2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

Anyone have experience yet with how the traction control in the 2006
Sonata actually performs in the snow? We are considering the purchase
of a new Hyundai vehicle, and are actually looking to replace an older
4-wheel-drive car (AMC Eagle) that was recently totalled in an
accident. We're in the Northeast and have a fairly long, uphill
driveway that the Eagle was able to navigate with ease even after a
fairly heavy snowstorm.

The Tuscson looks attractive, but I'm concerned over reports about very
poor gas mileage -- on the order of 15 to 20 mpg. (This is about the
same as the ancient AMC with its emissions-strangled, carbureted 4.2
liter six and 3-speed automatic!) With the rising price of gas this is
obviously a concern. Hyundai is still using their older series engines
and transmissions in both the Tuscon and Santa Fe, but the design is
not *that* old -- I would have expected some improvement in efficiency
over an AMC drivetrain that dates to the 1960s!

>From what i've been reading, the new Sonata, with its new engine
designs, gets decent mileage (mid to high 20s) even with the V6. I've
also heard people say that with traction control you "don't need
4-wheel drive," but how true is this? Would a Sonata with traction
control be able to scoot up a snow-covered driveway?

Re: 2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

pdp11@techie.com wrote:
> Anyone have experience yet with how the traction control in the 2006
> Sonata actually performs in the snow? We are considering the purchase
> of a new Hyundai vehicle, and are actually looking to replace an older
> 4-wheel-drive car (AMC Eagle) that was recently totalled in an
> accident. We're in the Northeast and have a fairly long, uphill
> driveway that the Eagle was able to navigate with ease even after a
> fairly heavy snowstorm.

My driveway is 1700' long and the last 600' or so is uphill, but not
super steep. I can ride my bicycle up it, but I'm completely winded
when I get to the top and that is in 1st gear on a 27 speed bike. :-)
Then again, I'm 46 years old and no Lance Armstrong.

My 06 Sonata has handled my driveway fine so far this winter, but we've
had no snowfall that exceeded about 4". The ESC light has only come on
a couple of times while climbing the driveway so I can't really say if
it helps much. The Sonata goes better than my Chevy truck in 2WD and
better than my Dodge minivan, but I have no delusions that it would
match my truck in 4WD. And it certainly won't match an Eagle.

Keep in mind that traction control only helps maximize the traction
available to the FWD car, it isn't magic and certainly can't match the
traction that the additional two wheels will provide in an AWD vehicle.
Also, the Eagle had very good ground clearance for a car, almost as
much as some pickups. The Sonata has decent ground clearance, but again
less than most 4WD vehicles and less than even most AWD cars (Subaru,
etc.). I'm guessing a snowfall of more than about 8" is going to cause
enough drag on the underbody that you'll have trouble as compared to
your Eagle.


> The Tuscson looks attractive, but I'm concerned over reports about very
> poor gas mileage -- on the order of 15 to 20 mpg. (This is about the
> same as the ancient AMC with its emissions-strangled, carbureted 4.2
> liter six and 3-speed automatic!) With the rising price of gas this is
> obviously a concern. Hyundai is still using their older series engines
> and transmissions in both the Tuscon and Santa Fe, but the design is
> not *that* old -- I would have expected some improvement in efficiency
> over an AMC drivetrain that dates to the 1960s!

I've not driven the Hyundai SUVs, so I can't comment about them, but
I'll bet you a steak dinner that they will go much better in deep snow
than will a Sonata with traction control ... unless you put chains on
the Sonata!

The real question isn't whether the Sonata is as good as the Eagle or
SUV, as it certainly won't be as good, but whether it is good enough for
your driveway for most of the conditions you will see. Nobody can
answer that but you. I think my Sonata will handle my driveway in
almost all conditions as my minivans have handled it all but a couple of
days out of the last five winters that I have lived here. On those
days, I use my truck to plow the driveway so that the minivans can
handle it! :-) And the one time it got really icy, I some wood
ashes on it and that was enough to make the difference.

My option of last resort, which I've not yet had to invoke, is to put my
cross bar chains on my truck and then drive it up and down the driveway
to break the ice into ice chips. Fortunately, this hasn't been
necessary, but I bought the chains when I got the snow plow just in case.


>>From what i've been reading, the new Sonata, with its new engine
> designs, gets decent mileage (mid to high 20s) even with the V6. I've
> also heard people say that with traction control you "don't need
> 4-wheel drive," but how true is this? Would a Sonata with traction
> control be able to scoot up a snow-covered driveway?

