Hallo everyone, I'm new to this forum and would like some advice.

I took the new Azera for a drive and was blown away!!!
I never considered this make for its perception of cheapness. I really liked the car very much, but there are a couple of points that you perhaps might clarify. How much of a drop will it take in resale value after 3 years and what do you think will be its reliability. I've heard that transmission is a weak area for Hyundais, any other areas?
I'm a realtor and was considering other makes more upmarket as unfortunately I have to consider image, but I truly liked this Azera and can compare it with Infiniti/Lexus and BMW, I'm willing to take a gamble on the image, but not not on reliability and safety.

All comments are welcome.

welcome to the forum :00000732:

as you are the first person on this forum that l know of to actualy drive the new azera l doubt if you will get much help on this one, as you know this model has only just been introduced, however hyundai's are very robust and there is not a known problem with the trans, most of the problems that do arise are because the vehicles are not maintained to the correct standard, also you've got the best warranty around

comments?

I personally won't buy another car that requires a $450 timing belt change.

that's my only annoyance with Hyundai.

otherwise, I LOVE them, and recommend it.

Thanks Montego,

your comments are reassuring and the car is indeed comparable to Infiniti/Lexus/BMW.
In the States they get some extra goodies such as seats with memory and wood steering wheel, but not in Canada, guess they tried to keep the price down, but in my view it's a mistake as the competition offers the above. We'll see what the market will do.

Hi Ramble,

at least the Azera has a timing chain so no 450 bucks for a belt! :-)

Good to see thay you guys recommend it, it looks 97% like I am going to get it.

When and if I do it it will be next month, waiting to see what incentives Hyundai will come up to put them on the road. Will keep you posted.

You mention that reliability and safety are more important than image. As far as I know, government crash test ratings are not available yet for the Azera though the recently redesigned Sonata did very well. It also comes with numerous air bags, traction control, electronic stability control, and abs as standard features.

You are also taking a gamble on a car in its first year and like every other automaker will have more problems in its first year of production than in later years. I've never owned a Hyundai but I frequently pour over the reliability data published by Consumer Reports and I'd rather take a gamble on the reliability of a Hyundai in its first year of production than many other automakers in their second or third year. The reliability charts point to the years 2003-2004 as being a breakout period where Hyundai made a sharp change in direction from being the disposable car to being somebody who wants to compete with Toyota.

Hi Maytag,

although it's the 1st year for the Azera in N.A. it has been sold in Europe under the name Grandeur for a few years. Hyundai decided to continue with the manufaturing of this car in Korea to maintain quality control, while they train their assembly line workers in the US. This car is too important to Hyundai not to insure a good product and support. I agree w/you about 1year reliability of Hyundai and that's why I am willing to gamble on it!

you are wrong pelican, the azera is a brand new model, as far as l know the only country in europe that has got it is germany and thats only in the last few weeks. the XG has been called the granduer in many countries including many in europe

You may be surprised to know that many vehicles require timeing belt changes that cost $300-$500. I drove Honda Accords for many years and paid this price on the ones I ran high mileage on. :)

Azera has a chain drive, no expensive belt replacement ;)

As I was surfing the net I remember reading that the Azera was sold in Europe as the Grandeur with a slight different tailight assembly. Since you live there you ought to know better than I, so I stand corrected!

I can tell you that I took a chance in 2001 and bought the XG300L in the first and only year for the 300. I would do it again in a heart beat. Love the car and the ride, also a lot of car for the money. I have gotten nothing but compliments and I still feel great driving it down the road. I only have 42,000 miles on it, so I will enjoy it quite awhile yet..... I say buy the Azera even though it is the first year. :banana:

Thank you Quigley,

I've discovered that for Asian manufaturers 1st 2nd or 3rd years don't matter as they do as close to 100% of their R & D in place, not like Detroit where the buyer pays for the R & D with the wallet and aggravation. It seems to me that Hyundai has a loyal following and that would not be possible if they sold lemons!
Thank you for posting your opinion.

I've taken 2 Azera's on test drives (ended up getting the Sonata mainly because of price and wife pressures). I think this car will hold its value pretty well. I agree with you that this car is just phenominal.

I think the only thing going against this car is the public perception of Hyundai - which despite Hyundai's efforts over the past 2 years has not quite come around (you should see the looks I get when I tell people I bought a Hyundai). If the company can get its image turned around in the next 2-3 years, I think you'll see pretty good resale value, similar to the Avalon (in terms of percentage).

l think l can totally agree with you on that one dood, but what it all boils down to in the end is, 'are you a badge snob' ? if you are then a hyundai is probably not for you, but on the other hand if you are looking for a good value for money vehicle and don't want to pay for the name of jaguar, merc. or bmw etc. then who's the mug at the end of the day?

Hi Dood,

thanks for your advice! I'm in total agreement with you, I can't find anything that can even come close to the Azera, resale value is not a concern as I keep my cars for 5 years and then if good I pass it onto my wife and besides at this price I can't lose. If this car proves to be as good as we think it is, Hyunday reputation will turn around pretty quick. Will probably get the beast toward the end of the month!
Cheers

This post has been edited by Pelican: Jan 9 2006, 11:03 PM

FYI: The Grandeur (Azera) is also currently sold in Switzerland, The Netherlands and Belgium.

also germany and rep. of ireland....the list is slowly growing

I never used to be a 'badge snob', but I'm quickly becoming one. My Azera is my third Hyundai, and it would take a lot for me to look beyond Hyundai for the forseeable future.

I was so impressed with the Azera that I traded in a 6-month old '06 Sonata that I loved to get it. I had seen the Azera at the Chicago Auto Show and it compared favorably with other vehicles in the $40-60 range. When I took my Sonata in for an oil change, I jumped at the chance to test drive one, and a few hours later it was mine.



As my family grows, my next purchase will probably be a minivan. It'll be sad to trade the trusty old Santy for it but even the '07 Santy probably won't be big enough. I had the chance to check out (but not drive) the Entourage at the Auto Show. The '07 Santy was there too, and it was nice, but for my needs I'll want the added size of the Entourage. Assuming Hyundai will keep to its current pricing policy, it'll be a hands-down winner.

This post has been edited by Goatlover: Mar 20 2006, 12:55 PM