Hyundai Sonata 2005 and earlier

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  • ohmar834ohmar834 Member Posts: 8
    Just returned from a weekend trip to West Plains Mo. Mostly Interstate driving down I 55 and I44 keeping up with the flow at 80-85 MPH and still averaged 33 MPG at 1048 miles round trip I was very pleased with the entire trip ran with sunroof 1/2 open and one rear window down about 3 inches no air conditioning. Car is a 2001 Sonata 4 Cyl with 4 speed automatic. What a great car for a quite smooth ride and don't tire you out driving. Like they say "Driving is Believing

    Ohmar in Dixon,IL.
  • 2000glsv62000glsv6 Member Posts: 16
    Kraziekid26, the recall you are talking about is the re-routing of the MAF sensor wire harness. I had to have it done on my '00 V6. It was hesitating and stalling at low speeds. After reading about the recall I called the dealer and made an appoinment. They had it fixed in less than an hour. I believe that is what you are talking about.
  • fangio2fangio2 Member Posts: 214
    calling it "beamer".That would be degrading a fine car.
  • astrolastrol Member Posts: 312
    No, I wouldn't do that. Short is either 'Beam' or 'the Beam'.

    I first tracked down the car on my dealers lot last July at around 11:00 PM. I had been scanning the internet listings and could not physically find this car even on the overflow lots. It was one of a couple of pkg 13's in the area, all configured slightly different with add-ons like cargo net, spoiler, etc. I finally found it in an extremely dark area near the service entrance which I usually wouldn't check for new cars. But it turns out this car was a trade with an Eastern Shore dealer about 150 mile drive away. It was going to be prepped. The Silver color was almost luminescent in the dark so I go home and tell the wife it shines like a Moonbeam. We had originally been considering other colors but had yet to see a Silver. So, you can guess the rest. Next day, early call, early visit. Out the dealer door with a very happy wife. I ask ya, ain't love grand?
  • hysonhyson Member Posts: 4
    I did some research and found a website that advertises specialty parts for Hyundai's. It looks good in the photos but I am always skeptical until I hear that someone else was happy with their purchase from the web.


    http://www.hdkautosport.econgo.com/
    HDK Autosport
    PO Box 11345
    Erie, PA 16514


    My dealer sold me a '01 GLS V-6 that was under a tree for a while. They worked on it but were unable to completely remove the remnants of tree sap from the paint. It looks as if the sap caused some small almost unnoticeable raised areas in the finish. Does anyone have any experience with this?

  • jc58jc58 Member Posts: 48
    My local dealership has several 2000 GLS Sonatas, which the guy indicates I can get for around $13,000 ( He immediately came down from the "advertised" price of $14,995, I may see if they bite at $12,000 or even lower, what do I have to lose?). They all have 9-15 thousand miles on them, moonroof, auto and the usual standard items.

    My first question is, what seems to be a good price for these? He had a Olive one that he had said I could get for a steal ($11,000 range since it seems no one liked the color), but when he went in he found out it had just recently sold. I figure if they were willing to let that one go in that price range maybe they will sell another!

    Second is there any problems with the 2000 models to watch for?

    I had really wanted a new one, but don't think I can swing it, so I was going to see what I could do in the used market and let someone else take the big first year loss.

    Any help is appreciated. It is encouraging to see that with the tons of postings to this site that there really are not alot of negative comments regarding problems.

    Thanks
  • giowagiowa Member Posts: 599
    Whatever else you consider, get one with Pkg 13!!! That is the only way to get ABS & traction control. Non-ABS braking distances poor. Overall controllability in rain and winter isn't very good. Check out what Consumer Reports says in 2/01 issue about their tested Elantra's brakes, non-ABS, to what they say in 6/01 issue about their tested Sonata GLS's brakes, with ABS.
  • sonatavasonatava Member Posts: 75
    Hyson-- I'd caution anyone ordering from HDK for now. The guy seems sincere, but their customer service needs to improve in a practical way, else you'll be frustrated when ordering from them and most likely have to send something back, etc. I'd wait a while (6-12 mos) before ordering from them.

