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Hyundai Santa Fe Test Drives
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Comments
Rather than the cover, Hyundai probably could have cast a large flat spot on the intake manifold, machined a nameplate into it and polished it. I suppose this would have "branded" the engine and perhaps they are trying to keep it generic for use in Kias.
Good choice. I have not seen one in Pearl White. Please post a pic.
Good luck and enjoy!
Other than covering the engine for "looks", I don't see any purpose served by the cover. It might keep splashed water from pooling in areas on the top of the engine or getting other things on the top of the engine wet. However, since an engine is hot and any water splashing around it generates lots of steam, it would be prudent on Hyundai's part to design all aspects of the engine as water resistant. That leads me to the conclusion that the cover is just to provide an appealing engine compartment for the average person to peruse.
Overall impression was positive. Great looking car. Can't imagine anyone over a dog fitting in the third row seats. Great layout nonetheless.
My two concerns are:
1) Sudden stop caused an angry crunching noise that was not friendly. Dealer suggested car had to be broken in. My comment was it sounds like something is already broken.
2) Engine pickup from a stop was slow. It took a second or two to kick in, not immediately responsive.
Anyone else have these issues?
Had Many in stock. dealer had tons on the lot. wanted to sell. I just wanted to drive. Asked the famous question . (What will it take?) I gave him a very low price including my trade. He got angry when I didn't take his offer. Told him I still had others to drive. He said again, What will it take? (I love a good comedy)
I'm still not convinced. Been a Honda/Acura person for 25 years. Old habits die hard.
Regarding engine pickup, I agree on the slow response but after driving my 07 for just over 2,000 miles, I don't have a problem from a standing stop. It's usually when I'm cruising in the top gear. When floored, it takes a few seconds before the transmission and engine get on the same page. However, it definitely goes once it realizes you are serious about wanting power. Even after it decides to go, when the RPM reaches the shifting point, up shifts are slow (smooth, but slow) and rob more performance. I have not tried moving the shifter to the right and using the manual shif feature. I have read that this at least gives the illusion of making the shifts more responsive. Perhaps after I put few thousand more miles on it, I'll try giving it a beating with the manual shifter.
But I wholeheartedly agree that it should be more responsive but I'm not sure it's the transmission or the engine. It seems like the computer control is involved because I don't think it delivers full throttle fuel to the engine until the transmission is finished shifting gears. It's a very odd few seconds. The cars indecisiveness is not unlike the Chevrolet Malibu I drove for two years. The Malibu had traction control and unless it was disabled, when floored in a corner the car lumbered along until the turn was finished. Any sign of wheel slippage and it would practically kill the engine in an effort to ensure the wheels did not spin. Very strange feeling especially when you expect the car to be responsive and it feels like it's out of gas!
If the computer is at least partially to blame, I wonder if an aftermarket BIOS upgrade would improve the situation. Of course such a move may void the warranty.
Mind you, I did not need the extra power of the 3.3 but from what I had read, it was a better engine with better technology and MPG....the SE had the towing pkg and perhaps a different suspension??? Anyway it felt better to me.
Normally I try to stay away from the "option pkgs" but I just did not want the 2.7...thus entered the SE model
I found a dealer in the suburbs who seems to have a ton in inventory - I think heading away from the city (Chicago) will net me a better deal...if I can get the SE, from the sounds of it, for what I was planning to pay, I think I'll go for it.
Other loves: big back window, nice seats and comfortable viewing angles...can reach the stereo and feel like the leg length works (I'm 5'8") and really dug the cargo area in the back (no third row for me).
Any thoughts on what I should expect to pay for an SE right about now???
Thanks- :confuse:
By the way, we considered the CRV too, but we wanted the additional room of the Santa Fe. So far, so good.
I am going with a Slate Blue SE w/ premium, if dealer can find one. Good luck.
If the latest Consumer Reports Annual Auto Issue is any guide, Hyundai is making great strides in its efforts to produce top-quality vehicles. In the Reliability section (the one with all the little black and red circles, dots, etc.) the 2006 Santa Fe is rated "much better than average" in every category.
http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2007_Hyundai_Santa+Fe.htm
then add the oem plug and play from the dealer (about $86)
I got my drawtight hitch and it was a perfect fit. I bought the plug and play from the dealer (stealership) to avoid any possible warranty issue + it was easy and I am lazy! .
Easy installation...I just used a small jack to position the hitch and tightened in the 4 bolts...done in about 15 minutes. Then added the plug in harness in another 15 minutes...voila...nice and neat. About $210 spent.
30 minutes was my total and a lot of that time was hitch positioning (heavy) and routing the harness neatly in the under carriage. You should find the oem plug connectors on the driver side under the rear tire fender well...funky looking connectors on 2 wire looms. (capped to protected the wiring.....)
There is a large thread if you search these forums on these hitches!
SURE BEATS THE STEALERSHIP PRICING! :shades: