Test drove a GL today

[hjr]

Pros: Decent looking exterior, and interior, overall.

Had a similar feel to my 06, speed-wise(the 4 cylinder).... under 9 seconds 0-60 I'd say, and just a tiny bit more quiet.
More room.

Cons:
The Driver's seat,GL/GLS they had... is NOT as good as mine, Adjustment-Wise; means that it has 4 way type of seating(to be honest) vs my 6 way seats.

Mine, you can adjust the front half only of the bottom cushion, or just back, or both, any direction. NOT on the new models(do I sense a "cut-Back here, to save some cash?... I read something about 1988, an airline saved 40,000 dollars just by cutting back on One Olive, from each salad, in first class, in one year. Same principal here, perhaps? Cut back the "minor" things, save cash...).
Worst "metal"door handle ever, fro interior. Looks gray-ish plastic, painted silver or something.
Not Cool(my GLS...well, has Metal handles, not painted plastic).
The "metal" around the shifter looked almost identical to my real metal in 04 gls.
I could tolerate that.

Seat cushion "too short" for excellent support of your legs(same for my 04, but it has the 2 dial adjueters that lift my legs enough to fool me into thinking it's better seating).
MSRP= too high, IMHO.

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The car did handle slightly sharper in turns,m etc, than my 04, stereo was acceptable. Had sunroof. Cool interior door handles, but would take a few days to get used to them/buttons.

GL did not have radio controls on steering column, and slightly odd looking materials(nothing horrible, mind you).

Would I buy one for 20K+ Msrp?
To be honest? No. Not the GL or GLS. Seems they saved the best stuff for LX(they did not have one on the lot)...
telescoping steering column(not on gl/gls), 8 way seating, et al.

On sale? Perhaps I would.

Versus the Ford 500? could have had a GLS 500 for around 20K...same price as GLS... yes, I'd take the Ford 500(read it does 0-60 in 7.45 seconds, but maybe with CVT? the other automatic, 6 speed, I think it is in the 8 second range).
Fast enough for me, since I am middle aged dude.

500 I tested once did not have a better stereo, though, than Sonata, and plastics seems 1/2 step behind Sonata...other than this..... it seemed to have MORE( better seats/adjusters... trunk, has ***Volvo body...great for accidents, just seemed nicer, minus the looks dept) than 06 gls sonata.
***Look out SUVs! ****
Plus, gets 29MPG, for such a Huge vehicle.

Who knows?

I did look at the Spectra 5(Hyundai Kia dealership on same lot!).....and the older Rio hjad 2 adjusters, loaded up one(Spectra 5).... One for back of cushion.

Sounds Nit Picky? I am.
I got used to having the "Dual dials/adjuster", then Hyundai stops it on most of the vehicles to save a buck or two. They did same thing in 99..... when my mother in law and myself went to look at used cars, we looked at a 98 elantra... and it had 8 way seats for driver(or was it 6?) and 4 way for passenger!
Since 1999 model year, never seen them again, until they sold the Xg350, a way more expensive vehicle.

Hunh? Go Figure!

As for all the electronic gizmos? well, my inlaw worked at GM bus and brake plant in Moraine Ohio for 5 years, and now 6 years at International.
As he said" they can-any maker- these days, load up a car with electronics, from stereos, to ABS, EBS, et al, and ti cost little for amkers to add these things".

Yes, the Sonata is loaded up, but abs can be had on many vehicles for 150-550 dollars these days, where it used to be 1000-2,000 dollar option just 5-6 years ago.

Stereos are cheap these days, but good. They aren't 1000's of dollars, unless you want them to be, by buying after market stuff.

What i am saying, they added on good stuff, but FIL claims it costs MORE to add my"dual dial" seating than to upgrade a stereo system from 1cd system to a 6 cd player/mp3 capable system.

Same fo rmany Electronic gadgets, by all comapnies. Cheaper to load up on electronics, and cut back on(forgot the term, let's say "hard-wares").....like better seats, or whatever, along these lines.

Yes, I am "angry". if other makers cut this out(Scion has dual adjuster,s BIG ITEM to me, more than HP, looks, etc...due to bad back, etc).....by say '09-'10.... then I'll consider Sonata(On Sale) again.

Man am I bummed out. GLS is now like the base model, in a ways(almost), just Slightly upgraded.


