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Comments
I love the way the Santa Fe rides and handles. I have intentionally purchased the 4 banger in my past 3 new vehicles. The 2.0 litre in the Tribute made me leary of such a small 4 banger, but the 2.4 in the Santa Fe seems fine. That is what I had in my Trooper and it was great-
ride and quietness but not it's leisurely movements. In So Cal the traffic moves at a frantic pace so quickness is nice.I guess in some parts of the country it would be okay.If we could get everyone to slow down.I'm puzzlesd why anyone is in a hurry to get to work.
Plus, my insurance card that I just received in the mail only shows I insured a 2001 Hyundai. There is no model type listed in the card as there has been in the past... Apparently, the insurance companies haven't caught up with the new models on the market in order to identify them as such in their computer databases...
I hope they don't end up raising my insurance rates whenever they figure it out ! My insurance only increased $84 over a six month period by buying the Santa Fe...
MrTwix
Good luck on finding your Santa Fe.
1. What do you press or push to move the cross bars on the roof rack. I have not been able to move them and the dealer could not help.
2. A black plastic key came with the new Santa Fe, it is about 2 inches long, and has four evenly spaced 1/4 inch projections around the circumfrunce near the end, and two metal metal posts on the end. I cannot find anything this key fits and the dealer is at a loss also.
Any help would be appreciated.
Each rail has a small (about ½") black circular cover (tab) that you remove.. Place your black plastic key any place in the hole while lining up the two metal prongs into their their respective holes.. When key is flush in the hole, turn counter-clockwise to unlock the rail. You will probably have to unlock both ends of the rail to move it.. When you've got the rail in the position you want it, put your key back in and turn clockwise to lock the rail in place... Remember to replace your black tab so water doesn't get into the keyway and corrode it...
Hope this helps!
MrTwix
My wife and are looking at the LX version. We live in the Milwaukee area and can get a couple of big snowstorms each winter. I was wondering if anyone in the upper Midwest (WI, MN, MI, ND, SD, northern IA, IL and IN) has a FWD Santa Fe and have driven in the snow.
My current vehicle is a 95 Chevy Blazer that is only 2 WD (rear). I have had some sticky situations with it but have never gone off the road. My previous car was a 90 Chevy Celebrity wagon that was front wheel drive - it was great in the snow.
I know the LX with AWD runs about $1500 more than the FWD version. Are there any major maintenance costs for the AWD that I would not incur with the FWD? I have seen the EPA mileage is about 3-4 miles more per gallon for the FWD version.
Just wondering if I should spend the money for the AWD! Any comments are appreciated. Thanks!
ranger47 My Santa Fe has Antilock Braking and Traction Control Systems.
lrchome There is a small round rubber plug that you remove from the top of the roof rack. It is located just above the side rails. You take that funky looking key and shove it in there. You turn it 1/4 of a turn counter clockwise to unlock the bars. Once the bars are unlocked you lift the handle up on both sides and move the roof rack!!!
papimom I hear the same noise sometimes...I think it's the brakes because the noise slows down/speeds up with how fast I'm going. I'm going to give it a few hundred miles and see what happens
I'm driving from Austin to Houston during the holidays and I'll post highway miles per gallon.
Have a HAPPY TURKEY DAY !
(1) The steering wheel develops a vibration at 60 mph that goes away at higher or lower speeds;
(2) The vehicle seemed to pull to the right a slight bit;
(3) The driver's side window made a squeak when slightly rolled down; and,
(4) The brake pedal had an uneven resistance when being applied.
The dealer's reaction was:
(1) The vibration was "natural" with vehicles like these and was not due to a need for balancing - this issue remains unresolved;
(2) The "pull" was not extant and simply reflected the crown of the road;
(3) The squeak didn't exist with the first test drive, but when I drove it again with the shop foreman, it was "discovered";
(4) The pedal problem was due to a faulty master cylinder.
