Help! Tell me about your Hyundai Sonata

[PatMcDuck]

We got my daughter (senior in HS) a used 2005 Hyundai Tucson. It is adorable and has had no problems. She loves that little SUV. Because the Hyundai's do not "hold their value" like Japanese cars, you can get great deals on used ones. The flip side is that the bumper to bumper, 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty is not transferable to the new owner. (I have a VW Beetle, and THEIR B to B 5 year, 60,000 warranty IS transferable to a 2nd owner).


Good luck! Someday I hope to buy a NEW Hyundai Santa Fe......

 

[sherry7]

My parents have a 2009 Sonata that they purchased last summer. They've only put about 3,000 miles on it, but they like it. They had the 4 cylinder version, and my dad is always bragging on the gas mileage.

My son drives a 2007 Elantra that we purchased new. I personally don't like the seat fabric (light grey velour that really shows dirt), but we haven't had any problems at all with the car.

I think Hyundai's are a great value, especially if you plan on keeping them for awhile. The resale value isn't as good as Honda/Toyota, but if you plan on keeping the car for a few years, that's really not an issue. Plus you have the great warranty, which is good if you plan on keeping the car for a long time.

Keep in mind that Kia is owned by Hyundai as well. Depending on what you're looking for and your local dealers, you might want to look at both. I bought a new SUV last fall after I found out I was pregnant. (The 2 seater sports car I had wasn't exactly family friendly, lol. ) I started off looking at the Hyundai Veracruz, but ended up with the Kia Borrego (same vehicle, slightly different body) because the local Kia dealer had a huge rebate on them and I saved several thousand dollars. I forget the name of the Kia "clone" for the Hyundai Sonata, but I'm sure you can find the info online.

 

[sherry7]

We got my daughter (senior in HS) a used 2005 Hyundai Tucson. It is adorable and has had no problems. She loves that little SUV. Because the Hyundai's do not "hold their value" like Japanese cars, you can get great deals on used ones. The flip side is that the bumper to bumper, 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty is not transferable to the new owner. (I have a VW Beetle, and THEIR B to B 5 year, 60,000 warranty IS transferable to a 2nd owner).


Good luck! Someday I hope to buy a NEW Hyundai Santa Fe......

I'm not positive about this, but I think if the Hyundai is "certified pre-owned" through the Hyundai dealer, then the warranty will transfer. Of course, those particular used vehicles are going to be more expensive. Once you figure in the interest rate difference between new and used, sometimes it's a better decision to just go with the new one instead of the certified pre-owned.

 

[buffalogirl]

We own a 2003 and a 2009 Sonata. Both were purchased new and (knock on wood) have been trouble free.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I guess I will be the voice of dissent. I have an '02 Sonata and I HATE this car. I call it "Christine;" I swear it's possessed. I had to have the speedometer replaced a few years ago, as it would suddenly drop to zero as I was driving. The radio goes on and off and changes stations on its own; the doors lock and unlock on their own as well. As soon as I bought the car, new, there was a recall on an oxygen sensor. Every month for SEVEN months, I took it to TWO dealers in the area...made an appointment at least a week in advance, left the car for the entire day, but when I picked it up, "Oh, we don't have the part, so we couldn't do it." One time they did an oil change without my consent, without calling me first, and tried to charge me $45 for it. I complained to the service manager, the dealer, and finally corporate, who pretty much said, "Not our problem."

When the antenna broke, I made an appointment to have that fixed...they had the car all day (again), but they hadn't fixed it when I picked the car up. Their solution was to hand me a new antenna in a plastic bag and my key and tell me to take it somewhere else, as they didn't have the time to fix it.

What else...the car rattles and clunks, doesn't accelerate properly, has had issues with the cylinders and severed brake hoses, smells like there's something burning...and what do you know, seems that Hyundai's warranty doesn't cover ANYTHING!

I will NEVER buy another Hyundai again. Sorry.

 

[gymstx]

We have a Hyundai Elantra 2008 and we have been very pleased with it. My husband gets great gas mileage and we have had great service at Hyundai whenver we take it in for oil changes. When we were in Orlando last year we picked a Hyundai Sonata to drive from Alamo. We really liked it!

 

[PixieFan]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I guess we are gonna go for it. Got a new 2010 Sonata with the package that comes with the Ipod cord and carpeted floor mats for 17000. Pretty happy with that. Wish us luck!!!

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

I had a 2004 Santa Fe, and really liked it. But, sold it for a bigger SUV. My husband has a 2003, elantra and has had no problems. I have a friend with a 05 Elentra, and another friends with a 07 Sonata, and niether one has had any problems with their vehicles. Our local dealership is easy to deal with, also. They really are good cars, the just don't have a great resale value.
Enjoy your new car !