I know this may annoy some here...

But had the Sonata been offered for a COMPARABLE price (no rebates at the moment) and a comparable warranty to its main rivelry...

would you still chose it over the others?

Now, look yourself in the mirror, and tell yourself the TRUTH.


(Of course I mean USD 27,000, not Canadian...)

Over the Camry - hands down, no doubt about it, yes.

Accord - little tougher, but I really don't like the Accord's interior (I know that most do) or the harshness of the Accord's ride. Would still pick Sonata.

Fusion, others - not really comparable in my book. I would NEVER buy a Ford as it stands currently. Honestly, I'm not a big fan of most cars made by Ford and GM. Trucks are a different story, although it's still kind of hit and miss (Blazer sucks, Yukon rocks, etc.).

For $27,000, you're starting to get into the kind of territory where you could get a fairly nice 300C. Only problem there is that my wife absolutely hates the 300C.

Long story short, I'm pretty sure I would've gotten the Sonata even if it was $27K USD, but don't go tell Hyundai about that - I'll probably get another one when it comes time to retire the Yukon.

:thumbsup:

All things being equal I would probably have made my purchase based on resale value. That is all things being equal and I didn't think that the Camry and the Accord that were comparatively priced were at all equal. (George W. Bush answer)

I would have seriously considered an Audi A3 if the Sonata was 27000. I probably would have ended up with something different altogether, though.

The only reason I really ended up with a new car was that I just got engaged and I had two car payments at almost $1000 (04 Pontiac GTO & 05 Scion tC). I took a big hit but I needed something more practical and needed to pay a lot less than I was.

Anyway, with all the negative equity I needed something in the low 20s. I'd have been paying probably 650 or more if I bought the Hyundai for 27.

For $27,000 I would never consider a Hyundai. Specially the resale value.

my top choice would be Acura TSX. Not much on the power side. But, for the most part dealers are top notch and resale value.

The main reason why I bought my Sonata LX is that it cost me $18,200 and the warranty.

Unfortunally, I can't say much about the dealership here in North Carolina.

Two years ago I bought a Volvo S60 2.5T loaded for $26,000 new. I got $7,000 off the MSRP. Its my wife's car. I must say its a very nice car for $26k. We have no problem so far.

IF you are lucky. My fokes got an Infiniti G35 new for $27k. Infiniti usually have some killer year end deals.

I would never base a car on MSRP. Specially, american cars. Over inflated MSRP and horrible resale value.

Now a days, there are so many good deals (rebates, mark downs, incentives) Its almost impossible to buy a car looking or base on MSRP.

What I paid for my Sonata LX. I love it !!!

BTW. I had two Benz before the dot boom. 2000 E430 and a 1999 SLK sport. I had nothing but problem after problem.

The Sonata LX rocks "FOR $18,200"

You ask us to be HONEST...........................

OK, if prices were COMPARABLE and there was no value advatange.................... my selection on a "new" family sedan for $27K would be

1- Mazda MazdaSpeed6 4dr All-wheel Drive Sport (not Mazda6.........Mazda Speed 6)
2- Volvo S60 (yessss anyone can get a new one for $27K but.......... the base one w/o any option though)
3- Accord EX
4- Charger v6 (loaded)

But before buying my Sonata I was looking for a lightly used S80. What can I say?............... I am a obviously a Volvo fan. :wink2: W/O the Sonata's price value, and w/ $27K to spend on a car........................ uffffffff either a New Mazda Speed 6 or a lighltly used 2005 S80 T5 w/ less than 12K miles.

(IMG:http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/merismus/gallery/c457439a.jpg)

(IMG:http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/merismus/gallery/c450357a.jpg)

This post has been edited by JCMoya: Apr 9 2006, 09:55 PM

Honestly? Probably not, or at least I'd have to review everything again. The warranty and the price were two of the four selection criteria (along with the interior size and fuel economy). If my budget was 27k, I'd have probably looked at either a sportier car (ie mustang, charger, madza6), or moved to the accord for the milage and because it's the segment leader.

