2011 Camry lemon thread update!

dja4260 · Aug 30, 2011

OK, I'll keep this short and sweet because we need opinions (NOT PRODUCT BIAS)

Dealer has been looking for a Camry that fits our previous purchase.

Today we took home an 2011 Sonata (Hyundai dealership) for a few days just to see how my dad felt about it, dealer showing good faith, knowing were in a bad position. Well he likes it.... Here are our current options, or we can wait longer for another Camry to come around with less miles......

Hyundai Sonata with the 2.4L direct injection. 5k miles, but was an ACTUAL LEMON BUY BACK, dealer replaced WHOLE TRANS @ 500 miles. Alloy wheels, 2-tone interior, 1 owner. 5 yr 60k warranty.

OR

Toyota Camry with the 2.4L gas motor. 28k miles, 1 owner they will extend warranty to 80k (20k past certified Toyota warranty)

We would have to pay $500-700 extra for Sonata.

My dad likes both but is leaning towards the Hyundai but hes hesitant of Hyundai's longevity (Direct injection)

Any opinions and or experiences would be great. We want this vehicle to last 200k and we most likely will never sell it.

Artem · Aug 30, 2011

Cars are a matter or preference. Go with whatever makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Of course he likes the new-er Hyundai, because everything is different and we humans like different.

He's tired of that ol' Camry.

Make up your mind. It's been proven time and time again that the 2.4L in the Camry is bullet proof. Can't say the same about the Crooked H.

Drew99GT · Aug 30, 2011

Don't buy the Sonata!

eljefino · Aug 30, 2011

Do they (hyundai) still have the 100k warranty for the original owner or 60k for subsequent ones? Will the dealer add a CPO warranty?

hate2work · Aug 30, 2011

Take the Camry, stay away from that Hyundai lemon.

SrDriver · Aug 30, 2011

Buy the Sonata. If I am not badly mistaken it has the 60k warranty.

dja4260 · Aug 30, 2011

Hyundai has the 60k Warranty.

Down the road, 100k later will the direct injection still be running flawless like the Toyota will? This is our concern...

Kuato · Aug 30, 2011

Camry ftw.

I'd be worried about longevity on the Hyundai. Plus there could be other lemon issues the dealership isn't telling you about - I've had things glossed over by dealers....

pottymouth · Aug 30, 2011

Lemon Law buyback? No thanks. Think about it. They couldn't properly fix the problem for the original buyer after 3 tries but now you trust it to be solved the fourth? If it was as easy as replacing the transmission, why wasn't that done before they were forced to buy it back?

You should also double check that the original warranty is still valid. Learn an important lesson from the last time around and don't just take the dealer's word for it.

Sayjac · Aug 30, 2011

First, glad the Hyundai dealer is working with you to make it right.

Not keen on the idea of the Sonata being a lemon buy back for tranny. That said, I wouldn't automatically rule it out either. Why no full 10year/100k warranty on the Sonata engine/powertrain? I wouldn't accept less. In any case, your Dad should give it a good workout while he has it to see how that tranny and engine work.

As for the Camry, what year? Any chance to talk to the previous owner? 28k low mileage for a Camry trade, I'd want more info.

Again though, glad things are looking up since last posting.

mareakin · Aug 30, 2011

The Camry with the 2.4L engine is not 2010 or 2011 then, is it?

I think I'll take the Hyundai. A bad transmission replaced is not a big deal.

cmf · Aug 30, 2011

The Sonata is the better car, but people love Toyota and it will hold it's resale better then the Sonata. This is especially true if you are looking to keep this car for longer than 5 years. Also, I might be mistaken but I thought the 2011 Camry had the 2.5L 2AR-FE engine (and the 2010).

If you do go with the Sonata I would suggest convincing them to give you the 100k mile powertrain warranty. Although it is normally only available for the first owner (second only gets the 60k comprehensive), the car is almost new and I think it would be reasonable to expect the 100k powertrain warranty.

sciphi · Aug 30, 2011

Sonata only if you can swing a 10/100k mile powertrain warranty.

Otherwise, go with the Camry.

Glad to hear the dealer is working with you instead of hanging you out to dry.

hate2work · Aug 30, 2011

Originally Posted By: pottymouth
Lemon Law buyback? No thanks. Think about it. They couldn't properly fix the problem for the original buyer after 3 tries but now you trust it to be solved the fourth? If it was as easy as replacing the transmission, why wasn't that done before they were forced to buy it back?

You should also double check that the original warranty is still valid. Learn an important lesson from the last time around and don't just take the dealer's word for it.

THIS ^^^

dja4260 · Aug 30, 2011

We are going in tomorrow to discuss details and see what we can agree on.

We don't want a Camry with 30k. Tire, brakes, etc need to be replaced much sooner.

The sonata is a Lemon buy back and that really does worry us. It shows 6 records of service work. If all 6 are trans issues that would be better knowing its been replaced.

I don't know...... We also don't need to purchase either and can wait till a lower mileage Camry rolls through.

HyundaiGuy · Aug 30, 2011

Under normal circumstances, I'd say the Hyundai, but not with the Hyundai being a buyback.

How much difference for the dealer to sell you a brand new Sonata?

dja4260 · Aug 30, 2011

Originally Posted By: HyundaiGuy
Under normal circumstances, I'd say the Hyundai, but not with the Hyundai being a buyback.

How much difference for the dealer to sell you a brand new Sonata?

I have no idea. Were in 17k already and Sonata is additional 1k over Camry. I can ask tomorrow when we go there in the morning.

dja4260 · Aug 30, 2011

Another thing

The Sonata is from PLANO, TX where the car was purchased, bought back, and trans replaced.

how it ended up on this Chicago dealers lot is beyond me. I'll again, ask tomorrow.

Quattro Pete · Aug 30, 2011

Unless Hyundai has found a way to avoid DI deposits, this engine may cost you a lot more during those 200K miles than the comparable Camry.

HyundaiGuy · Aug 30, 2011

Originally Posted By: dja4260
Another thing

The Sonata is from PLANO, TX where the car was purchased, bought back, and trans replaced.

how it ended up on this Chicago dealers lot is beyond me. I'll again, ask tomorrow.

Auction. Same thing happened with a 1990 Ford that I traded in FL with 23,000 miles on it. Some weeks later I received a telegram to call someone in IL collect concerning the car. A potential buyer tracked me down for info. I told him to run from the car as fast as he could. My dealer had taken the car to auction and a dealer in IL had sent buyers to the auction in FL to buy clean southern cars. Happens all the time.

My current car was sold new in Pompano Beach FL, repossessed a few months later and sent to the Hyundai auction in Atlanta where my dealer bought it and had it shipped back.

Seeing as how you live in the rust belt, it looks like your dealer tries to get an edge on the competition by having clean southern trades on their lot.

2011 Camry lemon thread update!

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