I can't fully express how happy I am with my new Sonata
 

Folks, Hyundai is the best kept secret in quality made cars in America (and
probably the world). The value, warranty and quality that you get for the
price is absolutely incredible.

Maybe we should try to keep it that way------if word gets out, we'll be
paying higher prices the next time we trade in our Hyundai's :-).

Every time I try to tell someone about these autos, I get the same
reactions----the same apprehensive looks and I know people are thinking to
themselves "yeah, sure, buddy ITS A HYUNDAI, everyone KNOWS that's a piece
of JUNK, and I'm going to go ahead and spend the extra 4 to 6 grand for my
Camry or Accord, because it's a PROVEN better car". Everyone that follows
this group knows what I'm talking about.

An update on my car, a 2004 Sonata GLS, Brilliant Silver. Just made 5000
miles after 2 months of ownership, with absolutely no problems whatsoever.
Fit and finish is flawless, except for one small blemish in the paint on the
trunk. No rattles, squeaks, engine so quiet you can hardly hear it running,
car has not "loosened up" at all, still tight like new.

It's not a perfect car though, but the value/price ratio still makes it the
best buy in a V6 sedan in America. My thoughts to make the car perfect
follow:

-Improve gas mileage by using a 5 speed automatic tranny -18 mpg city 28
hwy could be better, and the 5th gear should improve mileage by prolly 2-3
mpg.

-Relocate cruise control "on" button--too hard to find without taking
your eyes off the road

-Backlight the steering wheel cruise control buttons

-Stiffen the suspension SLIGHTLY to improve cornering and
handling---although the highway ride as it is would be hard to improve upon

-Some folks have complained about lack of horsepower, although I find it
adequate, 20-30 more ponies would be nice (coupled with my new 5 speed auto,
would be sweet)

-A little more driver's legroom and having a telescoping wheel would
make for better ergo's in my opinion

-A lockable glovebox is a necessity

-Wonder what the Kenwood sound system would be like in the Sonata? Why
only the Elantra?


That's it from me, fellow Hyundai lovers, I'll be in touch

Re: I can't fully express how happy I am with my new Sonata
 

"FerdyPooh" <fredjr1@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:7NnDb.15$lh6.12@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
> Folks, Hyundai is the best kept secret in quality made cars in America
(and
> probably the world). The value, warranty and quality that you get for the
> price is absolutely incredible.

Yup. I still refer to my Sonata ('02 base model) with a lot of jokes, but I
don't think I could have been nearly as happy if I got something else.

> An update on my car, a 2004 Sonata GLS, Brilliant Silver. Just made 5000
> miles after 2 months of ownership, with absolutely no problems whatsoever.

Mine's just a tick over 76,000 miles after a year and a half (work takes me
on the road just about every week), and like yours, mine's been bulletproof.

On your suggestions:

> -Improve gas mileage by using a 5 speed automatic tranny -18 mpg city
28
> hwy could be better, and the 5th gear should improve mileage by prolly 2-3
> mpg.

I'll go along with this, as first gear only seems to be good for the first
second and a half of acceleration. I'd the gears out a bit more, and
add a fifth just to get longer legs while highway cruising.

> -Relocate cruise control "on" button--too hard to find without taking
> your eyes off the road

I can find it myself, even though I covered the light on it with a piece of
electrical tape. I don't like a lot of lights inside the car in the middle
of the night, so I'd let ya turn down the dash lights even lower, and be
able to dim (or turn off completely) both the clock and radio station
display - but I guess that's what they make electrical tape for.

> -Backlight the steering wheel cruise control buttons

Again, after another couple of months, you'll be able to find these without
lights.

> -Stiffen the suspension SLIGHTLY to improve cornering and
> handling---although the highway ride as it is would be hard to improve
upon

Yup, just a little but not too much, I don't want to give up the nice ride I
have to endure over Penn. highways.

> -A lockable glovebox is a necessity

Definitely.

Re: I can't fully express how happy I am with my new Sonata
 

On Mon, 15 Dec 2003 13:18:23 -0600, "FerdyPooh"
<fredjr1@bellsouth.net> wrote:

