2009-2010 Hyundai Sonata

Replying to: backy (May 27, 2008 12:55 pm)

Replying to: mike91326 (May 27, 2008 12:27 pm)

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• backy (May 30, 2008 4:35 pm)
  • chizi (May 31, 2008 12:14 am)
    • backy (May 31, 2008 4:41 am)
    • carbunt (May 31, 2008 1:22 pm)
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  • bmwconvt (Jun 04, 2008 6:17 pm)

Replying to: chizi (May 29, 2008 10:08 pm)

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• chizi (May 31, 2008 12:14 am)
  • backy (May 31, 2008 4:41 am)
  • carbunt (May 31, 2008 1:22 pm)
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• bmwconvt (Jun 04, 2008 6:17 pm)

Replying to: backy (May 30, 2008 4:35 pm)

Compared to the GLS and Limited, it handles better.I drove the 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder Limited (both 09's) and wasn't impressed with their handling . Driving the 09 GLS and Limited back to back with 08's on the lot, they all felt the same (steering feel). Although the SE handles better, I would not consider the O.E Kumho Solus KH16 tires as performance tires. The tires are quite and comfortable, but not the best in terms of grip. I personally think that Hyundai should have gone with 225/50R17's on the SE instead of 215/55R17 as this would have helped steering feel and effort. I'd like to point out that the steering is very responsive and communicative but felt light to me, so it could be the tires, or maybe I miss the response of the low profile tires on my previous car (215/50R17).
As far as seat comfort is concerned, I found the seats on the SE more comfortable than the leather seats in the Limited. The cloth seats in the GLS wasn't bad either. I made a 14 hour round-trip during the Memorial Day weekend and never felt exhausted, or wished for a more comfortable seat, for me the seats were that good.
Observations:
1) My gas mileage on the trip ranged from 29.8mpg to 33mpg 72mph which I think is very good for a car producing 249hp with the A/C running and 2400 miles on the odometer.I would be repeating the trip again in August and I'd check to see if the mpg stays consistent.
2) The metallic trim (or whatever it is) actually looks good. The trim in mine is silver which I think enhances the look of the interior. So far it has been very easy to keep the seats clean especially the cloth inserts which I thought would be difficult to clean (pet hair).
3) The transmissiom didn't shift real smooth the first 600 miles when I tried to baby the throttle, so I just give it enough gas so that the transmission shifts between 2500 and 3000rpm. Under full acceleration the shifts are very smooth and it upshifts at 5500 rpm. It has only shifted at redline once, and I pretty much had to floor the throttle and let's just say the CVVT feels good (if you have ever driven a Civic Si or any Honda with i-VTEC you would know what I'm talking about.
 
Based on my experiences so far, I would rate the car a 10 on a scale of 10. To answer the question if I drove other cars, the answer is yes, listed below is my opinions of the cars driven:
 08 Accord Ex: both engines were responsive but wind and road noise was better subdued in the Sonata. The only thing I liked about the Hondas was how the steering felt (but again they had 50 series tires compared to the Sonata's 55 series). I personally feel the SE's chassis can accomodate a real performance tire/summer tire upgrade compared to the O.E Kumho's
08 Malibu: wasn't crazy about the interior and but liked the power of the V6.
08 Pontiac G6: a decent car but that's it.
08 Saturn Aura: wasn't crazy about the steering effort (which was the same in the G6 and Malibu)
09 Camry SE: 4-cylinder was adequate but the SE V6 was stupid fast, too bad the transmission had a mind of it's own.
 
I hope this post was helpful, but if anyone has specific questions regarding the 09 SE V6, I would be happy to offer any information I have. The buying experience was great, got a good deal on my trade and paid $21,150 for this vehicle.

Replies to this message:
• backy (May 31, 2008 4:41 am)
• carbunt (May 31, 2008 1:22 pm)
• mrcellus (May 31, 2008 2:51 pm)
  • chizi (May 31, 2008 9:33 pm)
    • mrcellus (May 31, 2008 10:11 pm)

Replying to: chizi (May 31, 2008 12:14 am)

Replying to: chizi (May 31, 2008 12:14 am)

Replying to: chizi (May 31, 2008 12:14 am)

Replies to this message:
• chizi (May 31, 2008 9:33 pm)
  • mrcellus (May 31, 2008 10:11 pm)

Replying to: mrcellus (May 31, 2008 2:51 pm)

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• mrcellus (May 31, 2008 10:11 pm)

Replying to: chizi (May 31, 2008 9:33 pm)