I have left the vehicle with the dealer with these points at issue: I purchased the Santa Fe with an understanding that the vibration "would be dealt with" - it remains to be seen whether they will be successful in resolving it (any other Santa Fe owners have this problem?). I assume that the squeak will be addressed as well.
However the problem, which I had never even pondered, was much more serious regarding the master cylinder: no replacement cylinder has been shipped to the entire USA and no estimated time of arrival could be determined! The dealer would not assure me that driving the Santa Fe would be "100% safe" and graciously offered me a loaner. We are now considering the alternatives:
(1) He pulls a master cylinder from another Santa Fe;
(2) He manages to dig one up some other way;
(3) He gives me a new and properly functioning Santa Fe.
The service department has generally been friendly rather than hostile so I really don't have anything mean to say about them. However, I am concerned that this could be the start of a uncertain period without my just purchased car. It reminds me of the Florida vote - no winner yet!
The lack of parts also concerns me: you would think that Hyundai would have shipped at least ONE disassembled Santa Fe for cases like this (after all accidents happen...).
What do you all think about this situation? I will keep you posted on how things turn out...
thanks in advance.
The dealer had no clue what the key was for , or how to move the crossrails.
I don't see any in the brochure, but obviously by your questions re key, and the answers you got there are such rails.
Thanks.
Could someone answer the questions regarding the concerns raised by me and the other person who reported cylinder problem. Thanks
My LX came with the crossrails installed and the window sticker showed them included as an option (along with the $80 floor mats) in the overall price...
If the Santa Fe you are looking at does not come with the crossrails, and you do want them, then you will have to cough up $180 for them (unless you can somehow get the dealer to throw them in)...
Hope this helps!
MrTwix
Someone out there can correct me if I am wrong but this is how I understand these two technologies to work. A limited slip differential (LSD) allows power to be passed back along the same axle to the other wheel to provide power to that other wheel. (i.e. rear left wheel slips, LSD kicks in and sends power to rear right wheel). Traction Control (TC) is a brake modulation system that applies braking to a spinning wheel (that has lost traction) so the wheel that is not spinning (does have traction) can keep the vehicle moving along the intended course. Both systems are used to achieve the same results but through two different technologies. I believe that the LSD is more advantageous in getting a vehicle moving if it is stuck or at low speeds, whereas the TC is more advantageous for keeping a vehicle on track once it is moving. Although either system can provide assistance in either situation.
With the combination of the AWD, LSD, and TC on the Sante Fe it should be able to handle snowy conditions pretty well . . . as long as there is good snow tires on the car.
Re: 399
Yes, the AWD system in the Sante Fe is FWD until the system senses a loss of traction and then up to 40% of the power is directed to the rear wheel(s). This is the same set-up as the CRV, RAV4, and Tribute/Escape. The rotary blade coupling that activates the AWD on the Tribute/Escape is a little more sophisticated than the system on the Sante Fe, as someone else pointed out, the Tribute/Escape has an electronic clutch that can be engaged to allow the driver to lock a 50/50 split between front and rear wheels (this is only available at low speeds however). I would like to see a true AWD system like the system used by Subaru but this is not a bad set-up on the Sante Fe.
The salesperson told me that in the past Hyundai, has offered a mid-year model modification, and would not be surprised if they did the same with the Sante Fe. Siad that Hyundai does so w/o much fanfare or annoucement --- is that true?
The example he used (and he even pointed this out before we sat in the car) was the 'missing' Cassette Player for the Radio. He even brought out the sales literature that shows where the Cassette player is shown -- surprise right where the open area exists on the dash! He even brought up the non-Sunroof (sounds like they are getting feedback from some of their lost customers).
Regarding this being a '1st' year model, as some posts mentioned, the sales person told me that this is the 2nd or 3rd year this model was out -- but only the first year in the US. Thus explaining why they may not have all of the recalls that the Escape / Tribute are having.
