On Thu, 27 Apr 2006 16:05:35 -0400, "Deck" <decan9@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Well I guess they say evryone lies about gas mileage. Since I don't own
>the car any more I can't prove it to you but, I'm not real happy about
>bening called a liar.

Well, since you've never lied to me before, I believe you.

You must admit that's extreme mileage for that car. Is it possible that you
filled up with a pump nozzle that cuts off a lot earlier than most?

Unless you run your tank all the way out of gas, add a measured amount, and
run it out again, your MPG figures are a little flaky. The best we can do
(being practical) is to fill up with a certain pump, do not top off when the
nozzle clicks off, then fill up with the same pump and nozzle. Even that is
not likely to repeat within +/- .5 MPG, but it's certainly close enough
among friends.
--
Bob

 

Deck wrote:
> Thought they quit making solid tires in about 1909. My LX with the 17 inch
> wheels rides like it has solid tires. feel every pebble in the road. do
> the GLS's with 16 inch wheels ride smoother? Back seat rides like a
> lumberwagon. I traded in a '99 merc Grand Marquis that got 30 MPG on
> highway with a V-8 for this thing and it rode smoother-quieter. still
> trying to get 30 MPG with this Sonata..Oh well I have it now and would
> lose a ton if I get rid of it!

Deck,

Other posters have given good advice. I will not comment on the mpg
issue.

As noted, ride quality of any car with even a slightly "sporty"
suspension, 225/50 series, V-speed-rated grand touring tires and
17-inch wheels will feel quite rough compared to a Grand Marquis.
Anyone who suggested otherwise was less than candid.

If I may ask, why did you choose the Sonata LX for your next car after
a Grand Marquis? They're pretty far apart in most buyers' eyes; I doubt
too many new car shoppers look seriously at both. The Sonata that's
(relatively) closest to the Marquis is the GLS with the V-6. That has
16-inch wheels and higher, slightly narrower tires along with a
slightly softer suspension than the LX.

Maybe the change from RWD to FWD plays a part in it, too.

As others have said, if you want to spend the money, switching tires
and/or wheels might help. Here's a thought: A switch to 16-inch wheels
and 205/60/16 tires would almost perfectly match your OEM tire size, in
re speedometer reading. It would also come closer to the tire/wheel
size you had on the Merc. (Would also be better in the snow/ice, all
else equal, if that's an issue.)

Of course the car would handle differently, which is something to
consider....but that seems to be what you want. And this would not be
cheap.

Also you might want to bag the grand touring tires and switch to
regular all-seaon radials. At 205/60/16, you could try something like
Goodyear Comfortred or Michelin Harmony. The Comfortred is H-speed
rated and the Harmony is T, if that matters to you.

Tire shop clerks will tell you it's bad to buy a tire with a lower
speed rating than the OEM tire---which may be true in general,
especially for spirited drivers---but I don't think dropping from V to
H is a big issue, considering what you want out of your car.

(Also since the Comfortred and Harmony are high-quality tires. The
Harmony is supposedly a tad rougher and noisier, per tirerack.com
reviews. The OEM Michelins on the Sonata LX get poor reviews on that
site, BTW.)

Anyway, good luck. I hope you work things out so you get a ride you
enjoy with your new car.

Regards,
Eric M

 

Deck wrote:
> Thought they quit making solid tires in about 1909. My LX with the 17 inch
> wheels rides like it has solid tires. feel every pebble in the road. do
> the GLS's with 16 inch wheels ride smoother? Back seat rides like a
> lumberwagon. I traded in a '99 merc Grand Marquis that got 30 MPG on
> highway with a V-8 for this thing and it rode smoother-quieter. still
> trying to get 30 MPG with this Sonata..Oh well I have it now and would
> lose a ton if I get rid of it!

Deck,

Other posters have given good advice. I will not comment on the mpg
issue.

As noted, ride quality of any car with even a slightly "sporty"
suspension, 225/50 series, V-speed-rated grand touring tires and
17-inch wheels will feel quite rough compared to a Grand Marquis.
Anyone who suggested otherwise was less than candid.

If I may ask, why did you choose the Sonata LX for your next car after
a Grand Marquis? They're pretty far apart in most buyers' eyes; I doubt
too many new car shoppers look seriously at both. The Sonata that's
(relatively) closest to the Marquis is the GLS with the V-6. That has
16-inch wheels and higher, slightly narrower tires along with a
slightly softer suspension than the LX.

Maybe the change from RWD to FWD plays a part in it, too.

As others have said, if you want to spend the money, switching tires
and/or wheels might help. Here's a thought: A switch to 16-inch wheels
and 205/60/16 tires would almost perfectly match your OEM tire size, in
re speedometer reading. It would also come closer to the tire/wheel
size you had on the Merc. (Would also be better in the snow/ice, all
else equal, if that's an issue.)

Of course the car would handle differently, which is something to
consider....but that seems to be what you want. And this would not be
cheap.