People who say that with traction control you don't need 4WD don't have
a clue what they are talking about and obviously have no real
understanding of the capability of 4WD.


Matt

Re: 2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

pdp11@techie.com wrote:
> Anyone have experience yet with how the traction control in the 2006
> Sonata actually performs in the snow? We are considering the purchase
> of a new Hyundai vehicle, and are actually looking to replace an older
> 4-wheel-drive car (AMC Eagle) that was recently totalled in an
> accident. We're in the Northeast and have a fairly long, uphill
> driveway that the Eagle was able to navigate with ease even after a
> fairly heavy snowstorm.

My driveway is 1700' long and the last 600' or so is uphill, but not
super steep. I can ride my bicycle up it, but I'm completely winded
when I get to the top and that is in 1st gear on a 27 speed bike. :-)
Then again, I'm 46 years old and no Lance Armstrong.

My 06 Sonata has handled my driveway fine so far this winter, but we've
had no snowfall that exceeded about 4". The ESC light has only come on
a couple of times while climbing the driveway so I can't really say if
it helps much. The Sonata goes better than my Chevy truck in 2WD and
better than my Dodge minivan, but I have no delusions that it would
match my truck in 4WD. And it certainly won't match an Eagle.

Keep in mind that traction control only helps maximize the traction
available to the FWD car, it isn't magic and certainly can't match the
traction that the additional two wheels will provide in an AWD vehicle.
Also, the Eagle had very good ground clearance for a car, almost as
much as some pickups. The Sonata has decent ground clearance, but again
less than most 4WD vehicles and less than even most AWD cars (Subaru,
etc.). I'm guessing a snowfall of more than about 8" is going to cause
enough drag on the underbody that you'll have trouble as compared to
your Eagle.


> The Tuscson looks attractive, but I'm concerned over reports about very
> poor gas mileage -- on the order of 15 to 20 mpg. (This is about the
> same as the ancient AMC with its emissions-strangled, carbureted 4.2
> liter six and 3-speed automatic!) With the rising price of gas this is
> obviously a concern. Hyundai is still using their older series engines
> and transmissions in both the Tuscon and Santa Fe, but the design is
> not *that* old -- I would have expected some improvement in efficiency
> over an AMC drivetrain that dates to the 1960s!

I've not driven the Hyundai SUVs, so I can't comment about them, but
I'll bet you a steak dinner that they will go much better in deep snow
than will a Sonata with traction control ... unless you put chains on
the Sonata!

The real question isn't whether the Sonata is as good as the Eagle or
SUV, as it certainly won't be as good, but whether it is good enough for
your driveway for most of the conditions you will see. Nobody can
answer that but you. I think my Sonata will handle my driveway in
almost all conditions as my minivans have handled it all but a couple of
days out of the last five winters that I have lived here. On those
days, I use my truck to plow the driveway so that the minivans can
handle it! :-) And the one time it got really icy, I some wood
ashes on it and that was enough to make the difference.

My option of last resort, which I've not yet had to invoke, is to put my
cross bar chains on my truck and then drive it up and down the driveway
to break the ice into ice chips. Fortunately, this hasn't been
necessary, but I bought the chains when I got the snow plow just in case.


>>From what i've been reading, the new Sonata, with its new engine
> designs, gets decent mileage (mid to high 20s) even with the V6. I've
> also heard people say that with traction control you "don't need
> 4-wheel drive," but how true is this? Would a Sonata with traction
> control be able to scoot up a snow-covered driveway?

People who say that with traction control you don't need 4WD don't have
a clue what they are talking about and obviously have no real
understanding of the capability of 4WD.


Matt

Re: 2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

pdp11@techie.com wrote:
> Anyone have experience yet with how the traction control in the 2006
> Sonata actually performs in the snow? We are considering the purchase
> of a new Hyundai vehicle, and are actually looking to replace an older
> 4-wheel-drive car (AMC Eagle) that was recently totalled in an
> accident. We're in the Northeast and have a fairly long, uphill
> driveway that the Eagle was able to navigate with ease even after a
> fairly heavy snowstorm.

My driveway is 1700' long and the last 600' or so is uphill, but not
super steep. I can ride my bicycle up it, but I'm completely winded
when I get to the top and that is in 1st gear on a 27 speed bike. :-)
Then again, I'm 46 years old and no Lance Armstrong.

