Next Gen Sonata Quality

[JohnPD]

I just wanted to throw my opinion out for all to read, because in all honesty - the 2006 Sonata has had more problems then I can even speak of. Here is my experience VS my 2004:

First off, the appearance is certainly more aggressive all around, especially the dual chrome exhaust tips. Engine (V6) is far superior in HP then the V6 I have in my 04. The greatest difference in driving is the smoother shifting with the new 5 speed (again, an upgrade from the 4 speed) automatic tranny. Overall, the driving experience was greatly enhanced in the 06.

Just on the interior alone I was a little disappointed. It certainly has far more interior room with the dash that leans forward away from the driver and passenger. Down fall, is I had to reach to get to the audio controlls that were mounted up higher and further away then the prev. gen. The audio controlls on the steering wheel assisted, but only to a small portion allowing the volume to be adjusted and it had a mode button as well that shifted from CD to Radio. Nothing spectacular. The cruise control is in a far better place then the previous models with it being mounted on the steering wheel. Overall, the Sonata lost all the luxury feel that it had in the previous models and Im sure this was intentional to make way for the Azura and also compete head on with the Accord and Camry which have a more conventional and sporty look.

For the flaws I experienced: The cruise control button (coast / de-accelerate) would stick and you would have to pull it out to deactivate it.
The button that circulates the air inside the vehicle would stick and it simply would not come back out.
The gas tank door would stick and I had to try and peel it out with my fingers to get it open (and yes I pressed the button to open the lid inside the vehicle)
The trunk was a beast to lift up. It did not assist one bit with the opening of the trunk lid and it certainly would slam close with no resistance from the dual shock absorbers. It appeared to be backwords.

Overall, I was scared to be driving a vehicle with less the 5K miles on it and to experience all these little flaws. The motor appeared to be strong and sound, but the high quality of parts used on the interior that many reviews gave the sonata - I just dont see it. Next to this, they did away with the center arm rest that had storage. Now its simply two cup holders (anyone with kids can vouch how that little storage is useful for there small toys).

With the many advances that the 06 Sonata has, I think it would make a great car, but with the problems I experienced, I would hesitate to see how it does in the long run. Further, in comparison to an Accord or Camry, the Sonata will need to improve on re-sale value (as it is worth nothing when it makes it off the lot) to make it an overall true contender.

This is all of course, just my opinion.

John D

[lowsonoma1999]

I'm sorry you aren't happy with your Sonata. However, I would have to say the problems you are having are very minor problems. The '06 Sonata have been out for about 8 months now, and we sell quite a bit of them, and service them as well. From what I can recall, the only thing we have had to replace on an '06 is the cover on the side of the dash on one car that kept falling off. Other than that, I don't remember any more problems with them.

As far as your complaint about the position of the radio. I would agree that it is a little farther reach than the previous '02-'05 Sonata, but it is there for a reason. Most cars are positioning their radios higher up like that now so peoples eyes aren't off the road for very long to play with the radio. Instead of looking way down at the radio, where you lose pretty much all peripheral vision. With the radio up high, you can still see ahead of you as well when playing with the radio.

I don't see your complaint about the center armrest though. Yes, there are 2 cupholders there, as were in the previous Sonata. But there is also storage in the center console armrest, just like the previous Sonata as well. I have driven a GLS, and am currently driving an LX as my demo. Both have center console storage.

[JohnPD]

Its not that im Un-happy with the Sonata, just concerned

I don't see your complaint about the center armrest though. Yes, there are 2 cupholders there, as were in the previous Sonata. But there is also storage in the center console armrest, just like the previous Sonata as well.

I was refering to the rear seating center arm rest. I do understand that the center console has storage, but my 5 year old uses the 'rear' center arm rest w/ the storage. Just something petty, but im still sad to see it missing.

All and all, I do like the Sonata all around. Yes the complaints are minor and im sure it has plenty to do with the vehicle not having a full 'break in' period. It still however raises concern on the overall quality. These cars are being built at a totally different location then the previous gens and im wondering if there will be flaws in the begining years of the new assembly plant vs ones that have been open for some time. I can see maybe one problem erupting on the car, but all at the same time and so early in the vehicles life is what brings on the question mark.

Im by no means trying to claim that I have a single clue in what im talking about. Its just the questions I ask myself when I think about the future of Hyundai and the product at hand.

I would love to see Hyundai come into the ball game as a true contender. The time is right, especially with problems brewing for Ford. Not only Ford but we all know GM is trying to stay afloat as well.

Either way a Sonata is a great buy (only if your in it for keeps *re-sale*) and I think things are certainly looking up for Hyundai.

This is all just my 2cents.

[lowsonoma1999]

Originally Posted by JohnPD

Its not that im Un-happy with the Sonata, just concerned

I wouldn't be concerned. Unless you put 35k miles on your car a year like my wife does, you have a long time for the problems to work their way out

Originally Posted by JohnPD

I was refering to the rear seating center arm rest. I do understand that the center console has storage, but my 5 year old uses the 'rear' center arm rest w/ the storage. Just something petty, but im still sad to see it missing.

Ok, I didn't realize you were talking about the back seat. I can't say I've ever been in the back seat of either car. My wife drives an '03 LX, and I'm driving an '06 LX as a demo right now. I haven't been in the back seat of either. I don't have kids either. I can see your complaing though.