Also you might want to bag the grand touring tires and switch to
regular all-seaon radials. At 205/60/16, you could try something like
Goodyear Comfortred or Michelin Harmony. The Comfortred is H-speed
rated and the Harmony is T, if that matters to you.

Tire shop clerks will tell you it's bad to buy a tire with a lower
speed rating than the OEM tire---which may be true in general,
especially for spirited drivers---but I don't think dropping from V to
H is a big issue, considering what you want out of your car.

(Also since the Comfortred and Harmony are high-quality tires. The
Harmony is supposedly a tad rougher and noisier, per tirerack.com
reviews. The OEM Michelins on the Sonata LX get poor reviews on that
site, BTW.)

Anyway, good luck. I hope you work things out so you get a ride you
enjoy with your new car.

Regards,
Eric M

 

Deck wrote:
> Thought they quit making solid tires in about 1909. My LX with the 17 inch
> wheels rides like it has solid tires. feel every pebble in the road. do
> the GLS's with 16 inch wheels ride smoother? Back seat rides like a
> lumberwagon. I traded in a '99 merc Grand Marquis that got 30 MPG on
> highway with a V-8 for this thing and it rode smoother-quieter. still
> trying to get 30 MPG with this Sonata..Oh well I have it now and would
> lose a ton if I get rid of it!

Deck,

Other posters have given good advice. I will not comment on the mpg
issue.

As noted, ride quality of any car with even a slightly "sporty"
suspension, 225/50 series, V-speed-rated grand touring tires and
17-inch wheels will feel quite rough compared to a Grand Marquis.
Anyone who suggested otherwise was less than candid.

If I may ask, why did you choose the Sonata LX for your next car after
a Grand Marquis? They're pretty far apart in most buyers' eyes; I doubt
too many new car shoppers look seriously at both. The Sonata that's
(relatively) closest to the Marquis is the GLS with the V-6. That has
16-inch wheels and higher, slightly narrower tires along with a
slightly softer suspension than the LX.

Maybe the change from RWD to FWD plays a part in it, too.

As others have said, if you want to spend the money, switching tires
and/or wheels might help. Here's a thought: A switch to 16-inch wheels
and 205/60/16 tires would almost perfectly match your OEM tire size, in
re speedometer reading. It would also come closer to the tire/wheel
size you had on the Merc. (Would also be better in the snow/ice, all
else equal, if that's an issue.)

Of course the car would handle differently, which is something to
consider....but that seems to be what you want. And this would not be
cheap.

Also you might want to bag the grand touring tires and switch to
regular all-seaon radials. At 205/60/16, you could try something like
Goodyear Comfortred or Michelin Harmony. The Comfortred is H-speed
rated and the Harmony is T, if that matters to you.

Tire shop clerks will tell you it's bad to buy a tire with a lower
speed rating than the OEM tire---which may be true in general,
especially for spirited drivers---but I don't think dropping from V to
H is a big issue, considering what you want out of your car.

(Also since the Comfortred and Harmony are high-quality tires. The
Harmony is supposedly a tad rougher and noisier, per tirerack.com
reviews. The OEM Michelins on the Sonata LX get poor reviews on that
site, BTW.)

Anyway, good luck. I hope you work things out so you get a ride you
enjoy with your new car.

Regards,
Eric M

 

Thanks guys for all the info. I have had 4 lincolns and 6 mercurys,
therefore I am used to them. I guess I was just venting my spleen as my
wife was gritching about the back seat ride on sorta bad highway. I bought
the Sonata 'cause I liked the new look and I already have a 2003 Elantra
tha I really like. I checked tires and one had 40 lbs and other 3 had
35-37 lbs. reduced to 3o lbs and now seems to be better. we'll get used
to it!!

 

Thanks guys for all the info. I have had 4 lincolns and 6 mercurys,
therefore I am used to them. I guess I was just venting my spleen as my
wife was gritching about the back seat ride on sorta bad highway. I bought
the Sonata 'cause I liked the new look and I already have a 2003 Elantra
tha I really like. I checked tires and one had 40 lbs and other 3 had
35-37 lbs. reduced to 3o lbs and now seems to be better. we'll get used
to it!!

 

Thanks guys for all the info. I have had 4 lincolns and 6 mercurys,
therefore I am used to them. I guess I was just venting my spleen as my
wife was gritching about the back seat ride on sorta bad highway. I bought
the Sonata 'cause I liked the new look and I already have a 2003 Elantra
tha I really like. I checked tires and one had 40 lbs and other 3 had
35-37 lbs. reduced to 3o lbs and now seems to be better. we'll get used
to it!!

 

Thank you..thank you. not that evryone will believe you...! I am also a
Hyundai fan or I wouldn't have two of them!! I have 4000 miles on the
Sonata and the ride on rough roads is probably my only complaint. That and
the fact that my Insurance co raised my rates $520 a year because it's a
"sports car"??? My son has a Tiberon and they didn't raise his rates
...guess it's not a sports car...!