To be honest, most of the differences between the various comparable sedans (Accord, Fusion, Camary, Acura, Sonata) aren't that large to me. I chose the Sonata, because all things being relatively equal, the Sonata gave me the most options for the money, and the warranty was exceptional. Suzuki has a similar long term policy, but I think I'd rather look at Kia before Suzuki for the next couple of years.

This post has been edited by digitalamish: Apr 10 2006, 12:32 PM

Honestly, I probably wouldn't spend $27K on any car. I was looking for something in the mid-high teens and if the Sonata wasn't it, I'd probably be looking at something smaller than it like a Civic or Elantra.

So far so good... One of the reason that question was bugging me, was all those here who make it sound as if the Sonata is DA BEST car in the market, better than the Accord and the Camry....

And I say
IT'S THE BEST VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY, THESE DAYS.

Of course, we can only HOPE that the RESALE value of our new Sonata will be as good as the 2 rivals. But of course, only time will tell...

Me, personally, I would seriously debate between the Sonata and the Accord and would probably opt for another Accord (my wife got the V6 EX in August), had the Sonata been offered for the same price and warranty.

But that's me, the chicken, who likes to be on the "safe" side....

This post has been edited by mamamia: Apr 9 2006, 11:26 PM

if the sonata was priced the same as competitors and had the same warrenty and equipment levels then no i would not get a sonata. i would rather get an accord or camry.

I liked the Volvo S80 alot too. I remember last year. The S80 T6 were on sale brand new for $30k. $12K off the MSRP. Alot of car for $30k. Too bad the resale value sucks. But, a nice car. The S60 T6 were being discontinue.

[quote=davlee88,Apr 9 2006, 10:44 PM]
For $27,000 I would never consider a Hyundai. Specially the resale value.

Speaking of resale value. Just for fun I have been corresponding with a Toyota dealer. I asked for a quote on a trad-in for my 2006 GLS V6 with all the standard options it comes with (I have no special bells & whistles). There are no refernces right now for the 2006's (Kelley blue book, edmunds, etc.). My car has 7000 miles on it. Take a guess at what the trade-in I was qutoed was?


$13,000 :w00t: :w00t: :w00t:

have you try carmax? I think $15k ~ $16k is more like it.

I think they just don't want your business.

They will turn around and sell that car for $18K+

Greedy dealers....

Sad to say. There are idiot out there will buy it used for $18k

Please let me adjust your price a little bit, because I would not have bought ANY commuter car at 27K!

In my case, let's say all the mom cars were the same price at around ~22K OTD. (OUCH!!!)

Let's say the Sonata still had a couple of significant options that the rest of the field did not have. Yes, I would have still bought the Sonata. No surprise there, as that's basically what I did with many extra Sonata options.

OTOH, if all had equal or nearly equal equipment, I would have probably got an Accord or Camry. I guess that's because their track record has been ipeccible for many years.

My goal was to get the most car, quality, and warranty for the bucks. With a wary eye on the quality ratings and forums such as this one, I decided the quality was very close to the competition. With that criteria, there could be no other choice. It wasn't even close. I can clearly see what Hyundai is trying to do, and it gave me the confidence to buy a vehicle with basically no track record.

For some strange reason, I'm more hesitant to get an Accord or Camry. A lot of my co-workers drive them and for me to get another one is just plain boring. I would more likely get something like an Altima and definately a Sonata instead just mix it up a bit.

for 27 000 dollars id buy the azera :grin:

for the same price I likely would have gotten the IS250 just because it's "cooler" with some neat toys although quite a bit smaller - hmm tough choice. I also liked the Maxima but I don't love the exterior styling .. something about it is just too weird looking ..

Camry ? no way - too boring, even the new one. Accord - if the Accord hybrid was the same price I would have seriously considered it