Two Years of 2.0T What Say Ye?

[ryster]

Originally Posted by bonsai

"

"The steering reflash was a noticeable improvement. The tranny reflash made the car seem less responsive."

I'm curious how the steering reflash effected your driving experience.

As well on the tranny reflash as mine has never been executed.

Why do you feel the car is less responsive? Is the tranny shifting the same, yet the engine seems slower or did you notice the tranny shifting sooner?

If I barely give it throttle the tranny shifts quickly, but if I stick it over half way I'm easily pulling over 3K. I know it doesn't sound as much RPM, yet I recall a time when it seemed as if around 2K was the shift point. The turbo does allow early shift due to the high toque down low.

My tranny appears to be responsive enough though I have to be careful in auto shift from 1st to 2nd. There's enough of a lag in the shift that combined w/quick response of the engine can make for a hard shift under certain conditions. Hence my adopting the over half throttle approach until reaching speed.

My Sonata was an early build Sonata affected by the well-publicized steering recall. The fix involved re-torquing 4 bolts in the steering column as well as reflashing the steering. After the reflash, the steering was noticeably more precise. It also felt more natural and less electrically boosted. More like "real" steering and less like electrically assisted steering.

The tranny reflash was done during an oil change. When they gave the car back to me they informed me of it. As I was driving away, I immediately noticed the throttle seemed less responsive. More pedal travel required to get up to speed. Prior to the reflash, the car would prominently downshift and felt like the brakes were being applied even though they weren't. After the reflash the car felt like any other automatic transmission I have ever driven. The downshifting less prominent. The tranny felt slushy with almost sloppy shifting. I also noticed a slight decrease in gas mileage after the tranny reflash.

It also behaves differently going up grades. It will ride at up to 3,000RPM going up a decent grade and not shift. Once the grade levels out, it will shift and go about its normal business. Prior to the reflash it handled grades with much more grace.

[rscottbau]

I've had my SE Turbo for 2 years and a little over 22,000 miles with some minor issues (brake switch and battery replaced) but no major ones.

Given the car's cost, it's a good compromise for a sporty family sedan. It's not the fastest or best handling sedan, it doesn't have all the creature comforts that some other models have, but:
- for its price it's got good power and a lot of creature comforts
- for its power its got great mileage and runs on regular gas
- it has what I think is a great looking shape and design

I'd like a better suspension, steering and navigation, but for the money I'm pleased with my purchase.

[hozay09]

I owned a 2011 Sonata SE 2.0T and just traded it in on a 2013.. same model. Long story short I needed out of a bad payment situation. I absolutely loved my previous Sonata which had 34k on the clock when I turned it in tonight and had no issues whatsoever. Hyundai has always been good to me when it came to routine maintenance and always kept me in the loop with updates or recalls.

I had no issue getting this car again and will own this one for at least 3 yrs. The car is not perfect by any means but compare what you get for the money, size, value, MPG.. there really isn't anything out there that beats it.

[bonsai]

Trade in at 34K on a '13. I'd enjoy hearing your take on the differences and similarities of the 11 vs 13. Does the driver seat have memory and/or the passenger at least 4-way power w/ability for a little vertical to pull up out of the hole?
I agree on bang for the buck and the Sonata has some nice features.

It's a shame it doesn't come in a coupe. I know the Genesis is now using the little turbo four and the NA six, but being a dinosaur I've fond memories of the inexpensive American personal luxury cruiser in the long two door design.

Neither the 2.4 nor 2.0 rely on the other for sales, yet they still share a lot of parts.

[NorthEastEngineer]

Originally Posted by ut11sonata

My SE handles fine for a sedan, and it was less than the LE, so whatever on the FAUX rack and pinion, its a budget sedan that has some power, and can smoke plenty of cars out there. This has been a great car for me, and I don't have many complaints about it myself. It has the sexy looks that turns plenty of heads and the room to impress clients. Everyone complains about little creaks here and there.. Turn on the freakin radio and you won't hear them, I haven't noticed little noises unlike others on this forum. This is a great car for the money and has treated me great for two years running.

Well said. I'm not understanding the "FAUX" rack and pinion statement and what's the beef with it. The Limited had more of a sloppier response than the SE and was more money. This car for any and all it's peccadilloes still delivers on design, form and just plain fun.

[bonsai]

Interesting as I can't wrap me noodle around a more sloppier response when the SE & LTD have the same hardware & specs.

Steering Type: Pwr rack & pinion
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall:14.500
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering):2.9400
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft):35.800

The only difference being how much electric assist. More on the LTD than the SE. I don't quite see how there would be different variable rack, providing a different feel, and still end up w/same claimed steering ratio and lock to lock as Hyundai loves to keep the cost down by sharing identical parts amongst various models.

Granted, the LTD you tried could've held more/less PSI in the front tyres giving yet another illusion on the perceived tautness of steering response.

I can only comment on mine. I steer w/one hand and enjoy a lot of assist and that's the way I found my LTD. I know the SE is harsher and I know there are two basic settings shown on the GDS. SE & LTD.

