Hyundai Santa Fe (2006 and earlier)

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Comments

  • rfairesrfaires Member Posts: 13
    Don't tell me we didn't get in on the start of something big....


    Link: http://www.autopacific.com/cgi-bin/vss.cgi

  • rfairesrfaires Member Posts: 13
    results where the Santa Fe out performed the competition, click below. Remember, a "good" rating is a "good" as it gets.


    Link:


    http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/summary_smsuv.htm

  • lexconnerlexconner Member Posts: 25
  • gg7143gg7143 Member Posts: 5
    Averaged 24.91 MPG on my last fill up. did over 250 miles mostly highway with speeds 50 -70mph. I have the GLS 6 cyl with 4WD
  • billtungbilltung Member Posts: 255
    1) Yesterday, the 2nd time My SF had performed its 5 mile/hr rear bumper crashtest... hitted at the same bumper's spot......Do want to see the results & pics?

    2) A Customer visited me yesterday with his pewter SF(same like mine), we parked both SF side by side & took pictures.... Do u want to see it??????

    3) My SF reached almost 16,000Km. Do u want to see the actual Odometer reading yesterday while I traveled at 100 mile(160Km)/hr!....

    I want to see others response 1st before I continue to contribute pictures here because someone's seem don't like my SF photos... may be too many pics ... I think I should create my own SF website......but it takes some time, can u wait a couple of weeks?
  • wales1wales1 Member Posts: 90
    tung..show us the pics. WOW..two wrecks already in the SF..bet your getting nervous driving thinking people are out to hit yah, or were these your boo boo's?
    If you keep taking pics while you are driving at 100 mph..you may be taking your own death pics. BE CARFEUL..its not worth the pain or the speeding ticket !
  • megasuvownermegasuvowner Member Posts: 64
    i was just wondering if any of you Sante Fe owners has had you bumper painted to match the color of the rest of the car because i think it would look better. ive noticed that in Hyundai Sante Fe pictures from other countires , their bumbers are painted to match the rest of the car and that looks a lot better than the boring gray side cladding. i think sante fe will probably offer this option in a year or so on the new Sante Fe's.
  • billtungbilltung Member Posts: 255
    I still want more positive responses before I continue showing my SF photos here! because I don't want others saying that I'm too proud of my SF! Please understand for my "delivery job using SF"'s nature, I'm very boring driving the SF w/o taking photos to share with you guys, but don't worry! I'm very safe, reasons?


    1) The IIHS crash test results

    2) I usually speeding at allowable good road conition & straight forward, not like other dangerous drivers who forced merging & zig-zag(I means drive in S-shape pattern on the road). I didn't look at the viewfinder when I took the picture & in very stable condition!

    3) I speeded only in highway!

    4) It seems safer than using Cellular phone.


    But.......sorry!..... I know I'm wrong.....I still violate the law.....I was speeding.... All policemen here pls forget me ...From now on I will try my best to slow down! At the same time Why not the auto manufactures co-operate with the police to limit the car speed to can't go faster than (maybe 140km/hr or 80m/hr) to care about the customer's life?


    I probably should set up a web-cam w/ internet-connected lap-top in my SF!


    I saw a latest model Acura sport sedan(not sure what model) remains yesteday after crashed in the highway I usually drive everyday, flying up after hitted curb & rolling over many times, the two young men insided died instantly, Hey man! It is the price to race using an excellent performance cars!

    http://www.tvforbc.com/bc/news/stories/news-78209520010520-150503.html



    Anyway, Thks for all of you concern about my safety!
    I'm very happy to see most of the Hyundai's drivers was driving below the city speed limit & very educated.

    :)

  • tulpenhamtulpenham Member Posts: 32
    Tung: show us your pictures, please!