>Folks, Hyundai is the best kept secret in quality made cars in America (and
>probably the world). The value, warranty and quality that you get for the
>price is absolutely incredible.
>
>Maybe we should try to keep it that way------if word gets out, we'll be
>paying higher prices the next time we trade in our Hyundai's :-).
>
>Every time I try to tell someone about these autos, I get the same
>reactions----the same apprehensive looks and I know people are thinking to
>themselves "yeah, sure, buddy ITS A HYUNDAI, everyone KNOWS that's a piece
>of JUNK, and I'm going to go ahead and spend the extra 4 to 6 grand for my
>Camry or Accord, because it's a PROVEN better car". Everyone that follows
>this group knows what I'm talking about.
>
>An update on my car, a 2004 Sonata GLS, Brilliant Silver. Just made 5000
>miles after 2 months of ownership, with absolutely no problems whatsoever.
>Fit and finish is flawless, except for one small blemish in the paint on the
>trunk. No rattles, squeaks, engine so quiet you can hardly hear it running,
>car has not "loosened up" at all, still tight like new.
>
>It's not a perfect car though, but the value/price ratio still makes it the
>best buy in a V6 sedan in America. My thoughts to make the car perfect
>follow:
>
> -Improve gas mileage by using a 5 speed automatic tranny -18 mpg city 28
>hwy could be better, and the 5th gear should improve mileage by prolly 2-3
>mpg.
>
> -Relocate cruise control "on" button--too hard to find without taking
>your eyes off the road
>
> -Backlight the steering wheel cruise control buttons
>
> -Stiffen the suspension SLIGHTLY to improve cornering and
>handling---although the highway ride as it is would be hard to improve upon

and that's why it's as it is.
>
> -Some folks have complained about lack of horsepower, although I find it
>adequate, 20-30 more ponies would be nice (coupled with my new 5 speed auto,
>would be sweet)
it's power. what has horses got to do with it?
all cars have ample power these days, even if you had extra power
you'd still want more. all cars can comfortably exceed the speed
limits and in most cases the drivers limits as well.
>
> -A little more driver's legroom and having a telescoping wheel would
>make for better ergo's in my opinion
in my case there's ample legroom. asian cars always fit me rather well
since i have short legs. on the other hand locally built cars don't
fit. the only way i can reach the pedals is if i have the steering
wheel jammed against my tummy. they make the mistake of assuming
everyone is at least 190cm tall.
>
> -A lockable glovebox is a necessity
why? the cars lockable isn't it? if somebody broke into the car they'd
hardly worry about smashing open a glovebox.
>
> -Wonder what the Kenwood sound system would be like in the Sonata? Why
>only the Elantra?
>
>
>That's it from me, fellow Hyundai lovers, I'll be in touch
>
i hear the same things, 'don't buy a Hyundai'. yet i've had 56,000
trouble free km in my 2001 accent. the only commonly broken part i
hear about is the inside door handle and i'm sure the reason for that
is because when you're seated with the door open that's by far the
easiest part that can be reached in order to pull the door shut.
another handle on the door would solve that problem.
if i was shopping for a new car a 4 cylinder sonata would be very high
on my list. the 4 being easier to service and cheaper to register.

For the latest weather where i am click
http://members.iinet.net.au/~farmerjim/

Re: I can't fully express how happy I am with my new Sonata
 

I feel the same way about my 2004 Hyundai XG350L!

We also own a 2001 Elantra GLS and 2003 Elantra GT 5-door...they are GREAT!

"FerdyPooh" <fredjr1@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:7NnDb.15$lh6.12@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
> Folks, Hyundai is the best kept secret in quality made cars in America
(and
> probably the world). The value, warranty and quality that you get for the
> price is absolutely incredible.
>

Re: I can't fully express how happy I am with my new Sonata
 

"FerdyPooh" <fredjr1@bellsouth.net> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:7NnDb.15$lh6.12@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
>
> -Improve gas mileage by using a 5 speed automatic tranny -18 mpg city
28

Wait some thousands of miles and you will see an improvement in mileage ;-)

>
> -Stiffen the suspension SLIGHTLY to improve cornering and
> handling---although the highway ride as it is would be hard to improve
upon
>
Which wheels have you mounted on your Sonata?
Here we have 16" alloy wheels with 205/60 Michelin tyres and it goes well


> -A lockable glovebox is a necessity
>
Mounted on mine.

> the Kenwood sound system would be like in the Sonata? Why
> only the Elantra?
>
Here a Blaupunkt Modena radio-cd, it sounds well.

Zotto

Re: I can't fully express how happy I am with my new Sonata
 

I use to have a Sonata 2002 GL V6 silver and i loved it.

It is so a so nice car that someone stole it 2 month ago.

Once i got the insurance check, gues wich car i choose to replce it.....

A wonderfull Sonata 2004 GL V6 silver.

There is some difference between both. Some are good, some are not.

Here s list:

- 2004 have 2 remote control for unlocking door and open the trunk
- 2004 incluse an alarm system
- 2004 the fog light are not ON by default. you need to turn on the
parking light to turn them on. This was better on the 2002.
- 2004 the rear light does not turn on with the day time running lights.
you have to turn on the parking. (this is bad)