2000 mls, impressions

[Franknspeed]

Completed the 2000 mls yesterday. Besides the usual "i love this car stuff", here are the little things I observed.
Power / Pickup seem to vary quite a bit at times, some days it pulls hard, some days not so much. Typically it helps to switch off the traction control.
All on premium fuel. Clutch engages very late, maybe needs some adjustment?
5th gear requires some effort (compared to the other ones) to engage and disengage, even with careful and slow shifting. Syncros? I had that issue on a 99 2.5 RS before. Will get that checked out at the first checkup.
Rear window gets dirty on the inside very quickly.
Left rear inside panel 'snares' when listening to music, seems frequency related, not volume. the speaker grille appears to have some play.
Clearcoat is very sensitive and scratches easily. Can be polished out without too much effort,though. Our 07 Santa Fee never had that issue.
Other than that no issues, but a lot of fun driving. With the tractioncontrol off the tail comes around easily and can be controlled with the right foot, very nice. Drove in downpours, visibility stays good, handling remains good, no problem. Typically I get 21.5-22 mpg with a lot of stop and go driving. Longer stretches on the freeway give 25+ mpg, I kinda doubt the 30 mpg claim, though.
I let it run on an empty long stretch for a bit, still pulls nice at higher speeds.
At high speed its very sensitive to cross winds, but as you're not supposed to drive that fast its not an issue...
Getting a lot of stares and the occasional "challenge" from boyracers and even some Mustangs. Its a 2.0 T , so no drag racing here.
Steering is light and quick, very precise. Cornering grip is very nice, but having driven a 95 roadmaster wagon before anything else feels better...
Interestingly the younger crowd seems to know what it is, older folks don't.
Have not seen another one on the roads.
Love playing on the backroads, best is sunday mornings when everyone is in church and the roads are empty.

If you can, testdrive and you will want one. It feels like driving some exotic, quite satisfying. And it looks very good in your garage.

Frank

 

[need4speed]

This is a hot car. But may I suggest. Just replace the current shifter clutch and fly
Wheel with a more performance oriented set up. I don't think hyundai
Is gonna have much of a solution other than an aftermarket upgrade.
As for the crosswinds issue. Maybe a functional aero kit aftermarket
Will keep it more stable and another part of the wind issue that might help
See a aftermarket specialist on tire, camber, suspension set ups.
Improving on its stance and getting better grip on the road in conjunction
With a good aero kit might straighten out the crosswind issue.
Unfortunately though fixing the crosswind problem will change the
OEM appearance of ur car. But they have subtle functional kits that
Won't give you the appearance of a boy racing ricer. Lol.

 

[Franknspeed]

it's a lease car, so no mods.
Frank

 

[ImInPA]

Thanks for the update Frank. Glad to hear you are having so much fun with the car. It is really sharp looking. I have noticed that alomost all new cars have issues with "filming" on the interior windows. Welcome to the world of modern plastics. Be safe.

 

[dboz]

Hmmm, this is interesting. I have tested a lot of these cars with various configurations. The change in performance is interesting to me. I have driven 2.0's and thought they were terrible. But last week I actually tested a 2.0 Auto right after a 3.8 Auto and thought the 2.0 actually seemed more peppy.

 

[Franknspeed]

I tried both engines and didn't like the 3.8. Weird sound and that torque delay was bad. Didn't really feel like a 300+hp car, my old roadmaster seemed to have more omph, that bad... And for mainly commuting the 2.0 T is plenty quick. If I wanted to race I'd buy a racecar.LOL
Paddleshifters too far away from the steering wheel and its still a slushbox. Similarly slow to the "autostick' in our Santa Fee. Manual is the way to go if you can drive a stick.
2.0 is very responsive to premium fuel, you can drive it with regular,but its noticably slower.
Frank

 

[dboz]

Guess I am still sticking with the 2.0 Track. I feel the same. Just a DD so no race car needed. Just want good looking, economical fun. A little down about your MPG but its still really new so hopefully that will improve with some more miles.

 

[Franknspeed]

Regarding the milage I am getting, its not that I am particularly "hypermiling " when driving...
Frank