My 06 Sonata has handled my driveway fine so far this winter, but we've
had no snowfall that exceeded about 4". The ESC light has only come on
a couple of times while climbing the driveway so I can't really say if
it helps much. The Sonata goes better than my Chevy truck in 2WD and
better than my Dodge minivan, but I have no delusions that it would
match my truck in 4WD. And it certainly won't match an Eagle.

Keep in mind that traction control only helps maximize the traction
available to the FWD car, it isn't magic and certainly can't match the
traction that the additional two wheels will provide in an AWD vehicle.
Also, the Eagle had very good ground clearance for a car, almost as
much as some pickups. The Sonata has decent ground clearance, but again
less than most 4WD vehicles and less than even most AWD cars (Subaru,
etc.). I'm guessing a snowfall of more than about 8" is going to cause
enough drag on the underbody that you'll have trouble as compared to
your Eagle.


> The Tuscson looks attractive, but I'm concerned over reports about very
> poor gas mileage -- on the order of 15 to 20 mpg. (This is about the
> same as the ancient AMC with its emissions-strangled, carbureted 4.2
> liter six and 3-speed automatic!) With the rising price of gas this is
> obviously a concern. Hyundai is still using their older series engines
> and transmissions in both the Tuscon and Santa Fe, but the design is
> not *that* old -- I would have expected some improvement in efficiency
> over an AMC drivetrain that dates to the 1960s!

I've not driven the Hyundai SUVs, so I can't comment about them, but
I'll bet you a steak dinner that they will go much better in deep snow
than will a Sonata with traction control ... unless you put chains on
the Sonata!

The real question isn't whether the Sonata is as good as the Eagle or
SUV, as it certainly won't be as good, but whether it is good enough for
your driveway for most of the conditions you will see. Nobody can
answer that but you. I think my Sonata will handle my driveway in
almost all conditions as my minivans have handled it all but a couple of
days out of the last five winters that I have lived here. On those
days, I use my truck to plow the driveway so that the minivans can
handle it! :-) And the one time it got really icy, I some wood
ashes on it and that was enough to make the difference.

My option of last resort, which I've not yet had to invoke, is to put my
cross bar chains on my truck and then drive it up and down the driveway
to break the ice into ice chips. Fortunately, this hasn't been
necessary, but I bought the chains when I got the snow plow just in case.


>>From what i've been reading, the new Sonata, with its new engine
> designs, gets decent mileage (mid to high 20s) even with the V6. I've
> also heard people say that with traction control you "don't need
> 4-wheel drive," but how true is this? Would a Sonata with traction
> control be able to scoot up a snow-covered driveway?

People who say that with traction control you don't need 4WD don't have
a clue what they are talking about and obviously have no real
understanding of the capability of 4WD.


Matt

Re: 2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

pdp11@techie.com wrote:
> Anyone have experience yet with how the traction control in the 2006
> Sonata actually performs in the snow? We are considering the purchase
> of a new Hyundai vehicle, and are actually looking to replace an older
> 4-wheel-drive car (AMC Eagle) that was recently totalled in an
> accident. We're in the Northeast and have a fairly long, uphill
> driveway that the Eagle was able to navigate with ease even after a
> fairly heavy snowstorm.

If you want to be safe in the winter there are three things you should do:

1- Install good quality snow tires on all four wheels. Nokian tires are
my personal favorite.

2- Practice driving on slippery surfaces. Relying on technology is not a
good idea, as it will often let you down when you need it most.

3- Drive sensibly. No car is foolproof and if you exceed the available
traction, you'll be in trouble no matter what "gee wiz" technology your
car is equipped with.

After 31 winters of driving in New Hampshire, I find no need for
4WD/AWD, ABS or TCS. Pick the vehicle you want, equip it properly and
learn to control it under challenging conditions. Good driving skills
and preparation trump technology every time.

Re: 2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

pdp11@techie.com wrote:
> Anyone have experience yet with how the traction control in the 2006
> Sonata actually performs in the snow? We are considering the purchase
> of a new Hyundai vehicle, and are actually looking to replace an older
> 4-wheel-drive car (AMC Eagle) that was recently totalled in an
> accident. We're in the Northeast and have a fairly long, uphill
> driveway that the Eagle was able to navigate with ease even after a
> fairly heavy snowstorm.

If you want to be safe in the winter there are three things you should do:

1- Install good quality snow tires on all four wheels. Nokian tires are
my personal favorite.

