I thought you were talking about the Sonata, weren't you?

And to make things worse, us poor canucks, pay much more than you. I'm sure that the difference for the Genesis will be around $15K for the same car.
Now the Azera Ltd over here sells for $40K, what will the Genesis sell for $45 to $50K, at that level you are in M35 territory. I don't know how sensitive to rebates and financing are the people buying at this price level.

Whoa... $40k for a Limited. Not to rub it in, I paid $26.8 with a $2500 rebate. But if the US dollar keeps falling, you'll be coming here to buy a car. If Hyundia expects to get into the same price range as the big dogs with a Hyundai brand name... they're in for a very rude awakening... especially with only one rear wheel drive in their portfolio... eh :)

I hear you. I 'm a car guy and had read about the new Azera in '05. After having the ZF tranny replaced in the '01 Jag, I decided to check out other makes. The recreation trail we use is located behind The Hyundai/Honda/Olds dealer. We looked at all the usual suspect's offerings (Acura, Lexus, Infinity, even Cadillac). We were on the trail behind the Hyundai/ Honda/Olds dealer and my wife pointed to three unpreped cars on the lot and commented that she really liked the styling. I told her they must be the new "big" Hyundai. I went back home, got online and pulled up their web site. Nothing listed for Azeras. Called the dealer and asked why they weren't listed as I had seen them on the lot. He asked me to hold for a minute and when he came back he said "Yeah, I've got three of those Azurrahsuses back there". Not a very promising first contact. We went in, drove the beige one, and were both totally impressed. We were trading the Jag and got the dealer's price quote. I came back with an offer $3000 less and we left, never imagining in our wildest dreams that the offer would be accepted. Later that same day the salesperson called and told us we had just bought a Limited Ultimate. It was the end of the month. We've had no regrets and with gas prices where they are now, I can't imagine paying $.20 a gallon more for premium fuel as required on the Jag. Our dealer has been very attentive to our needs even tho I think I know more about the Azera than they do.

Heh! Imagine that extra $0.20 being required... in a '97 XJR. The R is quite a bit thirstier than your '01, whatever it was - 3.2L V6 (based on Ford Duratec) or 4.0 V8 (AJ-V8)? Even if you had an '01 XJR this guy would be worse on fuel. So... take the XJR's "published" city economy... add 11 years (and subtract 2.5mpg)... and imagine pumping 10 gallons of premium to make half a tank (I'm OCD about keeping the gas tanks full on all the cars).

Ouch.

Paying a lot to go fast!

Here is my take on the Hyundai strategy - they own Kia - If I were Hyundai my focus would be to make Kia - Toyota and Hyundai -Lexus - test the water with high end cars in a low end name and see what sales are with little advertising dollars spent to keep costs low. Best kept secret product wise - nightmare everything else-

Flash to the future the Hyundai name is gone like Datsun to Infinity - They send all the deadbeat sales and servicee folks to KIa -- who cares in that price range- carpet the showrooms red - hire and train like Lexus keeping the price 10k less and you have a company looking and selling like the big boys with massive ads and more perceived value and status because of the great value and fako fancy name that rolls off your tongue like Cartier - Where is Hyundai? - Americans have really short memories if the product stands up and the name is hot.

I think the new fancy name lineup is Sonata - Azera and Genisis - every other lower end model is Kia.

I sold my newish always broken down Mercedes and bought an Azera after doing the research on quality and price- totally insulted with the salespeople - yikes- I bought it on line via email -only one phone call - did not leave my office - they drove the car to me with the $3700 rebate at 8:30PM - took a personal check and it was painless. Hyundai showrooms need a complete makeover - nobody enjoys that act anymore.

I did test drive but via rental cars - you have a better chance to get a feel for the car.

My first post! What rental car companies rent Azeras? Big name ones?

As I recall, it was Enterprise here in Des Moines. The guy said most people wanted the other large car offerings, but were surprised and impressed when they returned the Azera. They couldn't believe it was a Hyundai. Says loads, doesn't it?

