Hyundai Sonata

brendansmith

I really like the look of these cars and am thinkibng of getting a 1999 or 2000 model.

Anyone know anything about them?

brendansmith

Anyone any experience with hyundais in general?

Esel

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=158

brendansmith

Youre my friend now, you realise that dont you?

Esel

:eek:

robtri

brendansmith wrote: »

Anyone know anything about them?

yes.....

BlackWizard

Are you getting one for free?

bazz26

BlackWizard wrote: »

Are you getting one for free?

OP should actually be paid.

They are hideouse looking even when they were new.

unkel

The yanks love them. Wobbly boats that sit 4 400 pounders in comfort and never breaks down

R.O.R

I drove one once. Felt like I'd been abused after I got out, just felt dirty.

No matter how much I washed, I just couldn't get rid of that feeling, that feeling you only get after having driven a Hyundai Snotata.

Hyundai are not a bad make at all, the parents bought an Accent new in 1999 (traded their 1996 one in for it). 10 years later all she has needed is oil changes, filters, a battery (last Christmas) and a thermostat. And the drivers side window regulator.

They are reliable and if you like them you could do a lot worse, they are definitely a better bet than a 99 Vectra, petrol 406, petrol Xantia etc. Much cheaper to buy than Jap mobiles too but you get reliability almost as good.

Ignore the badge snobs.

EPM

But, at that vintage at least, they weren't a patch on any of the European models bar reliability

True to a point, but when buying a 10 year old car relaibility has to be a huge factor, with luck all she will need is oil changes, plugs and tires. The euro barges, f knows what could happen.

Eoin

RoverJames wrote: »

Ignore the badge snobs.

I don't think it's badge snobbery, maybe more model snobbery. If the OP was asking what the Hyundai Coupe was like, people would probably say it wasn't the quickest, but not a bad car at all.

But many of the saloon models just aren't that nice to drive, sit in or look at. They are quite reliable alright, and if you don't give a crap about how you get from A to B, then you could do worse. But this is a motoring forum not a commuting forum, so don't be surprised if people are negative about them.

mondeo

Their ok cars if your looking for a bland and not so amusing run about.. I'm sure their reliable as I never heard of anyone breaking down in them.

For a motoring forum loads of folks know absolutely f all about cars

EPM

RoverJames wrote: »

For a motoring forum loads of folks know absolutely f all about cars

Touchy

Eoin

RoverJames wrote: »

For a motoring forum loads of folks know absolutely f all about cars

What are we getting wrong then? Reliable - yes. Fun to drive, nice to sit in and nice looking - no. Do you disagree? We're not talking about the coupe, or the SUVs - but the saloon that the OP is asking about.

Not at all A chap asks advice on a good, soild relaible car and what useful advice was posted apart from a link to honest John, very little. Loads of muck posted about the image etc, motoring forum, yeah :P

Eoin

I disagree. If it was a great car that had an image of being crap, then I would agree. But these cars have very little going for them apart from the fact that they are quite reliable. That doesn't make it a good car for me.

Talking about what a car is like to drive is hardly "much about the image" - I would hope that it's a large part of what people care about in a car here.

BlackWizard

The chap said he liked them, he asked for info on them, what was given was not really constructive. The Sonata is not an exciting drive, neither is a Maxima, Camry etc which is what the direct competition is. Most folk buying a car for €2000 would see reliability as the key factor.

BlackWizard wrote: »

Are you getting one for free?

bazz26 wrote: »

OP should actually be paid.



They are hideouse looking even when they were new.

R.O.R wrote: »

I drove one once. Felt like I'd been abused after I got out, just felt dirty.



No matter how much I washed, I just couldn't get rid of that feeling, that feeling you only get after having driven a Hyundai Snotata.

Just because you are a mod does not make you right, defending the muck that was posted above just makes you look a muppet tbh.

Eoin

RoverJames wrote: »

The chap said he liked them, he asked for info on them, what was given was not really constructive. The Sonata is not an exciting drive, neither is a Maxima, Camry etc which is what the direct competition is. Most folk buying a car for €2000 would see reliability as the key factor.