2- Practice driving on slippery surfaces. Relying on technology is not a
good idea, as it will often let you down when you need it most.

3- Drive sensibly. No car is foolproof and if you exceed the available
traction, you'll be in trouble no matter what "gee wiz" technology your
car is equipped with.

After 31 winters of driving in New Hampshire, I find no need for
4WD/AWD, ABS or TCS. Pick the vehicle you want, equip it properly and
learn to control it under challenging conditions. Good driving skills
and preparation trump technology every time.

Re: 2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

pdp11@techie.com wrote:
> Anyone have experience yet with how the traction control in the 2006
> Sonata actually performs in the snow? We are considering the purchase
> of a new Hyundai vehicle, and are actually looking to replace an older
> 4-wheel-drive car (AMC Eagle) that was recently totalled in an
> accident. We're in the Northeast and have a fairly long, uphill
> driveway that the Eagle was able to navigate with ease even after a
> fairly heavy snowstorm.

If you want to be safe in the winter there are three things you should do:

1- Install good quality snow tires on all four wheels. Nokian tires are
my personal favorite.

2- Practice driving on slippery surfaces. Relying on technology is not a
good idea, as it will often let you down when you need it most.

3- Drive sensibly. No car is foolproof and if you exceed the available
traction, you'll be in trouble no matter what "gee wiz" technology your
car is equipped with.

After 31 winters of driving in New Hampshire, I find no need for
4WD/AWD, ABS or TCS. Pick the vehicle you want, equip it properly and
learn to control it under challenging conditions. Good driving skills
and preparation trump technology every time.

Re: 2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

Matt Whiting wrote:
> Keep in mind that traction control only helps maximize the traction
> available to the FWD car, it isn't magic and certainly can't match the
> traction that the additional two wheels will provide in an AWD vehicle.

Yes, I do understand that, I'm just trying to determine whether the
Sonata with traction control would be 'good enough' for our purposes.
The Eagle was an extra vehicle, not used for everyday driving, so gas
mileage was not all that much of a concern with it. However if we
purchase a new (or late model used) vehicle, we'll be selling or
trading the wife's 2000 Sonata and the new car will be a daily driver,
so gas consumption is something we have to be a little mindful of. I
checked some owner reviews of the Subaru Legacy/Outback (another
obvious choice for 4WD), and people were complaining about the gas
mileage and performance, just like I've seen with the Tucson! Obviously
4-wheel-drive is going to carry a penalty in those departments, but I'm
surprised that all the modern tech is not delivering much more
efficiency than our old Eagle did.

> Also, the Eagle had very good ground clearance for a car, almost as

The AMC Eagle was way ahead of its time. We're really going to miss
ours, even though in recent years it had become a real challenge to
keep its nightmare emissions system serviced, and the dreaded tinworm
was really starting to get the best of it.

> I've not driven the Hyundai SUVs, so I can't comment about them, but

The in-laws have a 2004 4WD Santa Fe with the 2.7 V6. They love it, but
don't drive very much so gas mileage is not a big factor for them.

> I'll bet you a steak dinner that they will go much better in deep snow
> than will a Sonata with traction control ... unless you put chains on

I have no doubt! Even the Eagle with its fairly primitive 4WD system
was like a mountain goat in the snow. (And our '86 had an open center
differential, power went to the wheel that slipped! They just didn't
slip much. Other years used a viscous coupling.)

Of course it would also be possible to buy a new Sonata and look for
another inexpensive Eagle or an old Jeep to do winter 4WD duty.
(Eagles are not very common any more, but they are still out there.
Actually saw one on the road yesterday. No "for sale" sign, though.)

Decisions, decisions...

Re: 2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

Matt Whiting wrote:
> Keep in mind that traction control only helps maximize the traction
> available to the FWD car, it isn't magic and certainly can't match the
> traction that the additional two wheels will provide in an AWD vehicle.

Yes, I do understand that, I'm just trying to determine whether the
Sonata with traction control would be 'good enough' for our purposes.
The Eagle was an extra vehicle, not used for everyday driving, so gas
mileage was not all that much of a concern with it. However if we
purchase a new (or late model used) vehicle, we'll be selling or
trading the wife's 2000 Sonata and the new car will be a daily driver,
so gas consumption is something we have to be a little mindful of. I
checked some owner reviews of the Subaru Legacy/Outback (another
obvious choice for 4WD), and people were complaining about the gas
mileage and performance, just like I've seen with the Tucson! Obviously
4-wheel-drive is going to carry a penalty in those departments, but I'm
surprised that all the modern tech is not delivering much more
efficiency than our old Eagle did.

