2011 Sonata Is Here

[dataguy]

I can't even comment cause I've never even owned one, but I do find the downsizing of size and weight an interesting phenomenon that is making it's way across the automotive landscape. I've have been a V8 guy for as long as I can remember, but now I'm starting to wonder if all of this is overkill. Especially here in LA, the city and state are broke, so the cops and speed cameras, and intersection cameras are out in force as a revenue stream, I've never seen anything like it before in my life.

Yep. The recent red light tickets I've seen are more than $400 plus traffic school costs. Plus they're adding video and photos to the citation so you know you're dead to rights and just pay up.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lan...have-jumped-65-to-446-times-review-finds.html

Thankfully, the Governor's plan to put add speeding cams at intersections stalled.

http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/2511841.html

 

[TJPark01]

Yep. The recent red light tickets I've seen are more than $400 plus traffic school costs. Plus they're adding video and photos to the citation so you know you're dead to rights and just pay up.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lan...have-jumped-65-to-446-times-review-finds.html

Thankfully, the Governor's plan to put add speeding cams at intersections stalled.

http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/2511841.html

These cameras really piss me off. There are times when you get stuck at a red light that is not your fault. These things take none of those things into account and just assume you are running a red light, it's total BS. They don't improve safety, they don't do anything except annoy people. It would be great for the city to collect more money if they knew how to manage it. Clearly they don't, so why should we be forced to give more. And the notion that they improve safety is just hilarious. I mean come on, you think the govt cares that much about your safety? If they did, then they would force people to have MOT inspection like in the UK, where once a year you have to have your car inspected, and if your, lights, tires,windshield, and suspension aren't up to par, you can't renew your registration. 20% of the cars in LA would be pulled off the streets. Guess what if you have bald tires, you can't drive in the rain!

 

[STREETS]

2011 Sonata outdoes Genesis! It has dual rear seat heated seats and fold-down seat trunk pass thru!

Nice car. A light car (obviously from 35 MPG highway) doors are super light.
Looks much better in person, bigger and 120% improvement on previous generation Sonata. $5K-6K off 2010 Sonatas if you partake.

 

[ctrcbob]

As I do almost every morning, I was visiting one of my local coffee shops, and spotted a Genesis V6. Went over and spoke with the owner who told me he just purchased the 2010 V6 and only has about 400 miles on it. In talking further, it came to pass that he traded a 2009 (or was it a 2008 or 2007) Sonata. Said he went to the dealer to test drive the 2011 Sonata which he and his wife did. THEY HATED THE 2011. Said their 2009 Sonata was so much better. (he did not say just what it was they hated about the 2011 Sonata, other than they did not like the 4 cylinder engine). Well one thing led to another and they tried the 2010 Genesis V6 and loved it, so that is what they bought.

One of these days, I will try to take a 2011 Sonata out for a test drive, but want to wait for one with the factory navi system.

 

[STREETS]

Interesting they did not like the boost of 35 HP over the previous Sonata's engine, despit it being 4cyl. or the upscale interior.
I had rented the 2009/10 Sonata- nice but the 2011 drives, looks and is wll above the Camry and even Accord in fit, finish, drive and function.
People have different tastes, thus why there are many models. Of course the Genny is more loveable- in a different league.

 

[YEH]

Here's the early review from CR.

Not that the old Sonata was a bad car. On the contrary, it was quite competent. It had a well-trimmed interior and impressive fuel economy from its four-cylinder. Plus, it was a great value. However, it has never been rewarding to drive and its styling is quite humdrum.

...Gone is the optional V6. This has turned off some V6-owning customers, according to the salesman who sold me our car. They should definitely reconsider--this drivetrain is pleasant, with ample power and a smooth-shifting transmission. Hybrid and turbocharged versions are coming, but we’re not really sure who would bother paying more for the turbo.

Handling is improved from the current Sonata, with more responsiveness and better-weighted steering. A more tied-down suspension yields improvements in composure, getting rid of the previous-generation’s float on highway undulations. Still, this isn’t a sports sedan and it doesn’t quite match sporty-handling family sedans like the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, and Mazda6. Noise levels are fairly low and although it’s evident this is a four-cylinder, the engine is relatively civilized.

Inside, the Sonata puts its larger dimensions to good use. The cabin is airy with generous space for the driver, and there is plenty of leg and head room under the domed roof. The console’s shape slightly impairs knee room though. The rear seat is one of the roomiest in the class.

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2010/02/2011-hyundai-sonata-first-review.html

Edmunds should have their review up on Mon.

 

[Mark_888]

Interesting they did not like the boost of 35 HP over the previous Sonata's engine, despit it being 4cyl. or the upscale interior.
I had rented the 2009/10 Sonata- nice but the 2011 drives, looks and is wll above the Camry and even Accord in fit, finish, drive and function.
People have different tastes, thus why there are many models. Of course the Genny is more loveable- in a different league.

Prior to 2011 models, the Sonata has an available V6 engine. So the 2011 is not necessarily a HP boost over what they previously had.

 

[scottdk]

Prior to 2011 models, the Sonata has an available V6 engine. So the 2011 is not necessarily a HP boost over what they previously had.

Yup, I own one, and it's a blast to drive

 

[ctrcbob]

As I do almost every morning, I was visiting one of my local coffee shops, and spotted a Genesis V6. Went over and spoke with the owner who told me he just purchased the 2010 V6 and only has about 400 miles on it. In talking further, it came to pass that he traded a 2009 (or was it a 2008 or 2007) Sonata. Said he went to the dealer to test drive the 2011 Sonata which he and his wife did. THEY HATED THE 2011. Said their 2009 Sonata was so much better. (he did not say just what it was they hated about the 2011 Sonata, other than they did not like the 4 cylinder engine). Well one thing led to another and they tried the 2010 Genesis V6 and loved it, so that is what they bought.

One of these days, I will try to take a 2011 Sonata out for a test drive, but want to wait for one with the factory navi system.

Now that I think back, one of the things they did not like was that the 2011 was smaller inside, than the earlier Sonata.

Still have not driven one, but will when I have a chance, and when dealers have a larger inventory.

 

[scottdk]

Hyundai stops 2011 Sonata sales due to lock issue

Hyundai stops 2011 Sonata sales due to lock issue (e)

Hyundai Motor Co said on Tuesday it had stopped US sales of its 2011
Sonata sedan due to potential faults in the front door latches that
could affect 5,000 vehicles. Hyundai, which received complaints from
customers but no reports of accidents or injuries, notified dealers late
on Monday and the stop-sale order was put into affect at US dealers on
Tuesday, spokesman Miles Johnson said. The automaker expects to notify
the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this week of the
possible defect, he said. NHTSA likely will look on it as requiring a
formal safety recall because it involves door latches, he said. Hyundai
already has started to ship replacement parts to its dealers and expects
the repairs if necessary to take about an hour, Johnson said. Dealers
will start to receive the replacement parts on Wednesday allowing them
to effectively lift the sales halt as soon as the cars are repaired, he
said. About 1,300 of the cars were sold to customers and they will be
notified by mail. The cars were built from December through Feb. 14 at
Hyundai's plant in Alabama when the carmaker began using a different
latch. Essentially, the front door locks could fail to return to a
stowed position after being opened, keeping the door from closing and
resulting in a warning light illuminating on the dashboard, he said.
Hyundai has been one of the stronger performers in the US auto sector in
recent years, gaining market share and logging an 8.3% sales increase in
2009, while the industry fell 21% overall to the lowest levels since the
early 1980s.The Sonata comprised about 37% of Hyundai's US car sales
last year.
(Reuters 100224)

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