Any inkling about 2005 Sonata?

Hi.
Just wondering whether there have been any advance indications of what to
expect. I love my Elantra GT-5, and before long we'll be putting our Olds
Intrigue out to pasture, so we're thinking about a Sonata as a family-car
alternative.

However, I wasn't quite sold on the 2003/2004 versions -- Concerns about
the auto tranny, engine performance (no flames, please; only what I read
somewhere), and soft ride.

Really would like to like the next model year. Any insights?

Thanks.
DW

 

I'm stupid, sorry. I just sent 1MB worth of pictures to this group
without even thinking that it is a text-only group and Giganews would
kill it. Below is a repost of the message with links to the pics for
those who are interested but do not have a server that accepts binary
posts outside of the alt.binaries.* groups.

-----

If the NF is not released early, the 2005 model year Sonata should be
almost identical to the rest of the EF2 Sonatas. The 2006 (appearing
in spring of 2005) Sonata is a redesign (Code NF). It is, in my
opinion, pretty damn ugly when compared to the 2002-2004 (Code EF2)
Sonata (pictures attached). Engine choices are still unconfirmed but
the prevalent rumors say that the Theta (4 cylinder engine in 1.8L,
2.0L, and 2.4L forms with much more low-end torque and better gas
mileage than the corresponding Beta II and Sirius II engines) and
Delta (the 2.7L V6 currently used) will be used, as well as a 3.0L V6
I don't have any details on except that it is 200 HP (I've heard that
it may be the same engine that Chrysler uses in the Seabring Coupe).

http://yk911.homestead.com/files/sonata/sonata1.jpg
http://yk911.homestead.com/files/sonata/sonata2.jpg
http://yk911.homestead.com/files/sonata/sonata3.jpg
http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/41480.jpg
http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/41481.jpg
http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/41482.jpg
http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/41483.jpg
http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/41484.jpg
http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/41485.jpg

 

Probably a bit hard to judge on these pics, but i think i'll be keeping my EF2
)

 

The optional V6 is 3.3L and it has nothing to do with any of the Chrysler
engines.

 

Dave.... Hi.. Just wanted to compare notes with you.
I will also be putting my Olds Intrigue out to pasture soon.
I wonder what year yours' is, and what kind of problems you have had with
it?
Mine is a '98 with 120 something thousand on it.
It had a new engine at 90 something thousand and a rebuilt transmission.
So, having spent that money, and its paid for...I am trying to squeeze it
for all it is worth.
When it dies, or needs a lot more money...I am looking at a Sonata, XG350,
or perhaps a Toyota Prius. I get 28 cents a mile from work, so the mileage
thing of the Prius would be nice.
Anyway, how has your Intrigue been for you??
.....Dave

 

Where'd you find out that it was 3.3L and not 3.0L? Any other specs?

 

Dave,
Ours is a '99 with the 3.5L. Just over 80K miles. For the most part, it's
been solid. It's my wife's car, and she loves it.

[With apologies to the NG, this isn't completely off-topic.]

Problems we've had:
1. Every once in awhile the timing would seem 'way off; wouldn't start.
2. Crankshaft position sensor and one other sensor (camshaft?) -- may have
been part of the cause of #1.
3. Sun visor broke from normal use! (never had THAT happen on any car
before.)
4. Injectors always seem to load up; runs "dirty" or rich.
5. Tie rod wore prematurely -- replaced early under warranty.
6. Automatic climate-out-of-control system. I've hated it from Day-1.

Mostly my gripes have not been with the car, though, but rather with GM's
parts pricing and dealer incompetence/dishonesty (e.g., $18 for a pair of
unnecessary O-rings).

The biggest issue we've had was when we took it in to have the CKP sensor
replaced (required "retraining" of the computer) and the dealer talked me
into "servicing" the transmission.

The tech stopped about 2-1/2 qts. (not pints; quarts!) shy of refilling the
tranny with fluid. By the time I drove it home and began to figure out what
was going on, significant damage had been done. Same dealer tried to charge
me $650 to fix it. Got them to tear it apart and replace some solenoids,
etc. In the end, I had the tranny rebuilt by AAMCO for $2,200. Now it's
like new.

GM could stand for Got Me -- but never again.
In contrast, in over 12,000 miles with my 2003 GT hatchback, the only
problem so far has been a temperamental fuel gauge.

That's why I'm hoping the 2005 Sonata will be more like the Intrigue
(sportier, tight, responsive) than a Buick or Camry. But the main reason we
got the Intrigue in the first place was the solid engine/tranny combo. And
my perception of the Sonata up to 2004 gave me some concern over the auto
tranny, a V-6 that seemed marginal, and a soft ride.

DW

 

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.
com/specialreports/hyundai/StoryAlabamateksid20w.htm

 

Where do you live? In the US, for the 2003 tax year, the federal
government's "standard mileage rate for operating your car in 2003
is 36 cents a mile for all business miles."
See IRS Publication 463, "Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car
Expenses" : http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p463.pdf

 

Michelle....
My company is a bit on the 'frugal' side.
My brother is a CPA, and he said I can do something with that difference
(.08/mile) on taxes.
I am not up on this, but I don't think my company has to follow the IRS rate
of 36 cents a mile...do they??
...Dave

 

Dave,
No, they don't. I am employed by the Univ. of Colorado (no recruiting
jokes, please), and they also allow only $0.28. The standard explanation is
that the employee can claim the difference as unreimbursed business expense
on his/her personal tax return. Of course, that presumes that the employee
itemizes, and that he/she can realize the entire amount (not likely).
Basically, it's a take-it-or-leave-it attitude on the part of the employer.

(FYI, for 2004 the government rate has increased to $0.375.)
DW

 

that is one UGLY car....

 

That's what I said. There are so many things I don't like about it, I
don't know where to start...