    Megasuvowner: here in Holland (and probably also in the rest of Europe) it is not an option to have your bumpers painted to match the body color. On the contrary, the basic SF's do all have the bumpers in body-color. The cladding only comes with the expensive SF's! It's not an option, it depends on the version.
  • musiclawyermusiclawyer Member Posts: 20
    Highlander is nice but for less money you can get the LX 4WD, loaded. Same Highlander would cost you 6, even 8K more and Santa Fe is just as good a car. That leaves you to choose between LX and XS Forester. Forester is OK but its stock tires and stereo are weak, and gas mileage is almost the same. My LX 4WD gets 20-23 depending on conditions. 25K miles trouble free, and tires are almost like new. I probably would have had to change the Forester's tires by now. And look at Forester maintenance schedule. Ouch! But they are all good cars and one can't know until you sit behind the wheel of all three in different conditions. Just some random thoughts to consider.
  • wales1wales1 Member Posts: 90
    On the way into work, heard that Ford will be recalling 50,000 of their SUVs due to TIRE PROBLEMS. The vehicle is made here in Louisville, KY., and apparently their was a converyour belt that cut the tires, which weakens the structure of the tire. So, watch out !
  • billtungbilltung Member Posts: 255
    Just curiosity, why not u post the above problem in SF+Triscape forum but instead u posted here only?
  • billbo1970billbo1970 Member Posts: 76
    Tung: I too would like to see your pictures!!

    Hung: I really, really, like your white gauges!! where did you get them, how difficult was it to install, and how much did it cost??????

    Bill :)
  • billbo1970billbo1970 Member Posts: 76
    GREAT job on your website!! Very well laid out also.

    Bill :-)
  • papimompapimom Member Posts: 11
    Have any of you other happy SaFe owners noticed if the silver emblems are showing signs of pitting? While washing and waxing yesterday I noticed it. Have had the vehicle since Oct. and still love it.
  • wales1wales1 Member Posts: 90
    Tung..the problem is with the Ford Explorer, not the Escape, so it made no sense to post to the forum you mentioned. heck..I dont even know why I posted it in the forum here. Just wanted to pass it along. Since I live here where they make the ride, its a big deal here.
    No pitting probs here, but I did remove the 'hyundai' words on tailgate section. So only have a few emblems that would be affected if there was a problem. I think those letters and emblems are plastic so I doubt its pitting, that usually happens to metal objects only , so it maybe caused by some road debris that splatterd on car or road salt on the plastic.
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    Hsupowen:
    The Santa Fe V6 has NOT received any recall yet! While the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute, received more than 8 recalls since the day they have produce it. I just hope that they don’t have anymore recall but I still think the Santa Fe is a better choice because it is much cheaper according to your layout.

    Leevan:
    Congratulation! Welcome aboard and join this message board. Hope you the best.

    Wales1:
    Congratulation on making the Santa Fe more exciting! Yes! The Santa Fe will look very nice with the bumper brake light. I have removed my “stop” sign and then move the light bulbs back into the bumper and they look very nice now. Cool! I really like your comment about my “stop” sign, etc. and now that I have make my car look much better. It is nice if you can shoot the picture at night and show everyone too.
    Wow! That is another great new to watch out about the tires on the Ford. I noticed that they have this problem on many other SUVs before too. Thank you for sharing with us and I really like about this news too because I have a friend that do have the Explorer too.

    Gallaria:
    Thank you very much for supporting another wonderful news and share with us.

    Jarren:
    About my Tool Box! You sure know what is good about my tool box. My Tool box is the best tool box that I have ever have. You can purchase it at Sears! Each piece of wrench and nut opener size are Standard and Metric. That is mean each piece have the size of Standard and Metric. I just think that everyone should have used this same type of product because most of the mechanic is using it now too. “I’ll shoot the picture for more detail and show it here later”! The toolbox does not sell in the website but you can purchase at Sears but not all Sears will have it. If you really need to buy this set of toolbox then I’ll try to see if they still have it available then I can help purchase for you with the receipt.

    Lexconner:
    No! It does not really come standard on LX either! You have to purchase it. However, the toolbox I have is excellent toolbox. I’ll shoot the pictures and show everyone what I mean…

    GG7143:
    Yes! Somehow, the Santa Fe Freeway/Highway mile is excellent and I always get 24½ mpg. I really like the number that you have but probably my have more accessories and weight more I guess.

    Bill Tung:
    As I always said! Do not care about what other people said. Just show it to us! I can’t wait to see it too. I love the way you share with us since the beginning.

