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Hyundai Santa Fe (2006 and earlier)

4482 messages,  Last post on Mar 02, 2012 at 10:30 AM

You are in the Hyundai Santa Fe Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Santa Fe, SUV

Messages Page 367 of 449

#3655 of 4482 Hello all... by cmnott

Jul 19, 2002 (10:13 am)

I have read every single thread on this vehicle as we are currently checking out whether to get one or not. Let me say that this board has been extremely positive on this vehicle and problem-wise it is far and away one of the better threads on this Town Hall section. Surprising, really.
 
Wife needs a bigger vehicle and we are looking at wagons and SUVs. AWD isn't really a huge priority but in Canada it is always good to have! It is going to be either a V40 wagon, Passat 1.8 wagon, Explorer or Santa Fe. All either 2002 or 2003. I am more partial to wagons and the Volvo is nice (I have an S60 T5, so a little biased) but kinda cramped. The Passat is bigger and better looking but their Forum has given me the willies...the reliability thing is important but it will be leased for 3 or 4 years, so most cars should be good for that time.
 
I like the Explorer but my wife really likes the Santa Fe. I drove the Explorer and this vehicle has made quantum leaps as far as sophistication and driveability, but I am still not crazy about the interior. Awesome V8, though.
 
I went and checked out a Santa Fe with an admittedly bad attitude. I know that they are selling like hotcakes, but I figure price-wise why wouldn't they? I carefully inspected a few Santa Fe's and was stunned at the build quality. I checked out the entire interior and exterior like a cop searching for drugs, and everything was tigh, tight, tight. A glance at the MSRP? Full jam for 29,250.00CAD. 9K cheaper than the Volvo, 6K cheaper than the VW and 15K cheaper than the Ford!
 
Test drive was real nice. It took a while to get used to the upright seating position, but once accustomed was very comfortable. The motor was smooth and had a nice exhaust note and the tranny shifted crisply...5 speeds would be nice but hey, it is under 30K. Brakes were also strong and the handling was very good, much better than a Grand Cherokee. The only thing I wasn't too crazy about was the very cheap-looking leather seats, not the way it is portrayed in the brochure, but it does look very durable and shouldn't fold too easy. aside from that it is a surprising vehicle. At least the steering wheel had nice feeling leather as well as the shift knob. The back seat has a lot of room and dare I say better than the GC and Explorer.
 
Congrats to all those who have one, it is a fine car and good for Hyundai, they have definitely earned my respect. And possibly my money!

#3656 of 4482 azntrojan by badoogi

Jul 20, 2002 (10:28 pm)

Thanks for your info. The price you paid (20.5k) included tax & license?

#3657 of 4482 zandra.... by carseeker4

Jul 21, 2002 (6:46 pm)

check out my 5K review... post 3411 on this board.

#3658 of 4482 Major transmission problem by shivelyt

Jul 24, 2002 (9:51 pm)

I have a real mayday on my 01 GLS with FWD. Car had been trying to downshift when the car was just crawling in low gear. Planet Hyundai Svc Mgr said it was servos in transmission and they had to replace unit. That was Monday 7/22. Hyundai shipped in a new unit from LA but it was wrong transmission. Now car is in pieces on shop floor and I'm scheduled to leave on a 3600 mile trip Friday 7/26. Told dealer I didn't think he could have it fixed by 5 PM on Thursday and get set to put me in one of theirs. I also question the mechanic's competence on this job. Anyone have any transmissions replaced on the Santa Fe to date and what has been your experience? This is beginning to destroy my faith in the car.

#3659 of 4482 No tranny problems here... by jaserb

Jul 25, 2002 (7:37 am)

but why not ask for a loaner car? I know some Hyundai dealers offer them for any service. If you can get a loaner and keep those 3600 miles off your car it will be better all around: they don't have to rush to fix your car, and you don't have to worry about loading up the miles on yours. Just don't mention how long the trip is before you ask for one! If they balk, call Hyundai USA customer service and explain the situation. They've been bending over backwards to help SF owners that have had any problems.
   Is Planet Hyundai in Vegas? If so I think there are several other dealers, if you have a reason to question their competence. I wouldn't hold the fact that they got the wrong part against them, though.
 
Good Luck!
-Jason

#3660 of 4482 Site for Parts & Accessories? by gls2003

Jul 26, 2002 (1:50 pm)

Anyone know of good sites for parts and accessories for the Sante Fe? I tried hdkautosports.com, foreignmotors.com aka tischerhyundai.com, partsforyourcar.com. Some sites exists, some don't as of this date.
thanks for any help.

#3661 of 4482 Remote keyless entry by lrchome

Jul 28, 2002 (4:55 am)

After 20 months the battery in my keyless entry failed. If you open the door with a key the alarm goes off, and you have to wait 30 min. before you can start the car.
 
Has anyone else had the battery in the keyless opner fail. I had the opner in my previous car for 7 years and it never failed.

#3662 of 4482 Response to post 3452... keyless entry... by refaires

Jul 28, 2002 (8:59 am)

buy a new battery dude...... They do wear out. Mine did and I popped in a new one and didn't miss a beat.

#3663 of 4482 keyless entry by lrchome

Jul 28, 2002 (12:42 pm)

Hyundai said they would give me a new one or put a battery in mine for free.

#3664 of 4482 rough downshift from 4th to 3rd in Santa Fe by forgordy

Jul 28, 2002 (3:22 pm)

I have a 2001 V-6 Santa Fe and have had rough downshift problem (4th into 3rd) since buying the car in May 2001. Problem is accentuated when engine is straining (high altitude--8 to 10K feet-- driving, above 45 mph, AC on and full load of passengers. Dealer has found no "codes" and when car carries only driver and is driven at 5,000 feet altitude, roughness is hard to notice. Anyone have a similar problem, and if so, have you or the dealer found solution?

Messages Page 367 of 449

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