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Honda Civic vs. Hyundai Sonata

151 messages,  Last post on Jan 16, 2009 at 7:50 PM

You are in the Honda Civic Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata, Coupe, Sedan

Messages Page 12 of 16

#108 of 151 Re: SONATA VS CIVIC [backy] by moocow1

May 14, 2008 (3:23 pm)

Replying to: backy (May 14, 2008 8:55 am)
Here here backy! That dealer guy is completely clueless. My friend has a top of the line civic and it's a nice car for sure. But my sonata is just as nice and feels just as nice for the interior and driving. Also the fuel economy is only a few miles less in city and highway for a much larger car. I like Civics, but not enough to overpay for one.
 
Also I'd like to mention my 2003 elantra had the BEST tco ever. I paid 12.2k OTD and was cashed out after a totalled accident for $8200 for 5 years - deductible. That's a freaking $4000 depreciation for 5 years. NO civic or corolla could ever beat that. Hell no car I know of in the entire world could beat that! I know my new sonata unfortunately won't, but I'll enjoy it nonetheless. So saying that hyundai cars have no resale value is bullshit. Their depreciation is higher, but not THAT much higher.
 
Also I'll note my car's reliability was top notch. The only issue I ever had was a minor door seal wind noise problem. Once that was fixed, no problems in 5 years...besides my own accidents I hope for the same reliability in my new vehicle.
 
Honda's are nice, Hyundais are just as nice. Don't spew millions of tons of propoganda here. This is not a mormon or scientology board

#109 of 151 Re: SONATA VS CIVIC [tiger72] by moocow1

May 14, 2008 (3:29 pm)

Replying to: tiger72 (May 14, 2008 2:15 pm)
I certainly compared the civic vs sonata when I was shopping. The reason I didn't include the accord was because it was way outta my price range.
 
This was on my list of cars to consider when I was shopping for the car I got a couple weeks ago:
Honda Fit
Honda Civic
Mazda3
Mitsu Lancer
Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Elantra
Suby Impreza
 
There is on obvious thing in this...and that is the PRICE. I compare based on price and the Sonata is the same or less than a civic. As you'll note I had a definite interest in some of the Hondas, but the number of features and interior didn't compare to purchasing a Sonata. Why would we compare purely based on size? By that standard, you're saying a tiny Porsche shouldn't be compared against a large bmw 7 series if you were shopping in that market? I say bs on that

#110 of 151 Re: SONATA VS CIVIC [thegraduate] by moocow1

May 14, 2008 (4:16 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (May 14, 2008 12:29 pm)
Btw, you still sound interested in getting another Elantra. I'm just curious why you haven't stepped up to the Sonata yet. Imho it's a much nicer car. I just couldn't imagine going back to the 2008 Elantra because it was such a minor change over the 2003 model.

#111 of 151 Re: SONATA VS CIVIC [tiger72] by mtnman1

May 14, 2008 (4:58 pm)

Replying to: tiger72 (May 14, 2008 2:15 pm)
I have a 2003 Sonata LX V6 that I bought new. At the time it was a bit of a risk, but I got it loaded with every single option you could get at the time and I still think I paid them about $20K. Great investment. I still get compliments about how sharp it looks. One of the suprises is I get 30 Mpg on the highway driving 70 MPH. I am a subscriber to Consumer Reports Magazine and the Online version. Looking at the Reliability ratings by CR the 2003 rates excellent in 5 of the 8 most crucial areas as well as very good for the remaining 3 areas that are rated. This is outstanding and clearly as Hyundai is quickly getting the respect that it deserves for being a top of the line quality builder of cars depreciation issues will take care of themselves. I am currently considering a new vehicle and in the running are the 2009 Sonata Limited V6, Ford Fusion SEL loaded, and the Chevy Malibu 2LT with the V6. I am not buying these cars because it's all I can afford, but because I'm practical and happen to very much like all three. I personally could never bring myself to buy a Honda. I think it's more because of the the high and mighty attitude that I get from owners of them. Maybe it's my loss, but I don't think so. I just get so tired of seeing the "me too" Honda Odssey being every 1 of 2 vehicles with there dull color selections on the road. I like to have something that excites me when I get in it. But that's what makes life interesting is variety and plenty of selection of cars to satisfy us all whatever our likes and dislikes might be. I'm happy you found joy in your Hondas. I just so happen to think Ford, Chevy, and Hyundai make vehicles that are exciting to drive and the differences in reliability are pretty much insignificant when compared to Toyota and Hondull. Please don't think I'm insulting you I just happen to believe that Hondas = Dull.

#112 of 151 Re: SONATA VS CIVIC [tiger72] by bhmr59

May 14, 2008 (5:35 pm)

Replying to: tiger72 (May 14, 2008 2:15 pm)
The True Cost to Own figures are quite questionable.
 
The purchase price assumed is not the real world. Even Edmund's True Market Value uses a different purchase price than the TCO.
 
Measuring resale value against MSRP is foolish. But, I don't buy a car based on resale. I buy based upon what I get for the money. Afterall, cars are a depreciating asset, they are not an investment despite what car sales people may say.

#113 of 151 Re: SONATA VS CIVIC [moocow1] by thegraduate

May 14, 2008 (7:00 pm)

Replying to: moocow1 (May 14, 2008 4:16 pm)
I've never owned an Elantra, or any Hyundai for that matter. I have been driving Accords since I have been able to drive - an Elantra or Civic doesn't have enough room for me, and the Sonata's interior was a BIG turn-off when I was shopping midsizers back in Nov. 2005. I'm currently very happy with my 2006 Honda Accord EX.
 
The current Elantra is a great value, but the exterior can't be described as pretty in any way. Homely is a compliment to that car!

