V6 to a 2007 Azera's V6 on adjoining dealership lots two weeks ago.) But, KIA's online available shop manual (complete with full diagrams - BOO, Hyundai!) indicates a low-mounted spin-on oil filter, a timing belt rather than a timing chain, and definite reference to solid bucket tappets. There may be other differences, but the overall appearance suggests the same engineers responsible for the new "Lambda" series had more than a passing acquaintance with the development of the "Mu" series, too. According to the text of the KIA shop manual, a valve "adjustment" consists of measuring the clearance for each valve, noting if and how much out of tolerance it is, and then replacing (not shimming) the affected tappets with over or undersize units as necessary. That means the camshafts and the CVVT mechanisms have to come out in order to extract the bucket tappets to be replaced. Hopefully that procedure will politely wait until a KIA's timing belt needs replacement to minimize the labor impact. I don't know that the Hyundai "Lambda" engines will require periodic valve "adjustments" (they won't if they have hydraulic tappets), but if they do, that would obviate one advantage of the superiority of a timing chain. The owner would still be susceptible to some stiff labor charges to have periodic valve "adjustments" performed at whatever interval the factory recommends and re-time the crankshaft to coincide with valve openings.
“Car makers of widely affordable vehicles, particularly Honda, Hyundai, and Kia, are increasingly making critical gear such as side and side-curtain airbags, electronic stability control, and antilock brakes standard fare in cars whose base prices range from $10,000 to $25,000. Until recently, these features were available only in vehicles above $30,000 -- forcing people to buy luxury cars if they wanted safer rides.
Virtually all Hyundais come with six standard airbags. Its small SUV, the Tucson, starts at less than $20,000 with the airbags and crucial electronic stability control (ESC). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated Hyundai's $25,000 2007 Entourage minivan as the safest on the market because of its full package of front, side, and three rows of curtain bags, stability control, traction control, and ABS. And its Azera sedan, also at $25,000, brings all of the above while boosting airbags to eight.
Hyundai have made ESC standard in a broad swath of their lineup, leapfrogging even Honda and venerable Volvo, which relies largely on after-crash protection, in standard safety gear.
Read more at http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2006/05/28/safer_at_every_speed?mode=PF
The survey asked owners of the cars how satisfied they were with the cars they owned. So, it is not a direct comparison of one car against another, unless that owner happened to own both or many of the cars. And even then, the survey does not ask owners which car is the best car, it asks how satisfied the owner is with his car.
Those cars costing two to three times as much as the Azera are better cars in terms of quality, performance, resale, styling, engineering, etc.
That is my estimate, your opinions may vary.
Just looked at the maintenance schedule for my Azera's valve clearance it recommends "inspection, clean, adjust, repair or replace if necessary" after 60,000 and 120,000 miles.
At our average 7,500 miles/year it's a toss up who'll give out first---me or the valve clearance.
Neither is very serious - one has to do with WOT ("Wide Open Throttle") shift from 1st to 2nd being bad, which is adjusted by following the TB steps using the dealer computer programming module. If you tend to scream off the line and shift from 1st to 2nd is ragged or off, it likely affects you. :surprise:
The 2nd is in reference to whether or not the passenger-side airbag deploys - apparently in some circumstances it decides you need it when you don't. This should be noticable because the "Passenger airbag disabled" light doesn't come on for a short while after vehicle start-up even though there is no one in that seat. :sick: Again - it has to be fixed using the dealer's computer modification module.
The oil filter on top of the engine is a plus for convenience in changeing oil. Although I wish I could get a reliable sump drain valve that I could operate without getting under the car.
Have you tried Fumoto Valve for your car? I'm an ol' ^%#%, too - and this works for me! :shades:
Have you tried Fumoto Valve for your car? I'm an ol' ^%#%, too - and this works for me!
I had heard of these but think I'd still have to get under the car to actuate the valve. Still, eliminating the possibility of stripping the drain plug and being able to use a tube on the optional nipple is appealing. I don't know where the drain plug is on the Azera, if it's on the back of the sump the valve would be nicely protected, as would the nipple. I came across one instance where the valve accidentally opened when a car was freed from a snow bank. For a buck extra a stainless steel clip is available to lock the valve.
Once some time back I came across a valve which could be operated from the engine compartment.
I recall having the same problem and think I solved it by depressing the buttons with a pencil.
This car is really nice compared to the Camry and the Passat.
