Opinions on Hyundai Sonata 2008 or 2007

Discussion in 'Hyundai Sonata' started by bought2bought, Feb 3, 2008.

  1. Hi all,
    I am thinking about buying a Sonata 2008. Nice body style! Has anyone
    bought one from last year since the body style doesn't look like it
    changed from 2007 to 2008. Any issues with the car and quality? I
    remember Hyundai years ago and all my relatives and friends avoided
    Hyundai because of reliability. My family always bought Toyota or
    Honda in the past. How is the Sonata now? Heard it was a 10yr/100k
    powertrain warranty. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
     
    bought2bought, Feb 3, 2008
    #1
  2. bought2bought

    DonC Guest

    I bought a 2007 SE at year end. I test drove the 2007 and 2008. My
    dealership claims Hyundai tightened the suspension a bit but I didn't notice
    any difference. AFAIK, there's no mechanical or sheet metal difference. XM
    radio appears to be standard for 2008 and there are different color choices.

    It's the best mid-sized car I've owned. The V6 should be outlawed. It's so
    powerful and responsive that you have to be careful or you'll be paying
    tickets : ) Great car!
     
    DonC, Feb 3, 2008
    #2
  3. bought2bought

    John Guest

    Had three Sonatas since '99, they have improved build quality each time. All
    of them have had tall gearing which suits Australia fine as you can sit on
    110 kph and engine is idling over at ~2200 rpm. On a longish trip I have got
    under 8 litres/100km!. Only reliabilty issue was on the 1st V6 each spark
    plug lead went crook about 2 months apart each and silly dealer insisted on
    taking off rear inlet manifolding each and every time rear leads went. For
    the cost of a new lead set it would have saved him and me a lot of time and
    money. I would definitely buy another. Another advantage is that Korea isnt
    killing whales for research like Japan.
    John
     
    John, Feb 3, 2008
    #3
  4. bought2bought

    John Guest

    I,m being facetious regarding the "research"!!!!!
    John
     
    John, Feb 3, 2008
    #4
  5. My '07 Limited just hit 30,000 miles. It has been perfect, never back to
    the dealer for anything. I've done the oil changes as specified and last
    week put new wiper blades on it. Handles well, and overall is a good as any
    car I've owned. I'd not hesitate to buy another.
     
    Edwin Pawlowski, Feb 3, 2008
    #5
  6. bought2bought

    Matt Whiting Guest

    Just can't resist injecting politics. Korea does equally egregious
    things as do most countries, Australia included.
     
    Matt Whiting, Feb 3, 2008
    #6
  7. bought2bought

    Matt Whiting Guest

    No, you are being stupid.
     
    Matt Whiting, Feb 3, 2008
    #7
  8. Thanks for the replies, especially about reliabilitiy. Are you guys
    happy with your gas mileage? At least on the V4 model that is. Did you
    guys get leather seats?
     
    bought2bought, Feb 3, 2008
    #8
  9. bought2bought

    DonC Guest

    At least irrelevant to the current subject.
     
    DonC, Feb 3, 2008
    #9
  10. Got the heated leather. I also had the dealer put in a remote starter.
    When I park the car at night, I put the switch in the "on" position so it
    heats a few minutes before I get into the car. If you are in a cold
    climate, it is a good feature. After negotiating a deal, I made the remote
    starter the deal maker and they went for it.
     
    Edwin Pawlowski, Feb 3, 2008
    #10
  11. bought2bought

    Matt Whiting Guest

    Which is stupid. :)
     
    Matt Whiting, Feb 3, 2008
    #11
  12. Hi all,
    You may want to hold off another month as the 2009 goes on sale the
    end of Feb. and has some newer technology that increase HP and fuel
    economy. Styling isn't bad either. Check it out:
    http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080204/FREE/466270696&SearchID=73307656122935

    - Thee Chicago Wolf
     
    Thee Chicago Wolf, Feb 5, 2008
    #12
  13. bought2bought

    DonC Guest

    Man, that's the last thing the V6 needs --- 15 more HP. Next we'll here
    that somebody broke the 147mph landspeed record for the Sonata.

    Kinda kidding but the 232HP the current V6 is incredible in the Sonata.
    They ought to add a 7 year/100,000 warranty that covers speeding tickets :)

    The picture doesn't really show the styling changes, however.
     
    DonC, Feb 5, 2008
    #13
  14. bought2bought

    Matt Whiting Guest

    Yes, Hyundai needs competitive fuel economy more than more power. My 4
    cylinder is plenty powerful enough, but it should get 2-4 more MPG
    compared to other cars of similar size and power.

    Matt
     
    Matt Whiting, Feb 6, 2008
    #14
  15. bought2bought

    jtees4 Guest

    Agreed...my 07 Elantra should be getting 10MPG more in my opinion. The
    mileage is horrible. At least my 03 and 05 Elantras got fairly good
    mileage. (see my thread further down about mileage).

    *********
    http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=789610
     
    jtees4, Feb 6, 2008
    #15
  16. bought2bought

    dotnetbuyer Guest

    I bought a 2008 Sonata last month and the following has occurred: the
    passenger airbag disabled light keeps coming on even when there's
    nobody there. One of the trunk suspension air-shock cylinders
    failed. My passenger side back floor-board filled with water after a
    heavy rain.

    The Dealer tried to send me away when I arrived for service. They said
    my warrenty didn't cover me. All of the problems are covered.

    This is my first Hyundai and it will be my last.
     
    dotnetbuyer, Feb 12, 2008
    #16
  17. bought2bought

    DonC Guest

    I bought a 2008 Sonata last month and the following has occurred: the
    passenger airbag disabled light keeps coming on even when there's
    nobody there. One of the trunk suspension air-shock cylinders
    failed. My passenger side back floor-board filled with water after a
    heavy rain.

    The Dealer tried to send me away when I arrived for service. They said
    my warrenty didn't cover me. All of the problems are covered.

    This is my first Hyundai and it will be my last.

    No way is this characteristic of a Sonata. Sounds like you got a lemon of a
    dealer. Everything IS covered --- unless you left your trunk open during
    that rainstorm.
     
    DonC, Feb 12, 2008
    #17
  18. passenger airbag disabled light keeps coming on even when there's
    nobody there. One of the trunk suspension air-shock cylinders
    failed. My passenger side back floor-board filled with water after a
    heavy rain.

    Sorry to hear that. My Sonata will hit 31000 miles tomorrow and it has been
    perfect. Never been back to the dealer. If problems persist, check your
    state's lemon laws and also complain about the dealer. Those problems are
    covered and a reputable dealer will be happy to fix them for you.
     
    Edwin Pawlowski, Feb 12, 2008
    #18
  19. bought2bought

    Old_Timer Guest

    Not my experience at all.
    I suggest that you call Hyundaiusa and ask to talk to the warranty
    department and tell them of your experience with the dealer.

    Old_Timer
     
    Old_Timer, Feb 12, 2008
    #19
  20. bought2bought

    Mike Marlow Guest

    This tale smacks of more to the story. There are indeed some bad dealers
    out there, but I have a very hard time believing this story as it is
    relayed.
     
    Mike Marlow, Feb 12, 2008
    #20
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