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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 10 of 16

#85 of 151 Re: Civic vs Hyundai [senior] by thegraduate

Aug 28, 2006 (7:40 am)

Replying to: senior (Aug 26, 2006 3:01 pm)
I've never had an "arrogant" experience at the dealership we use, but it is a "small-town" type dealership, not a megastore near the interstate.
 
Our Honda dealer didn't want to trade-in our 1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible back in the late 90s (we were trading it on a Civic EX coupe, 1998). The sales manager told us, flat out, that the car was not something most perspective Honda customers were likely to want. It turns out that he was correct; the car sat on the used portion of the lot for over two months, before finally taking the car to auction..
 
Perhaps the Honda dealer felt like he couldn't sell the Hyundai on his lot and make a profit, while offering you a fair price? It's not totally out of the realm of possibility, given that Hyundai's still aren't on the good side of the resale wagon...yet. A Hyundai dealer is much more apt to sell a used, reasonably low-demand Hyundai.

#86 of 151 2006 Civic Ex sedan..more noises by targettuning

Aug 29, 2006 (5:04 am)

We bought a new 2006 Civic a little less than a year ago, it was one of the first several thousand built in the Ohio plant. From day one and with 9 miles on the odometer I noticed a faint right rear suspension noise. In July with 4500 miles the noise got so bad even my wife commented on it and she drove our old 62 Falcon without oil back in about 1970 long enough for it to lock up and never heard all the rod bearings knocking like hell. Anyhow, both rear shocks leaked with the right side dry and clanking. Yeah, they were replaced under warranty but I had to take a day off work and wait in a dealer lounge yet again with a new Honda yet! Now I hear another commonly reported noise in the front "glovebox area" thought to be a motor mount but not yet covered by a TSB or any other Honda issued remedy I have found. I truly wish I had gone forward with my original plan to buy a 2006 Sonata LX (now Limited)back then. Fuel economy is not everything..nice but not everything. Speaking of fuel economy the Civic seems to be getting about 24 to 25 around town, sounds good right? well I have a rental 2006 Chevy Malibu with a 4 cylinder right now that has a fuel economy readout and it is at 23.4 with similar type in town driving and posted 30+ in mixed highway, mountain, and mountain with 4 passengers driving.I am NOT a Chevrolet fan but that seems pretty good to me. So, I am not really pleased with the Honda and think it is beautiful to look at but rides on the coat-tails its previous great reputation and is overpriced to boot. I had owned 2 Santa Fe's and an Elantra before the Honda mistake and I am going back to Hyundai.

#87 of 151 Re: Nissan dealers have no reason at all [cajuncycler] by w9cw

Sep 08, 2006 (7:08 am)

Replying to: cajuncycler (Aug 27, 2006 10:43 am)
Re. Mercedes dealers and people expected to pay premium prices, this is generally correct. This is off topic, but here's an example that supports "cajuncyclers" statement: Mercedes-Benz anti-freeze/coolant, some of the best coolant you can buy, costs $22/gallon at the dealer. But, wait, it's made by Valvoline for Mercedes! Smart shoppers know Valvoline Zerex G-05 coolant is exactly the same chemical formulation, and even the same color (yellow), available at NAPA for $11/gallon. Now, back on topic . . .

#88 of 151 Re: Civic vs Hyundai [thegraduate] by w9cw

Sep 08, 2006 (7:19 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Aug 28, 2006 7:40 am)
We live in a Big Ten conference university "town," and our Honda dealer is a combined BMW/Honda dealership. They are cordial and helpful, but there is a tinge of arrogance in their interaction with customers. And, their service prices are very high in my opinion, maybe a result of the BMW franchise.
 
While between jobs a few years ago, I worked as a salesman at a local domestic new car dealer, and we were instructed never to denegrate the competition, either dealerships or products. Any good salesperson knows it's not really ethical, or nice, to knock the competition. However, I see this happening often at Honda and Toyota dealerships, especially in relation to Hyundai. Perhaps Hyundai has finally gotten their attention??

#89 of 151 Re: Civic vs Hyundai [w9cw] by jack47

Sep 08, 2006 (10:43 am)

Replying to: w9cw (Sep 08, 2006 7:19 am)
....Any good salesperson knows it's not really ethical, or nice, to knock the competition. However, I see this happening often at Honda and Toyota dealerships, especially in relation to Hyundai. Perhaps Hyundai has finally gotten their attention??....
 
I would never assume that any car salesman was ethical.
 
Maybe one or two are...but I would never assume it.

