Hyundai Sonata

[kv968]

I'm in the market for a new car seeing as my old Corolla has definitely seen better days. I was thinking along the lines of another Toyota or Honda, but I'm pretty much sold on a basic Sonata GLS model. I like the look, features and price better than the Toyotas or Hondas. I was just wondering if anyone has any opinions on them. The friends I have talked to that have owned Hyundai's have seemed pretty pleased with them and the reviews I've read seem to back them up. Just wondering what all of you think.

Oh and no "new vs. used" debate please. I'm well aware of depreciation and whatnot however I'm still going new.

[mcfroggin]

Originally Posted by kv968

I'm in the market for a new car seeing as my old Corolla has definitely seen better days. I was thinking along the lines of another Toyota or Honda, but I'm pretty much sold on a basic Sonata GLS model. I like the look, features and price better than the Toyotas or Hondas. I was just wondering if anyone has any opinions on them. The friends I have talked to that have owned Hyundai's have seemed pretty pleased with them and the reviews I've read seem to back them up. Just wondering what all of you think.

Oh and no "new vs. used" debate please. I'm well aware of depreciation and whatnot however I'm still going new.

Hyundai seems to have really improved quality recently. Everyone I know is happy with them as well. I still think Honda is more reliable, but Hyundai is pretty close. I wouldn't fault you with your choice.

[snafu]

I had a Sonata fr 5 yrs and l-o-v-e-d it. It never ever had a problem and when I broke the small piece that keeps the sun shield in place, it was replaced free...on warranty. Eventhough my Sonata was 2 y/o when I bought it, I was able to negotiate free oil changes with the dealership. A week later I went to a lecture by Phil Edmuds, who writes the Lemon Aid book series. He and wife both drive Hyundai's. Wife drives Tuscon [SUV]. He explained that early 2000's, Hyundai hired the entire Honda quality control team. It was expensive to get Japanese engineers to pull up stakes and move from Japan to S. Korea for a long term project. [whole cultural mess]. Hyundai is a huge organization, known more for shipping than auto. They operate on l-o-n-g term planning. The imported team tore apart the auto process and re-built from step one. Except for the sport car, the whole line is on pare with Honda and the warranty is even better. Customer service at dealerships has been astounding.

I recently sold my beloved Sonata for a Hyundai Santa Fe. DH is totally in love with that vehicle. [Prior was Toyota CRV for 10 yrs]

[studentloansescape]

You can go with Hyundai Sonata with assurance for good post sales service and definitely a good car.I wouldnt have rated Hyundai anywhere near Honda or Toyota a few years back.Now is different,their cars are definitely equal if not better to the other cars,but they are relatively easy on your wallet as well.

[bjl584]

Originally Posted by kv968

I'm in the market for a new car seeing as my old Corolla has definitely seen better days. I was thinking along the lines of another Toyota or Honda, but I'm pretty much sold on a basic Sonata GLS model. I like the look, features and price better than the Toyotas or Hondas. I was just wondering if anyone has any opinions on them. The friends I have talked to that have owned Hyundai's have seemed pretty pleased with them and the reviews I've read seem to back them up. Just wondering what all of you think.

Oh and no "new vs. used" debate please. I'm well aware of depreciation and whatnot however I'm still going new.

I owned a Hyundai Elantra and never had one problem in the 102,000 miles that I put on it. I currently own a Kia Rio(same as a Hyundai Accent) with just over 30,000 miles on it and it too has been trouble free. I'm sold on them. They are definitely a quality car at a relatively affordable price compared to other car makers.

[shanecurran]

I absolutely love Honda. I wish I still owned a Honda. That said I heard that Hyundia has made vast improvements and that the quality is approaching that of other well known brands such as Toyota and Honda. Don't they offer a ridiculous warranty with the Hyundia as well (10yr 100,000 mile warranty) ?

[wincrasher]

I've owned a Sonata and a friend has one. Currently drive a Genesis (and love it!). Also own a Honda Odessey, which is by far the best minivan ever built, but expensive.

You can't go wrong with either a Hyundai or a Honda. In my experience, the dealer experience at Honda is head and shoulders above Hyundai. Most of the Hyundai dealerships are like GM circa 1980! Honda calls me back after a service to make sure everything was satisfactory. Hyundai has broken things on my car and said nothing to see if I'd notice. Very poor.

I hear from many that the fantastic deals at Hyundai are a thing of the past. They are still a great value, but they aren't giving them away anymore.

I'd recommend you also look at the new Elantra. It's getting pretty great reviews and is cheaper than the Sonata.

[thekid]

The only downside I've seen to Hyundais is that their resale value drops considerably more than Honda/Toyota. If you want to change in 6-8 years, you may end up losing the advantage of the lower purchase pric by selling lower used.

That said, as their reputation deservedly grows, hopefully they will hold their value better.

I'm shopping int he compact suv segment, and I've also found the Tucson to be a better car than the CRV at a lower sale price. The secondary markt resale value drop was scarry though.

[feh]

Hyundai has come a long way from what they were 10 years ago. Great warranty.

We came this close to buying an Elantra over the weekend.

[shanecurran]

Originally Posted by thekid

The only downside I've seen to Hyundais is that their resale value drops considerably more than Honda/Toyota. If you want to change in 6-8 years, you may end up losing the advantage of the lower purchase pric by selling lower used.

They may not be as good as Honda in resale value, but they are not bad (better in fact than FORD focus)

[snafu]

wincrasher: if you're getting poor service at the dealership, or discover service staff has damaged/broken something, they are not following established protocols at that particular dealership. Next time your there, [or e-mail] tell the service manager the discrepancies you've observed, e-mail the Franchise holder/President of that location and CC whatever contact details on your paperwork or manual giving a concise outline of your dis satisfaction. Ask for whatever recompense you feel is fair...free oil change, tire rotation, discounted tune-up, merchandise item etc. The dealerships are under intense pressure to up their game.