    Tree sap-- I think you're probably referring to the really tiny brown dots all over a car? I know they can be a real pain to remove. My aunt let her Santa Fe go a few months w/o care and when I tried to remove those dots when detailing it, I just gave up. I had tried bug/tar remover, claying, and even the pre-wax cleaner didn't get all of it off. I've read recently that sometimes it'll come off with rubbing alcohol, Avon skin-so-soft (SSS), and even WD-40, although you need to be sure to wash off the WD-40 if you go that route (personally WD-40 seems a bit harsh for paint). Good luck.

    jc-58- 12 to 13G's for a 2000 GLS seems reasonable, especially with any option package and no more mileage than what you've said. It all depends on how eager they are to get rid of them. Call up Enterprise rent-a-car and ask how much they're selling them for (theirs will probably have twice the mileage of the dealer's, but Enterprise sells using a no-haggle policy, so you'll get a better idea of a fair price in your area).
  • fangio2fangio2 Member Posts: 214
    new SONATAS for under $15,000(don't know which options-but list is over$18,000).The same dealer has a 2000 SONATA-autoand power pkg(?)for $11,700.I'd say convince him you are a serious buyer and offer $11,000.If you can get it for $12,000 ,still a really good deal.
  • astrolastrol Member Posts: 312
    Had 'Beam' serviced yesterday and guess what? My brake vibration problem at highway speeds...Front brakes need replacing at 18.5K. Advisor says both front rotors and pads are screwed. I say 'how much?' because I know the warranty on brakes as a 'wear' item is short...1yr/12K and I'm over on mileage. He says $365 parts and labor.

    Now ordinarily I would never take my car to the dealer for a problem like this. But my wife is the daily driver and you know how that goes. A car not even 1 year old...She wants it by the book. So since I'm already into them for the brake inspection and the LOF I figure let 'em do it. I was tempted to tell them to stop right there but I already knew I would seek an adjustment from Hyundai on the rotors and their associated labor costs anyway. I started the process right away by going through channels with the service manager. Haven't heard back from him yet. With the Holiday weekend, I don't expect anything until next week. If not satisfied, I'll move on to Hyundai Customer Hotline and the Area Rep.

    And on top of this, they wanted to charge me another $200 for the 15K service which I'm overdue for. Jeesh! Somedays it just doesn't pay to get out of bed.
  • fangio2fangio2 Member Posts: 214
    miles on a car.My brother's Honda went thru a lot of brake rotors.Is that a normal thing with Sonatas?$365 sounds kinda steep.
  • astrolastrol Member Posts: 312
    No, it's not a regular problem with Sonatas. It just happened on mine because A) my wife is a notorious bad braker (she gets it from her father) and B) the X factor.

    Usually I just reverse the pads from right to left and left to right and the vibration will go away in short order. It doesn't work that well if the rotor is badly warped but it always worked to cure rotor grooving problems. In this case the rotors were beyond machining. I know because I inspected them when I rotated my tires and saw them at the dealer's after being taken off of the car. There were definite high and low spots so replacement wasn't uncalled for. The parts cost was $93.60 x 2 for the front rotors and $54.95 for the pad kit. Labor is always rated by the job hour which is always BS. Anyway, that was $120. The whole repair cost came to $362.15 but when you add the 'Shop supplies', there's another $30 added on. I could have done the job myself for a good bit less but that's not what my wife wanted with a new car.

    I'm really not that upset because I already knew taking it to the dealer for this would not be in my best financial interest. I'm only questioning the rotors as they are not excluded in the language of the warranty. It says 'brake pads and linings' not 'all brake SURFACES'. From my perspective, the rotors should be part of the B to B warranty and I intend to pursue it in that way. I'll post here when I hear anything.

    P.S. Yes, we do put the miles on around here. But we buy knowing that this is the case and intend on keeping this car for a very long time. I still have my '95 Sonata and will run it into the ground. When the time comes for a new XG300 or '02 Sonata, it will not be traded. Every house should have a beater in the driveway.
  • sonatafansonatafan Member Posts: 171
    Rotors should be covered on the longer bumper to bumper warranty. "Brake pads and linings" could not possibly include the rotors because they aren't lined with anything. Give it to `em Astrol, you know how much I love dealer service departments!!
  • astrolastrol Member Posts: 312
    You and me both, brother. Mucho sympatico. Anything more involved than an oil change stretches the term 'technician' as far as I'm concerned. 'There's troubles in them dealerships, I tell ya'.
  • sonatavasonatava Member Posts: 75
    Anyone interested in adding an aftermarket keyless, alarm, or remote start system should check out the Security System thread on Edmunds: "Security systems (Lojack, alarms, engine immobiliser, etc.)" May 25, 2001 6:59pm

