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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.