[shanecurran]

Originally Posted by snafu

wincrasher: if you're getting poor service at the dealership, or discover service staff has damaged/broken something, they are not following established protocols at that particular dealership. Next time your there, [or e-mail] tell the service manager the discrepancies you've observed, e-mail the Franchise holder/President of that location and CC whatever contact details on your paperwork or manual giving a concise outline of your dis satisfaction. Ask for whatever recompense you feel is fair...free oil change, tire rotation, discounted tune-up, merchandise item etc. The dealerships are under intense pressure to up their game.

Good advice. I took a similar approach when a direct tv installer cut corners and did shoddy work.

[thekid]

Originally Posted by shanecurran

They may not be as good as Honda in resale value, but they are not bad (better in fact than FORD focus)

True.

I was comparing to Honda (what I'm used to).

[disneysteve]

I will probably look at Hyundais next time around. I have a 98 Camry and had a 91 Camry before that. I've driven the new Camrys, though, and I just don't like them. The redesign doesn't appeal to me at all. I don't know why manufacturers insist on changing what has worked for them for years and years. When you have the top selling car, why go and change it all? As much as I hate to not buy another Toyota, unless they redesign the Camry again before I'm ready to buy, I will most likely not be getting another one.

[bjl584]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I will probably look at Hyundais next time around. I have a 98 Camry and had a 91 Camry before that. I've driven the new Camrys, though, and I just don't like them. The redesign doesn't appeal to me at all. I don't know why manufacturers insist on changing what has worked for them for years and years. When you have the top selling car, why go and change it all? As much as I hate to not buy another Toyota, unless they redesign the Camry again before I'm ready to buy, I will most likely not be getting another one.

Cause not everyone is like most of the people on this forum. A lot of people roll their auto loan every couple years into something new and shiny. If two years from now a Camry looked the same as it today, then what insentive would their be for someone to go trade theirs in on a new one?

I'm guessing that was a rhetorical question on your part though.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by bjl584

Cause not everyone is like most of the people on this forum. A lot of people roll their auto loan every couple years into something new and shiny. If two years from now a Camry looked the same as it today, then what insentive would their be for someone to go trade theirs in on a new one?

I'm guessing that was a rhetorical question on your part though.

It wasn't entirely rhetorical. I understand, and agree, with updating things. New features, new materials, safety devices and just general changes in cosmetic styling (we don't have big fins on our cars anymore) all lead to design changes over time. What I don't get is drastic redesigns in a short time period. It is like they sat down and said, "Okay, we've got the top selling car in our class. How can we screw that up? What changes can we make that will really turn off the millions of people who have loyally been buying this car year after year after year?"

[bjl584]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

It wasn't entirely rhetorical. I understand, and agree, with updating things. New features, new materials, safety devices and just general changes in cosmetic styling (we don't have big fins on our cars anymore) all lead to design changes over time. What I don't get is drastic redesigns in a short time period. It is like they sat down and said, "Okay, we've got the top selling car in our class. How can we screw that up? What changes can we make that will really turn off the millions of people who have loyally been buying this car year after year after year?"

Not all, but a lot of the redesign is because of what you listed. A new more fuel effecient engine will need a new transmission, and a new chassis and drivetrain to ride on. This will change the shape and size of some elements of the car. New safety devices and computers will change components and interior layouts and designs. Sometimes with cars it's easier to start from scratch than it is to retrofit new things onto existing platforms. A lot of the designs are driven by the manufacturing methods used to build them. As they change and improve the cars need to change too. And from a pure marketing standpoint, you have to keep up with the latest and greatest being offered by the competition.

[disneysteve]

That makes sense, Brian. I can see how some design changes are out of necessity to incorporate new features. Steering wheels and dashboards had to change when airbags became standard, for example.

[bjl584]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

That makes sense, Brian. I can see how some design changes are out of necessity to incorporate new features. Steering wheels and dashboards had to change when airbags became standard, for example.

Yep. Also changes can be driven by new laws. Remember when cars had big metal bumpers from and rear? They are now made of plastic and composite materials. New safety regulations drove this change.

[wincrasher]

Originally Posted by snafu

wincrasher: if you're getting poor service at the dealership, or discover service staff has damaged/broken something, they are not following established protocols at that particular dealership. Next time your there, [or e-mail] tell the service manager the discrepancies you've observed, e-mail the Franchise holder/President of that location and CC whatever contact details on your paperwork or manual giving a concise outline of your dis satisfaction. Ask for whatever recompense you feel is fair...free oil change, tire rotation, discounted tune-up, merchandise item etc. The dealerships are under intense pressure to up their game.

You know, on the surface, that sounds good. But really, after 4 or 5 dealerships I've dealt with, and seeing the same thing over and over, I'm just not really going to make the effort. As far as I'm concerned, they're all knuckleheads.

My response to poor service is not to spend any of my time and effort to teach them how to conduct their business, but to just buy elsewhere. It's really a shame that I love my Genesis so much, yet will not consider buying another one. It's just more pleasant to drive a Lexus or a BMW or an Acura because of the service department at those dealerships.

When you started your business being a bottom feeder and sold dealerships to people with the whole premise of being lowest price, I don't really see how you can change that culture. Hyundai should have gone the way of Infiniti, Lexus and Acura when they launched Genesis, and later Eqqus. Instead they opted to cheap out with the hopes that having the luxury line within their budget lines would "bring up" the rest of their organization. I think that's a failed strategy in the end.