Looking at the 2004 Sonata-How good is it?

[F-106 Delta Dart]

Looking for a new car and the Sonata is one of the cars that we are looking at. I like the one with leather and the 6cyl motor. For you people that own one,what do you think of it? Also what kind of real world driving does the 6cyl. get for miles per gallon? Thanks for the info! John

[gapboi210]

I test drove one. It was an '04 GLS V-6. It was okay. Everything in the car was just ok. Not bad but not great. I currently own a Malbu LS v-6, has better power, handling and a stereo that bumps. Feel much more solid too. The new Sonata just felt light and springy. Maybe I got spoiled with my car.

The new hyundais really only come in the shop for regular maintence. So I think durabilty isn't really an issue just the quality of the vehicle itself is.

[lowsonoma1999]

I bought my wife an 03 Sonata LX. Which is like what you are looking at with leather and V6. She has about 45k miles on it so far, and only problem so far was that one of the interior door handles, the chrome started chipping away. Gas mileage is right about what the sticker says. My wife is the driver of it, and she doesn't keep track of the mileage. I don't drive it too much, mainly because there is so much junk in it, you can't get in without stepping on a cd case or something, plus I'm driving an XG350 for a demo, so I drive that usually, or my Typhoon. Only long trip I have taken in it was from Indy to New Orleans and back. It is fairly comfortable on long trips, I've driven in a few better, but a lot more worse. I like the car, and my wife loves it. I'm more into sports cars and trucks, rather than a midsize sedan. Overall, a good buy definately, but for a couple thousand more, you can get an XG350, which is a lot more car for the money. It's bigger, more power, a few luxuries that the Sonata LX does not have, and gas mileage isn't much worse than the V6 Sonata.

[eattaway]

Watch for cellular towers


I recently purchased a 2004 GS Sonata. At my place of work is a cellular tower. If I park within 100 yards of the tower (almost have to to stay in my building parking lot) the keyless entry system either does not work at all or the range is in the inches.

The dealer has replaced all components with no fix. I brought another 2005 Sonata to my place of work with the same results. This is a factory design issue!!!!! NO OTHER MODEL OR MAKE OF VEHICLE EXHIBITS THIS PROBLEM.

I am told to live with it!!!! I guess $22,000.00 for a vehicle today means you have to park and walk to work. It will be fun once the snow flies!!!

DON'T BUY HYUNDAI!!!!!

[tuckers04sonata]

I've owned my 04 for about exactly a year. Love the car. Don't think its any "lighter" in build than any other car. just feels like an import. not that that is bad. I love the car once i figured out the automatic intermittent wipers

[twospirits]

Originally Posted by eattaway

Watch for cellular towers
.....At my place of work is a cellular tower. If I park within 100 yards of the tower (almost have to to stay in my building parking lot) the keyless entry system either does not work at all or the range is in the inches.
...DON'T BUY HYUNDAI!!!!!

More appropiate would be to say get another job.

If the radio frequency fields from the cellular tower is interferring with the vehicles electronics, then what is it doing to your body that you do not know if.

Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Fields from Cellular and PCS Transmitters

TS out