#114 of 151 LOL by lengalli

May 14, 2008 (7:28 pm)

LOL, im glad there is actually some conversation going on here. As far as being clue-less, I know ALOT of people in the auto biz, and I can work at ANY dealership that I choose, and I CHOOSE to work at honda bc I completely believe in the product (which makes me a good sales-person). THAT alone should tell you something, but you would rather say that I am clue-less. Just so you know, I am a Honda Gold sales-consultant, (ie I hit TOP csi scores yearly, I sell ALOT of cars, and I know the product inside and out and that makes me part of less than 5% of ALL honda salespersons.) In addition to that, I have won dealership, zone and district sales competitions, walk-arounds and delivery testing done via HONDA corporate. These are things that Hyundai does NOT EVEN BOTHER to do.
 
By just saying that SOME PEOPLE have to stay in budget does not make you some kind of genius. OF COURSE people have to do that, AND THAT is WHY they buy a HONDA over a Hyundai. Im NOT knocking the car but if it is SOOOOO fantastic as you say, why does it not sell anywhere near what the honda sells? Why does Hyundai finance almost ANYONE, including credit criminals, while I get the joy of "lot dropping" people who dont even deserve to own vehicles, let alone Honda's. As far as Hyundai goes, HALF the cars they sell get sold to people who DO NOT HAVE THE CREDIT SCORE to even think about BUYING A HONDA. In AMERICA, you CAN tell ALOT about someone by WHAT they are driving its just another fact of life that apparently is lost on some of you.
 
If you want to buy something based solely on price, buy a hyundai or kia NOT a Honda, we dont want you!! (And you know this!!)
If you want a "status symbol" buy a Mercedes or a BMW or an Audi, (again, WE DONT WANT YOU!) Enjoy your $100 oil changes and $1000 brake jobs
If you want to drive a wannabe mercedes buy a VW (and have it fall apart around 80-100K and not be able to get parts for it anyplace other than VW
If you want a boring GREAT car, drive a Toyota
 
If you want the BEST customer service, the best reliability, the best economy, and the best safety, buy a honda, or lease it (because HONDA's have THEE best leases, why? because AIG gives them the HIGHEST residual value of ANY MANUFACTURER IN ITS CLASS )
 
Also, one more thing, I like santa fe's .. i think they are good, but its funny that I can get one for THOUSANDS UNDER invoice but yet, if you wanted a CRV you would be looking at paying sticker + and waiting for it to come in at that because they are so popular right now. Again, YOU get what you PAY for.

#115 of 151 Re: SONATA VS CIVIC [tiger72] by backy

May 14, 2008 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: tiger72 (May 14, 2008 2:15 pm)
Stop comparing one mid-sized vs full-sized on full-size standards. The reason Civic owners own a Civic over the competition can't be based on full size standards (e.g. larger engine, more seating room, etc.).
 
But you don't mind when someone compares a compact car (Civic) to a full-sized car (Sonata) based on compact-car standards (economy)?
 
FYI, this discussion is all about comparing the Civic to the Sonata. If you don't think that's a good idea, there's lots of other discussions in Town Hall to choose from.
 
I almost thought about buying a Hyundai until I saw that the True Cost To Own over 5 years is thousands higher on the Hyundai thanks to its amazingly high depreciation rate.
 
So that means Hyundais are great buys as used cars, right?
 
Personally I look at the dollar depreciation vs. percentages. I can't spend a percentage. A car that costs thousands less than another is at a disadvantage when looking at depreciation percentages. Example:
 
Car A: Purchase price $11,800, depreciation after 5.5 years: $5900. Depreciation rate: 50% (actually a real, personal example)
 
Car B: Purchase price $16,000, depreciation after 5.5 years $6500. Depreciation rate: 41%
 
Which car has the lower depreciation rate? Car B. Which car cost less to own, in terms of depreciation, after 5.5. years? Car A. And those numbers don't include the opportunity cost associated with the $4800 extra (not including taxes) paid up front for Car B. For example, interest earned by investing the difference, or interest avoided by paying off debt.
 
Everything else being equal, I'll take Car A. And I did.

#116 of 151 Re: LOL [lengalli] by backy

May 14, 2008 (7:52 pm)

Replying to: lengalli (May 14, 2008 7:28 pm)
In AMERICA, you CAN tell ALOT about someone by WHAT they are driving its just another fact of life that apparently is lost on some of you.
 
Uh... yeah, right. Which Honda dealer do you work for? I'd like to avoid it if possible when I am shopping for my next car.
 
Can we stick to facts and reality here, rather than some Honda salesperson's fantasyland? Please?? Versus bunk like this:
 
if you wanted a CRV you would be looking at paying sticker + and waiting for it to come in at that because they are so popular right now.
 
Here's some recent posts from the CR-V Prices Paid and Buying Experience discussion:
 
7084: I was at Schaumburg Honda in Illinois last night and was quoted any CR-V at invoice.
 
7091: Just started getting some e-mail quotes for a '08 2WD CRV EX around the Los Angeles area. The range has been from 280 below to 500 over invoice + TTL.
 
7099: ...I headed there [Honda Barn near Boston] and got a CR-V LX for $75 under invoice ($20800 + $125 doc fee).

#117 of 151 Honda dealer or salesman? by m6user

May 14, 2008 (8:25 pm)

First he says he's a Honda dealer then he is the world's greatest Honda salesman. Don't know why he throws in CAPS all over the place---he said he was glad there was conversation but just wants to bad mouth everybody that is trying to make a logical point. Methinks the guy doth protest too much.
 
Nobody likes to read drivel like that.

Messages Page 12 of 16

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