[MXlonerider]

I know that the 04 Kia.. whatever the Sonata level car for Kia is, the Optima I think.. has the rear center armrest storage, but I can say that my 02 Nata doesn't have the storage there either.. I suppose that was added on in later my's, or maybe just in the GLS? But yes, that would be a nice thing to see, sure would come in handy. I suppose that that storage is a trade-off for the extremely spacious trunk, though. How is the trunk room on the NF, anything like the new EF?

[lowsonoma1999]

Originally Posted by MXlonerider

I know that the 04 Kia.. whatever the Sonata level car for Kia is, the Optima I think.. has the rear center armrest storage, but I can say that my 02 Nata doesn't have the storage there either.. I suppose that was added on in later my's, or maybe just in the GLS? But yes, that would be a nice thing to see, sure would come in handy. I suppose that that storage is a trade-off for the extremely spacious trunk, though. How is the trunk room on the NF, anything like the new EF?

For the '02-'05 Sonatas, you do have to have a GLS or LX to get the rear armrest storage. I remember a customer one time that wanted to put the armrest with storage on her base Sonata, but I had to explain to her that the cloth is different between the base and GLS Sonatas, and it will look way off. She didn't like the price either.

[JohnPD]

My 04 now has 41K on it right now (purchased in October 04). So we certainly put the miles on.

The problems I have had with the 04 has been the following.

Serpantine (sp?) Belt replacement (last week)
bad CV joint (first month after purchase, probably around 3-5k / replaced)
Loose Upper Strut tower (fixed last week) - needed to tighten was all.
Windshield trim was popping out in the interior (dealer pushed it back last week)
Fog light and headlight replacement (both went out last week)
Stereo does not eject or accept CD's (random)
Terrible gas milleage (always) - go about 350 miles on full tank.

So my problems on this Sonata is far less then the 06 during the first run through. Mostly standard maintanence.

[JohnPD]

My 04 now has 41K on it right now (purchased in October 04). So we certainly put the miles on.

The problems I have had with the 04 has been the following.

Serpantine (sp?) Belt replacement (last week)
bad CV joint (first month after purchase, probably around 3-5k / replaced)
Loose Upper Strut tower (fixed last week) - needed to tighten was all.
Windshield trim was popping out in the interior (dealer pushed it back last week)
Fog light and headlight replacement (both went out last week)
Stereo does not eject or accept CD's (random)
Terrible gas milleage (always) - go about 350 miles on full tank.

So my problems on this Sonata is far less then the 06 during the first run through. Mostly standard maintanence.

[lowsonoma1999]

Originally Posted by JohnPD

My 04 now has 41K on it right now (purchased in October 04). So we certainly put the miles on.

The problems I have had with the 04 has been the following.

Serpantine (sp?) Belt replacement (last week)
bad CV joint (first month after purchase, probably around 3-5k / replaced)
Loose Upper Strut tower (fixed last week) - needed to tighten was all.
Windshield trim was popping out in the interior (dealer pushed it back last week)
Fog light and headlight replacement (both went out last week)
Stereo does not eject or accept CD's (random)
Terrible gas milleage (always) - go about 350 miles on full tank.

So my problems on this Sonata is far less then the 06 during the first run through. Mostly standard maintanence.

My wife drives an '03 LX, has about 85k miles on it. Only thing done to it so far has been the chrome on the inside door handles were peeling. Other than that, not a single problem.

[9ball]

Originally Posted by lowsonoma1999

My wife drives an '03 LX, has about 85k miles on it. Only thing done to it so far has been the chrome on the inside door handles were peeling. Other than that, not a single problem.

Hey, nice to see a fellow hoosier (I joined the military and live in TX now). I can remember the commercials for Bob ROOAARRRman ever since I was a little kid. Anyway, we just bought an '06 Sonata and I'm very impressed with the interior. My only complaint is that more buttons need to be lit up. We've only had the car for a few days and I have to shine a flashlight on some of the buttons at night to see what they are. Aside from that the car is brilliant. We set out to get an '05 but after driving the '06, I couldn't turn back. The '05 is very soft feeling, but not in a good way. It seems that the suspension on the new car has been tightened up, like it's trying to be more German. The '05 felt more like a Buick whereas the '06 felt more like an Accord or Passat. I'm very happy that I considered Hyundai because I feel I got the best possible new car for the money.

[lowsonoma1999]

Originally Posted by 9ball

Hey, nice to see a fellow hoosier (I joined the military and live in TX now). I can remember the commercials for Bob ROOAARRRman ever since I was a little kid. Anyway, we just bought an '06 Sonata and I'm very impressed with the interior. My only complaint is that more buttons need to be lit up. We've only had the car for a few days and I have to shine a flashlight on some of the buttons at night to see what they are. Aside from that the car is brilliant. We set out to get an '05 but after driving the '06, I couldn't turn back. The '05 is very soft feeling, but not in a good way. It seems that the suspension on the new car has been tightened up, like it's trying to be more German. The '05 felt more like a Buick whereas the '06 felt more like an Accord or Passat. I'm very happy that I considered Hyundai because I feel I got the best possible new car for the money.

I hate our commercials. In the commercials, Bob seems like a jokester, or a crazy old man. I'm not going to tell you my honest opinion of him.

[DamienZ28]

Buying the new design when it is fresh is alittle scary! I did go against my own rules and did it with my 06 Sonata. Hopefully they will change a few things on it like getting rid of the painted interior door handles! Perhaps add a button for TRACK SKIP which I would use way more then MODE.

Has anyone else had all the alignment issues? Or the Milage Issues?