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Comments
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
The poor suspension is showing up in many of the drive test reviews I have read on the internet.
It is a nice highway car, but I don't recommend it for driving around town or anywhere there is rough or uneven pavement.
Please share.
It is not a sports sedan, but will handle virtually any task asked of it. It is great around town and handles bad roads better than most cars I have ever had, including audis, bimmers, and an avalon. At speed (at least 130+ for me) it rides/handles decently. It is not a "floater".
If you are looking for a sports sedan the size of an Azera, about the ONLY car even close in price would be the Avalon Touring and it is considerably higher in price. I am tired of sports sedan lovers nitpicking the Azera since it isn't intended to fill that niche. Now with the coming Genesis, that may be a different story.
The GM 3.6L is the closest in terms of newness (2004) and technology compared to the Japanese/German engines.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Brian
Other than the postings on these forums, I have read nothing of suspension problems in any articles that I have read regarding the Azera.
I also had a suspension noise on my car, but it mysteriously disappeared after about 7000 to 10000 miles.
I attributed the noise to out of round tires, that eventually wore to round. I find that in my car the psi must be kept to 30 to achieve the best ride. Even a 2 psi difference is noticeable.
The DC 3.5L has stayed the same from 1999 to present day.
If you compared the 1999 3.0L Honda to the 1999 DC 3.5L you would say the Honda is weak at 200HP/195lb/ft.
I have driven a 00 Accord V6 and when flooring it my Charger 3.5L sounds as good or better than that engine.
American car companies don't have the money to improve their product. That is why you still see the 3.8L in some of GM's cars. That is dated from the 50's.
The DC 3.5L has stayed the same from 1999 to present day
PRECISELY THE PROBLEM - if you start with a solid foundation whether it be the Nissan VQ or the Honda V6, then you can modify it to smoothly and willingly to produce the extra power maybe even with improving FE. A good example of how not to do this would be the much derided Ford DT 3.0 - a reasonably competitive engine in its day, but lagging terribly in future iterations - and not just from a HP standpoint. GM, which lost tens of billions in 05, can develop that 3.6 that, apparently, is very good, Ford can come out with a 'claimed' new DT, and Chrysler is still using a ten year old engine?
It is interesting that in Canada the Azera is one of the few cars that is not available for leasing! I wonder if this is a hint to its future? The 2006 models are still being advertised in the 2007 brochure
Canadian 2007 hyundai
to me a question of individual taste, what you pick up in 'responsiveness' you trade off for a little more road noise and degraded ride. There really is no perfect balance. My Avalon Touring may be the only Avalon where you can actually 'feel the road', and even it is no sports sedan. There will always be a percentage of the population that I'll call 'the Buick crowd' that reasonably prefer as much isolation as possible. To each, his/her own and not a function necessarily of the Azera/Lucerne, in this case, having suspensions that are too soft, more a function of what the car is designed to be.
Where in the world did you ever hear this? The only problem that the suspension ever had was initially on the '06 models when there was the issue of noise coming from the front end when the car would enounter light bumps in the road at lower speeds. I haven't heard of this issue showing up on the '07 models.
Outside of that, the only other thing that can be said of the suspension is that it's softer than that found on the Avalon. Which, for the type of car the Azera is...actually is a perfectly suited suspension. Personally, after driving my Azera for a year, I don't have any issues with the suspension at all.
Poor suspension...yeah, right!
maybe makes no sense? If this were true, it would logically indicate to me that Hyundai can't offer competitive lease rates probably due to the low residuals. It doesn't seem possible otherwise because in a good portion of the market these days that is how cars are 'sold', and Hyundai would be 'giving' that portion of their sales to other vehicles. If it really is possible to lease an Avalon for less money than an Azera (or a Buick) as tjc78's experience would indicate - why would anybody pay the extra money to drive either of those cars?
For starters, I have never been in a sport sedan! I am comparing the ride (and rattles) of my car to my experience driving the following:
89 Ford F150 2x4 pickup,
90 Mazda 323,
97 Plymouth Breeze,
99 Volvo v70XC
02 Ford F150 4x4
... neither of which had a clunking, rattling suspension, or faulty tires.
I still like the Azera but get frustrated trying to avoid every pothole, manhole cover, and other road imperfections.
