What does everyone think of Hyundai

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I bought Japanese (09 Ridgeline) not my first choice. I would have like to gotten the Hyundai Veracruz but to get all wheel drive I had to go the GLS that put me around the $45000can with tax. I picked up my Ridgeline for $33000 with tax. Only reason why in driving Japanese is the money difference.
 
'Haveing (sic)said that you may want to take a ride in a new Buick, Cadillac or Lincoln, because your statement makes you sound like a goof.'


Really, what do any of these brands have to do with competing in Hyundai/Kia end of the market. There is no "Accord" or "Optima" car coming from Buick, Cadillac or Lincoln. That's the whole problem. On quality, I love practically everything Cadillac makes, but consumer reports does not. Let's not engage in the fantasy that the U.S. auto industry did not get into its horrible situation for any other reason than that it produced low quality garbage and was oblivious to Europe first, then Japan, then Europe again and now South Korea.

On the question of what I think of Hyundai -- I think they produce some of the best cars on the road, that they are only slightly behind the Japanese, that the Genesis is the best deal on the road and that 2011 Sonata is the blueprint for the modern family car.
 
I just bought a 2011 Sonata Ltd, because I needed automatic and I liked the car. Now, how do I change the oil? Big shield under the engine and trans. I assume I need to drop it. I assume there is a drain, owner's manual is no help at all. Thinking of changing out the factory fill ( which looks cloudy, from moly assembly lube?) at 2000k, for a fill of QS dino 'til 5k and then, going back to synthetic, every 5k. Man, I make nice low milage used cars for other people.
 
Jennings,

I'd love to see some photos of your car, if it's not too much of a bother. I'm really interested in the new Sonata (though the SE over the LTD); any exterior, interior, engine shots would be greatly appreciated!

M_C
 
Originally Posted By: jennings
Now, how do I change the oil? Big shield under the engine and trans. I assume I need to drop it.

Yeah, it should be relatively simple to drop the splash shield... it's usually just a handful of fasteners. German cars have had them for years. Helps keep the engine compartment a little bit less dirty and usually also forces a specific air flow pattern which helps with cooling.

Just don't take it to any Jiffy Lube place for oil change - they'll probably lose half of the fasteners right there or forget to put the thing back on.
 
Originally Posted By: TomYoung
'Haveing (sic)said that you may want to take a ride in a new Buick, Cadillac or Lincoln, because your statement makes you sound like a goof.'


Really, what do any of these brands have to do with competing in Hyundai/Kia end of the market. There is no "Accord" or "Optima" car coming from Buick, Cadillac or Lincoln. That's the whole problem. On quality, I love practically everything Cadillac makes, but consumer reports does not. Let's not engage in the fantasy that the U.S. auto industry did not get into its horrible situation for any other reason than that it produced low quality garbage and was oblivious to Europe first, then Japan, then Europe again and now South Korea.

On the question of what I think of Hyundai -- I think they produce some of the best cars on the road, that they are only slightly behind the Japanese, that the Genesis is the best deal on the road and that 2011 Sonata is the blueprint for the modern family car.

Not reading anything you said. His exact words were
"Any American Car Brand"
That means the ones I mentioned. Try reading what he wrote before you get your panties in a bunch.
 
Originally Posted By: TomYoung
Let's not engage in the fantasy that the U.S. auto industry did not get into its horrible situation for any other reason than that it produced low quality garbage and was oblivious to Europe first, then Japan, then Europe again and now South Korea.


Ok I read what you wrote.

Really? so the Big H gets a pass on the garabage they passed in the past? GM and Ford don't? Even though the stuff they make now is just as good or better than some of the offerings every one else sells?

I forgot CR is always correct.
 
GM and Hyundai are really putting out the products right now. I am in the market for a small SUV, and it is really tough to decide between the Tucson and Equinox/Terrain. I personally feel the Terrain is the much nicer vehicle, but I can see how it would be tough for someone to choose!
 
Originally Posted By: dishdude
GM and Hyundai are really putting out the products right now. I am in the market for a small SUV, and it is really tough to decide between the Tucson and Equinox/Terrain. I personally feel the Terrain is the much nicer vehicle, but I can see how it would be tough for someone to choose!



Wow, looks like those two are in a huge competition. I can't wait to see magazine results for these two. Both new tuscan and terrain looks really goood!!!
 