    Apparently, a Viper 550 system seems to be a good buy if you're looking for reliability and trouble-free operation, but make sure they solder in the connections or solder them yourself later on. Circuit City in the Washington DC area will install it for $399 which is also the going price of a Sidewinder (same manufacturer as Viper) equivelant system. I just received my LCD pager remote start system off Ebay and hope to get it in later next week. The LCD remotes are amazingly not much larger than a standard keyless remote, only a bit thicker. The only thing I've noticed so far is that I had to lightly sand down the lower tabs on the battery compartment lids, so that they'd seat better. Also, I have to buy a separate relay for the starter disable/anti-grind, but the installation manual is very helpful. I'm waiting on my trunk-pop kit which I'll be adding.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    I have to come to appreciate that site as well as Edmunds.com as a must-visit website and I must be just new enough to that site to not be aware of that happening on a regular basis. There's been some groovy discussions of late in there about Korean-US trade and Hyundai's rising sales, etc. Whattup with it crashing consistently? I'm glad I read your post above 'cause before that I was wondering if I might have needed to tweak my browser settings differently or something. Do post again if there's anything new on that, OK? I don't drive a Sonata I'm obviously a Sephia guy. I was reading your post above on the premature wearing rotors/brake pads. My Sephia just went in yesterday for a LOF and tune-up and tire rotation and I was confronted with the brake situation in mine, too. At 63,400 miles I've never had the brakes looked at. Seems I had .02% of my front pads left! Whew! The pedal was coming down a tad closer to the floorboard of late but .02%! The rotors were mis-grooved too badly and I think they were around $78.00 per side. With the other stuff I already mentioned, the brake work and fuel filter(around $75.00)and air filter my total with labor came to $470.05. Everything's up to snuff now but these Kia parts don't come cheap! I'm sure the same thing applies to Hyundai. The Sephia's fine performance makes it worthwhile to me with it's low 30's mpg and all, though. Can't wait to see the new 2002 Sephia II and Hyundai Sonata's hit the lots/streets!!!

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • sonatafansonatafan Member Posts: 171
    Come on up here to Ohio and I'll help you install that pager system!!!
  • baril2baril2 Member Posts: 6
    I bought a used 2000 GLS V6, 12100K miles, for $12888. Mine was an AVIS rental car and I'm wondering, since rental companies often have fleets built to spec for them, what features I am missing that were standard. I have a non-retractable and evidently un-automatic/un-power antenna. A black, somewhat "bendable" thing with wire wrapped around it. For some reason, I thought power antenna was standard on the '00 GLS. Also, what about keyless remote? Mine doesn't have them but I don't know if that's because they were lost or never had them. Were they standard in '00?

    Thanks for answers in advance. Mine is pearl white, which is beautiful. The features I do have are all power stuff, CD/cassette, AT, of course, moonroof and that's about it. I don't think I have ABS (how would I know; my salesman certainly didn't).

    Does this combination sound odd? Also, is there a way I can check to see if the recall item was accomplished?

    sorry for all the newbie questions
    John
  • astrolastrol Member Posts: 312
    Hello John,

    Yes the '00 GLS has a std. power antenna. Yours must be something the rentals cooked up. Since it is a GLS it might have the pre-wiring in place in the trunk. You'll have to check out what is there. If you see anything more than the antenna cable you may be in luck for an easy install.

    Keyless was optional in '00 but may well have come on yours in a pkg. install. It is unlikely that a rental fleet vehicle would have it included in the build specs., though.

    It sounds like the pkg. level is the 10 or 11. If you had a 12, it would have leather. But you have the moonroof and the CD/Cassette upgrade and I just can't remember which pkg # that is.

    ABS only came on pkg 13 but since yours was a fleet build, it might have it. It is very easy to find out. Just lock up your brakes on any test road. You will know by the sound and pulsation in the pedal. Also the ABS dash light will glow during operation. Of course an easier way is to look under the hood. On the passenger firewall you will see a lot of brake line running into the ABS control module. You can't miss it if it's there.

    I would contact Hyundai customer service about the recall. The number is in the manual. Give them the VIN and see if they have a record of the recall work.

    Good Luck and Happy Hyundai Motoring.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Looks like you used MS Word to compose off-line. There are a couple of solutions to this - I am told that if you set Word's preferences to not use "smart-quotes", the problem you see in your post will not occur (I haven't confirmed this). Or you can save your document as a text file, close and then reopen it before copying and pasting.

    One other point to be aware of - you do have a 30 minute window after making a post in which a blue "Edit" button shows up beside the date and time of your post - this gives you the opportunity to make any changes you'd like shortly after you've posted.

    Hope this is helpful.

    Pat
    Host
    Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
  • sonatabeansonatabean Member Posts: 201
    Hello,

    Need some help, if anyone has some experience, knowledge, or advice to offer....

    Have a 2000 GLS V6 with package 13 and auto transmission (actually, we have two identical cars: one mine, one the spouse's). Until recently, my Sonata was absolutely the best car I have ever owned. The spouse claims the other Sonata is absolutely wonderful, too. But, here's what happened:

    Hyundai recalled both cars for the stalling issue a few months ago. I never had a problem before the recall... and, even now, the other Sonata seems fine.