People comparing sedans have a right to this info and can make decisions for themselves!
However, it would seem your suspension problem is extreme. If you feel a need to avoid potholes, man hole covers and other road imperfections...there's something wrong. I've had my Azera for over a year now and the only time I've felt a need to avoid potholes is to make sure I don't bend my 20" rims.
I've NEVER had an issue with suspension noises when encountering road imperfections at any speed.
Also, out of all the rides you're comparing the Azera too, the trucks are the only ones with a wheelbase that's close to the Azera's. The 323, V70 and the Breeze don't compare in any way to the psuedo-luxury ride of the Azera.
However, based on what some in the forum (that have had front end suspension clunks) have said, try adjusting the air pressure in your tires and maybe even see if the tires are balanced correctly as well.
you got to be kidding - you put 20" wheels on an Azera? Wow!
what's standard - 17s and 235/55s?
you would have to go all the way to something like 255/35s with 20s to keep you speedo etc. close to accurate, and should have cost yourself a little in the smooth ride dept. as well as braking performance, not to mention hideously expensive fast wearing tires. While you are claiming that the Azera is not a 'sports sedan' (which it isn't), you sure are trying to convert it into one?
I'm sure I will eventually get it riding as good as the Volvo, at least. It is already an excellent ride on the highway, aside from the faulty Michelins.
There has been a lot written about tire pressure and how it apparently affects ride and MPG on Azeras. I suspect this started when Hyundai delivered cars with 40lbs of pressure to prevent flat spotting, and the dealers didn't drop the pressure prior to customer delivery.
This did happen to me, since I actually bought my car within 4 hours of the dealer actually getting it off the truck. The very quick delivery prep was good but not perfect. I also still had the protective plastic cover on my heater display a month after I got it. (It wasn't until I actually was trying to clean it off that I even knew it was even there). The tire pressure was caught and corrected by the dealer the morning after I bought it, when I went back for some stuff out of my old car.
I currently have my tires set at 36lbs. I am getting a slightly rougher ride than at 30lbs., but am getting mileage around 24mpg and I have had it over a 100 a few times (where higher pressure is recommended). I have not checked any extended mpg with my tires inflated to 30, but may give it a try this summer when the heat goes up.
I too try to avoid potholes (but who doesn't, they aren't ideal for any car's suspension, unless you are driving an off road vehicle).
I would encourage any buyer to do a test drive in the vehicle they want to buy. If they want a stiff sport suspension, the Azera is probably not their car (at least not currently). I have driven a Buick Lucerne and the Azera is stiffer than the Buick, but even the Buick doesn't float like the older models.
I also know you can pick up a stiffer Azera suspension package and bushings via the aftermarket. Less than $400 total for both. If you want stiffer, you can get it.
I don't want stiffer... I just want to get rid of the rattle. Oh and it wasn't there when I test drove it...it showed up after 6,000 km.
It is not a lemon (yet) just bad tires and loose suspension. it won't rattle when I'm done with the torque wrench!
Stiffer suspension would improve handling, regardless of the weight distribution. Another thing that helps too...better tires. Other than that, the Azera will never, ever be a sports sedan...it's supposed to be a luxury cruiser. At best, it can be sprightly, but not sporty (handling-wise that is).
Personally, I believe that a stiffer suspension would probably benefit in better take-offs from the line as the car wouldn't dip as much. It would also help eliminate the body roll on curves, along with grippy tires...the car should track nicely. I say that because with my 20" wheel & tire package...my Azera tracks really well in curves (much better than stock).
If a sport sedan is what you desire...the Charger or Maxima would foot the bill nicely!
The Maxima is about he most affordable true sports sedan in the way of tuning and set up. It's not designed for luxury, it's not designed for touring...it's designed for sport.
Of all the sedans we've really been talking about...the Maxima really is the one to choose for sport. Like I said, outside of the Charger (which I would take over the 300 for the sport aspect).
When you start getting into the likes of Acura, Infinity and Lexus...well, they have the luxury sport sedans & coupes by default with rear wheel drive.
While tightening the suspesion and putting better treads on it will help improve a couple areas, it is not a fix-all for a sedan that lacks "sport" qualities. It merely improves a point here or there. The point here isn't to make it a sports sedan, just to make it a bit more sporty than it was.