    Megasuvowner:
    I noticed you only like a single tone color however, USA does not provided with the Single tone color because most consumers/buyers like the DOUBLE tones color. Sorry! The single tone not available for you but you can spend more money if you want it to paint but I think a DOUBLE tone look much better. I respect your choice and opinion but that is how it works at Hyundai.

    Tulpenham:
    Did you pick up your Santa Fe yet? Man! I cannot wait to see the beauty Orange of your Santa Fe. Have a great day.

    Billbo1970:
    I bought the White Face Gauge at HDKautosport.com and cost about $70 for me. You can call Toll Free at HDK and ask for Sam at 1-866-821-8452. However, install the face gauge is very difficult. It took me 3-4 hours to figure out how to install it correctly. However, I do have experience now and I can install it for less than ½ hours. If you can take the whole face gauge out of the car then you just cut out the existing face gauge and then slide in the New FACE GAUGE. The new face gauge has bigger round hole in the middle to slide on easily to the needle. Thank you very much for your nice comment on my website site. I hope that my website can help other do their job too.

    Papimom:
    My emblems are still look very nice too. I did not want to gold trim it because the chrome it does look very nice already. I hope you enjoy riding your Santa Fe too.
  • lesmlesm Member Posts: 5
    The Santa Fe looks very interesting - I'm looking for a vehicle that will carry our two golden retrievers, as well as a baby in the back seat. I'm not a real SUV fan, but given how few wagons are out there that fit in my price range, I'm looking a bit further. Will two goldens fit comfortably in the rear of the Santa Fe?

    thanks for your help.

    lesley
  • ramadaramada Member Posts: 27
    WOw Hung...looks like you've been buys writing back to everyone here. :-) LOL Your website is looking better and better. The pictures of all your accessories really do help others here decide for themselves, what they would like to have done to their own Santa Fe's. To each his own, right? I like your Santa Fe too. At the Santa Fe Forum, http://www.santafeforum.com there's a new Santa Fe owner there, "ddloyd" that has a beautiful Merlot LX Santa Fe. He's got many pictures of it. Just click the "ddloyd website" link, and you'll see for yourself, his nice Merlot LX. Cheers! :-)
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    Lesm:
    Room for dogs! The trunk is very wide! The Santa Fe is wider than most of it competitors and I am sure you will be happy with it. Every car can put the baby in the back seat but the Santa Fe is extremely the good choice for space. I am sure there are other car out there have it too but the SUV price can not compare with the Santa Fe.

    Ramada:
    Thank for the information! I have already look into that site a few times already. I really like the all the color on the Santa Fe as well as everyone sites. Thank you. Everyone seem to be very happy with their Santa Fe and I hope that everyone will enjoy and keep it for a long, long, long, time which I will. However, I hope that someday in the future I can change to the Fuel Cell System. I just hope but otherwise I can still lived with what I have now.
  • alfer2000alfer2000 Member Posts: 2
    Just found your Club and am looking forward to reading the latest on the SF.


    My wife and I are having our first baby in October and want to get rid of her 2-door Cavalier and having researched the latest Mini-SUV market, we decided on the SF. Best value it seems and everybody seems to be happy with them so far.


    We only have one small dealer here in town and everytime a SF shows up, it's sold the next day. So I need to plan ahead since we are going to get it in September I think.


    Has anyone used Autobytel.com to buy their SF (or other auto)? Is it worth trying?


    I read on USA Todays auto section that the 2002 will have a limited slip differential. Any idea when the 2002 arrives on showroom floors? Would it be worth waiting a bit longer in hope of finding they did a few more "tweaks" in the 2002 model?


    Thanks for any input, and I will be checking back from time to time, and hopefully will be a "regular" when we officially own our new SF !


