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2011 Sonata LE

15 messages,  Last post on Feb 11, 2011 at 8:55 PM

You are in the Hyundai Sonata Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai, Sedan

Messages Page 2 of 2

#6 of 15 Re: 2011 Sonata LE [g550drvr] by ewg54

Dec 21, 2010 (12:48 pm)

Replying to: g550drvr (Dec 20, 2010 3:28 pm)
The SE its the "Sports Edition" and it's chassis is tuned to the enthusiest. I noticed when I test drove it it was a bit noiser inside than the limited that I did eventually buy. The limited has the feel I like, but i do like the dual exhaust on the SE though which is why I test drove that trim in the first place.

#7 of 15 New Sonata by shabadoo25

Dec 22, 2010 (6:31 am)

I had a 2011 Limited for 6 months and dumped it for an Acura, for a lot of the reasons listed by the OP. Uncomfortable seats, excessive road noise and dash rattles that popped up after about 800 miles.
 
The new Sonata is gorgeous on the outside and has lots of great toys, but the actual driving experience and comfort are as blah/bad as an 80's domestic sedan.

#8 of 15 Re: New Sonata [shabadoo25] by nj2pa2nc

Dec 22, 2010 (7:33 am)

Replying to: shabadoo25 (Dec 22, 2010 6:31 am)
we own both a 06 tsx and a '11 sonata gls. They both have manual transmission. I wish the sonata would have offered more options with the MT (power seats, sunroof, etc) but for what we spent on it-it is a great car. We must be one of the lucky ones-no rattles on either car (knock-on-wood). One of the complaints of acura's is also the rattles. As far as road noise-it depends on what type of road surface. Our sonata, bought in July, has 10,000+ miles and our tsx, bought new 11/06, has 118,000+ miles (still has the original brakes. We bought both cars from the same dealership in Pa.

#9 of 15 Re: New Sonata [shabadoo25] by backy

Dec 22, 2010 (11:12 am)

Replying to: shabadoo25 (Dec 22, 2010 6:31 am)
The new Sonata is gorgeous on the outside and has lots of great toys, but the actual driving experience and comfort are as blah/bad as an 80's domestic sedan.
 
You have got to be kidding. I've driven many '80s domestic sedans, and the 2011 Sonata is light years removed from those cars--unless you like sofa-cushy velour seats, squishy ride/handling, and lots of tacky chrome inside and out. Not to mention abysmal quality/reliability including rattles galore. Also, not many domestic sedans of that time had anything near 198 hp--not even V6s!

#10 of 15 Re: New Sonata [backy] by aqua33v6

Dec 22, 2010 (12:54 pm)

Replying to: backy (Dec 22, 2010 11:12 am)
I agree. Imagine this wacky scenario: you have a time machine, and you bring a new Sonata 2.4L back to the year 2000, with all the "Hyundai" and "Sonata" emblems covered with tape. Then, you find people driving brand new midsize family sedans, let them test drive the Sonata, and then tell them that the car they just drove is a 4 cylinder Hyundai Sonata. Can you imagine the responses you'd get?
 
Or, how about if your brought a new Sonata 2.0T back to the year 2002, found people driving brand new G35's, TL-S's, A4's/A6's, 330i's, etc. Imagine the responses you'd get after they drive it then you tell them "this is a Hyundai Sonata 2.0L turbo model."
 
Imagine all the blank stares!

#11 of 15 time machine by shabadoo25

Dec 22, 2010 (6:07 pm)

I think if you took a turbo Sonata back in time, people would wonder why you would spend money on a car that pulls hard to the left at highway speeds.

#12 of 15 Re: 2011 Sonata LE [g550drvr] by snowallergy

Feb 02, 2011 (4:57 pm)

Replying to: g550drvr (Dec 20, 2010 10:28 am)
Thanks for your honesty. Many buyers of new cars wouldn't admit it if they thought the car wasn't up to snuff. I'd considered the Kia Optima after first looking at the sonata. Yes, the exterior designs have come a long way.
 
But the more I read, the less I wanted either of these. TG for these forums.

#13 of 15 Re: New Sonata [backy] by snowallergy

Feb 02, 2011 (5:02 pm)

Replying to: backy (Dec 22, 2010 11:12 am)
In order to truly enjoy the 198 HP, I think you'd have to go back in time 30 years. With todays traffic, you're lucky if you use or need 60% of that HP. This is another reason why I think the turbo is a total waste, in addition to the added complexity of a turbo. Complex cars is something hyundai should avoid building until it can get the basics right first.

#14 of 15 Re: New Sonata [snowallergy] by backy

Feb 02, 2011 (5:38 pm)

Replying to: snowallergy (Feb 02, 2011 5:02 pm)
I personally don't need 274 hp, or even 198 hp, in a family sedan. The 162 hp in my 2007 Sonata is more than enough to pull me out of trouble (or get me into trouble).
 
But some folks would like more power in their cars, maybe because they have to pass on a lot of 2-lane roads or they just like to feel their necks snap back when they pull out. I did own a 328Ci with 193 horses for awhile, and that was a lot of fun. I think it's great that kind of power is available in a low-cost ($20k is low these days) sedan, with 35 mpg highway fuel economy to boot. That wasn't available 30 years ago, at ANY price.

#15 of 15 Engine Failure in 2011 Hyundai Sonata by temer93

Feb 11, 2011 (8:55 pm)

After considering many different cars over the past month, my wife and I took the plunge and bought a 2011 Sonata on Jan 31st (2011). We had been really pleased with the car (especially the MPG given that we formerly drove a Ford Expedition!) until last night. As my wife was coming home last night, the car hesitated while taking off from a stoplight, then completely died after crossing the intersection. My wife tried to restart it, which resulted in smoke coming out from under the hood and into the passenger compartment --- but the car would not restart. Roadside assist towed it into the dealership last night. After examining the car today, the dealership reports that:
 
1. The smoke my wife saw was caused by the starter motor remaining continuously engaged as it tried to restart the engine (our car is a Limited with the push button start --- as I understand it, once the button is pushed, the starter cranks until the engine starts ---- this seems like a crazy design to me, but that is what the service manager told me).
 
2. The engine would not restart because it had experienced a catastrophic internal failure and will need to be replaced.
 
So far, Hyundai has been great about it. They provided us a rental car until our car is fixed and are hauling in a new engine from Chicago. They plan to install the new engine next week.
 
According to the service manager, this is the first time he has ever had to replace an engine with less than 1,000 miles on it. I just hope they can get the electrical fire smell out of the interior!
 
I'll let everyone know how things turn out.

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