#90 of 151 Salesmen Bashing by tomsr1

Sep 22, 2006 (9:46 pm)

Salesmen and politicians have a lot in common.The silver tongued devils both will steal from widows and orphans.
At least a salesman is not feeding from the public trough.

#91 of 151 Re: GO FOR HONDA [savagekei05] by osaka75

Feb 09, 2007 (1:32 pm)

Replying to: savagekei05 (Jul 20, 2006 12:06 am)
Savagekei05 wrote this about Hyundais: "Yes, they have the best warranty because they know their cars cannot last long. "
 
Just wanted to add my two cents about about warranties and Total Cost to Own (TCO) because several people on this thread have it wrong/incomplete or just have a different opinion from me. I have owned two Honda products and now own a Sonata so I don't think I'm being biased.
 
As to warranties, I really don't think that manufacturers offer a longer warranty if their products are inferior to others. A warranty is just one of the ways manufacturers use to entice buyers. It acts as both a feature and as an assurance. As any feature, it costs the manufacturer money, just like low interest financing, lots of standard features, free service... So the shorter it is, the less it costs the manufacturer. The longer it is, the less money the manufacturer has available to put into other features or to take as profit. As an assurance, the duration that a manufacturer offers is much more based on customer perceived quality than actual quality. JD Power, Consumer Reports and the like reflect quality scores closer to actual current quality. Customer perception may be based on actual and previous perceived quality from years ago, like with American cars and Hyundai vehicles. Both are much better than they used to be. It's kind of good for Hyundai owners that now actual quality is quite good while public perception may be lagging. So we get a longer warranty on a vehicle that's less likely to need warranty work. It's a nice safety net. My Hyundai hasn't needed any warranty work. Only one of my Hondas was purchased new and that didn't need any warranty work, either.
 
As to TCO, Edmunds gives it for 5 years of ownership. This time period probably indicates that Hondas cost less to own than comparable Hyundais and may be on par with Hyundais if we take into account the actual price we paid after negotiations and rebates, if any.
 
If we own our vehicle a long time then the depreciation factor may swing in Hyundai's favor. After 10 years the $22,000 Honda may be worth $2,500 and the $18,000 Hyundai may be worth $1000. Yes, the Honda is worth more than double. However, the Honda lost $19,500 of value while the Hyundai lost only $17,000. So if you want to look at cost of ownership, it's important to think about how long you plan to own your vehicle. I plan to own mine a long time. And my V6 cost me less than a comparable 4 cylinder Accord. Of course, gas for the V6 will cost more than for the 4. But I could have gotten a 4 cylinder Sonata if I wanted to make a fair comparison.
 
In the end, when discussing the merits and shortcomings of vehicles, there's no reason to bash one car maker when comparing to another. Each company makes vehicles that appeal to different people. And that's good. The more competition, the more choice for all of us and the lower prices for all of us no matter which car we choose!

#92 of 151 Re: GO FOR HONDA [savagekei05] by drdonrs

Feb 09, 2007 (3:25 pm)

Replying to: savagekei05 (Jul 20, 2006 12:06 am)
My son owns an 04 Accord V6 EX and let me tell you my 06 Sonata LX6 and Azera Limited has it all over that car. His car was delivered with loose engine mounts, his brake pads failed in less then 10,000 miles and the rotors were out of round. A known fact that Honda uses CHEAP brake pads. Now he has all 4 shocks completely non functional and Honda is replacing them under warranty. I'll match my Hyundai's to any car in their class. If you are still around you would know that Hyundai quality is on a par with any manufacturer and in many instances it's better. I came out of Accura TL's (leased 6 over recent years) and I don't, for one minute, regret switching to Hyundai, my Sonata is 1 year old and my Azera is 5 months old, and my wife and I are enjoying them both.

#93 of 151 Re: GO FOR HONDA [osaka75] by jack47

Feb 09, 2007 (5:01 pm)

Replying to: osaka75 (Feb 09, 2007 1:32 pm)
Savagekei05 wrote this about Hyundais: "Yes, they have the best warranty because they know their cars cannot last long. "
 
Another classic oxymoron.

#94 of 151 Re: GO FOR HONDA [osaka75] by joecarnut

Apr 07, 2007 (11:00 am)

Replying to: osaka75 (Feb 09, 2007 1:32 pm)
Well said.
I have a friend that works for Hyundai and is in a great position to know of their quality.
And from what I've learned from him, a Hyundai Sonata is definitely on my short list now for a new car along with the Civic Sedan, Camry, and Rav4.
 
I also appreciate that Hyundai's feel bigger inside and always seem to have great leg room. And now they are including XM radio on most trims.
And the standard safety feature is a plus.

Messages Page 10 of 16

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