    Hatfield Hyundai in Columbus, Ohio (purchased both cars there) did the recall work. When driving my car home from the recall service, I noticed an odd vibration. The car appeared momentarily unsure of a gear while coasting along a country road... then picked a gear and continued. The odd vibration remained, however, even after the shift.

    I immediately went back the dealer but the problem disappeared after I parked and spoke to the service manager. NOTE: I shut off the car after parking it.

    I thought the Sonata's problem was a brake thing - like a pad rubbing: had such a brake problem with my beloved Z some years ago. With the Z, a self-adjusting anti lock brake (left rear) was not adjusting properly and created a vibration much like the one in the Sonata, so I did not give the Sonata's problem a second thought at the time.

    After driving around with the service manager for a while, I just went home and considered what happened was some weird fluke. In the service manager's presence, I gave the Sonata a few firm brake applications and assumed all was well.

    Last week, under very gentle acceleration in heavy city traffic, the transmission began wildly hunting for a gear. This time, the hunting was much more obvious. The engine also began blatantly misfiring and bucking. The engine then sputtered, stalled, and refused to start. The problem very much appeared to be a more severe version of what happened when I was driving home from the dealer (see above).

    I shut off the car and hit the emergency flashers. Soon, a police officer stopped to help me. I had tried re-starting the car a few times, but my attempts failed (only a few seconds between attempts). The officer suggested I try starting the car one more time (car had been off for 30 to 45 seconds then) and, strangely enough, the car started without a problem. This time, assumed I had water in the gas . . . and again did not give the problem much thought. I did notice, however, a connection with the problem I describe and gentle acceleration (see above; still figured it was related to water in the gas).

    Yesterday, I was gently accelerating into beltway traffic (heavy but fairly fast traffic; was on a LONG multi-lane on-ramp leading to six traffic-carrying lanes). At about 60 mph, the car again began wildly hunting for a gear and the engine began misfiring and bucking.

    I had just merged into a center lane grew afraid: traffic in my lane and leftward was traveling between 65 and 80 mph, traffic on my right was merging left, so I stepped hard on the gas to get moving. The car just downshifted, hit and sustained high RPMs, and continued to misfire and buck. The car also gradually began slowing to 45 mph while maintaining low gear, turning high RPMs, and misfiring and bucking. The "check engine" light began to flash as well.

    I hit the emergency flashers and pulled off the highway (no small feat in fast, heavy holiday traffic). I when I pulled off the highway, I put the car in neutral and tried revving the engine to see if the airflow-sensor was an issue (ie. sensor misreading). I figured a couple of quick accelerator punches would adjust the problem. My ingenious idea was for naught: the engine continued to misfire and shudder, the tach bounced up and down indicating RPMs varied drastically, and the "check engine" light continued to flash.

    I killed the ignition, raised the hood, and looked under to see if there was an obvious problem. I could not, to my limited ability, find anything wrong.

    Given my previous experiences, I noticed the problem corrected itself after shutting off the car. With trepidation, I inserted the key in the ignition and started the car (it had been off for a minute or more). Unbelievelably, the car started and behaved normally.

    Both cars have had all scheduled maintenance and oil changes done per Huyndai's recommendation. Further, I use the recommended 87 octane from mainstream petroleum companies (usually Marathon or Shell - I avoid offbrand gas).

    My car just turned 18,000 miles (was making weekly highway hauls for the better part of a year) and mine is the only one demonstrating problems in spite of quality gas and maintenance.

    After the freakish incident yesterday, I took the car directly to Hatfield Hyundai's service center. The car is there pending inspection. I repeatedly used the 'gentle acceleration' scenario on my way to Hatfield to try and recreate the problem, but could not get the car to repeat its performance. A couple of times, car did start to hunt for a gear and behave awkwardly . . . and after a moment, it was fine.

    The last time I brought up this issue, the dealer claimed nothing was wrong with the car. I'm not prepared to accept that answer after what happened yesterday: cars are supposed to run, not balk. Given that yesterday, I was fairly sure I was about to be killed in speeding holiday traffic, I'm pretty hell-bent on solving this problem.

    Loving one's car does not mean dying for one's car, ya know?

    Thanks in advance. Hope someone knows what this problem is: It's heartbreaking to have a car you adore "get sick."

    Best regards,

    'Bean
  • sonatafansonatafan Member Posts: 171
    If the problem started happening after the dealership performed the MAF sensor work there is a good possibly something wasn't put back correctly or a connector not seated properly. Id make sure they go over the previous work done to look for any "loose ends".

