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gator72:
Got to this URL and click on the "Rear Fog Light Conversion 1 & 2" It gives one solution.
http://home.nyc.rr.com/twospirits411/modifications.htm
tidester, host
tidester, host
I recommend the Santa Fe to anyone here who is thinking of buying one. The fit, finish and quality of these SUV's are EXCELLENT. I own the 100,000 mile bumper to bumper extended warranty and I have not needed to use it yet. The car runs absolutely great.
Steve, Host
I installed the DrawTite trailer hitch and it fits beautifully. No clearance problems at all, with either the exhaust or the spare tire, and it tucks neatly into the bumper, leaving everything but the receiver hidden. The wiring harness also plugs right in to the factory connectors, no wire cutting or splicing needed.
With just over 30k on a 2001 LX FWD, we get 21-22 or so in our normal city/highway mix. Highway is 23-25 or so. With 75 MPH speed limits and lots of hills there aren't too many cars that get EPA numbers around here.
-Jason
Anyhow, with the new factory hitch, I have not had any problems at all. I even had the fortunate pleasure of towing with my Santa Fe last week and it performed beautifully. I ended up towing a 5'x9' utility trailer, which was fully loaded, behind my Santa Fe . The Santa Fe pulled this trailer no problem. I took it on the freeway and before I knew it I was doing 75mph. It didn't even feel like I was towing anything at all. (Although this probably wasn't anywhere near the weight of a boat, I just thought I would share my towing experience.)
As for gas mileage - I can never seem to get anywhere close to the rated range for my AWD Santa Fe. I had the same problem with my 2001 which was also AWD. I would like to know how some of you are achieving such high mileage. I am lucky if I get 17-18 mpg on the freeway in my Santa Fe.
I have a 2wd LX and get 22-23 local suburban driving and 26-27 on the Interstate. I live in Fla and drive on flat roads. I realize the 4wd units get less mpg than 2wd,but yours seems awful low.
As promised I am issuing a 10,000 mile update (car is 10 months old).
Well at 10,300 miles on our Pine Green Santa Fe GLS 4WD V6, its time for my promised objective review. So here goes:
5000 mile summary (I posted on this a while back, so I won't go into detail): At 469 miles the throttle position sensor failed and was
fixed with a one day visit to the dealer. Slight rust on wheel hub was replaced (no cost) with a 1-hour visit to the dealer.
Summary of 5000 to 10000 miles:
Catastrophic (life threataning) problems: none. I'm still alive!
Major problems (engine/tranny internals): none.
Significant problems (parts peripheral to the drivetrain): none
Minor problems: Clicking noise in belt driven components when cold. Dealer replaced belt-tensioner during regular oil-change. No inconvenience there.
Annoying things (I'll repeat these in brief, no additional items since 5000 miles):
STILL not REALLY enough driver leg room (I complained about it on my Lumina too!).
The "brow" of the window sits low and I have to bend my head to look at red lights when I'm first in line at the light! (I guess I'd better run more yellow lights!). Otherwise, head
room is fine.
The 12V power adapters run ONLY when the ignition is ON. I'm sure this is a safety feature.
Slight dash creak in colder weather (below 50 F) and on bumpy roads (which in PA is most roads!).
Slight whistle at very high speeds ( &) to *) MPH....encrypted to avoid state police spies! ;-0 ).
City gas mileage between 17-18, and Hyundai seems to acknowledge that on their 2003 stickers! Highway mileage (23 w/4WD) is right on, and maybe a bit conservative.
Cool things (again, repeated with the exception of the final item on the GREAT handling in the snow):
Rear cargo area is great. We've hauled a
coffee table and a 6 ft dogwood tree.
V6 is relatively quiet at cruising speed, which is why I wanted it. Power output is acceptable for the 4WD.
LOVE the light thing...you can leave the lights on and when you turn the ignition off the headlights go off and when you open the door the dash light turns off. When you get back in, it all goes in reverse. Like having daytime running
lights. A cool, unadvertised feature.
Seats are comfortable and firm (needs more legroom, didn't I mention that?!).
Interior is the BEST-designed of all the mini-SUVS.
Exterior is a tad overdone but not ugly.
Since I have driven the Santa Fe in TWO significant snowfalls recently (Dec 5 and Christmas), the performance in those conditions with ABS/Traction Control and AWD is .....
MAGNIFICENT!