I do not dislike Hyundai, just gonna be really looking around next time I buy a vehicle. Stuiff liek Fusion, maybe 500(on sale), next gen PT Cruiser might even be on the list, since they'll use the "World Class GEMA-Hyundai block- engines in it.
Maybe a Scion?

Maybe a used jaguar? lol.


See ya.
have a good memorial day wekeend.

[sillylance]

In my opinion the 2006 sonata in all trim levels are great values, it may have went up about $1800 in price, look at the equipment like six airbags, anti-lock- brakes, electronic stability control, alot of cars costing 5-10 k more don’t even have stability program standard it is an option. I like the 2006 alot it is roomier, you don’t have to worry about a timing belt both engines have timing chains which is worth the boost in price, the only thing I don't like about the 06 is that it does not have foldable mirrors, my likes are the auto/down/up power driver's window and heated mirrors on the base model, and the two stage power door locks.

[SuperGLS]

Just wanted to add...

I took a 2.4l base model (Sonata GL) out for a test drive today from Manassas Hyundai. Unfortunately the were only giving test drives in the base model (yeah ok, sure...). I was very happy with the performance of the car. It didn't really feel bigger or heavier than the XD, although it is, but it moved and accelerated very smoothly. I couldn't take it up past 50 mph because the speed limit was 40 mph and the salesman was dictating where to drive and turn and such. I did try out the Shiftronic for a bit, but didn't get a chance to fully maximize it's use. Also didn't get to hit any nice curves or offramps.

The inside of the base model is just a little nicer than a stock GLS XD. I liked the guages and the layout of everything, but it just wasn't "luxury" enough for me. I did sit in the LX (3.3l Lambda with all options) and it felt really nice. The climate control looked nice, the leather felt nice, the 8 way drivers seat worked well, it even has a sliding center console armrest.

The hood uses a single hydrolic arm to keep it up when open and it worked well. The Lambda looks right at home in the engine bay while the Theta leaves a lot of room in there, it looks kind of bare, haha. Both intake systems seem to be as restrictive as ever in a Hyundai, which I'm sure could free up some good power. The trunk is held up by two hydrolic arms that aren't in the cargo space which frees up some space in an already cavernous trunk. The 60/40 split seat pass through seems to be a little bigger than what we have in the XD and that makes sense.

What else? The stock 17's on the LX look nice in person as do the chrome accent door hanldles (especially on black). Unfortunately they didn't have any Steel Gray ones to look at. They didn't have any LX's with the metalgrain trim with gray leather either, too bad. They had mostly GL's, a couple GLS's, and one LX.

I hope to go to Fairfax Hyundai next week sometime and see if I can get a test drive of an LX alone if I talk to my salesman (Danny Lee for you local guys) who I bought my previous two Hyundais from.


------ Oh, and, $20K for a GL? It's under $18K for a GL here MSRP, I'm sure you could get it as low as $17.5 now.

[hjr]

for GL with sunroof was 20,599..dude said he'd take off 1000...19,599 would be final pricing, beofre financing, taxes, et al= more than I care to pay.

spouse and I agree, we will wait for this "5 year cycle" to run it's course, then buy right beofre Hyudnai bring sout a redesigned(or reskinned) Sonata in late 09-early 2010, unless they go to 4 year cycles for products, or something.

It is not bad, but I have been following Hyundai for since 1987.
Loooooong Time.
98 elantra I saw had 6 way seats for driver/passenger. By 99, This type of seating is available No More(as an option)...unless you get a XG350 now.

Why should you have to pay 25K to get this feature?
Telescopic steering: why does ONLY the LX get this? Why can't GLS also get this, as an option?
Used to be that the main difference , to us, anyways, in a GLS vs LX is one had leather, and maybe heated seats, vs cloth, and no heated seats, but you could about get everything else almost the same in either trim level.

Why is a 4 cylinder now the price of the 05 6 cylinder?

See, to me, that is Not Cool.

Can't get telescopic steering, no 8 way seating, unless you get LX now(or height adjustment?).
C'Mon.
reminds me of those Toyota stories on the news papers about"Toyota to raise pricing to "Help" Big 3 in USA" nonsense we have been reading on detnews.coim/autoinsiders, and thecarconnection.com, and autoweek, etc, the past month or more.

They are helping their own pockets. That't reality. These companies are not in business as "charities".

