New 2010 Sonata

Spent about 4 hours at the dealer yesterday and traded in my 2006 Sonata
GLS V6 for a 2010 Sonata SE V6. My payment went up only $4/month. I
gained 17" wheels and tires, XM radio (and a much better sound system
overall) and a much improved dash. This car feels much faster than my old
one, although I haven't yet done any formal testing and won't until after I
break it in.

My 2006 (purchased in September, 2005) had 58,900 miles on it. They gave
me $8200 for it, which I thought was pretty fair. That gave me over $3500
in equity towards the new car. With $1500 in rebates and some serious
negotiating, I think I made a pretty good deal.

Although I should add that this was a 66-month loan instead of my original
60-month.

I am told the sales tax is deductible on my federal taxes this year. That
was about $1400 or so. Not enough to push someone into buying if they
weren't really ready in advance.

Eric

 

You did OK from what I can see, but I stayed with the 60 month and $15
increase in monthly payments. I had a 2007 to trade.

I noticed that at 70 mph, the tach reads 2000 rpm while the 07 was at 2200.
The engine does have about 15 hp more and yes, I can feel the difference.
Today, in fact, was the first time I exceeded 4000 rpm. I'll give it
another 500 easy miles before I push it. The steering feels a bit
different also, easier to turn when going slow or parking. Gas mileage is
about the same.

Other changes you got:
The XM radio also plays from a flash drive or an Ipod
The heated seats have 2 settings
Tire pressure monitoring
Dual climate control
Better radio controls on the steering wheel
Better storage area in the center consol

One item lost is the handle on the inside of the trunk lid to close it. Now
you have to pull down the dirty lip on the outside in crappy weather.
Trip meter has two mileage odometers now. Another is the little compartment
on the dashboard left side. It was handy to keep some change and a couple
of $1 bills The sunglass compartment on mine was replaced by the Bluetooth
controls that I'd rather have.

Overall, I'd rate the 2010 as a much slicker looking interior and some
better controls than the 07 model. There was just enough change that I
don't feel like I'm buying the same exact car again.

I'm very happy with mine and I hope you are too, especially after a couple
of years of use.

 

That is interesting. My 2006 has dual trip meters. Did they drop than
in 07? I have the bottom of the line GL model even.

I test drove a Chrysler Journey and Town & Country this week. I like
the looks of the Journey and the way it drives and the AWD, but the
interior is cramped for the vehicle of that size. Even the minivan is
smaller inside as everything has been thickened (Doors, pillars, etc.)
for crash protection purposes. And even with the end of year deals, the
price was still over $28K. The 0% financing is nice, but I think I will
run my old vehicles a while longer...

Matt

 

Different setups depending on the model. You got either two trip meters and
nothing else, or in the Limited you got one trip meter, and mpg, et, average
speed, miles left computer, but it only had the one trip. The new model has
all the features. I like to set one when I fill up, use the other for an
actual trip. Or use on for total miles and the other for each leg of a long
trip.

Wait a few more weeks and GM will give you $150 to taking one of the
Pontiacs that don't sell.

 

No thanks. I've had enough Pontiac rentals over the years...

Matt

 

I had the '06 GLS with only one trip meter and all of the other functions
you mentioned. Maybe that was the V6 only??

Eric

 

I only have 90 miles on the car so far with all the family traveling
this week in the minivan we have, but my mileage seems much better than
the car I traded in. More scientific analysis to follow.

Yes about the radio playing flash/ipod/iphone. Love it as I just got
myself an Iphone at the beginning of December.

I have the SE V6...no heated seats (God, I hate those in the minivan but
they are adjustable from 0-8 in that vehicle). No dual climate control.
I hate the auto climate control in the minivan. Better storage in the
center console, yes, but they stole my frakin ash tray!! I think they
are trying to tell me something

Never had the handle you speak of on my old GLS.

I miss that compartment. That's where I kept my bluetooth headset.

I wasn't paying $400 for bluetooth controls, but I guess they were
included in your Limited model.

Agreed. I also like the faster steering ratio and this tranny is MUCH
smoother and more intuitive than my trade in was.

Very happy so far! Many years to go I hope.

Eric

 

The trip computer came with a package option on the GLS.

 

I'm not use if there is even a lighter in this one. I've not needed one for
35 years now so not a big deal. Ashtray was a place to store change or a
pack of mints, etc.

Not so much a handle as a depression in the lid liner. My gues sis most
people never used it anyway or even knew it was there.

Not included, but it was already in there from the factory as ordered by the
dealer. Works out to $5 a month but it was not a consideration during the
negotiating process. Not a big deal, but I do like it for the few times I
use hte phone in the car. Floor mats ($100) were also in there and I'd
have bought them as I did on the last car.