    Sounds like the ECU is getting bad info from a sensor, which is what the recall work should have been for. According to the recall, the MAF sensor connector was coming loose and causing the ECU to stall the engine.

    By the way, I have had several bad experiences with Dennis Hyundai here in Columbus so stay away from them at all costs!!
  • giowagiowa Member Posts: 599
    1. Here's one unorthodox way of handling this mess... Have 'em do the rotor. Then after the service department is closed, pick your car up and drive it home. Next day, call 'em, tell 'em you've picked it up , and thank 'em for the warranty work. Tell 'em you'll be in later that day to sign off the paperwork. Come back driving another car. (It should be covered under warranty. Rotors aren't pads or linings. My '00 Lincoln LS8 had slight warping problem. Lincoln covered under its warranty.) If they say it isn't covered under warranty, tell 'em to have Hyundai give you a call. You'll be happy to discuss with Hyundai. I say Hyundai should prove it to you that rotors are linings or pads.

    2. Another easy way to look for Sonata GLS ABS is to see the black traction control switch ahead, and slightly to the right, of the transmission shifter, near change holder. If you don't have one labelled "TCS On Off", then you don't have ABS. (If a rental car broke its power antenna, would the company necessarily replace it? Or might they just go with a cheap, quick fix? Bet rental power antennas break a lot.)
  • sonatabeansonatabean Member Posts: 201
    For South-West & Central Ohio residents (and any Kentucky or Indiana shoppers buying in Ohio), Sonata fan is correct: I nearly bought my first car out of school at a Dennis dealership in Dayton (Dennis VW - Jeep - Eagle; Col. Glenn Highway) . . . .

    I signed papers, agreed on a price, wrote a deposit check . . . then waited 6 weeks longer than promised and got a call the day of delivery stating they misquoted - I'd have to pay $2,000 more (happened in 1986).

    I demanded my deposit back and they *ALMOST* denied it . . . but a threatening call from an attorney solved that problem: I left with my money.

    Before I bought the 2000 Sonata, I also shopped a Dennis dealership. It was identical schtick: I faxed in a detailed statement explaining what I wanted, the cost breakdown on the dealer's side, and what I was willing to pay (key here is, the dealer had to have made that month's quota to make selling to me worth his while).

    I even agreed to wait up to three months, if needed, to get the price I wanted: time was not the essence, dollar value was.

    Again, Dennis agreed. I went to the Dennis Hyundai (Columbus, OH) dealer, we talked BS for over half an hour, I "signed" some papers, and the dealer again reniged - but this time, I did not sign a down payment check (on purpose - I had not forgotten 1986).

    Don't use Dennis for any vehicle: they're the biggest cheats in the business.

    And - for those of you who responded to my initial post re: engine & transmission trouble: THANKS !!!

    'Bean
  • astrolastrol Member Posts: 312
    I agree with the previous posts. You are getting intermittent sensor feed in these situations. It may be a sensor failure or misapplication or it might be related to the reprogramming of the ECU which Hyundai also mandated as part of the recall. If your car did not throw a code during all of this I will be very surprised.

    I had a similar experience post-recall service but nothing as severe. The car simply would stall which it had not done previously. Yet another trip back to the dealer solved it with little fanfare or explanation. I always suspected they didn't do the recall work the first time. And they wonder why my 15K service wasn't done in a timely manner. Yeah, right.
  • gnevgnev Member Posts: 6
    Don't ever buy a car from Giuffre Hyundai in Bay ridge, Bklyn.NY
    They'll attempt to scam you every step of the way.
    A bunch of thieves.
  • giowagiowa Member Posts: 599
    Please tell us what they did to you. Hardly seems fair to call 'em scamming thieves without giving us some indication of what they actually did. Inquiring minds want to know.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    With the second stickers and the $500 advertising fee that's talked about by a poster on the Santa Fe site and the sales quotas and all one could almost begin to agree with gnev before even hearing the explanation, eh?

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • kraziekid26kraziekid26 Member Posts: 2
    I have been test driving the 2000 Sonata v-6 for a week now, tomorrow I go to sign the papers and on my way home the check engine light came on. It just went over 10,000 on the way to work, any one had any troubles??
    I do know that the problem with the recall was never fixed, but they agreed to fix it, any one think this could be the reson for the engine light??
    Thanx ahead for your info.
    Tina :)
  • giowagiowa Member Posts: 599
    Car dealers are a lot like a 15-yr-old boy trying to talk his girlfriend into doing you know what for the first time. They'll both promise you anything and in the nicest ways. But once over (i.e., they both have what they want), they become another person entirely.

