Hyundai Sonata ???

[VK56VD]

My friends grandfather is in the market for a Pre-Owned Sonata with automatic transmission. His price range is around $10,000-$11,000. In this price range there are '04, '05, and '06 (New Body Style) Sonatas that are available.

1) What year('s) should he stay away from?

2) What issues/problems should he be aware of in these vehicles?

3) Should he focus more on the I-4 or V6 cylinder versions and why?

Thanks

 

[dwendt44]

It's up to him of course.
I'd go for the V-6, the drop in fuel mileage isn't as great
as you'd think and the extra power is nice when you need it.
Check with consumer reports, April issue is their auto issue.
There are repair historys on most brands there.
The Hundai build quality has improved a great deal in the last
few years, to the point is about even with American, if not Japanese, quality.

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

I'd stay away from the old body style.
The V6 is nice, but with gas prices being what they are the 4 cylinder starts to look good.

In any case, try to get the best price and lowest mileage possible. The mark up on used cars is huge, make low ball offers and be prepared to walk if they won't deal, and watch out for flood damaged cars brought in from out of state
My friend bought a brand new '07 4 cyl Sonata last year for around $15,500 as I recall.

Made in Alabama by the way.

 

[dkryan]

Go with the 2006 model. My friend purchased one and at 20k miles, she's had minimal, if any, problems.

If the car is to be used almost exclusively around town, then the 4-cylinder might make sense in terms of gas mileage. However, the V6 is smooth, uses regular unleaded, and as noted above, does not penalize you on the mpg versus the 4-banger. At least not significantly.

Ask the dealer if the balance of the 10 year/100k mile warranty would still be applicable to the 2006 model that he chooses.

 

[MrCritical]

I think the 4cyl has timing chain and the V-6 has the belt.

 

[VK56VD]

Originally Posted By: dkryan

Ask the dealer if the balance of the 10 year/100k mile warranty would still be applicable to the 2006 model that he chooses.


I thought if you buy these cars used and they are not certified, you only get the 5 years/60,000 mile warranty.

 

[dkryan]

Spartuss,

You very well could be right.

 

[Cutehumor]

Originally Posted By: MrCritical
I think the 4cyl has timing chain and the V-6 has the belt.


I would get the 4cyl. timing chains only for me

 

[Ed_T]

Hyundai's have brutal service requirements to keep the warranty in force.

See the major service intervals that the dealers charge mega-bucks for.

Not my cup of tea.

 

[Maritime Storm]

Buy one from a Hyundai dealer, get an 06 if possible. The sister has an 06 4cyl auto, the thing has decent power & fuel economy, and she had next to nothing for trouble with it in 2 years. The 4cyl has a timing chain and is far easier to service than the V-6

 

[dkryan]

It does not have to be serviced at the dealer. Using an independent you trust and keeping the receipts (obviously) will keep you within the warranty requirements.

Hyundai recommends 7,500 miles for OCIs, with 3,750 miles recommended for "severe" usage. And with a 6-qt. sump and 5w20 being the recommended viscosity, hey, what a deal!

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

Originally Posted By: Spartuss
My friends grandfather is in the market for a Pre-Owned Sonata with automatic transmission. His price range is around $10,000-$11,000. In this price range there are '04, '05, and '06 (New Body Style) Sonatas that are available.

1) What year('s) should he stay away from?

2) What issues/problems should he be aware of in these vehicles?

3) Should he focus more on the I-4 or V6 cylinder versions and why?

Thanks


My neighbor has the old body style (04 or 05). He's been very unhappy with it.

#1 it is a heavy car, which in turn gets low fuel mileage.
#2 Hyundai requires that the service intervals be perormed at Hyundai to maintain the warranty. His last one (30K miles) cost > $500.
#3 The build quality doesn't seem to be the best. He's had a leak in the trunk for the last month that the local dealer can't seem to locate. So every time it rains, he has to empty his trunk.

I think the new body style was a major step forward in style and reliability (from what I've read).

 

[Drew99GT]

The new 3.3L V-6 has a timing chain - I think the the old 2.7L V-6 has a belt. Some 2007 V-6 motors have hydraulic timing chain tensioner issues, and many owners report less than stellar fuel economy with the V-6.

I'd go for a newer 2.4L 4 banger - 2007 or newer if possible. Plenty of power, more reliability, cheaper, and better fuel economy.

 

[Big O Dave]

Originally Posted By: 2002 Maxima SE

#2 Hyundai requires that the service intervals be performed at Hyundai to maintain the warranty.


This is not legal under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. I suspect that, since Hyundai is a company that does lots of business in the U.S., if this were the case there would already be numerous law suits against it for violations of the Act. Maybe there are and I just don't know about them.

Or maybe Hyundai is in compliance with the Act and this allegation of improper practices is wrong.

 

[Scott P]

I've heard the same thing about Hyundai's warranty coverage. I didn't ask that question when I looked at the Veracruz.

I did have a Sonata rental last fall. It didn't like it at all. It was a base model and felt cheap, had an annoying key chime and the sunglasses holder pocket kept opening.

 

[Propflux01]

That is not the case with Hyundai's Warranty. I own a 2006 Sonata and the wife owns a 2002 Santa Fe, Both have been trouble free vehicles, mine has 57K, hers has 98K. We changed the timing belt on her 2.7 V6, however the 3.3 is chained, not belted. The older 2.4L's are belted, the newer ones are not. The '06 IMHO would be a better choice but I dont feel you would go wrong with either.

 

[Popinski]

Get an '06, most definitely.

 

[VK56VD]

They have found an 05 Sonata GL I-4 with 72k on Ebay from a dealership in the area. The dealership is asking $6,700. I have not seen the car, but from what I've heard from my friend, it has had 2 previous owners. The 1st private owner owned it until 17k. The second owner was some sort of rental company as the vehicle shows up as a rental from 17k miles all the way to 72k miles. I wonder what sort of rental company this is that buys used vehicles and holds on to them until 72k miles.

If it were me, I'd stay away from the car. They on the other hand, really like it and will probably get it in the next few days.

What do you all think?

 

[dwendt44]

Rent-A-Wreck.
I'm sure they maintain their cars though, safety checks and so forth.

 

[Ken42]

I would stay away from a car with that many miles on it.
Besides no warranty left.
Service work does not have to be done at the dealer. Says so in the manual too.

Dealers will tell you otherwise. And the scheduled maint. the dealers will pad the packages. get the list of what needs to be done at a certain mileage and have them or your trusted mechanic only do those things.

I vote for the 2.4 it is a strong engine and the V6 does not have that much more power.

Only use an OEM or other high quality filter. The oil passages are small and oil flow is critical.

Good cars have had a 02 and a 05 which I still have.