I'd get a Hyundai Sonata pretty quickly if I could get the SE with a stick shift.

My previous car was a late-90's Hyundai. It was a very nice little car that never left me stranded due to a fault not caused by yours truly.
 
My gf`s dad bought a basic Hyundai Accent with the standard tranny so he could have an economical car to go back and forth to work in. VERY smooth driving and VERY solid car! The manual tranny shifts flawlessly and smooth as silk,even when you speed shift it.
 
my 2009 sonata gls is okay no probs so far but the 5 speed in this sucks ive driven standards for yrs never a prob but this hyundai sucks and the 2.4 is gutless my 96 escort 1.9 was faster with 120000 miles i think there overated some
 
I test drove the 2011 Hyundai Sonata and the 2010 Tuscon last Saturday. Both were the Limited models.

The Sonata has great styling. Limited comes with 17" alloy wheels and Kuhmo tires.

Engine is a 2.4 Theta II GDI 198HP and is quiet for a DI motor. Under hood room is plenty with air box, WW fluid, antifreeze, and battery all easy to get to. Oil filter is vertical with face up.

Trunk space is plenty, larger than my Accord visually. Did not check the specification. Cutouts in the trunk to access rear lights was pretty convenient. Comes with a spare tire, jack, etc. Noticed the rear subwoofer was located in the rear deck. Pull release for the rear seats is also located under the rear deck.

Rear seating is heated, rear headrests, has rear AC vents, and 60/40 split. I did not sit in the back seat.

Front seats were roomy, comfortable, had power adjustments plus lumbar, and leg room was greater than my Accord. I felt alot more comfortable in it overall. Navigation is an option, as well as backup camera. Bluetooth is standard. Plenty of controls on the steering wheel made me feel a little overwhelmed. Tilt and telescoping steering wheel is nice.

The drive was smooth, braking was as well. Some wind noise on HW speeds. The car drives bigger than it really is. Suspension was not stiff or too loose. Nice medium. To compare, the Impala has a loose suspension, my Accord is stiff. They make a sport model (SE) that has a stiffer suspension.

There are alot of extras I don't have time to go into. I believe it is a fair price tag of roughly 26-28k. I would probably barter lower, but right now these cars are selling.

At this time the Sonata is my #1 car on the list to purchase. I still have several more I'll be driving (Fusion, Taurus, Edge, Kia Sorento, Civic, and possibly a few more). I've already driven the Malibu, Equinox, and Impala.

As far as the Tuscon, it has excellent exterior styling except for a snubbish nose. Interior is around the same quality of the Sonata, but somewhat lesser. Same engine is quieter and has less HP. After driving it, I was a little underwhelmed. Much of this has to do with me not familiar with SUV or crossovers, I suspect. If I were in the market for one, I'd definitely give this a test drive.
 
Nice review; Thanks !!!

I REALLY like the previous gen. Sonata v6 a friend of mine has. That thing has some "go" and is sportier to look at. (haven't driven new model)

I think it's a bummer that they d/c'd the v6 option for Sonata. If I was in the hunt for a sedan, that problem would sway me over to the Mazda-6, or the Legacy v6 (which has gotten uglier, but...)
 
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I recently bought the 2011 Sonata Ltd. and have over 1k on the factory fill. I'll change it out at 2k and run QS dino 5w20 til 5K. Then, I'll probably go to synthetic oil with a 5k interval. Anybody know if Hyundai uses a crush washer on the drain plug? Any oil suggestions at 5K? I used Rotella syn in my previous Subaru (had to sell as bad back needed automatic trans)and was very happy but this Hyundai recommends 5w20 with heavier weights possible. Maybe a 5w30?

My first Hyundai and it seems to be a very well made car. Time will tell....
 
I believe Hyundai to be a quality product. My employer rented me a Santa Fe last summer and i didn't really like it. After a few days, i brought it back and got a Focus. The suv craze never did anything for me at all.
 
Yes, they use crush washers. Factory Hyundai filters are very, very good. I have a Kia Spectra (same as Hyundai Elantra). I cut a used filter open. Silicon ADBV, metal endcaps, spiral spring-loaded bypass valve.
IIRC, recommended OCI is 7500 or 6 months. I would not hesitate to run the factory filter that long.
I've run Valvoline Synpower 5-30 (had a 5 qt bottle open) and Pennzoil Platinum 5-20.
Synpower was a bit quieter.
 
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