> Also, the Eagle had very good ground clearance for a car, almost as

The AMC Eagle was way ahead of its time. We're really going to miss
ours, even though in recent years it had become a real challenge to
keep its nightmare emissions system serviced, and the dreaded tinworm
was really starting to get the best of it.

> I've not driven the Hyundai SUVs, so I can't comment about them, but

The in-laws have a 2004 4WD Santa Fe with the 2.7 V6. They love it, but
don't drive very much so gas mileage is not a big factor for them.

> I'll bet you a steak dinner that they will go much better in deep snow
> than will a Sonata with traction control ... unless you put chains on

I have no doubt! Even the Eagle with its fairly primitive 4WD system
was like a mountain goat in the snow. (And our '86 had an open center
differential, power went to the wheel that slipped! They just didn't
slip much. Other years used a viscous coupling.)

Of course it would also be possible to buy a new Sonata and look for
another inexpensive Eagle or an old Jeep to do winter 4WD duty.
(Eagles are not very common any more, but they are still out there.
Actually saw one on the road yesterday. No "for sale" sign, though.)

Decisions, decisions...

Re: 2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

Matt Whiting wrote:
> Keep in mind that traction control only helps maximize the traction
> available to the FWD car, it isn't magic and certainly can't match the
> traction that the additional two wheels will provide in an AWD vehicle.

Yes, I do understand that, I'm just trying to determine whether the
Sonata with traction control would be 'good enough' for our purposes.
The Eagle was an extra vehicle, not used for everyday driving, so gas
mileage was not all that much of a concern with it. However if we
purchase a new (or late model used) vehicle, we'll be selling or
trading the wife's 2000 Sonata and the new car will be a daily driver,
so gas consumption is something we have to be a little mindful of. I
checked some owner reviews of the Subaru Legacy/Outback (another
obvious choice for 4WD), and people were complaining about the gas
mileage and performance, just like I've seen with the Tucson! Obviously
4-wheel-drive is going to carry a penalty in those departments, but I'm
surprised that all the modern tech is not delivering much more
efficiency than our old Eagle did.

> Also, the Eagle had very good ground clearance for a car, almost as

The AMC Eagle was way ahead of its time. We're really going to miss
ours, even though in recent years it had become a real challenge to
keep its nightmare emissions system serviced, and the dreaded tinworm
was really starting to get the best of it.

> I've not driven the Hyundai SUVs, so I can't comment about them, but

The in-laws have a 2004 4WD Santa Fe with the 2.7 V6. They love it, but
don't drive very much so gas mileage is not a big factor for them.

> I'll bet you a steak dinner that they will go much better in deep snow
> than will a Sonata with traction control ... unless you put chains on

I have no doubt! Even the Eagle with its fairly primitive 4WD system
was like a mountain goat in the snow. (And our '86 had an open center
differential, power went to the wheel that slipped! They just didn't
slip much. Other years used a viscous coupling.)

Of course it would also be possible to buy a new Sonata and look for
another inexpensive Eagle or an old Jeep to do winter 4WD duty.
(Eagles are not very common any more, but they are still out there.
Actually saw one on the road yesterday. No "for sale" sign, though.)

Decisions, decisions...

Re: 2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

Don't forget that with the shiftronic Xmission, you can force it to start in
2nd gear. That helps a lot to start off in snow/ice.
bill

--


<pdp11@techie.com> wrote in message
news:1137785000.057532.139080@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> Anyone have experience yet with how the traction control in the 2006
> Sonata actually performs in the snow? We are considering the purchase
> of a new Hyundai vehicle, and are actually looking to replace an older
> 4-wheel-drive car (AMC Eagle) that was recently totalled in an
> accident. We're in the Northeast and have a fairly long, uphill
> driveway that the Eagle was able to navigate with ease even after a
> fairly heavy snowstorm.
>
> The Tuscson looks attractive, but I'm concerned over reports about very
> poor gas mileage -- on the order of 15 to 20 mpg. (This is about the
> same as the ancient AMC with its emissions-strangled, carbureted 4.2
> liter six and 3-speed automatic!) With the rising price of gas this is
> obviously a concern. Hyundai is still using their older series engines
> and transmissions in both the Tuscon and Santa Fe, but the design is
> not *that* old -- I would have expected some improvement in efficiency
> over an AMC drivetrain that dates to the 1960s!
>
>>From what i've been reading, the new Sonata, with its new engine
> designs, gets decent mileage (mid to high 20s) even with the V6. I've
> also heard people say that with traction control you "don't need
> 4-wheel drive," but how true is this? Would a Sonata with traction
> control be able to scoot up a snow-covered driveway?
>

