What Car Are You Thinking Of Getting After Your Sonata?

[Mikemu]

Originally Posted by PokerMunkee

If the Genesis gets the 395HP turbo 3.3 and AWD and for under $40k, I'll be looking at it.

Wish Hyundai would put AWD on the Sonata.

A BMW X6 would be a terrible family vehicle. My wife has a 2007 Dodge Durango with 3rd seat and it's too small with our two small kids and all of the luggage, dog, stroller, baby crap, etc on a road trip. We'll be upgrading to a Suburban/Yukon XL in a few years.

Yukon is the way to go. Avoid the Acadia/Enclave family of vehicles in case you're tempted as that entire platform (Lambda) is plagued with reliability issues including major power train problems.

[biglatka]

I traded in my 2013 Sonata Limited for a 2013 Mazda Miata GT PRHT. I know, they're different cars but I already have a 2012 Altima, which I think is a much better car than the Hyundai, so I made the switch. Mainly, I was disappointed with the mileage and the handling of the Sonata, which my dealer said was normal for a new car (3500 miles) and he said I'd have to drive it another 10k to 15k miles to achieve an improvement. After that statement, I thought it was time to cut my loses, which weren't as bad as I expected, acknowledge my error in purchasing it and trade it in for something more suited to my needs and driving habits. It wasn't a bad car, just boring to drive with disappointing gas mileage, never got near what was on the sticker in both city and highway or overall. Glad to be rid of it. I have a lot of accessories to sell. If anyone is interested, please PM me. I hope I didn't break an forum rules by that last statement.

[LineArrayNut]

Originally Posted by PokerMunkee

If the Genesis gets the 395HP turbo 3.3 and AWD and for under $40k, I'll be looking at it.

Wish Hyundai would put AWD on the Sonata.

.

^this +1

[Damifino329]

Big....Ironic you should say that. Recently I was originally thinking of getting a Miata. Leather heated seats, Bose, hard top convertable, super reviews, looked like just a fun car to drive even to the supermarket. Then I leaned towards an Accord EX-L. Then I bought my Wife a 2011 Santa Fe and also started peeking at the new Sonata LTD, which I eventually bought. While it's a comfortable car, I yearn for that fun to drive factor. I just may do what you did in a few years. Thanks for the review.

[shabadoo25]

Most cars are dull to drive. Nothing beats a BMW 3 series on that front.

[Mikemu]

Originally Posted by shabadoo25

Most cars are dull to drive. Nothing beats a BMW 3 series on that front.

True but Ive never driven a BMW. What's different?

[Damifino329]

No argument there Shabadoo.. My former GF had a 325i 5 speed that was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Man when that torque kicked in at the higher revs it was something else. A refined version of the 2002 model?. Hot stuff and affordable. Then another friend of mine took me for a ride in his MK3. WOW! A cut above that.

[biglatka]

Originally Posted by Damifino329

Big....Ironic you should say that. Recently I was originally thinking of getting a Miata. Leather heated seats, Bose, hard top convertable, super reviews, looked like just a fun car to drive even to the supermarket. Then I leaned towards an Accord EX-L. Then I bought my Wife a 2011 Santa Fe and also started peeking at the new Sonata LTD, which I eventually bought. While it's a comfortable car, I yearn for that fun to drive factor. I just may do what you did in a few years. Thanks for the review.

Dam...,
You're quite welcome. Do yourself a favor and test drive one. You can probably get a leftover 2012 GT PRHT with Premium and Handling packages and with 6-speed manual or auto, for a song, going into the winter months. It will have all options and accessories you want and it's just a lot fun to drive. The 2012 and 2013 are almost identical. They're not cheap but 1/2 the price of a comparable BMW. The most bang for the buck!

This is my third Miata and I walked out of a dealer's showroom in 1991 because we were $500 apart and he wouldn't compromise anymore. Well, long story short, I bought that 1991 model, in 1994, used, and it was so much fun to drive that I kicked myself for not getting it in 1991 and having those extra 3-years with it. I didn't expect the handling of the Sonata Limited to compare to a Miata, but I thought it should have been as good as my Altima in handling and mileage. I know others like their Sonata's and don't mean to insult them. It's just different strokes for different folks. Try it, you'll like it. I think you'll love it. Life is too short!!!

[shabadoo25]

Originally Posted by Mikemu

True but Ive never driven a BMW. What's different?

In almost every way, owning and driving a BMW 3-Series is the polar opposite of a Sonata.

Where Hyundai puts most of their design into features (giant trunk, lots of interior storage, standard bluetooth), BMW's are often weird and quirky by comparison--positioning of buttons, funky cupholders, etc.

But where the Hyundai really suffers is in the driving dynamics. The Sonata (and I've only driven Limiteds) is floaty, has a weak suspension with excessive body roll forcing braking through most curves and steering that varies from unsteady to flat out bad (left pull issue).

The 3-Series, and this is a characteristic of most German cars to one extent or the other, is a blast to drive. On most highways, you can take your hand off the wheel and it will continue going straight until you change it. It absolutely eats up curves at speed--no car is more fun to drive through twisty curves. And the steering? You barely have to move your hands to make a turn.

It's the closest thing to effortlessly driving a car with your mind that you can experience behind the wheel. It really wraps you into the driving experience.

However, all of this comes at a price, especially on the sticker. Also, it is almost a rite of passage for a BMW owner to sit by the roadside and wait for a flatbed tow truck. Reliability, based on model, is not always a strong suit.

[eastwoodjs]

Originally Posted by shabadoo25

In almost every way, owning and driving a BMW 3-Series is the polar opposite of a Sonata.

Where Hyundai puts most of their design into features (giant trunk, lots of interior storage, standard bluetooth), BMW's are often weird and quirky by comparison--positioning of buttons, funky cupholders, etc.

But where the Hyundai really suffers is in the driving dynamics. The Sonata (and I've only driven Limiteds) is floaty, has a weak suspension with excessive body roll forcing braking through most curves and steering that varies from unsteady to flat out bad (left pull issue).

The 3-Series, and this is a characteristic of most German cars to one extent or the other, is a blast to drive. On most highways, you can take your hand off the wheel and it will continue going straight until you change it. It absolutely eats up curves at speed--no car is more fun to drive through twisty curves. And the steering? You barely have to move your hands to make a turn.

It's the closest thing to effortlessly driving a car with your mind that you can experience behind the wheel. It really wraps you into the driving experience.

However, all of this comes at a price, especially on the sticker. Also, it is almost a rite of passage for a BMW owner to sit by the roadside and wait for a flatbed tow truck. Reliability, based on model, is not always a strong suit.

I have a 2013 sonata se and while I have not driven a limited or gls version (I assume they have the same suspension) mine is very buttoned down. If i take my hands off the wheel at 80mph on the highway it tracks perfectly straight with no pull from the previous years. It has very minimal body roll and takes corners very well. I have driven multiple BMW and MB and they are obviously a league ahead of a mid size mainstream sedan but its also not fair to compare a sonata with a 3 series. That being said I would still love to own a new 3 series but the reliability is a deal breaker.