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Comments
Bye the way....someone please stop (GIOWA) who talking about AUTO vs STICK allllllll the time. I got tired of him. He should have his own room to discuss about that. His post does nothing but creates anger between proud Sonata owners, and its boring too. It is not to worth to read his posts.
Please give me some feedback about my opinion.
About buying cars through the internet, I would eventually be interested if the net prices are indeed lower than what I can get at dealers. I don't feel as much animosity toward car salespeople as some of you do. To me, they are just doing what they are paid to do - maximize revenue and profit for their employer. We all do that in one way or another, no?
As long as I understand their modus operandi, I can deal with them. And everybody come away happy. The total haggling time when I bought our '99 Sonata was exact 5 minutes. Granted, that didn't take into account the research and legwork I did before I got to that point, but you need to do the research any way you buy.
I buy internet & mail order a lot, but I actually prefer to give my business to the local dealer. I know if I have trouble with my cars, that's the place I will have to bring it in.
I have used only Touchless automated washes on my '95 Sonata along with a few interspersed hand washes and have obtained excellent results with my Dark Rosewood paint. When that car is clean it is always surprising to people when I tell them it is almost six years old. My only complaint against the earlier Sonata paint finish is the ease with which it can be scratched down to the white. Simply leaning across the car in winter to scrape the windshield can leave a scratch if I am wearing a coat or jacket with zippers and I am not careful.
The Silver paint on the '00 GLS seems to be better in this regard. The vehicle has only 7200 miles but is driven every day and has been subject to the usual chance abuses that come from this. I found no blemishes at its' last waxing before winter.
Internet-Invoice related buying---
I bought the '00 at a dealership with a no-haggle policy. The '95 was purchased from same.
I have no doubt that our specific deal could have been better by a few hundred dollars if I had elected to purchase elsewhere and had been stalwart in my bargaining. But the factors involved in any such purchase are different for every individual and frequently cover multiple concerns and preferences.
I certainly agree with Volfy that auto salesman/dealerships are entitled to make a living even through the arbitrary 'maximization of profit' motive. If the consumer is responsibly informed before beginning the process, the two competing interests can reach a satisfactory agreement.
Giowa postings---
I agree with the concerns raised but must confess to having been a party to this issue. This is a free forum, subject to the rules governing its' establishment and continued presence. So long as it remains so, we are all under the 'Personal Toleration' code. People are free to rant and/or rave about whatever is deemed to be on-point within the forum. For my part I will try to suppress the desire to tap out replies which are unnecessary and may simply add fuel to the fire.
Apologies for the long post.
It unfortunately is a so called 'hate' for the salesperson stemming from experience being first hand or informed of. An analogy could be like dogs hating cats. Since a kid, this has always been the case and perhaps so for the salesperson of cars.
The hate I am guessing stems from the uncertainty of knowing you have gotten the best , lowest price the salesman has been authorized to sell the car at or not.
Salespeople also prey on certain customers. They have an impression of you before you even get a chance to say hello. Women are sold a bill of goods men would not accept.
Soooo, I admit, salespeople are humans too, however their role models in the business have had quite a reputation and it seems to carry on.
Also, with internet type folks becomming more educated, that leaves fewer folks top make a huge profit on, so they are even more hungry.
I personally am not motovated by money. I am motovated by LACK of money. So perhaps same ois true of car sales people. Maybe dealerships should only hire well off individuals.
Bottom line is , I have what they want, (money) and I am going to give up as little of it as possible. Its a game!!!
Tony
Too many folks, having been "con'ed" by car salespeople previously or have heard horror stories, walk into dealer showrooms with an innate fear of being taken by the wily salesperson. Either that, or they just don't know how to counter sales pitches and haggle.
Truth is, if you do you research you'll have a very good idea about the dealer's bottom line. With that, you can tell them that you'll drive home this car today at this price. That you do not wish to waste his time, nor do you care for him to waste yours. If he can do it, great! If not, "thanks for your time. Have a nice day."
I've bought two '99 vehicles this way recently. Didn't work at every dealer, but at the ones that took my offers, I got my price painlessly and the dealer happily made a fast few hundred bucks.
The more you drag on, whine about the price, and wish-wash about actually buying, the more the salesperson is inclined to reap his/her time's worth on ya - rightfully too! :-)
You know, I've never seen a car saleperson point a gun to a buyer's head. If you took the bait, the sales scum hooked you fair and square. :-)
I don't think you've atcually "scrtached down to the white" (I assume you meant primer). More than likely, the white that you see is the top clear coat turned opaque from been abraded. It's kinda like a clear plastic cup turning white when you crush and tear it.
If you actually scratch it down to the primer coat, it will have very obvious layered tears between the clear, base and primer coats.
http://members.nbci.com/sonatafan/index.htm
I now see where you get the 'follow through' of your ideas and great picture documentation of the process.
How much money and how many attorneys do you think it took to put the word 'HOT' on the exhaust manifold shield as clearly shown in your picture in the SPARK PLUG section???