I will go back and test drive the Sante Fe, but I want to do so in the same afternoon as I test drive the RAV4 and Forester. In that way all of my testing will be fresh in my experience. Unforutantely, I may not get the time to due this until after the XMas holiday -- but hey, by then the Cassettes may 'appear'
I do have a couple of questions. Does anyone know the cost of the optional bike rack that is shown in the brochure? I have two bikes, and that would be very handy for me. Also, does Hyundai have any kind of mat or tray that fits behind the rear seat? I also have 3 dogs, and would be hauling them around. If they don't make a mat then I'll come up with something. I just think it would be nice to have one that fits correctly.
Thanks for your help!!
Rick Adkins
SUV's of comparable power/weight.In order to increase the chances of the drivetrain making it
to the 100K mile mark without breaking they purposely tuned the engine for slow starts.
With four people and luggage for a trip (which would be my case) you can easilly surpass this. Firestone is claiming the capacity of the Explorer (only 1000 lbs) caused many of the roll-overs.
Just make sure you don't need the 800 lbs.
thanks
It appears that most SUV'S are in that range for capacity. Not a problem except those who overload their vehicles and try to 80 mph all day. These aren't sport cars and shouldn't be driven that way....
I wasn't worried about the payload capacity either as we normally only have two folks and our dogs to travel in it. I can hardly wait till I get mine this spring.
Rick Adkins
Does anyone have one with cassette player? I'm going to ask dealer how much one would cost. Also, will get in touch w/Hundai Corp re "misprint". It's shown in broch, listed in Edmunds, Kelly Blue, MSN Carpoint. It should be included unless they being tricky, and making you pay. I'll mention all the people (at least 416) that are in this group, it's bad for advertising and it smells fishy. I know that posting #403 (mikzak) mentioned same thing.
My email is: MED12@EARTHLINK.NET if you've seen the ELUSIVE CASSETTE DECK from Hyundai.
Thanks to all for the responses, it made the buying easier. THANKS.
I am also torn between the two vehicles. But, what makes the decision a little easier, is not looking at which vehicle WE think is best, but which vehicle suits YOU best. Everyone has their "hot buttons" when it comes to vehicles or anything else. My particular "hot buttons" are driving a very safe vehicle ( I have young kiddies), decent acceleration and passing ability (I live in a major urban/suburban area and face spotty traffic everyday), reliability/quality, and a "fun to drive" quotient. Of course, like everyone else, I want decent fuel mileage and a roomy interior, but the two vehicles are pretty similar in both of these aspects, with the only significant difference between the two being that the Santa Fe has a little bit more rear leg room, but shorter seat cushions (so you can stretch more back there, but you have less support for your thighs).
So, safety being the first issue, I think the edge goes to the Mazda Tribute. It has a bigger payload capacity (1050 vs. 880 lbs.) and according to 20/20 (www.abc.com), the higher payload capacity generally results in a vehicle with less rollover probability when loaded close to the maximum payload capacity (4 people with gear easily approaches or exceeds 880 lbs.) Crash tests aren't in yet, but Mazda's are due in Feb 2001 (www.nhtsa.dot.gov/) and Santa Fe has none scheduled. The Tribute has a side air bag option, while the Santa Fe doesn't (this may not be a significant safety feature in the average passenger car, but due to high single motor vehicle rollovers in SUVs, this can make the difference between life and death, or massive injuries). Also, a better handling vehicle will be better in accident avoidance, and the edge goes to the Mazda Tribute as well (see Motor Trend's December 2000 issue). This isn't to say that the Santa Fe is poor here, just that it has a more wallowey ride than the Tribute. My own extensive multiple test drives of each (4 in the Santa Fe and 3 in the Tribute), plus the Motor Trend results, show me that the Santa Fe handles/corners more closely to a 2 door Ford Explorer and the Tribute closer to a Hyundai Sonata..go figure.
Passing acceleration is brisk at highway speeds for both vehicles, contrary to most critiques, however, the Tribute has superior merging capability, as it is quicker off the line. For people who have to drive in variable traffic conditions, the edge goes to the Tribute.
