2003 Sonata

Today I test drove a 2003 Sonata LX V6 with package 7 (moonroof, ABS,
traction control, etc). Black on black with cargo net. I was very
impressed with the car but even more impressed that the dealer, who
already has a shipment of '04s on the lot, is willing to let it go for
$17.5K USD. The sticker is close to $22K.

I am sorely tempted to jump all over this but I'm curious to hear from
any Sonata owners. Anything you just can't stand?

TIA

John

 

2002 LX V6 same package; and your 2003 is basically the same car; have owned
it for 19 months and still love it; it's my wife's car but I drive it on
weekends, trips etc. I had a difficult time choosing for myself between an
03 Sonata or Santa Fe; New England winters and my daughter buying a house
tipped the scales in favor of the SF, which I also like even though with the
2.7 engine it's a bit underpowered from a standing start up hills; good
passing power, however, for highway driving.

HTH,
Tony

 

That's the same car I bought but in Slate Gray. The price of $17.5 is
nothing special, it's just close to the invoice price. I paid $18.8K
including tax and licensing fees close to 4 months ago.

The only thing that bothers me is the lack of power from the Delta
engine. It really groans when traveling up hills. The fault,
however, can be split between the under-powered engine and the
less-than-intelligent programming of the transmission. The tranny on
this car likes to be in 4th gear (btw, I would have liked to see a 5th
gear on the auto, like the tranny used in the XG) at about 37 MPH, far
too low to do any good. Also, once in 4th gear it will not down-shift
to 3rd or 2nd unless you press the pedal more than half-way or you
fall below 32 MPH). If you shift like a normal human being using the
shiftronic then the problems go away (except in the most extreme of
situations).

Finally, the aftermarket following for this car (or, more accutately,
the Tiburon, which uses the same engine) is decent (and getting better
every day). If the power problems bother you, you can toss in a K&N
(or add a full WAI or CAI), rebuild the exhaust (with mandrel-bent
piping 1/4" larger than stock), or go all out and add the Alpine
Developments Supercharger (which will give you an extra 47.7 HP and an
extra 40 ft/lbs of torque @ 4 PSI of boost).

 

We bought a Sonata Lx with moonroof and ABS/TCS in April. It is my wife's
car and she loves everything about it. I have not found the power to be
lacking. The car has good turning radius making it very manuverable for a
larger sedan. The only thing I have heard negative is that the paint does
not hold up real well after several years. The car has very good reliability
which I hold in high esteem having been a former Honda Accord owner. It is a
super buy.

 

We just bought one. Sticker was $21.5, they took $4k off that right at the
start. Slate gray, v6 lx, fully loaded.

It's for my wife, and she loves it so far (8 days). A very sharp car for
the price.

 

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post. I picked up the car (a
black '03 Sonata LX V6) Monday evening and I feel like a kid with a new
toy. This is the second new Hyundai we've bought in the past couple of
years, having bought an '01 Elantra GLS for my wife in May of 2001.

FYI, I purchased the Sonata at Clay Hyundai in Newton, Mass. The
transaction was quick, friendly, professional and without pressure.

Anyway, thanks again for everyone's input.

John