Hyundai Sonata

[disneysteve]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[elessar78]

I love the way the new Sonata looks. It's definitely on the short list when we buy. I wanted to buy one last year, but being that it came out in 2010 (the redesign) there were no used ones available. Add to that, I won't buy the first model year of a redesign . . . too many bugs IMO. So we're about two years away.

[kv968]

Thanks for all the responses. I still haven't bought yet, dealing with some insurance issues, but if they work out I think the Sonata is what I'm going with. I know they don't have the total resale value of a Toyota or a Honda but that's ok. Seeing as my '96 Toyota is looking as if it's going to have to be taken away on a flatbed, I expect to run the Sonata into the ground also

I have a dealer pretty close by me that has gotten very good reviews so I'm going to give them a shot when I get a chance. My only problem now seems to be that the 2011's are disappearing pretty quickly.

[disneysteve]

I know they don't have the total resale value of a Toyota or a Honda but that's ok. Seeing as my '96 Toyota is looking as if it's going to have to be taken away on a flatbed, I expect to run the Sonata into the ground also

This is my feeling too. I really don't care about the resale value because by the time I'm done with a car, it really isn't an issue. I've had my current car (which I bought used) for 13 years. I'm glad I wasn't too concerned with the resale value when I bought it.

[snafu]

wincrasher: point well made! Local Hyundai dealership group hired a good friend away from J D Powers Assoc. at an incredible salary to make recommendations to fix exactly what you said. It seems to be the responsibility of Dealership owners to set the culture for their organization. He started by visiting each dealership and doing a needs assessment based on what he saw. He's conducting customer service seminars at each outlet...a 1st for these guys and bowled over by how much Service Manager's don't know...let alone line workers.

If it's ok with you, I will tell him your view 'not worth customer's time and effort to tell them how to conduct their business' and likely losing buyers to Lexus, Acura etc.

[wincrasher]

Sure.

It would be best if he could get his hands on different Hyundai cars and just take them around to different dealers and get service done. He'll learn alot from the customer's perspective.

[nick__45]

If you keep a car for 10 years or longer, it is best that you buy new. My 9.5 years old car is still new mechanically because I bought it new with 0 mile on it. I will keep it for another 6.5 years and give it to my sibling for school.

[elessar78]

Nick, isn't it relative? If I buy a 5 year old car, I'll just get a new one at 10 and not at 15.

[snafu]

Nick: disagree, we all have different circumstances that drive decision making. I always buy cars, often demos or lease-back, that are two years old with significant depreciation already factored. I do the research and look for vehicles with a good operational record. I wouldn't buy a new model type because I listen to friends who are so unhappy about unexpected problems new models develop in our harsh climate. I won't ride in my friend's beautiful looking Honda Crosstour because she never stops ranting about being unable to see out the rear window. The side mirrors are apparently insufficient to compensate.

We've always been meticulous about following the manual's recommended care. Anyone who must battle blizzards and minus 30C when skin will freeze in under two minutes, can't risk unexpected auto breakdown. We mostly keep cars 10 years

[dawnwes]

We have a '96 Saturn that is much the same way.

Resale value isn't a huge deal to me OTHER THAN the reason that they are high resale is because they are good cars that last.

I love Honda and Toyota because they last so long.

I think Hyundais are much better than they were in the past. I know people who are very happy with them.

Dawn

Thanks for all the responses. I still haven't bought yet, dealing with some insurance issues, but if they work out I think the Sonata is what I'm going with. I know they don't have the total resale value of a Toyota or a Honda but that's ok. Seeing as my '96 Toyota is looking as if it's going to have to be taken away on a flatbed, I expect to run the Sonata into the ground also

I have a dealer pretty close by me that has gotten very good reviews so I'm going to give them a shot when I get a chance. My only problem now seems to be that the 2011's are disappearing pretty quickly.

[alex499]

With the Sleek new design, along with the fuel economy and safety features; one most importantly being the completely hands-free bluetooth technology guess it wont be a bad deal.