    If there is anything you want done or feel needs to be done, do it BEFORE you buy. As long as you haven't bought it, you are in the driver seat. And it will show you the type dealer they are. Get them to do all recall (MAF sensor) and technical service bulletin work. You might also have them fix any minor dents or paint issues. If they give you grief or don't want to do it, that might be a clue to go somewhere else.

    Also, learn as much as you can about the car. Who owned it before you? Try to talk to the former owner? Where was it serviced? Look over the service and repair records. Why wasn't the MAF sensor work done? That seems a bit odd.

    As for the check engine light. Did you recently refuel before it came on? Did you click the cap at least 3 times?
  • jc58jc58 Member Posts: 48
    Well, rather than a used 2000 GLS, I purchased a new 2001 GLS. I am amazed at the price. With option 10 ( moonroof, upgraded stereo), floor mats, mud guards, and the wind deflector, the purchase price out the door price was $16,112.(everything included.... my taxes were less because of trade in difference), but from what I can tell from Edmunds is that they had to have dipped into the holdback to get to this figure. They gave the full $1,000 dealer incentive on top of the $800 rebate. Plus, to boot, I got a 6.49% rate for 60 months. Maybe shopping at the end of the month and on a holiday helps!!! I am also amazed at the number of vehicles this dealership has, I believe there were over 65 Sonatas, and even more Elantras. They even had 16 Santa Fe's. The guy told me they sell a bunch every month. Plus, they were reasonable and easy to work with. I went back as I had bought my daughter a 2000 Accent there ( a pleasant experience) and have had no problems to date, and no I am not a salesperson there!

    I am very impressed with the ride and all of the creature comforts. I am amazed I do not see more of these on the road, but if they turn out to be reliable, I have a feeling this will change.

    Mine is Pearl White ( color looks great in the sun ). This is car number 30 for me ( yes I am a car nut) and it seems as solid as any one I have driven. Hopefully, there will be no problems down the road.
  • yuri_luvyuri_luv Member Posts: 4
    Heh.. I just wanted to say that Pearl white and silver Sonatas look the best.. The other colors kinda makes Sonata look bit cheap.
  • baril2baril2 Member Posts: 6
    Thanks everybody for advice and assistance. So far I love my car; it's just unusual-looking enough to be interesting and comfortable enough for me to proud. I didn't tell you I traded in a 2001 Honda Accord for it....lost a lot of money on the Honda, but I hated it.

    Peace
  • fangio2fangio2 Member Posts: 214
    MAN,you must have really taken a beating on the trade.In the long run I believe you will be happy with your choice.I don't have a SONATA,but while getting my car serviced I wandered thru the KIA lot(the dealer I bought my car at sells KIAS also.
    They look good.The white is nice ,but they had a loaded black SONATA(spoiler etc)that looked extra sharp.
  • dougndodougndo Member Posts: 136
    Yeah, I'd have to agree that a loaded black Sonata w/ spoiler is "da bomb," since that's what I bought. I looked at, drove, and admired the Pearl White w/ leather, but when I saw the black one, I was a goner. It really is just too sexy.
  • protectsecondprotectsecond Member Posts: 13
    Color is very difficult to chose. I have looked at different makes and it seems certain colors will set that model apart from the others. Sometimes you cannot find the car you want with the options you want, in the color you want. If you can order and wait for delivery, I guess that is the best. Unfortunately,or fortunately, some of the best deals are what is on the lot at the time.
    The Sonata has great colors and it is hard to go wrong. Geography plays a part also.Black in Phoenix, AZ in the summer is a lot hotter than white.
    If you are driving "da bomb", who cares though. You will be looking good and feeling good. DO IT!
    baril2, let us know about the Honda Accord. Sounds as though you had a dilly. I had a "94" which was a good car. I will be turning in a 98 Toyota Camry in June on a lease.It also has been a good car. My 01 Sonata sits in the garage with 220 miles on it, and I purchased it one month ago. I still have miles on the Camry to use up. I purchased extra miles and my better half says "use them" or else. I know she is right but how do you buy a new car and then let it languish in the garage? This is just killing me. Maybe I bought too soon, but a good deal is a good deal, so I went for it. Anyway, happy motoring
  • sonatavasonatava Member Posts: 75
    Since I've been slowly-but-surely installing my new alarm remote starter system, I did some checking for hard-wiring the headlight buzzer. I first noticed that the buzzer sounded like it was buzzing more than the tiny casing could handle with it hooked into the fusebox, so just for kicks, I pulled out the grounding wire (RR Fog) and touched it to a chassis ground (under steering column) and took the Tail light wire and touched it to the Parking light/dash wire tap from my previous alarm system. For some odd reason, the buzzing sounds lower-pitched, more Normal and nicer. Hard-wiring, also allows me to put the cover back on the fusebox and gives more options for where to mount the buzzer.