    Alfer

    http://www.TheEnormodome.homestead.com

  • squiremarcsquiremarc Member Posts: 16
    Well, we got back from the cottage this afternoon, and clocked 320km (200 miles) towing our boat with the SF. I had been looking forward to this for quite some time, as I was anxious to find out how the SF would fair towing the boat, and whether our decision to buy the SF over the Trib was the right one! Anyone following the edmunds forum since last fall will know that I had concerns regarding the SF's towing capacity.
    Our boat, with motor, trailer, gas and misc. stuff weigh about 1400 lbs. According to the owner's manual, my V6 SF with ABS can tow 1500 lbs, which in my opinion, is a very conservative limit. I 'm very happy to report that the SF towed the boat without any problems at all. From a dead stop, I would be lying if I said you couldn't feel the trailer at all. Acceleration is a little slower than without the trailer, but once you get rolling along, you tend to forget that the trailer is even there. I noticed that the shift points seemed to be higher when towing, usually at about 3000 RPM, except from second to third, which was usually at about 3500 RPM. I passed slower vehicles several times (on 2 lane roads) with complete confidence. Our other vehicle is an MPV with a tow package (4500 capacity) and I would have to say that the SF tows the boat much better. Another aspect where the SF shines over the MPV is in braking. I was pleasantly surprised at how the SF was under braking with the trailer. It had no problems at all; the extra weight did not seem to affect it whatsoever. Another item to note is that the temperature gauge did NOT budge from it's usual place, however the AC was off most of the time, and we did not encounter any major hills. The SF had no problems with the small hills we did encounter.
  • kcorcorankcorcoran Member Posts: 26
    please post the link or share the info here to light up those rear reflectors...

    anything to keep these NYC drivers off my [non-permissible content removed],

    thanks.
    keith
  • wales1wales1 Member Posts: 90
    Keith: I am not sure if there is or was a link on the how to light the bumpers. I got an email from a SFe owner who listed how he did his. I made mine from parts from Auto Zone for $16.89. All you need is two light sockets, two tail light bulbs, some 16 gauge wire and a about an hour of time.
    If you want more details, email me and I will forward the instructions to you. I will post some pics hopefully later this week. I am waiting for fog light kit and wood kit before I post the reflector pics.
    Email me at wales@nfocusimages.com
  • lexconnerlexconner Member Posts: 25
    Wow I must have gotten one by accident sorry for the bad info..
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    Alfer2000:
    Welcome aboard! Hope you like us and join with us in the future. 2002 model will arrive in October! I expected the LSD too. If you can wait until that time then the 2002 model is probably the best choice to buy. "GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT". Good Luck and have a great day.

    Squiremarc:
    Thank you very much for sharing your story as I was going to do some towing in the future too. Your experience with the Santa Fe is very great and I really like the way you share with us. I have tried to tell people that if you put weight on the Santa Fe you won't be able to feel it. This should probably prove it for me. I have driven with lots of weight on my Santa Fe but I don't feel any weight at all. I know that some people believe me but some don't. I hope this will accused other to believe it too. "You won't feel the weight"!

    Kcorcoran:
    I know you really like the rear bumper lights to go on too. Sorry! I forgot to shoot pictures on this procedure and It is very hard to explain but I am sure someone can help you do better on the explanation. Maybe Wales1 can help you. I hope that Wales1 will allow helping you. However, if you want to see the look of it then visit my website at My Site and then click on Window/Door menu and then Door Light. Then you will be able to see how nice it looks.

    Wales1:
    Thank you for sharing and helping other Santa Fe owners on the rear bumper lights. As I can not do explanation good at all. I forgot to shoot pictures when I was doing this project; so sorry to help everyone. However, I hope Wales1 (your explanation) will and can help everyone! Thank you.

    Lexconner:
    You must be very lucky to have the toolbox. If you can shoot the pictures and share with us then that should be very nice. However, If anyone want to see my tool detail information then you can visit my site and then click on the "In Trunk" menu and then click on Backup Items.
  • billtungbilltung Member Posts: 255
  • roadkill55roadkill55 Member Posts: 25
    I used autobytel to get my SaFe last November. It worked out great for me. I was looking for a GLS 2wd and there just were not any in my area. Only the GLS/LX 4wd and the GL 2wd were available. I used Autobytel mostly on a whim. I got a response 2 days later from a dealer about an hour away from home that had the extact vehicle I was looking for. I went to the dealership a couple of days later and the one I wanted was still there. They sold it to me for $500 under MSRP. I have about 9400 miles my SaFe now and have been extremely happy.
  • billtungbilltung Member Posts: 255
    Good to know your SF also have milage similar to me w/ no major problem & the most important is we are both very satisfy! Bravo!
  • terrymcginnisterrymcginnis Member Posts: 9
    I live in New England area. I am debating between the CRV, Tribute, and Santa Fe. Price is a concern for me since all 3 are doing well right now in the market.