The OP did not ask about the reliability or any particular aspect of the car - hence the general opinions.

RoverJames wrote: »

Just because you are a mod does not make you right, defending the muck that was posted above just makes you look a muppet tbh.

Watch it. My opinions above were made as a normal user not as a mod. In fact you agreed with my overall opinion of the car, if I'm not mistaken. If you can not make your point in a civil manner, do not post here.

brendansmith

Thanks for the replys lads.

Reliability was my main concern.

I think they look great, a big lump of car.

As for being nice to drive, my previous car was a 99 toyota corolla and i thought it was an absolutely joy to drive so would the sonata be on a par to the corolla drivewise?

I'll watch it so Mr Mod

For the record I made my badge snob comment before you're post. Also I do find the moderation on this forum a tad heavy handed. The quotes I highlighted were hardly informative or have value.

EPM

Well the OP's original post didn't specify. People gave their opinions on it.

OP, if you're happy with the car just do the normal checks and you should be fine. They do have pretty decent spec too

JHMEG

The engines sound poor. From that honest john link:

Power of 2.0 litre dropped to 122 bhp after the 1995 re-style. 3.0 litre V6 only ever had 143 bhp

Timing belt and tensoner need to be replaced together: a £340 job even at Halfords. Car must then not be started for 15 minutes or timing will slip out.

brendansmith

brendansmith wrote: »

As for being nice to drive, my previous car was a 99 toyota corolla and i thought it was an absolutely joy to drive so would the sonata be on a par to the corolla drivewise?

Nope, the suspension will be softer, more lean through bends and the steering not as sharp. Totally different but the Sonata will feel fresh like the Corolla did, not ropey like a 10 year old Peugeot or similar would feel

brendansmith

RoverJames wrote: »

Nope, the suspension will be softer, more lean through bends and the steering not as sharp. Totally different but the Sonata will feel fresh like the Corolla did, not ropey like a 10 year old Peugeot or similar would feel

Thats not good, the thing i really liked about the corolla was that there was no bodyroll, if you flung it into a sharp corner the whole thing just gradually slid out. That is cause for concern alright. Granted now that i havent ever even driven a sonata.

I know what you mean about the old peugots, when you go to take off it seems to follow the route - Press accelerator - engine makes noise - dash starts to rattle - feels like a front bumper is moving - slack between front bumper and rest of the car has been taken up - car decides it might be ready to move forward - car moves forward slowly - car moves forward.
- = 2 second time period.

The Sonata is defo worth a test drive, do keep in mind though that for €2000 a 1998 Camry (2.2) or Maxima (2.0 available) could be gotten too. The Camry is a great car, Maxima is too but I don't like the styling as much as the Camry, I reckon the Camry is a fine looking car.

Henry Ford III

I'd sooner get the bus. Hideous horrid car.

brendansmith

Henry Ford III wrote: »

I'd sooner get the bus. Hideous horrid car.

Oh you big meanie!

unkel

brendansmith wrote: »

Oh you big meanie!

LOL

Maybe some of the reactions here (including mine) were a bit OTT. That Sonata is still a car, so by definition better than public transport, isn't that right, Mr. Ford?

This is a motoring forum and many of the (regular) contributors here are passionate about cars. The Sonata is about as low as one can go motoring wise in a mid to large size car. Fine if you need just that, a big car that goes from A to B, but don't start trolling on a motoring forum inhabited (mainly) by car fans.

Volvoboy

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200942195486422



€1999


/jeebus i'm such a taxi driver.

EPM

Another good option if you are looking around the 2.0 litre mark:

Galant

Henry Ford III

unkel wrote: »

...Maybe some of the reactions here (including mine) were a bit OTT. That Sonata is still a car, so by definition better than public transport, isn't that right, Mr. Ford?