    For anyone wanting to "hard-wire" their buzzer, here's what you do for a 2000 GLS:

    On the rear of the fuse box, on the bottom, there's 3 different plugs full of wires. The center (again, bottom) plug should have one red wire coming out of it (aside from the other colors). I think this same plug has about 4 yellow wires on it (door triggers/dome light), but I'll have to double check. This red one is the wire for the Parking lights/dash lights. If you want to test the wire, use a pocket knife or razor blade to carefully remove a tiny (1/8") portion of the vinyl insulation and use the actual buzzer to test it with the light switch on, or a digital voltmeter should show 12V when the light switch is on (remember to ground the other wire of the buzzer or voltmeter). I think this red wire is 18-22 guage wire, so you'll need a T-tap for that size. Don't just put the T-tap over the wire and snap it in, since you'll damage some of the wire threads that way. Also buy a packet of compatible male flat-bladed connectors to use with the T-tap. Use the same area that you tested the wire at on the red wire and slide/snap the T-tap at that point as best you can. You may still damage a thread or two in the process, but that's normal for this type of "quick connector".

    For the "RR Fog" wire (ground), use a 1/2" long self-tapping sheet metal screw w/power drill, to install a grounding screw to the metal area below the steering column. Then use one of those crimpable hoop-shaped ends to attach the wire to the screw.

    You may need to extend the wires of the buzzer to do this. Either use the solderless crimp-type connections of the proper size, or solder them and use heat shrink wrap to make a good seal. The buzzer shouldn't be drawing more than about 15mA, so I don't think a fuse would be needed.

    For those who are more experienced with electronics, obviously, you can just splice the wire and either tape it or solder it. To make that kind of splice, there's basic instructions for it on the Security alarms thread. I should have photos/installation tips up on a website in a week or so for both the buzzer hard-wiring and the alarm/remote starter install.

    So far, I was able to hook-up the keyless entry portion and main alarm of my LCD pager system, and I must say, I'm very impressed with the range of the remotes, and the "nifty-ness" of having confirmation of the doors locking/arming, or just being able to check the status of the alarm. (Sorry for the long post folks.)
  • tonykrapiltonykrapil Member Posts: 211
    Do you think it is because you may be getting the ground thru the entire defogger in the glass which is adding resistance and slowing the buzzer down a bit?

    Tony
  • jc58jc58 Member Posts: 48
    The auto tranny on my 2001 gls seems to shifts rather rough at times, which I have read about in some of the reviews I have seen. I was wondering if others experience the same thing? It seems to hesitate then the engines revs a little then it clunks into the next gear, the 2nd to 3rd shift seems to do this the worst. It also seems to do it more under harder accelerating. Just wondering if it is something I will have to live with or if it can be adjusted.
  • sonatavasonatava Member Posts: 75
    Tony, I think you misunderstood me. The buzzing sounds higher and overwhelmed when tapped directly into the fusebox combination of RRFog and Tail light. Try it yourself, remove the buzzer's RRFog wire and touch it to a body ground. I know the driver's kick panel to the left of the fuse box has some metal part that might work to test it. Maybe my buzzer is just that way

    jc58-- Your "new" Sonata's transmission is still in the learning phase. I heard on a radio show that a logic/learning trans sets in after about 500 miles, but I'm not sure. Try to drive the way you normally drive for it to learn your style of accelerating, etc. I've noticed too that in a jam, there's a slight delay and then it downshifts hard to get you the power needed when you floor it. I've also occasionally experienced slightly more engine vibration in the lower gears when accelerating hard, but not all the time, and certainly not enough to alarm me for now.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    I love the new Kia Optima in pearl white! I don't own one but I've looked at one on the lot and it looked good. I haven't seen an Optima in black either on the road or the lot yet. It's going to be interesting to see the new 2002 Sonata out on the road. Early looks on the internet look pretty cool. OK-before excess rambling on occurs I'm gonna give it up to the next South Korean car freak!

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • jc58jc58 Member Posts: 48
    Thanks Sonatava....I had disconnected my battery to "erase" from the computer what was causing the check engine light to come on...( probably did not click cap 3 times when I filled it up), and the cranny started shifting rough right after that. After driving it twice, the shifts became very smooth.