Reliability is an unknown for me. Hyundai's reliability and quality has increased rapidly over the years. Mazda however, appears to be stagnant in this regard. As a company, they make a superior vehicle than most of the "Big 3's" offerings, but they also make first year duds, eg: the 1993-1994 Mazda MX-6 and 626 (see www.cosumerreports.org). I have owned both these vehicles as well, and agree with Consumer Reports. I have also owned a 1995 Ford Windstar, and this was a horrible van (see..www."anycarsite".com..LOL!). All three of these vehicles were first year introductions, and since Mazda is owned by Ford and the Tribute is a first year vehicle, this makes me very leary of the Mazda Tribute...for 2001...however, 2002 is a completely different story. The Santa Fe's fit and finish is as good as any high end manufacturer out there, eg: Lexus, Acura, but the quality of materials cheapens the interior. The perforated leather seats look like vinyl and the center console looks flimsy enough that you could shatter it on a cold day with a light "whack". The Tribute looks great inside, especially in leather, but even with the high end audio system, it doesn't sound as good as the Santa Fe's audio unit (very, very crisp) and the doors don't shut with a satisfying, teutonic, "thunk", like the doors in the Santa Fe.
The Mazda Tribute with it's superior acceleration numbers, better handling, and "seat of the pants" feel, offers a higher "fun" quotient, in my opinion. I want a compact SUV that gives me some "sport" when I just want to go for a spin, and has an adequate 4x4 system that I can use to go back woods camping with my family. Although I don't have experience here, the Mazda Tribute's 4x4 test results show it has a generally acceptable system, whereas, the Santa Fe got stuck in Motor Trend's 4x4 off road test. The Santa Fe's own literature show that it "is not recommended for off-road use".
As for looks and other factors? I find it interesting that the Ford Escape is usually not a second choice for those who like the Hyundai's bolder, rounder look. It's usually Santa Fe vs. Tribute. The Ford Escape, while similar in most engineering aspects to the Mazda Tribute, has a more squarish, "truckish" look. And finally, towing capacity: The Tribute has a 3500 lb. towing capacity vs. a 1750, 2000, or 2200 lb. towing capacity (depending on which Hyundai brochure you have) for the Santa Fe.
Bottom Line? I STILL don't know. If I was going to purchase a 2002 model of either model, with no real equipment improvements, I'd purchase a Mazda Tribute. It would be it's second year of production and most bugs would be worked out (5 recalls already for the Mazda Tribute/Ford Escape!) But, I need to purchase a 2001 model in late spring 2001. The Hyundai has a superior warranty in the U.S. (10 year powertrain warranty-5 year bumper to bumper!). In Canada however, Hyundai's warranty is better than the Mazda's for the powertrain coverage only (5 year 100,000 km vs. 3 year 80,000 km), while the Mazda has a better bumper to bumper warranty (3 year, 80,000 km vs. 3 year 60,000 km). I have to decide whether I want to take a chance on a safer, more fun to drive vehicle with siblings who have proven to have serious reliability concerns, with the Tribute. Or, I can purchase the more sedate, but refined, and arguably, more attractive, Santa Fe that comes from a company who's quality is consistently rising.
These are my concerns and comparisons and may not work for you. But I have tried to point out some key differences that may help you with your decision. Good Luck!
We started looking at Tributes and CRV's. We also tested the Forester and Outback, and the Santa Fe far better suited our needs. I may miss a tape deck, but my guess is that this option will be available in the US next year, and will be easy to install should I decide. It is very comfortable, handles well, and drives solidly. It feels much more stable than my Civic, let alone the other SUV's I have driven. So far, we are very happy with the car. We paid MSRP, but got the car we wanted w/o the side rails. The dealer has been very good.
More reports as they develop.
I was amazed of their performance ON-ROAD too! The Santa Fe's handling AND ride was suprisingly better than the Forester. The Tribute on the other hand, felt like the sports car. It handled the best, braked the best...but rode a bit harsh.
Overall, all of these SUVs are great! The Santa Fe is "polite" and civilized, the Tribute is "sporty" and smart, and the Forester is different.
George
May buy that AWD next week! GLS or LX.