Looking forward to your next project.
Tony
I have determined that there is a definite grooving in these scratches which is palpable. If, as you say, this is likely a clearcoat problem, what is your advice on repair? I have tried a clearcoat safe compound but no success. Touch-up paint or marker does not seem to take as it all resides on the clearcoat and has no holding power.
Thanks in advance.
On the issue of car sales and the related experience---
I also agree that the process is far too often an arbitrary one with no 'uniform standards' (sound topical?) However, having 'no dog in this hunt', other than attempting to be an informed consumer, I find it amusing that buyers in this arena often have the attitude that it is perfectly alright for them to squeeze the last penny out of the dealership but not the other way around. I say 'Caveat Emptor' and may the least oily one win.
Took my car in last night so the recall problem could be adjusted. I spoke briefly to one of the mechanics and asked if anything can be done to correct the fairly poor gas mileage my 2000 Sonata GLS is having ( approx. 14 city, 16 hwy) He told me that's all you can expect and all 6 cyl SOnata's get that mileage. He then told me Elantra's were also in that range and they are 4 cyl.
I'll be going back tonight to pick my car up and I'll ask again but it sure does seem low.
I have a '00 base with auto and recently noticed a big increase in mileage after changing spark plugz. The car only has 5+k miles but heard of bad plugz, check engine light codes pointing to misfiring etc... so I decided to check it out.
While I was in there, I just replaced em all with some high end Bosch plugz.
What I did notice and Sonatafan did also, the connector to the spark pacs was not fully connected. This may be the REAL problem and not the spark plugz themselves.
I am glad I got in there and did the swap of the plugz and found the loose connectors, more mileage is always welcome.
But if they are indeed only clear coat abrasions then yo'll have to rub it out with mild abrasives. Touch-up paint doesn't help because it will be colored over clear coat finish, which doesn't look right in all but very small scratches.
Often times, you could take out the opaqued clear coat abrasions with just your fingernail, which is usually not hard enough to scratch paint and cause more problems. If not, you can try a hand glaze compound or a very fine polish. If that fails, the next thing would be ultra fine sandpaper (1200 or 2000). If that doesn't do it, then you have more than a simple scrtach.
Go easy on each of the above steps. I think one problem with Hyundai paint is that the clear coat is not very thick at all. It is somewhat okay to sand down to the base color coat as long as the area is small, but you want to try to go only deep enough to take out the scratch. Good luck.
I agree with the spark plug issue and find it strange that this has been reported by quite a few people. This looks like something happening at the factory and not being caught by quality control. Another source for your problem may be the mixture setting is too rich. It sometimes happens, even in new cars.
I'd be sleeping in the car with them numbers.
Something has to be wrong for folks to have such a WIDE variance on the same model even if one has auto vs stick.
My fingers are crossed that the recall will get you guys some mileage without sapping the performance too much.
14/16 city/hwy is waaayyy too low though. That's right down there with the 1/2-ton pickups and SUVs.
Low tire pressure
Wheels are out of alignment
Clutch or transmission slipping
Engine out of tune for one reason or another
Brakes dragging
extra weight
EXTRA heavy foot
Any more????????
Montana17,
Hey, that's my lucky number! :-) About your flooring it from coasting, why on earth did you do that? Did the rpm bounce off the limiter? You can't have bent a rod or popped a bearing because you're still driving the car, I presume. If everything works as before that stunt, I wouldn't worry too much.
Re. your A/C, I don't know about pre-99 Sonatas but I'd venture a guess that it is normal. Some cars, my '99 Frontier included, has an high-load A/C cutoff built into the system. This means that if you accelerate hard (i.e. full-throttle) and/or are carrying a heavy load, the A/C will be turned off to yield more engine power. The rationale being that it's better to trade a little comfort for all the power it can muster, at times when the ECM thinks you are desperate for that last lb-ft of torque.
Honestly everyone - is the Sonata GLS V6 a decent car? My mom is looking to replace her Grand Am V6 that has had over 166k trouble free highway miles. She likes the Sonata....is everyones holding up well? I personally think the new grill makes a WORLD OF DIFFERENCE on the car...looks a lot less cheap! Is the engine a timing chain or belt? Premium fuel required? Any special problems with the Sonata?
She is looking at more Grand Am's and Alero's as well...
Thanks
same goes to Buick Centry, have you tried sitting in the middle REAR seat in Alero?? the seat is very very hard, try sitting there for about 1 or 2 hrs... I thought my hip was falling off my body! ride is very very loud and noisy
those car's ride isnt really harsh but not as smooth as Sonata. If your mom is skeptical about Sonata's built quality then tell her to buy Altima or 626 which i dont think is really a good car either but definitly better altinitives than Alero & Grand Am.
Seriously, you'll probably get mixed reviews as far as ownership problem reports on any brand. FYI, mine has been perfect except a airbag light coming on which was promptly fixed by the dealer service dept. Functionally, it has been 100% and not missed a beat.