    I still can't get over how nice this car is for the price. Like I had indicated I got a 2001 LS with auto, option package 10, floor mats, mud guards and sun roof wind screen. The sticker was $19,484 and before taxes I got it for $15,225. Out the door it was $16,212.

    People talk about how it is not worth as much as a Camry if you try and trade it in, but if you take into consideration what you paid for it, it comes out a wash. A Camry with equivelant options would run at least $23,500 or so, about $8,000 difference. And I had rented a 4 cylinder Camry and yes it was nice, but I am not sure it felt any more refined than the Sonata. And a 4 cylinder without moon roof runs about $17,500, 2 grand more than my 6 cylinder with moon roof, upgraded stereo, etc.

    And it is true, check out the Camry/Accord forum, and they too have problems.

    I bought the 2001 as while I like the front end of the 2002, I do not like the rear nearly as much as the 2001, it looks like a Mazda 626. I see hints of a Jag in the rear of the 2001.
  • fangio2fangio2 Member Posts: 214
    how giowa made out with his rotar replacement dispute with his dealer?
  • giowagiowa Member Posts: 599
    I did NOT have the dispute. I only offered some advice. Now I've forgotten who had the dispute.
  • fangio2fangio2 Member Posts: 214
    sorry I guess I've forgotten too
  • sonatafansonatafan Member Posts: 171
    It was Astrol
  • dougndodougndo Member Posts: 136
    I follow the XG 300 forum because it is a car I considered before buying the Sonata GLS Leather. As most of the posters there are quite in love with their cars, I occasionally second guess myself: Ought I to have gone for the XG 300?

    Well, considering the great price I got, the $800 auto trans rebate, and the 0.9% financing, the Sonata clearly ended up being the better deal for me. In addition to paying about $5000 less than an XG, I'm also saving a few thousand dollars on the financing.

    Still, the more potent engine, the auto climate control, the Shiftronic…am I too much of a techno geek to crave such things? After all, the XG 300 is still a Sonata at heart.

    Don't mistake what I'm saying. I LOVE my Sonata. But would I love the XG 300 even more?
  • sonatavasonatava Member Posts: 75
    Last weekend, I (mostly) finished installing my Crimestopper 2005FM LCD pager remote system. I'm awaiting a replacement module since there was one problem with it. I'm still working on a webpage detailing my installation, but for now, if anyone needs the wiring colors/locations for a 2000 GLS, please feel free to email me. It's been time-consuming and a bit frustrating, but very rewarding. Special thanks to Nick (sonatafan) and everyone else that's made the installation easier. The range is incredible for the remotes: I can sit in my apartment and check the status of my car, remote start it, etc. The "tachless" mode seems to work just fine for the remote start.

    For those who've considered the replacement Superbrite LEDs from Varad, they appear to be the same used in dash lighting, as the green one I have matches the Sonata's green ignition switch light and driver's keylock light.

    For anyone installing a system, use duct tape to tape off any bare metal edges exposed after you remove the driver's kickpanel/lower dash. I thought I could be careful enough, but it'll cut you and you won't even know it until later when it hurts, cutting just like a bunch of long paper cuts.

    Even though they'll pop up a little, the empty switches near the coin holder are NOT removable from the top, you must remove the surrounding main trim section and then remove the 4 screws underneath to get them out. Each empty switch is cross-braced directly in the center underneath, so keep this in mind if you plan to mount a LED or other switch there.
  • sonatavasonatava Member Posts: 75
    I've only sat in an XG in the showroom and have a brochure, but I like it so far. The woodtrim was very nice. For the options and price difference between the "L" and base version, I'd probably go for the Base and add an Alpine multimedia system w/navagation. All of this is way out of my price range, of course.

    The Sonata has more personality and character than the XG which seems too much of a composite, designed that way for marketting purposes.
  • astrolastrol Member Posts: 312
    Hey! I'm #1000. Do I get a prize?

    Thanks for the interest. Actually, it has been a comedy of errors hooking up with the service manager so we can discuss it. I have been too busy to get in for a face-to-face and he and I both keep missing each others' calls like ships in the night. On top of that, he was out sick for a couple of days and I was out of town for awhile. But my schedule is cleared for tomorrow so I should have something to report back soon.

    My door buzzing/vibration silencing efforts have paid off and the only thing that remains is the long-term insurance of lining the door panels with Dyna-Mat. I have placed the order with Crutchfield but it hasn't arrived yet. With all of the rain sweeping in with clock-like regularity from the West, it may be some time before I can do the install. I will let everyone know how effective this is in this regard as well as any appreciable audio improvement.

    Anybody have any idea what the hell is going on at T-H-C? Did the guy who runs it die? Go bankrupt? Jeesh!
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