Traditionally, Hyundai is considered a "cheap" automaker. People see you driving Hyundai and think - he drives this car because he cannot afford anything better.

Sonata is a mid-size sedan. It's not the cheapest but at the same time not the most expensive Hyundai so this post might show how poor the average Hyundai owner is.

So, what's your average household income?
1. <50k
2. 50k - 70k
3. 71k - 95k
4. 96k - 120k
5. 121k - 140k
6. >141k

The premise is bogus unless you care what other people think or it's required in your profession (eg., sales of luxury items)

Many wealthy people (guess how they got that way?) drive modest cars.

BTW, $50K per annum is hardly "poor."

I refuse to participate; no disrespect to those who do nor to error666 :) . I never was into money nor have I ever cared what other people think. Born in 1951, came of age during the "Summer of Love."

This post has been edited by Dennis the Mennis: Jun 25 2007, 09:46 AM

My income varies by the number of bottles I can pick up on the weekend, or the number of hand-jobs I give to hobos. :banana:

I agree with you 100 % but lol i make 41000 a yr so if thats poor oh well

If I do say so myself I can afford a vehicle several times the worth of the Sonata but figured there is no point in spending big bucks on a vehicle that in my opinion isn't worth the extra price of admission for the purpose it serves.

Error!

When I buy a big ticket item, I evaluate the quality, features, and value. I buy the best value that will suit my needs. That's pretty much independent of whether or not I can easily afford it, or whether I make <51K or >141K. I'm not into designer labels at all. Instead of buying a $1300 Whirlpool fridge, I bought a $900 Galaxy, made by Whirlpool, identical except for the label. Instead of buying a Sony DVD burner, I bought a much cheaper LiteOn, who actually makes burners for Sony. Instead of buying an Accord or Camry, I bought a Sonata, which is close enough and 25% cheaper.

Now if I were rich, I might have a different outlook on things. I guess mid-sized family sedans aren't "big ticket items" to rich folks.

Dennis the Mennis:

You know, it's not about what other people think. It's about people driving a Hyundai because they choose so or because they have no other choice.
Also, Hyundai were always targeting the low-income customers, but then in last couple years they're trying to reach the medium-high income buyers. Does it really work?

50k - I don't call it poor. It just doesn't make sense to go lower then that because I don't think that families with total income of 20k are buying brand new Sonata.

Actually, I wanted to make a poll but it woudn't let me.

The Sonata was their top of the line Car in early 06. If I am not mistaken $25K (MSRP) ain't cheap.

Umm, the US gov't classification for the '06 and '07 Sonata is "large" not "mid".

Household income doesn't make a hill of beans except to marketing folks.
Owning a Sonata says "smart" not "poor". :thumbsup:

Off topic: Hey Dennis, you should have seen the bugs I collected on the front bumper and windshield going through Kansas! Nelly really needed a bath after we got to Denver.

Regards,
GEWB

This post has been edited by gewb: Jun 25 2007, 11:50 AM

Kaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnsas,
Where the wheat grows sweepin' in the Sun!
And the bugs that eat,
Them fields of wheat,
Go split-a-splat
As we motor West
In the heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeat!

:beer: Aplolgies to Rogers and Hammerstein!

I disagree. Hyundais aren't for poor people.

My mom makes good money and has 3 pieces of property all paid for.
Two houses in gated communities and a 2BR condo with a golf course in the backyard that I stay at. Altogether they value at around 3.5M. Yet she will never go as far to get a 6 figure car like an S or a 7 just because she thinks a car is too much of a losing investment.But she likes good cars and has always stuck with brands like caddillac, lexus, and MBZ.


Yet here I am. In my Sonata with liability insurance only. Why? because I am undeserving of anything better.


Hyundais arent for the poor. they are for the humble, modest and undeserving LOL.

I personally think that Hyundai owners are really former Toyota, Nissan, Subaru owners that got smart and ignored the marketing hype...people who learned to identify value and not just just slick commercials.

Byron :57:

Liability Insurance only on a brand new Car in the New York/New Jersey area is INSANE. Sure I know you are under 25, but mom is worth 3.5 willay???

Don't think it's about being poor but maybe being smart. I'm single, no kids. Earn $93K/yr...lease a Sonata GLS for $135/mo. I do have a motorcycle too that's paid for. I just like living below my means rather than stretched out....so I can save $$$ every month. Easier on the brain and less stressful. Also when unexpected expenses come up.....they're easier to swallow.

BUT......if I had it do over again, I probably would have got an Azera. Love the way the Sonata drives but the comfort of the Azera is more appealing to me. In the meantime, I'm still pretty happy with the Sonata's performance and gas mileage.

What I find funny is that I own 2 condos...one I live in and the other I rent out to tenants. My renting tenants often drive much nicer cars than me..... :P

This post has been edited by barryg: Jun 25 2007, 01:09 PM

Oh, yea, I almost forgot. My net worth is more than 99% of the people on earth. I wonder why I don't feel rich?

That may have been that case prior to about 2000 but in the last 6-7 years, Hyundai has come a long way. I might think that about people driving older Hyundai's but not those driving newer ones. I think of those people as smart with their money. Why spend extra money for equal (or lesser) quality just because it has a more fashionable name one the hood?

Hyundai is poised to do to Toyota and Honda what they did to GM and Ford in the 80's.

Im not poor because I drive a hyundai, Its just that I am smart and know what a bargain im getting compared to other makes. This is like asking would you get Gum A or Gum B, A costs $1.00 more yet they still taste the same.

Also getting a Hyundai Sonata fully loaded here is smart for me because I dont think I could want anything else in a car except maybe a navigation or HID's, but those can be added later! I mean I have a really good 3.3 V6, I have a nice 5 speed SHIFTRONIC (some higher priced cars still dont offer this), I have a nice Infinity sound and woodtrim. I mean is there something I am missing that would make a car that cost +$10,000 seem like it has enough things to make it worth buying except for the prestigious name?