Both the V6 and I4 have cam belts and will run fine with egular unleaded. Fit and finish is much better than the typical GM fair. My job requires travel regularly so I get to drive and compare many different, mostly American, mid-size sedans. I just drove an Alera recently and it definitely does not compare. However, the Sonata does not have current VWs' fancy interior plastics.
Special problems with Sonata? I can remember two things: auto transmission and MAF sensor connector. Both have recalls out and are presumably fixed in subsequent production cars.
my mom was actually looking at stipped down Volvo S40's too. That car is just too expensive for what you get, and I personally don't know how i feel about the first year of a car based on a mitsu platform. She was not aware that it was a four cylinder though...(did not drive with me at the dealer with her) The alero/grand am are in her shopping list because her 96 has not broken down ONCE, with over 166k miles....
I think the Sonata has style and content above and beyond any COMPARABLY priced Toyota or Honda out there. The 626 is nice.....she thinks she REQUIRES a V6 so an Altima is out.
Thanks for the responses..if anyone else has any advice or real life advice, please give it up!!
Thanks
Let your mom test drive all her choices and make a decision. Bottom line is that no car is 100% perfect and she has to decide which car best meets her priorities.
Good luck
Also, have you found any good sites for accessories, such as cargo net, trip computer, and a good place for your garage door opener?
Thanks
I agree about the gas cap, it would be nice to be tethered.
Now that it is colder out and the exhaust is steamin some, I think a nice touch would be for the Sonata to have dual exhaust or at least dual pipes on the back, not together, one on each side as the current tailpipe. I think that really sets the 'other' expensive cars apart from the pack in looks anyways.
I finally got the cabin air filter I ordered. I'm putting it in this weekend. The dealership didn't even know the GLS HAD a filter for that. The first one that came in was an engine air filter. There is a yellow sticker on the cabin air filter itself that states it should be replaced every 15,000km, or one year. That means people who come to "my" dealership with early `99 Sonata GLS's are double over the recommended replacement increment because they didn't know anything about it!
My wife filled the car to the top in her opinion at our destinination and I said wait, let me top it off I am checking the mileage. She swore it was full. I was able to squeeze another 3 gallons into the tank.
To make a long story short, in order to really know what your mpg is you have to really fill it to the max OR take several tankfuls and average it all out. BUT if you are in a hurry to really know, you have to rock the car, push up and down on the bumper to shake the bubbles out and even take a break and wash the windows in the mean time and then continue to pump.
When yu get it to the point of seeing it in the neck of the filler no matter what yu do, you most likely have it full.
Also, MPG for 550miles of 85mph was 28.01
Next time, I will try to do the limit!
Tony
my '95 Chevy Silverado does not have a gas cap tether. Instead, on the inside of the gas door there are 2 prongs that stick out and hold the gas cap; I've found the tethered caps (like those found on Fords) dangle against the side of the vehicle and scratch the hell out of the paint. Especially in the winter with all the salt & sand crusted on...
Maybe your Hyundais have the prongs?
Checked my mileage the other day. 267 miles for 12.5 gallons of gas, a little better.
By the way, our car usually has 4 people (850-900lbs)riding in it for the highway drives to Dayton.
My wife and I and our freinds are big boned as you can tell, thats why I chose the Sonata.
First, I found out after awhile that the chrome strip on the rear garnish is on the GLS and not the base model, which is why I don't have it and you do. I originally thought it was a production change but all GLS seem to have it.
Second, the chrome grill comes on the `01 GLS and not the base model. The base still dons the plastic color keyed grill. I guess they want to differentiate the two trim levels more......
I have a 99 Sonata and would like to increase the
torque and horses + the handling. Any
recommendations as far as tires, exhaust and so on.
Thanks in advance.
Mileage dropped only slightly as the miles slowly built up to the oil change interval. I was amazed at how clean the oil looked even right up to the service.
Total miles now just under 7600. MPG's averaging 25.5. It will be interesting to see how much of a hit to mpg the winter will bring. Also, I sure am glad the HVAC in this car is so quick to respond. Even with the leather, cold mornings are not a problem.
Before I bought my Sonata ,I had to call a Friend in Korea to ask about it.
He knows a lot about Hyundai, and he bet at least Hyundai Motor will survive.
(They might lose Hyundai Construction & Heavy Industry).
Korean government have tried to make a new economy structure. Hyundai is one of main target which involves in too many industry. Korean government wants to break it apart.
It is just a game Korean government play, and they won't be able to cut their own economic back bone for a change anyway.
I once heard that 90% of the things we worry about never happen anyways. Soooo I hope that me worrying about Hyundai way deep down inside will be one of the 90% worries that are NOT gonna happen.
Sorry, not real helpful here today.
does the 2001 Sonata GLS V6 have chrome inside door handles?
Happy driving! What color? If you are lucky, you got the light moss! I can't believe they dropped that color for 2001!