I do not dislike the Hyundai but if my car holds out, the Only Way we will buy is if they are on sale, at least, min imum, 2K off(rebates/cash back)...plus 1K minimum offf after bartering.


I read one of the reasons why Hyundai is raising cost, making more expensive cars is due to China Will eventually get here to USa, and under cut all competition in pricing, so Hyundai would probably lose this fight, so what to do? Move up, in pricing and quality, and move away from their(basically tyr to move away from) entry level roots.

My problem is this: Eventually, even the Chinese will be at a decent quality level, and offer sonata sized cars , for waaay less.....then what?

everyone drops prices and adds content?

Seems everyone is adding electronics(cheap to do these days), but raising costs way more than necessary, except for GM......they gotta lower prices, or lose more business.

Hey, even Toyota, with tC(excellent car!) has Scion...where they are "out Hyundai-ing Hyundai", IMHO, and many others( see the reviews, from TACH=theautochannel.com, autoweek, motorweek, motortrend, detnews.com, you name it). Sorry, but it's true.
We have a tC in our yard, and minus a minor issues witht he passenger wiper arm, at 25K miles in 9 months, they thing rocks.
Hyundai had better keep their products really great at the elantra level, etc, too.

I like hyundai, but I have owned chevy, Nissan, hyundai, now Scion(toyota).....We will bail fofr a better product, if costs are simialr( Tibbyvs tC...... I like the Tibby, but our last one died at 103,000 miles).

I'd buy a Suzuki Reno(it rides and drives better than the Cobalt i drove today, and better than Neon, IMHO) and looks sharper(minus the headlights) than the Spectra sedan.
Only issue we have is it is slow!!!
they add maybe 15 more HP, a few mor eMPG......I'd consider one..Hatches rule!

Trunks do nothing for me except hold groceries.
Try putting a push lawn mower(in th ebox) into a trunk....unless you have perhaps a ford 500(21 cubic feet).....or a hatchback..... someone's tying up the trunk to hold that lawnmower.


here's list of msrp from April, BUT, Not ONE SW Ohio dealership is following this: GL is nearly 21K , w/o sunroof, 19,599.

www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/04/19/043102.html

this shows GLS for 19K...but the stickers on the cars Are From Hyundai, and Not "extras" from the dealership.

So either this list is faulty, or Hyudnai put out one set of numbers, then put others on now> I dunno.

Alkl I can tell you, you get a GLS here for unde 20K, it is because you know the owner of the dealership, or hyundai has a secret 2K off msrp.

Hey, get this, in 96, a Elantra was less than 10K, or Accent priced.
Now, 9 years later, they are what, 4K -5K more?

Why does my pay check not go up 4K-5k more in 9 years?

Sorry to gripe, but, thinking of prices paid even back in 1999 for our GLS V6(with leather,sunroof, etc, UNDER 18K! after bargaining; remember, thsi would be like getting the LX today, minus of course the telescopic steering column, heated seats, and a few other , realtively inexpensive, eletronic gizmos).....for 17,899 today(well, ad 1 K for the Gizmos, would be like getting a LX for about 18,799 today, loaded).

Now ya know why I gripe..... get a 4 cylinder Manual for the price of a Loaded up 1999 Gls-V6.

I could have gotten a Malibu Maxx(112+ inch wheelbase) loaded to the hilt, today, for 18K(19,199 with GM "employee" sale, and another grand+ off msrp after arguing) IF we were buying today.

It is kind of a cool idea, 5 door hatch, that does not look like a box.

V6 is kind of small, 200HP(or is it 203?)... but that is good enough for my purposes.

Liek I said, when we buy, if we get a "right price", we'll buy a Sonata, perhaps. If Not..... just have to settle for a compact or something.

take care/not offense.

[SuperGLS]

No offense taken, but I don't think what you are saying makes much sense.

I'll try to go paragraph per paragraph on this one. I've only been following Hyundai since 2000. In 2001 I bought an Accent GS, I was hit head on by a drunk driver who ran a red light, the airbag deployed (and my seat belt was on) and I walked away from the accident with nothing more than a headache and a little whiplash. Very happy with the car in every way I moved up to a 2002 Elantra GLS.

I currently the admin for www.elantraxd.com, so I'd like to think I am pretty knowledgeable concerning Elantras and Hyundais in general (in fact I read this site a lot, just don't have time to post much).