    When I bought my Ranger XLT Sport in August 99 (brand new), I paid $3000 below the $17,000 sticker price. When I bought my wife's 00 Accord SE in August 00, I paid over $4000 below the $22,000 sticker price. At the time both vehicles were in normal demand, and the Accord was only 1 of 2 SE's they had left (they had been selling at invoice price prior). I just bargained hard, had cash in hand, and got a good deal.
    Anyone from the NE area buy one of these for a steal? If so, how much roughly? Where? Any contacts? Thanks. terrymcginnis.
  • losthat1losthat1 Member Posts: 93
    Speak with Auto Fair Hyundai in Manchester, NH.
    $100.00 over dealer invoice as of early winter. I'm not sure what they are doing now. They seem to get a good supply and move them quickly. Ask for John Brown.
  • megasuvownermegasuvowner Member Posts: 64
    That was a big [non-permissible content removed] reply to like 11 people at once. Sorry im just bored.
  • guyfguyf Member Posts: 456
    I drove a CR-V for 4 years before switching to the Santa Fe and would not come back. The Santa Fe is more comfortable, has better handling (by far) more power and much better traction in the snow. The shiftronic transmission is much better than the Honda (smoother shifts) and you don't have that silly column mounted shifter.

    Heating and A-C are also superior on the SF. CR-V heating is good but the A-C is marginal.

    The SF is a much better value than the CR-V. It does use about 10% more gas but that's about it.

    I've got 12,000 km on mine and nothing went wrong, no rattle, no squeak, nothing. As most vehicle, it is getting smoother with miles so test drive one with 5-6000 miles if you can.

    I don't know much on the Tribute but the quality does not seem to be there yet.

    Guy
  • rf69rf69 Member Posts: 1
    Just bought one near Boston. Checked several places, but they're all charging sticker price, and some are adding a premium to that. It seems like this is true all over the country.
  • jjnnjohnsjjnnjohns Member Posts: 7
    I've been reading this board and specs on Hyundai site for Safe. What does Hyundai recommend for gas octane rating. 10:1 compression seems high to run regular. Also what is the correct pronunciation of Hyundai? Hun dye, Hun day,
    Hun dee. I've heard them all.
  • guyf1guyf1 Member Posts: 50
    I tried both regular and premium on my SF. No improvement whatsoever with premium so I run it on regular which is just fine.

    I think it's more like Hun Day.
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    Hun Day = Hyundai! This is a correct pronunciation.

    I have been using the 87 octane gasoline for every cars that I have owned including the Santa Fe now too. I never have any problem with using the 87 octane gasoline. Basically I think higher octane gasoline are for superior luxury car as well as turbo car. Once you use the 87 octane gasoline and found that the engine is knocking then you change to higher octane gas but I have never even heard of the engine knocking in my life yet. "I hope I use the word engine knocking is correctly".
  • mtnrunner1mtnrunner1 Member Posts: 18
    I know there have been a lot of discussions on the interior trim kits and now that I finally have my new black SF, I am ready to buy the trim kit!!

    Some have more pieces than others. Some are simulated where others are real wood.

    I would appreciate any suggestions as to the better package/manufacturer, based upon the experiences of those who have already purchased the kit.

    Thanks in advance,
    Mike
  • mtnrunner1mtnrunner1 Member Posts: 18
    I'm seeing some nice fender flares (hung0820)! Where did you get them?
  • hkjanghkjang Member Posts: 12
    Folks,
    I might buy GLS 4wd with option package 15 for
    $22224.
    It's MSRP and the dealer won't go down.
    What do you all think?
  • mtnrunner1mtnrunner1 Member Posts: 18
    I'm seeing some nice fender flares (hung0820)! Where did you get them?
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    Trim Kits:
    www.edashkit.com have 30 pieces of wood dash trim. The most in the aftermarket wood trim available for Santa Fe.