It's marginal unkel

Hellrazer

unkel wrote: »

The Sonata is about as low as one can go motoring wise in a mid to large size car. Fine if you need just that, a big car that goes from A to B, but don't start trolling on a motoring forum inhabited (mainly) by car fans.

I wouldnt go that far Unkel.
I had Sonata as a company car for about a year(00 model) and honestly theyre really not that bad.Theyre how do you say built for comfort and not for speed
Big lumbering thing that will get you from a to b in comfort and will go forever,will roll through corners (very slowly )

Its like the rest of the Hyundai range--dont expect too much from it and you`ll be surprised.Im driving a 00 Accent(yeah I know) at the minute and I love it but if it wasnt my first insurance after loosing the CC Id be driving either a Sonata or a Coupe preferably a Coupe but I cant get a decent low mileage one.

mikkael

Nothing wrong with the Sonata, nothing at all. I've come to the conclusion that you can have character and be sat on your backside at the side of the road on a rainy night, or have reliability. With most of the more 'enthusiast' cars I've come across, the choice seems that stark.

I've heard umpteen horror stories about the 'premium' german brands too.

I'll never forget my first car, and with good reason - a VW Vento. What a lemon. Came with fvwsh, low mileage and so on ... in the few months I had it it never ran properly. Two VW agents, between them, relieved me of £2000 for 'repairs' which made no difference, and eventually it went on fire:

http://www.volvo400.com/assets/images/ON_DRIVE.jpg

Volkswagen are not a bad car, but they're not a great car either. They're average in terms of reliability.

I've driven a Volvo 440 since the VW went up in flames of it's own accord. A colleague in work used to joke "they're boxy but they're good". Several times people have suggested "would you not buy a newer car". The colleague's new car kept breaking down. I've had it since 2001 and it had 73,000 on the clock when I bought it.

I've driven nothing else since, and it's now at 156,000 and still as tight as a new car. Believe me, you get to like reliability - a lot. I'm a fan of Alfa Romeos, but they're for dry days when you don't necessarily have to be somewhere on time.

Incidentally, a neighbour of mine down the country has a collection of TVR's, and half owns a land speed record MG with 785 bhp. on tap. What does he drive? - a 1994 Opel Astra. Great for hacking about in, horses for courses and all that. Go for the Sonata.

brendansmith

unkel wrote: »

Fine if you need just that, a big car that goes from A to B, but don't start trolling on a motoring forum inhabited (mainly) by car fans.

:rolleyes: Dont think that was necessary now.

Hellrazer wrote: »

I wouldnt go that far Unkel.
I had Sonata as a company car for about a year(00 model) and honestly theyre really not that bad.Theyre how do you say built for comfort and not for speed
Big lumbering thing that will get you from a to b in comfort and will go forever,will roll through corners (very slowly )

Yeah thats good. Im not going to be doing burnouts anyway. I just want a car that go and not make too much noise about it. Whats the acceleration like? Ill settle for decent!

mikkael wrote: »

Nothing wrong with the Sonata, nothing at all. I've come to the conclusion that you can have character and be sat on your backside at the side of the road on a rainy night, or have reliability. With most of the more 'enthusiast' cars I've come across, the choice seems that stark.

I am defo liking this reliability vibe that people are giving.

unkel

unkel wrote: »

LOL

Maybe some of the reactions here (including mine) were a bit OTT. That Sonata is still a car, so by definition better than public transport, isn't that right, Mr. Ford?

This is a motoring forum and many of the (regular) contributors here are passionate about cars. The Sonata is about as low as one can go motoring wise in a mid to large size car. Fine if you need just that, a big car that goes from A to B, but don't start trolling on a motoring forum inhabited (mainly) by car fans.

The 2nd paragraph is a bit OTT, the posts I highlighted as being useless are worse than trolling.

Hellrazer

brendansmith wrote: »

Whats the acceleration like? Ill settle for decent!

0-60 in about a weeK I reckon

Its a 2.0l--Not bad but its not going to win any races.

I am defo liking this reliability vibe that people are giving.