The Theta four cylinder is priced as much as the old V6 (Sigma if I'm not mistaken) for various reasons. One could be simply that it is as powerful as the old V6. One could be that it's more refined, has newer technology, and slightly better gas mileage and emmisions. Of course it's not as big of a jump over the Delta 2.7l V6 (the Theta has a little less power, but better in the other categories). The overall fit and finish of the NF seems to be higher than current older Sonatas as well.

I agree that's it's strange that the GL doesn't come with a pwer seat, but that's life.

About Hyundai price increases in general... you don't feel that Hyundai has made vast improvements that warrant a higher price? Newer (although not cutting edge) technology, more standard safety features, etc. As to why your paycheck doesn't go up, maybe you don't work hard, I think that's you're fault, not Hyundais.

Let's not forget that the NF is a bigger car compared to the 1999 Sonata you are comparing it to. Did you 1999 Sonata have four wheel disc breaks with ABS and TCS? Did your 1999 Sonata have FATC (Fully Automatic Temperature control) like the NF LX? I'm sure there were many differences, not just the telescoping steering wheel, heated seats, etc that you have mentioned.

Oh, and everything in the auto industry has gotten more expensive, live with it.

(I'm not sure where the Reno and Scion points relate to this discussion).

Thoughts?

[hjr]

well, I am a DAV(disabled veteran)...and took college for Commercial Arts, since I can not do the same(or many other ) job(s) I used to.
I did not know anything about the field in 01, except that I could pass the courses for it without too many learning issues( (I was extremely terrible at Math, that sunk me...I had to repeat classes just to get to High School /College Entry Levels).
Even a professor took me aside and talked me into Commercial Arts(was going for Phlebotomist, btu the math....he said, would make my life miserable in this field of work).. I concurred, and dropped college for a year.
I am now sorry....I should have stuck with it.
At least there are jobs for Phlebotomist/medical field, on occasion, in my area.


Maybe if we lived in a state that needed Commerical Artists,who are over 25 years old. Out of 37 Commerical Arts Students, 5 got jobs in the past 3 years. The oldest person was 22.
Got it at the local newspaper, doing advertisements.
One guy became a janitor for Honda parts plant, for 9..50 per hour(he is in his 50's). One lady quit looking, and became a cashier, P/T, at Wal-Mart. She is 35.
Just 2 quick examples.
they had in th elocal paper that when Lowe's opened up, 1000 people applied for jobs, but only 132 were hired.
That was in reply to "you don't want to work hard".
Not offended, just irked that people can't get Good Jobs like they used to.
.......................................................................................



Anyhow, will possibly do like my father in law; buys 3-5 year old vehicles(he drives 50,000 miles a year for work).

He got a jeep grand cherokee he claims would have cost him 35K msrp, if he got it new. he got one with 45K miles for 13K!
Had it for 18 months now.
He uses them for 3 years, gets another one.

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The Reno was just an idea, that if we can't afford a V6 / 4 cylinder midsized sedan new(without a sale), we may have to go compact(we own a tC...great car, great price, but we like midsized "sedans" for our dozen or so times per year we travel with inlaws)maybe the reno would be ok for 4 people, and decent price(i liked the 5 door hatch, very useful, and styling , et. al , were above avg, but that engine is horribly slow....they fix it, we may buy one in a few years).
Would get 2 tC's, but spouse does not care to have "2 of same car" in the yard. I sort of agree, as long as a decent alternative is available. maybe a PTCruiser?

Used? I dunno. Maybe. Hyundai does have a good track record on Sales, especially around the "3rd year" when they maybe tweak the power-from 160hp to 170, 2.5 liter to 2.7 liter V6/headlamps/tail lights, etc... like they did between the 99-00 Sonata, for the 02 -05 models....same for "last year" sale(like the 05's were 5,500 off LX, plus whatever you could barter off them, so you could save like 6,500 off msrp).

Go Hyundai. ;D

Guess there's always the new upcoming Elantra?


take care/not offense.

DAV
USN/R- USCG
1983-1994
Where's my "rich-man's retirement" that I was promised when I signed up!?" LOL.

[SuperGLS]

I agree. Math sucks.

Definitely excited about the new Elantra.

Sorry to get too off topic.

Hopefully this weekend I can test drive the LX.