    Fender Flares:
    I got my fender flares from www.hdkautosport.com but please contact SAM toll free at 866-821-8452. You will have to give him the color of your car and the body cladding color in-order for him to match the kit set for you.

    HkJang:
    The price you have listed was MSRP and that's still good price. However, you may want to try to call a few other dealers to see if they are willing to drop down a few more. I paid almost $1000 above MSRP and I am still happy with it. No kidding this car is very hot in the market now especially in the Bay Area because it is even harder to get.
  • mtnrunner1mtnrunner1 Member Posts: 18
    Sticker is all I can find in WV and just purchased a black GSL. Once I finally found the one I wanted - I bought it at sticker. Dealer did throw in a full tank of gas, spare key, and agreed to remove the trailer hitch that came with it. I will keep the trailer hitch - they would not remove it from the sticker price.
    Still very much in short supply and a lot are already taken before they even make it to the dealer's lot.
  • wales1wales1 Member Posts: 90
    FYI..just got off phone with HMA..they finally confirmed that there is-was a problem with the wood dash kit that they made for SFe. They have app. 1,300 on back order from manufacter. Seems that there was a problem with the quality of the product and a release date has not been issued. I have purchased one and my dealership had not even heard of such a thing unitl I brought it to their attention. Kinda sad..you would think a company would tell dealers DO NOT SELL UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE>..well..Wrong Answer !
    ALSO..the recall on the cross rails is a recall that I learned about via the net...not by HYUNDAI. Asked HMA why I had not received the recall notice..they gave me a blank answer. So, the message boards are great ways for us consumers to help each other out. Lets keep up the good work. BTW..got my fog light kit, will put it in tonight after I get home.
    Also, I am sure some of you see the santafeforum board, well..lok at the gallery section, man..SFe from Korea look HOT with their wood kits and other gadgets from over seas. Makes me kinda jealous or tempted to make a road trip to Korea and go SHOPPING !
    If any of you can translate the santafelovers.com forum, let me know, its written in Korean and well. I flunked Korean 101 in college.
  • mtnrunner1mtnrunner1 Member Posts: 18
    Sticker is all I can find in WV and just purchased a black GSL. Once I finally found the one I wanted - I bought it at sticker. Dealer did throw in a full tank of gas, spare key, and agreed to remove the trailer hitch that came with it. I will keep the trailer hitch - they would not remove it from the sticker price.
    Still very much in short supply and a lot are already taken before they even make it to the dealer's lot.
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    Yes! If anyone want to see the pictures of the oversea Santa Fe. I pleased everyone to visit the Santa Fe Forum and look under Gallery menu. The best interior Santa Fe style-up you can find! I have download all of those pictures in my computer for profile work.
  • hung0820hung0820 Member Posts: 426
    Check this out because it is going to be my future plan upgrade. I hope that they can do it.
    Santa Fe Fuel Cell System
  • mtnrunner1mtnrunner1 Member Posts: 18
    Has anyone ordered from edashkit.com? They are offering a 30 piece kit, but do have have a telephone number on their web site.

    Their 30 piece real wood kit is $185.
  • big_guybig_guy Member Posts: 372
    It is great to see an automaker developing a powerplant for an automobile that runs on alternative fuels . . . however, the one described in the article linked to post 2165 has a long way to go before it is a viable option. The biggest drawback I can see is the limited range of around 100 miles. For me, that is about 3 days worth of driving. After that, where do I go to fill up on hydrogen? How much will it cost me to purchase a "full" tank of hydrogen? I remember discussions of this type of engine back when I was in school but the cost to build a plant than can generate large volumes of hydrogen for consumer use was cost prohibitive at the time. I don't know how much things have changed but I still think the costs to generate hydrogen for mass consumption is pretty high. I think it will be quite some time before this is a viable option as a regular means of transportation.
  • andes11andes11 Member Posts: 62
    Your dealer probably entered wrong address on the HMA main computer. I'll bet your salesman is getting all the phone calls and mail-in survey forms from Hyundai.
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