All in all, we really like this car. Reliability-wise it has been no worse (and, mostly BETTER) than American cars we have owned. I thought Hyundai was a gamble but each day driving this vehicle confirms the fact that Hyundai is a real player in the market! If you've been afraid of buying a Hyundai, don't be. I hope this helped anyone looking. I'll hold off posting another review until about 20,000 miles unless other significant issues come up.
My dealer was unable to order the wiring harness from Hyundai. However, they were able to cannibalize a harness from a Hyundai in their salvage yard.
The lights look great! However, I'm considering switching to the LED bulbs for more brightness and less current.
A few weeks back, I purchased a white, 2003 Santa Fe LX (2WD). So far, everything is great.
One question: I've noticed a high-pitched sound at highway speed (70 and above). It almost sounds like a jet turbine. When I take my foot off the gas, it stops. When I press the gas, it returns. It appears to be coming from the transmission.
This might be normal, since the Demo I drove for 2 days did the same thing.
Has anyone else noticed the high-pitched sound?
BTW: On the Santa Fe Forum, someone posted instructions on how to add a cabin air filter to reduce interior dust; same filter used in the high-end Sonata. Has anyone here added the cabin filter to their S.F.?
THANKS
Also heard that there is something wrong with the ABS installed on the new 2003 model and Hyundai has to fix it - and that's why they are delayed. Has anyone heard of that?
GLS 4X4 with ABS and 6cd changer stereo?????
Don't know about Austin, but LX's are plentiful all over the Gulf Coast; (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi) {I looked all over for the best price before I bought my 2003 LX with moonroof}. I just got searched Hyundai's Houston website and found PLENTY of LX's in the Houston Dealers' inventories.
BUT if you want more power, you might want to wait a couple of months (end of April 2003) til the bigger 3.5 liter V6 arrives in the LX models.
No problems with the ABS on my 2003 LX. AND, I've not read about any such problems on the 2003 models.
I just took a road trip of 1,000 miles thru all kinds of weather and never had a problem with the brakes. However, I still notice a tranny noise at highway speeds which might or might not be normal for this model; (sounds like the whine from a jet engine - only not as loud).
Check the link below to learn more about the 3.5:
http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_hyundai_seeks_new_2/index.htm
I believe the article said it would arrive on dealers' lots in late April 2003. The big V6 will probably be offered only in the LX.
but i hav seen people get lx version for this amount
Last month I bought a white, 2003 Santa Fe LX (FWD) with leather, sunroof, ABS w/traction control, and crossrails for roof rack. I paid $22,900 TOTAL.
For the money, I'd go for the LX.
JUST MY .02.
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Does anyone have a clue, can the running boards be removed? One dealer said 'sure, no problem', the one I've got the deal with said he didn't feel comfortable removing them. But it's just five bolts, I don't know... but as a 5'5, petite female, the running boards make it a pain the leg to get out of the vehicle. Otherwise, it's the perfect SUV for me.
Also, I can't find an LX loaded in Sandstone (which is my preference). The deal is on the blue (my 2nd choice).
Now, the news of the bigger V6 engine, guess if I was 100% satisfied with the LX package in front of me (sans running boards, different color) I'd be happy, or am I just being too picky?!
I went to three dealerships, 2 played games or wouldn't deal, the 3rd was great & want a sale.
Ugh, if I could just get them to take the running boards off!
Hope my experience this weekend was a little help to you, I'm new to posting here & locating specific threads/replies is very confusing to me (i.e., I'm lost)
Tell you what, I'll buy this blue one, you buy the brown one & we'll meet in Columbus or La Grange & swap
tidester, host
Drive off price (includes tax, des. charge, etc.)
$23,300. We also purchased a Hyundai extended warranty which extend the bumper to bumper warranty to 10 years. Be careful with the extended warranty, ours is offered by Hyundai so it can be used with any dealer. Some dealer offers their own extended warranty which is more expensive and not nice like this one. The price we paid for that is $1000.
Thanks
Hyundai's Warranty Program Comes to the Rescue (Washington Post)
Steve, Host
For the meager increase in horsepower, I will pass on the reduced fuel efficiency.
-Jason
I am looking at buying a GLS/LX in the fall of this year, when the 2004's come out. If the 3.5 L engine is the only engine available for the Santa Fe with a leather interior, I'm not going to buy it! With gas pricing all over the map, why would I want to go down to 15/16 MPG in the City. This engine is way too thirsty.
Unless Hyundai has something up their sleeves to increase fuel efficientcy, they will have a problem on their hands. Take a read of the Sorento discussion board. The number one grip of the car is fuel efficientcy!