This is honestly not even a fair comparison and would be a waste of time as no other car being discussed comes close to the features, quality, power, performance of the Genesis. The Genesis, is a BMW 545i without the badge. Come-on Pat, I need a little competition to evaluate the Genesis, against someone who can match up. :confuse:
In this forum it takes the cake without a contender. Can I please move up to at least LPS's to get a challenge ????? :surprise:
Rocky
I am still claiming the Azera not to be a sports sedan and I'm not trying to turn mine into one. I just like the Euro look that I achieved (come by and take a look at the pics). Just because it may LOOK like a sports sedan, doesn't mean I drive it like one.
Also, like when they were advertising the Azera, stating that it has more interior room than a 525i...okay, so they compared interior space. That does not mean that Hyundai is saying the Azera is better than a 525i.
Folks get too caught up when it comes to comparisons.
My favorite one right now is the Car & Driver comparo where they go around comparing the Ford Fusion w/AWD against the Toyota Camry and a 3rd car. Both of which don't have AWD and we're not even sure if the other two contenders are the v-6 models. Come on now...AWD against FWD!?!? Certainly not a level playing field, but they get away with it.
Not too many months ago, caught an Avalon Ltd. on display at a dealer, had a big white dealer add-on on the window to come up with a $48k sticker - most of that money a $8000.00 tire and wheel package (also 20s) that made the car look ridiculous, IMPO. I asked the saleman why they stopped there - why no 'spinners'?!!
There are no issues with wheelwell clearances either, I researched all of that before making my purchase as I had to be sure.
Dangerous? What is so dangerous about my wheel upgrade? Oh, I understand...it's not dangerous, just not something YOU would do...which is fine and dandy. Personally, I like making my vehicles unique, but in classy, clean way. I don't want to ride around in a car that looks like someone else's. I'm an individual and my cars reflect that as well.
$8000.00 package...they must've been hitting customers over the head thinking they were idiots. I only paid $1900.00 for my package. I wonder if that Toyota dealership had any takers for that! LMAO For that kind of money...a whole lot can be done to a car when it comes to aftermarket!!! I have yet to break the $3000.00 mark in total upgrades on mine and I've got more than just a wheel and tire package.
To say it looked ridiculous would be a subjective thing. What you may think is hideous, another person may think it's fabulous.
Hyundai stated nothing about quality, nothing about being better, nothing about having higher standards. Simply that the Sonata Limited can out accelerate a BWM 525i and it costs $20K less.
It's left up to the consumer what they want to do. With the increasing number of Sonatas being seen on the road...Hyundai is doing something right!
I do understand your concern for those that just jump out there and make changes to their car without any thought behind what could be affected. I am one that does because I do worry about how my vehicle could be affected and how I can be affected as well.
Do me a favor, stop by my page and take a look at the pics of my car and tell me what you think.
I hate to say it, but get ready to start seeing the sun rising in the west. It's not going to be much longer before Hyundai is recognized respectably along with Honda and Toyota.
7-10 years ago, I would agree with you about Hyundai biting off more than they could chew, but with the redesign of the Sonata, the introduction of the Azera, Tuscon and most recently the Veracruz and with the future production of the Genesis...Hyundai is going to create more than a mouthful for it's competitors.
(Check the ratings at JD Powers-- I happen to have picked an 06 Azera just to be fair, and an 06 BMW 325, they didn't have any 06 Series listed)
you may be right, the jury has just been 'sent out'. But, a suggestion from the ole captain's marketing department: if you think you want to compete with the BMWs of the world, don't call it a "Hyundai", do what Toyota and Honda did with Lexus and Acura respectively.
There will always be variances that will affect total stopping distance with a vehicle. For me to put THAT much focus on the few extra pounds my wheel package has added, it's not worth the stress. There will also be one that you can't account for 100% of the time, and that's road surface.
One way to make up for any increase of that nature is to drive sensibly. Again, the only time I would worry about how quickly I can stop my car is if I'm out pushing my car to the limit in traffic.
I've had to apply my brakes in a few emergency situations with someone stopping short or pulling out suddenly and guess what...my car stopped with no problems.
Hyundai has to get Hyundai right before they can ever consider a premium brand name. However...maybe after the Genesis...we'll see that happen.
That would make a bunch of us that are not likely potential BMW buyers, wouldn't it?