Re: 2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

Don't forget that with the shiftronic Xmission, you can force it to start in
2nd gear. That helps a lot to start off in snow/ice.
bill

--


<pdp11@techie.com> wrote in message
news:1137785000.057532.139080@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> Anyone have experience yet with how the traction control in the 2006
> Sonata actually performs in the snow? We are considering the purchase
> of a new Hyundai vehicle, and are actually looking to replace an older
> 4-wheel-drive car (AMC Eagle) that was recently totalled in an
> accident. We're in the Northeast and have a fairly long, uphill
> driveway that the Eagle was able to navigate with ease even after a
> fairly heavy snowstorm.
>
> The Tuscson looks attractive, but I'm concerned over reports about very
> poor gas mileage -- on the order of 15 to 20 mpg. (This is about the
> same as the ancient AMC with its emissions-strangled, carbureted 4.2
> liter six and 3-speed automatic!) With the rising price of gas this is
> obviously a concern. Hyundai is still using their older series engines
> and transmissions in both the Tuscon and Santa Fe, but the design is
> not *that* old -- I would have expected some improvement in efficiency
> over an AMC drivetrain that dates to the 1960s!
>
>>From what i've been reading, the new Sonata, with its new engine
> designs, gets decent mileage (mid to high 20s) even with the V6. I've
> also heard people say that with traction control you "don't need
> 4-wheel drive," but how true is this? Would a Sonata with traction
> control be able to scoot up a snow-covered driveway?
>

Re: 2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

Don't forget that with the shiftronic Xmission, you can force it to start in
2nd gear. That helps a lot to start off in snow/ice.
bill

--


<pdp11@techie.com> wrote in message
news:1137785000.057532.139080@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> Anyone have experience yet with how the traction control in the 2006
> Sonata actually performs in the snow? We are considering the purchase
> of a new Hyundai vehicle, and are actually looking to replace an older
> 4-wheel-drive car (AMC Eagle) that was recently totalled in an
> accident. We're in the Northeast and have a fairly long, uphill
> driveway that the Eagle was able to navigate with ease even after a
> fairly heavy snowstorm.
>
> The Tuscson looks attractive, but I'm concerned over reports about very
> poor gas mileage -- on the order of 15 to 20 mpg. (This is about the
> same as the ancient AMC with its emissions-strangled, carbureted 4.2
> liter six and 3-speed automatic!) With the rising price of gas this is
> obviously a concern. Hyundai is still using their older series engines
> and transmissions in both the Tuscon and Santa Fe, but the design is
> not *that* old -- I would have expected some improvement in efficiency
> over an AMC drivetrain that dates to the 1960s!
>
>>From what i've been reading, the new Sonata, with its new engine
> designs, gets decent mileage (mid to high 20s) even with the V6. I've
> also heard people say that with traction control you "don't need
> 4-wheel drive," but how true is this? Would a Sonata with traction
> control be able to scoot up a snow-covered driveway?
>

Re: 2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

BillyGoat wrote:
> Don't forget that with the shiftronic Xmission, you can force it to start in
> 2nd gear. That helps a lot to start off in snow/ice.

Just like the old Rambler "Flash-O-Matic" transmission with its "D1"
and "D2" positions. (For 1st gear and 2nd gear starts, respectively.)
Everything old is new again!

Don't even get me started on that GMC SUV that has the sliding roof
panel in the back like the old Studebaker "Wagonaire" station wagons...

Re: 2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

BillyGoat wrote:
> Don't forget that with the shiftronic Xmission, you can force it to start in
> 2nd gear. That helps a lot to start off in snow/ice.

Just like the old Rambler "Flash-O-Matic" transmission with its "D1"
and "D2" positions. (For 1st gear and 2nd gear starts, respectively.)
Everything old is new again!

Don't even get me started on that GMC SUV that has the sliding roof
panel in the back like the old Studebaker "Wagonaire" station wagons...