Reliability is great except for the one thing I bang on about with that engine and thats the timing belt.Make sure its done before its due and dont let it go over.Its the same engine as the Trajet and Santa Fe petrol.

R.O.R

RoverJames wrote: »

The 2nd paragraph is a bit OTT, the posts I highlighted as being useless are worse than trolling.

Would you get over yourself!

It truly is one of the wosrt cars I've had to drive. Drab is an understatement for the interior, the fabric used on the seats is poor quality 70's velour that I wouldn't even make kitsch curtains out of. The plastics used feel like you could put your finger through them, the auto box was jerky and took about 5 seconds to respond to any input from the accelerator. It rolled and wallowed around the slightest of bends, and the brakes were spongy.

Question is, do they run forever - or does it just feel that way?

Motoring equivalent of beige slacks.

EPM

RoverJames wrote: »

The 2nd paragraph is a bit OTT, the posts I highlighted as being useless are worse than trolling.

If you bother to read the thread as it unfolded there was no mention of any specific requirements out of the car, therefore people gave their opinions on it. Don't see the problem. You seem to like Hyundai's - well done and nothing wrong with that - but people are entitled to give their opinions when no specific question is asked

Eoin

EPM wrote: »

If you bother to read the thread as it unfolded there was no mention of any specific requirements out of the car, therefore people gave their opinions on it. Don't see the problem. You seem to like Hyundai's - well done and nothing wrong with that - but people are entitled to give their opinions when no specific question is asked

Exactly. Now can everyone unbunch their panties and keep on topic.

Hellrazer

R.O.R wrote: »

It truly is one of the wosrt cars I've had to drive. Drab is an understatement for the interior, the fabric used on the seats is poor quality 70's velour that I wouldn't even make kitsch curtains out of. The plastics used feel like you could put your finger through them, the auto box was jerky and took about 5 seconds to respond to any input from the accelerator. It rolled and wallowed around the slightest of bends, and the brakes were spongy.
Motoring equivalent of beige slacks.

Brilliant R.O.R
While I dont agree with you I just pissed myself laughing at that review.

BlackWizard

R.O.R wrote: »

Motoring equivalent of beige slacks.

I'm wearing them right now :P . But thank fully I drive a TDI (red D and I) so I can race against most Porches

unkel

Hellrazer wrote: »

I wouldnt go that far Unkel.

Name one large car of the same age that is worse to drive

Slightly off topic, but the man I bought the Rover 75 off had replaced it with a nearly new Sonata. Full spec, leather, auto, sat nav. I've never seen a man look as unhappy about his car though

brendansmith wrote: »

:rolleyes: Dont think that was necessary now.

No need to be upset - wasn't aimed at you personally

Hellrazer

unkel wrote: »

Name one large car of the same age that is worse to drive

You have a point there.Comparing the Sonata to Accords,S60s,S80s(which Ive driven since and would be all newer) it would come in last but theyre in a totally different price range and you do get a lot of car for your money buying a Sonata.
With the sonata the point Im making is that if you dont expect a lot you` ll be surprised at what you have got.

unkel

Having lots of toys and sitting on a nice leather seat don't bring much joy if you are unhappy though

Zube

mikkael wrote: »

Believe me, you get to like reliability

In the past 20 years, I've owned and driven loads of cars with "character": tiny Fiats, 205s, Clios, a Multipla (7 years) an Alfa 155 (6 years), a Kangoo, and guess what? Reliability has never been a problem.

Don't buy a horrible car to get reliability: buy a good example of whatever kind of car you actually like. Life's too short to spend any of it at the wheel of a Sonata.

Drummerboy08

I once remember a mate looking at one of these, and he was seriously tempted to buy it.

He had the choice of -



Or



Or, the high spec Donkey,




Seriously OP. Save up another few quid and buy something half decent like A Maxima or Camry. The Hyundai Sonata is the most boring, dull car ever produced IMO.

Anan1

Zube wrote: »

Life's too short to spend any of it at the wheel of a Sonata.