Truly nice appointments with a better interior than either of the other two contenders.
Have a great evening.
I had a good idea what I wanted to pay and the dealer came pretty close so I bought it. It was the only Limited with the ultimate package they had at the time. I traded in a 2000 Toyota Avalon.
I looked at the new Avalon and the Honda V6 but they couldn't match up with the Azera in my opinion. The Avalon with similar equipment was about $4ooo.oo more. I also don't like the design of the new Avalon; it looks like a whale to me. The Honda just didn't have it for the same money.
I haven't driven it much yet but really like the way it drives and looks.
hmmm... Now THAT would be nice!
Could you delete the original message, please? (#2398)
Replying to: oldbloke (May 29, 2006 7:38 am)
I could get a reliable sump drain valve that I could operate without getting under the car.
Have you tried Fumoto Valve for your car? I'm an ol' ^%#%, too - and this works for me!
"Nothing can be made foolproof because fools are so ingenious." MURPHY'S LAW #66
hello everybody ... i need your help
After spending enough time examining and test driving Avalon, Accord, Charger and Azera (all V6 top line) I've made up my mind with the Azera.
I drive 150 miles daily hence, need a car that has:
1- Very low cabin noise when driving 85+ mph (specifically wind noise ... don't care much about tires, engine and body noise)
2- Comfortable suspension and smooth riding
I need any valued feedback from any Azera owner on the above points as it was impossible to assess the Azera against the above in 20min test drive
I don’t care about the resell value (the Azera is already $4,000 cheaper which I believe will be equal to the extra loss when selling it)
I also don’t care about fuel consumption, brand name or country of origin.
Any feedback is highly appreciated as I’m buying the car next Monday
I can share with you a comprehensive score sheet I prepared for the above cars. The comparison showed very close scores for the four competing cars so . It’s a personal choice to go with one over the others (I decided to go with the car that has the lowest price and lowest resell value yet full of options, and surprisingly better quality ).
anyway, since you have the Azera maybe you can answer the 2 points in my post
thanks
They are not equals, but given your requirements, ushuala, the Amanti may be perfect for you.
I see you tested/drove some interesting vehicles.
Take the Sonata LX for a drive, it is setup to be a little sportier with suspension. A good friend of mine bought one last Oct. drives about the same as you per day and absolutely loves the vehicle. If you check, compare the dimensions, etc. they are almost the same.
The Azera is just more comfortable and is a cruiser. At 85 mph you'll not notice or feel the speed. The vehicle is comfortable, quiet, handles well and a pleasure to drive.
1- More comfortable suspension (based on many feedbacks including yours)
2- More luxurious cabin
3- Good material .. I don’t mean like German high-end or Lexus but better than Sonata, Avalon, Accord and Charger where inexpensive plastic materials are widely used (in the cabin)
4- It has more options than the high-end Sonata .. this is important to keep me awake all the way to work and back home
I'm waiting for more feedbacks to support all the above conclusions
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Yet it all goes into the same cabin and mixes together so it is pretty much ends up at the same temperature.
infinity sound system with 8+ speakers,
Wow that would fit my two ears.
rain sensor
You mean you can't tell if its raining outside? :P
I look at a lot of that stuff as just more stuff to go wrong. :sick:
But wait, IIRC some of those are only options and/or only on the limited which increases the price by more than 15%, now your talking like 30-50% more.
The 15% is the most expensive Sonata against the least expensive Azera. If you go down a trim with the Sonata and get the most expensive Azera then the Azera gets to me more than 50% more than the Sonata.
I am not saying get the Sonata over the Azera, just that you have to weight the extra cost against the extra stuff you get. To some it will be worth it to others it won't. You are going to pay at a minimum 3 grand more, so what can you do with an extra $3,000? A nice cruise, exotic vacation, a deck behind the house, finish your basement?
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Sorry - halogen lights. All european Azeras have HID lights, but not available in 2006 model American model...
Yeah - sorry, Pat - I know, TOT... :sick:
metropolitan Ny-NJ areas,including stopovers at shopping
malls and interstate service stops.
To date,I have yet to see a 2006 Azera.What I do observe
is a good mix of 2006 Sonatas?
Has Hyandai convinced potential Azera buyers that the
model is that more of a bargain than the loaded Sonata?
As of May 30 sales figures,the jury is out as to whether
the Azera has positioned itself into an upscale niche
beyond the 2006 Sonata!
anybody can give me his real-life feedback