That's what I say every time I get into my Azera, "wow! I can't believe this is a Hyundai!"...........and then I start driving.......and hit that first bump.......and it snaps me back into reality. :blink:

You see, a difference of almost $15K.
As I said before, in this price braket here Hyunjdai has a lot of competion from makes with a much more established record.
Tough row to hoe, but they won't make it, their mindset won't allow them to.

I am confused....
If I read your post correctly, you bought the Azera by making one phone call, and they delivered it to you, and took your personal check.
Sounds like pretty good sales service to me.

What about that experience caused you to write," Hyundai showrooms need a complete makeover. nobody enjoys that act anymore"?

I sure hope a 2009 model is coming to the USA, on another board, someone said the suspension/ride was improved - that would make this baby perfect!

In spite of the many predictions to the contrary, it seems the Azera is not going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, I wouldn't be suprised to see a more thoroughly refreshed Azera for 2010, including an updated interior layout (ala Sonata), and possibly a slight increase in HP from both the 3.3l and 3.8l.

What am I basing this on? Mainly just a hunch, but also the following quote from Hyundai's head of marketing discussing why they chose not to create a separate luxury brand to sell the Genesis:

Hyundai of America's marketing honcho said "We want to use the Genesis to sell 30,000 more Azeras." When looking for the kind of association that will lead to that kind of sales impact, not creating a separate brand makes sense. A Nissan GT-R can be expected to help shift more 350Zs -- certainly far more than the supposed Infiniti version of the GT-R would.

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/let-the...w-genesis-seda/

This post has been edited by jwaters943: Jun 23 2008, 06:14 PM

:)

Where have you been lately my friend? :P

The 2009 Azeras have been out and at the dealers for quite some time now, even in California.

What "another board" were you referring to? :whistling:

:liebe011:

This post has been edited by snaglepus: Jun 23 2008, 03:43 PM

They may well keep two platforms, one FWD and the other RWD, both would fit in different climates quite well. This may have been their plan from the beginning, but they keep mum so who really knows?

This post has been edited by Pelikan: Jun 23 2008, 04:25 PM

The link below is where I was before I found this one!

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/vi...dai&model=Azera

I'm waiting to get my finances ready for a new car, wife hates it but I'm
craving an Azera...
:w00t:

:)

Glad you found the correct spot! :57:

Many posters over at Edmunds are not 'hep' and don't know what they are talking about. :whistling:

Heaven forbid you should get into a 'discussion' with anyone over anything, for the hosts
will delete whatever they feel is not to their liking, and in some cases even ban you!

There has never has been a four cylinder Azera and I doubt if there ever will be.
Its simply too much car for a smaller engine to pull.

If you should decide on a new Azera, please take your time and shop around, because
not all dealers are the same. Some are giving much better deals than others.

I got in a hurry, and paid almost as much for an SE as a fully loaded
Limited was at another place. It doesn't pay to be in a hurry.

Some dealers even have left over 2007s as well as left over 2008s
now that the 2009s are out and in stock as many dealers.

:amen:

This post has been edited by snaglepus: Jun 25 2008, 07:51 PM

Heaven forbid you should get into a 'discussion' with anyone over anything, for the hosts
will delete whatever they feel is not to their liking, and in some cases even ban you!

Or send you e-mails if they take exception to your "attitude", which I have received. It is simple censorship, which the "hosts" refer to as forum rules.

I'm waiting to get my finances ready for a new car, wife hates it but I'm
craving an Azera...

Does the Wife "hate it" because of Hyundai's throw away reputation of the 80's? Many people today still won't accept Hyundai product line improvement that includes Sonata, Santa Fe, Veracruz and especially Azera.

Yes, wife and my local car repair shop say Hyundia makes cheap quality cars.
I try and tell them that used to be true but not now, and when finances
permit, I will very likely get an Azera.