 

Thank you..thank you. not that evryone will believe you...! I am also a
Hyundai fan or I wouldn't have two of them!! I have 4000 miles on the
Sonata and the ride on rough roads is probably my only complaint. That and
the fact that my Insurance co raised my rates $520 a year because it's a
"sports car"??? My son has a Tiberon and they didn't raise his rates
...guess it's not a sports car...!

 

Thank you..thank you. not that evryone will believe you...! I am also a
Hyundai fan or I wouldn't have two of them!! I have 4000 miles on the
Sonata and the ride on rough roads is probably my only complaint. That and
the fact that my Insurance co raised my rates $520 a year because it's a
"sports car"??? My son has a Tiberon and they didn't raise his rates
...guess it's not a sports car...!

 

Deck wrote:
> Well I guess they say evryone lies about gas mileage. Since I don't own
> the car any more I can't prove it to you but, I'm not real happy about
> bening called a liar. My wife has been with me on several trips where I
> made OVER 30MPG as well as my daughter and son inlaw. Last trip I made
> that I checked the mileage was from Macon Missouri to Bolingbrook Il and
> averaged 30.1 MPG. want mayo or catsup on the hat??
>
============
People, people...

I'm a Hyundai fan all the way, but I can tell you that Ford's 4.6L
engine can easily get 30 MPG in moderately favorable conditions. In a
1994 Lincoln Town Car (even heavier than the Mercury) I was able to
exceed 30 MPG often. Set cruise control at about 70MPH on level roads
without much headwind and it will happen. My max MPG was 33+ on a
trip from Albuquerque to Oklahoma City one night, with a good stiff
tailwind. Remember, the Lincoln (and other Ford products) has a
computer module that computes gas mileage, so it's not subject to WAGs
about how full the tank was, etc.

There are tons of reasons to buy Hyundai -- we've got three of them
right now -- but we need to maintain a perspective here...

Harry


*** Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com ***

 

Deck wrote:
> Well I guess they say evryone lies about gas mileage. Since I don't own
> the car any more I can't prove it to you but, I'm not real happy about
> bening called a liar. My wife has been with me on several trips where I
> made OVER 30MPG as well as my daughter and son inlaw. Last trip I made
> that I checked the mileage was from Macon Missouri to Bolingbrook Il and
> averaged 30.1 MPG. want mayo or catsup on the hat??
>
============
People, people...

I'm a Hyundai fan all the way, but I can tell you that Ford's 4.6L
engine can easily get 30 MPG in moderately favorable conditions. In a
1994 Lincoln Town Car (even heavier than the Mercury) I was able to
exceed 30 MPG often. Set cruise control at about 70MPH on level roads
without much headwind and it will happen. My max MPG was 33+ on a
trip from Albuquerque to Oklahoma City one night, with a good stiff
tailwind. Remember, the Lincoln (and other Ford products) has a
computer module that computes gas mileage, so it's not subject to WAGs
about how full the tank was, etc.

There are tons of reasons to buy Hyundai -- we've got three of them
right now -- but we need to maintain a perspective here...

Harry


*** Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com ***

 

Deck wrote:
> Well I guess they say evryone lies about gas mileage. Since I don't own
> the car any more I can't prove it to you but, I'm not real happy about
> bening called a liar. My wife has been with me on several trips where I
> made OVER 30MPG as well as my daughter and son inlaw. Last trip I made
> that I checked the mileage was from Macon Missouri to Bolingbrook Il and
> averaged 30.1 MPG. want mayo or catsup on the hat??
>
============
People, people...

I'm a Hyundai fan all the way, but I can tell you that Ford's 4.6L
engine can easily get 30 MPG in moderately favorable conditions. In a
1994 Lincoln Town Car (even heavier than the Mercury) I was able to
exceed 30 MPG often. Set cruise control at about 70MPH on level roads
without much headwind and it will happen. My max MPG was 33+ on a
trip from Albuquerque to Oklahoma City one night, with a good stiff
tailwind. Remember, the Lincoln (and other Ford products) has a
computer module that computes gas mileage, so it's not subject to WAGs
about how full the tank was, etc.

There are tons of reasons to buy Hyundai -- we've got three of them
right now -- but we need to maintain a perspective here...

Harry


*** Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com ***

 

6of9 wrote:
> Remember, the Lincoln (and other Ford products) has a
> computer module that computes gas mileage, so it's not subject to WAGs
> about how full the tank was, etc.

That explains a lot, as trip computers are not always accurate unless
you average the mileage over several tanks of gas. It's more accurate to
calculate the mileage manually (distance divided by gallons at fill-up).
Averaging that over several tanks improves accuracy, too.

 

6of9 wrote:
> Remember, the Lincoln (and other Ford products) has a
> computer module that computes gas mileage, so it's not subject to WAGs
> about how full the tank was, etc.

That explains a lot, as trip computers are not always accurate unless
you average the mileage over several tanks of gas. It's more accurate to
calculate the mileage manually (distance divided by gallons at fill-up).
Averaging that over several tanks improves accuracy, too.