I'm not saying these settings cannot be further manipulated. The traveling carnie for Hyundai service proved as much through his gross and heavy handed adjustment. And a different service person brought it back to the basic LTD.

[Giants4Ever]

32,000 miles and my only real complaint is with the static front passenger seat. My wife is short and can hardly see over the dashboard when she's not driving. Only problems were Left Pull-fixed very well by my dealer, and recently failed to start, dealer replaced the brake switch. We've had as much as 39 (indicated) MPG on a trip from Oregon. The tires look good, brakes still have plenty of room, and the car still gits.

[bonsai]

Yeah, sounds like it's holding up well. I really figured by '13 that a power passenger seat would've been added. I hate to keep comparing the old 92 Buick to the Sonata, but you know I will, 26K new and one of the options was 8-way electric passenger seat controls.

1992 Buick Park Avenue--2011 Sonata 2.0T LTD
Standard Features
Driver Front Airbag--6 airbags
Overhead Console--Check
Power Brakes front disc--4 Wheel Disc
Rear Window Defroster--Check
Tinted Glass--Check
3.8L V6 OHV 12V FI Engine FWD--2.0L DOHC I-4 16V DI turbo FWD
15 Inch Wheels--18"
Regular Unleaded Fuel Required--Regular
4-Speed Automatic Transmission--6-speed Auto
Self Leveling Suspension--Negative
Alloy Wheels--Alloy Wheels
4-Wheel ABS--4-Wheel ABS
Cloth--Leather
Front Split Bench Seat--Twin Bucket
Power Driver's Seat--Power Driver's Seat
Cruise Control--Cruise Control
Power Steering--Electric Assist
Remote Trunk Release--Check
Tilt Steering Wheel--Check
Air Conditioning--Check
Intermittent Windshield Wipers--Check
Power Windows--Check
Power Door Locks--Check
Power Exterior Mirrors--Check
AM/FM/Cassette Audio--AM/FM 6 Disc CD/Sat/USB

Available Optional Features-
Optional
Power Sunroof--Check
Power Antenna--Negative
Temperature Controls Driver and Passenger--Check
Camper/Towing Package--Negative
Power Heated Mirrors--Check
Keyless Entry System--Check
Lighted Entry System--Check
Special Factory Paint--Check
Wire Wheel Covers(Non-alloy Wheels)--Solid Alloy Wheels
Premium Audio System--Infinity Audio System
Power Driver Seat w/Memory--Power no memory
Tachometer--Check
Anti-Theft Alarm System--Check
Leather Seating--Check
Power Front Passenger Seat--Negative
Leather Steering Wheel Trim--Check
Automatic On/Off Headlights--Check-
Auto-Dim Exterior Mirror(s)--Negative
Auto-Dim Rear View Mirror--Check
AM/FM/CD Audio System--AM/FM/SAT/CD/USB

Specifications
Exterior
Width: 73.6 in.--72.2
Height: 55.1 in.--57.9
Length: 205.3 in.--189.8
Ground clearance: 5.6 in.--5.5
Curb weight: 3536 lbs.--3199lbs.
Wheel base: 110.7 in.--110
Interior
Rear hip Room: 54.2 in.--54.9
Rear head room: 37.8 in.--37.6
Rear leg room: 41.6 in.--34.6
Rear shoulder room: 58.5 in.--56.7
Performance
Base engine type: gas
Horsepower: 170 hp @ 4800 rpm--274/6K
Torque: 220 ft-lbs. @ 3200 rpm--269/1750
Turning circle: 39.4 ft.--35.8
Fuel
Fuel type: gas
Fuel type: regular unleaded--Regular
Fuel tank capacity: 18.0 gal.--18.5
Range in miles (cty/hwy): 288.0/432.0 mi.--
EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 16/24 mpg--22/33 mpg

[hozay09]

Originally Posted by bonsai

Trade in at 34K on a '13. I'd enjoy hearing your take on the differences and similarities of the 11 vs 13. Does the driver seat have memory and/or the passenger at least 4-way power w/ability for a little vertical to pull up out of the hole?
I agree on bang for the buck and the Sonata has some nice features.

It's a shame it doesn't come in a coupe. I know the Genesis is now using the little turbo four and the NA six, but being a dinosaur I've fond memories of the inexpensive American personal luxury cruiser in the long two door design.

Neither the 2.4 nor 2.0 rely on the other for sales, yet they still share a lot of parts.

There are a few differences that I've caught on so far between the '11 and '13. Things I've noticed off the bat are changes on the

radio (SE model)
heated seats now standard on SE
steering feels very different.. almost too sensitive?
no memory seats, feels the same
black interior is standard on black model for '13
SE turbo wheels are different. Look awesome IMO..
bluelink obviously
automatic window works way better on the '13 vs my old '11

That's only having the car 1 day. I'm sure I'll notice a few other things but so far I'd say the '13 feels like Hyundai made minor updates and tweaks.

[bonsai]

Thanks. I've seen the wheels and they do look nice.